Courtesy of Malahide Historical Society

The current movie blockbuster on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte reminds us of Malahide’s (slight) Napoleonic connections.

On Church Road, Manor Books is housed in Manor House, which dates from the late 1700s and was the one-time office in the village for handling the affairs of the Lord of the Manor, Lord Talbot de Malahide, who owned the ground rent and much of the properties. Lord Talbot’s agent or bailiff would manage village affairs such as collection of rents and meetings with tenants. Up to the early 1800s it was the site of the Manor Court which dates from a time when the local landowner held a degree of legal jurisdiction over his properties and tenants and was the lowest level in the courts system. In here, minor legal and petty crime cases would be heard and when the building was being refurbished in the 1990s the remains of a holding cell were found.

For a time in the early 1800s Manor House was home to an adventurer and United Irishman grandly named Herve Morres de Montmorency who fled to France after the failed 1798 rebellion and achieved a commission in the French Army under Napoleon Bonaparte who is said to have been an admirer of Napper Tandy and Montmorency and interviewed him personally. Up to his death in France in 1839 he remained wanted by the British forces.

At The Diamond, the house, which up to recently was the Ulster Bank, was in the 1780s the home of John Fortescue who was married to the sister of Arthur Wellesley, an officer in the British Army who later became the Duke of Wellington and defeated Napoleon at Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellesley is believed to have been a regular visitor to his sister in Malahide.

On the Coast Road, Hick’s Tower, with its ‘witches’ hat’ roof added in 1911, was a Martello Tower, one of around 50 such watchtowers around the Irish coast built by the British to watch out for French invasion forces during the Napoleonic wars.

By Siobhan O’Neill White

You’ve hopefully had a lovely, relaxing Christmas and peaceful start to 2024. January can be a difficult month; it’s cold, dreary and you may be feeling a bit down now that Christmas is over. But, don’t despair – there are lots of nice things you can do for yourself. If you feel a bit bloated, don’t think you need to rush out and join a gym or sign up for some crazy diet or exercise plan. Instead, be kind to yourself and take it easy. Start with getting out for some brisk walks in the fresh air; that’s a free and easy way to exercise and feel better, plus the whole family can get involved. Doing some simple yoga or stretching at home can help with your physical and mental health. All you need is a mat and 15 minutes and again, you can get the kids involved too! Follow your New Year exercise sessions with a warming bubble bath and fluffy pyjamas! You will definitely feel like you’ve earned it. If the kids are getting bored, there are some activities that you can get them involved with. One of our favourite activities is Lego, and now is the perfect time to work on those projects. We’ve just finished the Lego Frozen Disney Castle! It took 6 weeks and a lot of patience but was so worth it. Not only is it a calming activity for children but it’s a great way to spend some quality time with them. Baking and cooking are cheap and easy activities to do with the children at home. We picked up the TikTok cookbook for our 12-year-old. who is fantastic at recreating the recipes from that. For quick dinners and baking ideas, we have a dedicated recipe section on mams.ie, go to mams.ie/category/recipes/ Gormanston Park is running a Basketball Camp from 2nd – 5th January, 10am – 2pm, for ages: 6 – 17 with a T-shirt included. With coaches from America & Europe to encourage and improve skills, contact euroelitebasketball.com or info@euroelitebasketball.com to inquire or book. For more ideas on things to do, places to go and competitions to enter, go to www.mams.ie and our socials facebook.com/mams.ireland instagram.com/mams.ie twitter.com/mams_ie

By Dave Kavanagh

This time of year, is traditionally when people set out to make some positive changes or improvements in their lives. The most recognisable of these is the ‘losing weight/getting healthier” one. To give people more of an incentive to maintain what they start, it’s worth noting that if done properly, losing weight can have the added bonus of leaving you with more money at the end of each month. So how does that work?? Well, by “doing it properly” I refer to NOT going on a diet, or buying products with magic properties that will make the weight just fall off. Instead, making small, sustainable lifestyle changes. It can be adding some exercise in week 1, drinking more water (and less alcohol/sugar laden drinks) in week 2, reducing portion sizes in week 3, substituting things like chips for wholegrain rice or pasta in week 4, breaking the association of biscuits/cakes whenever you have a coffee or tea in week 5, etc., etc. Doing it this way, makes it sustainable and when weight is dropped slower over a longer period of time, it is far more likely to be kept off. So how does that help my finances?

When I analyse people’s spending budgets, it’s clear that takeaways, alcohol, sweets, cakes biscuits etc. pop up quite frequently. If you keep track of the savings when you cut down on many of these things, it’s easy to see how much you can save. One person I was helping used to enjoy her “treat” of a chocolate eclair most days. When she accepted that she felt bad after eating it and conceded that it was not helping her goal to lose weight, I suggested it was more of a punishment than a treat. I proposed that she put the money into a jar each day and when there was enough, to treat herself to a back massage, which can positively reinforce the good changes someone has made. Make the right choices, one day at a time.

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 Jonathan Kavanagh

Ah January, large bills, a grand stretch in the evenings and an on-going struggle with those New Year resolutions. Bad habits are hard to break. A very early memory sees me face a tough challenge. It appears to be an ordinary day. I play with my toys as my mother goes about her household chores. All seems well but I am about to be taught one of life’s harshest lessons; that we live in a transient world where nothing lasts forever. My ever-present emotional crutch, a bright blue soother/pacifier is attached to my jumper by a piece of string. I reach for it as many times before whereupon it disintegrates into a collection of particles, leaving me with nothing but the string and a broken heart. There isn’t a spare one in the house and due to a health issue, my mother is unable to take me for a new one. The day seems to last forever as all house rules are suspended and I am bribed with biscuits, red lemonade and stories in a failed attempt to quell my tears and ease my withdrawal symptoms. After a hard day toiling in the fields of Fingal my father arrives home to the unexpected turmoil. He is practically forced fed his dinner and despatched forthwith into Swords town on his bicycle to procure a replacement for my great loss. In a record time that makes the leader of the Tour De France look like the winner of a slow bicycle race, he is back with an expression of achievement and an outstretched hand containing a new shiny soother. I rise to my full height, look at the soother with distain, display an expression of disbelief and say I don’t want THAT! I have inadvertently gone cold turkey and overcome the first of many vices I will encounter along the path of life.

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.

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.