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
St Colmcille’s GFC are delighted to welcome the mobile unit from Marie Keating Foundation to our club house on Wednesday 5th June.
This initiative is part of our Healthy Club and is open to all in the community .
The mobile unit will be at the clubhouse 10am-11.45am. Then, from 12pm-1pm there will be a Health held in the building with the nurse. There will be information and advice available on the topics Breast, Prostate and skin cancers.
The members of Swords Meals on Wheels were delighted when they learned that local singer and artist Roly Daniels has donated one of his painting to support a fundraising raffle for the local group.
Organised with the help of the Swords Bridge Club, the Meals on Wheels members were approached by Roly who offered to donate his signed painting ‘The Old Mill in Swords’ that will be raffled to raise much needed funds for the group.
“We received a wonderful donation of a framed painting of ‘The Old Mill in Swords’ painted by none other than Roly Daniels the famous Irish singer, not only a terrific signer but also an accomplished artist that has had an exhibition recently in Donegal,” explained Niall MacNeill of Swords Meals on Wheels.
“Roly lives locally and wanted to do something to support Swords Meals on Wheels. This unique artwork will be raffled in aid of Swords Meals on Wheel. There will be 100 tickets, each ticket will cost €10. Swords Bridge Club were instrumental in organising this and we are extremely grateful to Roly for his time and skill. And to all in Swords Bridge Club for their support,” Mr MacNeill added.
Written by Nicole Bermingham
Every Tuesday night, as the streets of Dublin quiet down, a lively scene unfolds within the walls of the Santry Soccer Dome. It’s a gathering like no other, where the love for soccer intertwines with the spirit of camaraderie. Since joining in October 2023, my time at Ball Busters Social Soccer has been nothing short of magical, a weekly highlight that I eagerly anticipate.
Nestled within the heart of our community, the astro pitch transforms into a sanctuary where women of all backgrounds and skill levels come together to celebrate their love for the beautiful game. From the moment I stepped onto the pitch for the first time, I was greeted with smiles and encouragement, instantly feeling a sense of belonging among my fellow players.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Ball Busters Women’s Soccer is the camaraderie that permeates every match. It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about supporting and uplifting one another, both on and off the field. Whether we’re sharing tips on technique or cheering each other on during a particularly challenging game, there’s a palpable sense of sisterhood that unites us all.
What truly sets Ball Busters apart is its commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Regardless of our skill level or experience, each of us is valued and respected for the unique strengths we bring to the game. There’s no judgment or competition—just a shared passion for soccer and a determination to have fun while playing.
As the clock strikes 8 p.m. every Tuesday night, I feel a surge of excitement knowing that I’m about to embark on another unforgettable soccer journey. From the exhilarating rush of scoring a goal to the laughter that fills the air during post-match banter, each game is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the women who grace the field.
Beyond the physical benefits of playing soccer, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer provides a platform for personal growth and empowerment.
It’s a space where we can challenge ourselves, push our boundaries, and emerge stronger and more confident than ever before. Through the highs and lows of the game, we learn invaluable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and resilience—lessons that extend far beyond the soccer field and into our everyday lives.
In a world where women’s voices are often silenced or overlooked, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer stands as a beacon of empowerment and solidarity. It’s a reminder that when women come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And for that, I am eternally grateful to be a part of this incredible community.
By Matthew Semple
Growing up in a small village in rural north Somerset in the 1980s was definitely not a multi-cultural experience. There was a boy at school in the year below me whose father was from Pakistan and he was probably the only non-white child at the school. But when I was 11 years old my parents bought me a cassette of Paul Simon’s Graceland album for Christmas and that soon became my favourite tape. If you haven’t heard of it, look it up because it is worth a listen. There aren’t many albums that combine the unusual and exotic rhythms of South Africa with a middle-aged man singing cheerfully about going to parties in Manhattan, filing for divorce and negotiating a relationship with his young son.
No-one was expecting much of this album, especially as the singer’s previous two albums had flopped and he hadn’t had a hit for over ten years. But to everyone’s surprise it was a massive hit and sold 16 million copies – proving that success comes from unexpected places and that you can learn a lot from collaborating with people from other cultures.
And so it was that I was asked to compere the Multi-Culture Day at St Catherine’s National School on 24th May 2024 – or rather my wife said to me, “somebody ought to introduce the performers”. It is difficult to describe the atmosphere in the room when hundreds of people are sampling the images, artefacts and, importantly, the food from over a dozen countris representing their countries and cultures – but believe me, it was something very special and rare.
There were varied displays from, in no particular order, Poland, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, India, Croatia, Latvia, Nigeria, Great Britain, Congo-Kinshasa, the Central African Repulic, Brazil and Ireland.
The school hall at St Catherine’s was almost definitely the only place in Fingal that day where you could sample spring rolls and plum sauce from Thailand, Brazilian brigadeiros, Indian bites and Australian fairy bread. The queue at the Nigeria buffet was particularly large as was the range of dishes they had on offer.
For further international flavour, attendees could purchase a cupcake with a flag and simultaneously enter a raffle. The winner was the holder of the flag pulled out of the hat towards the end of the event. The lucky flag was Canada and the winner, Leslie-Ann, went home with the Hamper of International Treats.
The sampling of international cuisine was punctuated by music and dance from children at St Catherine’s School followed by performances from the wider community, including some former pupils. We started with a gentle dip of the toe in not-so-exotic waters with traditional songs from England, Scarborough Fair and further back in time, Greensleeves.
Local councillor Brian Doherty and his daughter, Tess, stepped up with songs by Irish bands including U2 and took us on a trip across to Galway with the Saw Doctor’s N17. And after the musical ice was broken, members of the community volunteered impromptu performances taking on us on a whirlwind world tour of songs from Brazil, Slovakia and renditions of ‘How Great Thou Art’ in both French and Sango, an indigenous language of the Central African Republic. Keeping up the pace between the impromptu performances, various current and former pupils of the school treated the quite considerable audience to a dollop of Americana with songs from The White Stripes, Nirvana, and Metallica.
Whilst we are unfortunately used to hearing from detractors of multi-culturalism, often on social media, Friday’s event proved there is much joy in meeting and sampling other cultures, particularly when the food and music is so good. The Multi-Cultural Day, here in Rush, was proof indeed that we are stronger together and just like that Paul Simon album that has a depiction of St George on the cover – the patron saint of both England and Ethiopia - we have much more in common than we, at first, would realise until we get to know each other.
Rush Senior Citizens have ‘A Grand Day Out’ planned for mid-July (awaiting confirmation from Tour company).
The itinerary includes leaving Rush at approximately 9.30am, traveling to Bettystown for scones and tea, then heading North to Carlingford Lough for a gentle cruise. Following this, the journey moves further north to the stunning Mourne Mountains, driving through some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery. The day continues with a stop in Newry for some free time. The return trip circles back to Bettystown for a 4-course evening meal before returning to Rush.
This event has now been opened up as a community event, welcoming all interested individuals. The cost is expected to be around €75, potentially decreasing based on the number of attendees. For those interested, please contact or message 089-2711406 promptly to provide numbers to the travel company
If you felt a disturbance in the force on Saturday May the Fourth 2024, this may have been caused by the large number of Jedis and Siths who gathered at St Catherine’s National School in Rush to celebrate Star Wars Day in what is thought to be the first such event in Fingal County Council.
Over seventy attendees, both young and old, were treated to a Jedi Master Class, lightsabre training and the opportunity to destroy the Death Star and attack an AT-AT Walker. During the party, children and adults alike were treated to a surprise, if maybe unwelcome, appearance by Darth Vader. After a tense stand-off, several of the brave Jedi apprentices engaged in a lightsabre fight with Lord Vader who then retreated to search for the plans to rebuild the Death Star. Master Yoda was also on hand to provide wise words to the young apprentices and Jedi moves were demonstrated by Rey Skywalker, who Star Wars fans will know from the 2015 movie The Force Awakens and 2017’s The Last Jedi.
After the Jedi master class and lightsabre training, the apprentices travelled in the Millennium Falcon to an intergalactic disco featuring a Jedi versus Sith dance-off and partied with members of the Rebel Alliance and The Empire’s Sith Lords.
The force was strong at St Catherine’s on May 4th and after the party, one parent said: “My daughter loved it. Especially loved the lightsabres. Having never watched Star Wars, she’s now a fan!”
Residents in Rush will be happy to learn that the town has been chosen as the next participant in the Town Centre First scheme that will see the approval of funding to develop its Town Centre First plan.
Rush has been included in the project as one of 68 other towns across the country that will receive the Government funding of €10,000, which is primarily aimed at Addressing issues like vacancy and dereliction.
The funding may be used to support the establishment and/or development of town teams where they are not already well established, and to better understand the unique features of towns. The projects will be managed by the DRCD-funded Town Regeneration Officers across the country.
Speaking at the launch announcement of the new plan, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphries said, “I’m delighted today to announce the first ever dedicated investment in our Town Teams. This is all about tackling vacancy, combatting dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. Through this initiative, we are recognising the importance of having vibrant towns, which are places to live in, work in, visit, and raise a family in.”
Town Teams consist of local residents, businesspeople, community representatives and other stakeholders who come together to make their area a better place to live, work, visit and invest. They represent diverse sectors and backgrounds.
Local Cllr Rob O’Donoghue warmly welcomed the announcement and commented that, “the town centre first plan offers a unique and timely opportunity to take stock of the current condition and future potential of Rush and to plan in a holistic manner for the future based on the needs of the community.”
Rush Tidy Towns were delighted to attend the 2024 Mayor’s Awards in May where all Tidy Towns groups in Fingal County Council were honoured. Congratulations to all the groups in attendance and thank you to Mayor Councillor Adrian Henchy for hosting such a great night. As part of the awards Fingal visited each town and made a video. To view the Rush Tidy Town video please go to the group’s Facebook page to view it.
St. Catherine - Congratulations to everybody involved in getting the St. Catherine’s Estate Community Garden up and running. This project epitomises perseverance and community spirit in working through a long process with Fingal County Council and with the support of our local Councillors to get it launched yesterday. We look forward to seeing the fruits of your labour in the coming months. Well done all!
Fairy Trail Upgrade - Thanks to our local magical fairy house builder Frank for the latest instalment of houses for our Fairy Trail in St. Catherines Woods. Your skills never fail to astound us. These will now be painted by the kids in our National schools.
Huge Congratulations to our 1st Year boys and girls Basketball teams who gave up their weekend away in Carlingford with the rest of their year to compete in the All-Ireland Basketball finals in Limerick at the beginning of May. They were a credit to their school, their parents and their club.
The Girls won silver medals, finishing 2nd after 6 really tough games. The Boys were beaten in the plate quarter final having picked up a few injuries late last week. Well done to all the players, parents and coaches!
