The Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce is committed to supporting our member businesses, and we recently had the pleasure of exploring the fantastic activities available at Flynn Park. Joined by Shaun Flynn, Managing Director of the Park and representatives from the Fingal County Council Economic, Enterprise, Tourism, and Cultural Development Department, as well as our Chamber members and Brouder Marketing, we were all truly impressed by the diverse range of options on offer!
Flynn Park is a treasure trove of activities, catering to all interests. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing sauna, seeking thrills on water inflatables, enjoying cozy teepee tents, or indulging in delicious food from local food trucks, Flynn Park has something for everyone.
Looking to organize a team-building exercise or a pre-season bonding experience? Flynn Park is ready to tailor a package that meets your specific needs. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to create lasting memories with your family or group!
For more information and to book your visit, contact Flynn Park today at events@flynnpark.ie
Flynn Park, Courtlough, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, K32 N884.
flynnpark.ie
Photo credit: Andrew Collins Photography
Tom O’Neill of our Branch recently met the CEO of the Gaelic Players Association, Tom Parsons. The two Toms are Mayo men and get on very well. The G.P.A this year have put €10,000 into the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as sponsorship with more to come! The Two Toms were in the G.P.A corporate box in Croke Park in July for the football quarter finals. Feericks Hotel of Rathowen are the sponsors of the Mayo shirt Tom O’Neill is wearing and that hotel is a great supporter of the Guide Dogs through having a large collection dog on the premises. Our Balbriggan / North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs would like to thank John Feerick, owner of the Feerick Hotel and another Mayo man for his support as well as the Gaelic Players Association to the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
The Balbriggan / North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs attended Skerries Mills market on the 16th of August, with more details to follow in our next article. Our Branch will also be having it’s coffee morning in the Senior Citizens Hall in Balbriggan on 23rd September where cakes and coffees will be had and a raffle to win a hamper, come along and see our volunteers! If you are doing a tidy up and 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 Balbriggan / North County Dublin 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. Another way you can help us is if you have any old coins or stamps that are no longer in circulation. Annually our branch puts out this request, ‘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 dogs account.’ We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and large 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.
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.
This World Alzheimer’s Day takes place on Sunday 21st September and thousands of feet will hit the ground for one powerful reason — to walk for memories, for awareness, and for a future without dementia.
Join the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk supported by Aviva on Sunday, September 21st, as we come together in locations across the country to remember and honour those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — and the families who stand beside them every step of the way.
Why Walk? Because every step tells a story. A story of love, courage, and hope. With over 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland, and numbers expected to double by 2045, your support has never been more vital.
Let’s make 2025 the biggest and most meaningful walk ever! The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is calling on walkers to step up and help raise critical funds for our services like: Daycare and at Home Support; Family Carer Training; Alzheimer Cafés & Social Clubs and the National Helpline open Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–4pm
Expect a fun, family-friendly day out led by our incredible Local Champions, who are bringing energy, heart, and community spirit to every walk!
For more information on the Memory Walk please visit
www.alzheimer.ie.
Mike Power B.A M.A. MSc. has been living in Swords since 1990. A trained psychologist, Mike has lectured and written extensively in the fields of youth mental health and history. Mike’s trips to Gormanston College in the mid-1960s introduced the village of Swords to him. Mike writes regular history columns for various publications. Married with six grandchildren, his strange idea of ‘fun’ is wandering around his beloved Ward Valley Park, Swords, uncovering the wonderful story of those who once lived and worked there.
Swords – History and Mysteries - A Community Guide tells you about how a ‘newbie’ like me got bitten by the heritage bug. It also tells about how I go about doing my heritage work. Swords and Fingal are both historic areas full of interesting heritage and history areas for you and your family to explore and enjoy.
Part 1. Swords. – Strands from an Ancient Tapestry: This part sketches in the heritage background of Swords, an area so rich in history. Here, you will discover the places and people who made Swords into the village we see today.
Part 2. The Mysterious Heritage Hubs of Swords: This part examines six particular newly discovered Heritage Hubs in Swords. These hubs are examples of recently discovered local historical sites, that contain concentrated heritage from Swords’s past.
Part 3. Swords’s Story Reimagined in Twelve Historical Stories: This section recounts the story of Swords in 12 historical stories. In each one, we see these specific eras of the past through the eyes of an actual person who lived back at thisat time in history.
Part 4. Reprise and Renaissance: This part summarises the history of Swords and points a way forward for the future of Swords and its people.
For more information and where to purchase the book, Mike can be contacted at: mp9211198@gmail.com.
Article by Ken Duffy
Swords Tidy Towns had a great day out at the Vintage Picnic Concert in Swords Castle. We got stuck into a delicious picnic of our own which was generously sponsored by Supervalu in the Pavillions SC. We bumped into Swords Womenshed as we have done in previous years, them ladies sure know how to dress up and party. The Swords Tidy Towners group are no shy violets either, we were up showing off our moves to all and sundry. The bad weather forecast never turned up which was a blessing for this outdoor event. Well done to Fingal County Council for putting on such a wonderful age friendly event each year, as always, you played a stormer, can’t wait for next year.
Remember Swordonians, we are always looking for new volunteers, trust me, it’s all fun. We are also looking for volunteers to help out at our Clothes Swops, Seed and Plants Swops which are held at the Rivervalley Community Centre. Contact Ken on 086-6008313
We’re excited to announce the launch of this year’s Best Presented Estates Competition.
With fantastic prizes worth €1,000 sponsored by Member First Credit Union, there’s never been a better time to get involved! We’re looking to highlight and celebrate the most outstanding estates in Swords for their hard work, care and commitment to the community. We want to hear from you. If your estate has made changes or improvements since last year - big or small - we’d love to know!
Please share with us:
Your efforts make a real difference in the community, and we can’t wait to see the progress made.
Deadline for submissions is 6th July 2025. Please send your updates to: swordstidytowns@gmail.com
Areas to be evaluated by the judges: General Tidiness and Cleanliness: litter free, clean paths and communal areas, well maintained signage, overall first impression.
Landscaping and Green Spaces: Quality of planting and maintenance, creativity in green spaces.
Biodiversity Enhancements: Presence of features – bug hotels, wildflower areas & re-wilding efforts, pollinator planting, trees.
Winners announced at the Fingal Horticultural Annual Show at St Colmcille’s GFC on 4 August 2025
Skerries, May 20, 2025 — The Confidence Clinic is proud to announce the return of its Best Life Summer Camps, now running in 10 locations across Greater Dublin and Meath. Due to overwhelming demand from parents, the camps have expanded into areas like Castleknock, Skerries, Lusk, Swords, Beaumont, Stamullen, Rathfarnham, and Templeogue. All camps will run throughout July.
Our Best Life Summer Camps offer a unique and empowering experience for children aged 6–13. They use Life Coaching and Mentoring techniques developed over 11 years of coaching children. Each camp explores age-appropriate life lessons, from building friendships and handling tricky people to speaking up for yourself and developing emotional resilience.
In addition to engaging life discussions, children take part in outdoor games, arts and crafts, yoga, and guided meditations — helping them relax, express themselves, and build confidence in a fun, supportive space.
From our 2024 feedback, 92% of children reported learning something useful, and parents regularly describe noticeable improvements in their children’s communication, behaviour, and mindset. Thanks to these lasting, positive changes, the camps have grown in popularity since launching in 2018.
Caoimhe Tegart O’Grady, Owner of The Confidence Clinic, shares:
“One mother told us that after her children attended our camp, there was no fighting in their household. Her children were getting along and not bickering — something she thought was impossible. I explained that we’d covered topics like ‘water off a duck’s back’ and choosing your battles — tools that really stay with kids.”
She continues:
“Another mother asked on the last day, ‘What magic did you perform at your camp?’ Her anxious child had slept in her own bed for the entire week — something that hadn’t happened in years.”
We do guided meditations each day to help children to relax their body and mind, creating a calm space where they can reset and feel more grounded.
At our camps, the emphasis is always on fun and kindness. Children are encouraged to be themselves, step outside their comfort zones, and grow friendships in a safe, supportive environment. Our only rule? Be kind to each other.
As we expand across Greater Dublin, we aim to help children thrive socially and emotionally through meaningful learning and joyful play.
Book a place now: https://theconfidenceclinic.ie/summer-camps
OLIO is a free app dedicated to reducing food waste by connecting people with surplus food made available through local volunteers. Rather than letting good food go to waste or end up in landfill, OLIO helps ensure it’s shared within the community—for free.
In Rush, the fight against food waste has taken root thanks to the efforts of local volunteers, supported by Rush Tidy Towns. Every Thursday, a dedicated volunteer—registered with the HSE—collects surplus food from TESCO and redistributes it through the OLIO app. This ensures that perfectly good food is rescued and enjoyed, not discarded.
This initiative is more than just a practical solution to food waste: it’s a way to strengthen community ties and support environmental sustainability. Thanks to OLIO and the active participation of local residents by collecting surplus food, Rush is playing a positive role in the fight against food waste.
To take part, simply download the OLIO app and check what’s available in your area. Best time to check in Rush is Thursday from 8PM. Together, we can make a real difference.
STATS Since July 2022 until End of May 2025
A warm sunny Sunday brought out the crowds for this year’s Malahide Lions Vintage and Classic Motor Show which was held on 18th May in the Grand Hotel. The event was held in aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation (which provides countrywide home nursing and respite support for children with profound cognitive delay) and Bumbleance Children’s Ambulance Service (which provides a free professional ambulance service for long-term sick and seriously disabled children). The exhibition raised €22,000 for the two charities.
There was plenty to see on the day with a wonderful collection of classic cars and motorcycles. The vehicles ranged from exotic Italian brands like Maserati, Ferrari, Lancia and Lamborghini to classics such as Austins, Morris, Jaguars and Triumphs. Ireland’s only example of a 1960s Ferrari 275GTB was displayed at the show.
Over 3,000 day trippers, families and car lovers turned up to enjoy the car and motorbike display and with an ice cream stand, face painting and a fun and game stall, there was plenty to keep everyone very happy. A classic American fire engine provided plenty of fun and photo opportunities for the children as well.
The judges had a difficult time deciding on the winners of the Carole Nash Insurance trophies with so many worthy contenders on display. After much deliberation Car of the Show was awarded to an original 1975 Ford Granada Ghia Coupe owned by Andy Hennessy. Runner-up Car of the Show was the beautiful 1984 Jaguar XJS HE owned by Jerry Collins. The drivers themselves got to vote for the ‘My Dream Car’ award, and chose the 1950 Jaguar Mark V, owned by Eugene McArdle who was exhibiting for the first time at the show.
Malahide Lions Club would like to thank our sponsor Carole Nash Insurance Ireland. We would also like to thank our judges Michael McAleer of the Irish Times, Shauna O’Doherty of Carole Nash Insurance Ireland, and classic car and rally veteran Rory Dooley. Special thanks to the Grand Hotel, Malahide who allow us to use their grounds for the show and provided us with essential services and facilities.
A number of our drama group travelled down to Carlow for the day - organized by Anne Smithers, first we had a gorgeous lunch in the Merry Tree Restaurant and garden centre, then into the chocolate factory to make chocolate castings followed by shopping and ending the day with a delicious meal in the Teach Dolmain Restaurant.
The Swords ICA Guild ladies invited us to join them for our summer outing. We travelled down to the beautiful Johnstown Castle for the day. The guide in the Castle gave us a wonderfully detailed tour of the Castle which was followed then with a meal in the Arklow Bay Hotel.
There are no meetings in July and August but resuming in September. New members are welcome.
