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.

BELIEVE Balbriggan - Belonging, Empowerment, Living, Involvement, Enterprise, Volunteering & Engagement has launched an exciting new community initiative, the BELIEVE Balbriggan Digital Detox, launched on Safer Internet Day February 10th, at Balbriggan Library.

The initiative invites the entire community to take small, intentional steps toward healthier digital routines and stronger offline connection.

The event was opened by the Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Gráinne Maguire, who highlighted the importance of balanced digital engagement, stating:

“Social media is here to stay and it is important that we have the conversation regarding its safe use, and acknowledge its important role in keeping the community connected.”

As part of the launch, attendees participated in a panel discussion titled “People, Place and Purpose: A Community Conversation on Digital Wellbeing.” The discussion explored practical approaches to managing screen time, online resilience, community connection, and the impact of digital habits on everyday life. Speakers emphasised the importance of supporting families, young people, and individuals in navigating digital spaces safely and mindfully.

The BELEIVE Balbriggan Digital Detox now invites residents, families, schools, local groups, and workplaces across the town to join the movement by logging an hour activity to do a physical activity, read a book, learn something new or reconnecting with their surroundings, and strengthening community ties, even volunteering.

This leading edge initiative is guided by the BELIEVE Balbriggan Steering Committee:
• Aisha Alameen Betro, Project Lead, Aisha AED Initiative (Subcommittee of Balbriggan Community Council)
• Mary Osakwe, Representative, Balbriggan Residents Association Network
• Janette Scott, Community Officer, Fingal County Council
• Anne Marie Brady, Balbriggan Community Council

The Digital Detox also builds anticipation for the upcoming BELEIVE Balbriggan Expo, taking place on 11 April 2026 at the Flemington Community Centre. The Expo will bring together local services, community organisations, stake holders, businesses, and residents to celebrate participation, connection, creativity, and the future of Balbriggan, something for everyone.

Further updates on the BELEIVE Balbriggan Digital Detox and the April Expo are available at www.believebalbriggan.ie.

Stained glass highlights in Balbriggan and other locations in north County Dublin’ from David Caron, Wednesday March 25th 8pm Bracken Court Hotel

Welcome to a new year with Balbriggan & District Historical Society and we are busy finalising an exciting programme for 2026 for you. Our regular talks will commence on March 25th with a presentation ‘Stained glass highlights in Balbriggan and other locations in north County Dublin’ from David Caron author of Dubin Stained Glass which I am sure will be of huge interest given the excellent examples in our own Balbriggan churches. You may have seen and admired these beautiful windows in St Peter and Paul’s and St George’s Church and wanted to learn more about them. This presentation will give a wonderful insight to them and other examples in the area. Adm €5 Members free

David Caron was born in Dublin and studied Visual Communication at the National College of Art and Design, to which department he returned in due course as lecturer and was subsequently appointed Head of Department. His PhD research at Trinity College Dublin focused on Michael Healy and the stained glass artists of An Túr Gloine, the Tower of Glass. He was one of the three original compilers of the Gazetteer of Irish stained glass in 1988, and was editor and principal author of the revised and expanded edition in 2021. His book, Michael Healy, 1873-1941: An Túr Gloine’s stained glass pioneer, was published by Four Courts Press in 2023. His most recent book, just published, also by Four Courts Press, is Dublin’s Stained Glass – a guide to the finest twentieth-century windows. David regularly contributes articles on stained glass to the Irish Arts Review. He is currently researching a book on the best of Ulster’s twentieth-century stained glass.

We will let you know more information on this and full details of our other talks and events later, if you have any queries email balbrigganhistsoc@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.

Happy New Year from The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs, if some of your new year’s resolution include a clear out and you find something you no longer want, that could make a spot prize or help to fill a hamper, why not pass it on to our Branch of Guide Dogs who can use it to go towards raising funds for our branch. You can get in touch on the details below.

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 them to the guide dog’s account.’ We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and enormous collection dogs we find coins from all over the world and from Europe that are no longer legal currency since the Euro came into place. We get paper notes of all sorts of denominations, coins and used stamps from our branch volunteers and friends, keep them coming they make good money for us. Remember also we always need new volunteers so give us a shout if you want to chat to us about it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

We also had a busy December in the lead up to Christmas, Jim and Brendan in Cuddles Pet Store, Millfield held a hamper raffle on 17th December where Volunteer and Puppy Raiser Anne Mulligan attended with Guide Dog Pup in training Lulu, Assistance dog Gigi and ambassador dog Adel who got the royal ‘treat’-ment from Brendan and Jim. Tom and his Guide Dog Qeb, along with Anne and Lulu attended an after-school club in the Cottage Community Centre in Lusk to talk about puppies in training and guide dogs to the children who were big fans of Qeb and Lulu. A Christmas art exhibition also took place in Millfield Shopping Centre from 21 December to 23 December where plenty of great works and a bunch of new art was on show. The exhibition supports Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind annually with a donation for which we are very grateful. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout 2025, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.

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.