The front strand, as the locals of Balbriggan affectionately refer to it, lies, quietly and occasionally noisily, like a vigilant guardian of secrets and history who stands guard at the perimeter of this ever-expanding town. As you make your way down convent lane under the train tunnel, you will be captivated by its majesty and the boundless beauty and delights it offers. The beach is like a best friend who listens to your conversations, and thoughts and helps you find clarity while sitting listening to the hum of the sea lapping in and out along the shore. It is a gathering spot for locals to unwind and cherish moments spent with loved ones. This seaside community truly revolves around it; it is an integral part of its fabric. A much-loved destination where people of all backgrounds and origins may come together to have lasting experiences and build new friendships. Regrettably, the previously vivid and hypnotic golden sand mirage is fading away. Unattractive and invasive grass and weeds have taken the place, of our once envied golden sandy coveted beach, altering the past and erasing the cultural legacy of our town’s historic core. The sandy front beach in Balbriggan is especially important to the community, and as generational resident’s across decades, we have seen firsthand the delight that visitors have found on its golden sand. We cannot stand by and let this happen. A philosophy of morality known as utilitarianism opposes acts that bring misery and in favour of those that provide joy. Utilitarianism is a social, economic, and political theory that seeks to improve society overall when applied to decision-making. Our beach and community need mindful decision making from the individuals in charge in Fingal County Council who can ensure utility for the coastal community of our Balbriggan. So, we are asking the community of Balbriggan to protest and voice their upset with Fingal County Council for allowing our sandy beach to become covered in this horrible invasive, unsightly, and unfriendly weeds and grass. We are calling on Fingal County Council to return our beach to the glorious golden beach it has always been for generations.

Balbriggan & District Historical Society is looking forward to a busy time this month.

We are delighted to announce we will hold a Pop Up Museum on the two weekends 25th and 26th May and 1st & 2nd June during Summerfest to display a small sample of the significant number of our historical Artefacts and photographs and videos which are of huge local and national interest. Topics featured will include the Linen & textile industry including Smyco, Harry Reynolds, The Sack of Balbriggan, Bremore Castle, the Bathhouse and Boathouse and some of our extensive 1893 local Balbriggan photo collection. The exhibition will take place in the Pop Up Museum space on the corner of Clonard St and Bridge St, beside Central Pub. All are welcome and admission is free. On May 29th we welcome Aiden Arnold for a talk based on his recent book Barnewall de Berneval - 800 years of a Norman Irish family. As we all know the Barnewall family were associated with Bremore Castle in Balbriggan so this will be of huge interest. We have already had a great start to 2024 as we welcomed Gerard Shannon for a well researched and facinating talk on Liam Lynch in March. General Liam Lynch was one of the most important republican leaders of the Irish revolutionary period. But for many his life story wasn’t very well known and Gerry’s talk intoduced us to his early life and family and his role in the IRA and also gave great insight into the war of independence and the tragedy of the Civil war. For our April talk we welcomed local historian and indeed a Committee member our own Jim Walsh for a talk on the tragedy of the Bolingbroke children in 1930. His talk told of their death in a fire in Balbriggan, and the impact on the Bolingbroke family and the community of a tragedy remembered in Balbriggan almost a century later.
All our talks take place in the Bracken Court Hotel at 8pm on the last Wednesday of the month, and all are welcome. Membership is €15, €20 family, or €10 for seniors or you can pay €5 for any individual talk.

Get together with your neighbours to share food and enjoy some conversation and camaraderie this summer. Annual weekend of street parties and communities’ lunches. It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or house, all you need is a space to bring people together. Fingal County Council say people have had feasts organised in front gardens, on streets and greens, in car parks, laneways, local parks and community centres and can’t wait to see what you come up with! Registrations with Fingal County Council opened in February 2024. Once you have registered, you’ll receive your FREE Street Feast party pack, complete with bunting, posters, invites and a brilliant DIY guide! Fingal County Council ask that you host your Street Feast on the weekend of 25th – 26th May. So contact the Council now!

Speaking after his selection to run in the Local Elections on 7th June, in the Balbriggan Local Electoral Area, Councillor Brendan Ryan reflected on the past year since he was co-opted to Fingal County Council to replace his party colleague, Councillor Seana O’Rodaigh. “It has been a very busy year which has just flown by.” he said. “But it has been so enjoyable” he added. “We are now just approaching one year since I took the decision to accept the co-option and return to local politics. I have enjoyed engaging again with old friends and organisations. I am thankful for the encouraging feedback that I have received, and I have enjoyed the busy schedule.” He said “In the past year I have pushed for: Balbriggan Town Hall to reopen to the public; Balbriggan beach water quality improvement; supports for small business in Balbriggan; need for local shopping in Balbriggan. I have highlighted road safety concerns; dangerous junctions; need for Improvement in footpaths; lighting of footpaths; accessibility of footpaths; improved bus services to and from Balbriggan.” He added. “Derelict sites, dumping, right sizing Housing provision, swimming pool campaign, beach condition, facilities for groups and engagement with Gardai are all matters that I have been actively engaged in during the past year.” “Balbriggan Community events that I have really enjoyed during the year are the St Patricks Day parade, the St Brigid’s Festival of Light. poetry and music events at the Warehouse, and the Town Awards night. Balbriggan people have always been great for coming out in such numbers for community events.” “Being a Councillor has given me the opportunity to be a member of the URBACT local leadership group for the Development of Stephenstown Industrial Park, in Balbriggan, the North Dublin Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, the Community Development, Heritage, Culture and Creativity Strategic Policy Committee, and the Comhairle na N’Og Steering Group and I am really enjoying my participation in all of them.” “But most of all I have enjoyed getting back to my clinic work which I had been doing in Balbriggan since 2007 and which I really missed for the short period that I was off the pitch. Friends aften say to me that I am mad when I say this, but I really enjoy the individual contacts, the efforts to find solutions and the genuine gratitude of people when a solution is found.” “I am optimistic about the future of Balbriggan with lots of positive and exiting things coming down the tracks and looking forward to being part of it with the will of the people. It’s great to be back on the pitch!”

Acquiring a life-changing brain injury at 28 was not on Sinéad Lucey Brennan’s radar until one day in 2016 “the rug was pulled from under her feet”. Sinéad was unaware she had an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) until she experienced a haemorrhagic stroke. After surgery, she spent 3 weeks in ICU and on discharge realised that services were minimal for neurorehabilitation. She credits her partner, family, friends, healthcare professionals and Headway Ireland for supporting her physical and emotional recovery. Managing people’s expectations during her acute phase of recovery was tough. “I was told I would have no short-term memory for 12 months which was correct and a pen and pad to write things down were essential. It did return but that acute period was tough”. She felt she couldn’t tell people at work about her disability initially. “I was anxious about the impact on my working potential. I tried hard to figure out how to share my story and I didn’t know how to articulate what I’d been through. I masked for too long and this led to burnout. “The office environment had sensory challenges and I educated my HR team to help with the office set up and was accommodated with remote work too.” She worked with Headway Ireland to help routine, planning, organising, and rebuilding her life. Nearly 8 years on, she is a mother to a baby daughter which she “couldn’t have imagined” during her experience. She is running in the local elections for Fianna Fáil in Balbriggan to amplify the lived experience of disabled people. “It’s both the small and the significant issues. It’s access to amenities, public buildings and areas, footpaths and lighting that don’t work for disabled people and with some consultation, they would. It’s the lack of school places and general services for disabled children and adults that spurred me to run. Through her work as a disability advocate, she backed the Neurological Alliance of Ireland’s Brain Awareness Week campaign this month.”

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be holding a Table Quiz on Thursday 9th May upstairs in the Milestone Inn. Get your teams together and save the date! More details will be posted on our Facebook page nearer the date or contact us by calling 01 8416743 or emailing mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com Balbriggan Meals on Wheels has been providing meals to the most vulnerable members of our community since 1975 and was awarded the Community Heros of the Year at the 2023 Balbriggan Town Awards.

Warm and heartfelt tributes have been paid to the work of Professor Brian MacCraith following his stepping down as Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group. Professor MacCraith has overseen the work of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme since its inception in 2018. As Chairperson of the Balbriggan Leadership Group, Professor MacCraith oversaw the inception and development of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme. Having worked tirelessly on the project for more than five years, Professor MacCraith announced his departure from the role to coincide with the current mid-project review stage. His replacement will be announced shortly, along with details around renewal of the project. The ambitious vision contained in the programme was the result of an historic community engagement which saw more than 25% of residents outline their preferences for the future of the town. The project is transforming Ireland’s youngest town and Professor MacCraith steered substantial progress across a range of objectives. “The €50million Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme has made and will continue to make huge progress on key infrastructure and social projects central to this massive initiative,” said Professor MacCraith. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, thanked Professor McCraith for the leadership he has brought to the Balbriggan project. “He was the right man in the right place at the right time and has brought all his experience to bear in leading the Balbriggan Rejuvenation Project to the mid-project review point.” The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, paid tribute, saying it had been a pleasure to work alongside Professor MacCraith. “Brian’s work has had, and will continue to have, a very positive impact on Balbriggan. I warmly thank him for his endeavours,” she said. “There has been huge progress to date, and I look forward to further outcomes which will have an incredibly positive impact. “The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme will benefit the people of the town, ensuring a great place to live, work visit and do business. ”The Our Balbriggan renewal, which is currently being finalised, will include the restructuring the various local pillar groups which input to and support the overall project

Cllr Tom OLeary said recently, “ I welcome the confirmation that Fingal Council has lodged a planning application to An Bord Pleanála to remediate and upgrade the pier at Skerries Harbour. Fishers and sailors use both Balbriggan and Skerries harbours.” (Fishers is the new term for Fishermen and Fisherwomen) It is hoped that a positive decision will emerge in 6 Months. Then, Foreshore licences/leases are also required from the Dept of Agriculture Food & Marine and these typically can take up to 2 years from the date of application. Construction work should commence in 2026 after a tender process is completed. Local Skerries Cllr Tom O’Leary said, ” It’s very important for the Fishers at Skerries Harbour that facilities are improved for them to enable them to operate efficiently in a very tough business. So, Fishers require a crane to haul the fish boxes from the boats, to be installed at the harbour, dedicated parking for Fishers, water and electricity services and new storage containers or sheds. We also need to cater for the very popular busy pleasure sailing groups and in particular look at installing a suitable pontoon for safe access to and from boats of all sizes,” said Cllr Tom O’Leary. The Plans are availabe to view at Skerries Library from 5th March to 16th April 2024 .Online at www.fingal.ie/news

The Senior Men’s team named ‘Dragunz’ have just completed their 1st year in the Dublin Men’s Basketball League in the 6th Division. Currently sitting at 3rd on the table with a possible drop out of the top 4 positions, which depends on remaining games from other teams. The season started at the end of September 2023 and ends at the start of May2024, Through this time the team succeeded to win half (9/9) of their scheduled games inthe league. Scheduled games are usually on Friday nights in Bremore ETNS, Balbriggan.The senior team is multi-national, with a core membership from within the Balbriggan community. Our club members who come from other areas include, Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Drogheda and Dunleer. Congratulations to the Senior Men’s Team of the Balbriggan Basketball ‘Dragunz’ for completing their 1st year as a topflight Basketball team. A huge round of applause and appreciation to the coaching staff, volunteers, parents and members who assisted, supported and participated in the sporting activities through the season. Balbriggan Basketball operates a Youth Academy that trains young people to participate in the sport of Basketball. The goals are; knowing how to play the sport, team building exercises, active participation in sports, and a fun place to make new friends. The inclusive club caters to anybody (Boys & Girls) interested in taking part in the sport and ages start from 6 to 15 years old for our junior members, and trainings are either on a Wednesday evening or Sunday morning. Proposed League Teams for 2024/2025 season -Senior Men (16years and above) Dragunz - Senior Women (16years and above) Phoenix Flames - U16 Boys team (from 12-15years) Falcons. We require more members, coaches, referees, volunteers, and community support to fulfil the aspirations of this admirable club. Testimonial Brandon Lengenhager - “I feel like we played well this year, there is room for improvement, just like everything in life. I cannot wait to get in the gym, and I know we will be better next year to get the top spot for sure.”

Councillor Brendan Ryan has been selected to contest the Local elections in June for the Labour Party in the Balbriggan Local Electoral Area. Members of the Balbriggan and Skerries branches, as well as family members and other supporters, gathered in Balbriggan, on the 22 nd February, to finalize the selection process. The meeting was chaired by the National Organiser, Aideen Blackwood, and Duncan Smith TD and Councillor Rob O’Donoghue were also in attendance. In his speech on the night Ryan stated that once he accepted the nomination for co-option to replace Cllr. Seana O’Rodaigh in May last year, it was always his intention to contest the Local Elections in 2024. He also stated that he has no regrets about his decision to get back into a more formal role on the political scene again. “I have really enjoyed being a Councillor since June of last year” he said. “Many people are surprised when I tell them that I had never previously been a Councillor, and that I had taken a different route into politics, starting in the Seanad and then being elected to the Dail on two occasions” he added. “My clinics in Balbriggan and Skerries, which I love doing so much, are up and running and going well every Saturday morning. The people in Balbriggan seem to like the idea of having somewhere to drop in without having to make an appointment, and I will continue to provide that service” he said. Ryan thanked the members and friends for turning out in such numbers and looked forward to the work ahead.