By Jon Kavanagh

On an early September morning in 1972 I climb aboard the iconic yellow and white school bus in the village of Oldtown. The driver Mrs Scully does battle with the unyielding beast (no power steering or automatic gears) as we wind our way around the narrow roads of North County Dublin. Eventually, we enter Swords from the north end, alight from the forty-five-seater outside Mary’s O’Grady’s shop and begin the physically short but emotionally long journey down Seatown Road to Swords Technical School, known locally as The Tech. Coming from a two-room country national school, I initially fit in about as well as Crocodile Dundee on the streets of New York. My contemporaries have long hair, denim jackets with a STP sticker on the back and a rabbit’s foot luck charm hanging around their necks. I have short hair and a Val Donagan style jumper. Having to move to a different classroom every forty-five minutes proves problematic as I constantly get lost in the seemingly unending maze of corridors and prefab buildings. Subjects include science, woodwork, technical drawing, art and civics. We see an overhead projector as state-of-the-art technology. Our teachers are an eclectic bunch, ranging from a Sherlock Homes lookalike, complete with deer stalker hat, cape and bent smoking pipe, to a man permanently engaged in a failed attempt to keep his combover in place. Unable to pronounce my R’s, my worst nightmare comes true when my English teacher Miss English (believe it or not!) asks me to recite Robert Burns ‘A Wed Wed Wose.’

Although half a century has ticked by, I never pass my old Alma Mater, which I grew to love, without remembering the heady days spent in the great local institution (now Fingal Community College) that was The Tech. I guess it helped make those of us of a certain vintage who we are today.

By Ken Duffy

The Swords Tidy Towns Tidiest Estate Competition took place is September. This year the estates were judged on 1. Entrance to Estate 2. Gardens 3. Litter Control 4. New to the competition this year was a special prize for the most Biodiversity/Wildlife Friendly Estate. We were lucky to get the services of three experienced independent judges this year. Martin Nulty (Landscape Gardener) Ann O’Meary (Fingal Horticultural Society) and Micheal Connolly (Fingal Horticultural Society). The sponsors of the competition this year were Redmond’s Estate Agents who donated €500 to cover 1st Prize and 3rd Prize and Hennessy & Perrozzi Solicitors who donated €250 for the 2nd Prize. Swords Tidy Towns are very grateful to them, without their generosity the competition would not have gone ahead. Our Swop Shop has become a regular event due to its popularity. It is held at the Rivervalley Community Centre on certain Saturday mornings, dates are posted on our Facebook page in advance, so keep an eye out for our next one. Emma and Ramune are the organ-isers, you will find them there setting up, meeting and greeting with their usual big smiles. There is no charge, just bring along four pieces of clothing which you wish to exchange at the Swap Shop. We had a very successful link up with ASL Airways Swords who wished to get involved in some voluntary work within the community. There was a good turnout, twelve ASL volunteers turned up, we split them into four groups. Each group was supervised by an experienced member of Swords Tidy towns, team leads were Rose, Teresa, Kim and Mal, they litter picked and weeded down the Main St and North St. The ASL volunteers very much enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to joining us again in the near future. Swords Tidy Towns have stopped meeting on Wednesday nights until the evenings get brighter again. We will still be meeting each Saturday at 9.45am in the car park of Colourtrend opposite the Garda Station. Anyone interested is very welcome to join us on the day, just turn up and introduce yourself or contact us via our organisa-tion’s email at swordstidytowns@gmail.com. During the preparation work for the new Cultural Quarter an ancient Well was discovered an estimated date is 8th century. Swords Tidy Towns sin-cerely hope that FCC intend putting a protection order on it and incorporate into a viewing floor for all to admire in the new Cultural Quarter building. There is a history of Historical Structure Genocide in this country, let us hope Fingal County Council do not decide to go down that shame-ful road.

BY Eddie Ó Mórdha

I started with St Sylvesters GAA in 1977 and have had great times playing, coaching, socialising around the town, and in our Club Premises on Church Road since we opened in 1984. Prior to that we spent time in Gibney’s & The Diamond Bar where we served on Committees. The Diamond now Fowlers was owned by Eddie Nolan. The late Jack Gibney a supporter of Syls also served on the Committee with us together with the late Eddie Nolan. I am still around and saw Syls first teams in Men’s football and Hurling get to Championship Finals in the past while. Our Intermediate Woman’s Gaelic Football team also won the Intermediate All Ireland. It is amazing the hard work that has gone on over the years to produce the amazing Michael Gaffney Park in Broomfield. We certainly have come a long way since togging out under a tree for a few months in 1977, until we got portacabin dressing rooms. St Sylvesters have a great history dating back to 1903. I now have a little grandson, Henry. I am looking forward to teaching him the games and bringing him down to Broomfield. Syls Abú.

CASA is planning its upcoming Pilgrimage to Lourdes for approximately 50 of our members. It has become apparent that we will require a piece of equipment called a Sara Steady Standing Aid. The cost is approximately €1,800 and we would be very grateful if we could receive sponsorship to purchase this item. If you feel you could help or know of a company that might support us, please contact Zoë on 087 126 0975. Thank you very much.

The local Malahide Pipe Band is planning to start an Autumn schedule of music lessons, for anyone interested in learning to play the Bagpipes or Drums. The aim is to encourage young people to learn either instrument, who can then play and support local events. Beginners welcome. The music lessons will have a relaxed, inclusive and enjoyable format. To find out more, just email the Band at malahidepipeband@gmail.com for more information. The Band will be happy to answer any questions you may have. The Band was established in the 1950’s. The objective is to maintain the musical tradition in Malahide into the future. If you would like to take part, just email for more details.

Malahide Lawn Tennis junior member, Killian Burke, is gearing up for an incredible adventure later this year. He will be participating in the great Ethiopian run! But that’s not all - Alongside the run, he will be raising funds for Orbis Ireland, a remarkable foundation that provides sight-saving surgery for individuals in the underprivileged southern community of Ethiopia. This is truly admirable for Killian to be doing this during his Transition year in school. Let’s rally together and show our support for Killian by helping him raise the necessary funds. Every contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. Let’s join forces and make a positive impact together! Please use this to contribute orbisirl.enthuse.com/pf/killian-burke

We, staff and students at St Marys Baldoyle were absolutely delighted with our Leaving Cert results this year. Although the results were available online at 10 am on the day, most students and some parents chose to drop down to the school to collect their results. All were met by Dr. Edel Greene, Principal and Mr. John Moore, Deputy Principal. They were all given an envelope with their results to open in school or elsewhere. Envelopes were opened with great anxiety and trepidation. However, once opened, there was great excitement. All were delighted with their results and shouts and tears of joy were common. The customary photograph was then taken. We have dedicated webpages for photos of each Leaving Certificate year. Many had to go around the school to meet their teachers, discuss their results and talk about the next stage of the career – college, plc, work, apprenticeships and travel. The teachers were all as equally happy as there is nothing better than when a student calls to your classroom and displays great delight with their results. It is also a great incentive for those in the classroom as they experience and can actually see the joys of doing well and the rewards that it can bring. It is a great time to re-iterate to your class the need to work hard, study and revise, particularly if you have Fifth or Sixth Years, so that they can end up getting results that they will be proud of. The point calculators later came out as they worked out their CAO point totals and looked at last year’s point requirements for the various courses. Some met or made appointments with the Guidance Counsellor to examine options now on offer and now that CAO preferences were being realised and anew focus was emerging. The newly crowned Sixth Years were given plenty of food for thought as they begin their journey towards the Leaving Cert of 2024. The Class of 2023 had certainly left their mark and as all former students they will always be welcome back to St. Mary’s.

What a wonderful organisation Malahide Lions Club truly is with their presentations and fundraising of monies to help other local charities, sporting groups and community organisations. Our pic show the recent presentation of a cheque to CASA from Malahide Lions, which was the proceeds from their recent Quiz. A great night was had by all. Let’s do it all again next year! Well done to all involved.

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the many ParkRun Ireland locations in Fingal County Council! Lace up your running shoes or take a leisurely stroll with our amazing Walk at Parkrun participants. No matter your pace, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Register now at //parkrun.ie and be part of the action-packed fitness event supported by Sport Ireland. Join our vibrant community and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for an active lifestyle. Get inspired, make new friends, and conquer personal milestones together. Don’t miss out on the excitement!

While our short break is finished, in the background Junsa has been planning our upcoming training sessions and competition calendar for the new season. We are also in preparation for taking on new students of all ages. At Junsa we have specific classes for different age groups of all abilities, from the 5 - to 50 year olds who want something new for fitness, discipline ,to become a black belt or to compete at local or international level Junsa Taekwondo can cater for everyone . If you are interested in an Olympic sport or marital art please contact Stuart on 087 7775202 or on Facebook Junsa Taekwondo.