What an end to a busy, fun, and successful year! We concluded our year with a wonderful end-of-year party. We had face painting, music, bubbles, tug-of-war, races, and medals. Garda Michelle and Garda Colm, from Clontarf Garda station, joined us for the fun. The athletes loved their car,especially the siren, lights, and car horn. Thank you to all the volunteers, fundraisers, and supporters who helped make this happen. This year, we have welcomed many new members into our Young Athletes Club this year. We have also started our new junior basketball club for athletes from 8 years to 16 years old. Thanks to our fabulous fundraisers and to our volunteer coach Ciara, we were able to offer swimming lessons to many of our members in the Pop-Up Pool.The first two athletes to ever compete for our club came away with 4 medals between them. We are so, so proud of Tim and Becca.Finally, one of the first athletes to join our club is moving to Wexford. We’ll miss you Noah. We will see you when you are competing for Munster and Ireland in the future. Thank you to Eamon, Susan, and Lottie for all your support throughout the years. It’s not goodbye, it’s au revoir.

Local Labour representative, Corina Johnston recently said, “I was contacted by a number of local residents last week regarding a potentially significant archaeological find on lands in Donabate which are subject to a live planning application.”I met the residents on site, who confirmed that they had been alerted to the find by a local farmer who stumbled upon the opening while sowing in the field. They immediately visited the site and unearthed what appears to be an underground tunnel with writing on one of the walls similar in nature to Ogham writing an early medieval alphabet.In view of the potential significance of the find Duncan Smith TD and I contacted the National Monuments Services and Fingal County Council and requested an urgent visit and an interim inspection of the site. In the meantime the entrance needs to be protected and closed off. The manner of the demolition of Turvey House a building of historical importance in 1987 must never be allowed occur again. National Monuments have confirmed to Duncan Smith TD and I that “this matter is currently being followed up on and an entry will be added to the Sites and Monuments Record in due course.” I have ascertained that the find is located on land that is subject to a current planning application with An Bord Pleanála and I have notified the board of recent developments on the land which may have implications for the planning application. We will keep you informed of developments.”

A massive thank you to the sponsors of Flavours of Fingal. We appreciate your support so much. Thanks for making the weekend the best it could possibly be! Joeduffybmwmotors, keelingsfruits, 7upfreeireland, keoghsfarm, CountryCrest, noel_group, annesleywilliamsskoda,
johnmccabemotors, geodesic_domes_ireland, bespokealuminiumgates.ie,shorelinehoteldonabate
yrsauceire , and fiveriversireland. Thank you also to each and every one of you who came along and made Flavours of Fingal 2022 so special from our incredible traders, entertainers, staff and the public, we couldn’t have such a great event without any of YOU!

We recently hosted a fantastic week at Glebe North FAI summer camp with 110 kids enjoying football while learning new skills. Big thanks to all coaches involved, Megan, Denis, Sean, Eoin, Lee, Michael, Alan and Emma. Glebe north will host another camp in August, 15th to 19th. Only 30 places remaining, book online at bookings.summersoccerschools.ie/s/

On Saturday 18th June, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels held a get together to celebrate the launch of their newly developed Outdoor Area.

The occasion was also used to dedicate the new Outdoor Area to Eoghan ó Ceallacháin, in recognition of his tireless work over the years, not only for Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, but also for the whole Balbriggan community. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to acknowledge Dublin Rural Leader for grant funding of €24,063.75 towards this project. They are also grateful to their Fundraising Committee and those who supported them in raising the balance of €10,000. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would also like to thank Christopher White for the donation of flowers and shrubs. The support of St Peter & Paul’s Parish is also acknowledged.The Outdoor Area is a great additional space for those who use the services of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, Order of Malta and many other community groups. It will be a space where people can sit outside and have a cup of tea, a chat and enjoy the art work provided by Youthreach, Foroige and Fingal Lighthouse Art Group. It is also used as a lovely area for serving teas & coffees at the Pop-up-Shop, currently hosted by Balbriggan Meals on Wheels on Friday mornings. All in all the Outdoor Area is a very beautiful space. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels prepare and deliver meals to the most vulnerable people in the local community who for whatever reason are unable to provide meals for themselves; they are people who are referred by Public Health Nurses and Social Workers. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels operates six days per week and currently provides in the region of 80-100 meals per day in the wider Balbriggan Community. They also host a Dinner Club three days per week which provides a meal and an important social outlet to members. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels can be contacted during business hours at 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan, K32 P793. Tel : 01 8416743. Email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels surprised Eoghan ó Ceallacháin on the day by announcing that the Outdoor Area was to be dedicated to him in recognition of his tremendous work for the Balbriggan community over the years. This is a short background to all his involvements over the years but by no means a complete list: Balbriggan Meals on Wheels:

Eoghan is one of the founder members of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels. He, along with a number of volunteers, helped build the first kitchen, following the death of a woman in Quay Street from malnutrition in 1975. The first kitchen had to be rebuilt and the sum of €120,000 was raised in order to do that. Eoghan has always put the community first, and particularly those who are most vulnerable. St. Peter and Paul’s Parish: Eoghan is very committed to the work of the Parish. Over the years he has worked hard to have laity involvement in the Church. In 1971 he established pilgrimages to Lourdes with his brother Tommy. He was also instrumental in establishing the readers for Masses. During this time he started to visit local people in hospitals. He gave much needed support to patients and families. Order of Malta: During his years with the Order of Malta, Eoghan fundraised and refurbished this building. The Day Care Centre was opened in 1977 as Thomas ó Ceallacháin Centre. The Day Care Centre provides activities for people with disabilities from North Fingal (Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush and Lusk). It hosts training for young people in First Aid, monthly parties for the elderly and other events for people with disabilities. During these years he also worked extremely hard to raise funds to purchase an ambulance, which collected people for the Day Care Centre. Also he established the Summer Camp which enabled People with disabilities to go on a camping holiday. Balbriggan Breakaway Festival: In 1975 Eoghan had the vision to establish a festival in the town. He and other members of the community, including businesses agreed that it was time to promote the town and its natural beauty as a coastal town. It was a great family affair, and with the inclusion of M’Lady Erin the festival had an international flavour.Town Commissioner: A bit frustrated at the lack of development for the town, Eoghan stood for election for the Town Commissioners as a Community Representative. He was a Commissioner from 1979 to 1985. During this time he argued for the health and welfare of the community. He particularly raised the need for sewerage treatment plant. It is now being built. Citizens Information Centre: With a growing Community he saw the need to establish a community based information centre. With other local people who worked hard the Citizens Information Centre was established in 1993. Balbriggan Youth Development: Again identifying a growing need in the Community, he worked for many years trying to establish a service for young people, with a view to helping them with employment and training. And again enlisting the support of local people this service was established in 1991. Irish Language and Culture: His personal passion is the Irish Language and Gaelic. He was a prominent member of O’Dwyers GAA and played at one time for Dalcais Hurling. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels wish to thank Eoghan for all his dedication and service to the community.

St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers who train weekly and have athletes from Balbriggan, Skerries, Bellewstown and Drogheda and they recently took to the competition floor after an absence of 28 months. Indoor sports suffered greatly due to not being able to train during the pandemic, but the club are working on rebuilding the squad. It was a young squad who entered the ABTI Championships in Crumlin at the end of June 2022 and they took home many of the top awards. Baton twirling is often seen as a sport for girls but across Europe, USA and Japan its equally popular with boys and girls, and for the first time in over 35 years, we had boys from St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers perform. Luke McKnight and Zach Bergin won the under 10 pairs competition. It would be great to see as many boys as girls at the club in the future. Plans for 2023 are in the final stages which will include ABTI National Championships and travelling to International Championships.For more information about St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers contact them on : 086 3270636, or DM them at: @stmarys.batontwirlers

Fingal County Council has recently launched a public consultation on plans to transform the centre of Balbriggan as part of a €10 million redevelopment which will deliver a unique sustainable public open space in the heart of Ireland’s youngest town. Subject to planning permission, the redevelopment of the 19,300 square metres site is expected to commence in late 2023, with works being completed in five phases between early 2024 and Q1 2025. Under the plans, the existing playground, green spaces and planting zones will nearly double in size, with play equipment for all ages integrated into the flowing design of the public space. Enhancing the appeal of the location, a new commercial building and two new kiosks will be built on the site of a former nightclub in the harbour area in order to accommodate visitor and leisure activities. To help with the transformation of the area into a people-oriented public space, the plans outline the removal of 175 car parking spaces.. Extensive surveying of the town’s car parking spaces has been carried out which has indicated that there is more than sufficient car parking capacity at all times around the town to facilitate the removal of these car parking spaces in this area.The Council is keen to gain further views on the proposals which have been developed thanks to the ongoing input from the community at various information meetings held over the last 12 months. This feedback and local insight have been key to helping progress the ongoing work in Balbriggan and is reflected in the current proposal. The public consultation process will commenced on Thursday, July 7 with plans on public display at Balbriggan Library and County Hall, Swords until August 5. They will also be available online at consult.fingal.ie/en/browse. Scheduled open days, advertised in advance, will take place in August at the Our Balbriggan Hub in George’s Square where people can discuss the plans with relevant Council officials for more information.Submissions about the redevelopment plans will be accepted until 5pm on August 19.

Are you looking for ways to support our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch but have missed some of our recent merchandise stands? Well, we are happy to announce that a new type of counter box has been placed in Oakes Pharmacy in Skerries, which allows for a donation of €2 minimum by a tap of a phone, this then prompts you to open an app and you can select an amount to donate through this. Another way you can support us is by donating any used postage stamps or old coins no longer in circulation to our Balbriggan Branch. You can contact us on 085 766 3107 to arrange to hand them over and we can then turn them into Euros and lodge them to the Guide Dogs account. We are happy to provide an update on puppy in training, Adel. Adel is doing well in her training as an Assistance Dog and has moved from the highly skilled, wonderful Assistance Dog training Centre to a temporary home for the duration of her training. Each morning she is brought to the Centre for training and then returns home in the evening.We’ll continue to share updates as we get them on Adel but we are delighted to hear she is doing so well. At the end of June last, Tom O’Neill of our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch joined the Phoenix Branch who hold a monthly walk in Phoenix Park on the last Sunday of every month. The group meet at the Hole in the Wall Pub at 11am and loop back, where the Hole in the Wall are kind enough to provide free teas and coffees for everyone. It is a lovely walk, with very happy Guidedogs and it is a great chance to catch up and meet new people. If you are interested, please contact John Mitchell of the Phoenix Branch for more information Johnamitchell.home@gmail.comWould you like to Volunteer for your local branch for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind? You can contact our Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch on Facebook, by email at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or by mobile on 085 766 3107.

Junsa has been busy training and educating our students it the art of our great martial art and sport. We recently had a number of our older students take part in a corner judges and referees course and then they had the opportunity to test there new skills at an upcoming tournament. The opportunities in Taekwondo are endless, if our students want to further their Taekwondo career they are not limited to just sparring, they can take part in poomsae tournaments, or international refereeing to name just a few.Below is a few photos of what our junior students have doing this month. We are also looking forward to taking part the first Lusk festival. Junsa Taekwondo now has two training venues: 5-7 year olds Lusk scout Den - 8-12s Curduff national school - 12s and above Curduff national school. Please contact master Stuart Russell for more information on 087 7775202 or follow us on Facebook @ Junsa Taekwondo