September is here and time to think of which classes you would like to take. We have a great
range of classes on offer. To tone up we have from Dance to Fitness, to Yoga and Sit and Get Fit
and Pilates. We also have Stronger for Longer which concentrates on strengthening and balance. Then for the mind we have French and Spanish and to exercise the vocal cords we have Singing and Music. Our free activities are Boules, Croquet and indoor Bowls and Table Tennis, and for the very fit we have Pickleball. You must register for all classes and activities.Registration for classes and all our activities will take place on the 4th & 5th of September from 11.00 a.m. to 14.00 p.m. We hope to have our website ready by then so that you can join online. If you need any information about AAfA please check our website activeageforall.com or you can of course email us at activeageforall@gmail.com It TEXT only to 086 880 6808.

In July, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed had an entertaining and information visit to the Irish Military Museum and Park, near Collen, Co. Meath, where members got to see and hold guns and rifle, military uniforms and vehicle related to both World Wars, 1916 and other conflicts. We also took the opportunity of an impromptu visit to the nearby Broomfield Men’s Shed where we were treated to typical Men’s Shed hospitality over tea and sandwiches. Last month, we had a joint croquet day with Active Age for all. A full report and photos of this fun day will be available for next month’s issue. If you are interested in joining us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Glebe North Football Club are looking for new underage players for the new season 2023-24.
The club is open to expressions of interest from parents for their young people to join our teams. Boys & Girls from Under 8 (born 2016) to under 18 (born 2006). Please send us your expression of interest at forms.gle/Syj6ZZrNxGYUFwwr9.

A fourth wicket stand of 114 in 10 overs between Cameron Rowe and Greg Ford powered Balbriggan into the final of the All Ireland T20 Cup in an entertaining match of fluctuating fortunes at The Rectory recently. A rain delay meant the match was initially 16 overs per side, with a further shower cutting it a further two. Irish Under 19 international Scott Macbeth top-scored for the 2021 champions, hitting four sixes and 3 fours in his 46, while Ifty Hussain (39) and Adam McDaid (26) both cleared the ropes three times as Brigade made 130 for 8. Farooq Nasr (3-20) was inches from claiming a final over hat-trick, while Eoin Birch (2-21) bowled with plenty of fire. The Leinster champions faced a DLS adjusted target of 133 in 14, and that looked a long way off as Farooq Nasr, Conor Fletcher and Chris de Freitas all fell in the first three overs to leave them on 16 for 3. It could have been worse with Cameron Rowe dropped first ball off Ryan Macbeth (2-23). Rowe and skipper Greg Ford rebuilt and although the required rate was creeping up, you felt they were biding their time on a ground renowned for its true bouncy wicket and small boundaries. Still, there must have been a few nerves as they reached 57 for 3 after 8 overs, needing a further 76 from the last six overs. Rowe and Ford stepped on the gas as the next four overs went for 24, 13, 14 and 17 - a total of 68 in just 24 balls. Ford went for 43 (1 four, 4 sixes), stumped off Scott Macbeth (2-5), while Matt Pollard fell first ball, but by that stage only four were needed from the last over. It was fitting that it fell to Rowe to score the winning runs - his fifth four to go with seven sixes in his unbeaten 73. Balbriggan will have to wait to see who they play in the final at Malahide on August 27th after the CIYMS v Cork County game was abandoned.

St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers have had great success at the 2023 EFBT 10th Anniversary European Championships in Teplice in the Czech Republic. After an absence of 3 years away from the International Competition Floor 11 athletes from St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers travelled with Team Ireland at the beginning of July to the Championships in Teplice. The athletes competed in 25 events included Freestyle, Solo 1 Baton, Solo 2 Baton, Pair, Team and Group. As part of team Ireland, the club took home 13 awards :2 x 1st place – 1 x 2nd place – 2 x 3rd place - 2 x 4th place – 3 x 5th place - 3 x 6th place and in the Overall Country Placement - Team Ireland placed 3rd.. For more information about joining contact 086 3270636 Or do check us out on our Facebook page: StMarys Baton Twirlers. Instagram: Stmarysbatontwirlers.

As I enter my third month as Mayor of Fingal, I am immensely proud of all we have done, as a community, to create a month filled with cultural significance and sporting success. There are so many people to congratulate, from both the Dublin ladies’ and men’s GAA teams who were successful in their respective All-Ireland Football Finals, the Irish Women’s football team, the Irish ladies’ and men’s Hockey Teams.
I had the pleasure of attending so many sporting events this month, including the TY Girl’s Mini World Cup, the Balbriggan Beach Volleyball, The Croquet Cup, St.Ita’s Mini Euros, the Morton Games, the Donabate and Swords Parkrun, the Women’s World Cup Watch Party, the Euro Hockey Championships and the Under 23 Swimming European Championships.

That’s why I was honoured to open the Rathmore Park in Lusk. This 20 Acre Town Park is within easy walking and cycling reach of the centre of Lusk and close to residential areas and local schools making it very accessible to the local community.

Another highlight of the past month was the Swords Castle concerts,with Nathan Carter and Martin Kemp each putting on a fantastic show in this amazing venue in the heart of our County Town. Part of our vision in Fingal is to make this a great place to do business in and it was great to attend the opening of Keeling’s new flower processing facility in St Margaret’s, Keelings are one of the top businesses in Fingal and it is great to see them continuing to expand. News that construction of fast-charging facilities at Drogheda Station for new DART+ trains will commence this year is a major step to improving the rail service to Donabate, Rush-Lusk, Skerries and Balbriggan. The Dart+ Service is due to commence in 2025 and Irish Rail have 95 electric carriages on order. This is going to lead to passenger capacity and improved services for residents and is extremely welcome.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone to ensure they are registered to vote! Whether you are a recent resident to Fingal, or have been living here your whole life, it is imperative to check the register and update your details when needed.

Paddy O’Callaghan and his daughter Niamh Kelivanova completed their Skydive in aid of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels on Friday 4th August at The Irish Parachute Club in Clonbullogue, Co Offaly. Having been postponed a couple of times, due to injury and the weather, they were thrilled when they finally got to take to the skies. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to extend a huge thank you to Paddy and Niamh for choosing to fundraise for them and are extremely grateful to everyone who sponsored them. Well Done to Paddy and Niamh! To donate to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels visit our facebook page balbriggan.mealsonwheels/ and click the donate button.

Fingal Rowing Club, based here in Balbriggan, were in Wicklow recently competing and celebrating a successful final Regatta of the season. The honours achieved by the members is truly fantastic including: The Intermediate Mens 1st, Intermediate Womens 1st, Novice Womens ‘A’ 2nd, Novice Womens ‘B’ 3rd, Junior Women 2nd, Mixed 2nd and Vets 2nd. What a day for our wonderful club! Every single member did us proud. Congratulations to all rowers, coaches, coxing and supporters, a wonderful addition to the town.

A recent TG4 Cúltír Fingal programme featured Balbriggan including the Bremore Passage Tombs and music from the Irish Institute of Music & Song. CÚLTÍR focussed on Fingal on TG4 on Sunday 28 August. The new exciting series, Cúltír (“Hinterland”) on TG4 has been supported by Fingal County Council as part of its Creative Ireland Programme and will featured Fingal on Sunday 28 August at 9.30pm. The Fingal programme explored Fingal’s priceless Neolithic heritage at the Bremore Passage Tombs with Fingal Co Co Heritage Officer Christine Baker, as well as showing the contemporary, modern, urban, vibrant Fingal. Singer Pauline Scanlon and violinist Aoife Ní Bhriain celebrated the music and ancient culture of Co. Fingal. For Aoife, it’s a happy homecoming to her native county, as she performs with her father, legendary piper Mick O’Brien. A lively and diverse night of music from the Irish Institute of Music and Song in Balbriggan saw the great Leslie Dowdall host on-stage, while dance troupe ProdiJIG, rapper JyellowL and balladeers Sean Fitzgerald and Daragh Lynch headed up an eclectic line-up which also included folk fusion quarter Pontún and young fiddler Róisín O’Connor, supported by her parents Paudie O’Connor and Aoife Ní Chaoimh . Meanwhile, Aoife went in search of Fingal’s ancient roots, including visiting Garristown Mill and the Hide Sculpture and met the county’s famous “Mummers” as well as David O’Connor, Seán McPhilbín and Garett Phelan along the way.

Fingal Poetry Festival returns to Skerries on the 15-16th September 2023. This year we are thrilled to launch The Big Poetry Day Out — a trail of events that showcase emerging and established poets from across the island. Our mission is to connect people with the written and spoken word in an inclusive and celebratory way. With readings, music, seaside walks, and children’s open mics, there is something for everyone. It is set to be a memorable weekend, with poetry performances from Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Stephen James Smith, Jessica Traynor, Paddy Bushe, Sheila Ryder, Harry Clifton, Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, Lucinda Jacob, Maeve O’Sullivan, Victoria Melkovska, Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin, Anne Tannam, Marcus Mac Conghaíl, Enda Coyle-Greene, and the winners of our regional community slams. Over the festival weekend we will also be joined by local musicians RVE, Naoise Mac Conghail, Lucy Killian, Lola Coady, Sarah May Rogers, and Oscar Churcher and Diarmuid Slattery. At the Fingal Poetry Family Festival, Jane Landy will read from ‘Claus Clamhsánaí’, the new translation into Irish of her successful children’s book ‘Gringer the Winger’.

Tickets now available to book: fingalpoetryfestival.com. Join Enda Coyle-Greene for a seaside walk punctuated by poetry from featured poets Maeve O’Sullivan, Victoria Melkovska and Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin. From 2-4pm, Floraville Park will transform into a hub of family-friendly fun. There will be something for all ages with featured poet Lucinda Jacob, art activities, games, and even an open mic for children and young adults. Local author Jane Landy will read from ‘Claus Clamhsánaí’, the new translation into Irish (by Gabriel Rosenstock) of her successful children’s book ‘Gringer the Whinger’. As the evening approaches, the Bridge Club will see readings by Jessica Traynor and Paddy Bushe, judges of the 2023 Fingal Poetry Prize and An Fiach Dubh, and the unveiling of the winning poems. If you would rather spend an hour or two chatting away, come along to The Gladstone Inn for Craic agus Comhrá, a casual Irish language conversation group that takes the old saying “is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste” to heart. Finally, we will bring our festival home to Skerries Mills — the place where it all began four short years ago. This is set to be one of our most special Poetry at the Mills events to date, with wonderful featured poets Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Harry Clifton, and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín.We are guided by a strong-held belief in inclusivity. Everyone is welcome at Fingal Poetry Festival. A limited number of assisted listening audio sets will be available for our Poetry Walk by the Sea. Some events include ISL interpretation. Fingal Poetry Festival is supported by Fingal County Council, Fingal Libraries, Poetry Ireland and DHL Global Forwarding.