St Patrick’s brass and reed Band are looking for new members both experienced musicians & beginners. We need drummers, trumpeters, trombonists, flute & piccolo players amongst others. All instruments and tuition provided for €5 per week plus a yearly membership of €10. Open to all from age 9 to adult. Get in touch for more info

These Sessions (see our poster) are ideal for a child to try a new sport , are open to boys and girls and the kids are absolutely loving the fun filled sessions. Our next block of sessions will run for 4 weeks and will be €20 for the 4 weeks which are Feb 20th , Feb 27th , Mar 6th & Mar 13th WhatsApp 0860644238 to reserve a place.Places are limited and are filling up quick !!

The Leinster Women’s Committee are delighted to announce the rollout of the U20s Women’s Area programme. This games programme will not be in place of existing Leinster Branch club competitions, but will be an addition specifically for this applicable age group. Training will commence in early March with the first of matches scheduled for the end of March. The programme is open to players who have reached their 18th birthday by the commencement of the games programme, and those who are under the age of 20 on January 1st prior to the season in which the games programme is played. All training will be hosted by Balbriggan RFC with Jeff Neville and Michelle Claffey taking on the coaching duties. For any queries please email footstown@gmail.com

Balbriggan Community Council are asking for the community to come together and support us.
Planning permission was recently granted by An Bord Pleanála, for a 95-unit, 6 storeys high ‘Build to Rent’ apartment complex, on the site of the old Tesco’s, High Street Market, and car park. Balbriggan Community Council (BCC) and local residents have expressed a significant number of concerns regarding the planning process and the planned development. BCC took the difficult decision to lodge a Judicial Review of the development. This is a landmark case for Balbriggan, being the first time that Balbriggan has fought a planning decision in the courts We are not alone in lodging Judicial Reviews of SHDs, up and down the country local residents’ associations, community councils and other voluntary organisations have lodged Judicial Reviews of SHDs in their areas. In the Dublin area alone, Ballyboden, Baldoyle, Balgriffen, and Donabate have lodged appeals in the courts. BCC would like to take the opportunity to thank the community for supporting us in taking this case on their behalf and to express its sincere gratitude for all the donations that have been given. BCC stated “we do however need more donations, the Judicial review is costly at €40,000, we’re at 30% of our target to date but the first payment of €20,000 is due and we are approximately €7,000 short. BCC is asking the community if they could assist by donating to the Judicial Review fund and if they could help spread the word about the campaign.”.
Please give what you can as this is to help your community and your families now and in the future. Balbriggan Community Council needs your help urgently ! Online donations can be made on the iDonate website,.idonate.ie/bcc or lodged into our bank account

Balbriggan Community Council
Permanent TSB
BIC: IPBSIE2D
IBAN: IE45IPBS99066928031495

We can be reached at balbriggancoco@gmail.com if anyone has any further queries.

Creative Writing for Kids with Maeve Devoy (5-weeks) via Zoom

Saturday 26/02/22 - to Saturday 26/03/22 - 1pm - 2.30pm
Suitable for 8-12years - The Hero’s Journey - In this workshop/course, the author, Maeve A. Devoy will take her students through The Hero’s Journey - a classic guide to writing adventure stories. She will detail each stage of the form and provide literary examples,before the students create their own heroes and set off on their own adventures. Focused on fun and creativity, this workshop promises to leave the students with a tried and tested remedy for the stories they want to tell. You can book the course on line at
Booking Eventbrite eventbrite.ie/e/the-heros-journey-tickets-252134971487

Monthly Creative Writing Circle for Teens with Orlaith O Sullivan via Zoom -

Second Monday of each month 7.30pm-8.30pm -14 February ,14 March, 11 April, 9 May, 13 June - Take time for your writing and yourself.

This creative writing circle is a safe, kind space to: strengthen your ability to create and develop your own written work (this can be journaling, fiction, prose, poetry or spoken word).You can work on a piece of your own writing, or you can use the prompt from Orlaith to explore something new and also earn practices to care for your mind and heart, so that you have the energy and courage to keep creating, Yo will also connect with other teen writers. For full details and to register see: orlaithosullivan.com/creative-writing-for-teens.

Balbriggan and District Historical Society Committee members delighted to attend the official opening of the Irish Institute of Music & Song and sod turning for new 400 seat theatre by An Taoiseach Mícheál Martin today in Balbriggan. Wonderful to see the historical buildings including Bedford House being developed into such a wonderful resource for the town. With the college, La La cafe, the accommodation and new event space this will be a fantastic venue of local, national and international importance.

Fingal County Council is delighted to announce the completion of a new public artwork for Balbriggan. The work titled “The Banks” is by Fingal artist Sean Molloy and is located at this prominent coastal site of the same name in the town. The work has been made possible through collaboration with Iarnród Éireann, Balbriggan and the Our Balbriggan team. The project is part of the many initiatives currently underway that demonstrate how art and artists can enliven and celebrate our public spaces.Mayor of Fingal Councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh welcoming the artwork said “I wish to express my praise to great partnerships and opportunities that allow for local artists to be showcased prominently in our villages and towns and it perfectly describes how we in Fingal value the arts and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Iarnród Éireann Building Surveyor Joy Murray and her Maintenance Team for all their care and attention applied to realise the install of this work at this unique location. Ms Murray commented: “Iarnród Éireann were delighted to support this Artwork project in conjunction with Fingal County Council which improves the Station Embankment wall presentation for the whole Community”. Sean Molloy’s work is inspired by the genre of 17th and 19th century Dutch and English paintings. Of the process Sean explains:“The original painting measures 5 x 8 ft. and took about 18 months to complete. I referenced the marine paintings of the 17th Dutch masters and also later work by19th century artists. He also cites his very own personal connection to the place: “The history of Balbriggan is an impressive one and while working on location I took the chance to study further the town’s key features. For further research I found the publication ‘Balbriggan, A History of the Millennium’ published by Balbriggan and District Historical Society 1999 a very useful source of information. The Banks is currently on view at the Banks from this month and work continues on another work for the area with another local artist and painter Dave West. Keep up to date with all activities on fingalarts.ie

Balbriggan Community Council are working together to make a difference to our Town and recently welcomed the opening of two new playgrounds by co-ordinating with different groups within our community and beyond. A special mention and a huge thank you to the playground committee for all their hard work into making this happen for the families and children of Balbriggan! The two beautiful new playgrounds were opened recently (one at Bandstand and one at Quay Street)

There are many interesting roles a Volunteer can enjoy when joining a branch of Irish Guide Dogs. In the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch we have a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and other volunteers. One is our Roster Co-Ordinator who tells how she organises a roster for an event. “I have two lists of volunteers, one for Balbriggan and another for Skerries. Local volunteers increase the likelihood the fundraising team will be known and successful.For an annual event the first volunteers contacted are those who participated previously.Volunteers often attend the same event annually. New volunteers are paired with an experienced volunteer. Two key slots are, setting up and closing. A driver is rostered when merchandise needs transporting to/from an event. The stock is in a secure lockup controlled by two volunteers. A list is given to the stock controllers who gather everything together and leave it ready for collection. The driver and an authorised person collect everything the morning of the event. Where possible, a guide, assistance, ambassador, retired guide dog or puppy in training attends with their owner. A dog or puppy can contribute to the success of the event. A gazebo is used for outdoor events. It is booked in advance to be delivered 30 minutes before the start time. I phone each volunteer a couple of weeks before an event to agree a two-hour slot time. Closer to the date I text confirming everyone’s time and availability. If someone cannot attend, I slot myself in or look for someone else. The roster with the volunteers’ names, time slots and my mobile number is given to the lead volunteer in case someone does not turn up or any other issue occurs. Advice due to Covid is given to the volunteers regarding public health, wearing of masks, social distancing, and sanitation. Creating a roster is enjoyable. I get to talk to and know a lot of volunteers I wouldn’t necessarily know, and I look forward to more events in 2022”. To volunteer, please phone/text 085 766 3107 or email GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com On Facebook at facebook.com/Balbriggan.Branch.of.Guide.Dogs”

Many thanks to Balbriggan Historical Society for their generous donation to Balbriggan Tidy Towns recently. The Historical Society’s Brian Howley (Chair) presented the Tidy Towns with a cheque and a copy of their fascinating book on the history of Balbriggan. This was to acknowledge the work the Tidy Towns volunteers do for the town but particularly maintaining the plaque to Balbriggan-born, Sinead Flanagan, author, and wife of Eamonn DeValera. A spokesperson for the Tidy Towns said, “Thank you to all in the Historical society; we look forward to planting many more flowers there. If you would like to join Tidy Towns meet us on the beach any Saturday @11.”