We would like to thank all estates who entered our Best Presented Estate competition this year. It gets harder every year to judge. Ravenswell came in first position this year as they are not only the neatest and cleanest estate we visited this year, they also added more biodiversity and sustainable features to their area. They include water butts for watering, a composter for their grass cuttings and some more berry bushes to add to their fruit trees. Each flower bed has pollinator friendly plants and they have poo bag dispensers hanging for anyone who is caught out..

Second place is St Catherine’s this year. They continue to lead the way when it comes to biodiversity within their community. Their community garden is thriving and the sunflowers are pushing to the sky. Their flower beds are stunning and their new area which has benches for people to sit and chat are a really bonus for the community. The estate has a bit of everything for everyone.

Third place this year is a newcomer. Woodland Park has proven simplicity can be just as beautiful and award winning as busier estates. Their edging cannot be beaten and their namestone is stunning with a fabulous mix of bedding and perennial pollinators. It is eye catching for all who pass by. They have a beautiful area with a lovely tribute to one of their residents and the new fruit trees are a fabulous addition.

We look forward to seeing how anyone can top this next year. Thanks again to all who entered. Thank you to Rush Community Council for sponsoring the competition.

Rush Best Presented Businesses 2025
Here are a few photos of the winners of the best presented Rush Businesses 2025.
1st Rush Community Centre
2nd The Harbour Bar
Best Newcomer Bird of Paradise

It has to be said though that so many businesses are making a huge effort to make Main Street look lovely and colourful during the Summer and we are very grateful for all your efforts. Thank you to all the volunteers who walk the Rush beaches daily and pick litter along the way. There wasn’t a whole lot to pick this evening during a walk on the South Beach.

Malahide Basketball Club has been chosen winners of the Dublin County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. EUR5,000 has been presented to the Club to fund additional equipment and training sessions to cater for the increasing rise in membership numbers.

Founded in 1977, Malahide Basketball Club is one of the largest in the country, playing out of six gyms in the locality, with over 500 members and 32 teams. The only club to have attained the Basketball Ireland Platinum Award for best practice and governance, it caters for boys and girls of all ages from 8 upwards, along with a senior section too. With a 65% female membership, one of its key goals is to keep teenage girls playing sport.

Congratulating the county winners on the immense contribution that they make to the heart of community life in Ireland, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited was particularly praiseworthy of the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers, and noted that “since its inception, we are proud to have distributed almost €650,000 to a variety of more than 125 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative.”

Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan. Describing the Dublin club as ‘a truly deserved recipient’, he went on to add: “Malahide Basketball Club is an amazing club with a fantastic membership base – reflected in the number of teams it produces. I’m delighted the Texaco funds will be used to purchase additional equipment that will leave a legacy in the Club for the next generation. Well done all, you slam dunked it!”

Entries for the 2026 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open again in the New Year for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously.

Every Thursday 10.30am | St. Benedict’s Road Malahide

What is a mens shed?

It is a community based organisation open to all men regardless of age or background. Mens Sheds are grassroots, member focused spaces which offer men a pressure free environment in which to share skills, make new friends and connect with the community.

What Happens,

Everything and anything! The activities are decided entirely by the members and participation is the decision of each member. At the shed, each man is a teacher and a learner, each having different levels of skills, professional and practical, to share collectively or just come and have a chat and a cuppa if that is all you are looking for. Men can talk about things important to them, and can improve their own wellbeing by keeping physically, mentally and socially active.
Who runs a Mens Shed?

Each shed is run by it’s own members. The members elect a committee to manage the affairs of the shed. The shed is connected to all other sheds via the Irish Mens Shed association

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MALAHIDE MENS SHED

St Benedict’s, Estuary Road, Malahide, Co. Dublin

Every Thursday 10.30am.

Contact Liam – 0872214431

Ample Parking

42/102 Bus, stop outside both

Portmarnock Irish Countrywomen’s Guild is having an Open Evening on Wednesday 8th October at 8pm at The Arch Club in the grounds of Portmarnock church. There will be a crafts display, a raffle and tea/coffee will be available with cakes. Our guild provides a warm welcome for new members which offers friendship, fun activities (line dancing, chair aerobics, fitness to music, ceili dancing) and crafts (Christmas decorations, wreaths and cards, painting on silk, decoupage, knitted angels) and day and weekend away trips,

The Malahide Lions Art Exhibition and Sale will take place this year in the Gaffney Hall, at the rear of St. Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, over the weekend of the October Bank Holiday.

The principal beneficiary of funds raised this year will be St. Michael’s House, Special National School, Baldoyle (www.smhbaldoyleschool.ie ), with support also to local charities.

Baldoyle Special National School enables pupils in our region to flourish in a caring and stimulating environment. Emphasis is on learning and achievement for all pupils with a focus on everyone’s level of ability, and all progress is celebrated and rewarded. Additional funds are urgently required to upgrade specialist developmental support equipment.

The Lions are so fortunate and indeed extremely grateful that the Art Exhibition and Sale is again receiving the wonderful support from many renowned artists and our own celebrated Malahide artists to provide a stimulating and entertaining collection for public viewing over the holiday weekend. Several artists have donated to a raffle which will take place on Monday 27th. For further information contact malahidelionsclub@gmail.com

All are welcome and admission is free.

Details:
The Art Exhibition will be held in The Gaffney Hall, at the rear of St. Sylvester’s Church, Malahide, K36 HR63, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 25-27 October 2025.

Hours are as follows -
Saturday 25th October, 5pm to 8pm.
Sunday 26th October, 11am to 8pm.
Monday 27th October, 11am to 5.30pm.

Wishing club members well in the Dublin City Marathon which takes place on Sunday 26th October. You’ve put in the miles over recent months so it’s time to enjoy the day and the whole marathon experience. As usual we will be organising a Marathon bus to and from the event. Please contact the club to book your seat.

Well done to our juveniles on the Cross-Country season to date and to our club members who volunteered at any of the events. Well done also to club athletes who were in race action during recent weeks.

We enjoyed our fantastic annual garden party hosted by Maria Baird and her team, with entertainment by Gerry and the Plonkers.

The Lusk ICA ladies also enjoyed a relaxing Spa Day in the Beautiful Johnstone House Hotel recently.

Our thanks to Mary Hassett and Mary Hagan for hosting the recent coffee morning in aid of Gaza, where she raised over €3,000 and still counting.

We also joined the Lusk Senior Citizens for a great day out to Kilkenny Castle recently, and the Woodstock Gardens followed by a lovely meal Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow. Thanks to Kitty McCormack and her team for organizing.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd October at 8.15 in the Lusk Scouts new members are very welcome to come along.

Lusk Village Quarter - Planning Application:
Earlier in the year, Fingal Co Council sought more information on the planning application submitted for the final phase of the Lusk Village Quarter. Among some of the information requested included the crèche location and accessibility and pub/restaurant location.

During the summer, the developers, McGarrell Reilly requested a three-month extension in which to submit the required information. This means that the developer has until 17th December in which to submit the information after which FCC will review and made a decision. Unfortunately, this means that the building on the much-needed amenities will be delayed until the planning application is approved, likely to now be in Quarter 1 2026.

Town Centre First - Regeneration:
During the summer, Fingal County Council hosted three workshop meetings with the community in preparation for the setting up of a new Town Team structure.

The Team, once in place will work with FCC in allocating various projects contained within the Lusk for Life Plan to community groups to implement. It is hoped that the Town Team structure will be finalised in October.

Summer Festival
On 3rd September, it was agreed to establish a new standalone committee, the Summer Festival Planning team to start planning for the festival for 2026.

Santa Truck – Save the Date!
Lusk has been offered an exciting opportunity to host the Santa Truck in 2025. The truck which travels around Ireland to bring Christmas cheer in aid of the Laura Lynn charity is due to visit Lusk on Friday, 12th December. LAG will be providing support to organise the event. More information will be available next month but for now, save that date!

By Ken Duffy

Swords Tidy Towns have been consulting over the last few months with various companies that manage commercial properties in the town.

The Castle Shopping Centre has undergone a long overdue facelift and is looking so much better for it. Swords based Paul Reddy Property Team worked closely with Swords Tidy Towns during the whole facelift process, this is community teamwork at its best.

Joe Callan Town Mall also worked closely with us. He replaced all the damaged barrel planters and provided the new plants for all the planters. Again excellent community teamwork.

We have been working closely with Cllr Darren Kelly who has communicated on our behalf with the new management company who are to take over shortly at Forest Mews on the Forest Road. This area has been a constant eyesore for a long period and a bone of contention for us, as it was always the Swords Tidy Towns volunteers who cleaned up the mess. The whole area is in need of a major facelift. Soundings from the new management company appear to be in favour of this happening. Yet another great example of community teamwork.

Ian Hunter manager of the Pavilions Shopping Centre has had a close relationship with Swords Tidy Towns for a number of years. As a passerby or shopper, you will be aware of the major improvement works being carried out around the front area of the shopping centre, this will also include creative works on the Pavillion roundabout. Swords Tidy Towns prior to the start of works had been liaising with Ian Hunter who kept us up to date on the type of works and a proposed start date. Swords Tidy Towns are excited about this project and can’t wait to see the finished works, we believe it will enhance the area enormously. Once again it is worth reiterating how important community spirit and teamwork is between business and local voluntary organisations, when we work together, we can move mountains.

Swords Tidy Towns are always looking for new members, just show up on a Saturday morning, we meet in the car park of Cove & Co previously Colourtrend opposite the Garda Station at 10am. Hope to see you there, check out our Facebook page.

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.

“I would recommend Toastmasters to everyone, you meet like-minded people from all walks of life who are interested in personal development, communication and leadership skills.”
says Seamus Hynes, member of Swords Toastmasters.

A typical meeting consists of prepared speeches, Table Topics™ (impromptu speeches) and evaluations.
The club is now inviting new members to join their group. Get in touch today for an obligation free visit and take the first step towards finding your voice and changing your life!

Swords Toastmasters; Date: Every 2nd Monday Location: Old Borough School, Church Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 Y179. Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.

For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.

About District 71

District 71 comprises more than 200 corporate and community clubs in Ireland, Scotland, Northern Wales, Northern England, Midlands, and East of England. To learn more about District 71 please visit: Toastmasters UK North & Ireland – District 71

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, with over 265,000 members in more than 13,800 clubs in nearly 150 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org.