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LOCAL

Volume 6 Issue 9 - November 2021

Stay safe and enjoy the Yuletide season!

Dave Kavanagh Financial For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) Email: info@financialcompanion.ie | Web: financialcompanion.ie Phone: 087-6414570 or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram.

€50 crosswo rd competi tion inside

Our Team

Let us stay safe and enjoy the Yuletide season!

Local News

With lots of the restrictions regarding Covid 19 more or less relaxed and life heading towards a pre Covid normality, we at Locals Magazine are like you, hoping we are beginning to see a new era for us all. Christmas may be only next month but even though it seems we may be able to mix more and enjoy it, we still have to be very careful . We must continue to practise constant handwashing, using the hand sanitisers, wearing masks when appropriate, social distancing and having our Covid Certs in order to keep ourselves and others safe. We must also protect our mental and physical health as well in this pre Christmas season. This should also mean supporting those who have supported us over the past 20 months. This means shopping locally supporting our local businesses and securing local employment. We at Local magazines really value the essence of community, we are a community based magazine and love promoting local community based sporting, charitable and voluntary organisations. We value the loyalty of you, our readership, our contributors and our advertisers without whom it would not have been possible to publish the magazine online and more recently once again in print during this crisis.

In the next six weeks we will be in the throes of Christmastime and Christmas shopping. Those days and the month ahead will be crucial to the survival of each and every one of us. Crucial to all of us workers and business owners and the survival of those of us who have health problems We may be coming out of the restrictions but that does not mean being over exuberant. We must all continue to grasp this new era cautiously and continue to pull together while not forgetting the consequences if we do not. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to return to what we knew to be normality at Christmas two years ago? To enjoy our yuletide again with our loved ones, families and friends.

Returning to normal also means supporting our local businesses, supporting our carers and HSE frontline staff and supporting each other and all in our locality who need our help. Let us not take anything for granted all stay safe, obey the regulations and enjoy meeting up with those we care about once again. So, stay safe, enjoy the beginning of the season and remember please continue to shop local!

Editor E. communitylocalseditor@gmail.com Advertising Sean Maguire T. 087 915 9052 E. seanmaguire@irishmediagroup.ie Production Tim Evans E. communitylocalsdesigner@gmail. com Contact us Swords Local Magazine Email: communitylocalseditor @gmail.com www.facebook.com/SwordsLocal Designated Pick up Points Supervalu, Pavilions JC’s, Swords Lidl, Rathbeale Road Applgreen, Malahide Rd., Swords Published by

IRISHMEDIAGROUP publishing | design | print | web

The Locals Team

Swords Local Disclaimer

Every effort is made by Swords Local Magazine to ensure that the information is correct and will not be held responsible for any advertisement or editorial errors.

Swords Local reserves the right to decline, suspend or omit any advertisement or article submitted. No liability can be accepted by Swords Local for any printing errors in advertisements or otherwise.

STRICT DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER EDITION: 15th November for inclusion in our December edition.

www.irishmediagroup.ie

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

3

Fitness

It’s Time to Grow Together for Movember

By Ciaran Russell Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. “Men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average 5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons. A growing number of men – around 10.8M globally – are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides”.

Source: movember.com/about/cause Generally men will brush things off as unimportant and not speak up about things that may be bothering them; be that physically or mentally. As part of the Movember movement I want to help change that narrative to help bring more men together to support each other through whatever issues they may be facing.Health and fitness plays a massive part in how you feel. By improving health markers and being more active, the health of not just men, but everyone, can be significantly enhanced.

We live our lives mostly in comfort, trying to

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

avoid the hard things. That may be losing some weight, trying to get fit, speaking on a stage or starting something new, all of which can make us uncomfortable. Usually when we experience discomfort we tend to give up on making that change and we stay rooted to the past instead of leaning in to the potential growth that may

come as a result of that hardship.Use the month of November to take charge of your health and fitness in the pursuit to becoming a better person for yourself and other people in your life. Do you want your life to be an example or a warning to others? You can support the Movember cause by logging on to their website movember.com

Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Finance

Is time running out for your insurance cover?

By Dave Kavanagh When people take out cover, such as life cover or serious illness cover, it is usually for a specific term, such as 10, 20 or 30 years. When these terms expire, the cover usually ends. People can ap-ply for new cover but their health at that time may prevent them from getting cover again or could include a premium rating. This is why having a conversion option is an extremely valuable bene-fit. It allows the person to extend their cover without having to provide any new medical details, so they are guaranteed to be accepted for cover (assuming they were accepted at ordinary rates when they first applied). It’s hard to know what your requirements will be in 10 years, never mind 20 or 30 years, so if you are taking out cover for the first time, it is important to make sure that you will have the flexibility in the future should you require it. For anyone that has cover in place, do you know exactly when it is due to expire? Do you know if it has a conversion option? It is far wiser to check and make sure you know these details now, rather than leave it until it is too late. If your health has deteriorated since you originally took out cover and you do have a conversion op-tion, it may be well worth looking at converting it now, as cover is more expensive the older you are, so you can lock in a lower premium and future proof yourself by getting the

best value for your cover. In many cases, a lower level of cover may be sufficient as the financial loss that would have occurred 20 years ago may be reduced, for example, children may have grown up and moved out. Another aspect to consider, is if you were a smoker when you first took out cover. If you have been a non-smoker for over 12 months, you may be entitled to substantially reduced premiums.

positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM and TV3.

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 phone 087-6414570, 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,

0857244660 www.affordableroofers.ie

Affordable Roofers Dublin is a team of highly qualified tradesmen with years of experience serving Dublin customers. They are on 24hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to respond to any type of roof repair work anywhere across Co. Dublin.

We also cover surrounding areas.

Whether it’s a leaking roof that needs to be fixed straight away, guttering that needs to be cleared, repair work to a chimney, or replacing broken tiles, we are here to help.

Our highly skilled tradesmen are available to investigate and pinpoint the cause of any water leak or roof defect and carry out the necessary repair works.

We provide affordable roofing services throughout the whole of Co. Dublin and further if needed.

Phone – 085 7244660 Email – info@affordableroofers.ie Address Unit 21, Block 1, Port Tunnel Business Park, Clonsaugh, D17 FY82 Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

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Local News

Fingal Projects Shortlisted for All Ireland national Awards Fifteen Fingal County Council projects have been short-listed for prestigious national awards.A total of ten Fingal projects and initiatives have been nominated in nine categories for this year’s LAMA Awards. The All Ireland Community and Council Awards, presented by LAMA and sponsored by IPB Insurance, are an opportunity to highlight and promote the work carried out in our communities. Now in their 15th year, the awards have consistently showcased the successful collaborations between communities and councils over the years and have provided a platform for recognising and acknowledging unsung heroes.In 2020, ten Fingal County Council led projects were also nominated in eight categories in the Commuunity Awards with ‘Community Car’ Age Friendly Sustainable Transport Service in Fingal winning for ‘Best Community Based Initiative’.

The nominations for this year’s awards are:Whitestown Estate Management – Community Environmental Initiatives in Best Environmental or Ecological Project or Initiative, Contactless Bottle Filling Station and Fingal County Council Public Wi-Fi Roadmap in Best Business Working with the Community. Re Clean Up! In Best Waste Management Programme, Free Outdoor Wi-Fi in Best Connected Council, Millennium Park in Best Public Park, Weather Station for Schools in Climate Change and in Best Education/Training Initiative, Weather Station for Schools in Climate Change in Best CSR Community Programme, Swords Castle Conservation Project in Best Heritage Project, Fingal Festival of History in Arts/Culture (inc. festivals & events.The awards ceremony, which will be hosted by RTÉ presenter Marty Morrissey, will take place on 27 November at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport.

Fingal County Council projects have also been nominated in five of the 16

categories in the Chambers Ireland 2021 Excellence in Local Government Awards.Only 90 projects from 20 councils have been short-listed. The award ceremony will take place on Thursday, 18 November. Last year Fingal County Council won the Supporting Sustainable Communities Award for the Shop Local Website.

Fowlers are looking to advertise for staff and have three positions availible 1. Head Chef. The oportunity has arisen to offer this role and will suit a chef who wants to make it his own.

2. Chef/cook with 3 years experience working all areas of the kitchen assisting head chef and being able to work independantly.

3. Kitchen Porter Direct all information (CV with contact information) to;- info@fowlerspubs.ie

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES 2021 Christmas Party Nights Includes prosecco reception, 4 course dinner, live band and DJ with spot prizes.

€59 per person November 25th & 26th: ABBA & Tina Turner Tribute December 4th, 11th, 17th,18th: The Enemies

Swing into Christmas Includes 4 course dinner with live music served in the Tara Lounge

€32.95 per person/ Rooms from €70 B&B

December 3rd, 5th, 12th & 19th Music from Ken Kirwan singing hits from Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Buble

Twixmas Music Nights

New Year's Eve

Joe Dolan Tribute December 27th ABBAEsque December 28th Tickets

Show Only €25, Dinner & Show €59 Dinner, Show & Stay with BB for 2 €189

Tickets: €69 per person Rooms from €130 twin B&B Includes prosecco reception, 5 course dinner with live music from Pump Up the Jam and DJ till late

Visit Santa Clause

Christmas arts and crafts, face painting and more.

December 11th & 12th Includes a gift for each child

Tickets €10 Book on www.eventbrite.ie

To book contact CityNorth Hotel, Gormanstown, Co.Meath (just 15 minutes from Dublin Airport, M1, Exit 7)

Call +353 1 6906666 or email events@citynorthhotel.com www.citynorthhotel.com Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

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Local News

Fingallians Grúpa Comhrá celebrates 10 year anniversary Fingallians G.A.A. club in Swords hold a weekly Irish language conversation group that recently celebrated its 10thbirthday. Irish Language promotion is central to the ethos of the G.A.A. and particularly Fingallians G.A.A. club.The Grúpa Comhrá was established by the club’s Irish language and Culture Officer Liam Ó Culbáird. Liam said “we felt we needed to create our own opportunity where we could use, practice and improve our Irish. We wanted something different from a classroom setting so we established a relaxed, welcoming and encouraging environment that was supportive of all levels. The emphasis has always been on enjoyment of the language and nobody is overly concerned about intricate grammar or ultra-precise pronunciation. Our group has always been a setting where everybody is learning from everybody else.”The Grúpa Comhrá has seen hundreds of people come and go through the years and the fact that it is still going strong

ten years down the road is, according to Liam, as a result of the emphasis on fun while learning. “We have seen hundreds of people from all sorts of backgrounds, some came for two or three weeks while others have stayed for years. Because there is no cost involved and it is a bar setting we have people that come for a pint, others will have a coffee or whatever takes their fancy. We ‘shoot the breeze’ about whatever is going on at home, at work, what is happening in the news, plans for the weekend, etc... The conversations can go in any direction and this exposes us all to new vocabulary and ways to phrase sentences.”C.L.G. Fhine Ghallainn (Fingallians G.A.A.) would like to say “Go raibh míle maith agat” to all that attended and supported the group through the 10 years and we hope that you benefited from the service. The group meets every Wednesday night at 9pm.

Further info is available from Liam-086 3814422.

CommunityLocals.ie 8

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

Construction of All-Weather Sports Pitch Facility in Swords

Work commenced recently on the construction of a new €1.5million All-Weather Sports Pitch Facility at Ward River Valley Regional Park in Swords.The new third generation synthetic all-weather pitch will be a full sized GAA & Soccer pitch which will be similar to the facility at Bremore Regional Park in Balbriggan. The new floodlight facility will be accompanied by car, coach and bicycle parking to service the needs of the pitch users as well as improving access to the park.The project is being led by the Council’s Parks & Green Infrastructure Division and the contract for the works has been awarded to Haffey Sports Grounds Ltd following the conclusion of the competitive tender process. It is anticipated that the facility will be completed by

the Second Quarter of 2022. Earlier this year the limited removal of some screen tree planting took place to create space for the pitch and facilitate construction works. This followed consultation with the public to ensure the layout of the pitch would allow for the retention of a landmark mature tree on the site. Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh said: “I welcome the news that contractors have gone on site to begin construction of what will be a valuable sporting amenity for the people of Swords and wider area.

A lot of work has been done by councillors, staff and other stakeholders over the last few years to make this project a reality and this is a significant milestone in the journey.” Kevin Halpenny, Senior Parks Superintendent with Fingal County

Council, said: “In any project there are a lot of steps that must be completed before we can get to construction stage and I want to thank the local councillors and stakeholders for their patience as we moved through the various stages. Following the development of the new Recreational Hub facilities, a major community tree planting project will add to the tree cover in this part of the park and improve the landscape setting of the Hub.” Funding for the €1.5m project has been provided by Fingal County Council and also by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to address a requirement for community gain that the airport authority is providing as part of the development of the North Runway at Dublin Airport.

www.facebook.com/SwordsLocal www.facebook.com/BalbrigganLocal Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

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Local News

Councillors approve Council’s €784m Capital Programme Councillors have approved Fingal County Council’s €784m three-year Capital Programme which provides for significant investment on projects across the County during period from 2022 to 2024. It represents a €17m increase on the previous Capital Plan with the 2022-2024 programme identifying 237 individual projects with an estimated spend of €783.73m over the three years. The Programme projects a capital spend in 2022 of €237m, followed by €265m in 2023 and a further €282m in 2023. Just over half of the €784m has been allocated to Housing with the €393m budget underpinning the Council’s commitment to delivering a significant housing programme under the Government’s new housing plan, Housing For All. resources and to provide good quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price. The Council expects to construct 239 homes in 2021 and 2022 while continuing to progress plans for the development of landbanks at Church Fields in Dublin 15, Ballymastone in Donabate and Hayestown in Rush. A total of €20m has been set aside for Community and Sports programmes. Almost 20% of Capital Plan expenditure is earmarked for Planning and Strategic Infrastructure projects with the Church Fields Link Road and Cycle Scheme due to go to construction soon while the Donabate Pedestrian Bridge, which will be constructed over the main Dublin-Belfast rail line, is due to commence construction next year. A sum of €12m has been set aside for the development of a new Regional Park at the former Baldoyle Racecourse, which will be co-funded by the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF), while €2.2m has been allocated for the Porterstown Park Recreational Hub. Projects by the Economic, Enterprise Tourism and Cultural Development Department will account for 15% of expenditure with €23.1m being set aside for the Civic and Cultural Centre element of the Swords Cultural Quarter project which is due to go to planning in 2022. Works on the Carnegie Library in Swords is expected to begin in early 2022 following public consultation with €1.2m allocated to this project. A total provision of €23.5m has been made for a number of projects under the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Scheme with extensive

Fingal County Council has approved a €784m three-year Capital Programme which sets out significant investment on projects across the County including the Snugborough Road Interchange. .

works planned to commence during the three-year lifespan of the new Capital Programme. A further €58m has been allocated to Environment Climate Action and Active Travel projects which will include Protected Cycle Lanes, Road Safety and Active Travel Mobility.

Swords St John Ambulance – Caring for you !

Swords Division was established in 2014. Since then we have grown and have One ambulance, first aid tent and a Cycle Response Unit (CRU). We have 25 adult members from basic first aid, EMT to Nurses. In 2019, our cadet division was formed. Our division is lead by our Officer in Charge Mr Jamie Bollard MStJ, assisted by our senior NCO’s Michael, Noel, Jock and Claire (cadets). Our Cycle response unit was donated to us in 2019 by One4All gift cards. We are a very active division with a wide area to cover 10

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

in North Co. Dublin.We provide professional event medical cover for any event, providing our Ambulance, CRU, Tent, First aid patrols and more.

Our division provides First Aid courses, demos, talks and more, with our experienced instructors Noel, Jamie, Michael, Gerard and Declan. Our training equipment is of the highest standards including our full body CPR, Airway and Trauma manikin.

Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

THINKING OF SOME

HOME IMPROVEMENTS? WE ARE HERE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOU!

“The Cove” at Maydenhayes Are you looking for more space for your family to live in? Would a top floor working space in your home make your life more productive?Would you love a better quality of life, living 5minutes from beautiful Mornington Bay Beach and its beautiful environs?If this has tweaked your interest, then prepare to be wowed by an exquisite new house in Maydenhayes Cove, Mornington, County Meath, a private enclave of 6 gorgeous new family homes at a very affordable/reasonable price. These new large 5-bedroom detached houses are laid out over 3 levels, maximising space for comfortable living; with a bespoke comfortable airy space at the top-floor level presenting the opportunity for a fantastic space to work from home.

Other features in these spacious A-rated homes include five comfortably sized bedrooms and family bathroom, generous ensuites, walk in wardrobes, an unusually spacious landing at first floor level, underfloor heating and high-quality sanitary fittings. On approach to the house, the stained glass in the front door sets the tone for a chique new house that manages to combine the cosy feeling of home with being comfortable, modern and on trend. The front door opens into a charming and stylish entrance hallway filled with a happy and homely personality that permeates the whole house.

The hall leads into a wonderful airy, spacious, and light-filled living/dining/ kitchen area featuring high ceilings at this level. Patio doors lead out into a generous garden with its favourable south westerly aspect to the rear.

The house also comprises a good-sized boot/laundry room kitted out with plenty of storage for buckets and spades… and also features a smart guest cloakroom.A visit to the show house is strongly recommended if only to see how efficient living and working in a spacious, tranquil and beautiful setting could be. The Maydenhayes Cove show house is on view each Saturday and Sunday between 2pm and 4pm and on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12pm and 4pm, or by private appointment – prospective purchasers can feel free to call to make an appointment and/or to get help with any questions.

Enquiries to: Pivotal Construction Limited (01) 4732473 Knight Frank New Homes (01) 6342466 or Sherry Properties (041) 9841149

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

11

Feature

Christmas is coming so let us bargain hunt now!

By Siobhan O’Neill White Christmas is-a-coming and after last year’s disaster, it’s ok to get extra excited this year! We have been scouring the shops for ideas to help you get ‘Christmas ready’ First up, nights out!

For underwear Patricia O’Toole’s Slynx slips are perfect to slim silhouettes. Jazz up your look with Nicky Hoyne sparkly Glitter Petrol boots!

Limerick based and online clothing store Virgo Boutique have fantastic casual and glam wear, for days in and nights ‘Out-Out’ SoSu by Suzanne Jackson have stunning make-up and tanning gift sets. Irish brand Biofresh Skincare have beautiful skincare sets; their Rose scented products smell incredible. Carter Beauty, another Irish brand, has gorgeous and affordable Christmassey make-up gift sets and face masks. Fancy some bling? Irish jewellery brand, Absolute Jewellery have beautiful

styles to choose from. The green jewelled pieces are perfect for Christmas. Stunning! The new Babyliss Cordless hair straightener is a clever haircare gift. For the guys, Babyliss have cool men’s grooming sets Need gift inspiration for sports enthusiasts? Irish brand DS Sports has affordable GAA clothing and accessories and new this year, electric scooters! For lunch & dinner inspiration Gourmet Food Parlours have delicious menus for pre-Christmas get-togethers and fab hampers and gift cards for gifting. We love personalised gifts and Donegal based Noted Ireland make gorgeous gifts. We especially adore their baking sets. I’d love that personalised apron for myself. Crafty business DBCiara makes the cutest, personalised decorations and handmade cards. Lovely for someone special!

It’s so important to support local businesses and

All Ireland Foods is a fierce supporter of Irish produce. We love their ‘Cork Rebel’ ‘Chocolate Lovers’ and ‘Honey Hampers’ – quirky yet quintessentially Irish! A lovely treat is a hotel or spa trip. Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford and Luxe spa vouchers are valid for 5 years and are an ideal gift for stressed, overworked Mammies!

(Hint Hint!) Silly Goose coffee was started by a stay-at-home Dad who understands the need for coffee with a new baby! Their CBD coffee is an unusual and cool gift for coffee lovers! With Covid restrictions, visiting Santa is tricky so Santas Snowglobe is a brilliant option. Receive a special ‘parcel’ in the post, get in Pj’s and enjoy hot chocolate and gingerbread while chatting with Santa, via a personal zoom. We adored this last year, it’s wonderful! For more gift ideas and competitions, go to mams.ie

ALL CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE** Due to increasing demand for space in our magazine could all contributors please note OUR STRICT DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES AND PICS IS THE 16TH OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION ** Thank you.

Community organisations -We are here for you and it’s free!

Calling all community and voluntary groups in this area! We are here to facilitate you and help publicise your organisations. We are a community based magazine therefore there will be no charge for publicising your group, whether its a chess club or small pastime group, a support group or a big community or sporting organisation. So if you want to publicise your organisation every month just send us an email to communitylocalseditor@gmail.com..We look forward to hearing from you.

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

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Local News

St Colmcilles and other ladies teams and friends raised €3.000 for Hospice

On 2nd October the St.

All our referees on the day offered

Colmcilles G4M&O ladies hosted

their fee back to the charity and

a Gaelic Football Blitz, in aid of

all the girls made this event a

St Francis Hospice. There were

great occasion.Along with this last

4 teams Erins Isle (Finglas), St

December, during Covid one of our

Maurs (Rush), Starlights, (Santry)

members Neal Howard shaved off

and us, each player had to pay

his beard. Money raised in total was

€10 registration, that along with

of €3,005.The hospice is a charity

a raffle, where all the prizes were

very close to the hearts of all the

donated by local companies. Also,

ladies in the team, two of the girl’s

2 beautiful children Indiana and

mammies were cared for by the

Georgia, brought down their old

hospice staff and this is our way of

toys and sold them for the charity.

giving back.

Swords Celtic say thank you to Colourtrend Paints Store Like all clubs within the community we had a numbers of jobs on our long lists to accomplish during restrictions.

One of these was sprucing up the clubhouse dressing rooms for all club players for when they come back into operation.

Swords Celtic would like to sincerely thank our local Colourtrend Paints store here in Swords for their generosity in helping make this task possible. It’s companies like you that make our life easier in trying to run our club. As always we ask club members and the local community to shop local and if your thinking of paints then please support businesses that support the local community like Colourtrend Paints.

Local News

Swords Tidy Towns are seeking volunteers to join them Sign up to support the Clean Air Together project

Our Volunteers meeting up before a days work

Brian Egan at the Dublin Community Clean Up

A collage of our volunteers and work

Swords Tidy Towns have been working very hard on their Bio Diversity agenda plan. We have planted Wild Flower Meadows and when putting down bedding plants we try always to use Bee and Insect Friendly plants. We are lucky to have a very dedicated team within our group who have taken on this invaluable work. They are currently looking for volunteers with a keen interest in gardening to help them by adopting one of their patches and tending to it. We are also seeking volunteers who are good at Bricklaying, local Artists who would consider giving up some of their free time to help with our Art Projects, people who are good with machinery for maintenance and repair of our machines.Our 14

SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

Taking part in the Dublin Community Clean Up

volunteers were busy this month in their homes to measure NO2 levels at different address areas around Swords, it will be really interesting to see the different air quality in those areas. Swords Tidy Towns are very excited to participate in yet another Citizen Science project. If you are interested in offering some of your free time to help with any of the aforementioned, please contact Ken on 0866008313 We continue to have a problem with graffiti in and around the Swords area. We have a very keen team of Graffiti Cleaning Warriors who have made it their mission in life to go out several days a week to combat this scourge, very successfully I might add.

Swords Tidy Towns Mascot is a large Teddy Bear, we would love to have it fitted for a Swords Tidy Towns outfit just for him. If there is a talented seamstress who could help us out with this, we would love to hear from you. If your estate has a Residents Association, please register it with Swords Tidy Towns. We have a designated Res Ass Liaison Officer who would be only too happy to hear from you. Many estates have registered with us already and have benefited from their link up with us.Swords Tidy Towns volunteers continue to give up their free time to make their town a better experience for everyone, you can help, please bin your litter.

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Local News

Assistance Dog ‘Marco’ - making a difference to the world for one boy

Photo taken inside Skerries Community College, from the left, Anne Mulligan with puppy in training Adel, a yellow Labrador sitting in her Irish Guide Dogs jacket, Daniel Lai Drumm, Jonathan (Johnny) Dunne holding the trophy, Ellen Gilmore, Tom O’Neill with his black Labrador guide dog Qeb wearing his white harness.In front Sean Byrne sitting in his wheelchair.

Gemma tells us about assistance dog ‘Marco’, raised and trained by Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

‘We were matched to Marco in March 2017. Applying for an assistance dog was the best decision I ever made. I have a son who is on the autism spectrum and also has a learning disability.Marco has helped our family in so many ways, from busy airports, to crossing roads and best of all to my son gaining independence. He would get very stressed and anxious when travelling to the UK but since Marco came along my son is so much more relaxed and it helps me be less stressed too. When people see my son with his dog they no longer stare or make rude comments as they can see his hidden disability. We’ve been to playgrounds, the cinema and even visited Santa which is something I could never even attempt before we got Marco.

I cannot thank Marco enough for what he has done for my family and I will be forever grateful to him. He is the sweetest, kindest and most beautiful dog

in the world’. Adel, puppy in training, is now 9 months old. She has been busy out and about with her puppy raiser Anne Mulligan. In late August, on a beautiful sunny day, they visited Tully Nurseries, Co Dublin. In September along with Tom O’Neill and his Guide Dog ‘Qeb’ they returned to Skerries Community College to present a trophy to Johnny, Ellen and Daniel who accepted it on behalf of all the students who raised €1,223.55 for Guide Dogs.Next they travelled to Ashbourne to visit Specsavers and Chez Emily Chocolate Boutique. Both locations have our Tap to Donate €3 machine.

Specsavers Ashbourne have raised €258 and Chez Emily €326. Specsavers, Balbriggan raised €1,050 from customers who have tapped and donated.

Thank you everyone. Look out for our Christmas cards and calendar in Balbriggan and Skerries shops and stores, or you can contact us by phone/ text: 085 7663107. Email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com

facebook.com/SwordsLocal www.facebook.com/BalbrigganLocal

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

15

Healt

hy

Home Cook Recipes

Colourful Chicken Curry Forget the chill with warming Curry.

As the weather starts to turn chillier, eating foods with spices can help to warm us up from the inside out! Curries are a great dish for cooking in a batch and leaving it to simmer to develop the flavours of the spices. Curry also freezes quite well, providing a flavoursome, nourishing and warming meal for those busy days that you may not have much time to spend in the kitchen. There are so many variations on curry. My recipe is really colourful, tasty, healthy and lean with all the different vegetables.

Colourful chicken curry Makes 4 portions Ingredients •

3-4 (550g) Chicken fillets, chopped into pieces

• • • • • • • • • •

1 large spanish onion, cut into chunks 3 Garlic cloves, crushed/chopped finely 1 Red pepper, cut into chunks 1 Yellow pepper, cut into chunks 2 whole Fresh red chillis, diced 100g Spinach leaves 200g Natural flavour greek yogurt 1 tin chopped tomatoes 4 tablespoons curry powder 400mls water

Method 1. Prepare and wash the vegetables.

Place aside.

2. Prepare and chop the chicken.

3. Heat a non stick pan on a medium heat. If not using a non-stick pan then heat 4 teaspoons of oil in a high sided pan.

4. Add the onion, garlic and fresh chilies and cook on a medium-high

heat.

5. Add the chicken and curry powder.

Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly and absorb the flavours from the curry powder.

6.Add the peppers, tin of chopped tomatoes and 400mls hot water. Stir to mix.

7. Simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces. In the mean time the condiment such as rice could be cooked as per instructions on the product label.

9.Finally, stir in the spinach leaves and yogurt. Serve and enjoy.

For 1:1 clinical consultations, public health talks or workshops in preschools, primary or secondary schools and workplaces, please email: niamh@biabites.net See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’ Facebook for other food ideas.

Niamh Arthurs, Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist”

Local Sports

Fingal Co Co and FAI launch TY Football and Fitness Course

This picture: Former Ireland international John O’Shea with the class of the 2021-22 on the Football and Fitness Transition Year Course run by Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

Bottom left: Former Ireland international John O’Shea talks to Sean Mackey and Sean McCarthy at the launch of the Football and Fitness Transition Year Course run by Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

Bottom right: Former Ireland international John O’Shea pictured with Fingal County Council Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Daniel Whooley, at the launch of the Football and Fitness Transition Year Course run by Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

Former Republic of Ireland international John O’Shea was the special guest at the launch of the sixth year of the Football and Fitness Transition Year Course which is run by Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

The course, which attracts participants from across Fingal, gives TY students an opportunity to sample full-time football training while also fulfilling their educational requirements and obtaining qualifications in coaching and fitness training.The 2020-21 course was officially launched by Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Daniel Whooley, FAI President Gerry McAnaney and Fingal County Council’s Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly at a special ceremony in Corduff Sports Centre where the course is based.

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John O’Shea, who won 118 international caps, and is one of Ireland’s most successful footballers ever, took part in a Q&A session during which he imparted plenty of sound advice to the young students who travel every day to Corduff from across the county. Ireland Under-21 assistant coach and former international player O’Shea said: “It was a pleasure to meet all the students and coaches at Corduff and to help them celebrate the launch of the sixth year of the Football and Fitness Transition Year course run by the FAI and Fingal County Council. As I explained to the students, I would have loved to have such an opportunity available to me when I was their age. This is a great programme which offers them a pathway into football and the

fitness industry whilst continuing their studies at the same time. There are so many career opportunities now available in sport and I wish them all the very best of luck for the year ahead.”

The President of the Football Association of Ireland, Gerry McAnaney said: “The transition year programme at Corduff offers an excellent opportunity for those players on the course to further their football career in tandem with their education. It is an exemplary programme that we would love to expand on across the country. Our thanks to Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and Fingal County Council for their ongoing support for this wonderful programme and my thanks to our FAI staff for their commitment to the development of these young players.”

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SWORDS LOCAL-NOVEMBER 2021

Down

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(6)

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(7) 16. Small piece of bread or cake. (5) 18. Drain a radiator of water. (5) 20. Glide over snow for recreation or sport. (3) 21. “The cow is of the bovine ...” (Ogden Nash) (3) 23. A mark of shame or discredit. (6) 24. “John ...” author of “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.” (2, 5) 26. Lack of attention and due care. (7) 27. Suggestively looked or grinned. (6) 28. The stoat during winter, when its coat becomes white. (6) 29. Archaic “see”, as in “lo and ...” (6) 33. Passport endorsement to allow the bearer enter the country issuing it. (4) 34. Used on an invitation to request a response. (4)

SUDOKU ANSWERS

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