Another busy month for the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs. Tom O’Neill and his Guide Dog Qeb and volunteer Maebh Mitchell had an exciting visit to Google Headquarters who invited them along to attend a cake sale in aid of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Google Headquarters kindly said they would match the funds raised. Both Tom and Maebh answered a lot of questions from the international staff, one person even told Tom that Qeb was the first dog they had ever touched! It’s safe to say, a fun and most tasty afternoon was had by all and we would like to thank the Google staff and management for their support.

The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs has been graciously given a beautiful canvas photograph of the sunset over Balbriggan harbour by local photographer Martin McNamara and it has been suggested that we could use it to fundraise. The value has been set at €250 and the measurements are width of 90cms and depth of 60cms. If anyone is interested in buying it or has any suggestions as to how we could use it to fundraise please get in touch with us via the below contact details.

If you would like to support us, Skinny Batch Coffee Shop in Lusk Co. Dublin has recently added a new Tap to Donate machine, this means you can find our Tap to Donate machines in Oakes Pharmacy in Skerries and also Specsavers in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan. You can also come along to the open day in Balbriggan Garda Station on Saturday 9th September from 12pm – 3pm.The first hour (12pm-1pm) will be a sensory hour. We will not be fundraising but there might be some fluffy four legged friends with us that want to say hello. Make sure to keep up to date with our Facebook page as more details are to follow. 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, you can email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

We had our summer grading examinations at the end of June. Over 50 students presented for the belt grading examinations in front of a grading panel of JKS Ireland Senior Sensei’s. They all performed their kihon, kumite and kata very well and everyone passed with flying colours to their next coloured belt. Dermot Sensei was very proud of everyone’s achievement. JKS Swords on Tour: We set all students the challenge of wearing their club hoodie on holidays this year to see how far the club hoodies travelled. We had club hoodies pictured in Slieve Gullion in Northern Ireland, in Dingle in Kerry, in Paris France at the Eiffel Tower and in Disneyland Paris. We also had the club hoodie pictured at the Brandenburg Gate and at Universal Studios in Orlando, USA!

The club continues to train over the summer months with a small break at the beginning of August. The focus is on developing the new techniques, kata and kumite for the next belt grading examination. We take new members (Children, Young People & Adults) all through the year. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

By Ken Duffy

The Main Street and surrounds of Swords are looking vibrant and alive with a multitude of flowering colours, which is a joy to behold. The array of flowering plants was provided by Swords Tidy Towns and planted by our hard-working volunteers. Our partners Fingal County Council have played their part also with their wonderful colourful displays, a big thank you to the hard-working crews within the Operations and Parks Departments.Our preparation works for this year’s National Tidy Towns Competition was well underway as our preparation work started months in advance of the competition, this work will carry on throughout the summer. Our Swords Tidy Towns volunteers work throughout the year only taking a break over the busy Christmas period. These hard working individuals are deserving of everyone’s applause, their trojan work has resulted in Swords winning five National Silver medals in a row.

Preparation works have already started on the new Swords Cultural Quarter, which is great to see. This long-awaited development along with the continuing restoration works at the Castle will only further enhance the beauty of our wonderful town and its surrounds. As stated in previous articles, Swords Tidy Towns are always in need of your help and support in keeping our highways and byways clean and litter free. We know by your many complimentary comments posted over the years on our multimedia pages that we have that support, so please let vigilance be your buzz word.If you have some spare time and would like to get involved in community work, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can contact our Chairperson Ken Duffy at 0866008313 or email us at swordstidytowns@gmail.com Besides the usual skill sets we are always looking for people with other skills that would benefit the group, IT, Gardening, Carpentry, Fund Raising, Art, Machinery Repair, Painting etc. If you feel you have a skill that would benefit the group we would love to hear from you and of course anyone else who would interested in joining us.

St Colmcilles GFC are seeking participants who are eligible under the current Community Scheme Employment. All training will be given. 19.5 hours per week. Weekends or Weekday work optional. Call Marian 0876819540. ALSO PLEASE DO NOT FORGET!!!!!

ST COLMCILLES GFC - FAMILY FUN DAY - AUGUST 19th - Join us for a Fun Filled Day for all the Family. Come along and take part in what is bound to be a great day! We have Paul’s Pet Farm, Children’s Entertainment, DJ, Kiddies Play Area, Slime station, Bubble Station, Face Painting, Mary’s Bottle stall and Games Galore.There will be a BBQ and Ice Cream Van on site also. Admission is free for children and €5 per adult.

Swords Women’s Shed have said recently we should all get ready for an amazing opportunity to boost our fitness levels and have a blast outdoors. Lots of local groups will take part in the Fingal ParkFit 2023, the 10-week outdoor exercise programme designed to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
What to Expect: Fun-filled outdoor workouts - Engaging group exercises - Certified trainers and fitness experts - Varied supervised training sessions and a supportive community atmosphere. So go on why not Register by clicking: Swords, Holywell Park bit.ly/ParkFit2023Holywell. Also just to ensure as many people as possible get the message why not spread the word? Do you know someone who would love to join Fingal ParkFit 2023? Let them know about this truly fantastic opportunity to get fit, have fun, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors together! For any inquiries, contact Noel.McManus@Fingal.ie.Let’s kickstart our fitness journey together and make 2023 our healthiest year yet! See you at Fingal ParkFit 2023!

Fingal ParkFit programme for Summer 2023. Free Exercise Classes started in Holywell Park on Wednesday 14th June 7pm and are continuing – check out the Fingal County Council website or contact Noel.

The Aer Lingus Social and Athletic Association was originally founded in 1966 by employees in Dublin Airport and is still going strong today, ALSAA Tennis Club is now open to everybody. Membership in the first year was £1.00, which was more expensive than it sounds as the club had no courts. Although no longer at £1.00 the membership is still great value particularly if you are interested in any of the many other sports ALSAA has to offer. In ALSAA Tennis Club, we pride ourselves in having a welcoming and intimate club where everybody is on first name terms. We cater to all levels, from the player who just wants some fun, social tennis to those who want to pit themselves against the very best in other clubs around Leinster. We are an extremely active club, hosting a range of club tournaments and events throughout the year. We’re always open to new membership so come check us out. Our club is located on the grounds of the ALSAA Sports Complex (.alsaa.ie), Swords Road, Swords, Co. Dublin – Eircode: K67 YV06.

So why don’t you join a vibrant Tennis Club? We take pride in having an active social tennis club for all our members, whatever your level. Enjoy club tournaments, social tennis, and our annual club championship. Something for everyone. You can check us out on our website (), on Facebook (https://facebook.com/alsaatennisclub) and our email address is alsaatennisclub@gmail.com.

We would love to have you as a member and all levels are welcome. ALSAA membership is €200 (which you spread out over 12 months), with membership to our tennis club being an additional €110. Please ring John on 087-6526378 if you have any questions or would like to join.

Malahide United u12 premier Sat 2023/24 season are looking to add players to there premier squad for upcoming season. We will be holding open training sessions over the coming weeks. We offer top quality playing facilities along with UEFA A licence coaching. If you would like to attend the open sessions, please get in touch with Shane 0872990123.

As well as that we wish to remind you that all new players are welcome to the club and you can check out the poster here to find out who to contact regarding your age group.

Joseph Foley from Malahide cycled the Irish coastline to raise funds in memory of his dad Peter, for St Francis Hospice in June/July. Joseph’s dad Peter sadly died in August 2017 at St Francis’ Hospice in Blanchardstown. Joseph is soon heading to South America to teach English but decided to raise money for the hospice with his “Timpeall na Tire” fundraiser before he goes. “This charity is important to my family and others who were close to my dad as he spent his final weeks at St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown,” he said. “I’ve seen first hand how kind, attentive and hard working the staff are. I know how much the residents and their families appreciate them.”

Joseph is aiming to cycle as much of the Irish coastline as he can in 28 days. He left his home in Malahide and brought his tent and was mainly camping, but he is also staying with some family and friends along the way. He continued: “This is something that I’ve wanted to do for the last few years and now that I have the opportunity, I’m going for it. While there’s no guarantee I’ll finish it, those who know me know how stubborn I am and that I will do all I can to get through it.”St Francis Hospice does not charge for use of its services. The organisation is partially funded by the HSE but the charity also relies on donations to maintain their high quality services. Currently, they are improving facilities at the centre in Raheny, the area Joseph’s father grew up in.Joseph has raised over €6,000.

The wedding took place recent;y of a local Fianna Fail representative and the Tanaiste Micheál Martin and his wife were amongst the guests . Cathal and Róisín Haughey (née Bradley) got married on the 1st July in St Mary’s Church, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. The wedding was attended by their families, friends and colleagues in the world of law and politics, including Tánaiste Micheál Martin and his wife Mary. Róisin is from Buncrana and Cathal is from Malahide, where the couple are living. Róisín is a barrister while Cathal is a Parliamentary Assistant and also a candidate in the 2024 Local Elections in Howth-Malahide. The couple met during the 2016 General Election while canvassing for Darragh O’Brien. More than 200 guests attended the wedding and reception afterwards in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.

Great turnout on the wettest of mornings for Malahide parkrun 479. We had visitors for Aberdeen, Bristol, London, Cardiff and beyond. We hope our visitors felt welcome despite the wet conditions!

A huge thanks as always to our brilliant team of volunteers without whom we wouldn’t have a run. Please think about volunteering over the next few weeks!