This St Patrick’s Day in Balbriggan was a very special one for the town’s 35-strong brass and reed band, which bears the name of Ireland’s male patron saint. For St Patrick’s Brass and Reed Balbriggan Town Band, it marks the start of celebrations of its 140th anniversary, culminating in a gala concert in November. Founded in 1883, the band has taken part in every St Patrick’s Day Parade in the town since then. It was an emotional day for long-serving members, including band master Larry Dunne, Oboe and Clarinet player Damien Byrne and saxophonist Gary Tolan. Larry has been integral to the band since reviving its fortunes in the mid-1970s, while chairperson Damien, a native of Artane, where he was a member of the famous boys’ band, found a ready-made community when he moved to Balbriggan in 2003.But, in the late 1960s, numbers had dwindled and its instruments were put in the care of the town commissioners until Larry revived the band. Now, its make-up is representative of Balbriggan’s youth and cultural diversity, with a burgeoning beginners’ group and members and past members from across the globe. “When my wife Amelia, who plays trumpet, and I moved to Balbriggan we knew nobody until we joined the band after seeing it at the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Now, our daughters, Emily (12, clarinet) and Norah (9, trumpet), are in the beginner group, so we are basically replacing ourselves for down the line,” said Damien. According to Gary, the only language that should matter to any band is music. “We have had members from African countries, Italy, the Philippines, Spain and Ukraine. We are multi-cultural and integrational,” said Gary. Joining as a beginner will get you an instrument (if they have one spare) sheet-music and reeds all covered by €10 a-year membership and a €5 weekly subscription. Advancing years are no barrier to joining, members have been known to take up learning an instrument and playing with the band after retirement. The band meets each Wednesday night at the Cairde premises at the old St George’s School at Hampton Street, beginners from 7.00pm to 7.45, with band practice from 8.00pm to 9.30. There are thoughts of using another weekday or Saturday mornings to start another beginner group. It is on the lookout for a larger, more user-friendly base so if your interested we hope to see you soon!

Today the Four Seasons Hotel, Spa & Leisure Club Carlingford has announced their new Irish charity partner as SoSad Ireland. Since 2007, SOSAD has worked to raise awareness and help prevent suicide in Ireland. The new partnership, which will be in place for 2023 and at this moment in time the Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford are selling yellow branded rubber ducks named ‘Bernie’ aptly named after their Housekeeping Manager Bernie who has played a fundamental role within the hotel for over 12 years and who will be retiring this year. The ducks will be on sale from the hotel’s reception and are priced at €3.50 each, with all monies raised being donated to SoSad Ireland. So Sad Ireland have worked tirelessly in our communities to help those in need feel supported and know they are not alone on their journey. SOSAD offer support and services for people who are struggling with suicidal ideation, self-harming, depression, bereavement, stress and anxiety, or if you simply need to talk. With seven offices based in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Laois from which they provide their services. Natalie Haake, Sales & Marketing Manager Four Seasons Hotel, Spa & Leisure Club said, ‘We are thrilled to announce our new partnership and we are hoping to run a coffee morning and small events throughout the year. As a business, we are committed to raising and contributing much needed funds to such a deserving charity.’

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels has been providing meals to the most vulnerable
members of our community since its establishment in 1975.Throughout the years the organisation relies heavily on fundraising and the generosity of the local Balbriggan community in the provision of its service. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be holding a bucket collection on the weekend of Friday 14 th to Sunday 16 th April. Please give generously when you meet their collectors. Please note all official collectors will hold the relevant permit. All money donated goes towards the vital ongoing Balbriggan Meals on Wheels work in our community.

A packed schedule has been put together for the third annual Our Balbriggan Loves Learning Festival, 2023 which takes place from Monday March 27 to Saturday, April 1. The festival provides an opportunity for a range of groups and services to platform learning opportunities available to local people in Balbriggan and surrounding areas.The Our Balbriggan Loves Learning Festival 2023 celebrates lifelong learning and promotes it through a wide variety of informative, creative and enjoyable activities.These include educational opportunities and workshops in the fields of arts, music and the community. All are welcome.The festival is one of the actions identified in the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme and was first organised in response to local demand for stronger adult learning opportunities and more information about education and training services available to local people.The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Cultural and Tourism Department and the festival offers both in-person and online events. A Loves Learning Festival section on Balbriggan.ie will operate as a central hub for information on all events as well as for pre-recorded videos with practical learning advice. For a full list of events why not check out balbriggan.ie/loves-learning-festival/Resource providers for the festival include Fingal County Council, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education Training Board, Balbriggan Adult Education, Intreo and Empower.Organisers are conscious that learning comes in all shapes and sizes, whether for creatives, aspiring entrepreneurs or those who just want to come along to learn and enjoy.The Our Balbriggan Loves Learning Festival has something for everybody.

Our ladies team is continuing to grow and develop this season. 13 new players of all different levels have joined the squad so far and we have also seen the return of some experienced players. The ladies are a huge addition to the squad and we are delighted Caroline has managed to get a few pictures of them in action. We are always recruiting and ready to welcome new players to our team. Training continues every Monday and Thursday at 7:30pm! DM our facebook page for more information or pop down to the club and give it a try!

Our Kids academy is currently underway and open to boys & girls age 4-7 from 9:45 to 11:00 am New players are always welcome.(see our poster for details). Our U17A -On behalf of all our players, coaches and parents we are extremely grateful to Mr Kevin O Neill ( Balrothery Pharmacy) for his generous sponsorship of a First Aid Sports Kit. Thanks again Kevin. The Club would also like to thank Keiths minibus hire Balbriggan for sponsoring our Under 15 team with a new training set. Thanks Keith. And indeed thanks to all our wonderful sponsors of all our teams in any way.

Finally please do not forget - SATURDAY, 11 MARCH 2023 AT 19:30 - Padraig Connor, Memorial Race Night - Hamlet Bar, Castlemill, Balbriggan. A night of fun and remembrance to kick off what was Padraig’s favourite time of the year Cheltenham Week! Horses and Jockeys will go on sale very soon. Horses €10, Jockeys €5 all proceeds will go to Nicole and Kids. Anyone interested in Sponsoring a Race €50 or would like to Donate a prize for a raffle please contact the club.

Blasters Cricket starts up again on the 5th of Feb in Castlelands Community Centre !!!! Open to boys and girls aged 5-11. The sessions will run for 8 weeks and it’s just €50 for 1 or €75 for 2 kids for the 8 weeks. To Book go to balbriggancricketclub.com

It is truly great to see the new artworks at The Banks by our wonderfully skilful local artist Dave West. The works were officially launched recently by the Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Howard Mahony and are womderful to behold.The 5 panels, Take a Dip, See the Coast, Wish You Were Here, Regatta & Baile Brigín all point to local and historical reference points. Have you seen them yet of not why not take a wee trip down and view them for yourselves. They are well worth the visit!

Next talk - ‘The Story of Cricket in Fingal’

Balbriggan and District Historical Society are delighted to welcome you to another year of activities from the Society. Our first talk will take place on Wednesday March 29th at 8pm the Bracken Court Hotel. We are delighted to welcome Jim Bennett for a talk titled ‘The Story of Cricket in Fingal’, the subject of his recent book. Cricket is hugely popular in the North County and this tradition goes back to the 1820’s when it was played for entertainment at great houses, such as Ardgillan. Clubs including Balbriggan began to be founded later in the 19th century and Jim’s talk will tell this fascinating story with particular emphasis on Balbriggan. Jack Bennett is a native of Portlaoise and was educated at St Mary’s CBS Portlaoise and then attended St. Patrick’s Training College Drumcondra. His first teaching post was in Balbriggan but he spent the rest of his teaching career at St Colmcilles BNS Swords. He became Principal of the school in 1980 and retired in 2015. For many hears he has been involved in cricket administration in The Hills CC. Cricket Leinster, Cricket Ireland and in 2022 he was elected President of Cricket Leinster. We think this talk will be hugely popular.We will be collecting membership for 2023 on the night too. Membership is €15 individual, €20 family or €10 senior. That covers our 6 talks - March, April, May, August, September, October. But anyone can attend an individual talk for €5. For all information see balbrigganhistory.com or follow us on Social Media.

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is delighted that our Pop-up-Shop is returning every Friday morning from Friday 24th March from 10am to 1pm.The Pop up Shop will be open at Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan with plenty of bargains available.We will also be serving Teas and Coffees, so you can enjoy a cuppa after you browse for some bargains. At just €2 for a cuppa it’s the best bargain tea and coffee in town! We look forward to seeing you there. All money raised at the Pop up Shop goes towards Balbriggan Meals on Wheels work in our community.