The following is an extract from Mike Power’s forthcoming book - Swords: History and Mysteries… A Community Guide
Despite being situated solidly within the ‘Pale’(‘Pallium’ latin=A Fence) the spirit of Irish nationalism was never quite extinguished in Swords and Fingal…Swords folk contributed to every insurrection in Ireland, most notably in 1916, when the Fingal brigade of the Irish Volunteers led by Captain Richard Coleman of Main St. fought bravely in the engagement in the Mendacity Instit, Dublin.Swords folk can be very proud of it’s long and honourable tradition of nationalism, often carried out in the face of great opposition from the authorities. Fingal Abu !
‘Fingal has done more than its share in Ireland’s republican cause…’
Eamonn de Valera 1940
Easter Monday 1916 in the village of Swords dawned fine and dry. The Taylor brothers Tom, Joe and Christopher left their home in Taylors’ pub, Main Street, and headed out toKnocksedan bridge, half-an-hour’s walking at their brisk military pace. While confused by Eoin Mc Neill’s letter in the Sunday Independent to stand down, they still held to Captain Richard ‘Dick’ Coleman’s order:
‘We meet at Knocksedan Bridge on Monday, Ok?’
Their new boots chafing their feet as they strolled, going up the Brackenstown Road, they met Christopher ‘Kit’ Moran.
‘Is it still on?’ he asked, the others, saying nothing, walking stolidly ahead.
Kit Moran’s Mauser rifle slapped rhythmically on his hip, ‘damn blunderbuss,’ he spoke as he walked, knowing well the horrid mess its 57 mm. rounds could make of something as fragile as the human body. Seventy men were already waiting on the bridge, most smoking and cooling their heels, their mood black, disappointed with the poor turnout.
Some peered over the parapet at the black pools of water 60 feet below, pondering what lay ahead.
Finally, Captain Richard Coleman arrived, his Sam Browne belt and brass buttons shining in the shafts of sunlight scattering on the bridge. Pointedly, taking each man in with his eyes he said: ‘Right then, a Oglaigh, this is what we did all that hard training for – this is the day!’
Dublin writer George Fitzgerald is no stranger to putting pen to paper and with firm roots in Swords, George fondly remembers his relative Ned Stafford who was an integral part of the Nationalist movement and an active participant in the 1916 Rising.
Ned Stafford from Swords, County Dublin. His mother, Brigid Stafford, described as “a lady,” was supportive of his nationalist beliefs. The Stafford parents and their nine children are buried in Swords Cemetery. Ned became involved in nationalism after hearing Thomas MacDonagh speak at a gathering in Swords. Once he had made his decision, his mother supported him, and the family was aware of the key figures involved. Ned Stafford was present at Boland’s Mills during the 1916 Rising.
Boland’s served as a crucial strategic location for the Irish Volunteers. The mill, along with other buildings in the area, became the headquarters for the 3rd Battalion, which was tasked with controlling key approaches to Dublin from Dún Laoghaire, then Kingstown, a port where British reinforcements were expected. The Volunteers engaged in fierce fighting, particularly at Mount Street Bridge, and successfully held their ground against British forces until the order to surrender was given.
Ned subsequently enlisted in the Free State Army. However Private Edward Stafford died due to tuberculosis acquired during active duty in 1926. In a letter from his mother, she expressed her pride in stating that her son fought during Easter Week under Risteard Mulcahy’s command.
Ned Stafford’s dad, Patrick, was employed as a gardener. Three of his sons enlisted in the Irish Army. George Stafford was a member of the Irish Army from 1927 until 1960. The Black and Tans, or perhaps British troops, during the War of Independence, while they were looking for Ned Stafford, who was fleeing. He was informed that the plans for Ashbourne were concealed within the house, intended to prevent the train from transporting soldiers into the city. One of his brothers was Tom Stafford, who in the 1930s lived in a tenement in Gardiner Street, Dublin, in the 1930s. He and his family later moved to Ballyfermot. His daughter, Maria, married a local man, George Fitzgerald. In 1966, the young couple got a new flat on the tenth floor of the newly developed Ballymun flats.
George Fitzgerald is the author not only of the Ashley Brown series but the 9-book audiobook series about growing up in Ballymun in the 60s and later his life in Finglas South. There were four brothers in the family: George, his twin Joseph, Pat, and Wesley. The twins were champion boxers in the 70s. And band members in the 80s and 90s with the famed D11 Runners. The audiobooks can be listened to on YouTube or Facebook.
Many of you will know me, or my family. A proud Rush man since birth, you’ll see me around the town now either running the streets with Lusk AC, or running after my young son Colton. You might have even heard me recently on RTE’s Liveline sharing our journey and telling listeners why I’ll be running this year’s Dublin City Marathon, in complete silence.
Why I’m Running in Silence
Two years ago, I ran the Dublin City Marathon when my son was only 6 days old. Weeks later, we learned he was profoundly deaf. We had no family history of hearing loss, and we knew nothing about what this journey would look like. We had so much to learn, but from day 1 we were guided - on his hearing technology, on medical checks, on resources, and on early language techniques and strategies - to build a strong foundation which would shape his whole life. We were shown a path, to give our son the very best start and to help him reach his own potential. Where he would be able to hear, learn and thrive among his peers. Long before we arrived into the deaf world, people had fought tirelessly - for technology, education, access and recognition. So that children like our son would face an entirely different future.
So this year, I’m back. But this time - in silence. To raise awareness of the deaf experience and funds for the services that support this lifelong journey.
Our son received his first hearing aids aged 2 months and had cochlear implant surgery in March 2025. Today, he is thriving - laughing, learning, and growing into his fullest potential, one determined little step at a time.
Wearing strong noise-cancelling headphones, I’ll run DCM 2025 without sound in symbolic recognition of the deaf experience, and to champion my son - and every deaf child, parent and person navigating a world not always built with them in mind.
Why This Campaign Matters
Early hearing screening and support are more than medical checks – they are gateways to opportunity. The resources and support provided through the early intervention programme and other deaf services including by Chime (Ireland’s national Deaf charity) are invaluable. The advocacy, early tools, and expert guidance gave our family not just resources - but a path forward. Without these services, Colton’s journey would have started much later - and looked very different.
Funds raised through this campaign will go directly to Chime, to continue their advocacy and services for deaf children and families, and to other key deaf supports including Our New Ears, that help children develop language, identity, and confidence from the start.
Laying the Foundations: The Vital Role of Early Screening and Support
We also recently wrote a thank-you poem to the maternity hospital where Colton was born, expressing our deep gratitude for the newborn screening service. Without that screen, and with no family history or visible signs of hearing loss, we would have had no reason to look for further assessments until much later. The simple test changed the course of his early life - and ours. We were incredibly moved when the hospital shared our message more widely - and even more touched by the responses from early screeners and staff who said how rarely they hear about the long-term outcomes of their work. We even connected with the screener who had run Colton’s first checks! She shared her reaction with us: “You have no idea the power of your words, they have lifted our spirits. We don’t ever look for praise, but your recognition has been a tonic for us all and lifted us knowing what we do is vital in changing lives. Thank you for sharing your son with us, we will speak to many new parents about him, when they need it most.”
The poem is now framed in their offices, where it can remind the team daily of how important their work is.
Breaking the Silence Around Deafness
Beyond fundraising, we hope to shine a light on what it means to be deaf or hard of hearing, or to have a deaf family member, friend, classmate, colleague or acquaintance. To take the mystery out of it, and spark a conversation from curiosity, acceptance, and openness.
Our son is perfect, exactly as he is. Born wholly complete and fully himself. And we would not change a single thing about him.
And we want him to grow up in a world that understands this part of him.
Ask questions, stay curious, and help build a more inclusive world for deaf children like my son.
Help me run this marathon in silence - so more deaf children can be heard, supported, and celebrated.
very step counts. Every share helps. Every discussion matters.
https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/MunroRuigrok
Rush Men’s Shed - A big thank you to Tony Hickey and Tony Brennan from Rush Men’s Shed who revarnished the 3 benches at the South Beach Car Park over the last week.
Estate Clean Up - Well done to the residents of Brookford Estate who planted some lovely flowers and plants today. They look fantastic. Special mention to Stephen from Rushbrook Plants, who helped them out with plant selection and placement.
The Rush Community Council Events Committee is proud to celebrate the success of the Rush Harbour Festival and Fingal Rush Air Display 2025, which took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year was a special milestone as it was the first time the Community Council Events Committee had the honour of organising the festival – and it proved to be a weekend to remember.
Rush Harbour was alive with colour, music, and activity from morning to night. Families enjoyed children’s amusements, funfair rides, and workshops, while the harbour front bustled with food stalls and a harvest & craft market. Each evening ended on a high with fantastic live performances, bringing people together to celebrate Rush’s vibrant culture.
The Fingal Rush Air Display was once again the standout attraction, drawing huge crowds to the shoreline. Against the stunning backdrop of Rush North Beach and Lambay Island, visitors were thrilled by daring stunts, precision flying, and breathtaking aerobatic displays from some of the world’s finest pilots.
The Events Committee extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who made the festival possible: our generous sponsors, the many local businesses and community groups who contributed their time and expertise, and the incredible volunteers whose hard work ensured everything ran smoothly.
Speaking after the festival, Erin Cartlidge, Chairperson of the Rush Community Council Events Committee, said: “We are so proud of what was achieved this year. Taking on the organisation for the first time was a big challenge, but the support from the whole community was amazing. We want to thank our sponsors, contributors, and especially our volunteers, who gave so much of their time and energy. Without them, this festival simply would not have been possible.”
The 2025 Rush Festival & Fingal Rush Airshow was more than an event – it was a true celebration of land, sea, sky, and the community spirit that makes Rush so special, we are looking forward to building on the success of this year and working with everyone again to make the festival even more fantastic next year and for the future.
Credits to Photographers: Leo Bissett & Ray Watts, Valeta McCormick (Corvenieos Entertainment) & Darragh Butler (@feetwetaviation)
Rush-based director Dave Byrne is anticipating the release of his latest film ‘Sunphlowers’ on 26th September and it will be on general release in cinemas around the country.
Sunphlowers follows Catherine, a middle-aged mother of three embarks on a journey of self-discovery, against the backdrop of secrecy and devastation her late husband left behind, changing the course of her grief forever.
Set against an agricultural backdrop, Catherine, [played by Anne McCrudden] finds her husband dead in one of their glasshouses. In putting his affairs in order, the extent of secrecy and destruction her late husband Michael has left in his wake, forces Catherine to take a long hard look at the direction of the remainder of her life. In the days that follow, Catherine must deal with very real-life issues such as rural isolation, organised criminals targeting vulnerable people and financial ruin. Catherine initially struggles to deal with the overwhelming responsibilities that lay ahead, whilst also providing emotional support to her three adult children. Pride and determination bring out a strength of character beyond Catherine’s own expectations, as she deals with each problem head on, resulting in a newfound sense of freedom and the power to forgive and move on with her life
There was a fantastic turnout at the very first walking tour of Malahide village held a few weeks ago.
There was a full house of 30 participants including people from Germany, South Africa and even Drogheda! Not to mention locals some of whom said they have lived in Malahide most of their lives but never knew the story of the place until today and now have a greater appreciation of our gorgeous village.
Feedback has been extremely positive, and the weather could not have been kinder to us. We cannot guarantee sunshine for every walk but we can guarantee an entertaining Tours are free, but booking is advised and each tour is limited to 30 people. Go to the website for booking and further information - www.malahidehistoricaltours.ie
Courtesy: Malahide Historical Tours
Syls Cycling Club Malahide are delighted to offer the 2025 version of the updated Route 66k program with a hugely beneficial combination of cycling theory / practical demos and out on the road group spins.
Great for your physical health, mental wellbeing and very sociable.
This year the theory part of the program will start in Malahide Community School starting on Monday September 15th (evenings). It will cover Bike Technology & Road Safety, Cross Training & Nutrition, & Group Cycling techniques. The first road spin will be on Saturday September 20th, leaving Malahide Green at 9am. The program is designed to gradually re-build your fitness, skills and confidence on the bike. The remaining places will be allocated on ‘first contact to club’, first served basis. Previous participants ranked this program very highly and we look forward to your participation.
Register now by emailing contact@sylscc.ie or visit www.sylscc.ie for more info
This Autumn the Malahide Pipe Band is offering beginners the opportunity to learn and play the bagpipes.
For parents, playing the pipes offers young people a unique hobby to learn and play a musical instrument, be part of a music group, and grow in confidence by performing at local events.
For older beginners, it is never too late to learn a musical instrument. If you have ever heard or seen the pipes and you would like to try, now is your chance!
Just email for an information pack. Enquiries welcome. Classes in Malahide.
“Toots was delighted to chat with Manager Joy Murray of Irish Rails building & properties regarding their plans for long awaited public toilet facilities in Malahide Train Station. Exiting and anxious visitors from platform 1 with their back teeth floating will be eased when the facilities are in place is welcome news indeed.
Also, please check our Dart Station board and communicate with the mobile number highlighted.
We’ve got old web pages giving outdated info so while we’re trying to remove the old web pages timings and the 2013 prices other than that we’re 10.30am start from castle but can drop down a little earlier for dart station visitors when contacted in advance. Go Toots!”