The Aisha AED Initiative and Balbriggan Community Council had officially announced the new 24/7 accessible AEDs in Balbriggan Garda Station. The event took place on 29th June at 1pm with some light refreshments on the day.
This is just the first AED to be rolled out under the Aisha AED Initiative.
This AED and cabinet was funded by Fingal Count Council in collaboration with Balbriggan Garda. The Aisha AED Initiative is a sub-committee of Balbriggan Community Council and the young people involved were successful in receiving European funding for the initiative.
Further free AED and CPR training will be rolled out in the coming months.
There were great scenes on the Fingal coastline when the Fingal Rowing Club Regatta took place off the coast of Balbriggan.
Clubs from the Fingal area and further afield took to the waters on Saturday 13th July, much to the delight of rowing enthusiasts and locals alike.
Personality TV host and food writer Donal Skehan has welcomed a new Fingal Food & Drink Policy which looks to create a sustainable and vibrant food community in the County, celebrating local food provenance and positioning Fingal as a premier culinary tourism destination.
The well-known Fingal native was at Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate ahead of Flavours of Fingal - Ireland’s largest county show - for the launch of the new policy which has a strong focus on sustainability and tourism development.
Fingal boasts a thriving food and drink sector encompassing diverse culinary traditions, local producers and a flourishing hospitality sector. Recognising the ongoing importance of fostering a long term, sustainable and thriving food sector, the policy was developed following an extensive process of consultation and research.
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: “Food and drink are significant sectors within Fingal, and it is vital that we have in place a co-ordinated, proactive, and sustainable approach to their ongoing development. The launch of this policy is positive step that will help make Fingal a leader in the agri-food sector nationally and further develop our food tourism potential.
“By adopting an innovative piece of work like this, we will be able to showcase our thriving local food culture, promote artisan produce and highlight wonderful food experiences, thereby ensuring that Fingal can be put firmly on the map as a premier culinary tourism destination.”
Along with a focus on sustainability, the new policy will look at helping support businesses and economic growth, develop greater food tourism experiences, engage the community on the benefits of their local food provenance, celebrate Fingal’s horticultural history and celebrate culinary excellence across the county.
Attending the event, Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: “As a local resident I am delighted to see a focus on the promotion and enhancement of the food and drink sector in the region. Fingal is home to an impressive number of heritage attractions where food is of paramount importance. What’s more, it is a place that gives visitors and locals alike access to some amazing experiences like Flavours of Fingal, the Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival, craft beer and whiskey tastings and so much more. I look forward to seeing the impact this policy will have on enhancing Fingal as hub for culinary excellence.”
Through strategic partnerships, innovative programmes and effective communication, the Policy aims to create a thriving and resilient food community that contributes to the economic, social and cultural well-being of Fingal.
John Quinlivan, Director of Economic Development and Tourism, commented: “For many years Fingal’s food and drink sector has played a significant role in the local economy. We want to encourage further development of the sector in a way that is not only sustainable but is done in close collaboration with the many communities and stakeholders across the county. By working together, we can boost tourism, generate employment opportunities, and ensure that Fingal plays a crucial role in shaping the growth and future of the Irish food and beverage industry.”
The Policy, commissioned by Fingal County Council, is a collaboration between the Tourism and Economic Development Departments and the Local Enterprise Office Fingal. The launch event at the historic Newbridge location included a lunch and showcase marquee from the members of Fingal Food Network who have been supported by Fingal County Council since their inception.
The 2024 Fingal Poetry Slam is coming to the Carnegie Free Library in Swords on 10th July and local poets are being encouraged to enter to be in with the chance of winning the chance to perform at the Grand Slam event later this year.
Poets of all experience levels are welcome to enter the event and are asked to come prepared to perform two poems of their choice.
Heats have already taken place in Malahide, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown with the Swords event hosting the final round. The events have been very well attended and the organisers are hoping for the same on 10th July.
Poets and audience members will also be entertained by host Sheila Ryder, The Poet Geoff, and there will also be live music from Ange Boxall.
The event is free, but tickets are required and can be booked by visiting fingalpoetryfestival.ie and visiting the Eventbrite link.
Regular training took place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays this month. All students are training really well with an eye on grading at either the JKS National Grading in Drumcondra or at the Club grading next month. The grading’s for new belts are important milestones for each student as they become more proficient at their Karate practice.
We linked in with our JKS Tallaght friends for a fundraising Bag pack for the JKS Ireland Squad members (some who are from JKS Swords), going to Japan in July for the World Karate Championships. We did really well and the funds will go directly to the Squad members to help them with the expenses of this trip.
This month (May), we are delighted to host Masao Kagawa Shihan, 9th Dan JKS, for a three-day seminar. Kagawa Shihan is the World Chief Instructor of JKS Karate and we are very fortunate that he visits Ireland once a year. Over the three days, Kagawa Shihan will instruct members of JKS Swords and other JKS clubs in many technical aspects of karate. He will also conduct Dan grading’s (Black Belt examinations) and Qualifications in areas such as Judging and Refereeing. A full report of the Seminar will follow in next month’s edition of our Club news.
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
It won’t have escaped your attention that there has been a huge amount of work and activity going on around Rush over the last few weeks, as the army of Rush Tidy Towns volunteers swing into action and get the town looking amazing in preparation for the annual Tidy Towns competition. In recent weeks, the Rush Tidy Town volunteer group have been involved in a frenzy of activity with daily litter picks, weeding of flower beds, painting road and street signs, refurbishing bins, scraping kerbs and rejuvenating local landmarks. The difference this group of dedicated and selfless volunteers make to the town cannot be overstated. They have put in an incredible amount of work and it has paid off. Rush looks great. Credit too should also go to the local businesses who keep their premises looking spick and span. The main street is looking all the more welcoming because of it. Even Rush Community Centre has been given a patriotic face lift thanks to grant funding from Fingal County Council. Rush Community Council Chairperson Brian Doherty said, “Rush is truly blessed to have a volunteer group who are as active and involved as Rush Tidy Towns. Under the leadership of their chairperson Brendan O’Reilly they have gone from strength to strength. Rush Community Council wants to thank them for all of their hard work and to wish them all the best in this year’s Tidy Towns competition. They have done the town proud.”
The local elections took place on the 7th of June with 40 seats on Fingal County Council up for election. The Rush-Lusk local election area is one of seven LEA’s in Fingal and saw the election of five Councillors. Heading the poll was Cllr Rob O’Donoghue with 3,185 first preference votes and being deemed elected on the first count for his second five-year term on the Council.
Speaking about the results, Councillor O’Donoghue stated, ‘I would like to say thank you to the people of Rush for your support in the Local Elections. I am genuinely overwhelmed at receiving 26% of first preference votes in the constituency. I am going to continue to work hard for all my constituents and will be available as always for any issues large or small. I would like in particular to thank my canvassers, leafleters and posterers with which I would never have been able to cover the ground that we did, I am eternally grateful for their support.
There is a lot of work to do in the coming Council terms and there are a number of projects that I would like to see continue to be progressed in Rush including, the Rush Sports Hub, the Rush Town Centre First Plan and to aid in the delivery of school facilities for the town. I look forward to representing the town for the duration of the term to the very best of my ability.’
The members of the Rush Parent and Toddler Group move into their summer break after a very eventful 2023/2024 and the children, and parents, are now enjoying their holidays.
From season-themed events to their weekly activities in the Rush Community Centre, the toddlers have had an exciting year. Sarah Smith from Rush Parent & Toddler group gave a brief outline of the year and how other parents can get their toddlers involved.
“We’ve had various other events over the course of the 23/24 year including a Halloween box fort, First Aid course, the Santa van and bauble making crafts at Christmas, and giant hearts for Valentines Day.”
“We do ask a donation of €4 per family to cover room rental at the Community Centre and insurance costs. We provide tea, coffee and biscuits for adults and small snacks for the babies and toddlers. We meet most Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm in Room 2 at the Community Center,” Sarah added.
It was an absolute privilege and honour to represent the town of Rush, the wider Rush / Lusk Ward and previously the Balbriggan Ward on Fingal County Council over the last ten years. I would like to thank the residents and voters for the engagement and support during my period as a public representative. I would in particular like to thank my family, team of canvassers and helpers for their support both throughout the years while on the Council, as well as with the recent election campaign which would have started on the Dublin/Meath border a few months ago.
I would like to take the opportunity to wish the recently elected Rush / Lusk Ward Councillors Robert O Donoghue, Corina Johnston, Cathal Boland, Eoghan Dockrell and Paul Mulville all the best as they take up their new positions and in particular the new first time elected Councillors.
Getting elected and failing to get re-elected are just different sides of the same coin in some respects in politics and you have to take the good days with the bad.
I am currently involved in multiple community organisations in and around the town of Rush, it is my intention to remain involved, with the intention of contesting future elections as they arise. In the meantime, I will be monitoring what I would call the several ‘work in progress’ projects which I had been working on in the background, an example of which would be the purchase by Fingal County Council of the 28-acre site as a community resource in Knockdromin House adjacent to the Rush / Lusk train station.
I would also like to take the opportunity to express my commiserations to my hard-working colleague Adrian Henchy current Mayor of Fingal County Council and wish him and his family all the best going forward.
Rush 38th Cubs recently ventured to Roscommon on their annual camp. Roving reporter and Cub Scout “Sixer” Maeve Doherty is here to tell us all about it, “As a member of the Rush 38th cubs I can tell you the camp, which started on the 31st of May and ended on the 3rd of June, was certainly one to remember. On the Friday evening after school, 30 excited cubs boarded a very noisy three-hour bus drive to Lough Key, Roscommon. Then, we walked to our camp site where a delicious bag of chicken nuggets and chips awaited each of us. The theme of the camp for this year was “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Camp lasted for three nights, and every single day was filled with joy, and excitement. We did lots of activities including admiring the peaceful view of Lough Key while we also had the opportunity to get on the water and go rowing with the ducks. We also went on a gorgeous tree canopy walk. On our walk we learned about Rockingham House, which was designed by the same person who designed Buckingham palace. We also learned that the house burned down in a house fire while the owners were away. A tall building has been put up to mark were the house once stood. We got to climb to the top of the building to see the gorgeous view. We also went through the servant tunnels and through basement. After that we went on a boat tour of the lake while also singing karaoke. On the second day of camp, we went to Boda Borg which is a collection of escape rooms. The rooms were very challenging, but we all had a great time there. At the end of the day, we had a super fun disco with lights and great music. We even let other scout troops at the camp site join in. We all had a great time at camp all thanks to our amazing leaders who looked after us and made the camp so fun.”
