Takemusu Aikido Society has been named a finalist in the Sports Awards category of the Balbriggan Town Awards 2025, organised by the Balbriggan Tourism Committee. For a dojo that emerged during the unsettled times of the COVID pandemic, this recognition is a major milestone, marking how far the club has come and how firmly it has found its place in local community life.
The club’s story in Balbriggan began in 2021, when head instructor Raman Bekarevich moved to Ireland after ten years of intensive training in Japan under direct students of the Aikido founder. Bringing this depth of experience with him, Raman began the first sessions at a time when indoor activities were still restricted. Training took place outdoors with wooden weapons, on the sandy shores of Balbriggan beach and on the football pitches beside the Martello Tower. The early-days group was small but full of determination, and those sessions laid the foundations for what would become a dedicated and steadily developing dojo.
As restrictions eased and classes moved indoors, more people discovered Aikido, drawn to its non-competitive nature and its focus on balance, timing and blending with an incoming attack rather than meeting force with force. From the beginning, the club aimed to offer more than martial arts training alone, and this resonated with people looking for connection as much as exercise.
Balbriggan is a town that has changed rapidly in recent years, with new communities arriving and local residents seeking activities that bring people together. Takemusu Aikido Society positioned itself as a place where adults of all backgrounds could meet, learn and take part in something meaningful. Aikido’s cooperative practice naturally breaks down barriers between ages, cultures and fitness levels, creating a sense of belonging that many participants highlight as one of its most valuable qualities.
This commitment to opening the doors as widely as possible is central to the club’s ethos and forms part of why it was nominated for the Town Awards. Over the past few years, Takemusu Aikido Society has partnered with Fingal County Council on a range of social inclusion programmes, including Women in Sports Week, Men’s Health Week and Her Outdoors Week. These initiatives introduced many newcomers to the art and supported adults who might otherwise feel hesitant to join a physical activity later in life.
This year, the club launched a new initiative aimed at those who have recently moved to Dublin, offering two months of free practice to help people settle, make connections and become part of a positive, supportive community. For many, the weekly training has become a welcome anchor in their new surroundings.
The technical level of the dojo continues to develop alongside its community work. Raman, now a 4th Dan instructor, maintains strong links with teachers in Japan and Europe. Assistant instructor Jan Tóth has just returned from a month of intensive training in Iwama, the birthplace of Aikido, building on a previous training period there two years ago. Experiences like these ensure that the teaching in Balbriggan remains firmly rooted in the traditions of the art while staying accessible to beginners.
Saturday practice has become a fixture in the local sporting calendar, known for an approach that balances structure with friendliness and welcomes people of any experience level. The club also runs classes in Dublin city centre, but its heart is firmly in Balbriggan, where it continues to support wellbeing, connection and community spirit.
Those who would like to try Aikido are welcome to join a free trial class at Balbriggan Clubs Community Centre every Saturday from 3 pm to 4.30 pm. New members who sign up this winter can also avail of a 50% discount for their first month of practice. Further information is available at www.aiki.ie or by contacting info@aiki.ie.
Annabel Russell, the creator behind the popular family resource website TotsSpots.com, was the celebrated winner of the Tech and Digital Award at the prestigious Women in Business Excellence Awards on Tuesday, November 25th. The ceremony, a beacon of female achievement, was held in the stunning setting of the Hotel Kilkenny.
Ms. Russell’s win in the Tech and Digital category, which was proudly sponsored by Arc Engineering, recognises her outstanding contribution to the digital landscape through TotsSpots.com. The platform serves as an essential online guide for parents, providing a central location for activities for children across Ireland.
“I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive this award,” said Annabel Russell. “This recognises the hard work that goes into not just building a technical platform, but one that genuinely helps Irish families navigate their day to day lives. Technology has the power to connect communities, and I’m delighted Tots Spots is playing its part. This award really means a great deal to me as I have been a champion of women in tech for my entire career.”
Annabel left a decade long corporate career a year ago to start TotsSpots.com, Ireland’s only dedicated platform for baby, toddler and kids groups. The site has helped over 25,000 parents locate local classes and all groups can sign up for free. The idea came about during maternity leave where Annabel found it difficult to find activities for her baby. Previously, Annabel had been working in tech for Penney’s, Aer Lingus and Kerry Group, where she has been a business analyst, change champion and strategist. She has also been an advocate for championing young women into tech by attending career fairs for secondary and college students, while mentoring them through their careers.
The Night of Celebration was hosted by the Irish Women in Business Network and the awards ceremony was impeccably MC’d by renowned style expert and broadcaster, Marietta Doran. Ms. Doran guided the evening’s proceedings, celebrating the resilience, innovation, and leadership of women across various Irish industries
The event at the Hotel Kilkenny brought together successful female entrepreneurs across industries from every corner of the country for a night of networking and recognition. The inaugural Irish Women in Network Awards Business Excellence Awards champion the role of female entrepreneurs in the national economy and inspire the next generation of female leaders.
Arc Engineering’s sponsorship of the Tech and Digital award underscores their commitment to supporting innovation and growth within the digital sector and recognising the crucial role of women in driving technological advancement in Ireland.
Fingal County Council has been re-certified as an Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer for the maximum duration of three years. The award recognises Fingal’s ongoing commitment to continuous professional development systems and practices for its staff.
The Engineers Ireland CPD Accredited Employer Standard is a strategic framework which enables engineers and engineering employers raise competency levels and deliver tangible business benefits by investing in engineers through continuing professional development.
Welcoming the re-certification Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “We are very proud to have been recognised as a CPD Accredited Employer for a further three years, the maximum duration that can be awarded. Fingal County Council is a vibrant and dynamic place to work, and we are committed to ensuring our employees have the tools they need to succeed. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all involved”.
Fingal County Council has over 70 engineers who work in a wide variety of services across the county. This includes staff operating in the areas of housing, transport, active travel, public infrastructure, water, and environment. Examples of major projects being carried out include Culture House, Swords, and the new Ongar to Barnhill Road.
Senior Engineer and chair of the CPD Committee at Fingal County Council, Colin Gallagher said: “The Fingal County Council CPD Committee provides clear and strong leadership promoting an inclusive CPD culture for the benefit and development of all our Engineers. The Committee has worked tirelessly to assist with the continuous skills development of Fingal’s Engineers, providing an excellent active and dynamic resource for innovatively improving the Engineering roles and areas of expertise that are managed and performed so well here in Fingal. The emphasis on Continuing Professional Development of Engineers ensures that the Council is future-proofed to cope with any challenging obstacles that may arise in the future”.
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.
Eileen joined 8 years ago because of a profound and crippling fear of standing up in front of a group to speak.
Thanks to the guidance and support of her local Toastmasters Club, Eileen fulfilled a lifelong dream last month by delivering a speech titled ‘Living beyond your labels’ at TEDx Tralee.
Eileen was selected from thousands of applicants to become one of TEDx Tralee speakers, with her moving speech titled ‘Living beyond your labels’.
Eileen said “Standing on the red dot on the big stage at TEDx was a dream come true for me, something that would never have been possible without the support and encouragement I received from Swords Toastmasters.”
If you would like to see Eileen and her 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: 8pm – 10pm
For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.
Coolmine Lodge and Rivervalley Community Centre were the big winners for Fingal at the 2025 IPB Pride of Place awards. Supporting the Fingal nominees on the evening were Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary, Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and members of the Community Development team.
Swords’s Rivervalley Community Centre was runner up in the Urban Neighbourhood and Housing Estates category as they showcased the thriving centre and its importance in the local community. Thrive Balbriggan also represented Fingal in the Health and Wellbeing category, centred around the Great Places and Spaces Mapping Project.
Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary commented: “It is inspirational to be here at the Pride of Place awards with the fantastic Fingal groups whose dedication and pride in their local areas is being celebrated for making a really positive change in their communities. I want to congratulate everyone involved.”
Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Huge congratulations to the Coolmine Lodge and Rivervalley Community Centre on their success at this year’s Pride of Place Awards and also to Thrive Balbriggan who represented Fingal. These awards are particularly special as they celebrate the invaluable role of the voluntary and community sector and the fruits of their efforts, with the support of our Community Development team, is very evident to me in the vibrant communities in Fingal.”
The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place in Limerick’s Strand Hotel on November 7th, with 400 community volunteers in attendance.
2026 will be another year of growth for St Colmcille’s. Full schedule of return dates for 2026 will be posted on our social media.
Cilles cubs: As we come to the end of busy year in nursery, we welcome new children age four years upwards to either start or continue their Gaelic footballing journey with us. We will return Saturday 10th January 2026 at 10.30am with new and exciting games and skill learning.
The academy is completely free of charge for first 2 weeks which allows families to come down and have a go, see if it’s for you!. All our coaches are fully qualified and vetted. We are a growing club and always welcome new children, players, and mentors .
We also are in the planning stages of the “Gaa all-stars Inclusive Club Initiative- “All-Stars Club Program” which we hope to have running in January. Proudly sponsored by Glenveagh Homes
For more information contact Cora 083-3741305. Along with Nursey the under 8’s group will return January 10th.
Swords local Ken Duffy had such a great response his debut into poetry that he has decided to publish a second collection of poems.
“Welcome to my second book of poetry. I write my poems in the main for those of a certain generation, basically, my generation. I have so many wonderful memories of my formative years I felt the urge to share them with those I knew would relate and appreciate them. Since my last publication I have received numerous requests for another collection of my poetry. So here it is, I hope you get as much enjoyment reading my poems as I did writing them,” Ken said.
Ken’s two books, ‘Growing up way back when’, and Finglas way back when
Are both available to purchase on amazon.ie.
Returning for its third year, the Christmas Fair at St Catherine’s National School will be taking place on Sunday 7th December from 1pm to 5pm, where you are guaranteed to be met with a warm welcome even if the weather outside is frightful! Over 20 stalls are already confirmed, including the very popular Ros Eó Soap Company, so this is the place to find fantastic stocking fillers and other gifts. Expect to find candles, soaps, face painting, jewellery, paintings and frames and much more.
Also confirmed, Santa Claus will be at the event greeting children (and their parents) in his grotto. As well as the chance to speak with Santa, you will be able to meet his elves, write a Christmas list and watch a Christmas movie. For just €6 per child, you can visit Santa in his grotto and all children will receive a chocolate selection box. There is no charge for parents or grandparents, and the elves will be on hand to take photos of you with Santa. Slots to meet Santa will be available from the St Catherine’s Parents’ Association, on sale outside the school in the week before the fair and via their Facebook page.
The committee and volunteers from Rush Tidy Towns were overjoyed on the announcement that they had secured a bronze medal at the National Tidy Towns awards at Croke Park in October. Committee members Matt and Siobhan were at the event, again a first for this generation of committee.
To qualify for a bronze medal you have to be within 35 points of the winner of your category. This year that was Skerries who had 395 points, so on 364 points, Rush actually had four points to spare. Overall we increased by 19 points in 2025, following on from an increase of 18 points in 2024. Neighbours Lusk increased by 14 points, as did Skerries.
Gaining the medal has been the culmination of work done by the countless volunteers and committees over the years, and it is now our job to push for Silver.
The judging criteria is based on 8 categories with a total of 550 points up for grabs. Community – planning and involvement (80 marks), Streetscape and Public Spaces (80 marks), Green Spaces & Landscaping (80), Nature & Biodiversity (55 marks), Sustainability – doing less with more (55 points), Tidiness & Litter Control (90 points), Residential Streets and Housing Areas (55), Approach Roads Streets and Lanes (55 points)
The judges visited the town on Monday 16th June, and provided some really good feedback. They commented positively on the new notice board advertising many upcoming Tidy Towns events, the mural on the Scout Den, the new landscaped area in front of Tayleurs Point, the new hedging at the side of St. Catherine’s School and the planting on the Whitetown Road. Some feedback was also provided such as, we should use more perennial plants in the hanging baskets and three tiered planters, to remove redundant stakes from trees, to not cut the grass as low in the summer, and some weeds were observed.
Irrespective of the result, residents and visitors get to reap the benefits of our work all year round, and we will continue to work with that objective in mind. Thank you to everybody who has contributed however small to enable us to achieve what we do.
A brand-new housing development for north Dublin has officially been opened, marking an important milestone in the delivery of housing to the local area. The opening of The Paddocks located at Ballygossan Hill, Skerries was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, Minister for Housing, James Browne, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins, and representatives from Tuath Housing.
The Paddocks, a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Tuath Housing, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency, and the Housing Agency, is a 111 home development in the popular seaside town of Skerries, made up of 97 social homes and 14 Cost Rental homes.The Cost Rental homes provided at The Paddocks will be the first of this tenure type in Skerries, offering an affordable solution to rising rents and supply pressures.
Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: “The completion of these exceptional new homes highlights Fingal County Council’s commitment to meeting its ambitious housing targets. It is thanks to strategic collaborations with trusted partners like Tuath Housing that we can meet the diverse housing needs of our growing population. The Paddocks is another great example of what can be accomplished by working together. As a long-time resident of Skerries, I know just how appealing the town is. With its beautiful coastline, its vibrant community, and expanding infrastructure, it’s no wonder that developments like The Paddocks have attracted such strong interest.”
The 111 new homes are made up of a mix of one, two, and three bedroom apartments, along with one and two bed duplexes, each with a private balcony. Residents have access to landspaced open spaces, communal gardens as well as excellent transport links.
Sonya Meekel, Tuath Voluntary Board of Directors, added: “We are proud to help deliver this high-quality, affordable housing. It’s an exciting moment for the community and the residents who are settling into their new homes by the sea. It is very gratifying for everyone at Tuath to see the result of the strong collaboration of all stakeholders.”
