Our Spring term of traditional Irish music classes commenced on the 23rd January in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhán, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin and Concertina. We would like to welcome our new students and we were delighted to see some of them participate at the fortnightly Friday NIght Music Gathering which takes place in Donabate Parish Hall. The monthly Traditional Music Session took place on the 17th January in The Brooke Pub, Portrane which was led by Denis. The Session is going from strength to strength with increasing numbers of experienced musicians participating and for the rest of the year, takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. All are welcome to come along and listen.

Corina Johnston, Local Labour Area Representative is calling on Fingal County Council to initiate an Active Travel Plan for the Donabate and Portrane peninsula. Johnston said; “As an avid walker and cyclist I very much support the concept of the Fingal Coastal Way linking our towns and coastlines. However I am totally opposed to the proposed emerging route in Donabate from Newbridge Park via Turvey Green, Turvey Drive, Beverton and Ballisk for the following reasons: (1)This proposal is at variance with one of the main objectives of the scheme that is to encourage and enhance the Local Tourism Economy. (2) The route diverts the public especially walkers and tourists through housing estates and away from the Village Centre and the Commercial and Historic areas of the village. (3)The residents along the route are totally opposed to the proposed route as it will open up the Turvey estate, which has been a cul de sac since the estate was built over 30 years ago. At the time a proposal to provide an access into Beverton estate via Turvey Drive was successfully resisted by the residents.(4) The opening up of the estate would have major safety and security implications for all properties and especially for young children playing on the public open space and the elderly. I believe the most suitable route is the alternative route from Newbridge park via the Hearse Road/ the new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the Dublin Belfast line and via Smyth’s Pub which is an objective in the Donabate Local Area Plan. Johnston concluded; “I urge Fingal County Council to support my proposals for the alternative route in Donabate and to initiate an Active Travel Plan for the Donabate and Portrane peninsula to be initiated as a matter of urgency to integrate the Fingal Coastal Way, Coastal Walk and all the schemes and to ensure community engagement.

Blasters Cricket starts up again on the 5th of Feb in Castlelands Community Centre !!!! Open to boys and girls aged 5-11. The sessions will run for 8 weeks and it’s just €50 for 1 or €75 for 2 kids for the 8 weeks. To Book go to balbriggancricketclub.com

The Society is looking forward to the year ahead, and as Chairman of the Society I would like to thank Swords Local community news for their support for letting groups like ourselves publicise upcoming events and Society news. The Society was formed back in 1944 and was known as the FINGAL OLD IRA WELFARE SOCIETY. AS the then name of the Society would suggest, it was founded mainly to help OLD IRA men and their families who had fallen on hard times as a result of unemployment and illness – in some cases due to hardship endured during the struggle for our National Independence which was not won without a stern fight for our freedom in the period between 1916 – 1921 throughout Fingal and at the Battle of Ashbourne. The Society also was involved in seeing that events of the struggle for Independence were suitably commemorated and, to this end, it was decided to hold a memorial mass on Easter Sunday in a different Parish in Fingal and also to hold an Annual mass and parade in Ashbourne in September, this tradition has, happily, been maintained up to this present day. In 1990 it was decided by the committee of the day to change from the Welfare to the Commemorative society and for clarity, to include 1916 – 1921 . So now we jump head to the present since 2016 up till the end of last year the Society has held over 100 events throughout Fingal and Ashbourne and have made our first film Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan directed by Society member Cathal Boland it’s an Award winning Production and available to watch free on YouTube , but we could do our events our make films without the financial support and help from Fingal County council our members and the support of the local community throughout Fingal and Ashbourne. So, the first event this year will be the St Patrick’s Parade in Swords and the Society will also be taking part in Blachardstown’s Parade. So, if you like to get involved with the Society you can contact me on 086 3518927 Paul O’Brien.

In 2022 we held 11 events throughout the year from which a fantastic total amount of €7,602.49 was raised. We would like to thank all who supported us and all the volunteers for their work throughout the year. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Specsavers, Balbriggan for sponsoring the Santa Grotto in Millfield Shopping centre during November and December, of which a total of €1,119.95 was raised. Would you like to support our local Balbriggan/ North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs this February? Why not attend the Balbriggan Feis being held in Clann Mhuire GAA Hall, Naul, Co. Dublin on the 11th and 12th February with musician Kevin Warren. Pre-registration through WeFeis is €5 or €8 per family (siblings only) and pre-registration is open on Monday 23rd January until Friday the 3rd of February. Or you can pay on the day for all dances with solos being €5 and Championships, confined and cup competitions being €10. A great time will be had and all proceeds go to our Balbriggan/ North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs. You can also support us by using our ‘Tap to Donate’ machine in Specsavers, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, where a tap of your card donates €3 to us. Since July 2022 we also have a new machine in Oakes Pharmacy, Skerries. This one is slightly different than Specsavers, as in it allows for a minimum donation of €2 by the tap of a phone but when you tap, it prompts you to open an app and select the amount you would like to donate.We are also involved in the current round of Community Fund at Tesco, Millfield Shopping Centre and we would appreciate if you would vote for us using your blue token. We appreciate all your support. If you are interested in volunteering with us please feel free to contact our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs
Phone/text: 085 7663107 - Email:GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or Find us on Facebook: Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs

In partnership with the UCC School of Law, The Glucksman Gallery commissioned seven Irish picture book authors to respond to different themes within the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Artists Mary Murphy, Róisín Hahessy, Niamh Sharkey, Peter Donnelly, Fatti Burke, Chris Haughton and Chris Judge created seven new illustrations focusing on family and identity, education, creativity and play, justice and the right to be heard, equality, climate change and the environment, and migrants and refugees. Fingal Libraries is delighted to host the Viewpoints art exhibition from January to June as it tours around each library, culminating on 10th June at Cruinniú na nÓg, Creative Ireland’s annual day of free creative activity for children and young adults. Viewpoints is part of the Art Library initiative, a loan collection of artworks for sharing to community hubs across Ireland, and is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. The exhibition was launched in Malahide Library on Saturday 28th January at 11.00am and was a fun morning for all the family. Exhibition tour dates: - (28th January – 19th February - Malahide Library) - (20th February – 3rd March - Baldoyle Library) - (6th March – 19th March - Balbriggan Library) - (20th March – 2nd April - Rush Library) - (3rd April – 16th April - Donabate Library) - (17th April – 30th April Swords & Skerries Libraries) - (1st May – 14th May - Howth & Garristown Libraries ) - (15th May – 4th June - Blanchardstown Library) - (5th June – 10th June Cruinniú na nÓg 2023. A fun and interactive programme of creative workshops will take place for children and their families as the exhibition tours each library so watch out for more details!

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is a local charity which has been serving the Balbriggan
community since its foundation in 1975.Balbriggan Meals on Wheels was established to provide meals for people who are ill, recovering from a serious illness, or for some reason are unable to provide meals for themselves. Balbriggan Meals Ltd still provides meals to the most vulnerable people in our community; they are people who are referred to us by Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. As well as cooking and delivering meals, we host a Dinner Club three mornings per week which provides an important social outlet to our clients. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is an essential voluntary service that requires all the support it can get. The organisation depends heavily on fundraising and donations. As such, we would like to express their gratitude to all the local companies, organisations, clubs, individuals etc who have given donations in recent times; all donations are very much appreciated. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels can be contacted at Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan. Tel : 01 8416743 Email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com. TO DONATE TO BALBRIGGAN MEALS ON WHEELS VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON:facebook.com/balbriggan.mealsonwheels/

Balbriggan Tidy Towns, which saw a very impressive 12-point jump in last year’s adjudication, is launching its ‘Adopt-a-Patch’ initiative a community scheme aimed at further improving the area.. The Balbriggan SuperValu Tidy Towns adjudication report for 2022 praised the local committee for its work in improving the appearance of the town, its level of volunteerism, partnerships with other community groups and its commitment to biodiversity. Balbriggan Tidy Towns has now identified thirty-two locations where volunteers can ‘Adopt-a-Patch’ and take on the care of an open area. Tasks will include litter removal, dealing with graffiti, weeding, planting and other light works. Residents can sign-up when Balbriggan Tidy Towns Committee launches its ‘Adopt-a-Patch’ scheme at the local SuperValu on Saturday, January 21 and at Millfield Shopping Centre on Saturday February 11, between 1.00pm and 3.00pm on both days. “After our success in 2022 we hope existing volunteers will continue their wonderful work keeping Balbriggan litter free, but we would love to welcome new people through our Adopt-a-Patch scheme,” said Balbriggan Tidy Town Secretary, Terry O’Reilly. “Larger areas can be divided between a number of volunteers, or a group, and can be cleaned at a time which suits. “Gloves, bags and a picker can be provided, and Fingal County Council will collect bags from convenient points. “The scheme can work very successfully amongst individuals, families and groups adopting stretches of roadway, lanes, parts of the local beach, bottle banks and litter blackspots. “Those who would like to work differently can join our Saturday Clean Team, Gardening Group, Climate Club, Biodiversity Group or Arts Group. “It would be wonderful to continue Balbriggan’s great progress in the SuperValu Tidy Towns competition and further improve the local environment for all who live in or visit our beautiful seaside town.”Residents can also get in touch with the Balbriggan Tidy Towns Committee through balbriggantidytowns@gmail.com or through its Facebook page or Facebook Messenger. Its annual general meeting takes place in the Bracken Court Hotel on Thursday, February 16 at 7.30pm. Local residents wishing to become involved are welcome. Balbriggan Tidy Towns meet every Saturday at 11.00am on the Front Beach and all are welcome.

Looking back at 2022, we had a busy and almost normal year at Swords Karate Club since the Covid Pandemic hit. We hosted members of JKS Ireland from all over Ireland at the National Brown & Black Belt training sessions in April, May, September & November. We also hosted National Squad training sessions. Several members of the club were presented with their Dan grade certificates from Japan: Conor Kinsella, Szymon Kupiec, Brian Horgan and Conor Glennon received their 1st Dan certificates, while Mark Girvin received his 2nd Dan certificate and Vincent Clarke received his 4th Dan certificate. Members of the club attended 3 competitions, topping the medal table in both JKS Inter-Club competitions in June and Oct and we did well also in the Kanazawa Cup in November in Tallaght. We had several seminars for members this year. In the Spring, members attended the Online International Seminar from Japan. In June we hosted Makita Sensei from Japan and Jesper Sensei from Denmark for our Spring/Summer Seminars. These were the first in person seminars with visiting instructors since the pandemic began. In October we hosted Kagawa Shihan 9th Dan JKS. We were privileged to have JKS Ireland members from around the country join us in this world class seminar. We held two club gradings , in early July and mid-December, where club members showed off what they have been studying during the year and all members who took the grading examinations progressed to their next belt. Perhaps the biggest event this year was moving after 11 years from Seatown Business Campus to Applewood Community Centre as our new home. We have settled well with regular training sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. We are looking forward to 2023 with all the regular training, special seminars and training sessions and competitions it will bring. We take new members (Children, Young People & Adults) throughout 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 Liam O Culbáird

Isn’t it funny how quick the time goes by when you are having fun! That is certainly the case at Fingallians GAA as we enter our 139th year of serving the people of Swords and surrounding areas. Lawless Memorial Park serves as a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for the sport stars of the future. In 2022 our membership passed the 2,000 mark. Our club is proving more popular than ever and we are now one of the largest community groups in Fingal. This is due to the brilliant support of our players, parents, mentors, volunteers, staff and the many others that contribute. Special thanks must also go to our sponsors that support the various teams and are central to our ongoing success. Isn’t it funny how quick the time goes by when you are having fun! That is certainly the case at Fingallians GAA as we enter our 139th year of serving the people of Swords and surrounding areas. Lawless Memorial Park serves as a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for the sport stars of the future. In 2022 our membership passed the 2,000 mark. Recently we opened the new all weather training facility at our grounds. The new all weather surface will mean additional space for training during winter months when grass is unusable. The new facility was made possible through a capital sports grant in addition to fundraising by Fingallians. The official opening was carried out by Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State Jack Chambers. Many Fingallians members were present for the opening including 6 time All-Ireland winner Paul Flynn. Photos were taken by Fingallians member Noel Delaney. Our club is proving more popular than ever and we are now one of the largest community groups in Fingal. This is due to the brilliant support of our players, parents, mentors, volunteers, staff and the many others that contribute. Special thanks must also go to our sponsors that support the various teams and are central to our ongoing success. As we look towards 2023, our major concern is that we do not have enough playing space. We have over 77 teams taking to the field each week for games. Add training sessions to this and you see how stretched our resources are. Regardless of this we look forward to welcoming new players to Fingallians in 2023. We wish all our friends and supporters the very best of success in the new year and we hope to see you at the sideline soon. Athbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise daoibh.