Fingal County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Cycling Without Age Fingal, which officially began with a celebratory cycle at St. Catherine’s Park, Lucan on Wednesday, 18 May. Cycling Without Age is a movement that started in Denmark in 2012, led by social entrepreneur Ole Kassow. Ole wanted to help older people get back on their bicycles, but needed a solution to their limited mobility.The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents.Trishaw bikes offer a very comfortable cycling experience for passengers and cyclists with deep, secure seats designed for maximum safety and electric power assistance helping the cyclist to efficiently manage the load as they move. The Cycling Without Age initiative isn’t just about cycling, it is about meeting the social needs of older people by providing social connection and inclusion.There are 4 locations for Cycling Without Age Trishaws in Fingal. Located at St. Catherine’s Park, the Baldoyle Portmarnock Greenway, South Strand Skerries and in Northwood Demesne where Fingal County Council have partnered with Dublin City University. These 4 local schemes provide an array of opportunities for nursing homes, older persons’ organisations and individuals who want to feel the wind in their hair on a refreshing open-air cycle.Since 2021 Fingal County Council has been recruiting and training volunteers, also known as trishaw pilots, for this exciting scheme. Our older people have often grown up with cycling a major feature of their youth and it’s great to be giving those same people a chance to return to that feeling again. Cycling is a healthy social outlet for people of any age and can be an ideal tool to manage stress and combat isolation. We’re really looking forward to seeing the trishaws in use across Fingal.’At present trishaw cycle slots are bookable online via the Fingal County Council website and interested people are encouraged to contact active.travel@fingal.ie for more information.

Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland have recently celebrated the graduation of the class of ’22 on the Football and Fitness TY Course, a joint collaboration based at the Corduff Sports Centre. The only course of its kind in Ireland, Football and Fitness has welcomed the latest graduation of its TY students, providing them with the opportunity to meet their educational requirements whilst also developing a whole range of football, fitness and life skills.The 25 TY students from across Fingal received their certificates in front of an audience that included senior members of the FAI, Fingal County Council officials and those involved in the day-to-day running of the programme. Also on hand to congratulate the latest cohort was Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keith Andrews. He was there alongside Ireland Under-21 and Motherwell star Ross Tierney, who graduated from the TY course in 2017 whilst also playing for Bohemians.While football remains a central focus of the joint Fingal County Council and FAI initiative, students participating in the course also benefit from gaining a highly sought after full Fitness Instructor’s qualification from Litton Lane Training. They also undertake the FAI’s Coach Education pathway that gives them PDP1 and PDP2 qualifications, as well as a gym instructor qualification.Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Daniel Whooley praised the commitment of the new TY graduates and that of the coaching staff: FAI Course coordinator Denis Hyland stated: “This is the sixth year of the course and it has gone from strength to strength. This year they also had an opportunity to gain insights from current Ireland and Everton captain Séamus Coleman, who took the time to share his knowledge and experience as a professional player.Since launching in 2016, the TY course has been run in the Dublin 15 area of Fingal, with Corduff Sports Centre providing a base for the various aspects the course involves. Another important element of the course sees the students giving back some of their new founds skills by conducting lessons at schools and with community groups across Fingal.

The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival was last held in 2019. Covid restrictions meant that it could not be held in 2020 or 2021. BUT we are delighted to say that we are working on Festival 2022. The Festival will be launched in The Brook, Portrane on Thursday 8th. September and finish on Sunday 18th September.Festival favourites are back on the programme.The Dublin String Quartet is performing in our Gala Concert and they will be supported by The Blanchardstown Brass Band, Skerries Strummers and David Scott.Films for the 3 Day Short Film Festival are being sourced by Emma Fagan from Fillum.We have workshops for adults and for children, tours of Portrane Martello Tower, St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland and Newbridge House, Biodiversity Walk and Talk led by Hans Visser, biodiversity officer with Fingal Co. Co. Family events - “Go Fly Your Kite” and walking treasure hunt. Health and Well Being workshops in The Community Well and Tai Chi on Portrane Green.These are just SOME of the events.We will be back with a more comprehensive list next month.We have 2 fundraising events during the summer – A Quiz and a Raffle and we ask you to support these. Most of the events in the Festival are free and even though we have generous sponsors, we haven’t had any fundraising opportunities for 3 years. September is Festival time again on the Peninsula!

We would like to congratulate Tommy Murray of Derham Park, Balbriggan, Co Dublin who is the recipient of this years Ned and Máire Maguire Perpetual Trophy. Back in 1986 our Guide Dogs branch formed and began fundraising. One of our biggest fundraisers was a sponsored walk in the late 80’s to 90’s and one couple who did the walk every single year was Ned and Máire Maguire from Delahasey just outside Balbriggan. The couple would go door to door with their sponsor card and inform people of what a guide dog was and what they did. This was long before we could spread the word with a simple text via mobile phone or by sharing a post on social media. They were doing the work that social media does today and getting the word out there. So, when Ned and later Máire passed away, a trophy was sourced, featuring a mother with a litter of puppies. It is named after them to reflect the extraordinary commitment they gave to our branch. The trophy is given annually to someone or some business that does something that stands out in the past year to help our branch. This year we were delighted to award it to Tommy Murray who joined our branch in the late 80’s and has given over 30 years of service to us, including but not limited to, helping at dog walks, emptying counter boxes, church gates, selling Christmas cards and calendars to name a few. We extend our congratulations to Tommy and thank him for all he has done for our branch. If you want to support our Branch, you can find us at Summerfest in Quay Street Car Park, Balbriggan on Sunday the 5th of June from 10am – 6pm. If you would like to join our Branch or become a volunteer? You can contact us by phone or text on 085 7663107. You can also email or contact us on Facebook at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com.

Fingal’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has approved over €300,000 in grant funding to community and voluntary groups across the county under the 2022 Community Activities Fund (CAF). Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the 2022 scheme was launched nationally by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.Over 200 grants will be paid to groups across Fingal under the scheme. This will help with running costs such as utility bills, insurance and in some cases rental or leasing costs. They will also be supported with funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment such as defibrillators, furniture, tools. signage, laptops, printers, lawnmowers, canopies, among others. The Community Activities Fund provides a flexible and targeted approach to funding those communities most in need. The fund is aimed at addressing disadvantage, as identified in the Fingal Local Economic and Community Plan and also at this time supports local community and voluntary groups with reopening costs resulting from COVID-19. Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Seána Ó Rodaigh, welcomed the large number of grants approved, saying: “The Community Activities Fund provides invaluable support to a broad range of organisations, particularly at a time when operating costs for many groups are rising sharply. The amount of funding made available reflects the vital role played by those groups making a real impact on the ground right across Fingal, be it community centres, Scouts and Guides, childcare providers, sports clubs, support services for older people or drama societies.” Mary Harford, Group Leader of the 89th Bremore Scout Group said: “The grants will enable us to buy much needed equipment for our young people and will also help us cover our operating costs for the year without worrying where the money will come from.”

The All Ireland Community & Council Awards 2021 presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA took place on Saturday 9th April 2022. The event, which was rescheduled from November 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was held at the Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport and was hosted by RTÉ broadcaster Marty Morrissey. For the past fifteen years, these awards have celebrated the valuable collaboration between councils and communities and are seen as a benchmark of excellence. Over 160 nominations were received for the awards and following an in-depth judging process, over 100 projects nationwide from 30 counties were shortlisted across 24 categories. Ten Fingal projects were nominated for awards in nine categories including ‘Best Business Working with the Community’, ‘Best Public Park’ and ‘Best CSR Community Programme’. Fingal County Council has had considerable success at the LAMA awards in previous years and this year is no exception as four of our initiatives were recognised with awards in their categories.

The Fingal County Council winners on the night were: Best Business Working with the Community (Sponsored by An Post) Silver Award: Fingal County Council Public Wi-Fi Roadmap - Best CSR Community Programme.

Bronze Award: Weather Station for Schools-Climate Change
Best Heritage Project Winner: Swords Castle Conservation Project – Preserving a National Monument and Heritage Facility for present and future citizens to enjoy
Bronze Award: Clean Up! - Best Waste Management Programme (Sponsored by Eastern-midlands Waste Region). Speaking on the awards, Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh said: “On behalf of myself and the Elected Members, I wish to congratulate the nominees and those who accepted awards on behalf of Fingal County Council. It is a source of great satisfaction and pleasure to see so many of our initiatives acknowledged for the value and importance they represent for us all. In Fingal, we pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation, best practice and collaboration and these awards are a testament to our ongoing work to support and enhance communities across the county.”

It’s that time of year again, our national fundraiser for ‘Guide Dog Day’ is on the 27th May and since last years ‘#100K4GDD’ was such a success, it is going ahead again. You can sign up as an individual or as part of a team by visiting GuideDogs.ie or if you would like a sponsorship card you can contact us by email at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or phone/text 0857663107. You can walk, run, swim or cycle your way through the month of May or why not change it up and do 100 dances for Guide Dog Day or bake 100 cakes? Whatever you decide to do, do please make sure to tag us on our new Instagram @BalbrigganBranchGuide and Twitter @BranchGuide page so we can share and get the word out. If you would like to support us in person or purchase any of our merchandise you can find us in SuperValu Balbriggan on Friday 6th May and in Millfield Shopping Centre the following Friday on the 13th May. You might even meet one of our lovely assistance dogs or puppies in training. We also have our Tap to Donate machine in Specsavers in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, where a single tap donates €3. It was just over a year ago on 13th April 2021 that Yarrow left puppy raiser Anne Mulligan and went to Cork HQ for training to become an Assistance Dog. Yarrow’s family keeps in contact with Anne and have been sharing updates. We’re delighted to hear that he is settling in very well and is already making a huge difference. In May 2021 Anne welcomed another puppy into her home, golden Labrador Adel who is now 14 months old and went to Cork HQ on 20th April to start training on the Guide Dog Programme. Would you like to become a Puppy raiser or volunteer with your local branch of Guide Dogs? Further information is available from the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind website guidedogs.ie or by email support@guidedogs.ie .

You can also find out how to contact your local Guide Dogs support branch on Facebook at facebook.com/Balbriggan.Branch.of.Guide.Dogs/

A new network of leaders were presented with Certificates of Achievement at the She Leads Fingal Awards recently by AnnMarie Farrelly, Fingal County Council Chief Executive and Cllr Karen Power, Chairperson of Fingal County Council Women’s Caucus.The Awards Ceremony was held at Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords.The programme explored the achievements, challenges and opportunities that women experience in community action. Selected participants - all women in Fingal involved in their local communities - were supported to discover the leadership skills, resources and approaches already successfully used in Fingal. Certificates were awarded to Helen Galgey, Michelle Griffin, Sandra Losty, Carmelle Keane, Ginta Bezdeliga, Hanan Kaaoiss, Akvile Simanskiene and Alison Herlihy.Participants are interested in a wide variety of areas for community change. Sandra Losty is the founder of Recovery Hour, an online self-help community founded during the Covid-19 restrictions to aid people in recovery from addiction. Akvile Simanskiene is a Balbriggan artist creating murals with the community in public spaces. Helen Galgey is a coach and committee member at Baldoyle FC. Alison Herlihy leads a team supporting youth representation at Donabate Portrane Tennis Club. Carmelle Keane leads a mentoring programme for women in local radio at Phoenix FM.A networking event held at the end of the programme saw guests with national influence meet with participants to provide opportunities for mentoring and connection with national and regional networks. Guests included the Mayor of Fingal Seána Ó Rodaigh, Louise O’Reilly TD, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Sport Ireland, and Empower as well as influencers in the worlds of food, film, arts and wellbeing. She Leads Fingal was co-designed with Shelly Gaynor, a disability advisor and former Chair of the Independent Living Movement Ireland, Bridie O’Reilly, an experienced community activist and former Chair of the Older People’s Council of Ireland, and Dr Lucy Michael, an experienced lecturer in community leadership. She Leads Fingal is supported by the Community Development Office of Fingal County Council. A new one-day leadership programme for Fingal women is currently being planned.

By Siobhan O’Neill White

Thinking of organising an Easter egg hunt for your little ones? It doesn’t have to be EGG-stravagant
but with a little effort, you can make it really fun!We like to create riddles for our children to solve, to find the eggs and treats we have dotted around the house and garden. And if it rains, don’t worry because you can do it all indoors! All you need is chocolate and imagination! Here are a few ideas for riddles and hiding places:• In the place you sit down, look for chocolate upside down (under the sofa!) • Where you lay your sleepy head, find a yummy treat instead (inside their pillowcases) • Inside the pots and pans, rummage around with your hands (choc eggs in pots/pans) • Where we block the daylight out, is a treat for you to scout (behind the curtains) • School is out for 2 whole weeks but check your schoolbag for scrummy treats • Where dirty clothes are made clean, look near the washing machine! (laundry basket)Dealz have easter eggs from €1.50, ideal for egg hunts. They also have Easter decorations to pop up around the house. Dunnes Stores have fab Easter decorations too, such as pastel coloured wreaths. The Works stores have ‘Colour your own’ Easter egg hunt bags and Easter eggs kits, which are ideal for rainy days for keeping kids busy whilst using their imagination. Dealz, The Works and Dunnes are all in Ilac SC if you fancy a trip to get ‘Easter’ ready! As we are still dealing with Covid, we may not be able to get together with family this year. If you are unable to see someone you love, All Ireland Foods delivers wonderful chocolate hampers, which would cheer up anyone stuck at home with Covid over Easter! And if you are getting over Covid or suffering with colds and coughs, which are so common at this time of year, check out Salt Cave and Salt Cave Paradise in Balbriggan. Our daughter is asthmatic,and we take her there to inhale the salt in the air. It is so good for clearing out her sinuses. It’s helpful for anyone who has sinus issues or is getting over a cold. There are toys for the children to play with and massage chairs for the adults to lay back in and relax. We’ve been hit by Covid recently and found this helpful for recovery.As always, stay safe this Easter and if you need inspiration for activities at home, or places for a family day out, check out www.mams.ie

Fingal County Council`s Community Office, were delighted to be joined by Cllr Mary McCamley, deputising for Mayor of Fingal and Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly, in Millennium Park Blanchardstown to Celebrate International Women’s day on March 8thand Shine a light on Gender Bias and Safety Issues for Women. Also in attendance at the commemorative tree planting and symbolic walk event were local councillors and Director of Housing and Community Robert Burns with participants lighting the way as they walked in solidarity with women.Speaking at the event Cllr Mary McCamley said “While International Women’s day is an opportunity to Celebrate Women it’s also an opportunity to highlight challenges and issues that effect their lives.” Cllr McCamley spoke of the struggles of all girls and women in Ukraine at the moment and asked that they be remembered during the walk saying the walk was an opportunity to shine a light on issues and challenges women in society face so, “lets shine a light for women going forward”.Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly echoed Cllr McCamley’s sentiments for the women of Ukraine and said: “I am delighted to be here to mark this day with all of you and it is great to see so many local residents and groups along with so many local councillors which shows their commitment to their local constituents.” Over 100 people registered for the ‘Shine a Light’ event and many more people engaged in all of our International Women’s day events this week which is great to see. The Community Development team has been working hard on getting back out and engaging with local communities and groups and developing community initiatives. We look forward to opportunities for working with communities in the coming months.”