Thomas Michael Kettle (9th Feb 1880- 9 Sept 1916), born near Swords of a distinguished Irish nationalist family, was a barrister, journalist, economist, poet and Irish parliamentary MP for East Tyrone (1906-1910). Kettle’s father, Andrew Kettle (born Drynam Hse, Swords 1833), was a major Irish Nationalist politician of that day, considered by many to be ‘Parnell’s right-hand man’.
Thomas Kettle was a distinguished member of that progressive group of Irish intellectuals who held a new, European vision of what Ireland’s destiny was to be. James Joyce considered Kettle to be his best Irish friend. Privately educated, Kettle went on to study at UCD where he distinguished himself as a brilliant scholar and orator. Elected President of the prestigious Literary and Historical Society there, he was supported by famous contemporaries such as Francis Sheehy-Skeffington and Oliver St John Gogarty.
The earlier photo shows Kettle in his legal robes on the occasion of being called to the Irish bar (1905).In 1908 he became Prof. of Economic Studies at UCD, representing Ireland at many important European conferences and meetings. Both a Nationalist and a Europhile, Kettle consistently campaigned on behalf of oppressed minorities, echoing the humanitarian campaigns of his contemporary Roger Casement .Kettle actively supported the Dublin worker’s strike of 1913, wielding his journalistic pen skilfully on their behalf.
Kettle’s bronze bust in St Stephen’s Green by sculptor Albert Power though completed in 1921, was only finally erected in 1937. Service in the British army was dimly viewed by the Irish Free State Authorities of that day, occasioning this delay.
Tom Kettle was undoubtedly one of the most talented men ever too walk the streets of Swords. Rather in the mode of Michael Collins later, his premature death at 36 years was an irreparable loss for Swords, for Fingal, and for Ireland too.
Swords local Maurice Colgan returned to Swords in 1981 after returning from England. He recently decided to pen his own memoirs including all of his memories of Swords since 1947!
‘I am 84 years young and remember Swords from 1947 when visiting relatives living behind the Lord Mayor’s pub. My late wife, Maureen 1941-2015 was known by J C Savage and locals as the Elvis lady. The Fingal independent covered our stories for more than thirty years. I am living here in Swords after returning from England in 1981,’ Maurice explained.
The book ‘Memories of Maureen’ – named in honour of his late wife is available to purchase at amazon.ie and internationally.
History was made in St Colmcille’s GAA Club in Swords in October as its Under-13 girls’ football team has become the first female team from the club to reach a Cup Final.
The achievement is a testament to the determination, commitment and team spirit of a remarkable group of young girls who have gone from strength to strength throughout the season. Through hard work, resilience and mutual respect, the players have grown not only as footballers but as a team, supporting and encouraging one another every step of the way.
Guided by their dedicated coaches, Aaron Daly, Lorraine Johnson and Sean McCormack, the girls demonstrated that success in sport is about much more than results on the scoreboard. Their journey reflects the importance of friendship, respect, hard work and creating a team environment where everyone feels valued and included.
The whole club is immensely proud of the girls. Speaking ahead of the final, the coaching team said: “We couldn’t be prouder of this group of girls. They’ve worked incredibly hard, shown great resilience when things haven’t gone their way and, most importantly, they’ve always looked out for one another. Respect, teamwork and inclusion are at the heart of what we try to build as coaches, and these girls demonstrate those values every time they step onto the pitch. To reach a Cup Final and make history for the club is a fantastic achievement, but we’re equally proud of the confident, supportive young women they’re becoming.
Whatever happens in the final, they’ve already made us all proud.”
New Players Welcome – Be Part of Something Special!
These young footballers are helping to pave the way for the next generation within the club and St Colmcille’s Swords is encouraging more girls, boys from the age of 4 years of age upwards to the men’s senior team and the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others team, come along and give Gaelic football a try.
Whether you’re an experienced player or have never kicked a football before, there’s a place for you at the club.
Local girl Manassanan Chanhiran known to her many friends as Manny, who represented Swords in the competition, was delighted to be crowned Mrs Ireland last month. The mother of two took the top spot in the finals that were held in Newry.
The competition’s chosen charity this year was Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
A beautiful new sculpture recently appeared on The Green (opposite the nursing home on the Rathbeal Road), in Swords. The project was a collaboration between Swords Tidy Towns and Fingal County Council’s Operations Department. It represents a selection of the Bird life of Swords - Heron, Egret, Kingfisher and Raven. All of which are present and recorded in previous ecology surveys. The sculpture was made by renowned Mullingar wood carving artist, Richie Clark.
Would you like to build your confidence in public speaking? Have you grown tired of letting fear hold you back? This September, take the first step towards overcoming this fear by visiting Swords Toastmasters for an obligation-free meeting. Discover a supportive and encouraging environment where you can develop your communication and leadership skills while gaining the confidence to speak with ease.”
That’s exactly what member Tony Wilkins did 6 year’s when he wanted to meet the challenge head on.
Tony said “I joined during Covid simply to break the monotony and just to have a look. Well, I have never looked back and last year, was honoured with the presidency of the Club.
Like many before and after me, I left it late to find Swords Toastmasters and join. What I found was a group of people with tremendous knowledge, wisdom, skill and experience. In what you might say - in all aspects of life coaching. The ability of the Club and its members to bring a person out of that uncomfortable place into a secure environment where you gain the confidence to meet, talk, express yourself; to engage with others, who were usually all from that uncomfortable place originally; to prepare a short speech and present it, to receive and accept feedback about it and to move on and prepare a slightly longer and better presentation. It is also structured to suit the individual’s needs and no one is ever pressurised and the confidence that flows is so very evident for all to see, not least by the very person who walked in the door some weeks earlier needing that lift, that boost that hits the reset button.
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 Tony and his 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 meets every 2nd Monday from September – June from 8pm to 10pm in the Old Borough National School, Swords, K67 Y179
For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 085 8100411.
St Colmcille’s GFC welcomed players, families, friends and the wider community for its annual charity blitz in aid of St Francis Hospice held on Saturday, 19th September.
The club has been holding the popular fundraising event almost every year since 2016 in honour of two of the players’ mothers who passed away and spent some time in St. Francis Hospice.
Following the action on the pitch, players and supporters came together in the club hall for refreshments, a raffle, and the real fun which continued into the evening.
Marian O Neill, Club Secretary, St. Colmcille’s, said: “Over the years, this blitz has become a really special event for our club. It brings people together for a great afternoon of football and plenty of fun, but most importantly it gives us an opportunity to support the incredible work of St Francis Hospice.”
“We have raised thousands of euros for the hospice since we first started holding the blitz, and that is entirely down to the generosity of our players, families, friends and the wider community.”
About St. Colmcille’s GAA Club
This small but busy and ambitious club has been part of the Swords Community since 1935. They are looking to grow their teams and offer the following opportunities to join in the fun.
Nursery training Saturdays 10.30 am Sponsored by Glenveagh homes.
U6’s training Saturdays 10.30 am
U8’s team Wednesday 6.30-7.15 and Saturday 10.30- 11.30
U10’s team train every Wednesday 7.15-8.15 & Saturday 10.30-12
U13 girls training every Tuesday and Thursday 6.30pm and Saturday at 10.30.
Adult men’s team are training every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30 Sponsored by Members First Credit Union.
Our Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others team are training every Monday at 7 p.m.
Media enquiries:
Pamela Kavanagh – 085 8022707 or Pamkavanagh@gmail.com
Swords Tidy Towns has been winning awards for many years as they work during all weathers to keep our community clean. They also put fantastic efforts into decorating Main Street and other areas with summer flower arrangements. Not so well known is an STT member who works on removing the graffiti that pops up with annoying regularity. Delivering a cleaner town on this front is Eric Duffy, a resident of Carlton Court. Given how this work has required constant attention he has a new process for anti-graffiti efforts that he thinks will work out well.
“I first got involved with Swords Tidy Towns when my neighbor, Matt Cullen, chatted to me while he was tidying a flower bed in Carlton Court, he explains. I soon decided to get involved, and after a bit with the litter picking, quickly became passionate about cleaning as much Graffiti as I could.” He is quick to point out that Tidy Towns always earn a lot of respect for wall murals and flower baskets, the work on removing graffiti can go un-noticed.
“Usually when the school holidays begin there is an uptick. I’d say there are only a few kids leaving graffiti but they make the town’s environment look awful.”
Eric has found that a wall might be repainted as soon as he cleans it. “I discovered they throw in the towel once we get to the third round”. In the same breath he worries that what he firmly considers to be vandalism, will surge back into popularity. “I believe we need to encourage the youth to develop their Art through art competitions, a more positive opportunity to show an artistic talent”
As part of a new Council funded project to combat litter and graffiti (ALAG), a mapping and tracking system is being developed for Swords. This offers a new way of identifying areas where graffiti causes a persistent nuisance. This new “public realm awareness” tool is nearly complete. Swords Tidy Towns is one of several Swords based organisations contributing to the design and improvement of this system. Browse www.swordlive.ie to see what is on offer.
The remarkable variety of beautification provided by Tidy Towns over the years is truly inspiring. https://swordstidytowns.com/completed-projects/
“New volunteers are certainly welcome to become part of our team” Ken Duffy, STT Chairperson.
Who are North Dublin Toastmasters?
North Dublin Toastmasters is a club that helps members become more confident by developing a range of social, communication and leadership skills. We provide our members with a relaxed, friendly, fun and professional environment to help them achieve these goals. You can volunteer for a variety of roles at our meetings and each role helps you to develop a varied range of skills. Members get an opportunity to grow at their own pace with no pressure to take on any specific role until they are ready. We also give regular, supportive feedback to help each person achieve their full potential.
Why the name change?
Our club has been established for over 30 years. Until recently, we were known as East Coast Toastmasters. Although we are all proud members of “East Coast” we feel that this name was a little too broad and vague for members looking for clubs in their own location. Whilst we welcome members from all areas and all counties, we believe that “North Dublin Toastmasters” will help potential members find us and give them a better understanding of our location.
Are guests welcome to attend?
We are delighted to welcome any guests who would like to attend our meetings and there is no charge. Most members who join the club first attend as a guest to see how a typical meeting runs. They often join us when they see how our club can help them achieve their own personal goals.
Where and when do we meet?
North Dublin Toastmasters meet on the first and third Tuesday of every month. We alternate between in-person meetings in St Cronan’s Parish Hall, Swords (first Tuesdays) and online meetings (third Tuesdays). Online meetings are another increasingly relevant way to develop and broaden your communication skills.
To get more information about our club you can email NorthDublinToastmasters@gmail.com or phone our President Mick Rock at 0877686069
By Mike Power
This famous Swords building opened its controversial doors on the 18th February 1809, a couple called Joseph and Anne Carmichael being the first principals. The name chosen ‘Old Borough’ recalls the ancient autonomous status of Swords as a ‘free, self-governing’ town (Borough).) Francis Johnson (1760-1829) was the architect.
The money to build this school came from the financial bonanza accruing to Swords at the Act of Union (1801) in compensation for the loss of its two MP’s (£1,500). The school was specifically set up both to educate the poor of the village, and to prepare them to become productive members of the ascendancy-controlled Swords of that day. As well as the 3 Rs, students were also (frugally) fed, learned practical skills - needlework (girls) and apprenticeships (boys). The school also provided coal and free medical care to regular attendees, a great incentive to attend for the’ poorer classes. There was also intense competition within the school for both academic and good conduct prizes, usually being money.
The ethos of this school was overwhelmingly Protestant, Irish never having being taught and the strict Protestant bible used for religious instruction. As time went on, however, more and more Catholic families began withdrawing their children (1830s -1853) from the school in protest at the school’s Protestant character. This situation was only finally resolved in 1855 when a new Catholic school (Seatown Rd.) was opened. It took until 1887 for the allotted funds to be equitably shared between both religious communities in Swords. An emblematic tale of Sword’s past...?
Email Mike l:mp9211198@gmail.com.
