We at St Colmcilles are looking to grow our teams. If you are interested in playing Gaelic football, please come along. Training will resume for this programme Thursday 29th August

Save the date 24th August. For the community of Swords, we are holding our annual Family Fun Day. All welcome!

Are you new to area. Looking to meet more people. Gaelic for Mothers and others is a great way for women of all ages to meet new people. Call Deirdre on 087-9309962 if you are interested.

Next year, 2025, St Colmcilles will mark its 90th year, we are looking to create a book of memories. If you have a story to tell or photos of years gone by, please email them into us - stcolmcillesswords@gmail.com

Members of Swords Karate Club gathered recently in their final preparations before travelling to Tokyo Japan for the JKS World Karate Championships 2024.

They attended an early morning training session on Portmarnock Beach where they trained solidly for an hour covering the required Kihon, Kata and Kumite that will prepare them for the Championships. Following this, the Squad braved the 13C water for some team building exercises. Great fun was had by all!

Later the Squad convened for another, more technical training session in which Dermot Sensei brought them through the finer elements of competing in karate. The session was rounded off with the Squad being presented with their official Squad Kit for the trip.

The Squad is looking forward to representing their Club and Country at the JKS World Karate Championships and would like to thank everyone in the community who supported them in their fundraising efforts to get the Squad to this point. A full report of the trip and results of the Championship will be in the next edition.

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

While the ‘Jacko’ park leading from Sword’s village is very familiar to local walkers, did you know that there is a continuation of this walk leading right up to Knocksedan Bridge, ie the Ward Valley Heritage Park? An un-sung part of Fingal’s extensive park portfolio, this most attractive area adjacent to Swords is ideal for hiking, dog-walking and adventuring.

Like many, I only got to know this fabulous part of Swords during Covid19. Going up there with our grandchildren was indeed a revelation. This park has abundance of heritage, from pre-historic remains, fine 17th cent follies, landscapes and walks; unrivalled scenic views, and lots of industrial archaeology from the 19th cent. It’s biodiversity, plants, trees and nature are unrivalled, the area having been left untouched by man for many years.

The Ward River itself is most scenic within the park, with many access-points for fishing, paddling or just ‘chilling out.’ The Park is one of easiest places to enjoy this river’s many attractions. Many local Swords folk would have had their first swimming lessons up here! The park also offers an abundance of walking trails, ideal for dog-walkers. The unspoiled biodiversity on offer here provides interest for all the family, of whatever age.

Children love exploring new places and this park certainly lots of exciting places for this. Walks can be short (30mins),longer(90mins) or 2 hrs for the longest. I’ve recorded some guided heritage walks in the park which can be found at: Mike Power/ Guided Walks/Youtube.

The Ward Valley Heritage Park has something to offer everyone, whether history-buff, hiker, nature-enthusiast, dog-walker or those just looking for a pleasant ramble in the great outdoors.

Getting There: By car, drive to Brackenstown roundabout. By bus, take the 41 to the Manor Inn and walk across to the Park. Walker’s access is continuing on past the Children’s Playground in the ‘Jacko’ into the Park. Not suitable for prams of buggies.

Highly recommended!

The Fingal 10k took place in Swords on Sunday 14th July in what was a superb event that saw a very large entry list taking to the roads in fantastic weather conditions.

The streets were lined with supporters attending the event that is part of the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Race Series that attracts entrants from Fingal, the Greater Dublin area and from around the country.

Hugh Armstrong was the first man home in a time of 29:39 making it back-to-back victories in the event for the Ballina AC member. There was also jubilation for Michelle Finn of Leevale AC who was the first woman across the line in a time of 34:35.

The top 3 men were: Hugh Armstrong Ballina AC 29:39; Jamie Fallon Craughwell AC 30:45; Peter Somba Ratoath AC 30:57

The top 3 Women were: Michelle Finn - Leevale AC 34:45; Caitlyn Harvey - Roadrunners AC 35:39; Kate Purcell - Raheny AC 35:46

Fingal County Council, Creative Ireland and the Irish School Orchestra presented ‘Orchestral Odyssey’ for children and families in Swords in June. The magic of a full orchestra was brought directly to children in school settings and families in the newly refurbished Carnegie Library

Swords Educate Together National School, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe and Scoil Chrónáín Senior National School responded to the invitation issued by Fingal Arts Office. Musicians Niall O’Sullivan, Shóna Henneberry and Denice Doyle visited each school over three weeks to mentor children in carefully selected songs about inclusivity, diversity, and resilience, alongside the intricate art of ensemble performance. Children were encouraged to explore the layers of orchestral compositions in preparation for performing in front of their peers accompanied by the 35 professional musicians forming the Irish School Orchestra.

Children got acquainted to the instruments of the orchestra and to the classical masterworks, memorable film scores, beloved TV themes and captivating opera & contemporary arias.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council commented, ‘Fingal Arts Office is committed to the enhancement of children’s music education and strives to establish educational partnerships that underscore the pivotal importance of music in a child’s development’.

Niall O’Sullivan, Musical Director said, ‘Highly skilled professionals are at the heart of the Irish School Orchestra, which serves as a catalyst for the development of young minds, inspiring audiences, and musicians alike’, he continued, ‘In an era defined by constant stimulation, this project offers children an oasis and an opportunity to witness the transformative magic of live music’.

Cruinniú na nÓg , Creative Ireland’s annual day of free creative activity for children and young people, has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2018. This event is unique to Ireland and is the flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan, which aims to enable the creative potential of children and young people.

Fingal County Council are planning to build a new Civic and Cultural Centre in the heart of Fingal’s county town. As part of the rejuvenation of Swords town centre the building, designed by renowned architects O’Donnell Tuomey, will include: a new County Library that will cover 3,000m2; a new theatre with seating for 165 people; a new art gallery exhibition space; a new Maker Space to encourage creativity; new studios and rehearsal rooms for the Arts; new archive and reference library and a new Café.

Outside the building the Council will open up Town Park by extending the grassed and landscaped area around the castle. The road and pedestrian spaces will be repaved and public access to the park at the Council Offices will be improved with the removal of railings and the installation of steps that will create a new open space incorporating County Hall, Swords Castle, Town Park and the Cultural Centre building.
The Council has opened public consultation on the plans for the Swords Cultural Centre on 7th July and has urge the public to have their say.

‘This is a major community development for Swords and everyone in Swords should take the opportunity to inspect the plans online or at the Council offices in Swords or Blanchardstown, Swords Castle and Council Libraries. Make a submission at www.consult.fingal.ie to give your thoughts and views. The Consultation will run until 22 August, so please let us know what you think.’

Environmental Awareness Beach Workshops - The Education for Sustainability and Fingal County Council are hosting a Beach workshop in August. Sign up by sending an email shown on the flyer.

Rush Map - If the good weather cleans up for August, then why not try some of the Rush Tidy Towns sponsored initiatives around the town? Details can be found on the map that are great free activities to do with the kids around Rush.

Estate Plants
We would like to convey a huge thank you to Fingal County Council for providing bedding plants to Rush Tidy Towns for distribution to estates throughout the town. If you would like to be included next year please send an email to tidytownsrush@gmail.com

Although our weekly meetings are on pause for the summer, our exciting outings certainly are not! Recently, we had an amazing trip to The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, made possible by the generous funding from Fingal County Council. We enjoyed a captivating and informative tour of the gardens, followed by a delightful tea and cake session at the café. Despite the occasional showers, we had a fantastic time and mostly managed to dodge the raindrops.

Looking ahead, we have an eagerly awaited community trip to Carlingford, the Mourne Mountains, and Newry, with a delicious dinner planned in Bettystown on our way back. All 60 seats are filled, and everyone is buzzing with anticipation for a wonderful day of exploration and camaraderie. Stay tuned for a full report and plenty of pictures in next month’s publication!

As always, feel free to contact us on 0892711406 or rushseniorcitizens@gmail.com. We love hearing from you!

It was quite a surprise to the community of teachers, pupils and parents at St Catherine’s National School when it was announced that the long-standing and much-admired Principal, Ger Ó Sé announced his retirement in the middle of May this year.

Mr Ó Sé had been Principal at St Catherine’s for fifteen years since his appointment in 2009 and had led during a period of significant expansion for the school and established the school as a centre for music and the arts within the area. Notable achievements included the establishment of the Fingal International Festival of Voices, the opening of the brand-new school building which was completed in March 2016 and the growth in student numbers to over 330 pupils.

On 26th June, pupils, parents, teachers and former students gathered for a celebration of Mr Ó Sé’s time at the school and to wish him well for his retirement. Many students sang, performed, read poems and spoke about their memories of how Mr Ó Sé had helped them at school. One recurring theme was fondness at which the children remembered being met at the gate by the principal each morning and the many, many high-fives and fist-bumps. Some even mentioned the occasional request to perform a dance before being allowed into the school on some mornings!

Andrew Mitchell, chair of Board of Management, spoke fondly about working with Mr Ó Sé and thanked him for all his hard work, commitment and dedication – including clearing the path with a shovel on winter morning after a heavy snowfall. On behalf of parents, Matthew Semple, chair of the Parents’ Association, spoke about how Mr Ó Sé had welcomed his family into the school community when they moved to Rush several years earlier and thanked him on behalf of both families from Rush and those who have moved to the town.

Teachers at the school also spoke about their experiences and described how Mr Ó Sé had shown great leadership and inspired their teaching whilst driving up standards and attainment. One teacher, 2nd Class teacher Stephen Hegarty, also spoke amusingly about how such was Mr Ó Sé’s love of music, that some of the staff had learnt to add a musical element to any requests as a way of guaranteeing success!
During the retirement assembly Mr Ó Sé received many gifts from those wishing to express their gratitude, including a 2024 Leaver’s Hoodies that was presented by a pupil in 6th Class, who like their principal will also be leaving the school this year. A very tall cake was also presented to Mr Ó Sé by keen baker Erin Cartlidge and like the story of the loaves and fishes, such was its size that it was sufficient to be shared out to all present after the assembly.

Towards the end of the assembly, Mr Ó Sé, spoke movingly about his time at St Catherine’s National School. He explained how his Mum who had taught him to read, inspired his own love of books and learning and who took him to school on his first day in 1968. Then in a very touching moment, he introduced his Mum who was in the audience and there to see his last day at school in 2024. Mr Ó Sé thanked everyone, including all the parents for the very good behaviour of their children and explained how his job had been so enjoyable that it had never felt like work.

We are sure that Mr Ó Sé, or Ger, will be greatly missed by a large number of students, teachers, staff, parents and the board of management as well as the wider Rush community.

Let’s Play Rush will be hosting it’s third annual Sports and Family Fun Day on 17th August 2024 at Tayleur’s Point. The event will run from 1-4pm and visitors can expect an afternoon packed with free fun and activity. Let’s Play Rush is a European initiative under the Urbact banner which seeks to bring play to the town of Rush.

Let’s Play Rush is sponsored by Fingal County Council and has been running regular events in Rush for the past four years. As Rush Community Council Chairperson Brian Doherty explained, “Let’s Play Rush is a fantastic initiative. Fingal County Council brought some representatives of the Urbact programme to Rush a few years ago. When they pitched the idea of creating stronger community bonds through organising playful events, we were in straight away. Now four years later, the Let’s Play Rush events are fixtures in the Rush community calendar and we’re still getting huge support from the County Council.” Tidy Towns Chairperson Brendan O’Reilly said, “Rush Tidy Towns have been involved from the start of Let’s Play Rush and the Summer Sports Day event is a great day out for everyone. There’ll be races and games, the annual tug-of war, the penalty kick challenge and face painting. Let’s Play Rush brings out a real sense of fun in everyone. If you haven’t had a sock fight with a bunch of grown adults, you haven’t lived. The event is free and everyone is welcome to join in.”