It’s that time of year again when Guide Dog Day is fast approaching and this year is extra special as Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is turning 50! You can find our Branch in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan from 10am-6pm on Guide Dog Day Friday 22nd May and continuing the fundraising on May 23rd in SuperValu, Balbriggan from 10am – 6pm.
In March our branch took part in the Cork parade alongside many other branches and celebrated 50 years of Guide Dogs at the Cork St Patricks Day parade. The memory bus for Breege O’Neill, Guide Dog owner from Balbriggan, named Breege’s bus was the meeting point for the volunteers, and the banner was carried by Breege’s son, Eoin and her grandson Nathaniel. Her granddaughters Katie and Paige along with friend, Ann O’Dwyer from Waterford also took part in the parade while Tom O’Neill and Guide Dog Qeb sat on the viewing platform with CEO Tim O’Mahony! As always. Qeb stole the show on the stand giving the paw to all who wanted it! A wonderful day was had, and some lovely finger food and hot cups of tea were enjoyed after the festivities in the City Hall Cork.
Also in March, The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Perpetual Trophy was given out. To give a little bit of background, the award began due to one couple Ned and Máire Maguire from Dolahesy just outside of Balbriggan, the couple were for our branch the Facebook of the 80’s/90’s as they informed people as they went what a guide dog is and what a guide dog does, they took part in sponsored walks and went door to door fundraising for our branch, to name a few of their amazing contributions. When Ned passed away, our branch sourced a trophy to represent a litter of puppies with their mother and each year, the trophy is given to a person or business that has done something that stands out to our Branch during the year. The latest recipient of the Perpetual Trophy was Mark Hynes, owner of Java The Hut Coffee Roasters for their ongoing support of the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs.
You can contact the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs by phone/text 0876489479, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.
Looking to connect, learn something new, and meet like-minded women? Balbriggan Women’s Shed offers a warm, welcoming space for women aged 18+ to come together, build friendships, share skills, and support one another.
From creative workshops like pyrography, decoupage, painting, pottery, and upcycling, to relaxing and wellbeing activities such as yoga, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re trying something new or sharing what you love.
We meet at various times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at Balbriggan FC. For our full monthly calendar of events, follow @balbrigganwomensshed on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information, call 087 444 8384 or email balbrigganwomensshed@gmail.com—new members are always welcome!
Flemington Community Centre was alive with energy on 11 April 2026, as dozens of sports clubs, cultural groups, community organisations, local enterprises, education providers, emergency services, and agency partners came together for BELIEVE Balbriggan, a major community expo celebrating the very best of the town’s talent, services, opportunities, and innovation - while strengthening connections, civic pride, and participation across the community.
Exhibitors presented inspiring examples of innovation, best practices, and community involvement, offering visitors a first hand look at the strengths and creativity within Balbriggan. A wide range of
interactive workshops added to the atmosphere, giving attendees the chance to engage, learn and experience all that is positive and dynamic about the town.
The event also promoted the ongoing Digital Detox initiative, encouraging attendees to intentionally reduce or switch off their electronic devices for one hour. By stepping away from phones, tablets, computers, and social media, participants were able to focus on well-being, reduce stress, and create more meaningful, real-world connections – benefits that can be measured and felt within the
community.
Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Gráinne Maguire, praised the event, saying: “There’s so many wonderful people and groups at work in Balbriggan and an expo like this is an excellent way for all to get out there and see them. We have some major talent in our local communities and I’m proud to point their way as they exhibit here today. Our many enterprises and community organisations are what bring real life to this town and I’m happy to see so much innovation and talent here in the one place.”
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, also reflected on the significance of the expo: “I’d like to congratulate community organisers for giving something for everyone here in Balbriggan. I’m pleased to see so many of different ages participating today. The Digital Detox is another fantastic initiative providing hands-on help for our very many community organisations. Encouraging people to step away from their devices and create meaningful, real-world connections is something I’m always happy to encourage.”
BELIEVE Balbriggan continues to grow as a long-term community movement, designed to strengthen neighbourhoods, support local partnerships, and ensure every resident has the chance to help shape Balbriggan’s future. Events like this year’s expo are an important step in building a more connected, engaged, and proud community.
For more information on the expo and to learn more about the Digital Detox initiative, visit: https://believebalbriggan.ie/
The north County Dublin town of Balbriggan is to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious sports events – the NFL Draft, this Saturday.
The Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) in the town will play host to a player draft for Wisconsin team the Green Bay Packers, ensuring Balbriggan is seen around the world.
The NFL Draft is a three-day event held every April where all 32 US National Football League teams select new players from the college football ranks.
The Packers want to bring a distinctly Irish theme to one of American football’s biggest stages, highlighting the passion of their fans in Ireland and celebrating the country’s rich musical heritage.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gavin James will take part in the festivities, alongside young musicians from the Institute, playing the harp.
The Irish Institute of Music and Song is a non-profit organisation and premier music campus, featuring the 400-seat Lark Concert Hall and a dynamic academy dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Irish performers.
James, a patron of the Institute, is one of Ireland’s most recognised musical talents, with more than two billion Spotify streams. He has toured globally with artists including Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
The Dublin-based Draft moment is part of the Packers’ broader commitment to growing the game internationally through the NFL’s Global Markets Programme.
The Packers’ Irish connections will also be represented on-site at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, where its nominee for International Fan of the Year, Stephen O’Brien, will announce an additional day three pick.
A native of Arklow, County Wicklow, O’Brien founded the UK and Ireland Packers fan club and has become a leading voice in the team’s international fan community.
In recognition of his impact, the Packers commissioned a large-scale mural in O’Brien’s home town.
The Packers are the league’s most successful franchise, with 13 championships, including four Super Bowls.
The NFL Draft is televised live across ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network in the US and Sky Sports and DAZN internationally.
The 2025 event was the second most-watched draft in history, averaging 7.5 million viewers across the three-day event.
Balbriggan is currently the site of a €60million economic, infrastructural and social plan, ‘Our Balbriggan’ led by Fingal County Council, launched - following a community engagement in which 25% of the town’s population took part - seven years ago.
According to Michael T Dawson, CEO of the Irish Institute of Music Song educational campus, hosting the event is an ‘incredible’ boost for Balbriggan.
“This is a wonderful honour for the Irish Institute of Music Song, The Lark Concert Hall and the town of Balbriggan,” he said.
“The IIMS Harp Ensemble, a group for young harpers aged 9-18, directed by Dr Helen Lawlor and Aoibheann Galvin, which often collaborates with international artists, proved the key factor in capturing the NFL Draft. Its appeal was instrumental in attracting the NFL Draft to Balbriggan,” he added.
The Balrothery Active Travel Plan was officially launched today by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, and David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sport at Fingal County Council.
Shaped through local engagement with community businesses, visitors and elected members, the Plan addresses long standing concerns within the village, particularly around road safety, connectivity and accessibility. Issues highlighted include constrained and interrupted footpaths, accessibility at St. Oliver Plunkett’s National School, limited crossing facilities, visibility challenges at key junctions and restricted access to local businesses and Glebe Park from the R132. The Plan sets out a co-ordinated approach to resolving these challenges and strengthening how people move around Balrothery.
To respond to these challenges, the Plan proposes a series of targeted interventions that prioritise walking, wheeling and cycling, including the reallocation of road space to better support active travel, upgraded public spaces, improved bicycle parking and enhanced links to public transport.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: By focusing on safer streets, better connections and improved public spaces, this plan will make walking and cycling a more practical option for the Balrothery community. These changes will help people choose healthy, pleasant and sustainable travel options and move around the village more easily and with greater confidence.’’
David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel and Sport at Fingal County Council, said: “This Plan reflects Fingal County Council’s commitment to delivering inclusive, well designed active travel infrastructure that is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. The proposals for Balrothery aim to reduce traffic dominance, improve safety and support more sustainable travel choices.”
The project team is now designing a trial of the first project to come from the Plan. The trial will be implemented in Balrothery later this year, and the public will again be invited to make submissions and suggestions on the trial via the Fingal Consultation Portal. Once implemented, these improvements will make everyday journeys in Balrothery safer and more convenient for everyone.
For more information and to read the final Plan, visit:
https://www.fingal.ie/activetravel/balrothery
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is celebrating fifty years of changing lives this year, you might have even seen Leinster House turning green to mark our anniversary and kick off the milestone year! To celebrate the milestone birthday, there will be a number of events held throughout the next few months, including ‘The 50 Plus Show’ which was held at the RDS on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th March from 10am – 4pm.
There is also the Cork City Marathon, if you have taken up running this year, why not sign up as there is currently 50 places across three races at the Cork City Marathon available, you can join and raise money to support our work and make a difference! You can find out more information on guidedogs.ie.
To celebrate 50 years of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Tom O’Neill of our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs on ‘The Blind Guys podcast’ where he joined to talk about the impact of our work and his life. It is a fantastic listen.
Our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of guide dogs will be marking 50 years of guide dogs at a function in O’Dwyers G.A.A. new club house Balbriggan on Saturday 8th of August. More details to follow, so make sure you are following our social media pages to be up to date with all upcoming events. We will also be looking forward to Guide Dog Day on Friday 22nd May and there will be a number of events on the lead up to that!
As always in the meantime if you would like to help our Branch, if you have any used postage stamps or coins which are no longer in circulation, please give them to us. We will turn them into Euros and lodge to the guide dogs account. We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and large collection dogs we find coins from all over the world and that are no longer legal currency since the Euro came into place.
You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs
Plans are on track for the new €11million public swimming pool to be built by Fingal County Council at Castlelands, Balbriggan.
A provision of €11million has been allocated to the project over the three year period of the Council’s 2025-2027 Capital Programme.
The new facility will incorporate a changing village, reception area and a viewing gallery.
It will be located south of the area’s Link Road, directly opposite the site of a proposed new school.
An integrated design team led by UK-based company ReCreation has developed preliminary plans.
The provision of a public swimming pool was a key ask of the survey by Balbriggan.ie in 2019, aimed at shaping an order of priorities to transform the town.
The findings subsequently shaped Fingal County Council’s ongoing €54-57million Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.
In 2024, a study which reached out to local teens also highlighted the need for a public swimming pool in Balbriggan.
Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, which oversees Fingal County Council’s Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, warmly welcomed the announcement.
He said the swimming pool would have a profound and positive social impact on Balbriggan.
“As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland.
“There is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area and this initiative will assist in doing just that.
“This project is a symbol of the progress being made in Balbriggan - informed and shaped by the community - and which will provide a well-designed public facility for people to not only enjoy, but feel proud of.”
This winter has been one of the most active and rewarding periods in the history of Takemusu Aikido Society. From international training exchanges to national recognition and local volunteer awards, the Balbriggan-based club has shown that high-level martial arts and strong community roots can grow side by side.
In early January, three representatives of the club travelled to Sweden as part of the Erasmus+ Sports Staff Mobility programme for the professional development of Irish takemusu aikido coaches. Takemusu Aikido Society head instructor Raman Bekarevich, assistant instructor Jan Toth and volunteer Áine Winterbottom visited the Gothenburg Aikido Club, led by Ulf Evenås, 8th Dan Aikikai, widely respected as one of the most technically accomplished Aikido teachers in the world. During the visit, they observed how the complete aikido curriculum is structured and delivered, from beginners’ classes to advanced practice. This included weapons training with sword and staff, children’s sessions, grading preparation and the dojo culture that supports steady, long-term development.
What stood out most was the clarity of teaching progression. Advanced techniques were not treated as something separate or reserved for a select few. Instead, they were built carefully from foundations already in place. Each new movement emerged as a small, logical extension of what students had just practised. By introducing only one new element at a time, instructors preserved precision and understanding while enabling the entire group to advance together. This thoughtful and inclusive method of teaching has already begun influencing how classes are structured back in Balbriggan.
The impact became visible later that same month at the Irish Martial Arts Commission Aikido Friendship Seminar on 24–25 January in Dublin city centre. Six instructors from six dojo each taught one class in a collaborative national format. Raman led the opening session for around 20 participants, applying the same progressive structure observed in Sweden. Techniques unfolded in clear stages, with complexity developing naturally from strong fundamentals. Practitioners of different levels were able to train together confidently, and the positive response demonstrated how international learning can immediately strengthen practice at home.
That weekend also brought a major milestone. On 24 January, at the first-ever IMAC Award Night held at the Lucan Spa Hotel, Raman Bekarevich received the Outstanding Contribution to Martial Arts 2025 award. The honour recognised both technical achievement and meaningful social impact. The award acknowledged significant milestones, including promotion to 4th Dan and mentoring his first student to black belt. At the same time, it highlighted inclusive initiatives such as free classes during Women in Sport Week and the Autumn Free Aikido Programme for Young Adults, helping to remove financial and social barriers to participation. Through public demonstrations, local engagement and ongoing outreach, aikido continues to reach audiences far beyond the dojo. Above all, the recognition reflected sustained mentorship and the supportive training environment that has allowed the club and its members to grow steadily.
Further recognition followed when Fingal County Council presented Raman with a Fingal Sports Volunteer Award. Presented by the Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Tom O’Leary, the award specifically recognised volunteer work in Balbriggan. Despite living in South Dublin, Raman makes a long weekly round trip at his own expense to keep the Balbriggan dojo running. He lays out the mats before class, teaches without payment and stays afterwards to support students who have no alternative place to train. This dedication ensures that Balbriggan continues to have a stable, welcoming and genuinely community-centred space for martial arts practice.
The series of winter events concluded with an international seminar hosted by Takemusu Aikido Society. Led by the instructor of Gothenburg Aikido Club, Jöran Fagerlund, the event welcomed visitors from Italy, the UK and Limerick for a weekend of training. Over the weekend, training explored the connection between different aspects of practice, including the use of traditional wooden weapons and unarmed techniques and how they complement one another. Despite heavy rain and local flooding, the weekend came together smoothly and the atmosphere on the mat was excellent. The determination of those who travelled under challenging conditions spoke volumes about the strong sense of community at the heart of aikido.
Takemusu Aikido Society continues its regular classes in Balbriggan and welcomes adults and teenagers who would like to experience a structured, supportive and internationally connected martial art close to home.
A group of Really Cool Adventurers from Balbriggan have recently returned home after taking part in an exciting Erasmus+ youth mobility in Germany as part of the international project Play Compete Connect, co-funded by the European Union.
The exchange took place in December, in Germany, in the town of Esslingen, hosted by Käthe Kollwitz Schule secondary school, and brought together youth groups from several European countries. The project used sport, games and teamwork as a powerful way to promote inclusion, healthy lifestyles and intercultural understanding.
Throughout the week, the Balbriggan participants took part in a packed programme of workshops, outdoor activities and team challenges. The focus was on learning through play — exploring how sport can help young people build confidence, develop communication skills and form friendships across borders.
A special highlight was the opportunity to learn traditional games and sports from partner countries. The German team introduced participants to Kegeln (a traditional form of bowling) as well as fun ice curling-style team challenges. The Serbian group presented rukomet (handball), giving everyone the chance to try a fast-paced and energetic sport. Meanwhile, the Turkish participants shared cultural sports traditions including Müsabakalı güreşi and aba güreşi, showcasing the importance of heritage and respect in Turkish wrestling.
In return, the Irish group proudly represented Balbriggan and Ireland by presenting Gaelic football and hurling, giving new friends from across Europe a taste of our national sports and culture.
Leader Killian Burke praised the experience, saying:
“It was an incredible project. The young people gained so much through sport, teamwork and meeting others from different cultures.”
Participants also spoke warmly about the impact of the mobility.
Orla O’Halloran said:
“The project met my expectations a thousand times over. I learned so much and made amazing friends.”
Another participant, Julia Iwanicka, highlighted the power of connection through play:
“We don’t need to use the same language to understand each other and play the game together.”
Beyond the workshops, the group also enjoyed discovering German culture, visiting the famous Esslingen Christmas Market, and exploring the impressive Mercedes-Benz Museum, making the experience both educational and memorable.
Organisers from Really Cool Adventure, based in Balbriggan, say they are now looking forward to continuing dissemination activities locally.
If your school or youth group would like our volunteers to deliver our free Erasmus+ presentation or sports games workshop, please get in touch with us at @ReallyCoolAdventure.
The Balbriggan annual Feis took place on Saturday the 7th and Sunday 8th February in the Naul GAA club. We want to say a big thank you to Damien O’Shaughnessy and Ann McFadden for organizing it plus the great team of helpers they have with them.
Tom O’Neill with guide dog Qeb and Ann Mulligan with puppy in training Lulu of our Balbriggan Branch also made an appearance at the Feis to say the most important words of thanks to all who helped and participated.
Some bright sunny news also, Martin McNamara very kindly donated €1,000 from the sales of his calendars to Balbriggan / North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. On Friday 16th January, Tom O’Neill with his Guide Dog Qeb and Anne Mulligan with Puppy in Training Lulu met with Martin in Molly’s Cafe on Quay St Balbriggan for the presentation. Thank you for your support Martin.
We also want to give huge congratulations to Paudie Dwan from County Tipperary, the lucky winner of our Car Raffle! The car was a brand-new 2026
Ford Puma - What an incredible prize! The winning ticket was drawn by Cork Camogie’s Amy O’Connor, along with Maurice O’Carroll from Ford Ireland.
Our branch will soon have our holiday raffle tickets and towards the end of the year we will have another car raffle.
Finally, it might not be January anymore but if you still have resolutions to volunteer or help out locally, why not contact your local branch of Balbriggan Guide Dogs to volunteer and or become part of our counter box team which is very rewarding as you are always bringing in money to the branch. If you want more information, please contact us on the information below. You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.