As we start another year with Balbriggan & District Historical Society, we look back at our autumn talks in 2023. In October we concentrated on World War I with professional short talks from Loreto Secondary School students focusing on individual stories of young men who served in the war. The Loreto SS Local History Students were the well deserving winners of the Western Front Association Malcolm Doolin Award for their World War 1 Projects and on November 11 they had the huge honour of laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph Whitehall. London. Eithne MacDermott gave a really informative and thought-provoking talk on the political and social context of the War in Ireland and Europe. She spoke of the Home Rule campaign and Women’s and Labour movement leading up to the war and young men who joined a war they thought would be over in months. Instead, WW1 lasted years with millions of casualties and had a profound effect for generations to follow.

In September Cora Mc Donagh spoke on ‘Balbriggan Stockings, Old Masters and the Bells of Howth: North County Dublin contributions to the nineteenth century Art & Industry Exhibitions.’ Cora explored Balbriggan’s involvement with the exhibitions that took place in the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century and the contributions from the stocking manufacturers especially those at the 1853 Great Industrial Exhibition held in Dublin where Smyth & Co, Glennys, Appleyard and others had stands and over one million people visited this exhibition. Later exhibitions saw other industries at the exhibitions including The Balbriggan Salt Works Co. and the Drogheda Linen Company, Balbriggan.

Cora explained how these loans were of benefit to the artists, the artisans and others during the nineteenth century. In August Frank Whearity presented The Rise and Fall of John Spicer’s model bakery & shop Balbriggan (1904-1999): Frank told us about the bakery branch opened by John Spicer (a Navan based miller and baker, b.1853-d.1922) in April, 1904, at Drogheda Street Balbriggan. In August for Heritage Week we also led an historical walk as part of the Beach Festival and we joined the Fingal Heritage Network for their Heritage Night when Bernie Kelly spoke about Sinéad De Valera.

Asian Financial Services, as part of Symmetry Financial Management group, has been announced as the winner of the Mortgage Broker Expert Award at the Broker Ireland Expert Broker Awards 2023 which took place in The Round Room at the Mansion and were hosted by RTÉ’s Jacqui Hurley. Asian Financial Services is headed by Balbriggan -based broker Kanwar Singh who is originally from India and who provides specialist financial advice to Ireland’s Asian community. The Broker Ireland Expert Broker Awards shine a light on excellence by recognising Insurance, Financial, and Mortgage Brokers who offer the highest level of professionalism, innovation, performance, and service to their clients.

Accepting the Mortgage Broker Expert Award, Kanwar Singh, Head of Asian Financial Services said, “I am delighted that Asian Financial Services, as part of Symmetry Financial Management group, has been recognised through this prestigious award. It is my honour to serve the Asian community in Ireland and to provide dedicated financial advice tailored to the needs of individuals and families. Many of my clients are highly skilled employees in the health and IT sectors with visa stamps that require specialist consideration when purchasing a property. I am delighted that, through Asian Financial, we can provide that service.”

With the close of 2023, brings the close of another busy year for the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs and we want to thank everyone again who supported us and volunteered throughout the year. Here’s to another year of fundraising and fun still yet to come! We are delighted with the success of our merchandise stand in SuperValu, Balbriggan on the 10th and 11th November which raised a fantastic total of €1,830.20 over the two days and on the 24th and 25th November, which saw the arrival of Santas Grotto at Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan which raised another brilliant total of €1,694 over two days. It’s safe to say the Christmas season well and truly kicked off with the arrival of Santa. On Sunday 10th December our branch continued the run up to Christmas by attending Bremore Castle Food and Craft Village Christmas Market with our Christmas cards, calendars and car raffle tickets. With the start of the new year, while things are a bit quiet, it is also is a time for many people to make new year’s resolutions and our branch is looking for three or four volunteers specifically, to empty our counter boxes. In 2023 we increased our counter box team in Balbriggan and Dublin city. We badly need help in Skerries, Rush and Lusk and also in rural North County Dublin so why not make a resolution to join our counter box team? You can also still support our Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs by tap to donating €3 at one of our machines at Specsavers in Millfield Shopping Centre, Specsavers in Ashbourne, Skinny Batch Café in Lusk, Pet Stop in Airside and Specsavers in GPO Arcade Dublin. You can also keep an eye on our social media pages for any upcoming events and if you would like to get involved or are interested in volunteering with us, please feel free to contact us: Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, you can phone or text us on 085 7663107, email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

The book “Becoming Your Best Possible Self” by Gerard Morgan has recently been published. Gerard is living in Malahide and would like to inform locals of this book and provide an opportunity to fundraise for a very worthy cause. The book was initially written as a legacy for his two sons and provides a timely transformative personal growth strategy for all readers. The book is now available in the following places; (1.) Hodges Figgis /Waterstones, Dawson Street, Dublin (near Trinity College) (2.) Manor Books, Malahide Village, Co Dublin, (3.) Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, (4.) The book is included with the adult education course “Becoming Your Best Possible Self” in Malahide Community School based on the book in the new year. (It is a 7-week course) Information is on this link malahidecsadulted.ie/best-possible-self/.
Please note all profits from the sale of the book will go to the charity Samaritans Ireland.

Hygiene Hub, the charity giving hygiene and personal care products to those who need them, and is calling on the public to Spread Kindness this Christmas as part of their Christmas Campaign by donating toiletry gift sets as well as essential hygiene products this festive season. The #SpreadKindness Campaign aims to provide at least 5,000 toiletry gift sets as well as donations of essential hygiene items to individuals and families in need this Christmas. To take part in the #SpreadKindness campaign, supporters can either donate the cost of a gift set through the #SpreadKindness fundraiser or host a hygiene drive with colleagues, friends or family and donate new, or unopened essential and luxury toiletries. Hygiene Hub will collect, pack and distribute the donations to local charities in time for Christmas.

The purpose of Hygiene Hub is to alleviate the pressure of hygiene poverty felt by many individuals and families across the country, when financial struggles mean that food, rent and bills are prioritised over hygiene products.

There are three ways that supporters can help Hygiene Hub this Christmas including donations to one of the drop-off points listed on the website, monetary donations via the iDonate page, or by agreeing to host a hygiene drive at school, college, or work.

Hygiene Hub Ireland will be collecting donations for their #SpreadKindness from 1st November 2023 until 4th December 2023. Donations will then be sorted and distributed to charity partners in time for Christmas. The first Hygiene Hub in Ireland was set up in Dublin in 2019. It has now grown into a national charity with 7 hubs so far, having donated over 50,000kg of essential hygiene products to over 45 Community Partners. Its volunteers and supporters are passionate about tackling hygiene poverty. Since 2019, over 28,100kg has been donated by the Dublin Hub. 26 Drop Off Points, Supporting 26 Community Partners Locally you can donate at McCabes Pharmacy G24, Pavillions Shopping Centre, Malahide Rd, Swords Demesne, Swords, Co. Dublin. +353 1 840 6555

By Ken Duffy

Halloween recently paid us a visit and Swords Tidy Towns was not shy or found lacking in taking part in the celebrations. Normally we would hold our annual fund-raising Halloween Bucket Collection, but this year we decided to join in on the festivities. We met up at the main entrance to the park for 7.15pm, dressing up for the evening was optional. As per usual the fireworks were a massive success, it was the best year so far we thought. A massive big thank you to the Events Team of Fingal County Council headed up by the irrepressible Mr Paul Barnes, they all put in a trojan shift to pull it off. We then adjourned to the 44 Hotel afterwards for a couple of hours, the craic was mighty as you would imagine on the night that was in it. Great craic was had with the alcoholic skeleton who was sitting at the bar. We even managed to fit in a mini quiz, and each person got to ask a question which we all endeavoured to answer, it was a taster for our Quiz Night fundraiser in the New Year. Swords Tidy Towns are always looking for new members especially people with admin and IT experience. You can contact us at swordstidytowns@gmail.com or contact our Chairperson Ken Duffy on 0866008313.

We would like to take this opportunity now the season of good cheer is on the horizon to wish the people of Swords, our 4000 Facebook followers, our local business supporters, family and friends, a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Wow! Very well done to our amazing shedders who won the Pearl Grogan Scramble Cup in Ballyboughal Pitch and Putt club ,representing Swords Women’s Shed thank you Susan Casey for looking after everything Pitch and Putt, and Ann Johnson who organised this evening celebration with Ballyboughal Pitch and Putt, so very well done. A very Happy Christmas to all our Shedders and their families and supporters.

By Malahide resident Gerard Morgan

Malahide resident Gerard Morgan is the author of the recently published book “Becoming Your Best Possible Self”. The book was initially written as a legacy for his two sons and provides a timely transformative personal growth strategy for all readers. Please note all profits from the sale of the book will go to the charity Samaritans Ireland. Based on the evidence-based science of Positive Psychology and insights from experts in their respective fields, this journey to personal transformation outlines the essential beliefs, values, mindsets, and attitudes that can lead you towards happy and successful living. Each of these aspects are examined in detail to understand their influence on behaviour so you can take control and implement what you have learned into your daily life. Becoming Your Best Possible Self is for you if you are ready to make the following changes: (1) Take charge of your life now - A powerful guidebook on the journey to unlock your inner strength with practical steps for creating lasting change that can last a lifetime! (2) Clear steps to success - Guidance on how to choose meaningful goals, as well as goal-setting techniques based on research-backed principles. (3) Know what matters most - Develop greater self-awareness of your values, beliefs, and attitudes and how they shape your behaviour.(4) Enjoy a happy, successful life - Harness this knowledge to make better decisions in line with what truly matters to you, stay connected with yourself, find purposeful living that brings joy, success, productivity and fulfilment. (5) Unlock your true potential - Follow a scientifically proven approach to Positive Psychology and shift from external validation to internal validation, empowering you to live your best life. For the past 35 years, Gerard has devoted his life to teaching, learning and service. His passion for personal development has led him to specialize in the evidence-based science of Positive Psychology and its application to better society - a strong testament to his commitment to helping others. For details of where to purchase it contact Gerard Morgan - gerardmorgan192@gmail.com and at £14.99 it is great value. Also the book is available to purchase in Waterstones book shop in Dublin (Hodges and Fidges) and online at Amazon.com amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Your-Best-Possible-Self/dp/1915502365 or at becomingyourbestpossibleself@gmail.com or Facebook becomingyourbestpossibleself and remember all proceeds for the Samaritans.

In an exciting development for inclusive education, St Mary’s Secondary School Baldoyle is delighted to announce its transformation to a Co-Educational School. After consultation with students, parents, staff, local primary schools and in response to demand from the wider community, St Mary’s Secondary School will extend its expertise in outstanding education to boys in the local area, on a phased basis. For the first time in its history, the school will be accepting applications from 2 October for boys starting First Year in September 2024, ushering in a new chapter of opportunity and growth. St Mary’s Secondary School Baldoyle is committed to maintaining high academic standards with 90% of the Class of 2022 who are progressing to third level. We offer a broad range of subjects to students at Junior and Senior cycle including the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. A new digital media room with Apple iMacs is soon to be completed to allow for an additional focus in coding and computer studies. Expertise is drawn from our established and experienced teaching staff, with a view to further diversifying subject options in line with demand such as Agricultural Science, Computer Science and Politics and Society. Capacity and facilities in St Mary’s have been expanded in recent years with extensive renovations and upgrades to the existing building. Significant further work is also in the pipeline. A period of consultation with parents of incoming First Years has already begun. Ms. Kate O’Regan, Co-Educational Liaison Officer, is looking forward to working closely with these students and parents. Her aim is to ensure the smooth transition to a fully inclusive and diverse school. She will listen to any needs or concerns of our future students in order to create a safe and a truly supportive learning environment. As the school embarks on this transformative journey, it remains focused and committed to nurturing, not only the academic excellence and the learning environment of students, but also their character, compassion and community spirit.
A promising future awaits!!!

We were delighted to accept a donation to our museum collection today of a 1948 Olympics tracksuit worn by the father of well- known local retired schoolteacher Robbie Harrold.

Paddy Harrold represented Ireland in the first post-war games and competed in the Men’s Eights Rowing Event in London. All the rowing competitions took place at Henley.

In 1953 Paddy married Betty Kelly from Church Road in Malahide.We are very grateful to Robbie and the Harrold family and remind anyone who thinks they might have any items, documents or photographs to loan or donate related to the history and heritage or family stories of the Malahide area, including Portmarnock, Kinsealy and Feltrim, to please get in touch with us.

Email malahidehistoricalsociety2@gmail.com or contact us via Facebook or via our website at .malahideheritage.ie.