Swords Local V8I2-APR 2023

We are now in the second month of a new year and are all facing into tough times with challenges in a lot of areas. There has been a continued fall in living standards for households, figures released by the CSO at the end of 2022 showed an increased decline reflecting a continued fall in Irish living standards compared to other European countries over the past ten years. This reflects the impact the cost-ofliving crisis has had and continues to have on households. Workers and families were facing high costs long before the energy crisis and many are really struggling. Irish living standards have fallen further behind other European countries over the past decade and are now 10% below the European average and in the bottom half of the EU. This is a reflection of successive bad governments who have failed in improving prospects for Irish households – the current government has failed in areas like housing and healthcare, costs have risen and services are more difficult to access.

Housing

Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that we deliver affordable homes to rent or buy for people on ordinary incomes.

There are many families in Fingal who have grown up kids who cannot move out and cannot move on with their lives and they are the generation who have been locked out. We need to build communities that have the necessary infrastructures in place and homes for residents that are affordable to rent or buy. People should decide what type of housing suits their needs, public, private or owner occupied but it needs to be affordable. We’ve seen too many government housing policies that aren’t delivering homes for our residents.

Working in the Community

Myself and Deputy Louise O’Reilly TD work closely together and with resident’s groups and individuals in our community to deal with local and personal issues. We listen to people’s concerns and do everything in our power to ensure that their interests are met, locally through Fingal County Council and through the Dáil, and through our constituency offices in Swords and Balbriggan.

I also work closely with Dessie Ellis TD on issues affecting the Santry area that falls within the Swords boundary and with community groups and indi-

viduals in this area. We support our communities on many campaigns and issues that affect their daily lives.

Sustainable Transport

With delays to Metro North I have called for and had a motion passed which calls for a Town Bus for Swords to facilitate those areas that have no direct access. Sinn Féin has supported residents who will be affected by the works in relation to the Metro.

Dublin Airport – Noise

The current situation with Dublin Airport ignoring noise regulations and agreed flight paths is a significant concern. Sinn Féin have met with groups campaigning against these breaches and I was happy to stand with residents in a recent protest. I’ve raised the matter with FCC and continue to do so. Along with Deputy O’Reilly we have met with the DAA and the IAA, and continue to meet with residents groups in affected aeas. The DAA ignoring noise regulations and agreed flight paths is unacceptable we will continue to raise this with FCC, ANCA (noise regulator) and in the Dáil.

Health

The current crisis in the health servic-

es is not new, despite promises by government the additional beds have not all been delivered and the numbers on trollies and the delay times for treatments and surgeries is not acceptable. Swords needs a primary care centre, I was delighted to get a motion passed to facilitate this as part of the Fingal Development Plan and we will be working closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to ensure this is delivered. There must be greater collaboration between community healthcare and acute hospitals to ensure that recovery and transitional care beds are available in the community for speedy discharges and the provision of care outside of hospitals where appropriate.

Crime

We need to tackle the growing crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a real problem– and there has been a lack of focus on making communities safe for everyone. As a member of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) in Fingal, I have called for additional resources, community policing to be prioritised and for a local task force to deal with crime. The additional number of com-

munity Gardaí have had a positive impact in areas in Swords, but realistically the Garda station is not sufficient to meet the needs of a growing community and the resources needed to police the growth in population. This needs to be addressed as a priority to ensure the safety of our residents.

Environment

I’m a member of the Swords Woodland Association formed with the aim of maintenance of the green belt within the wider Swords area and promoting ways to ensure a greater appreciation of green spaces and promoting the planting of trees – one tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces driving 20K miles.

I also worked closely with the Save Swords Greenbelt group on their campaign to ensure that our environment is protected not just for current but for future generations to come.

Representing our Community

The Local Property Tax for Fingal was set at a 7.5% deduction, although Sinn Féin asked Councillors to support my motion seeking the full 15% reduction.

In 2022 thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin protesting the

rising cost of living including members from other political parties. Alleviating hardship is what the council should be striving to do, and not adding to it. The highest number of people who replied to public consultation on LPT requested a figure of 11-15%, and that’s what the people in Fingal wanted, however Sinn Féin were the only party who voted against the lower deduction. Sinn Féin Councillors have worked hard on the Development Plan, representing interests of our communities in areas that will most benefit them. As we come to the final stage we will continue to make our decisions based on what is best for the people we represent. I have worked hard to represent residents since my election in 2019 and before that as a community activist and will continue to do so. I have always worked in the heart of our communities and am available to meet with groups and/or individuals to provide any support or assistance that I can.

Since Covid rather than formal clinic times, I have found that pre-arranged meetings work best for people. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.

Spring is officially here and brighter days are ahead

Spring this year officially came into existence on March 20th and as ever it brought all sorts of good things. Yes, his month we will celebrate Easter with its Christian connotations for many here and lots of chocolate eggs for the kids and adults alike. However Spring also brings forth rebirth in all things. Lambs in the fields, other animals giving birth to their young and the flowers blossoming, It is a wonderful and wondrous time for farmers and gardeners alike. So too, it is a time to shed the gloom of winter as house wives and house husbands begin the spring clean and thoughts roam to spring breaks and planning the summer holidays. Retailers and wholesalers alike are bringing forth new and exciting products for us to buy at keenest rates. For the community/voluntary/sporting and charitable sector it means AGM’s, and pre planning for events and competitions. So you see its not only about rebirth in the sense of actual birth, it is about rejuvenation, rebuilding and reinvigorating ourselves and all of those groups and organisations in whatever sector they are. The old saying ‘Fail to plan and you plan to fail’ is I am sure particularly prevalent in the thoughts of many committees at this time. So you see Springtime gives us the opportunity to improve things both as individuals, families or as groups or organisations. It is a time to review and reshape our lives and those of our groups for the better. A time to put the past behind us and realise that change can be exciting, necessary and create better days for both the individual and the group whether that is in your home life or in the voluntary sector. At this time let us all note the mistakes of the past but plan for better things to come and look forward to the warm sun on our backs and brighter days ahead, In the meantime remember to shop local for those Easter eggs, cakes, and other items for your Easter celebrations. Happy Springtime and Easter to you all!.

The Locals Team.

Scan our QR code to access the nomination form www.fingal.ie/mayors-awards-2023

*Deadline for nominations: 5pm 20 April 2023

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Cad faoi iad a ainmniú mar Laoch an Phobail i nGradaim an Mhéara

nGradaim an Mhéara

Is mian linn

na ndaoine ar fud Fhine Gall atá ag déanamh fíordhifríochta do dhaoine eile a aithint, a cheiliúradh agus onóir a bhronnadh orthu.

Scanáil ár gcód QR chun teacht ar an bhfoirm ainmniúcháin

www.fingal.ie/ga/gradaim-mheara-2023

*An dáta deiridh a nglacfar le hainmniúcháin ná 5pm 20 Aibreán 2023

Why not try our lawn bowls-all Welcome!

Aer Lingus Bowls club is an inclusive club. We welcome all abilities, ages, and genders. Are you interested in trying lawn bowls this Spring/Summer? Do you know someone who might be interested? Would your club, Men’s/Women’s shed, Active Age group, organisations for individuals with additional needs, or school be interested in trying Lawn Bowls? All equipment will be provided for taster sessions. Please contact Des Walsh on 087 0678903/ Sandra McCarthy 0863114540 for further information or send a message on Facebook messenger Aer Lingus Bowls Club. We look forward to welcoming you. You will be assured of a warm welcome.

Mayor of Fingal opens three public amenities worth €6m in Swords

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, has opened three public amenities in Swords which represent an investment of €6million in the county capital. They were the first phase of Swords Regional Park in Oldtown, Swords Archaeological Park in Miller’s Glen and Ward River Recreational Hub in Rivervalley. The Mayor was accompanied by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, at the first two openings and they were then joined by Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers TD, and the Chief Executive of Dublin Airport, Vincent Harrison, at the opening of the Ward River Recreational Hub which was funded by the Council and the Dublin Airport Authority. Speaking afterwards the Mayor said: “The parks and outdoor sports and play facilities we opened today clearly demonstrate Fingal’s continuing commitment to the provision of high-quality open space amenities.” The 20 acre park at Oldtown represents phase one of the Swords Regional Park which will eventually develop into a major new park extending to more than 250 acres along the banks of the Broadmeadow River between Miller’s Glen and Lissenhall and linking to the Estuary stop on the proposed MetroLink. The nine acre Rathbeal Archaeological Park in Miller’s Glen brings to 40% the amount of public open space in Fingal that is located in

designated heritage landscapes. Evidence of human activity in the park goes back as far as the early Neolithic period, almost 4,000 years BC. The Ward River Regional Park Recreational Hub is part of the 200 acre Ward River Regional Park and features newly developed grass pitches as well as a Third Generation all-weather sports pitch with innovative LED floodlighting. The new car parking provided as part of the Hub will also benefit general park users and provides a foretaste of the improvements to the park which

will be included in the Ward River Regional Park Development Masterplan which will be the subject of public consultation and a planning application later this year. The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “The opening of these three amenities, in different parts of the town, represents a six million euro investment and shows Fingal County Council’s commitment to ensuring Swords grows sustainably and develops into a well-designed county capital.

River Valley All Weather aerial

Why Your Application Could Be Declined

By Dave Kavanagh

When applying for mortgage approval, there are several factors that the lenders take into account when considering your application. The three main ones are, Multiples of Salary, Net Disposable Income and Proven Ability to Repay. Until recently, the standard guideline for the maximum borrowing permitted, was 3.5 x gross annual income. Since the start of this year, this was increased to 4 x income for first time buyers. However, with interest rates on the increase, at least one lender has already adjusted other criteria for applicants seeking to apply for the increased multiple. One of the factors adjusted, is the second one, Net Disposable Income. This refers to how much applicants will have left over after paying their mortgage each month, to cover all of the other essentials. This differs from lender to lender, but also depends on the family dynamic. For example, a couple or individual with no children will not be expected to need as much as those with perhaps, 3 children, due to the increased cost of living for those children. The last of the main criteria examined is Proven Ability to Repay. For example, if the proposed mortgage repayment is €1,500 per month, the lender will usually “stress test” this repayment by calculating what the figure would be if rates increased by 2% (often not done if people opt for

a fixed rate). So they may be looking for evidence that a figure of €1750 is affordable. This could be illustrated by regular savings, rent, or loan repayments on a loan about to be cleared, or a combination of all. Advance planning can give you a much higher probability of getting approval by considering these factors. Obviously, there are many other factors to consider, such as how you conduct your current accounts and how much you have saved. For first time buyers, at least 10% of the purchase price is required, while for non first time buyers, at least 20% deposit is required. One often overlooked consideration, is to make sure that you qualify for mortgage protection, so this is something to look at in the early stage to make sure it would not be an obstacle to finalising an application.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or for information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing Dave directly on info@financialcompanion.ie or you can 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

Tidy Towns say thanks for supporting them!

By Ken Duffy

Swords Tidy Towns hard-working volunteers were out on the Well Road pruning and chopping the overhanging branches and hedging, they also trimmed back the ground vegetation. The area was very overgrown and the low hanging branches and hedging were a hindrance to pedestrians using the footpath. This urgent work needed to be completed before March 1st as this date is the national deadline for this type of work to be completed pre nesting season. Swords Tidy Towns once again took part in the Swords St Patrick’s Day Parade, the theme for the parade this year, was “Going Green”. Once again we held our

fund-raising Bucket Collection at the end of the parade and we thank you for your generosity. All donations are ploughed back into the town of Swords to the benefit of its community. We had a sell-out night at our Table Quiz in Peacock’s Bar Rivervalley on Thurs Feb 9th. A big thank you to the management and staff for setting out the room so well and for taking such great care of us on the night. The craic was mighty, our Quiz Master and STT volunteer Noel Cosgrave gave an outstanding performance, and not forgetting our hard working Quiz Night committee, Georgy Hughes, Teresa Cosgrave, Isobel McClean, Billy McClean and Ken Duffy. There were raffle prizes galore thanks to the generosity of local businesses

and individuals for which we are very grateful. We would also like to thank all those who came out on the night to support us, we hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did. The total for our fund-raising quiz was 2,015 euro, a fantastic result. Once again, a big thank you to everyone for your support, all monies raised will benefit our future projects for Swords. The Table Quiz winners on the night were - 1st place (who were very appropriately named) “And In First Place”, the 2ndplace competitors were “The Last Of Us”, and in 3rd place were “Go Leir” meaning – All. Many congratulations to the winners and hard luck to those who didn’t win, and thank you all for supporting us on the night.

The film ‘Glass Onion’ peels back the years

IMPROVEMENT LOANS TO PLAY WITH

By Jack Shanley

Benoit Blanc, the celebrity detective with the Poirot-esque French name and the inexplicable Southern accent, is becoming truly lovable as one begins to accept him as he is.Yes, the second instalment of the thrilling Knives Out series hit Netflix over the last few months and it was quite a fun watch. ‘Glass Onion’ director Rian Johnson proves yet again to be an important film maker in modern cinema as he peels back the years to audiences with this thrilling mind-boggling puzzle that shifts and shapes up to be more ambitious and arguably more entertaining than the previous Knives Out film. You’re not really sure where this murder mystery is taking you, and just when you start to have an idea of where it’s going, it throws you off track, sending you in a completely different direction. This is a unique and effective way of storytelling that we don’t see enough of these days, especially in this genre.With the Knives Out films being extremely well written, there is a bit of everything in them for everyone, to a thrilling detective

story that unfolds gradually over time, to the fantastic characters and even on to the comedy between the lines. You’re sure to be entertained.

‘Glass Onion’ is fast-paced with a brilliant soundtrack, several storylines and a lot of wonderfully interesting characters. It’s amazing to see all of them intertwine for one amazing finale. The Knives Out films have this classic film noir essence about them that I can’t help but love. As they are part of modern cinema, they don’t hide away from the classic detective films of the ‘40s and ‘50s. They seem to have this longevity to them. I feel they’re entertaining films now and will only get better in time. They’ll be among the films that will be watched again in years to come, as there is so much depth to the material.I really enjoyed ‘Glass Onion’ and would recommend people give it a watch. I give it a score of 3 and a ½ stars. •You can watch ‘Glass Onion’ on Netflix. Director: Rian Johnson –

Rating: 12A – Genre: Mystery/ Crime – Run Time: 2h 19m –

Language: English. For more film content please follow @ movies4fanatics.

Newman calls for a new Airport close to Dublin

Local Swords councillor, Joe Newman has slammed the DAA and demanded that a new airport be developed close to the capital to manage the huge increase in demand for airline travel. “Improved management of the Irish aviation sector is crucial”, he says.Newman describes the North Runway project at Dublin airport to be a catastrophic failure. Currently, the management of the new North runway has caused a huge discomfort and annoyance to the residents of the Fingal region, and he warns that potential health risks must be taken much more seriously. The local councillor has called on officials at Fingal County Council to insist that the DAA comply with the planning conditions as agreed by the authority. “The DAA are showing limited regard for people of Fingal and their very poor management of airport growth is becoming the norm” Newman said. Further, he questioned why ANCA (Airport Noise Competent Authority) were based at the offices of Fingal County Council. Newman insists that ANCA should be based in offices at arms distance from both the airport and the local authority. This is not simply a question of policing the DAA but matters in protecting the public. Councillor Newman says that the residents of Ridgewood and Boroimhe estates in Swords who live just one

kilometre or so away from the new runway have had their privacy shattered with this huge noise disturbance invading their homes.He went on to point out the significant noise disturbance at St. Margaret’s, Kilsallaghan and Oldtown. These towns are under the flight path where planes make a sharp turn which is in contravention to the original flight path promoted by the DAA in previous consultations on the noise contours. And for the residents of some estates in the Rivervalley area in Swords, who have for years put up with a lot of noise from airplanes taking off from the South runway, they now must deal with an increased amount of noise from the north runway and the fact that planes are taking off at much lower altitudes. Councillor Newman is demanding that the DAA are instructed to return immediately to the original planning conditions as set out by Fingal County Council, and that the ANCA decision to allow the erosion of terms of night flying hours be reversed forthwith. “The ANCA decision to increase the night-time flying hours is simply the thin edge of the wedge to all night flying” he said. Newman concluded “We need another airport to limit the growing pressure on Dublin Airport”.

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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.

‘Dire lack of affordable housing in Swords’ - says Corkery

Fine Gael’s Local Area Representative in Swords, Luke Corkery, has called on Fingal County Council to find a suitable site to build social and affordable homes in Swords, on a similar scale to the developments under construction in other towns across North County Dublin. Speaking following the announcement of 62 new social and affordable homes for Rush, Luke said: “The construction of this development in Rush is obviously really welcome given the urgent need for new homes – particularly social and affordable homes – in this region. However, there is no sign of anything like that in our county town of Swords; one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland. As a young person, living in the Dublin commuter belt, I am hugely conscious of the difficulty in finding affordable homes to rent or buy. The Council-led construction of purposebuilt affordable housing would be a priority for me. House prices in the Lusk affordable housing development are expected to start at €166,000 for two-bed apartments, from €206,000

for three-bed duplexes, and from €258,000 for three-bed semi-detached homes. Fingal are now starting to build badly-needed social homes in Swords and that is very welcome; we need more social housing. But what if you want to buy a home in Swords at an affordable price? There is absolutely nothing at the moment, and at that, there have been no announcements of affordable housing developments either. There are a number of sites Fingal could use in Swords. Much of it is already Council-owned. For example, the Fingal County Council staff car park, facing onto the R132 at the end of Seatown Road, strikes me as a no-brainer. It is a large piece of land, which is already zoned. It’s in a central location, within walking distance of Main Street. It’s directly adjacent to the MetroLink route. The lack of affordable housing in Swords is dire. That’s why I’m calling on Fingal County Council to fill that gap in the Swords housing market and to prioritise the construction of affordable housing for our town”, Luke concluded.

Spring is here for the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs

Spring has finally sprung and that means longer brighter days are just around the corner. It also means Guide Dog Day is approaching, on Friday May 26th ,to be exact, make sure to mark your calendar and updates will follow on all the ways you can support us and our branch for this years Guide Dog day. With summer ever approaching, it also means we have the return of the wonderful Balbriggan Summerfest, which will be running from the 28th May to the 4th June. Once again we at Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs will be attending and we will confirm the date as soon as it is known. We hope

to see you there and hopefully the sun will be shining. We are delighted to say the February Féile Baile Brigín which took place on the 10 th and 11th February, with all proceeds in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind was a great success. We would also like to say a really massive thank you to both Damien O’Shaughnessy and of course to Ann McFadden O’Shaughnessy for organising the event and for their continued support. A fantastic €2,500 was raised and a great day was had by all. We are happy to provide an update on puppy in training Cosmo, who is being puppy raised by branch volunteer, Anne

Mulligan. Cosmo is 7 months old now and she continues to do very well with her training. In fact, just recently, she took some time out with her family to visit Assistance Dog ‘Yarrow’, who Anne puppy raised between 2020 and 2021 and is now assisting a little boy in Cork. We will continue to update you on Cosmo’s training. If you are interested in volunteering with us please feel free to contact us by any of these: Balbriggan/ North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085 7663107, email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Assistance dog ‘Yarrow’ on the left of the picture out for a walk with puppy in training. Cosmo on the right.

Ann McFadden O’Shaughnessy, Anne Mulligan with puppy in training ‘Cosmo’, Tom O’Neill and Guide Dog Qeb and Breda Gibbons enjoying the Feis in the Naul.

FOIRA getting ready for the Easter Commemoration in Oldtown

The Fingal old IRA Commemorative society is getting ready for the Easter Sunday celebrations which takes place this year in Oldtown on Sunday 9th of April . The Chairman of the society Paul O’ Brien said that it is the society’s 6th time to hold the Easter Sunday event in Oldtown , formerly in 1959 , 1969 ,1977 ,1992 ,2002 and lastly 2012 . The event will start with Mass taking place in St Mary’s church at 9.00am in Oldtown, followed by a parade lead by the Colour Party and the Black Raven Pipe Band and Volunteers to the Molly Adrian Plaque on the Bridge, at the Bridge the proclamation will be read and various speakers will talk on the day, also the last post and Reveille and National Anthem will be played. Afterwards back to the Oldtown House Pub for tea or coffee and sandwiches , followed by the showing of the society’s award winning film ‘Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan’ directed by Society member Cathal Boland. Everyone is welcome to attend and if you need anymore information you can

contact The Society Chairman Paul O Brien on 086 3518927. A Company of Volunteers was established in Oldtown back in 1918 it was formed by Thomas Peppard on the instructions of Michael Collins. Jack Smith was one of nine men who joined and it was Jack’s daughter in law Margaret Smith who wrote from Soloheadbeag to Sovereignty: The Oldtown Connection and it’s a fantastic read and very well written, Margaret is married to Jacks son Pat who has kept his Father’s memory alive throughout the years along with his sister Eileen. Society Member Robin Bollards Grandmother was Catherine Smith the sister of Jack together they managed Sheridans farm and assisted in the setting up of Mooretown camp. The Society would also like to take this opportunity to Express our deep felt appreciation to Peter Rooney and the people of Oldtown for the work they have done to keep alive the memory of the Men and Woman from the area who took part in the fight for Independence 1916 – 1921.

Last year’s event in the Mendicity Institution (photos taken by Tommy Kavanagh)

Re-enactors and FOIRA members at a past Easter Commemoration

The time is coming for Easter then Communion and Confirmation

By Siobhan O’Neill White

Early April can be cold so we’re planning an indoor Easter egg hunt! Here are some ideas for places to hides eggs for your little ones. Are you ready, get set, so lets go....1. When you sit there its comfy but with an egg behind, its bumpy! (Cushions on sofa) 2. Close them to keep out the light….peek behind for chocolate delight (behind curtains) 3. Look in-between the books….for treats in crannies & nooks (bookshelf) 4. Use these to dry dishes… inside are chocolate wishes (tea towel drawer) 5. What we use to cook a stew….look inside for chocolate too (pot for cooking stew) 6. This box is usually full of fun….but today inside, things are yum (toy box) 7. Under your pillow where you sleep….. look for an extra special treat! (bed) 8. Flowers are colourful, pretty, and sweet - inside the vase is something to eat (in dry flower arrangement). I hope this helps make your egg hunts super-

fun. ALDI and LIDL have reasonably priced egg-hunt kits, so Easter doesn’t have to cost a fortune! With Communion season upon us, here are some ideas to make your child’s day special, without spending a fortune. Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre has a fabulous range of Communion dresses and accessories for girls and smart suits and clothing for boys. For Confirmation girls, Quiz have gorgeous clothing, starting at UK size 4; so ideal for tweens and teens. Another great store for tweens/teens is Catch and they have lovely clothing for younger siblings too. For Mammies, Quiz has beautiful dresses. For curvy ladies, Yours Clothing is wonderful. We love to support local, Irish companies. For the guys, Bestwear Shop St. Drogheda has matching suits for Dads & Sons. Give them promo code Mams. ieBest23 to get 10% off! Suits. For Communion and Confirmation girls, Azure jewellery has delicate pieces in pearl and silver. For the Mammies, Belleek has a beautiful range of

colourful handbags, perfect to accessorise outfits. A personalised Pinata from Pinatas Pinatas is a nice addition for Communions and the kids love bashing it to get the sweets out. Worried about the cost? We have a family tradition where Grannies and Aunties each buy an item for the Communion/Confirmation child. It’s extra special for the child and, takes pressure off the parents to buy everything. Check out mame.ie for more of our wonderful exciting Communion and Confirmation recommendations and competitions. So why not contact us soon in any of these ways : email:siobhan@mumstown. ie ,web:www.mams.ie - Shortlisted for Golden Spider Award & Infant & Maternity Award

As seen on RTE and Virgin Media Ireland & Weekend AM As heard on Today FM’s Ian Dempsey & Dermot & Dave; RTE’s Ray D’Arcy Show, 98FM, LMFM Late Lunch, WLRFM & Shannonside FM

Fingal wants to hear about the unsung heroes making a difference

Be it washing a neighbour’s windows, mowing someone’s grass, picking up medicines each week or caring for the environment, Fingal County Council wants to hear about what extraordinary lengths people have gone to in their local area as they look to help others.

We know there is a remarkable amount of thoughtful consideration going on, and now we want to recognise those individuals with a heart of gold as part of our Mayor’s Community Champions Awards 2023. That is why we are calling on everyone to share with us the stories of what is being done and for nominations to be put forward for consideration by an independent panel of experts.

Announcing the focus of this year’s awards, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony said: “I am constantly amazed by the incredible amount

of volunteer work undertaken by so many people across Fingal. From cleaning a neighbour’s house, to looking after someone’s garden, running errands or planting trees, the County is exceptionally fortunate to have people going to such extraordinary lengths to truly make a difference to the lives of others.

“Now, we want to find, acknowledge and honour the achievements of these unsung heroes who work so selflessly by asking the people of Fingal to join us as we say Hands Up for Community Champions.”

This year we are keen to recognise those working tirelessly in so many locations and in varied roles. These are people making a positive contribution to their local community and are inspiring others to do the same. They could be an older person proving that age is not a barrier

to giving back to others, somebody who is helping make a positive impact on sports or the environment in their local area, or someone whose dedication to Irish is raising the profile of the language throughout Fingal.

Whatever it is, these inspirational individuals are enhancing the lives of others across the County and we want to hear their story. Nominations are now open and can be made at any time up until 5pm on Thursday 20th April. Details on the Mayor’s Awards and how to nominate someone can be found via the Council’s website: https://www.fingal.ie/mayorsawards-2023. Community Champions will be announced at a special gala dinner on 1 June. Learn more about the Mayor’s Awards here: https://youtu.be/LkrL8sPCGjE

CommunityLocals.ie

Our Andrey is the new Dublin Champion

Congratulations and our very best wishes for the future to Andrey Pricop on recently becoming Dublin champion. We are delighted for Andrey who works hard day in and day out down the club. Brilliant work Andrey and congratulations once again from everyone at Swords Boxing Club.

Home Cook Recipes Healthy

Niamh’s Nutty Caramel and Chocolate Crunch Cake

Going completely indulgent for this one but enjoying food is one of the many great pleasures in life and one of the few things we still have to enjoy during the current pandemic lockdown.Also this might be a scrumptious recipe to try over the Easter and especially f there is lots of chocolate around!! No baking required and although there may seem like quite a few steps, it’s just because there are a few different layers. This means all the more mixing bowls and spoons to lick clean after!!! Have fun, happy making and sharing!! Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh.

Please follow ‘Biabites’ on Facebook for other food ideas especially in the ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums.Please follow @BiaBites on twitter. For nutrition talks/workshops at events or in schools/workplaces/community groups= please email:niamh@biabites.netNiamh Arthurs BSc, Msc

Registered Dietitian and Researcher.

Ingredients:

• 600g dark chocolate digestive biscuits

• 300g butter

• 75g peanuts

• 100g dark chocolate

For the caramel:

• 75g caster sugar

• 120g butter

• 400g (approx-397g is fine!!) tin sweetened condensed milk

• 1 tablespoon golden syrup

{Alternatively for convenience, use a 400g tin (OR 397g as available in shops) of caramel.}

Method:

Grease or pre-line a non-stick springform based tin.To make the biscuit base: place the biscuits in a strong bag that can be tied and can withstand the force of a rolling pin!

(I use an empty breakfast cereal bag). Bash the biscuits using a rolling pin or other utensils until they form fine crumbs.Alternatively you could blitz the biscuits in a food processor/ blender.Melt the butter in a saucepan. Take off the heat and stir in the biscuit crumbs until well mixed.Tip the biscuit mixture into the tin and press down firmly with the back of a spoon to make a smooth and even surface.Place in the fridge to chill while making the caramel. To make the caramel: gently melt the sugar, butter, condensed milk and golden syrup in a

saucepan.Then increase the heat until just below the boil and stir vigorously using a whisk for approximately15 minutes as the sauce changes colour from a lighter to a darker brown and thickens. If clumping starts to occur, remove from the heat and whisk vigorously to combine again. Allow the caramel to cool slightly as it will thicken further as it cools. Then pour the caramel over the biscuit base. Place in the refrigerator to cool fully.(If using a tin of caramel instead, then skip step 5 and 6 and just pour the already made caramel over the biscuit base and place in the refrigerator to harden. Finely chop the peanuts. Sprinkle on top of the caramel. Melt the chocolate and pour on top of the peanuts (ensure the caramell has cooled fully), making a creative design! I did a zig-zag drizzle as in the image! White chocolate could also be melted and used to decorate it! Store in an airtight container.

Please follow ‘Biabites’ on Facebook for other food ideas especially in the ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums. Please follow @BiaBites on twitter. For nutrition talks/workshops at events or in schools/workplaces/community groups= please email: niamh@biabites.net

Niamh

Arthurs BSc, Msc Registered Dietitian and Researcher.

Swords Karate Club News

Swords Karate Club

- New members always welcome!

Open Squad training recently for all members of JKS Ireland. Over 2 hours, we covered Kihon (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (fighting). Everyone worked hard and trained diligently. The class was split up into groups by grade and the JKS Ireland Instructors taught each separate group. We hosted National Brown 7 Black belt training also. Students preparing to take the Black Belt examination in the near future were put through their syllabus and kata by Dermot O Keeffe Sensei, 7th Dan JKS. We welcome new members all the time. Our classes are as follows:

Tigers (5yrs – 7yrs) Thursday 4pm & Saturday 10am. Juniors

Tuesday 6pm and Thursday 5pm. Seniors Tuesday 7pm and Thursday 7pm. The first class to try out is free. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. Or do feel free to contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: jks_swords_karate_club

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 mnoth. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck

Across

1. Alter equipment for accuracy and effectiveness. (6)

5. Leather bands for binding things together. (6)

10. Small villages straight out of Shakespeare. (7)

11. Of no help whatsoever. (7)

12. Military alliance of some European states. (4)

13. It’s a black and white animal. (5)

15. Alcoholic beverage. (4)

17. Perceive the bishop’s seat. (3)

19. Drapes hide a sandwich filler. (6)

21. Very small creature. (6)

22. Getting involved with the music.

(7)

23. Put your material on the Internet. (6)

25. Someone in charge of a building, grounds or animals. (6)

28. Provided food. (3)

30. Primary compass direction. (4)

31. Gets annoyed like Tim Finnegan.

(5)

32. Popular subject at UCD. (4)

35. There’s no use crying over this milk. (7)

36. Puts into service. (7)

37. Refuse to notice. (6)

38. Make a house larger or longer. (6)

Down

2. The metered Greek goddess of fertility. (7)

3. A person known for taking advantage of others. (4)

4. Takes samples of several dishes. (6)

5. Rectangle with four equal sides. (6)

6. Smell like Magillicuddy.. (4)

7. Sharply exact and accurate. (7)

8. An acknowledgement of appreciation. (6)

9. The upward route on a mountain. (6)

14. Seaside places. (7)

16. Device for finding aircraft. (5)

18. One of God’s attendants. (5)

20. Skedaddle hides a parent! (3)

21. Essential for writing. (3)

23. Not feeling secure, anxious. (6)

24. Leaning like a damaged ship. (7)

26. Part of a cake. (7)

27. Stand up against someone or something. (6)

28. A down-market violin. (6)

29. A period of ten years. (6)

33. The lowest female singing voice. (4)

34. A mark made by dirt. (4)

This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is