What a successful May and June for the Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs. We are delighted to say that between our merchandise stand on Guide Dog Day the 26th May in the magnificent Millfield
Shopping Centre, Balbriggan and also on SuperValu, Balbriggan on 27th May, our branch raised a truly wonderful fundraising total of €1,433.78. Skerries Community College also organised a sponsored dog walk for Guide Dog day on the 26th May where the teachers and students walked and raised a wonderful €330 in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. We also attended Summerfest festival on the 4th June, there was sunshine and smiles all around and we are delighted to say, we actually raised €337.70. On our Guide Dog funding page we also raised €355 throughout the month of May, a massive thank you to Ms Reilly and also Ms O’Neill’s class at Scoil Chormaic CNS who raised €320 of that for our Branch. We also want to say a massively big thank you to those who supported us and continue to do so. We appreciate it. There will be more events coming up over the following months, so make sure to keep an eye on our social media pages and feel free to contact us if you would like to volunteer or help out. We have a request for an old usable iPhone if anyone has one they would kindly like to donate to the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch. We currently have an iPhone 5 but are looking for an upgrade, preferably sim free. This is used for events which is in conjunction with the Sum Up machine, which makes it possible to tap your card at our own merchandise stands. If you have an old iPhone you would like to donate to us, you can contact us through our own Facebook page at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs or indeed call us or text us on 085 7663107. If you are interested in volunteering with us please feel free to contact our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085 7663107, email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Despite running a rigorous recruitment campaign over the last few months, the Council will be unable to put lifeguards at all its designated bathing areas. This shortage of available lifeguards will leave some beaches exposed during the summer, with patrols not possible on all popular beaches. Beachgoers are reminded that if there’s a red over yellow flag flying from the lifeguard station, a lifeguard is present and it is safe to swim. A red flag means there is a lifeguard on duty, but it is not safe to swim. No flag means there is no lifeguard on duty. A lifeguard is only on duty in the summer months from 11am to 7pm as follows: Every day during July & August (N.B. locations will be dependent on staffing availability), - The first two weekends in September (Blue Flag Beaches only. To maximize beach safety and minimize potential hazards, Fingal wants beach goers to keep the following tips in mind: (1) Swim in designated areas: (2) Keep a close eye on children: (3) Follow lifeguard instructions: (4) Please do not bring inflatable toys to the beach:(5) Avoid alcohol and drugs: Drinking alcohol is forbidden under Fingal County Council beach bye- laws. Remember that alcohol and drugs also impair judgement and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents in the water. Stay sober and alert while enjoying the beach. (6) Be aware of weather conditions: (7) Learn basic water safety: If you’re not a confident swimmer,please consider taking swimming lessons or familiarise yourself with basic water safety techniques. (8) Stay hydrated and use sun protection: Protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid heat-related illnesses.(9) Leave No Trace: Respect the environment by cleaning up after yourself and disposing of trash in designated bins.Take your rubbish home with you, if our bins are full. Also, please do not bring BBQs to our beaches, as they can lead to serious burns if left behind. (10) Be alert: Where an area is not being lifeguarded and you get into trouble or see someone else in difficulty, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. By adhering to these guidelines and being responsible beach goers, we can all contribute to a safer and more enjoyable summer experience.

In his inaugural address after his recent election as Mayor Of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy promised to be a “Mayor for All”. This is an excerpt from that speech: “Is mór an onóir dom bheith tofa mar Mhéara Fhine Gall inniú ag sibhse mo chuid comhghleacaithe anseo inniú inár Seomra Comhairle.Buíochas ó chroí le gach duine a thug tacaíocht dom, agus buíochas freisin le gach comhairleoir is gach ball foirne den ár gComhairle a oibreann go dian gach lá ar son na saoránaigh áitiúla.Geallaimse do mhuintir Fhine Gall go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall gach lá ar bhur son, agus mar Mhéara, ní hamháín ar son muitir mo thoghcheantair féin, Port Reachrainn, Domhnach Bat, Rois Eó, Lusca, Baile Bachaille, Baile Gháire, An Seanbhaile, An Aill agus Baile Scadán, ach as son gach duine a chónaíonn, a oibríonn agus a thugann cuairt i gContae Fhine Gall.

It was both humbling and a great honour for me to be elected as the 18th Mayor of Fingal and to also receive such a strong mandate from my fellow Councillors who entrusted me with their support for this highly respected and prestigious role.

At this time I of course want to especially thank my family for their encouragement and unwavering support at all times.I also want to very much remember the last person who served as Mayor of Fingal from Donabate and that was Gerry McGuire in 2011. Sadly Gerry passed earlier this year and is greatly missed by his family, relatives, friends and wider community. It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the first ever Mayor of Fingal, a Portrane man Sean Ryan who went onto be an outstanding public representative and TD for Fingal. I want to welcome Seáns brother Brendan whose first meeting was the election of Mayor in his new role of Councillor within the Skerries/Balbriggan ward having replaced Seána O Rodaigh. It has been one of the privileges of my life to serve the good people of Portrane, Donabate over the last 9 years within Fingal County Council and I now look forward to serving all of the people of Fingal over the next 12 months.

I fully believe in truly been a Mayor for All where every citizen has a right to not only have their voice heard but to also achieve their dreams & aspirations. I am passionate about making our communities not only better places to live, but to be safe and wonderful to visit. Fingal is an incredible place, full of incredible people which means we can continue to build an incredible future. We have so much to be proud off and yet so many opportunities to build an even brighter future. I promise to give it my very best every day, and as Mayor, not just for the people of my own electoral area, Portrane, Donabate, Rush, Lusk, Ballyboughal, Garristown, Oldtown, the Naul, & Balscadden, but for everyone who lives, works and visits Fingal. Go Raibh Mile Maith Agaibh.

Softball Ireland and Fingal County Council have officially launched the Women’s Softball World Cup Group A, which will be held in Bremore Castle, Balbriggan from July 11th to 15th 2023. Ireland’s national women’s softball team will be joined in Group A by the United States, Great Britain, Australia, Botswana and Chinese Taipei, with some of the biggest names in the sport descending on Fingal to take part in the competition. Tickets start from €15 and can be found and purchased on softballwcireland.ie/
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy was on hand to officially launch Ireland’s hosting of the Women’s Softball World Cup Group A at Bremore Castle, Balbriggan. On the field, Great Britain and Australia will get the event underway from 11am on Tuesday July 11th, followed by the United States v Chinese Taipei from 2pm, before the hosts take on Botswana from 6.30pm.Tickets for the Women’s Softball World Cup group stage are available now and day passes are €15, weekly passes are €60 and a weekly family pass (2 Adult & 2 Children) is €145. For more information and for tickets check out our website softballwcireland.ie or tickets.ie.

Fine Gael Councillor Tom O’Leary said recently, “Extra measures agreed by Cabinet recently under the Housing for All plan will speed up home building and drive down building costs in Fingal, and these additional provisions are good news for home buyers, renters and builders.” He said, “There are three strands to these new measures, which is designed to and will make home ownership more affordable for many people again. The measures comprise of: 1. Reducing the cost of construction: by scrapping the development levies required to connect new homes with roads, water and other services, and subsidising development levies, saving up to the value of €12,650 per home on average. This will cut the cost of building a home and apply for a limited time only to act as an incentive. 2. Increasing the pace at which vacant and derelict properties are renovated for new housing by increasing grants to cut the cost of restoring empty homes and making it easier to apply. The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant will be increased from €30,000 to €50,000 for vacant properties and from €50,000 to €70,000 for derelict properties, extended to cover houses built up to 2007, and will be available for properties intended for rental as well as owner-occupied. 3. Is the Government financing of the construction of affordable apartments under Cost Rental: The current Government has agreed to commit up to €750 million via the Land Development Agency and other providers as part of this initiative to complete 4,000 to 6,000 additional affordable apartments under the Cost Rental system.

On Tuesday the 25th April the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs were presented with a cheque for €681 from the Tesco Community Initiative fund and a lovely presentation took place outside Tesco in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan at which a total of 7 dogs attended; 2 guide dogs Qeb with Tom and Winter with Jade, 3 Assistance Dogs; Kirby with Sarah, Quentin with Mark, Marco with Gemma and two puppies in training; Gina with Pat and Cosmo with Therese. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa McEvoy, Community Champion and Tesco for their continued support.
We are happy to announce that the Tap to Donate machines continue to do well. From January to March 2023 a fantastic total of €654 was raised from the 6 machines assigned to the branch. In Ashbourne we have two locations; Chez Emily Boutique which raised €144 and Specsavers which raised €105. In Swords we have 1 location; Petstop Airside which raised €45. In Balbriggan we have 1 location; Specsavers in Millfield Shopping Centre which raised €111. In Dublin City Centre we have 2 machines in Specsavers GPO Arcade which raised €249.We are delighted with this and appreciate all your support. We also want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us in May in the lead up to Guide Dog Day 2023 and to all those that came along and celebrated with us and donated to us on the 26th May in Tesco Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan and SuperValu, Balbriggan on the 27th May.

If you are looking for ways to support us, we will be attending Balbriggan Summerfest this coming June between the 28th May – 4th June. Keep an eye on our social media accounts for a confirmed date and you can come meet our wonderful Guide Dogs and volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering with us, please feel free to contact us: Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, you can phone or text us on 085 7663107, email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Aer Lingus Bowling club is a well established lawn bowls club. We are located in the ALSAA sports complex on the Airport road. In March we enjoyed a wonderful day to celebrate “International Women’s Day”. We had an enjoyable day where women from the local surrounding area attended our trial sessions. We had a group from Swords Women’s shed, as well as a local active age group and members of the Alsaa badminton and tennis club join us. We were also joined by Caitriona Geraghty Fingal Sports Development Officer who was supportive and encouraging of our efforts.

On May 6th and 7th we held our Open Day. This was an initiative from the Development office of Irish Lawn Bowls. The day saw clubs across the country have people try the wonderful game of lawn bowls. A cohort across a wide variety attended on the day. We were encouraged to see children attend also. We had a very successful and enjoyable weekend. We are encouraged to see some new members join us. We will welcome a group with additional needs join us in using our facility going forward. We are a vibrant club with dedicated members. A strong emphasis is placed on social bowling. We also participate in league matches during the summer and winter leagues. In March 2023 the women’s and men’s sections merged. It is now know as The Irish Lawn Bowls Association (ILBA). Our club welcomes this forward thinking initiative. In recognition of this merger and to embrace the exciting initiative our club has recently acquired new club shirts. Previously the men and women had different shirts. We are extremely grateful to Challenge Insurance for their kind sponsorship of our new club shirts. What better way to move forward in this new era for lawn bowls in Ireland. We are always looking for new members to join is. Our “Introduction to Bowls” sessions will continue to run every Wednesday and Sunday from 11am – 1pm. Come along and try this wonderful sport. All equipment is supplied, just wear flat soled shoes on the day. We are happy to take any enquiries on the numbers listed. See our Facebook page Aer Lingus Bowling Club. Sandra 0863114540 or Des 0870678903

Make sure to mark your calendar for Guide Dog Day on the 26th May! Our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs will be celebrating with our merchandise stand set up in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan and you will be able to see some of our wonderful Guide Dogs in action, along with our merchandise for 2023. If you miss us on Friday, our merchandise stand will also be set up in SuperValu, Balbriggan on Saturday the 27th May.Make sure to keep an eye on our Facebook account for more details and if you would like to volunteer either of these days, you can contact our lovely Maebh Mitchell on 087 721 9766 to book your choice of slot! If you are not around either of those days and want to support our very own Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch, why not ‘Walk 100k for Guide Dog Day’ where you can sign up via.GuideDogs.ie to walk, cycle, swim, or run your way through the month of May and raise funds for Guide Dog Day through a raisley account that will be set up when you sign up. You can also visit Specsavers in Millfield or similarly, if you are in Oakes Pharmacy in Skerries, Shenick Vets in Stamullen or Stitches and Alterations in Rush, you can tap to donate which allows for a minimum donation of €2 by the tap of your phone. Another way to support us is by donating used postage stamps or old coins that are no longer in circulation. When donated, these can be turned into Euros by lodging them to our Guide Dogs account. If you have any used stamps or coins you would like to donate, please contact us on 085 7663107 or drop them into Skerries Library located near SuperValu.Your continued support is greatly appreciated and we hope to see you on Guide Dog Day! If you are interested in volunteering with us please feel free to contact our very own Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085 7663107, or please do contact us by email GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Guide Dogs.

Over a year after the conflict in their country began, some 80 displaced Ukrainians determined to get back on their feet in Ireland have completed a Start Your Own Business programme thanks to a collaborative effort between the Fingal Ukrainian Response Forum and the Irish Red Cross. The initiative encompasses a programme tailored to the requirements of Ukrainian nationals living across the country and is delivered as a hybrid course, both online and in-person. It covers a variety of modules including finance, business management, networking and legal requirements. Recognising an opportunity to do more at a local level, the Irish Red Cross approached Fingal County Council to do develop a course for Ukrainians who were interested in start their own business in Ireland. That led to the Fingal Local Enterprise Office (LEO) rolling out a customised Start Your Own Business programme that could be delivered bilingually. With strong links to the Ukrainian community through their hubs across Ireland, the Irish Red Cross were well positioned to identify interested candidates and set about the registration process that saw them recruit some 80 participants with varying backgrounds and business ideas. Congratulating the first tranche of those taking part in the programme, Fingal Ukrainian Response Forum Chairman and Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony said: “This is a fantastic initiative that gives budding entrepreneurs from Ukraine the right tools and business insights to enable them to be positive contributors to the economic growth of the country. “Those taking part see an opportunity to not only generate employment for themselves, but support the creation of small businesses. They are bringing their own ideas, expertise and varied backgrounds to really make a go of being here after fleeing the horrors back in their own country. I am delighted that Fingal continues to be a warm and welcoming hub for those coming to Ireland and hope that this type of business incubator concept can be replicated with success elsewhere.” Many of those taking part have signed up for the programme having had businesses in Ukraine and are looking to start their business in Ireland.

The Fingal Old IRA Commemorative Society is on the road again and heading to its next event which takes place on Sunday 7th of May 2023 at 12.00 midday. The Chairman of the society Paul O’ Brien explained it’s a two part event and the first part takes place in the Mendicity Institution Usher Island Dublin centre. This event is held every year by the Mendicity Garrison Relatives Association and since 2016 the Fingal old IRA Commemorative society have taken part. The event is to remember the men who were sent in to help from the Fingal 5th Battalion and the men who fought there in Easter week 1916 under the leadership of Commandant Sean Heuston who was executed on the 8th May 1916 . The second part of the event takes place at 1.00pm in Dr Steven’s Hospital Steven’s Lane, Saint James Dublin 8. The Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Caroline Conroy and the Deputy Mayor of Fingal Cllr Cathal Boland will also be attending. If anyone is interested in attending they can contact the Chairman of the Mendicity Institution Relatives Association Robin Bollard on his mobile 089 2107803 or Lar Daly vice Chairman of the Fingal old IRA Commemorative Society 086 17735. The Men who fought at Mendicity were Patrick J Kelly Lusk Company who died 28/3/1945 aged 48 ,Richard Kelly also Lusk Company who died 1/12/1973 aged 78 ,George Levin B Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 19/12/1957 aged 85 , James Marks Fingal 5thBattalion who died 16/12/1939 aged 45 ,Sean Mcloughlin D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 13/2/1960 aged 65, William Meehan Lusk Company who died 22/7/1975 aged 89 , William Murnane G Company 1 st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 27/8/1956 aged 71 , Joseph Norton Fingal 5th Battalion who died on the 21/11/1917 aged 42 ,William O Dee D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 10/3/1955 aged 67 , Thomas O Kelly D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 28/4/1937 aged 56 , Thomas Peppard Fingal 5th Battalion who died 16/12/1984 aged 90, Edward Roach D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 21/2/1963 aged 64, Liam Stanies D Company 1 st Battalion Dublin Brigade 2/11/1918 aged 20 , Patrick Stephenson D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 6/4/1960 , James Wilson Fingal 5 th Battalion who died 23/10/1967 aged 70 ,Peter Wilson Fingal 5 th Battalion who died 18/2/1973 , Richard Balfe D Company 1 st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 20/10 /1967 aged 74, James Brennan D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 6/4/1976 aged 85, Frederick Brooks C Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died on the 21/12/1954 aged 79 , John Byrne D Company 1 st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 2/7/1954 aged 59, John Clarke Lusk Company unfortunately no records on his death ,Captain Richard Coleman Fingal 5th Battalion who died 9/12/1918 aged 28 , James Crenigan Fingal 5th Battalion who died 13/8/1974 aged 74, John Cullen D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died 29/5/1918 aged 22, John Derrington D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died on the 15/11/1962 aged 90, Liam Derrington D Company 1st Battalion Dublin Brigade who died on the 18/2/1943 aged 44 and lastly Peter (Cooty ) Wilson Fingal 5th Battalion who was shot holding a white flag to surrender on 26/4/1916 aged 41, he is buried in Dr Steven’s Hospital.