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What a start to the Summer in Fingal
We couldn’t have asked for a better start to Summer and although it may not have been completely dry, it’s the best start to the long-awaited warm weather season that we have had in a long time. Summer brings with it so many events taking place in Fingal and we are well and truly into the festival season!
There is always so much to cram into those dry summer days and when they come along things can get pretty hectic; especially when the schools finish and the endless hours of summer activities for the younger ones begin. But we are very lucky to have so much on our doorstep in Fingal. We are never stuck for something to do in this wonderful area of the country.
There’s no need to travel for hours on to find something to make memories that last for a lifetime when we have so much to choose from right on our doorsteps. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country; the sheer number of public parks, castle grounds and gardens accessible all year round is unrivalled; the community centres, state of the art libraries, music venues, cafés, restaurants, bars, the list goes on and on.
So while we enjoy all we have in our area, and hopefully along with some good weather, we must give a word of thanks to our wonderful volunteers throughout Fingal who give so much of their time in their respective groups, clubs and organisations to make our communities such beautiful areas to live in. We simply wouldn’t have such beauty in our areas if it wasn’t for our volunteers.
The Locals Team
Published by www.irishmediagroup.ie Swords Local Disclaimer
STRICT DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION: Submissions by the 15th for inclusion in next months edition
Summer Camp Time at St Colmcille’s GAA
St Colmcille’s will host their annual GAA Summer camp the week of 22-25th July.
Fun and laughter will be at the heart of this year’s Summer Camp. We have a schedule that will keep your kids entertained to the max! Join us for Gaelic Football Summer Camp – the ultimate experience for young athletes eager to learn, grow, and play the fast-paced game of Gaelic football! Whether you’re a beginner or have played before, our camp is designed to improve skills, foster teamwork, and most importantly, have a blast!
Children will experience
Expert Coaching by certified coaches with years of experience in Gaelic Football
Skill Development sessions: Master the fundamentals or elevate your game to the next level!
Team Building Activities: Meet new friends and create lasting memories while working as a team Fun & Fitness: Improve fitness levels through drills, friendly competition, and games
Spaces are limited! Register online at https://colmcillesgfc. clubforce.com/pages/summercamp-2025 or text 0876819540 for more information.
Spring has Sprung - Let’s get Walking and Exploring Swords!
By Mike Power
With longer days and (hopefully) sunnier skies, this time of the year is ideal for giving you and your family the ‘walking habit’. Beginning walkers prefer to have definite starting and ending points, while making the walk a ‘heritage hunt’ gives the kids something to collect and examine later. They can collect ‘magic’ stones to examine at home. Walking and exploring is healthy, interesting and ‘bonds’ a family together. The whole Swords area is rich in interesting heritage walks. I’ve chosen these particular strolls both for their enjoyment, and to safely avoid the ever-present danger of the traffic that swirls everywhere around our village nowadays.
Walk 1. The Ward Heritage Park Walk
Most Swords folk are familiar with the ‘Jacko’ but have you ever continued your walk past the children’s playground and into the park ahead? If you do, you will be rewarded by the discovery of an area full of interest for all family members to explore, especially your dog !
This fabulous but little-known park lies to the west of Swords. If driving there, Park at the Brackenstown roundabout down from the Manor. The entrance to this park lies on your right, past some iron railings and down the hill to begin your walk. Continue to explore the area, walking around a pond which locals call ‘Ushers’ but which was actually dug out by a local nobleman Viscount Robert Molesworth in the 1710s.
You can do short, (3/4 hr) medium, (1 hr), and long ( 2hr) walks in this park. Further information at:
Walk 2: The Brackenstown Road/Swords Village Heritage Walk Again, drive to the Brackenstown roundabout, park and walk straight ahead. This small track was the original road into Swords! Emerge onto the Brackenstown road proper and walk ahead until you see on your right a
set of wooden stairs leading back down to the park. The kids will love this! Descend into the ‘Jacko’ and walk back along the path to your right. Let the kids play in the playground, before ascending the path opposite. When up this path, walk ahead to your left to rejoin your car at the Brackenstown roundabout.
Happy Walking!
Look out for Mike’s book on Swords: Swords History and Mysteries. A Community Guide, to be published in August.
Thunderbolts (2025) - A Surprisingly Grounded and Gritty Marvel Entry
By Jack Shanley
After a string of increasingly convoluted cosmic sagas, ‘Thunderbolts’ offers a refreshing change of pace for the MCU. Director Jake Schreier smartly grounds this tale of reluctant antiheroes in a gritty, espionage-tinged reality, delivering a film that’s as emotionally resonant as it is actionpacked.
The narrative centres on a group assembled by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a shadowy figure with her own agenda. Each character is a volatile mix of personalities and skill sets. They also carry their own baggage, making them far more complex and compelling than the average superhero.
The strength of Thunderbolts lies in its character work. Each member of this unlikely team is given ample screen time to develop, showcasing their individual traumas and reluctant camaraderie. The dynamic between Yelena and Bucky, in particular, crackles with a fascinating mix of suspicion and begrudging respect. Harbour’s Red Guardian steals several scenes with his boisterous charm and surprisingly poignant moments of vulnerability.
While the action sequences are
well-choreographed and impactful, they serve the narrative rather than overshadowing it. The film wisely avoids large-scale CGI battles for a more intimate and grounded approach to conflict. The plot, while straightforward, keeps the audience engaged with unexpected twists and turns, exploring themes of redemption, trust, and the blurry lines between good and evil.
However, the film isn’t without its flaws. At times, the sheer number of characters can feel slightly overwhelming, and some subplots could have been explored in more depth. Nevertheless, Thunderbolts ultimately succeeds in delivering a compelling and surprisingly mature entry into the MCU. It proves that superhero stories don’t always need world-ending stakes to be engaging; sometimes, the most captivating battles are fought within. This is a welcome return to form and a promising direction for the future of the franchise.
I’d recommend checking out “Thunderbolts” and see what you think of it; I shall give it a score of 3 and a ½ stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today. Director: Jake Schreier – Rating: 12A –Genre: Action/Sci-fi – Run Time: 2h 6m Language: English. For more film content please follow @ movies4fanatics on Instagram.
Double Celebrations For Swords Tidy Towns Members
There were two events over the last month to celebrate Swords Tidy Towns Gold Medal win and to recognise the enormity of us achieving it.
The first celebration event was hosted by the Old Schoolhouse in the Whiskey Room where food was provided free of charge for which we are very grateful. A thank you must go to Willie and his hard-working team for looking after us on the night. It was a very special evening spent with fellow volunteers who share the same community passion and love of Swords.
The second celebratory event was a Civic Reception with our local Councillors, the Mayor and the CEO of Fingal County Council. We were first seated in the main council chambers where the business of Fingal takes place. The Mayor gave a very complimentary speech as did our local councillors and our Chairperson. Afterwards we adjourned to the Atrium where we were treated to a sandwiches, wraps, cakes, coffee and tea provided by The Gourmet Food Parlour where we mingled.
A big thank you to Ann Marie Farrelly CEO who chatted with our members listening intently to their wants and needs for retaining the Gold Medal in 2025. Those in attendance were in complete agreement of the prestige that Swords has now being a national Gold Medal winner.
A special mention must go to our invited sponsors for their unwavering support over many years, we would not be gold medal winners today if wasn’t for their generosity.
Treating The Dads
Personalised gifts and www. wanapix.ie has brilliant Father’s Day gifting ideas. Use code MAMSIEDAD for 15% off. My hubby’s faves last year were the frosted glasses, apron and tools with his name on. There’s even personalised jigsaw puzzles! Wanapix.ie is fantastic for birthdays too!
If your Dad likes to keep fit or loves comfy clothing, Irish brand Koncept Fitwear has nice tops, shorts and bottoms. Great prices, quick delivery and friendly staff; we’re big fans! Their sports bras are brill for women doing the mini marathon; superb support gals!
The National Concert Hall has lots of concerts and family events throughout summer. Their gift cards are wonderful for Dads! Go to a family concert or let him enjoy a night out, without the kiddies.
Wax Museum Plus has lots on and is wonderful to visit as a family. They also have interactive exhibits which are great for engaging kidsyoung and old!
Thinking of taking Dad out to dinner? Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan does amazing Sunday dinners. So Yum! They’re great
for staycations too, especially with Flynn Park’s Aqualough and Ziplines just up the road!
If your Dad loves coffee, Irish brand Artessa roast their beans in Ireland, to make delicious coffee fusions. They have keep cups and travel mugs too; ideal for gifting Dads.
If he likes golf or spa, Farnham Estate Cavan is ideal. Their indoor/ outdoor pool is amazing! Their woodland walks, food and spacious rooms are perfect for summer breaks.
If you’re an adventurous family, why not head up to Carlingford. Rent bikes, enjoy stunning hikes, water sports and the quaint village. Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford is family friendly with huge rooms, delicious food, friendly staff and a pool. Nearby Skypark is a must visit too.
If you’re going on summer hols, we recommended labelling everything! MyNametags.ie have amazing personalised labels and stickers for kids clothing, toys etc. They’re not just for back to school, we label everything! Makes it so much easier to get things back if they’re left behind!
Have You Future Proofed Your Cover?
By Dave Kavanagh
Something that crops up when people are planning ahead to protect them and their family’s financial future, is the fact that we don’t know exactly what the future holds. Will jobs and income change? How long will I maintain good health? Will I win the lottery jackpot in the next 3 years? The uncertainty of the future means that we often plan for a variety of occurrences. One important aspect of this planning is deciding on a term for things like Life Cover. A life cover plan can either be done for a specific term or it can be done as a “whole of life” plan. One of the problems with the old way of doing these was that the premiums were reviewed after a few years and could result in constant, substantial increases, often forcing people to either cancel them or accept a much lower level of cover. With “guaranteed whole of life” plans, you at least know exactly what the premium will always be and the level of cover but planning that far ahead can be costly. A relatively new method of dealing with this issue was introduced from one of the life companies, and it is an addition called “Life Changes Option”. This option gives the policy owners a number of choices once they have paid premiums for at least 15 years. They can then choose to either; a) Stop paying premiums and reduce the level of cover which stays in place
until the cover is paid out, or b) Cancel the cover (if it is no longer required) and take a refund of up to 70% of all premiums previously paid, or c) Continue the plan as it is with the same level of cover and premiums. This option has become quite popular when people are looking to future-proof cover as it offers choices that can suit people’s changing circumstances. If they have cleared loans and have sufficient savings, a reduced level of cover might be ideal. If they have strong pensions and savings, they may no longer have a need for cover and can take back a lump sum. For more information on how this type of cover may suit you, ask your advisor or contact me for a free quotation.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@ financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_ advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.
Fingal beaches retain prestigious Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards
As Ireland readies itself for the summer bathing season, Fingal County Council is delighted to announce it has once again been awarded Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards in 2025.
The beaches at Portmarnock (Velvet Strand) and Balcarrick Beach in Donabate have each retained their Blue Flag status, reflecting their outstanding water quality, safety, and environmental management. In addition, Balcarrick Beach has once again received a Green Coast Award, which recognise beaches for their natural beauty, clean environment, and high-quality bathing water.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, welcomed the news, saying: “The Blue Flag
and Green Coast Awards are a reflection of the hard work by council staff and our communities to keep our beaches clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. As someone who has been swimming on Portmarnock Beach my whole life, I am delighted that we have yet again retained our flag. I want to particularly thank all the Tidy Towns and Clean Coast groups for the work they do on our beaches.”
Director of Operations in Fingal, MaryT Daly, added: “These awards are not only about water quality but also about community engagement, environmental education, and sustainability. I want to sincerely thank all the community groups, volunteers, and residents whose ongoing efforts play such a vital
role in keeping our beaches clean, safe, and environmentally sound. I encourage everyone to enjoy all of our beaches responsibly and continue supporting efforts to protect our natural coastline.”
Fingal would also urge dog owners to clean up after their pets. Just one instance of dog poo can contaminate an area the size of a tennis court, posing a serious risk to public health. To highlight this, see this informative animation that illustrates the real impact of not picking up after your dog: https://youtu. be/7bas6zvBmM4.
For details on locations along Fingal’s 88km of coastline, visit: https://fingal.live/2p8rdrrw.
An Taisce announces 2025 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards in recognition of Ireland’s Best Beaches and Marinas. Alannah and Farrah celebrate the award of 70 Green Coast Award
Summers past
By Jon Kavanagh
As I turn the calendar page to June, memories of Summers long gone wave from the corridors of my aging mind. Was the weather really better with long days staying bright till nearly midnight? Or has my optician been a bit heavy handed with the rose-coloured tint on my spectacles? Back when we baby boomers were chewing bubble gum, our schools weren’t the embracing places of learning we know today. The long summer break came as a great reprieve from a strict educational system that was not far removed from
Dickensian days. No summer camps or theme parks as we explored the world around us, taking risks that would cause Evel Knivel to shield his eyes. Favourite pastimes included climbing trees, rapidly descending steep hills on our ‘truck’ – a hazardous, breakless Go Car manufactured from the chassis and wheels of an old pram, and fishing for pinkeens on a slippy river bank with a jam jar and length of string. The words health and safety were not in the vocabulary when like proverbial sardines in a tin we were crammed into a Morris Minor, driven by a neighbour who did hand combat with a steering wheel that appeared to have a mind of its own. Destinations included
Skerries, Balbriggan, Donabate, Malahide and Rush beaches where we had soggy sandwiches seasoned with sand, washed down with warm lemonade.
Most towns and village around Fingal had their own summer festival; usually incorporating a field day where the eager tried their hand at tug of war, egg and spoon racing, horseshoe throwing, a glamorous granny competition and a hairy legs contest for the men, to name but a few delights on the day. In the evening crowds would flock to a marquee for a night of music and dancing. I some cases revellers would have spent quality time in the local tavern before deciding to trip the light fantastic. By in large
peace prevailed. But occasionally one word would borrow another, offence would be taken and the ancient battle cry “Step outside!” would be issued, resulting in a melee, that would make the fight scene from The Quiet Man look like The Teddy Bears Picnic. In a pre-computer world, we were easily amused with simple things that broke the mundane routine of those barmy days. All too soon the summer would grow old; the All-Ireland Finals would draw near and it would be time to visit Clarkes and Taylors shops in Swords (both long gone) for a new winter coat, shoes, school bag, copy books and pencil case. We didn’t know then that we were the last of our kind.
Fingal Scouts Compete for County Shield
Camping season is in full swing with Scouts from all over Fingal just finished their County Shield Event. This is a competition amongst them all to see who can rise to the challenges set for them over a weekend. As well as camping and cooking and being totally self-sufficient for the weekend, this year‘s event was held at the Scout campsite in the Bog of the Ring, with approximately 200 people participating and helping run it, Scouts have spent weeks preparing
for this event.
Training included meal preparation and cooking, camp skills where they must build all their own furniture for the weekend. First aid training is also a priority in the scouts with a very real-life scenario presented to them involving multiple casualties. Each team has eight members, and they work together from 10 o’clock on Friday morning till about 3pm on Sunday this year. Friday’s weather was quite frankly awful, but
they got on with it and no complaints. It’s a great opportunity for young people to mix and see other scouts from the towns around North Fingal. Friendships were made on the weekend that will last a lifetime. And it was a totally phone free zone. The top 3 teams qualify for the all-Ireland competition held in late August. With up to 1000 participants. This year’s event will be held in Limerick.
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WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!!
WE WANT YOUR LOCAL NEWS!!
• Do you run a Local Sports Club or Team?
• Are you a new business or a business celebrating an anniversary?
• Are you running or hosting a Local event or Fundraiser? • Do you have a story to tell?
• A Special Birthday, Christening, Communion.. Send us your pics.. We Want it ALL.. Contact us today: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com Be Part of Your Community News
This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and discover the name of an area in Fingal spelt out in the coloured squares. Then send the completed crossword and your answer by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@ gmail.com before 5pm on the 16th of this month. The first correct entry to be drawn will win €50..Good luck
Across
1. Paintings on walls. (6)
5. Division of a diocese. (6)
10. The real material. (7)
11. Likely to perform unpredictably. (7)
12. Skewer for meat and a disgusting habit. (4)
13. The first fruit. (5)
15. Case from which playing cards are dealt one at a time. (4)
17. A long period of time. (3)
19. Old man is a nut! (6)
21. Put to death. (6)
22. Protective glasses set in a flexible frame. (7)
23. Porter gives a short account of the news. (6)
25. Could be belly, pages or fever. (6)
28. Lightly strike the faucet. (3)
30. A fit of often silent anger or bad temper. (4)
31. Melon is another fruit. (5)
32. A confused murmur or flurry of activity. (4)
35. Make troops hard or harder. (7)
36. Tears up the inventor of partial sterilisation of a substance. (7)
37. Valuable stones. (6)
38. An assistant with power to act when a superior is absent. (6)
Down
2. Radioactive element. (7)
3. A dull and persistent pain. (4)
4. Gather money together with difficulty. (6)
5. Spanish dish. (6)
6. Of meat only cooked a short time. (4)
7. Bag for school books. (7)
8. Sarah Palin was Governor here. (6)
9. A smooth final surface of a substance, such as concrete, applied to a floor. (6)
14. You run it on a computer. (7)
16. Severely inflamed and painful. (5)
18. Sires for salary increases. (5)
20. A small spot, a speck. (3)
21. Opener. (3)
23. Far away, secluded. (6)
24. Fresh fruit and vegetables grown for the market. (7)
26. Tousled is the noisiest. (7)
27. A male magician or sorcerer. (6)
28. A game involving love. (6)
29. Slangily exhausted. (6)
33. Fit a horse with an outer foot covering. (4)
34. An invitation to reply. (4)
SUDOKU ANSWERS
