Congratulations and best of luck to one of our local firefighters Aidan Smith who has recently retired from the service after 29 years of dedication to the community.

Thank you, Aidan, for your service and we hope you get to enjoy your retirement and spend many happy and healthy years with your family. You are indeed a true professional who is always on hand to help people and no doubt your colleagues will miss you. The turnout was well deserved and it was great to see so many appreciative people there wishing you well in your retirement.

All at Ardgillan College were thrilled for the Class of 2023 on their exceptional exami-nation results recently. A remarkably large number of students achieved in excess of 500 and indeed 600 points. The talent and commitment of this group of students was rightly rewarded. Principal Nuala Ní Mhúrchú was delighted to welcome students and their parents into the College to celebrate together and was excited to hear about the many college courses on the horizon. She wished to extend her sincere congratula-tions to the entire class of 2023 and a heartfelt thank you to the parents for all of their support over the years. All at the College wish them a lifetime of success and happi-ness and hope that they enjoyed celebrating this very momentous achievement with their families. Also, Ardgillan College’s Open Evening took place on Thursday the 7th of September and it was a fantastic event. Thank you to all of the families who visited to learn more about our school. Thank you to all of the wonderful students who helped out on the night.

Remember Us is an integrated social youth group for young people/adults with special needs and caters for members aged 4 and upwards. We cater for members From the North Fingal and surrounding areas. The club is mainly based in Balbriggan - for in house activities see our website at www.rememberus.ie Volunteers are required to assist and supervise young people/adults with special needs in a group setting at their various activities/outings. The following are the days and times we require help: Monday 10 – 1pm Adult group - Wednesday 4pm to 6pm 4 – 12 year olds - Thursday 10 – 1pm Adult group - Saturday 2 to 4 if in house - All Ages Volunteers play a vital role in Irish society. Across Ireland, volunteers are engaged in delivering services and programmes that improve and enhance the life of our communities. Volunteers are people just like you. If you have an hour or two to spare and would be interested in volunteering please contact Nora/Hayley on 0860457003 or e mail hello@rememberus.ie for more information.

A Date for your Diaries! Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is holding its ever popular Christmas Fair on Saturday 25th November from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. This will be a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping started whilst supporting a good cause! In advance of the Christmas Fair, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will be accepting donations of new, unused items that we can sell. So now might be the time to go through your cupboards and clear out any unwanted gifts that you might have. Donations can be left to 14 Hampton Street, Monday to Saturday between 9am and 1.00pm. All proceeds raised go towards the work of Balbriggan Meals on Wheels.

For many years the people of Balbriggan and its surrounds have been travelling to Skerries and other locations to support Pieta House in their fundraiser “Darkness into Light” and it would have been nice to see the event in Balbriggan. So many people in our community have been affected by Suicide and Mental Health and over the years I have contacted Pieta House with a view to having the event in Balbriggan. Unfortunately, as there was already one close by it made no sense to have two in such close proximity. However last year after again many telephone calls and discussion, it was agreed that Balbriggan would host its very first “Darkness into Light” and would I be able to get a committee together. I jumped at the chance and knew exactly the people that I could call on to get involved.

From the very first announcement that it was happening in Balbriggan, the whole community got behind us, everyone from local shops, coffee shops, pubs, schools and Nursing homes. With support from Fingal County Council, we were able to run the event without any cost to Pieta House so that all the money raised would go directly to the services, which was very important to us. After many weeks of planning the morning of 6th May was upon us and a wonderful bunch of volunteers including the scouts from 89th Bremore and 34th /161th meet to help the committee with the support of our local Garda and Order of Malta. To say we were overwhelmed with the amount of people who showed up was an understatement…..it was just amazing. The crowds of thousands all came together to walk and talk along a loop of Balbriggan and ending up to a wonderful sunrise on our lovely beach whilst listening to the sounds of the “Balbriggan Gospel Choir. It was very emotional to see so many out to support this worthwhile cause and the atmosphere was very special. We waited with bathed breath for the total amount raised and was blown away when we were advised that we raised 41,491.69 and which will go a long way to support those that need it most. Also, this year it was announced that Pieta was setting up a local service in Balbriggan for 12–25-year-olds who may be struggling with suicidal feelings, self-harm or who have lost a loved one to suicide and can be contacted on 0818 111 126. Editors Note: Congratulations to Cllr Maguire, the hardworking Committee and all who took part.

August has been another busy month for the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs. Tom O’Neill Guide Dog Owner and his family and friends in Farrell’s Bar in Ballinalee Co. Longford which is owned and ran by Breeges sister Mary and husband Martin held a Trad Session on Sunday 20th August where Mick Flavin Country and Western star plus, champion flute player Noel Sweeney and many others played to honour Breege O’Neill’s (nee Reilly) wonderful legacy. Farrell’s Bar said the following on their Facebook page, “While Breege was training with her last guide dog, Qeb, with The Irish Guide Dogs for The Blind in Cork, she noticed how the bus which was used to transport students was not in great shape. On that trip Breege decided she was going to fundraise to buy a new student’s bus for the centre and set about doing so when she got home from Cork in November 2019. In true O’Neill fashion, Breeges wish was carried out after she passed away in June 2021 to get a new eight-seater minibus to be donated to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in Breege’s memory. Tom O’Neill gave a fantastic speech as he launched Breege’s bus and of course Qeb had to make himself known and was in fine voice on the video emphasising everything Tom said in all the appropriate places. Qeb added to Tom’s fine speech and a wonderful evening. If you would like to listen to Tom’s speech in full, you can visit our Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs or our Instagram page @balbrigganbranchguide. A big well done and thank you to all involved. It was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman, and we have no doubt Breege would be so proud. The bus was officially handed over to Guide Dogs Cork on Saturday 26th August at the National open day for volunteers at the centre. If you are interested in volunteering with our Balbriggan branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, please feel free to contact us by call or text: 085 7663107, or of course you can always email GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com.

Fingal County Council’s Waste Enforcement Section has taken part in a multi-agency checkpoint operation recently to tackle illegal waste activities and to ensure compliance with waste regulations in terms of movement of waste materials. Dublin City Council in its role as lead authority for the Eastern Midlands WERLA (Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authority), coordinated yesterday’s operation on behalf of An Garda Síochána’s Dublin Metropolitan Region’s Multi-Agency Forum. This intelligence led vehicle check point was conducted in Fingal, in an area known for significant waste activity. The check points were located both northbound and southbound on a main artery within close proximity to the M1 to capture waste movements within the area and en route to other counties outside of Fingal. Representative agencies for this joint operation included An Garda Síochána, Fingal County Council’s Waste Enforcement Section, Dublin City Council’s Waste Enforcement Section, the Road Safety Authority and the National Trans Frontier Shipment Office (NTFSO). The Dublin Metropolitan Region is one out of four of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s multi-agency regional networks, which, enable a multi-faceted enforcement approach by bringing together key stakeholders. The participation of different agencies proved to be very beneficial. Multi-agency operations such as this have a positive deterrent effect on criminality, help to raise awareness and lead to positive outcomes relating not only to waste but other offences also. Fingal County Council supports this collaborative approach and will provide any and all further assistance through multi-agency operations to help combat illegal dumping and tackle unauthorised waste collectors.

With the summer drawing to a close and the children returning to school, many parents are busy organising the important after school activities for their children. September is a time of year when Swords Karate Club recruit new students. The club has a range of classes for children starting from 4 years up and also for adults. Our Tigers classes are suited for 4 to 7 years old where the big emphasis is on having fun with karate and developing fundamental movements. Our classes for our Tigers are on a Thursday or Saturday. Our Junior Classes are for those aged over 7 up to 12/13 years old. In the junior class students are introduced to the basics of karate and also Kata and Kumite. The focus in these classes is to develop good technique that will stand to the student as they progress upthe belt grades. Fun is also an important part of these classes as the students develop new karate techniques. These classes are on held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Our Senior classes are best suited for those over 13 years up to adult. The focus is on developing good karate technique and fitness through a range of punching and kicking techniques. Kata and Kumite are also important parts of these classes. These classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We take new members (Children, Young People and Adults) all through the year. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Are you looking to get involved in a local GAA club ? St Colmcilles GFC Swords, located on Glen Ellan Road has the answer. Weekly training for boys and girls from age 4 years upward. All coaches are fully trained and Garda vetted. This is a fun way for children to get active, make friends and have fun. Contact Cora for more information 083 374 1305. #getbehindyourlocalclub

A fantastic time was had by the Fingallians children while they practiced their sports trí Ghaeilge at the 2023 Fingallians GAA Campa Samhraidh.88 primary school children registered for the camp that ran from 31st July to 4th August. Weather overall was good despite a few passing showers.The highlight of the week was the visit of two special guests, Fingallians and Dublin Stars Emer Ní Éafa and Niamh Crowley. Both Emer and Niamh were busy preparing for the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football final to be held in Croke Park on Sunday 13thAugust when Dublin faced on Kerry. The excitement amongst the children was palpable when the girls arrived. They received a rapturous applause as they settled in for a Q&A session that proved to be insightful and informing. Both Emer and Niamh started in the Fingallians Saturday morning Academy as young children and are now playing at the highest level. Some great questions came from the younger children such as “Do you play Mario Brothers?” and “Are you friends with Ronaldo?”. All questions were skilfully dealt with by the girls who then went on to sign autographs and played a while with each team in the camps mini-league. Fingallians GAA are grateful to Emer and Niamh for taking time out from their busy schedule to visit the Campa Samhraidh. We are very fortunate to have such role-models for our younger members. The club would like to thank Naoise, Anne, Donagh and Liam for organising the Campa Samhraidh, all of the coaches and coaching assistants who put in such a tough week’s work, Jamie Ó Tuama ó Pháirc an Chrócaigh a thug cuairt orainn agus ár nUrraitheoirí Foras na Gaeilge. Níos tábhachtaí fós, special thanks to all the boys and girls who participated in the camp and who ensured that a great time was had by all. Maith sibh!