Happy New Year from The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs, if some of your new year’s resolution include a clear out and you find something you no longer want, that could make a spot prize or help to fill a hamper, why not pass it on to our Branch of Guide Dogs who can use it to go towards raising funds for our branch. You can get in touch on the details below.

If you have any used postage stamps or coins which are no longer in circulation, please give them to us. We will turn them into Euros and lodge them to the guide dog’s account.’ We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and enormous collection dogs we find coins from all over the world and from Europe that are no longer legal currency since the Euro came into place. We get paper notes of all sorts of denominations, coins and used stamps from our branch volunteers and friends, keep them coming they make good money for us. Remember also we always need new volunteers so give us a shout if you want to chat to us about it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

We also had a busy December in the lead up to Christmas, Jim and Brendan in Cuddles Pet Store, Millfield held a hamper raffle on 17th December where Volunteer and Puppy Raiser Anne Mulligan attended with Guide Dog Pup in training Lulu, Assistance dog Gigi and ambassador dog Adel who got the royal ‘treat’-ment from Brendan and Jim. Tom and his Guide Dog Qeb, along with Anne and Lulu attended an after-school club in the Cottage Community Centre in Lusk to talk about puppies in training and guide dogs to the children who were big fans of Qeb and Lulu. A Christmas art exhibition also took place in Millfield Shopping Centre from 21 December to 23 December where plenty of great works and a bunch of new art was on show. The exhibition supports Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind annually with a donation for which we are very grateful. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout 2025, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.

You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Work will continue at pace on delivering the major economic, infrastructural and social elements of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme in 2026, it has been confirmed, according to Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, 2025 was one of momentous progress for the €54-57million plan.

The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, is one of the biggest ongoing urban renewal projects in the country. It is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development Department.

According to Dr Begg, the plan’s locally-based leadership group will oversee see major change in the town across the next four years.

“The leadership group has adopted plans for its various pillar groups under the headings: Economic Development; Community Development; Education, Skills and Training, and Sustainability, Climate Action and Biodiversity,” he said.

“A key objective includes leveraging investment in the regeneration of Balbriggan by attracting new business, jobs and visitors. Strong collaborative networks have been established between the community and public and private sectors. The continued operation and strengthening of these networks will enable an integrated and flexible approach to the resourcing and delivery of plans.

“These include a range of objectives and actions which will make a demonstrable, positive impact across a range of economic, social and environmental platforms,” he explained.

The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is set to transform the town through public investment and has seen work commence and continue on a number of other key projects.

“Six years on from the launch of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, the transformation of Ireland’s youngest large town really is now taking shape,” said Dr Begg.

In 2025, plans for a €3.3m creative hub moved to tender stage. The development will deliver a dedicated space for arts, culture and innovation.

Fingal County Council has approved plans for the works at 2-4 Dublin Street, which are expected to be complete, pending the award of a tender, by the end of 2027.

Ensuring Balbriggan becomes a nationally renowned destination for arts and culture is a key part of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme.

Fingal County Council has proposed a mixed-use commercial, community and residential development, with the River Bracken at its heart.

The plan is to link Millpond Park to a new park entrance at 14 Bridge Street to facilitate a pedestrian and cyclist route down to the transformed Quay Street and Harbour area.

It is estimated work will begin at the site in 2027.

The buildings are within an architectural conservation area. The front façade will be preserved.

The restoration and adaptation of the Historic Bath House and Boat House by the Martello Tower will continue to progress in 2026.

It is intended to proceed to a Part 8 planning public consultation process in the second half of 2026, with completion in 2027.

Long-term, plans for a reinvigorated Railway Street will result in better connectivity between the beach and Quay Street.

Census figures report the population of Balbriggan increased by 215% between 1991 and 2002 to 27,300. Along with being the youngest large town in Ireland, 30% of its population were born outside the country.

“Building on its rich history, and its diverse and growing talent base, Balbriggan is an ambitious community which aims to be inclusive,” Dr Begg said.

“Community prosperity will come from harnessing social, economic and physical advantages.”

Lands at Stephenstown have been earmarked for industry, and further developments are planned for Bremore Castle and Regional Park which will enhance the proposed Fingal Coastal Way.

Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us in 2025.

We had a very successful year and our membership grew.

We continue to look for people to go on CE/TUS schemes and volunteers to help us continue and grow.
We look forward to 2026 and even bigger and better things to happen. Watch this space!!!

Give us a ring on 0860457003 or drop us an email at hello@rememberus.ie if you are interested in supporting us in anyway or if you would like to become a volunteer etc.

Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank most sincerely everyone who supported us in 2025. It is appreciated by all our members and their families. We look forward to your continued support in 2026.

We are constantly looking for volunteers. Please see poster for day and times we require help. If you have an hour or two to spare, please contact us on 0860457003 or email us at hello@rememberus.ie for more information.

Do you have a big day coming up, that you need to prepare for? Does the thought of addressing a crowd put the fear of God in you? Why not conquer your fear and head along to Swords Toastmasters public speaking club for an obligation free visit.

That’s exactly what member Ciaran Pender did when he wanted to prepare for his wedding speech.
Ciaran said ‘After I got engaged last year, I quickly felt the dread of having to do a speech in front of a large audience. I began researching ways to help improve my public speaking skills and found Swords Toastmasters. From the very first meeting the group have been extremely welcoming and encouraging. They provide a friendly, non-judgemental environment so you can get comfortable with addressing a crowd. Everyone is willing you to succeed, while also providing friendly feedback on how you can improve. I’m pleased to say that the speech went really well and I don’t think that would have been possible without the Swords Toastmasters group.’

Swords Toastmasters is a club that helps people develop their public speaking, listening, and leadership skills, in a fun and supportive environment. Members join for a variety of reasons. Some, to progress their careers, to perform better at interviews, to practice for workplace presentations, or even for that all important wedding speech.

If you would like to see Ciaran and his fellow Toastmasters in action, get in touch today, for an obligation-free visit. Perhaps you will be inspired to take the first step towards finding your own voice and changing your life!

Swords Toastmasters
Date: Every 2nd Monday
Location: Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825
Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.

Meabh Thomas of St Colmcille’s GAA Club, Swords, Dublin, has been chosen as the 2025 winner in the Leinster GAA Beko Club Champion awards. Meabh is pictured receiving her award from Beko Ireland marketing manager Shane O’Connor during the Leinster GAA Club finals at Croke Park in Dublin. The St Colmcille’s GAA Club clubwoman was nominated for the award which celebrates local GAA club heroes who go above and beyond to help their local community. St Colmcille’s GAA Club will also receive €1,000 worth of GAA equipment courtesy of Beko. The Beko Club Champion accolade rewards and celebrates the incredible, often unheralded volunteer work carried out by clubs and club members. For more information visit Leinstergaa.ie/beko-club-champion/

Our Swords Tidy Towns Xmas Party this year was a great success. We had so many talented singers on the night one might be forgiven for thinking we were at the Eurovision.

We were delighted to welcome Ann Graves TD, Cllr Joe Newman, Cllr Darren Jack Kelly, Cllr Darragh Butler and Cllr John Smyth who came along to relax and join in the fun. Also there were friends from fellow Swords voluntary groups who joined in our celebrations, Swords Womenshed, Swords Woodland Ass, The Valley Project, The Bold Woman.

A reflection of the high regard we all hold for all the wonderful hard working Swords volunteers, especially the Swords Tidy Towns double Gold Medal winning team, all doing their bit for the Swords Community. Last but by no means least we wish to thank Fiona for her generosity and her wonderful hard working team at Peacocks Bar Rivervalley for hosting and looking after us all so well on the night.

The boxing season kicked off in September and our young fighters hit the ground running. We entered several boxers into the Dublin Leagues and came away with great success, strong performances, and invaluable experience for the year ahead.

It was a brilliant year across all disciplines. Louis O’Riordan brought home two gold medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, showcasing top-level skill on the mats. In MMA, Dylan Barr and Alex Coveney both claimed gold medals, proving the strength of our rising talent.

To round off the calendar year, we entered the Louth Open Championships and finished in style. Senan Fox, Carson McCarthy, and Ryan Cowzer all won gold in their categories, and Ruby Skelly getting a Silver medal, a fantastic achievement for the club.

Roll on 2026, with even more competitions in Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA. The future looks bright for Rush Boxing and Martial Arts club.

New members are always welcome, contact Paul Cowzer 0863799603
Search Rush Boxing club on Maps for location

On Friday 5th December the North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind were given permission by the proprietor of the Strand Bar Rush Joe Sherman to sell car raffle tickets, Xmas cards and 2026 calendars inside his premises for a couple of hours. €150 was raised on the day and while the figure of money was small it was money that Irish Guide Dogs did not have that morning when we set out.
All of us involved are total volunteers and we are always looking for more helpers at events like this or elsewhere in the North County so contact us on below details if you want to volunteer.

Local Labour party TD Rob O’Donoghue called to our table on the day. In the picture is Tom O’Neill guide dog owner with his guide dog qeb, Rob O’Donoghue TD and Noeleen Turner from Skerries who was volunteering alongside Tom at that time.

To Contact North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the blind by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs

Congratulations to Graham Sandford Pictured Left on winning 2025 Player of the year with the top shop golf society. Graham was presented with the trophy by out going Captain Dara Fitzpatrick. Tanya Mulligan won Wpmens Player of the year. Well done.