Remember Us is an integrated social youth group for young people/adults with special needs and caters for members aged 4 and upwards. We cater for members From the North Fingal and surrounding areas. The club is mainly based in Balbriggan - for in house activities see our website at www.rememberus.ie Volunteers are required to assist and supervise young people/adults with special needs in a group setting at their various activities/outings. The following are the days and times we require help: Monday 10 – 1pm Adult group - Wednesday 4pm to 6pm 4 – 12 year olds - Thursday 10 – 1pm Adult group - Saturday 2 to 4 if in house - All Ages Volunteers play a vital role in Irish society. Across Ireland, volunteers are engaged in delivering services and programmes that improve and enhance the life of our communities. Volunteers are people just like you. If you have an hour or two to spare and would be interested in volunteering please contact Nora/Hayley on 0860457003 or e mail hello@rememberus.ie for more information.

A Date for your Diaries! Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is holding its ever popular Christmas Fair on Saturday 25th November from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. This will be a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping started whilst supporting a good cause! In advance of the Christmas Fair, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be accepting donations of new, unused items that we can sell. So now might be the time to go through your cupboards and clear out any unwanted gifts that you might have. Donations can be left to 14 Hampton Street, Monday to Saturday between 9am and 1.00pm. All proceeds raised go towards the work of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels.

For many years the people of Balbriggan and its surrounds have been travelling to Skerries and other locations to support Pieta House in their fundraiser “Darkness into Light” and it would have been nice to see the event in Balbriggan. So many people in our community have been affected by Suicide and Mental Health and over the years I have contacted Pieta House with a view to having the event in Balbriggan. Unfortunately, as there was already one close by it made no sense to have two in such close proximity. However last year after again many telephone calls and discussion, it was agreed that Balbriggan would host its very first “Darkness into Light” and would I be able to get a committee together. I jumped at the chance and knew exactly the people that I could call on to get involved.

From the very first announcement that it was happening in Balbriggan, the whole community got behind us, everyone from local shops, coffee shops, pubs, schools and Nursing homes. With support from Fingal County Council, we were able to run the event without any cost to Pieta House so that all the money raised would go directly to the services, which was very important to us. After many weeks of planning the morning of 6th May was upon us and a wonderful bunch of volunteers including the scouts from 89th Bremore and 34th /161th meet to help the committee with the support of our local Garda and Order of Malta. To say we were overwhelmed with the amount of people who showed up was an understatement…..it was just amazing. The crowds of thousands all came together to walk and talk along a loop of Balbriggan and ending up to a wonderful sunrise on our lovely beach whilst listening to the sounds of the “Balbriggan Gospel Choir. It was very emotional to see so many out to support this worthwhile cause and the atmosphere was very special. We waited with bathed breath for the total amount raised and was blown away when we were advised that we raised 41,491.69 and which will go a long way to support those that need it most. Also, this year it was announced that Pieta was setting up a local service in Balbriggan for 12–25-year-olds who may be struggling with suicidal feelings, self-harm or who have lost a loved one to suicide and can be contacted on 0818 111 126. Editors Note: Congratulations to Cllr Maguire, the hardworking Committee and all who took part.

The Leithinis CCÉ Autumn term of traditional Irish music classes begins in mid-September in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Please check the leithinis Facebook page and website (leithinis.com/) for registration details. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhán, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin and Concertina.Leithinis were delighted to receive a Community Development grant. We would like to thank the Department of Rural and Community Development, Fingal County Council and the Local Community Development Committee. The monthly Traditional Music Session led by Denis, takes place in The Brooke Pub, Portrane at 7:30pm on the first Tuesday of every month with experienced musicians arriving from all over the North County to participate. All are welcome to come along and listen.

Glebe North Football Club are looking for new underage players for the new season 2023-24.
The club is open to expressions of interest from parents for their young people to join our teams. Boys & Girls from Under 8 (born 2016) to under 18 (born 2006). Please send us your expression of interest at forms.gle/Syj6ZZrNxGYUFwwr9.

A fourth wicket stand of 114 in 10 overs between Cameron Rowe and Greg Ford powered Balbriggan into the final of the All Ireland T20 Cup in an entertaining match of fluctuating fortunes at The Rectory recently. A rain delay meant the match was initially 16 overs per side, with a further shower cutting it a further two. Irish Under 19 international Scott Macbeth top-scored for the 2021 champions, hitting four sixes and 3 fours in his 46, while Ifty Hussain (39) and Adam McDaid (26) both cleared the ropes three times as Brigade made 130 for 8. Farooq Nasr (3-20) was inches from claiming a final over hat-trick, while Eoin Birch (2-21) bowled with plenty of fire. The Leinster champions faced a DLS adjusted target of 133 in 14, and that looked a long way off as Farooq Nasr, Conor Fletcher and Chris de Freitas all fell in the first three overs to leave them on 16 for 3. It could have been worse with Cameron Rowe dropped first ball off Ryan Macbeth (2-23). Rowe and skipper Greg Ford rebuilt and although the required rate was creeping up, you felt they were biding their time on a ground renowned for its true bouncy wicket and small boundaries. Still, there must have been a few nerves as they reached 57 for 3 after 8 overs, needing a further 76 from the last six overs. Rowe and Ford stepped on the gas as the next four overs went for 24, 13, 14 and 17 - a total of 68 in just 24 balls. Ford went for 43 (1 four, 4 sixes), stumped off Scott Macbeth (2-5), while Matt Pollard fell first ball, but by that stage only four were needed from the last over. It was fitting that it fell to Rowe to score the winning runs - his fifth four to go with seven sixes in his unbeaten 73. Balbriggan will have to wait to see who they play in the final at Malahide on August 27th after the CIYMS v Cork County game was abandoned.

St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers have had great success at the 2023 EFBT 10th Anniversary European Championships in Teplice in the Czech Republic. After an absence of 3 years away from the International Competition Floor 11 athletes from St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers travelled with Team Ireland at the beginning of July to the Championships in Teplice. The athletes competed in 25 events included Freestyle, Solo 1 Baton, Solo 2 Baton, Pair, Team and Group. As part of team Ireland, the club took home 13 awards :2 x 1st place – 1 x 2nd place – 2 x 3rd place - 2 x 4th place – 3 x 5th place - 3 x 6th place and in the Overall Country Placement - Team Ireland placed 3rd.. For more information about joining contact 086 3270636 Or do check us out on our Facebook page: StMarys Baton Twirlers. Instagram: Stmarysbatontwirlers.

Paddy O’Callaghan and his daughter Niamh Kelivanova completed their Skydive in aid of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels on Friday 4th August at The Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly. Having been postponed a couple of times, due to injury and the weather, they were thrilled when they finally got to take to the skies. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to extend a huge thank you to Paddy and Niamh for choosing to fundraise for them and are extremely grateful to everyone who sponsored them. Well Done to Paddy and Niamh! To donate to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels visit our facebook page balbriggan.mealsonwheels/ and click the donate button.

Fingal Rowing Club, based here in Balbriggan, were in Wicklow recently competing and celebrating a successful final Regatta of the season. The honours achieved by the members is truly fantastic including: The Intermediate Mens 1st, Intermediate Womens 1st, Novice Womens ‘A’ 2nd, Novice Womens ‘B’ 3rd, Junior Women 2nd, Mixed 2nd and Vets 2nd. What a day for our wonderful club! Every single member did us proud. Congratulations to all rowers, coaches, coxing and supporters, a wonderful addition to the town.

A recent TG4 Cúltír Fingal programme featured Balbriggan including the Bremore Passage Tombs and music from the Irish Institute of Music & Song. CÚLTÍR focussed on Fingal on TG4 on Sunday 28 August. The new exciting series, Cúltír (“Hinterland”) on TG4 has been supported by Fingal County Council as part of its Creative Ireland Programme and will featured Fingal on Sunday 28 August at 9.30pm. The Fingal programme explored Fingal’s priceless Neolithic heritage at the Bremore Passage Tombs with Fingal Co Co Heritage Officer Christine Baker, as well as showing the contemporary, modern, urban, vibrant Fingal. Singer Pauline Scanlon and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain celebrated the music and ancient culture of Co. Fingal. For Aoife, it’s a happy homecoming to her native county, as she performs with her father, legendary piper Mick O’Brien. A lively and diverse night of music from the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan saw the great Leslie Dowdall host on-stage, while dance troupe ProdiJIG, rapper JyellowL and balladeers Sean Fitzgerald and Daragh Lynch headed up an eclectic line-up which also included folk fusion quarter Pontún and young fiddler Róisín O’Connor, supported by her parents Paudie O’Connor and Aoife Ní Chaoimh . Meanwhile, Aoife went in search of Fingal’s ancient roots, including visiting Garristown Mill and the Hide Sculpture and met the county’s famous “Mummers” as well as David O’Connor, Seán McPhilbín and Garett Phelan along the way.