On Saturday 18th June, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels held a get together to celebrate the launch of their newly developed Outdoor Area.

The occasion was also used to dedicate the new Outdoor Area to Eoghan ó Ceallacháin, in recognition of his tireless work over the years, not only for Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, but also for the whole Balbriggan community. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to acknowledge Dublin Rural Leader for grant funding of €24,063.75 towards this project. They are also grateful to their Fundraising Committee and those who supported them in raising the balance of €10,000. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would also like to thank Christopher White for the donation of flowers and shrubs. The support of St Peter & Paul’s Parish is also acknowledged.The Outdoor Area is a great additional space for those who use the services of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, Order of Malta and many other community groups. It will be a space where people can sit outside and have a cup of tea, a chat and enjoy the art work provided by Youthreach, Foroige and Fingal Lighthouse Art Group. It is also used as a lovely area for serving teas & coffees at the Pop-up-Shop, currently hosted by Balbriggan Meals on Wheels on Friday mornings. All in all the Outdoor Area is a very beautiful space. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels prepare and deliver meals to the most vulnerable people in the local community who for whatever reason are unable to provide meals for themselves; they are people who are referred by Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels operates six days per week and currently provides in the region of 80-100 meals per day in the wider Balbriggan Community. They also host a Dinner Club three days per week which provides a meal and an important social outlet to members. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels can be contacted during business hours at 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan, K32 P793. Tel : 01 8416743. Email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels surprised Eoghan ó Ceallacháin on the day by announcing that the Outdoor Area was to be dedicated to him in recognition of his tremendous work for the Balbriggan community over the years. This is a short background to all his involvements over the years but by no means a complete list: Balbriggan Meals on Wheels:

Eoghan is one of the founder members of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels. He, along with a number of volunteers, helped build the first kitchen, following the death of a woman in Quay Street from malnutrition in 1975. The first kitchen had to be rebuilt and the sum of €120,000 was raised in order to do that. Eoghan has always put the community first, and particularly those who are most vulnerable. St. Peter and Paul’s Parish: Eoghan is very committed to the work of the Parish. Over the years he has worked hard to have laity involvement in the Church. In 1971 he established pilgrimages to Lourdes with his brother Tommy. He was also instrumental in establishing the readers for Masses. During this time he started to visit local people in hospitals. He gave much needed support to patients and families. Order of Malta: During his years with the Order of Malta, Eoghan fundraised and refurbished this building. The Day Care Centre was opened in 1977 as Thomas ó Ceallacháin Centre. The Day Care Centre provides activities for people with disabilities from North Fingal (Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk). It hosts training for young people in First Aid, monthly parties for the elderly and other events for people with disabilities. During these years he also worked extremely hard to raise funds to purchase an ambulance, which collected people for the Day Care Centre. Also he established the Summer Camp which enabled People with disabilities to go on a camping holiday. Balbriggan Breakaway Festival: In 1975 Eoghan had the vision to establish a festival in the town. He and other members of the community, including businesses agreed that it was time to promote the town and its natural beauty as a coastal town. It was a great family affair, and with the inclusion of M’Lady Erin the festival had an international flavour.Town Commissioner: A bit frustrated at the lack of development for the town, Eoghan stood for election for the Town Commissioners as a Community Representative. He was a Commissioner from 1979 to 1985. During this time he argued for the health and welfare of the community. He particularly raised the need for sewerage treatment plant. It is now being built. Citizens Information Centre: With a growing Community he saw the need to establish a community based information centre. With other local people who worked hard the Citizens Information Centre was established in 1993. Balbriggan Youth Development: Again identifying a growing need in the Community, he worked for many years trying to establish a service for young people, with a view to helping them with employment and training. And again enlisting the support of local people this service was established in 1991. Irish Language and Culture: His personal passion is the Irish Language and Gaelic. He was a prominent member of O’Dwyers GAA and played at one time for Dalcais Hurling. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels wish to thank Eoghan for all his dedication and service to the community.

St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers who train weekly and have athletes from Balbriggan, Skerries, Bellewstown and Drogheda and they recently took to the competition floor after an absence of 28 months. Indoor sports suffered greatly due to not being able to train during the pandemic, but the club are working on rebuilding the squad. It was a young squad who entered the ABTI Championships in Crumlin at the end of June 2022 and they took home many of the top awards. Baton twirling is often seen as a sport for girls but across Europe, USA and Japan its equally popular with boys and girls, and for the first time in over 35 years, we had boys from St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers perform. Luke McKnight and Zach Bergin won the under 10 pairs competition. It would be great to see as many boys as girls at the club in the future. Plans for 2023 are in the final stages which will include ABTI National Championships and travelling to International Championships.For more information about St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers contact them on : 086 3270636, or DM them at: @stmarys.batontwirlers

Fingal County Council has recently launched a public consultation on plans to transform the centre of Balbriggan as part of a €10 million redevelopment which will deliver a unique sustainable public open space in the heart of Ireland’s youngest town. Subject to planning permission, the redevelopment of the 19,300 square metres site is expected to commence in late 2023, with works being completed in five phases between early 2024 and Q1 2025. Under the plans, the existing playground, green spaces and planting zones will nearly double in size, with play equipment for all ages integrated into the flowing design of the public space. Enhancing the appeal of the location, a new commercial building and two new kiosks will be built on the site of a former nightclub in the harbour area in order to accommodate visitor and leisure activities. To help with the transformation of the area into a people-oriented public space, the plans outline the removal of 175 car parking spaces.. Extensive surveying of the town’s car parking spaces has been carried out which has indicated that there is more than sufficient car parking capacity at all times around the town to facilitate the removal of these car parking spaces in this area.The Council is keen to gain further views on the proposals which have been developed thanks to the ongoing input from the community at various information meetings held over the last 12 months. This feedback and local insight have been key to helping progress the ongoing work in Balbriggan and is reflected in the current proposal. The public consultation process will commenced on Thursday, July 7 with plans on public display at Balbriggan Library and County Hall, Swords until August 5. They will also be available online at consult.fingal.ie/en/browse. Scheduled open days, advertised in advance, will take place in August at the Our Balbriggan Hub in George’s Square where people can discuss the plans with relevant Council officials for more information.Submissions about the redevelopment plans will be accepted until 5pm on August 19.

Are you looking for ways to support our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch but have missed some of our recent merchandise stands? Well, we are happy to announce that a new type of counter box has been placed in Oakes Pharmacy in Skerries, which allows for a donation of €2 minimum by a tap of a phone, this then prompts you to open an app and you can select an amount to donate through this. Another way you can support us is by donating any used postage stamps or old coins no longer in circulation to our Balbriggan Branch. You can contact us on 085 766 3107 to arrange to hand them over and we can then turn them into Euros and lodge them to the Guide Dogs account. We are happy to provide an update on puppy in training, Adel. Adel is doing well in her training as an Assistance Dog and has moved from the highly skilled, wonderful Assistance Dog training Centre to a temporary home for the duration of her training. Each morning she is brought to the Centre for training and then returns home in the evening.We’ll continue to share updates as we get them on Adel but we are delighted to hear she is doing so well. At the end of June last, Tom O’Neill of our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch joined the Phoenix Branch who hold a monthly walk in Phoenix Park on the last Sunday of every month. The group meet at the Hole in the Wall Pub at 11am and loop back, where the Hole in the Wall are kind enough to provide free teas and coffees for everyone. It is a lovely walk, with very happy Guidedogs and it is a great chance to catch up and meet new people. If you are interested, please contact John Mitchell of the Phoenix Branch for more information Johnamitchell.home@gmail.comWould you like to Volunteer for your local branch for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind? You can contact our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch on Facebook, by email at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or by mobile on 085 766 3107.

The HSE Foróige Youth Health Initiative, which is situated in the two centres of Castlemills Education Centre, Flemington and the old Balbriggan Health Centre, has just appointed four new youth workers Cillian, Mégan, Conall and Lorraine. The project is open to all young people aged 10 – 24 who are living in the Balbriggan area. It will work in partnership with HSE services, schools and the local community to ensure collaborative work takes place and will allow all young people access to good quality youth work. All youth work programs and activities for young people in Balbriggan will be based on Foróige’s proven programs which will lead to a more positive and healthy lifestyle. Another exciting element of the work will include the opening of a new technology hub that can be accessed by young people and can explore the likes of coding, graphic design, music and much more. “Foróige is very excited to be working with the HSE in delivery of this brand new project. All young people who want to be involved in youth work should be able to participate. The purpose of our work is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development of society.This project is a first for the country and we are delighted to have it here in Balbriggan”, said Miriam Ryan, Area Manager, Foróige. The project is currently launching their summer programs which will run over July and August. Each week will be jam-packed with an exciting array of activities and experiences for young people to choose from, including sports weeks, arts and crafts, day trips, forest based sessions, and access to the new cutting-edge technology hub. These summer programs are an excellent opportunity for young people to come and learn more about the new project and get a feel for the type of programs that will be available throughout the year. To book onto one of the summer programmes, simply scan the QR code found on the image. Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation that greatly values volunteerism. One of the goals for the new project is to run weekly clubs throughout the school year and is actively seeking volunteers. Foróige welcomes anyone who would like to get involved and provide opportunities with young people in their community. For more information about volunteering with the new HSE Youth Health Initiative contact Lorraine Farrell on 086 0123078 or email lorraine.farrell@foroige.ie

Some of our younger members put on a sparkling display in the glorious sunshine in Balscadden recently at the tractor run , which was wonderful as it was back to the roots where St. Marys Baton Twirlers began some 43 years ago.The present boys and girls are looking forward to competing in the 2022 ABTI National Championships at the end of June. For further information on classes contact us on Facebook messenger @StMarys Baton Twirlers or 086 3270636.

We have some exciting new additions to the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch! On Monday the 9th of May, Adele Halpin of Stamullen welcomed black Labrador, Voldee into her home as a puppy in training, where he will stay with Adele and her family for the next 12-14 months before he heads off to Cork HQ. Andy Green of Balbriggan also welcomed a new addition. Andy returned to Balbriggan with his new guide dog, golden Labrador, Ollie on Friday the 13th of May, after the retirement of his trusty Guide Dog Nico last year. Andy, along with Ollie and his wonderful choir Cór Fingal performed in Millfield Shopping Centre, outside Specsavers on the 28th May last. The recital was in part to celebrate the fact that Andy got a new Guide Dog and also because Specsavers has been in Balbriggan now for ten years. Did you know that thanks to Brian Brodigan and Paul Quinn of our local Specsavers, a tap to donate machine for the Irish Guide dogs has now gone into over 50 Specsavers across Ireland? If you want to support us, you can find one of our tap to donate machines, where you can donate a minimum of €3 to us in Specsavers, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan. We are so grateful for all the support. We want to thank Brian, Paul and Specsavers. We would also like to wish Adele and Voldee and Andy and Ollie all the best in the future.

You might remember Adel, puppy raised by Anne Mulligan, went to Cork HQ back on May 17th and we are pleased to say Adel has settled in very well in the centre and we’re looking forward to all the promising updates to come. Would you like to be a puppy raiser and help change lives? You can find information on the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind website guidedogs.ie or email support@guidedogs.ie, you can also contact your local branch on Facebook, by email at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or by mobile on 085 766 3107 to find out ways to support your local branch.

Bremore Castle Food & Craft Village returned as a monthly fixture, from Sunday May 1st when the gates opened from 11am until 4pm. Based on the grounds of the magnificent Bremore Castle at the heart of the Balbriggan community in North County Dublin. The market brings together local businesses & artists to showcase a variety of local produce, artisan food and handmade crafts in an open-air family and pet friendly environment. The market will be running on the first weekend of every month (subject to planning and permission), and dates will be posted well in advance on all social media channels. With work nearing completion on Bremore Castle restoration, it is also an opportunity for the public to get a closer view of the incredible work that has been done on this amazing structure. Bremore Castle is a large tower house located in Balbriggan, County Dublin. Estimated to have been built in the 14th century, the Norman Barnewalls family held it from the time of construction till 1727, the year in which it was sold. However, the first mention of this castle or its location was in reference to William Rosel De Brimor, who held land in England and Ireland at the end of the 13th century. Its deterioration began much before the sale, and by 1783, it was termed as “not many years ago inhabited” by Austin Cooper, a prominent antiquarian of that time. For any enquiries regarding the market, please contact our email bremorecastlefcv@gmail.com or visit us on Instagram by contacting us at instagram.com/bremorecastlefoodcraftvillage) or you could Facebook us at facebook.com/BremoreCastleFoodCraftVillage.

A series of intimate outdoor concerts have just been announced for North County Dublin.
One of County Dublin’s “best-kept secrets”, The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, has just announced the line-up for this year’s “Garden Party”. A series of outdoor Summer concerts to be held under the shelter of the venue’s purposely designed stretch tent and stage located at the heart of the picturesque North County Dublin village. The Garden Party will provide a unique opportunity to experience intimate concerts with some of Ireland’s best-loved music acts as well as a host of comedy and film events throughout the long summer nights. Amongst the acts announced today, Speaking about the line-up announcement Deirdre Roche, Director of The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, commented: “As our communities emerge from the isolation of the past two years there has never been such a hunger for the return of live music events. This year’s line-up is a gathering of some of Ireland’s much loved musical legends, in a totally unique and intimate setting. The venue will provide a complete night out for ticket holders, with live music, food offerings and a full bar on site. We look forward to welcoming audiences.” The Séamus Ennis Centre in Naul village is located 11 minutes from Balbriggan and is accessible from there by bus and taxi. From Dublin City centre take the Drogheda or Dundalk train service to Balbriggan. Bus services from and to the venue include; Bus Line 1467 from and to Swords, Bus Line 195 runs to and from Balbriggan to Ashbourne.Tickets for The Garden Party are on sale now visit: tseac.ie. The Full Schedule of Events: May 27th - The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow - June 10th - Neil Delamere & Guests (Comedy) - June 11th - The Stunning - June 25th - Bell X1 - June 29th - Irlando-Québécois (Irish & French-Canadian Live Music, Dancing) - July 09th - The Rob Strong Band (Live Music, Dancing) - July 22nd - David O’Doherty & Guests (Comedy) - July 23rd - The Lost Brothers - August 12th - Paul Brady - August 13th - Classic Cinema (Cinema, Live Music, Dancing) – August 14th - (afternoon Classic Family Cinema) - August 20th - Atlantic Arc.