Thirteen-year-old Ryan Cowzer from Rush Boxing Club clinched the 40kg title at the Monkstown Box Cup. The Rush native triumphed over an All-Ireland finalist in the semi-finals and defeated a formidable English opponent in the final. In other news, fellow Rush BJJ/Martial Arts members Eric Healy and Aaron Maughan both excelled at the Grappling Industries Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament, with Healy securing second place and Maughan earning a silver medal in his category. Next up is the Shamrock Box Cup, where Carson, Ryan, and Sean Cogil are all aiming for gold.
The Rush Parent and Toddler Group held their last playgroup for the 23/24 year on Tuesday 25 June. The theme for the morning was Prom and kids, mums, dads and carers came dressed for the event. The kids loved making their own Prom King or Prom Queen crowns covered in coloured jewels. Mum Madeline did a wonderful job painting the kids faces, and the room was soon full of bunnies, spidermen, tigers and rainbows. After much playing, a lot of photos taken, bubbles and snacks (kindly provided by Rush SuperValu) each child got to go home with a knitted name gift made by Mum Sarah. The morning was a lot of fun and it was wonderful to be able to say goodbye to the toddlers moving on to ECCE. A big thank you to the mums who have helped organise throughout the year, especially Tracy, Sarah, Aine, Elle and Jackie. And best of luck to the new team taking over the organisation of the group for the 24/25 year. New babies and toddlers are encouraged to join the next playgroup happening on the 3rd of September.
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.”
The local elections took place on the 7th of June with 40 seats on Fingal County Council up for election. The Rush-Lusk local election area is one of seven LEA’s in Fingal and saw the election of five Councillors. Heading the poll was Cllr Rob O’Donoghue with 3,185 first preference votes and being deemed elected on the first count for his second five-year term on the Council.
Speaking about the results, Councillor O’Donoghue stated, ‘I would like to say thank you to the people of Rush for your support in the Local Elections. I am genuinely overwhelmed at receiving 26% of first preference votes in the constituency. I am going to continue to work hard for all my constituents and will be available as always for any issues large or small. I would like in particular to thank my canvassers, leafleters and posterers with which I would never have been able to cover the ground that we did, I am eternally grateful for their support.
There is a lot of work to do in the coming Council terms and there are a number of projects that I would like to see continue to be progressed in Rush including, the Rush Sports Hub, the Rush Town Centre First Plan and to aid in the delivery of school facilities for the town. I look forward to representing the town for the duration of the term to the very best of my ability.’
The members of the Rush Parent and Toddler Group move into their summer break after a very eventful 2023/2024 and the children, and parents, are now enjoying their holidays.
From season-themed events to their weekly activities in the Rush Community Centre, the toddlers have had an exciting year. Sarah Smith from Rush Parent & Toddler group gave a brief outline of the year and how other parents can get their toddlers involved.
“We’ve had various other events over the course of the 23/24 year including a Halloween box fort, First Aid course, the Santa van and bauble making crafts at Christmas, and giant hearts for Valentines Day.”
“We do ask a donation of €4 per family to cover room rental at the Community Centre and insurance costs. We provide tea, coffee and biscuits for adults and small snacks for the babies and toddlers. We meet most Tuesdays from 10am to 12pm in Room 2 at the Community Center,” Sarah added.
It was an absolute privilege and honour to represent the town of Rush, the wider Rush / Lusk Ward and previously the Balbriggan Ward on Fingal County Council over the last ten years. I would like to thank the residents and voters for the engagement and support during my period as a public representative. I would in particular like to thank my family, team of canvassers and helpers for their support both throughout the years while on the Council, as well as with the recent election campaign which would have started on the Dublin/Meath border a few months ago.
I would like to take the opportunity to wish the recently elected Rush / Lusk Ward Councillors Robert O Donoghue, Corina Johnston, Cathal Boland, Eoghan Dockrell and Paul Mulville all the best as they take up their new positions and in particular the new first time elected Councillors.
Getting elected and failing to get re-elected are just different sides of the same coin in some respects in politics and you have to take the good days with the bad.
I am currently involved in multiple community organisations in and around the town of Rush, it is my intention to remain involved, with the intention of contesting future elections as they arise. In the meantime, I will be monitoring what I would call the several ‘work in progress’ projects which I had been working on in the background, an example of which would be the purchase by Fingal County Council of the 28-acre site as a community resource in Knockdromin House adjacent to the Rush / Lusk train station.
I would also like to take the opportunity to express my commiserations to my hard-working colleague Adrian Henchy current Mayor of Fingal County Council and wish him and his family all the best going forward.
Rush 38th Cubs recently ventured to Roscommon on their annual camp. Roving reporter and Cub Scout “Sixer” Maeve Doherty is here to tell us all about it, “As a member of the Rush 38th cubs I can tell you the camp, which started on the 31st of May and ended on the 3rd of June, was certainly one to remember. On the Friday evening after school, 30 excited cubs boarded a very noisy three-hour bus drive to Lough Key, Roscommon. Then, we walked to our camp site where a delicious bag of chicken nuggets and chips awaited each of us. The theme of the camp for this year was “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Camp lasted for three nights, and every single day was filled with joy, and excitement. We did lots of activities including admiring the peaceful view of Lough Key while we also had the opportunity to get on the water and go rowing with the ducks. We also went on a gorgeous tree canopy walk. On our walk we learned about Rockingham House, which was designed by the same person who designed Buckingham palace. We also learned that the house burned down in a house fire while the owners were away. A tall building has been put up to mark were the house once stood. We got to climb to the top of the building to see the gorgeous view. We also went through the servant tunnels and through basement. After that we went on a boat tour of the lake while also singing karaoke. On the second day of camp, we went to Boda Borg which is a collection of escape rooms. The rooms were very challenging, but we all had a great time there. At the end of the day, we had a super fun disco with lights and great music. We even let other scout troops at the camp site join in. We all had a great time at camp all thanks to our amazing leaders who looked after us and made the camp so fun.”
River Clean-Up
What a National Biodiversity Week project! Well done to the residents of St Catherine’s Estate who along with members of the 38th Rush Scout Group, members of Rush Tidy Towns and our local Councillors Brian and Rob came together to clear a load of debris out of the river which runs along the edge of the Estate and which eventually makes its way into the sea. Fingal County Council were also very prompt at coming to pick up the proceeds of the clean-up.
Anchor Square Clean-Up
Thank you to all the Rush Tidy Towns volunteers who came along to the big clean up of the Anchor Square in June. It was quite the transformation.
Written by Nicole Bermingham
Every Tuesday night, as the streets of Dublin quiet down, a lively scene unfolds within the walls of the Santry Soccer Dome. It’s a gathering like no other, where the love for soccer intertwines with the spirit of camaraderie. Since joining in October 2023, my time at Ball Busters Social Soccer has been nothing short of magical, a weekly highlight that I eagerly anticipate.
Nestled within the heart of our community, the astro pitch transforms into a sanctuary where women of all backgrounds and skill levels come together to celebrate their love for the beautiful game. From the moment I stepped onto the pitch for the first time, I was greeted with smiles and encouragement, instantly feeling a sense of belonging among my fellow players.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Ball Busters Women’s Soccer is the camaraderie that permeates every match. It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about supporting and uplifting one another, both on and off the field. Whether we’re sharing tips on technique or cheering each other on during a particularly challenging game, there’s a palpable sense of sisterhood that unites us all.
What truly sets Ball Busters apart is its commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Regardless of our skill level or experience, each of us is valued and respected for the unique strengths we bring to the game. There’s no judgment or competition—just a shared passion for soccer and a determination to have fun while playing.
As the clock strikes 8 p.m. every Tuesday night, I feel a surge of excitement knowing that I’m about to embark on another unforgettable soccer journey. From the exhilarating rush of scoring a goal to the laughter that fills the air during post-match banter, each game is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the women who grace the field.
Beyond the physical benefits of playing soccer, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer provides a platform for personal growth and empowerment.
It’s a space where we can challenge ourselves, push our boundaries, and emerge stronger and more confident than ever before. Through the highs and lows of the game, we learn invaluable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and resilience—lessons that extend far beyond the soccer field and into our everyday lives.
In a world where women’s voices are often silenced or overlooked, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer stands as a beacon of empowerment and solidarity. It’s a reminder that when women come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And for that, I am eternally grateful to be a part of this incredible community.
By Matthew Semple
Growing up in a small village in rural north Somerset in the 1980s was definitely not a multi-cultural experience. There was a boy at school in the year below me whose father was from Pakistan and he was probably the only non-white child at the school. But when I was 11 years old my parents bought me a cassette of Paul Simon’s Graceland album for Christmas and that soon became my favourite tape. If you haven’t heard of it, look it up because it is worth a listen. There aren’t many albums that combine the unusual and exotic rhythms of South Africa with a middle-aged man singing cheerfully about going to parties in Manhattan, filing for divorce and negotiating a relationship with his young son.
No-one was expecting much of this album, especially as the singer’s previous two albums had flopped and he hadn’t had a hit for over ten years. But to everyone’s surprise it was a massive hit and sold 16 million copies – proving that success comes from unexpected places and that you can learn a lot from collaborating with people from other cultures.
And so it was that I was asked to compere the Multi-Culture Day at St Catherine’s National School on 24th May 2024 – or rather my wife said to me, “somebody ought to introduce the performers”. It is difficult to describe the atmosphere in the room when hundreds of people are sampling the images, artefacts and, importantly, the food from over a dozen countris representing their countries and cultures – but believe me, it was something very special and rare.
There were varied displays from, in no particular order, Poland, Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, India, Croatia, Latvia, Nigeria, Great Britain, Congo-Kinshasa, the Central African Repulic, Brazil and Ireland.
The school hall at St Catherine’s was almost definitely the only place in Fingal that day where you could sample spring rolls and plum sauce from Thailand, Brazilian brigadeiros, Indian bites and Australian fairy bread. The queue at the Nigeria buffet was particularly large as was the range of dishes they had on offer.
For further international flavour, attendees could purchase a cupcake with a flag and simultaneously enter a raffle. The winner was the holder of the flag pulled out of the hat towards the end of the event. The lucky flag was Canada and the winner, Leslie-Ann, went home with the Hamper of International Treats.
The sampling of international cuisine was punctuated by music and dance from children at St Catherine’s School followed by performances from the wider community, including some former pupils. We started with a gentle dip of the toe in not-so-exotic waters with traditional songs from England, Scarborough Fair and further back in time, Greensleeves.
Local councillor Brian Doherty and his daughter, Tess, stepped up with songs by Irish bands including U2 and took us on a trip across to Galway with the Saw Doctor’s N17. And after the musical ice was broken, members of the community volunteered impromptu performances taking on us on a whirlwind world tour of songs from Brazil, Slovakia and renditions of ‘How Great Thou Art’ in both French and Sango, an indigenous language of the Central African Republic. Keeping up the pace between the impromptu performances, various current and former pupils of the school treated the quite considerable audience to a dollop of Americana with songs from The White Stripes, Nirvana, and Metallica.
Whilst we are unfortunately used to hearing from detractors of multi-culturalism, often on social media, Friday’s event proved there is much joy in meeting and sampling other cultures, particularly when the food and music is so good. The Multi-Cultural Day, here in Rush, was proof indeed that we are stronger together and just like that Paul Simon album that has a depiction of St George on the cover – the patron saint of both England and Ethiopia - we have much more in common than we, at first, would realise until we get to know each other.
