Cllr Grainne Maguire (Ind, Balbriggan) will serve as Deputy Mayor of Fingal for the second time following her election recently . She was nominated by Cllr Tony Murphy (Independent) and seconded by Cllr Karen Power (Green Party Comhaontas Glas). Joining as a Balbriggan Councillor in 2013, Cllr Maguire had previously served on Balbriggan Town Council from 2009. She has extensive experience in local government and is a well-known figure in Ireland’s youngest town for the work she does across many different groups and for her passion around local issues.
Fingal also has a new leader after Cllr Adrian Henchy (Fianna Fáil) was elected by his fellow Councillors recently to become the region’s 18th Mayor. Originally from Portrane, and representing the Rush-Lusk electoral area, he joined Fingal as a Councillor in 2014.From his role as a Councillor to his involvement in numerous local initiatives, Mayor Henchy’s focus has always been on making a positive difference in the lives of the people he serves. A dedicated health professional with a passion for public service, he said he is ready to usher in a new era of progress, collaboration, and innovative leadership for the County. Henchy succeeds Cllr Howard Mahony, who handed over the chains of office at the AGM.
In securing the role as Mayor, Cllr Henchy was nominated by Cllr Eoghan O’Brien (FF) who said it was a privilege and an honour to nominate him for the position. The nomination was seconded by Cllr Brian Dennehy (FF). “I am humbled to have been elected to serve in this prestigious post,” said Mayor Adrian Henchy. “I am committed to working tirelessly to build a stronger, more inclusive, and vibrant Fingal. Together, with the support of our community, we can achieve great things and help build a Fingal that thrives economically, socially, and environmentally. I would particularly like to focus on delivering more houses, not just the bricks and mortar of the homes themselves but also ensuring we are building sustainable communities around them.”
At the AGM, praise was given to the outgoing Mayor and also to Deputy Mayor, Cllr Cathal Boland, for their unwavering service to the people of Fingal across the last year.A strong advocate of Dublin 15, former Mayor, Cllr Howard Mahony, has undertaken a large number of activities during his term, attending 365 community and Council related events across the year.
Blasters Cricket for the youngsters has started recently and all are welcome to join in.
Boys and Girls aged 4-10 are welcome to come down and get plenty of fun , Fresh air, Friendship and a little bit of Cricket. A new child’s first week is free !!!! The Cost is €5 per week or €7 for 2 siblings. Special offer of €60 for the whole summer or €90 for 2 Siblings - Book online at balbriggancricketclub.com/pro…/summer-training/..All coaches are qualified and vetted and all equipment is provided.For more details Text 0872507736 or you can Email us at Balbriggancricketclub@gmail.com.
The end of season awards night for our senior teams took place at the club last night. Well done to all players involved in both the men’s and women’s teams on a good season. And congratulations to all award winners.
Women’s Awards:
Player Of The Year
Lorna McKenna
Players Player Of The Year
Laura Brown
Most Improved Player
Caoimhe Colman
Young Player Of The Year Clíodhna Ni Chonchobhair
Men’s Awards ;
Player Of The Year
Fiachra Tuckey
Players Player Of The Year
Cal O’Connor
2nd XV Player Of The Year
Floyd Runsewe
Young Player Of The Year
Conor Colman
By the end of the season 12 youth players had made their debut playing senior men’s rugby. They are - Floyd Runsewe, Conor Colman, Ciaran Rutherford, Eoin Hannigan, Jimmy McFadden, Oisin McNamara, Jack Mongey, Josh Buraimoh, Reuben Rabiu, Peter Jennings, Damien Whelan and Cillian Reynolds. Well done to them on their senior debut this season.
Hard to believe it is June almost halfway through the year and we have some exciting events taking place this month. We are delighted to announce the return of the Society Day Trip after a three year absence due to Covid. This will take place on Saturday June 17th. We are just confirming the last details but it is proposed to visit Dublin City and the Tenement museum and EPIC and we will round off the day with a relaxing meal. This is always a great day out so save the date in your diary and check out Social media and website for updates. We will also be leading our usual Historical Walk as part of Summerfest on Saturday June 3rd. On June 24th at 2pm we have an interesting talk by Jonathan Beaumont titled ‘The Dublin to Drogheda Railway’.in an exciting new venue for us, the beautiful setting of Ardgillan Castle. You could combine the talk with a visit to the superb gardens of Ardgillan Demesne or a stroll in the grounds. We have had a great start to 2023 with our March talk featuring the Story of Cricket in Fingal by James Bennett. Jim’s talk was highly entertaining with an emphasis on Balbriggan and many past and present Cricket players and their families were in attendance. He brought to life not just the games themselves but the rivalries and the entertainment and food and drink after the games, which were almost more important! For April we were delighted to welcome Rory Golden, Diver, Speaker, Explorer with a talk titled ‘TITANIC - Search, Discovery and Diving to the world’s most famous shipwreck.’ Rory spoke first of the story of the building of the Titanic and its ill fated maiden voyage and the story of some of the many who lost their lives on it. He then introduced us to fantastic images of his dives to the wreck. For our May talk we returned to a local topic as we welcomed our own Jim Walsh for a very interesting talk titled ‘Balscadden Past and Present’ As always for information on our society email balbrigganhistsoc@gmail.com or see balbrigganhistory.com or follow us on Social Media.
It has been a very busy term in the college with our wonderful students making us very proud of their achievements: Our U19 Girls GAA team won the North Dublin Gaelic Blitz in a tense final against Loreto College. Our Junior and Senior hurlers won their respective Dublin finals. Our Junior GAA boys reached the Dublin final. Our 1st Year boys’ soccer won the Division 1 NE Final. Our Rugby 7s girls’ team won the All Ireland 7’s Championship. Our debaters took runner up spots in the EU50 and DDLETB debate competitions. Sami Khan won the Chemistry Award at Scifest in DKIT.
Our school participated in the first Balbriggan Darkness in to Light to raise funds for Pieta. Our Parents Council held a very successful Quiz night in the school which raised funds for our Suaimhneas Department. Our students held an Intercultural Day in the school and put on a spectacular fashion show to display traditional outfits from various cultures. Finally, we were one of three post primary schools in the country to be awarded with the Active School Flag. The initiative, founded by the University of Limerick strives to promote movement and learning through movement in schools. A huge thank you to everyone who worked hard over the past four years to achieve this honour, especially Ms.Nealon and Ms. Murray. We are looking forward to the end of the year celebrations and wish our Leaving Certificate Class of 2023 the very best of luck in their exams and future endeavours.
On Sunday 11th June Balbriggan locals, Paddy O’Callaghan and his daughter Niamh Kelivanova will be doing a Sponsored Parachute Jump in aid of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels at The Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly. All money raised will go directly to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels for their ongoing work in providing meals in the local area. Please show your support for Paddy and Niamh by sponsoring them via the Balbriggan Meals on Wheels Facebook Page or by dropping your sponsorship in to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels at 14 Hampton Street. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to thank Paddy and Niamh for bravely doing this fundraiser for them.
Balbriggan Secondary School students and teachers were given an opportunity to input into the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Project at the Bracken Court Hotel during the local Loves Learning Festival recently. The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation programme is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Cultural and Tourism Department and maps a vision for the town, shaped by its people. The Loves Learning Festival provided an opportunity for a range of groups and services to platform learning opportunities available to people in Balbriggan and surrounding areas. The update with fifth and transition year students and teachers sought the further involvement of young people in the project, and celebrated Balbriggan’s role as the town with the biggest youth population in the country. The event also provided an opportunity to recognise and promote lifelong learning and showcased Balbriggan’s tremendous young talent and youth diversity.
Among the schools from which students and staff attended were Ardgillan College, Bremore Educate Together, Ghlor Na Mara, Balbriggan Community College and Loreto Secondary School. Our picture includes the following: (l-r) Sgt Darren Farrelly, Balbriggan Community Policing Unit; Fiona Kavanagh, Chair of Our Balbriggan Education Skills and Training Pillar; Eamonn Donlyn, Smart Balbriggan Co-ordinator; Katherine Kearns, TY Co-ordinator Loreto Secondary School; Emma Grufferty, is the Principal, Bremore Educate Together National Schools; Geraldine Barnett, Deputy Principal Loreto Secondary School; Ciara Menton, Ardgillan Community College; Kathy Jones, Principal, Bremore Educate Together; Jennifer Walsh, Bremore Educate Together; Breffni O’Rourke, Programme Manager, Our Balbriggan. Also in attendance but absent from the photograph was Supt Paul Franey, Balbriggan Gardai/Chair of Safe Balbriggan Pillar.
IFE Sportland recently hosted the new edition of Gardaland Cup,the youth football tournament that takes place at Easter in the fields near the beautiful Garda Lake in Italy. The tournament will involved a fantastic international atmosphere and the beautiful Gardaland park, which has always characterized it. Many teams from all over Italy and from northern Europe, awaited with trepidation the kick-off of the Gardaland Cup! It was played on fields in Castelnuovo, Peschiera, Bussolengo, Sommacampagna, Pastrengo and Villafranca. The tournament is authorized by F.I.G.C and is promoted by IFE Sportland. The Glebe North Under 14 team closed the Gardaland Cup with 2 wins in two games today. The team and parents enjoyed a very good pizza in a local restaurant after the medals presentation. Well done to all!
A recent article by Cricket Europe has recognised the wonderful achievements and players of Balbriggan Cricket Club. The article stated: The defending champions aren’t content with one Premier League crown. They have tasted success and want more silverware as they look to build strong structures throughout the club. 2022 was undoubtedly the best year in the clubs history with the first team winning the premier league at the first time of asking, as well as promotion for the seconds and thirds, plus the launching of Women’s cricket in the club. Promising South African bowling all-rounder Matt Pollard is their overseas player, while the additions of Cameron Rowe, Sam Willmse, Waqa Azmat, Emad Uddin, and Bilal Iqbal will strengthen the playing base as unfortunately, the wonderful Nathan Rooney is the only first team departure from last season. The club told Cricket Europe, “The focus is now firmly on the 2023 season and the players are chomping at the bit to get going,” said a club spokesperson.At the start of last season, first team captain Greg Ford said that any team in the league could win it or anyone could be relegated and this season will be no different with eight very strong teams and games will be as exciting as always in the Leinster Premier division. The buzz about the club is amazing and with the 3 lane indoor centre hopefully complete before the end of the year , we’re hoping that 2023 is another memorable year for the club. The players have wintered well, we have lot of young players such as Cian Rooney, Druhan and Kaelin Knight, Aadi Wankhade, Brian Dunphy, Ryan Keenan, Fionn Bannister and Jose O’Carroll , who we hope to see moving up the grades within the club. In terms of the 1s and 2s Squad , we have had a few guys training with Leinster Lightning all winter and young gun Eoin Birch is just back from South Africa with the Irish U19s, so we have guys who are ready to hit the ground running. We welcome some strong players into the club who are all looking forward to pulling on the navy and blue and working with Andre Botha.”
Welcome to the new Basketball Academy in Balbriggan which was set up to be inclusive whilst supporting youth development and empowerment in life skills and Basketball ability. Our academy opened doors to its membership in January 2023 but began in November 2022. Presently we are looking for individuals of any age and level, who would be interested in playing Basketball for weekly pickup games or to join teams who will be entering next season’s league schedule. We are also seeking Local Basketball Referees immediately, can you help? WHAT WE DO! - Our academy runs through the school year and it is a place where young people can widen their knowledge of the sport as well as gain official certification as well as leadership and management skills. WHERE ARE WE! - Our home court is located at Bremore ETNS in Balbriggan where we utilise the gym facilities on Wednesday and Friday evenings. WHO TO CONTACT! - So please feel free to use this contact email for all queries/ information and we will contact you asap balbrigganbasketballclub@gmail.com. Or contact the Academy on facebook at Balbriggan Basketball Academy;