Balbriggan Community Council would like to give a huge thank you to the people of Balbriggan and District for their support over the last two years when taking a Judicial Review on the proposal to build 101 Apartments on the former shopping centre on Quay Street/High Street, Balbriggan.

An Bord Pleanála withdrew from contesting the Judicial Review saying they had made a legal error regarding granting permission for that development. The case is now over and the proposal for the development has returned to An Bord Pleanála. We are waiting for the case to be brought before An Bord Pleanála for their decision to be made. Thank you for your support.

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels has been providing meals to the most vulnerable members of our community since 1975 and was awarded the Community Heros of the Year Award at the 2023 Balbriggan Town Awards.

Do you have a few hours to spare in your week? Would you like to join our team of Volunteers?
We are currently seeking the following Volunteers to join our team: Volunteer Drivers; Volunteer Driver Assistants and Volunteer Kitchen Assistants

If you can help, contact Balbriggan Meals on Wheels:

Tel: 01 8416743 or email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com
Don’t have time to volunteer but still want to help? Donate to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels: www.idonate.ie/cause/BalbrigganMealsonWheels

Do you want to support our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs while also getting rid of some unwanted old coins/notes or used stamps? If you have any used postage stamps or coins/notes that are no longer in circulation, could you arrange to drop the used stamps into Skerries Library and the coins into counter boxes and large dogs for our Branch. We can then turn them into Euros and lodge to our Guide Dog account. Previously, coins from all over the world have been dropped to us as have old postage stamps. A U.K. stamp and coin collector buys all this off us and all the money goes to our Branch.
Another way you can support us is by using one or our many ‘Tap to Donate’ machines! You can visit and make a donation at any of the following locations: Specsavers located in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, Specsavers located in Ashbourne and also Specsavers located in GPO Arcade, Dublin.
You may also have seen our Branch’s new Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind accessibility door stickers campaign, with one sticker located in McMeels Pharmacy in Skerries and another in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, a big thank you to Peter Carey the General Manager in Millfield Shopping Centre. Tom O’Neill with his guide dog Qeb is looking forward to visiting many more places and venues to take and share photos to encourage others to take the access sticker which might also encourage people who see it to become volunteers with the branch. Irish equality legislation gives Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners the right to access businesses and services without discrimination. This includes access to: all forms of public transport, including bus, train, tram, taxi, plane or ferry; all forms of hospitality accommodation, including hotels, Airbnbs, hostels or holiday rental properties; all establishments that provide food, including cafes, restaurants, pubs, delis and supermarkets.

You can show your support for Guide Dog and Assistance Dog owners by displaying our PAW for Access Rights window sticker. Email Access@GuideDogs.ie to get your free sticker.

If you would like to volunteer with us, you can contact us Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 085 7663107, you can email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

St Mary’s Baton Twirlers were thrilled when 12 members of the local Balbriggan club qualified along with Clareville Baton Twirlers and Twilight Baton Twirlers to make up the 40 strong Team Ireland who competed at 2024 EFBT European Championship in Czech Republic in early July.

Team Ireland placed 3rd in the Nations Cup and took home numerous awards. St. Mary’s athletes took home three gold, two silver and two Bronze medals as well as three 4th, four 6th sand two 7th places.
The club is now taking names for 3 new teams: Girls and boys born in 2017; Girls and boys born in 2015 and Girls and boys born in 2013.

Classes which return in September. Please contact 086-3270636 by text or WhatsApp for further details.

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.”