Don’t worry there were no judges and hand-cuffs, just a lovely group of people, who were present at The History of Balbriggan Courthouse talk delivered by Dr David Sorensen in the recently refurbished Courthouse in Balbriggan! The talk was also repeated for the public in Balbriggan Library on Culture Night, Friday 20th September.

Congratulations to Balbriggan Tidy Towns who were awarded three times at this year’s National Tidy Town awards that were recently held in Abbeyleix, Co Laois.

“Thrilled to receive our 3 awards, won at Tidy Towns 2023, from Minister Sean Fleming at a wonderful event in Abbeyleix tonight. This is lovely recognition of the great work our volunteers do particularly with our young people in Youthreach Balbriggan, Loreto Balbriggan and Gaisce - The President’s Award participants. Our Balbriggan - Get Involved,” reads a statement from the group.

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is holding it’s ever popular Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November. This will be a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping started whilst supporting a good cause!
In advance of the Christmas Fair, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be accepting donations of new, unused items that we can sell. So now might be the time to go through your cupboards and clear out any new unwanted gifts that you might have. Donations can be left to 14 Hampton Street, Monday to Saturday between 9am and 1pm.

All proceeds raised go towards the work of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels in our local community.

Local Volunteer with Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs, Dana Kelly discusses her experience of being a volunteer for the organisation, she says, ‘I’ve been volunteering with the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs since June 2018, after my dog Gizmo passed away I wanted to do something in his name, I was putting it off out of nervousness and I came across the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind’s booth at Bloom, it felt like a sign. I signed up and shortly after I heard from the lovely Tom O’Neill who I met for the first time in October 2018. Himself and his guide dog Gatsby walked up to Dunnes Stores with me, where I was going to backpack for the day for the organisation. We were chatting away and I got to see the brilliant Gatsby at work. At Dunnes Stores I packed bags with other volunteers and although I’m terrible at bag packing, it was such a nice feeling greeting the general public and seeing the support for the charity. It was so rewarding finding out how much we raised a few days later. I knew it was something I wanted to continue to do and to this day, I love nothing more than getting out to a shop with the branch’s merchandise stand, meeting and greeting the public, hearing their stories about how the charity has helped them or even just hearing about their lives and pets, chatting to other volunteers and hearing how they met Tom, joined the organisation and haven’t looked back. It really is never a dull moment. I’ve met so many interesting and lovely people through the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs and it truly is a joy to be a part of something that helps so many people. If like me, all those years ago, you are looking for a sign to volunteer, this is it.’
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.

You are invited to the AGM of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels which will be held on Thursday 19th September at 7.30pm in 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan K32 P793. The meeting is open to all members of the local community. Please come along and learn more about this important community service.

The Balbriggan Beach Festival organised by the Fingal County Council Sports Office took place on Sunday, 18 August and brought the community together for a vibrant day of beach sports, live performances, and family-friendly entertainment. Numerous local clubs showcased their activities and provided free taster sessions for festivalgoers. Among the stand-out presentations was a demonstration by the Takemusu Aikido Society, which captivated the public and photographers with an impressive and loud aikido performance.

Led by its head instructor Raman Bekarevich, the Takemusu Aikido Society delivered a series of dynamic martial arts demonstrations, featuring weapons practice and self-defense techniques. During breaks, the audience had the opportunity to interact with the instructors, ask questions, and even try out some basic aikido moves.

The festival attracted around 4,500 attendees, many of whom stopped to watch the Aikido demonstration. Local councillors also made their way to the club’s information booth, where junior members were actively distributing flyers and special discount offers to encourage new participants to join the club.

“Aikido is more than just self-defence – it’s a way to develop a strong body and big heart. It’s a lifelong journey towards building character and harmonizing the mind and body,” said Raman. “Our club warmly welcomes anyone interested in learning traditional Japanese martial arts, and we’re open to beginners.”
Takemusu Aikido Society, which has a long-standing presence in Balbriggan, offers regular classes for practitioners of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, the club provides a supportive environment to explore the depth and discipline of Aikido. For more information, visit their website www.aiki.ie or contact them by email at info@aiki.ie.

Guide Dog owner and volunteer Jade McCormack attended the unique Zero Limits event in Co Kildare which took place on the 23rd and 24th July. It gave people who are blind/vision impaired the chance to drive.

Jade recounts her experience saying, “This is the fourth year and second year I have taken part. Zero Limits is an experience like no other for those who are blind/vision impaired, it gives them the opportunity to drive and get a front seat experience being driven around the track in a rally car by some of the country’s top drivers. It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that this year I hold close to my heart. Last year I lost my father suddenly and unexpectedly and it is from him that I know I get my love of fast cars and adventure from. Taking part in this year’s event was such a lovely way for me to remember dad and to do something I know he would have loved to be part of.”

“The day is divided into two parts,” Jade continued. “The first being the morning where those who are blind/vision impaired take the wheel and drive around the track with the help of an experienced driver. I had such a positive experience with the lovely navigator, Joe. I’m sure for Joe it was equally an experience as he was having to instruct someone who can’t see and hoping they will listen to what he is asking. For me this was such a thrill being able to get behind the wheel and do something most people take for granted. If I had to describe the feeling of driving a car while not being fully able to see it would be that of surreal. The freedom and joy I felt while driving was like nothing I have ever experienced before. After driving I had some lunch and was able to chat lots of people and soak up the atmosphere which was amazing. The event this year was launched by Dancing With the Stars Winner Jason Smith and his dance partner Karen Byrne who were extremely generous with their time and spoke to as many people as they could.”

Jade continued, “After lunch and chats the afternoon really revved up as around a dozen rally cars took to the track to bring some poor unexpecting passengers for a quick spin. When it was my turn to go down to the pit, the excitement I felt was palpable and my heart started to race as adrenaline started to flow as fast as the cars driving around the track. I donned the helmet and climbed into the car with the butterflies increasing in the pit of my stomach. I had a brief chat with the fantastic driver Cathal and assured him that I was neither nervous nor novice and had been in plenty of fast cars before. Off we took and I sat back and enjoyed the thrill of the engine revving and the turns being taken. As soon as it started, we were back at the pits and after a brief chat with some more people it was back on the bus and back home.”
You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085 7663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Grammy-nominated Irish singer Éabha McMahon returns from 5th to 7th September with the Celtic World Forum including three themed evening concerts, featuring the very best of Celtic talent, in the brand-new Lark Concert Hall, Balbriggan.

The annual event is dedicated to celebrating the rich traditions of Celtic music. Taking place at the Irish Institute of Music & Song in Balbriggan, the highly anticipated event promises an engaging mix of insightful sessions, inspirational performances, and interactive workshops for Celtic music enthusiasts and artists alike.

The three-day festival, spearheaded by Éabha and her creative management team, will feature a diverse program that includes talks, panels, workshops, song circles, and concerts. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Irish Traditional, Folk, and Celtic music, guided by some of the most esteemed artists and experts in the field. Additionally, the Celtic World Forum will serve as a platform to introduce new undiscovered talent to a worldwide audience.

Éabha began her training as a Sean Nós singer at a young age and has since recorded several albums and television specials. She has also toured extensively as a principal vocalist with Anúna and Celtic Woman, performing all over the world. In 2021, she released her debut album, ‘Wildflower’, to critical acclaim.
Speaking about th event, Éabha McMahon said, “Bringing the Celtic World Forum to life has been a dream come true. It’s incredible to witness the passion and talent that Celtic music inspires. This forum is not just about preserving our rich Irish heritage but also about fostering new talent and connecting artists and enthusiasts from around the globe. We look forward to the many performances this September.”
The three differently themed, evening concerts will feature performances by acclaimed artists including Éabha McMahon, Tara Howley, Mairead Nesbitt, Fergus Cahillane, Caitriona Sherlock, Megan Walsh, Séamus and Caoimhe Uí Fhlatharta, Eimear Quinn, James Greenan, Madelyn Monaghan, Donal Kearney, Susan McFadden, Glenn Murphy, with other very special guest appearances to be announced. An interesting array of talks will be held during the day from speakers including Sean McElwain, Moya Brennan, Barry Devlin & Jim Lockhart from Horslips and many more.

For more information and tickets, visit www.celticworldforum.com.

Sport Ireland announced HER Outdoors Week on 12- 18 August 2024 to encourage more females to get out and enjoy the benefits of outdoor physical activity. Takemusu Aikido Society will mark this week with a free outdoor session on Saturday, 17 August from 2 to 3:30 pm at the football pitch near Martello Tower in Balbriggan.

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art known for its harmonious circular movement, integration with a partner and non-violent approach to executing techniques. Many people heard of it, some of them have seen or even tried it, but only a few know that Aikido is not just a fancy hand-twisting, but a sophisticated system based on the movements of Japanese sword. All aikido techniques can be explained in terms of Japanese fencing art and the other way around because the movements, which are based on swords and which are based on empty-handed techniques are blended together and this blending creates the essence of aikido. Aikido practitioners must feel the same harmony in movements if they hold a sword or staff or have no weapons. Therefore, a person should not depend on the weapons but on independence of action developed through continuous practice.

In traditional schools, students start learning aikido by studying the principles of the sword. This helps them better understand the concepts of maintaining a stable posture and executing coordinated movements. These principles are then applied to empty-handed techniques and, later, to techniques involving staff.

Participants of the outdoor aikido session on Saturday, August 17th will have the opportunity to learn the basics of Japanese sword techniques that are applicable to aikido practice. Highly-qualified instructor, who has spent years in Japan studying aikido from direct students of the aikido founder, will be teaching the session.

On the next day, Sunday, 18 August the Takemusu Aikido Society will be at one of the information stands during the Balbriggan Beach Festival from 12 pm to 4 pm. Take the chance to ask any questions at the stand or even try aikido yourself at the free come-and-try session from 2:15pm to 3:45pm.

Balbriggan Community Council would like to give a huge thank you to the people of Balbriggan and District for their support over the last two years when taking a Judicial Review on the proposal to build 101 Apartments on the former shopping centre on Quay Street/High Street, Balbriggan.

An Bord Pleanála withdrew from contesting the Judicial Review saying they had made a legal error regarding granting permission for that development. The case is now over and the proposal for the development has returned to An Bord Pleanála. We are waiting for the case to be brought before An Bord Pleanála for their decision to be made. Thank you for your support.