Labour Councillor Mark Boland is one of two new councillors who have been co-opted to Fingal County Council to help fill vacancies created in the Rush-Lusk and Castleknock Local Electoral Areas.

Labour nominated Cllr Boland to fill the new vacancy created by the departure of Kevin Humphries. He will represent the Rush-Lusk area. Endorsed by Cllr Brendan Ryan, Cllr Boland said it was a huge honour and privilege to accept a role as local councillor.

Saying that he was immensely proud to call Fingal home, Cllr Boland said that having worked within the Irish media industry for a number of decades that he has been taught the value of collaboration, creativity, perseverance, and dedication. Alongside his professional career, he said that he has been deeply involved in the community, whether that is playing, coaching, or leading local football and soccer clubs or serving on the various community committees. Becoming a Councillor in the region, he said, would allow him to help amplify the voices of the local people and help build a thriving and inclusive community.

Meanwhile, Solidarity nominated Cllr Helen Redwood following last year’s General Election that saw Deputy Ruth Coppinger move to Dáil Éireann in the Castleknock constituency. Cllr John Burtchaell supported her nomination.

The Fingal County Council Arts Office has announced that there are now a number of awards and residencies available for 2025, providing welcome support for professional artists across a range of career stages and disciplines.

To help artists prepare their submissions in advance, a new calendar has been produced which showcases the various organisations that Fingal has partnered with and provides a time stamp for the opening and closing dates for each award.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh said: “Art cultivates a community’s sense of belonging and pride, which is why we want to support artists as much as possible so they can share their passion and creativity with the public. For over 20 years Fingal has been celebrating the amazing contribution of artists across the county, and we know that these awards and bursaries have really helped develop the careers of local talent in different disciplines.”

The awards and residencies include: The Performing Arts Forum; The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts; The Ardgillan Castle Studio Award; Tyrone Guthrie Centre and Age & Opportunity; The Graphic Studio Dublin Fine Art Print Residency; The Draíocht Studio Award and The MART Gallery and Studios Graduate Award.

Fingal County Council Arts Officer, Sarah O’Neil remarks: “This showcase detailing our upcoming awards and residencies is essential for professional artists, as it offers both space and time in order to expand and strengthen their practice. These awards also offer a nurturing environment allowing artists to connect with their peers, which is one of our strategic goals of the Fingal County Council Arts plan 2019-2025, ‘Connecting People and Ideas.”

To view the awards calendar go to: https://ow.ly/EW6B50VftuW. More information on each of these awards and residencies will become available on our website and online closer to the time of applications opening. To find out more about current and previous awards, please see: www.fingalarts.ie and www.fingal.ie/arts

Introduction: Are you looking to try something new, exciting, and full of energy? Whether you’re an experienced athlete or new to sports altogether, Gaelic football offers a fun and inclusive way to stay active, make friends, and become part of a vibrant community. We’re welcoming new players, and we’d love for you to join us!

Why You Should Join
Inclusive for All Skill Levels: Whether you’ve never played before or you’re already a seasoned player, Gaelic football is all about learning and growing together.

Get Fit and Have Fun: The sport offers an excellent full-body workout while keeping things fun and engaging.

Meet New People: Join a welcoming and supportive group where making new friends is as easy as kicking a ball.

A Unique Sporting Experience: Experience the rich history and culture of Gaelic football, a game that’s been played for generations.

What You’ll Experience
Training & Coaching: Our dedicated coaches will help you develop your skills in a positive, supportive environment.

Game Day: There’s nothing quite like the thrill of playing a match, whether you’re on the field or cheering from the sidelines.

Team Spirit: From training sessions to social events, you’ll become part of a team that values friendship and mutual respect.

Getting involved is simple! Just Call Marian 0876819540 for more information. No previous experience required—just bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll help you from there!

So, are you ready to get started? We’re excited to welcome you to our Gaelic football family. No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you here. Come see what the buzz is all about, and let’s kick off this exciting adventure together!

Also, this year marks our 90th year as a club. There are lot of special events and commemorative activities planned. Please keep an eye on our social media platforms to follow all updates.

By Ken Duffy

Swords Tidy Towns members Georgy Hughes, Rose Brennan and Matt Cullen recently accepted their National Gold Medal and our Highly Commended EPA Circular Economy Award at the Awards Ceremony in Athlone.

This Gold Medal is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work put in by so many volunteers over the past 20 years. Each volunteer has played their part in achieving this gold medal, they have all done the town of Swords proud.

Fingal County Council our local Representatives and business played their part also on this journey and for that we are very grateful, long may this partnership continue.

Swords Mens Shed Media Hub is providing a platform for local hidden talent.

Performers - the Swords Mens Shed are looking for readers of their short stories and actors for their upcoming Radio Dramas for debut Podcast and YouTube platforms.

Writers - It you have a short story, a drama script or poem that you would like performed why not make contact with me. Email: jimhawkins@eircom.net Phone : 086-0262780

Celebrating Tradition, Friendship and Generous Support. Centrally located on the Swords Road, within sight of Dublin Airport, Sportslink Bowls Club stands as a beacon of camaraderie and friendly competitiveness. With 25 years of history behind us, our club has grown to become a cherished gathering place for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

The club is thrilled to announce that they have recently received generous funding from Fingal County Council, a gesture that has invigorated our club. This support has enabled us to purchase new equipment, including special equipment for our older and less vigorous members, who are a hugely important part of our club. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fingal County Council for their invaluable contribution which ensures that our club will thrive for many years to come.

The club story begins 25 years ago, when a group of bowlers just gathered on the Sportslink bowls green, united by their shared love of bowls. Over the years, we have expanded our membership, with limited facilities, to become the thriving friendly club that we are today.

The Bowls Club is more than just a sports facility.It is a vibrant social centre, where lifelong friendships are forged. We take part in league, cup, championship and practice sessions, with social events that bring together families and friends. Our club prides itself on its inclusive atmosphere, encouraging everyone to take part, regardless of age, ability or disability.

Whether you are a seasoned bowler, or a curious newcomer, we invite you to join our Bowls Club. Come and experience the joy of the game, the warmth of our community, and the beauty of our surroundings. Together we can continue to build on our proud history, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

JKS Swords Karate Club is the lead JKS Dojo in Ireland, promoting, teaching and supporting the development of JKS Karate in Ireland. In February, we ran the JKS Ireland Open Championships which was attended by over 20 Karate Clubs nationally and boasting over 200 competitors and 400 category entries. A great day was had by all.

Our membership is growing but we are still looking for new members to join us (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

By Ken Duffy

Would you like to join a National Gold Medal winning team, then why not volunteer with Swords Tidy Towns, we are always on the lookout for new members.

You may have a skill that would be beneficial to our group, Bricklaying, Painting, Carpentry, Mural Artwork, Craft Skills, etc that could contribute to our bid for a second National Gold Medal in 2025.
We always need enthusiastic volunteers to help with Litter Picking, Weeding and Planting, Graffiti Removal, Water Testing etc and help at our Swop Shops. It’s a great way of meeting new people who share a common interest, which is the ongoing improvement of Swords town.

Follow and Friend us on our Facebook, Instagram and X, keep up to date by visiting our Web page. We can be contacted on swordstidytowns@gmail.com or by contacting Ken on 086-6008313.

Daffodil Day on March 28th will see the village or Rush turn yellow when Rush Daff Day Committee and volunteers take to the streets to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Since 1988 this community voluntary group has worked for a common cause, heightened in most cases by their own experiences of cancer with family or friends. We are conscious that it’s the supporters and not the organisers who deserve the praise, the people of Rush are generous beyond belief.

Their amazing hard work and the generosity of the community over the years means that research into Cancer, trying to find a cure, supporting families thru their cancer journey, offering lifts to treatments and many other supports are able to continue. Rush has donated over 1-million-euro Irish Cancer Society and will continue to donate for 2025.

Rush Daff Day group started in 1988 with members of Rush Badminton club holding a raffle raising a sum of £189. In 1990 the group took to the streets, selling silks, pins and merchandise and this tradition together with the annual coffee morning has continued to date. In 1998 the Paddy Cole Dance Night was started to raise funds; this became a huge success and ran for six years. In 1999 the Golf Classic started, bringing in large sums of money for the cause. The annual Christmas Swim which is now in its 15th year and the Ladies Lunch which started in 2006 are two more fundraising events. Tickets for the ladies’ lunch are usually the most sought-after item during the month of April/May, this event is hugely popular and raises not only awareness but much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society. The Garden of Hope in Rush Library, Michelle’s Fun Run as well as our Dash & Splash event are some of the other events run over the weekend.

Local schools support the fundraising event and St Joseph’s Secondary school transition year students support us year on year. We hope that this will encourage the younger members of our community to continue the fight against cancer and join the Daff Day Committee.

We will continue to fundraise, and our moto is ‘we wont give up till cancer does’ will be what carries us on to collect for this cause that effects almost every home in the village

In 2025, we’re celebrating The Year of the Snake with a vibrant themed parade: Snakes!
This ties together the legendary story of St. Patrick chasing the snakes out of Ireland and the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Snake.

We’re calling on all local community groups to help make this event as colourful, musical, and lively as possible! Whether your part of a school, club, or organization, we’d love your creativity in crafting floats, costumes, and decorations that bring this theme to life.

We’ll be collaborating with local junior and senior schools to create snake-themed floats, artwork, and parade pieces—ensuring a day filled with colour, music, and excitement!

Save the Date: St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2025. Location: Rush National School to the Anchor on the Square

Let’s join together to celebrate our national day in spectacular style. Slither on down and be part of this unforgettable parade!

For more information or to get involved, please contact us at manager@rushcoco.ie