An increased Annual Budget has been approved for Fingal County Council, with Councillors agreeing to a €361.9 million budget that will be invested in delivering over 900 different services in one of Ireland’s fastest growing counties. Adoption of the 2024 Budget sees an additional €28.1 million available from that received in the budget for 2023.

The single biggest expenditure in this year’s budget remains for housing and building (€117.2m), representing a rise of some 16 per cent from that seen in 2023. Other functional areas that account for significant expenditure includes roads & safety (€43.1m), environmental services (€54.1m) and recreation & amenities (€70.2m). Overall, the 2024 budget means that spend per head of population in Fingal equates to €1,099.

Commenting on the 2024 Budget, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy said: “This marks a significant milestone for the people of Fingal as we welcome the passing of the Council’s new budget for 2024. This includes a substantial increase in funding, allowing us to deliver even more essential services to our community and will help foster greater social, cultural and economic growth across the region. As we continue to significantly invest in a range of initiatives and services, adoption of this budget underscores our commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Fingal and helps ensure that our residents have access to the resources and support they deserve. ” Some of the 2024 Budget highlights include: (1) A €16m increase for the housing department to help with the likes of provision of social housing, preventative maintenance works, homeless services and housing adaptation grants. (2) An increase of €5.5m towards roads maintenance, parks, pitches, opens spaces and burial grounds (3) Around €3m to help develop and maintain libraries, tourism, arts, events and town centres. (4) An additional €1.9m allocated to help invest in new and current community infrastructure and facilities. Also, 1.7m towards planning and strategic infrastructure, including increased funding for biodiversity projects and initiatives.

By Jonathan Kavanagh

Swords is still a small rural town as the not so swinging sixties draw to a close. But change is on the way as even the world’s greatest futurologist cannot not predict the expansion to come. As Neil Armstrong leaves his footprints in the lunar dust, we too take a giant leap for mankind. We vacate the antiquated gate lodge and move into a newly built council house a few miles from Swords town. As Christmas approaches, I have a serious concern. Our new dwelling does not have an open chimney breast. How will Santa get in? “I’ll leave a key out for him”, my mother reassures me. Meanwhile, the culinary event of the year, operation Christmas pudding begins. My mother builds up the ingredients on a weekly basis; currants, raisins, mixed peel etc. The receipt also contains a bottle of stout and a generous helping of whiskey. We have a new neighbour; a disciple of modern gadgets who takes on the unenviably task of dragging us into the twentieth century. She tells my mother that cooking the pudding in a piece of calico cloth belongs to the era of the penny farthing bicycle and loans her a state-of-the-art bowl. With all the suspicion of the Road Runner viewing an invitation to Wile E Coyote’s barbeque, the new cooking method is reluctantly embarked upon. As always, boiling the pudding is a nine-hour marathon, producing enough steam to power the Titanic. Alas, like the great ship, the pudding is also on course for disaster. The next stage of the process involves removing the annual treat from the cloth and rapping it up to mature. Horror reveals itself; the much-acclaimed bowl has a design flaw. A hidden inner rim, rendering it impossible to remove its contents in one piece. My mother, a god-fearing woman who never uses bad language, expels expletives that would make Mrs Brown blush as she scoops out her pride and joy with a wooden spoon. A valiant attempt to reassemble it has all the success of Mr Magoo trying to thread a needle. Like Humpty Dumpty, all the king’s horses and all the kings’ men can’t put it back together again. On a happier note, Santa finds the key and leaves me my dream present – a pocket transistor radio complete with one ear piece.

By Jack Shanley

With Christmas just around the corner its only right to light up your Christmas with this timeless classic by the great Frank Capra. James Stewart astounds us as George Bailey with the beautiful Donna Reed oozing that festive feeling. Regarded as one of finest films ever made, it sure is a good family film and for me it is the pure definition of Christmas. With ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ Frank Capra essentially paints the most beautiful picture of life that no matter how many times you look at it its still so powerful bringing you closer to life. Its with this classic that proves how beautifully powerful cinema truly is that no words can speak loud enough to make you feel the way the film does. It’s the journey Capra takes us on from George Bailey (James Stewart) as a boy to a grown man, with these great plans to conquer the world and essentially live the life of dreams, that just never happens for him and for us all. With this ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is still so relevant today after all these years. I’m not shy to say it’s a film that may lead to you shedding a few tears, throughout the film but especially in its final act. With an Angel in Clarence sent to George Bailey (James Stewart) to make him see his life essentially if he hadn’t been born makes you see your life the same way, with that it makes you happy to exist. The film has its humour romance and its ever-enduring scenes, from the classic dance scene which starts with the startling look both Donna Reed and James Stewart give each other to the frustration in the bank on their Wedding Day and on to the final act which speaks for itself. This high-spirited Christmas classic ranks among fans and critics alike as one of the most loved and celebrated films ever made In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five stars. Director: Frank Capra – Rating: G – Genre: Drama/Comedy – Run Time: 2h 10m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram

By Siobhan Ó Neill White

Yay, its December and we’ve curated a fantastic selection of gifts for you! Love a golden glow? TanOrganic has gorgeous gift sets. Use promo code MAMS15 for 15% off at //ie.tanorganic.com/. MyKindOfDress.com has beautiful dresses for partywear, use promo code MAMS30 for 30% off. For curvy girls, yoursclothing.ie has gorgeous clothing, underwear, loungewear and accessories in their Ilac SC store / online. Looking for a special outfit for an event or night out? Quiz Clothing have fabulously festive party wear. Available Ilac SC / online. sculptedbyaimee.com has beautiful gift sets for Christmas, the packaging is gorgeous, so no need to wrap! tipperarycrystal.ie/ has a huge selection of products for gifting, including homewares, handbags, wallets, purses and jewellery. Our favourite is their new Butterly & Bee ranges. Use promo code MAMS20 for 20% off. BaByliss has a fantastic range of hair styling and grooming products for women and men. Available in Boots and stores nationwide. We especially love the cordless products, for easy hair styling. R+Co and Alfaparf have fab hair treatment gift sets, perfect for pampering at home. Available in salons nationwide. For personalised gifts, Stitch A Name are a wonderful Irish company, making gorgeous gifts for babies, children and adults. We love the dressing gowns & teddy bears, so cute! Available Ilac SC and online.

Love skiing? The new Pixie Lott ski collection with Dare2B has landed online and in Regatta stores. Colourful, warm and stylish for hitting the slopes. Malena shirts are a clever gift for guys. With a hidden zip behind the buttons, it’s like a comfy corset for men! See malenashirt.com. Burrenperfumery.com/ hand make beautiful gift sets that smell incredible! A little bit of the Burren in a box! Elave has wonderful skincare gift sets, perfect for anyone with sensitive skin and they’re made in Ireland!

If you want to make gift wrapping extra special? At mynametags.ie/ you can create personalised stickers to put on gifts. They’re wonderful for putting on toys, books etc so they don’t get mixed up or lost! For more gift ideas go to mams.ie and our socials instagram.com/mams.ie/? hl=en, facebook.com/mams.ireland and //twitter.com/mams.ie.

By Dave Kavanagh

Those that rent their accommodation privately, compared to home owners, can be a lot more vulnerable. Apart from the obvious points, like rents being increased or having to move out if a property is being sold, there are other potential events that could prove problematic for renters.

As we saw in the early part of the pandemic, where many people’s incomes were drastically reduced, those with mortgages were permitted to avail of “payment breaks” with minimal effort. Unfortunately, those renting do not usually have the flexibility of this option. When someone cannot work due to illness or injury, they may suffer a loss of income, either immediately or after a short period, resulting in the inability to pay rent. This could lead to eviction and all of the problems associated with it. While those renting may not have been exposed to the kind of financial advice as someone going through the mortgage process, there are still safeguards that can be put in place. One option is Income Protection, paying them a portion of their income if they were unable to work due to illness or injury. This could be the difference between affording rent or being evicted. Something not often considered by renters is Life Cover. If one of a couple renting passed away, this could allow the surviving partner (or family) to purchase their own home immediately without the need for a mortgage. Similarly, Serious Illness Cover could pay out a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of one of the illnesses covered, giving another layer of financial security. Better to consider these options earlier rather than later.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing Dave at info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on financialcompanion.ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial well being, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM , LMFM and TV3.

By Jon Kavanagh

My earliest memory sees my mother lighting an oil lamp on a winters evening. It’s the 60s. JFK is in the White House, there are satellites circling the earth, radio Caroline is blasting out pop music from international waters and Bob Dillion tells us The Times They Are a-Changin’. But there’s not much evidence of change in our neck of the woods. Although the gate lodge where I’m spending my formative years is only a few miles from Swords and Dublin Airport, there is no running water or electricity. My father does a circus clown impression as he cycles home from the roadside pump, steering with one hand whilst precariously balancing a bucket of water with the other one. We toilet alfresco. Our humble abode which makes Steptoe and son’s den look like Home of the Year, consists of a kitchen and one tiny bedroom, separated by a wooden partition which stretches half way to the celling. The ice-cold blue flag stones on the kitchen floor serve as a barometer, turning damp when rain is on the way. An open fire multi tasks as a cooker, heater, clothes airer and bread toaster. Double glazing is a sheet of ice on the inside of the window. Home insulation is a sack slung across the bottom of the door to repel the easterly breeze. The duvet is an ill matched pile of blankets and overcoats. Heavy army coats are much sought after for bedding purposes. We live on the edge of a wood which has a healthy population of wild life. Bats, various insects including daddy longlegs, mice and the odd rat are familiar visitors. For reasons best known to himself, a rouge rodent decides to make off with my mother’s false teeth. Luckily, his lack of manual handling skills does not allow him to manoeuvrer them through his exit point and he is forced to abandon his loot. There is a temptation to look back through the lense of today and feel one had less than an ideal childhood. But my rustic upbringing gave me a reservoir of resilience. A resilience I was very glad to tap into when the covid lockdowns came.

By Jack Shanley

The Exorcist: Believer is a prime example of how a once-beloved horror franchise can lose its way. Clocking in at just over two hours, this film feels like an eternity of clichés and jump scares that fail to deliver any real terror. The plot, which attempts to rekindle the demonic horror of the original film, is a convoluted mess. It follows a group of ill-fated individuals who stumble upon an ancient artifact that supposedly holds the key to unleashing the ultimate evil. As they unwittingly awaken a demonic force, were subjected to a series of overly predictable events, from eerie whispers in the dark to objects moving on their own. The film leans heavily on the tropes of the genre without bringing anything fresh or innovative to the table. One of the major drawbacks of is the lacklustre character development. The ensemble cast, which includes some seasoned actors, is given very little to work with. They are reduced to mere vessels for the demon’s malevolence, making it impossible to invest in their fates. Theres no emotional connection to these characters, and their struggles are lost in a sea of uninspired dialogue and wooden performances. The special effects, while technologically advanced, fail to impress. The CGI-heavy sequences often come across as overdone, distracting from any genuine horror the film might have hoped to achieve. Moreover, the reliance on jump scares grows tiresome as they become predictable, offering little more than momentary jolts. The film’s pacing is a significant issue as well. It struggles to maintain a consistent atmosphere, vacillating between slow, plodding exposition and frenetic, chaotic scenes. This inconsistency disrupts the build-up of tension and ultimately dilutes the horror. In conclusion, The Exorcist: Believer is a forgettable addition to the once-proud franchise. It lacks the storytelling depth and character development that made the original a classic. With a disjointed plot, uninspired performances, and an overreliance on worn-out horror tropes, this film misses the mark in delivering genuine scares. In all truth I’d recommend checking out The Exorcist: Believer and see what you think of it. I shall give it a score of two stars. Director: David Gordon Green – Rating: R– Genre: Horror/Supernatural – Run Time: 1h 51m – Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram/
Editor’s note. Jack’s opinion on this film is his alone based on his vast knowledge of film and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of the owners, management or staff of Local Magazine. We suggest you do as Jack recommends and go and view the film yourself and form your own views.

By Siobhan O’Neill White It’s November which means we can now officially talk about Christmas right?! If you’ve got a festive night out, check out MyKindOfDress.com for glam dresses and partywear to make you into a total Glammy! Use promo code MAMS30 for a whopping 30% discount! If you’re more of a ‘jeans and a nice top’ kind of gal, we’ve got a fabulous 20% off our absolute Freddy Jeans. They feel like a legging but give an incredible shape and instant bum lift! Use promo code Mams.ie for a wonderful 20% off! On wintery nights, get cosy and snuggled in a Wooliee! They’re so oversized you can get your legs tucked inside for maximum warmth and comfort. For 10% off, use code ‘Mams’ at the checkout! TanOrganic gives a golden glow on nights out and wintery days. Their products are luxurious and Irish too! The facial oil gives a healthy glow without or under make-up and their gift sets make wonderful Christmas presents. Special mention to their wonder balm and kabuki brush – ab fab! I’m wearing TanOrganic in the cover pic above, it gives a natural glow. Use code to get MAMS15 for a 15% discount! For Christmas shopping we buy Irish as much as possible. Hampers & Co. have hampers for loved ones at home and abroad. Quirky Dublin company Don’t Kill my Vibe’s funky jewellery is a cool gift. For meaningful pieces, we adore Little Light Jewellery. Their Nurture set is perfect for Mammies – the ultimate nurturers! Gray Robin make wonderful personalised gifts, we love the matching Pyjamas. Tipperary Crystal has a huge range of bags, accessories and home décor for gifting and sprucing up your home for Christmas. Dublin City is magical at Christmas and Ilac Shopping centre is wonderful for festive shopping. Quiz has gorgeous glam outfits, including curvy sizes. Hoco and Gadget Geek have clever tech gift ideas and Regatta has colourful cosy coats and fleeces including some fab Dare2B collaborations. For a sugar hit mid-shop, there’s a Krispy Crème too! Stay tuned to mams.ie and follow our socials for more competitions offers and discount codes!

(Q) What were you like as a kid?
(A) As a kid I was very lucky that my parents let me try many things. I was always trying something new, whether it was guitar, drums, piano, singing or dancing. I played the fiddle from a young age and played in the local Irish centre in Liverpool. We would compete every year in the fleadhs and travel to Ireland. As I got a little bit older, I decided I wanted to play guitar and have done so ever since the age of 10. My brother Nathan was a huge influence on me growing up. When he started gigging, I was always with him, this is how I first became interested in performing - the rest is history.
(Q) Are you looking forward to starring in the new Beauty and The Beast Panto at The Lark
Balbriggan throughout December?
(A) I can’t wait to be playing the Beast in The Lark’s first ever pantomime. It’s such an honour for me to be included in the cast for this production in such an amazing, brand new, state of the art venue. I love the story and grew up watching Beauty and the Beast, I’m very happy to be doing my first production of this amazing story.
(Q) What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?
(A) In my spare time when I’m not in the studio, performing or song writing, I love chilling with Lenny my dog and travelling around with him. I try to get back to Liverpool every chance I can get to see friends and family and often take Lenny with me.
(Q) What’s your favourite food?
(A) Favourite food has to be a Christmas dinner! Can’t be beaten!
(Q) What’s one of your happiest memories?
(A) One of my happiest memories has to be winning Dancing with the Stars in 2018. This was a huge achievement for me as I’d only moved over to Ireland in 2017 and it was a huge boost for everything in my career. Another huge achievement for me was playing a headline show in Dublin’s Vicar Street.
(Q) What’s your favourite film and why?
(A) Favourite films are the Harry Potter movies and my favourite one is probably Goblet of Fire. I watch all of the films at least once, every year.
(Q) If you had to swap places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why?
(A) Completely random, but I would swap places with someone out of the Liverpool football team, probably Trent Alexander Arnold. Always been a big Liverpool supporter and would love to see what life is like on match day.
(Q) You can invite four people (dead or alive) to your dinner party, who would they be and why?
(A) Paul McCartney, John Lennon - both grew up around the corner from me and I would love to hear stories about their life growing up. Juergen Klopp - would love to chat to him about Liverpool and football in general. Peter Kay - loved watching his DVDs growing up. He’s one of my favourite comedians and I imagine he’d be great craic at a dinner party.
(Q) What else is happening in Jake Carter’s world in the coming months?
(A) I have a brand-new single coming out called Milk &; Honey which I can’t wait to release. I also have a 5 track EP which I’ll be releasing at the start of next year. I am also announcing some brand-new live shows with my band in the coming weeks including a Dublin date which I can’t for!

By Dave Kavanagh