The Thrive Swords Connect Café, held on Thursday, 26th March at the Carnegie Library, marked an inspiring beginning for this growing community-led initiative to promote positive mental health and wellbeing through activities that benefit the people of Swords.
Organised by Thrive Swords, a Mental Health Ireland initiative, supported by Fingal County Council, the event brought together a wide range of local services, community groups, and members of the public in a warm and welcoming space. The atmosphere throughout the morning was filled with positivity, connection, and a shared sense of purpose. Attendees had the opportunity to meet, chat, and learn more about the supports and initiatives available within Swords.
Thrive is an international movement dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing. It supports communities through meaningful engagement and activities that embrace, nurture, and protect mental health. Thrive Swords is shaped and led by the Fingal community itself, ensuring that local voices and needs remain at its heart. The initiative is supported locally by Fingal County Council, reflecting a strong partnership between community and public services.
The success of the Connect Café highlights the appetite within Swords for spaces where people can come together, feel supported, and build connections. It sets a strong foundation for future events and initiatives aimed at enhancing well-being across the area.
Looking ahead, Thrive Swords is preparing for its next event, Mental Health Ireland’s national “Hello, How Are You?” campaign on 15th May. This campaign will continue the important conversation around mental health, encouraging people to check in with one another and foster a culture of openness and care.
With such a positive event, Thrive Swords is proving to be a valuable and uplifting presence in the community, one that is set to grow and make a lasting impact. For more information in getting involved with Thrive Swords please contact thriveswords@mentalhealthireland.ie
Since 2018 TG4 has invited applications from third level graduates, or newcomers to the industry, to participate in a year-long work experience internship programme with the Irish language station.
Among the current interns is Ellen Nic Conuladh a 26-year-old animation filmmaker from Swords in North Dublin with four years’ experience working on productions for major platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and RTÉ. She studied 2D Animation at IADT, where she created an award-screened animated documentary about her father’s childhood during the Troubles, later gaining industry recognition including a 2023 VFX IFTA with EGG Post Production.
Internships within TG4 offer valuable hands-on experience across a range of media roles, particularly for those with strong Irish language skills. Opportunities include placements in areas such as social media, production, and sports broadcasting, where interns contribute to content creation, live event coverage, and digital engagement. Interns can gain experience across a variety of departments, including BLOC, MOLSCÉAL, Spórt TG4, Foghlaim TG4, as well as in graphic design and editing. TG4 is currently seeking new interns in these areas, providing an exciting opportunity for individuals to develop practical skills in a dynamic, Irish-language media environment while building a strong foundation for a career in broadcasting.
Ellen credits her love and respect for the Irish language and culture to her primary school years in Scoil an Duinnínigh in Feiltrim, Co.Dublin. After her year with TG4 she hopes to use the internship to develop Irish-language storytelling and continue highlighting modern Irish stories through animation. Ellen says that “the TG4 internship is an opportunity to nurture my love for the Irish language/ culture while also getting the opportunity to return to and refine my creative work.”
If you’re interested in becoming part of the next group of TG4 interns, please send your CV with a cover letter to cv@tg4.ie
Closing date for applications is Sunday the 12th of April.
Media Contact: Linda Ní Ghríofa, TG4 Communications Editor Linda.ni.ghriofa@tg4.ie
Do you want to increase your skill set to support your career? Does the thought of presenting to a crowd put the fear of god in you? Why not conquer your fear and head along to Swords Toastmasters public speaking club for an obligation free visit.
That’s exactly what member Rita Fagan did over 30 years ago when she wanted to increase her skills for her job.
Rita said ‘Toastmasters is an excellent way to improve your communication skills. You learn how to connect with your audience and get your message across in a clear and effective way. You also learn how to listen and evaluate which is a valuable skill in all aspects of life. All this is done in a fun, friendly non judgmental atmosphere. Come and join us and see for yourself.’
Swords Toastmasters is a club that helps people develop their public speaking, listening, and leadership skills, in a fun and supportive environment. Members join for a variety of reasons. Some, to progress their careers, to perform better at interviews, to practice for workplace presentations, or even for that all important wedding speech. If you would like to see Rita and her fellow Toastmasters in action, get in touch today, for an obligation-free visit. Perhaps you will be inspired to take the first step towards finding your own voice and changing your life!
Swords Toastmasters . Date: Every 2nd Monday, Location: Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825 Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.
Work has officially begun on the R132 Connectivity Project in Swords, a transformative infrastructure project designed to support the town’s rapidly expanding population and growing transport needs.
This project, in the region of €21 million and funded by the National Transport Authority, will make day-to-day movement through Swords easier by improving walking and cycling routes, strengthening east–west connections, and delivering a more user-friendly road layout.
These works are designed to address the immediate needs of a rapidly growing population, ensuring that residents experience safer journeys and better access to key areas of the town. At the same time, the project provides essential groundwork for future public transport improvements, including both MetroLink and BusConnects, which will rely on an upgraded R132 corridor to operate efficiently.
Following the awarding of the contract to Murphy, construction will commence shortly, marking a significant step by Fingal County Council towards ensuring that Swords has the infrastructure it needs now and into the future, allowing the town to remain a well-connected and thriving community.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: “Today marks more than the start of construction – it is the launch of a new chapter for Swords. By reshaping the R132 into a safer, more sustainable and people focused corridor, we are laying the foundations for a more connected community and preparing our County town to fully embrace the opportunities that key projects like BusConnects and MetroLink will bring. This is the beginning of a transformation that will strengthen Swords for generations to come.”
Construction is being delivered in four phases over 25 months along the 3km stretch of road between the Bostik junction and the edge of the Pinnock Hill roundabout near Airside. The first phase, which is expected to last six months, will focus on replacing the Estuary roundabout with a four arm signalised junction. This redesign will make the area significantly safer for pedestrians and cyclists while improving traffic flow and reducing conflict points for all road users.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, said: “As Swords continues to grow, it is vital that we match that growth with modern, future proofed transport infrastructure. The R132 upgrade is a key step in creating a safer, more connected town and in preparing this strategic corridor for major public transport investments such as MetroLink and BusConnects. This project will help ensure Swords has the capacity and connectivity it needs as one of the country’s fastest growing towns.”
The various branches of the Taylor and Savage families have certainly left their mark on the retailing history of Swords. At one time, they had both a drapiery and a much-loved (and missed!) hardware shop on Main St. This latter shop began trading in 1984, continuing until it closed its doors in December 2008.
At its peak, it employed 12 staff, 8 full-time and 4 part-time. The ostensible reason given for its closure was high local rates, but widespread recession loomed in Ireland then, a challenging time for all local businesses.
Christy Russell, of that famous Lusk family was one person left jobless as a result. Christy, as we all know, has had many setbacks in his life, but he’s still a stalwart of the Lusk Pipe Band, with its many medals and achievements. Good on you Christy and on all the members of this illustrious band,
keeping the fine musical tradition of Fingal alive and thriving!
Aer Lingus Lawn Bowls Club is a vibrant, friendly club located in the ALSAA sports complex K67YV06.
We have recently acquired a new synthetic Greengauge mat. This has enhanced our club immensely and we now possess one of the best bowling greens in the country.
In 2025 we were winners of an ILB Vets team. We also had finalists in the ILB doubles and triples championship competitions. We cater for men and women and we play in a mixed league.
If you are interested in joining our club, we offer coaching sessions, social and league games. We participate in ILB winter and summer leagues as well as internal club competitions.
We will have an open day on May 3rd 11am until 3pm.
If you would like to have a trial session, please contact us on aerlinguslawnbowlsclub@hotmail.com or call Sandra McCarthy on 086-3114540
By Jon Kavanagh
The appearance of the new Cultural Quarter on the Swords Skyline reminds us how much the town has evolved over the years. Before the bypass was constructed in the eighties, the main street formed part of the Dublin/Belfast Road. The street was much wider then, as heavy-duty trucks and buses crawled through with all the pace of a tortoise on Valium. Small locally owned businesses including: a couple of butchers, a hardware and drapery, a television repair and rental and several corner shops lined the town.
here was an old-style garage (not a cappuccino or croissant to be seen) in the heart of the town; with just a couple of fuel pumps mounted on the footpath and a rustic workshop to mend punctures and do repairs. Long queues formed there during the oil crisis (sounds eerily familiar) in the seventies. The proprietor operator a strict ‘regular customers only’ policy as he dispatched unfamiliar faces without ceremony.
Parking was a free for all; drivers played dodgem, as they battled their way into any available space. In pre NCT days cars often carried their own body weight in rust; exhaust pipes held up with wire, boots kept in place by a length of rope, and tires as bald as Kojak were not an uncommon sight. The castle lay derelict and unappreciated, as pigs foraged in its grounds. Whilst the bypass brought traffic relief, it was not without its teething problems. Articulated trucks jacked knifed and turned over all too often on the Pinnock Hill Roundabout. A tipper truck struck and brought down a pedestrian fly over bridge. Thankfully, there was no one on the bridge at the time. A hapless man from a rural hinterland in Fingal, encountered a roundabout for the first time whilst astride his Honda 50. Like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights, he panicked and propelled his machine anticlockwise against the traffic. In a daring deed worthy of a Hollywood stuntman, he managed to crash land onto the centre, with seconds to spare before disaster struck.
Time has moved on but despite the multiplicity of changes, Swords maintains its congenial atmosphere. A place where friends, neighbours and acquaintances still find time to stop for a chat during their busy day.
Francis (Frank) Lawless (1870-1922) TD and patriot, came from an illustrious nationalistic farming family from Saucerstown, Swords. The Lawless family would have been seen as ‘strong’ farmers in the Swords area. The Lawlesses were involved in every local Irish organisation including the Gaelic League, the GAA and Feiseanna.
Frank Lawless, like many of his family, was a fine singer and performer. He was elected president of Fingallians in 1902 having played himself for their team. He was a senior officer in the Fingal Volunteers, playing a pivotal role in the 1916 rising. He was elected a Sinn Fein TD 1919-1922 and was pro-Treaty.
Frank Lawless was tragically killed, aged 51, in an accident involving a horse - drawn cart. His funeral saw both Eamonn de Valera and Michael Collins both in attendance, united in their grief.
Mp2911198@gmail.com.
Fingal County Council has marked the commencement of works on the Seatown Road to Estuary Road Active Travel Scheme with a sod turning event attended by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly and Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel & Sport, David Storey. The project will deliver a range of improvements designed to enhance safety, accessibility and the overall travel experience for people moving along this route.
John Cradock Ltd has been appointed as the contractor for the scheme, with works having commenced recently and estimated to take approximately 12 months to complete. Upgrades include new cycle lanes on both sides of the road and the widening of the footpath under the bridge to improve pedestrian safety. The project also includes upgrading the roundabouts at Swords Business Campus and Estuary Road to designs that better accommodate cyclists, consisting of two cycle-friendly roundabouts with safe pedestrian crossings at all exits to protect vulnerable road users. These improvements will create more convenient and accessible travel options for people walking, cycling and wheeling, whether travelling to school, sport, shops or work.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, stated: “I am delighted to see works begin on this project which will make everyday journeys safer and more enjoyable for people living, working and visiting the area. By improving footpaths, enhancing cycling facilities and calming traffic, we are creating a road environment that better supports families, schoolchildren and our most vulnerable road users.”
David Storey, Director of Environment, Climate Action, Active Travel & Sport at Fingal County Council, said: “The commencement of works on the Seatown Road to Estuary Road Active Travel Scheme is an important step in strengthening the sustainable transport network in this part of the county. It advances the wider active travel link between Swords and Malahide, creating a more connected corridor that will serve the community well into the future.”
Aer Lingus Lawn Bowls Club is a vibrant, friendly club located in the ALSAA sports complex K67YV06.
We have recently acquired a new synthetic Greengauge mat. This has enhanced our club immensely and we now possess one of the best bowling greens in the country.
In 2025 we were winners of an ILB Vets team. We also had finalists in the ILB doubles and triples championship competitions. We cater for men and women and we play in a mixed league.
If you are interested in joining our club, we offer coaching sessions, social and league games. We participate in ILB winter and summer leagues as well as internal club competitions.
We will have an open day in late March, date to be confirmed.
If you would like to have a trial session, please contact us on aerlinguslawnbowlsclub@hotmail.com. Sandra McCarthy on 086-813114540
