Courtesy of Malahide Historical Society

The current movie blockbuster on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte reminds us of Malahide’s (slight) Napoleonic connections.

On Church Road, Manor Books is housed in Manor House, which dates from the late 1700s and was the one-time office in the village for handling the affairs of the Lord of the Manor, Lord Talbot de Malahide, who owned the ground rent and much of the properties. Lord Talbot’s agent or bailiff would manage village affairs such as collection of rents and meetings with tenants. Up to the early 1800s it was the site of the Manor Court which dates from a time when the local landowner held a degree of legal jurisdiction over his properties and tenants and was the lowest level in the courts system. In here, minor legal and petty crime cases would be heard and when the building was being refurbished in the 1990s the remains of a holding cell were found.

For a time in the early 1800s Manor House was home to an adventurer and United Irishman grandly named Herve Morres de Montmorency who fled to France after the failed 1798 rebellion and achieved a commission in the French Army under Napoleon Bonaparte who is said to have been an admirer of Napper Tandy and Montmorency and interviewed him personally. Up to his death in France in 1839 he remained wanted by the British forces.

At The Diamond, the house, which up to recently was the Ulster Bank, was in the 1780s the home of John Fortescue who was married to the sister of Arthur Wellesley, an officer in the British Army who later became the Duke of Wellington and defeated Napoleon at Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellesley is believed to have been a regular visitor to his sister in Malahide.

On the Coast Road, Hick’s Tower, with its ‘witches’ hat’ roof added in 1911, was a Martello Tower, one of around 50 such watchtowers around the Irish coast built by the British to watch out for French invasion forces during the Napoleonic wars.

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.

Malahide Sea Scouts were very pleased to receive a visit from some important visitors recently. The Sea Scouts welcomed and showcased to Minister Daragh O’Brien, Minister Thomas Byrne, Barry Andrews MEP and Councillor Eoin O’Brien our community Scouting in action in Malahide. The visitors were shown around our den on James Terrace. And later they joined us at the Seawall looking on as our skiff rowing crews who spent the weekend upskilling.

Congratulations to our Senior ladies who are Senior Football Shield Champs after the tightest of games v Ballyboden St Enda’s recently! Point for point, the teams battled it out until the final whistle showing grit and great determination. Commiserations to the Boden ladies who made it such a hard-fought game. Well done to Olivia & Clara from the U12’s who did a fantastic job as mascots too! Thanks to Peter @gaapics_ireland for photos.

We were delighted to welcome renowned celebratory chef, food writer, and television presenter, Donal Skehan, to St. Mary’s to launch our new Home Economics Kitchen. Donal was met by Dr. Edel Greene, Principal, Mr. John Moore, Deputy Principal and Home Economics Teacher, Ms. Rachel Flynn. To celebrate the occasion, we held a Creative Tasty Cupcake Bake-Off Challenge. Donal met the contestants and discussed ingredients, presentation and cooking tips with each of them. While the cooking got underway, Donal then viewed the many new improvements throughout the school. A visit to the principal’s office was arranged so that Donal himself could test our new intercom system! Once tested, it was off to the new Kitchen where Donal was met by all the Home Economics students and Senior Prefects. Following fanfare and drumroll, Donal cut the ribbon to launch the new kitchen. Recently retired home economics teacher Mrs. Bernie Donnelly, who had spent her entire teaching career in St. Mary’s, attended with current Home Economics Teacher, Ms. Rachel Flynn. Donal then dropped in on the Bake-Off Contestants to examine progress and was clearly excited by what he saw and was looking forward to savouring the delights later.

Following tea and coffee with the staff, Donal then returned to Judge the Bake-Off Competition. There was very strong competition between the candidates and following some serious examination and tasting of the cupcakes with an emphasis on creativity, culinary skills, presentation, and taste, Lauren Bannon was declared the eventual winner. Well done Lauren.

Donal signed school books and a presentation was made to him. Looks like we have an annual Bake-Off Challenge agreed and we were delighted the next day when Donal had arranged for a fantastic supply of Cook Books, many signed by his friends, were dropped down to St. Mary’s for the Home Economics Library.

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the many ParkRun Ireland locations in Fingal County Council! Lace up your running shoes or take a leisurely stroll with our amazing Walk at Parkrun participants. No matter your pace, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Register now at //parkrun.ie and be part of the action-packed fitness event supported by Sport Ireland. Join our vibrant community and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for an active lifestyle. Get inspired, make new friends, and conquer personal milestones together. Don’t miss out on the excitement!

“Thank you to all the people of Malahide for your donations of sewing machines and tools for Solidarity. This is an update of progress to date”: The Malahide Lions Club campaign in support of the Belfast based voluntary charity Tools for Solidarity (TFS) has so far yielded 240 unwanted sewing machines and 250 various other tools as well as some larger industrial machines. These have been collected by TFS and will be fully refurbished before shipping to projects in various parts of East Africa which provides training and supports artisans to create employment opportunities and help local communities become more self-reliant. The larger industrial machines can be used for group training in Tanzania. Once a van load has been gathered and assembled, TFS will organise collection of the machines and tools. Any club considering the launch of a collection campaign in its area can of course get more detail from the Tools For Solidarity website, and is very welcome to email the Lions Club at malahidelionsclub@gmail.com or to call Damian on 089 4585 090 for further information or advice. The donated items collected by Malahide Lions Club are stored by Swords Men’s Shed until a van load has been assembled for collection by TFS. The provision of this facility for the temporary storage of these heavy and bulky items is a key element of the project and we are grateful to Swords Men’s Shed for their vital assistance.”

BY Eddie Ó Mórdha

I started with St Sylvesters GAA in 1977 and have had great times playing, coaching, socialising around the town, and in our Club Premises on Church Road since we opened in 1984. Prior to that we spent time in Gibney’s & The Diamond Bar where we served on Committees. The Diamond now Fowlers was owned by Eddie Nolan. The late Jack Gibney a supporter of Syls also served on the Committee with us together with the late Eddie Nolan. I am still around and saw Syls first teams in Men’s football and Hurling get to Championship Finals in the past while. Our Intermediate Woman’s Gaelic Football team also won the Intermediate All Ireland. It is amazing the hard work that has gone on over the years to produce the amazing Michael Gaffney Park in Broomfield. We certainly have come a long way since togging out under a tree for a few months in 1977, until we got portacabin dressing rooms. St Sylvesters have a great history dating back to 1903. I now have a little grandson, Henry. I am looking forward to teaching him the games and bringing him down to Broomfield. Syls Abú.