A picture album of the great work being carried out by the volunteer crew of allotment holders - AKA- the Water Rats - as they look to take control of the draining and alleviation of flooding issues that has blighted the facility in recent years. Despite challenging conditions inclement weather, the good news is that progress is being made and the drain ditches and now helping to empty the surface water that has limited access to holders in recent times.

Malahide Lions recently presented cheques to St Francis Hospice and the RNLI Howth. Malahide Lions is proud to give ongoing support to two great organisations who provide wonderful care and rescue services to the community. These donations were raised through the Christmas Appeal and would not be possible without the generosity of the people of Malahide.

The close ties between Ireland and New Zealand were on display today as Ambassador Brad Burgess visited Malahide Castle and Gardens for a special silver fern planting ceremony to help commemorate Waitangi Day. The silver fern is a species endemic to New Zealand, dating back to the Pliocene epoch (around 5 to 1.8 million years ago). It has been accepted as a symbol of New Zealand’s national identity since the 1880s and has special significance to the Māori people as the elegant shape of the fronds stood for strength, stubborn resistance, and enduring power.The visitor attraction at Malahide is well known for housing a tremendous range of species from the Southern Hemisphere thanks to the 7th Baron Malahide, Milo Talbot, who introduced many rare trees and shrubs to the grounds. Over the last 12 months work has been undertaken to further expand the collection of New Zealand flora at the site, with over 25 different varieties of Phormiums planted. The special New Zealand Garden within the grounds also features a Māori hut and a stunning Pouwhenua sculpture by Irish woodcarver Richie Clarke. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh, said: “Kia ora e kare ma, Fáilte romhat go Mullach Íde! I am delighted to welcome Ambassador Burgess for this commemorative silver fern planting ceremony to help celebrate Waitangi Day. New Zealand Ambassador, Brad Burgess, said: “It’s great to be able to be here to add to the New Zealand Gardens in Fingal, and especially to see such a wonderful silver fern coming into the collection. Waitangi Day is a really important celebration for all New Zealanders around the world, the birthdate of our modern nation. There’s a significant Irish connection too, as William Hobson who crafted the treaty was born in Waterford and became our first Governor.

Courtesy of Malahide Historical Society

The Grand Hotel has been at the heart of Malahide for well over a century and a half and we wish the Ryan family and staff well during these difficult times for hospitality. But here is one occasion when the Grand Hotel appears to have been relieved to see a booking cancelled.101 years ago on 4 January 1921 someone booked a subscription ball in the Grand Hotel on behalf of a company of the RIC Auxiliaries but, on security grounds and on push-back from the manager of the hotel, it was decided to change it at the last minute to St. Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle. In his book “The Last Days of Dublin Castle” senior civil servant at the Castle Mark Sturgis gave an account of this strange event in these diary entries:””I got hold of Darling who discreetly discovered that these gentlemen intended to trail their coats and themselves from Dublin to Malahide, armed to the teeth, in Government cars. Jonathan wished the whole circumstances put – unofficially as far as the Under Secretary was concerned – before (General Sir Henry) Tudor who expressed disapproval and the ball was off”.”Spooner interrogated is slightly comforting as to safety as he says it is arranged for Auxiliaries to be on guard at the Gate to scrutinise their own guests – but the cheek of the whole thing is incredible”.”Officials who work, and many of whom have lived in the Castle for months, must now have passes with photographs to get into the place at all, yet these beauties can almost without by your leave or with your leave import a pack of women of whom nobody, with the possible exception of themselves, knows anything at all. Interesting to see when I get back tomorrow whether the Shinns have got in disguised as buxom wenches or whether, failing this, the whole place has been fired up by the festive ex-officers themselves”.The Irish Times of Jan 5th 1921 reported that there were 400 people at the ball and that an excellent buffet supper was served during the musical intervals by the DMP band. The dancing continued until 5am on January 5th.

Darragh O’Brien Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has thanked Malahide Rugby for supplying the venue for a Vaccination Centre and Dr Stan for running it. Minister O’Brien said, “ I want to say thanks to Dr Stan and the entire team at Salus Medical Clinic in Swords for mobilising so quickly and opening a vaccination centre in Malahide Rugby Club again.” He said it has proved crucial to the booster campaign in North County Dublin. He added, “ A massive thank you also to Malahide Rugby Club for once again offering the facility. A huge amount of work goes into getting a facility like this ready for vaccinations and it’s great to see the sense of community with Salus Medical teaming up with Malahide Rugby Club to ensure the optimum rollout of booster vaccines.”

St Sylvester’s U12’s boys have just completed a cracking season. Having received the support of new jerseys courtesy of Joe Duffy BMW at the start of the season, they represented Syls with pride and determination. All four football teams and all three hurling teams finished the season in the top half of their respective leagues. They proved more than a match for all that their opponents ( and Covid ) could throw at them. Certainly, one of the highlights will be the boys who went unbeaten all season and were TOP of their Football A division group. The boys enter the Christmas break having earned a well deserved break, and we look forward to what the future holds for them all.

By MARK HENRY

If you follow the headlines, you could be forgiven for thinking that things in Ireland in 2021 are worse than ever. In fact, we live longer than ever before, we have never been healthier or better educated, we earn five times more than our grandparents did, our personal freedoms exceed those of any previous generation, and the lives of women and children have been transformed for the better. At a time when some good news is welcome, this uplifting book tells our national story through facts and stats, placing Ireland under the microscope to chart 100 undeniable achievements of the past 100 years.When the State was formed, Ireland was one of the most poverty-stricken nations in Europe. Now ithas the second-highest standard of living in the world. While there is still more to be done, ‘In Fact’ illustrates that Ireland, for all its imperfections, is in a much better state than you might think.This is an ideal Christmas gift from a local authorMark Henry has spent a lifetime analysing trends and what drives them. He trained as a psychologist and led the research and strategy functions of Irish technology companies before turning to do the same for the tourism sector. Having spent the past two decades telling people all over the world what a great country Ireland is, he is passionate about sharing the incredible progress we have made.

www.markhenry.ie.
For further details contact Fiona Murphy at Gill Books: 086 8389611

Malahide struck gold at the Tidy Towns competition recently, picking up a €900 prize and a gold medal with a score of 335. Two more towns finished over the 300 mark this year in Fingal, with Balbriggan racing past that milestone with a score of 303 points while Swords’ Silver Medal performance netted them even more, finishing on a score from the judges of some 329 points and edging closer to Malahide. However the big prize has went to Malahide and all the hard work of their volunteers throughout the year has been recognised nationally once again!

Say hello to Scouting Irelands newly crowned Venture Master Mariner, Kate ‘Champion’ Campion!
Kate is our 4th ever member to receive this accolade and our first ever female!Congratulations Kate! We are equally proud of both Niamh Lynch & Emma Taylor who were awarded 2nd & 3rd Venture Master Mariner awards.Néala are on fire at the moment!And not to forget Evan Banable from Wednesday Troop who came in close 2nd in the Rover Master Mariner category! What am impressive group of young competitors who displayed some impressive seamanship as they were examined on boat handling skills, navigation and collision regulations.Ventures 1st – Kate (9th Port Malahide), Ventures 2nd – Niamh (9th Port Malahide), Ventures 3rd – Emma (9th Port Malahide), Rovers 1st – Daragh (7th Port Howth), Rovers 2nd – Evan (9th Port Malahide) and Rovers 3rd – Holly (7th Port Howth). Thanks to our hosts1st Port of Dublin Sea Scouts – Ringsend, and to Dublin Port Company for supporting skills assessment with use of their pilot boat also to Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club for facilitating us and all our examiners and friends of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners

This Christmas why not send a special ‘Greetings from Malahide’ card to all your friends at home and abroad. In doing so you will be helping us to fund needy projects in our area. The Christmas Cards, with six beautiful views of Malahide, have been professionally printed and are ready to go. The cards are of the finest quality and fantastic value at a pack of six for €5. You won’t get better value this year! If you’d like to get your order in early, contact us:-lionschristmascards@gmail.com, WhatsApp or text 0858172660. We will deliver locally FREE - cash or card, pay on delivery. We would also like to mention our Christmas Appeal. It takes place on two weekends. On 4/5th Dec it’s at the Diamond in Malahide. We’ll be cycling and walking to raise funds for the food appeal. Also we’ll be outside local supermarkets on the 17/18th December. These funds are raised to help struggling families and local charities. Donations can also be given through malahidelions.com