Article By Ken Duffy

Once again our hard working volunteers who are out in all weathers year in year out have been justifiably rewarded for their efforts. On Friday 28th Oct we attended the National Tidy Towns Awards Ceremony in the RDS Ballsbridge where we were awarded a National Silver Medal in our category. This makes five National Silver Medals in a row, as our member Gerry Brennan remarked afterwards, if we win another Silver next year, we will equal the Dubs six in a row, what an achievement that would be. The presentation of our award will most likely take place early in the new year in Trim as they were the regional winners. As I have written many times in the past, our success is down to a collaborative effort with Fingal County Council, in particular with the hard-working lads in their Operations Department who we work hand and glove with. Swords Tidy Towns have linked up with other Swords based organisations in our ongoing efforts to work with other like-minded groups to make Swords the best it can be, to help it achieve its true potential. No man or group is an island, when we collaborate together with determination and goodwill with a common goal, its amazing what can be achieved. New volunteers are always needed and very welcome, whatever your skillset it will be put to good use. Donations are also much needed and very welcome to help continue our great work which can be seen all around Swords town centre. We have come a long way since the 2003 Irish Business Against Litter report which designated Swords the 3rd dirtiest town in Ireland. With your help and backing we will continue to make strides in making our town the very best it can be. You can contact us by email at swordstidytowns@gmail.com.

On Saturday October 8th, St Colmcilles Gaelic for Mother and Others hosted their Blitz in aid of St Francis Hospice. Many teams were invited, 7 of them took St Colmcilles up on the offer, St Finians, Fingal Ravens, Na Dubh Ghall, Erins Isle, O Dwyers and Starlights. Over 100 women took to the pitch throughout the day, where each team played 3 matches each. All our referees volunteered their time and for this we are appreciate greatly.Friday night the preparation started where all the St Colmcilles ladies gathered and arranged all the spot prizes which were donated by local businesses and got the hall set up. O’ Dwyers from Balbriggan were voted Team of the Tournament by the referees. Each team donated to the Hospice and there was a raffle after the games to help raise further money for the hospice. Raising just under €3000 we would like to thank everyone involved in this great event.St Colmcilles G4M&O are always looking for new players, even if you’ve never kicked a football before, this LGFA initiative is a great way for women to meet up and have a laugh while getting exercise and learning a new skill. Contact Marian on 0876819540

We were privileged to host the head of JKS Worldwide, Kagawa Shihan 9th Dan JKS, recently for a training seminar. Over 4 hours, Kagawa Shihan gave masterful karate instruction in kihon, kata and kumite. Over 100 JKS members from across Ireland attended Applewood Community Centre to take part. The attendees ranged in age from 6 to over 60 years and Kagawa Shihan was mindful to cater to everyone who was training. We hope to have him visit next year again. It is great to offer our students the opportunity to train which such a high calibre Karateka. Congratulations are in order for three students who were presented with their Dan Diplomas by Kagawa Shihan at the seminar. Brian Horgan and Conor Glennon received their 1st Dan Diplomas, while Vincent Clarke received his 4th Dan Diploma. All of these karateka were dedicated in their training to achieve their Dan grades through tough examinations. Regular training continues weekly in Applewood Community Centre. All classes are enjoying being back to a regular schedule after the summer break and are working towards the next event which is the 2nd JKS Inter Club Competition which will be held in Tallaght.We hope to have some medal winners on the day.We take new members (Children, Young People & Adults) all through the year. Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

By Ken Duffy

This year we have once again linked up with the Transition Year students from both Fingal and St Finnian’s Community Colleges. We linked up with the students as community work is one part they must undertake to achieve their Gaisce Awards. Recently Swords Tidy Towns have had enquires from other Tidy Towns asking how they should go about involving Transition Year students in their areas. It is a great initiative which we have embraced wholeheartedly, the students are a joy to work with, youth and age working harmoniously together, it bodes well for the future. We wish other Tidy Towns success and good luck in their efforts to link up with their TY students. Swords Tidy Towns await with bated breath the results of this year’s National Tidy Towns competition, a lot of hard work has been put in this year. We have been successful the past four years achieving a National Silver Medal on each occasion. It would be nice if a gold was awarded to us this year, it would be a fair reflection on the hard work and dedication put in over many years by our volunteers. The early nights are upon us, so Swords Tidy Towns have cancelled their usual Wednesday night clean ups. We now only meet on a Saturday morning at 10am in the car park of Colourtrend opposite the Central SC, we are very grateful to Colourtrend management for facilitating us. We can be contacted at our email address swordstidytowns@gmail.com

By Liam Ó Culbáird

On Sun 2nd October. A fantastic day was had by all at the Dublin County Final of Scór Sinsir 2022 (the GAA’s talent competition) that was hosted by Fingallians GAA and Fear an Tí Liam Ó Culbáird.With strong representation from northside and southside, Dublin now has a very strong team as they enter into Leinster. A special thanks to all the clubs that participated and those that helped promote the competition within their clubs. Thanks to our moltóirí Ann and Cóilín and our cabhróirí Sinéad and Donna but most of all thanks to the participants.The winners were as follows in these different categories: Tráth na gCeisteanna: Ranelagh Gaels, Rince Foirne: Cuala, Amhránaíocht Aonair: Cuala, Aithriseoireacht / Scéalaíocht: Fingallians, Bailéad-Ghrúpa: Cuala Ceol Uirlise: Cuala. It was great to see three local Swords GAA clubs represented; Fingallians, St. Finian’s and Colm Cille’s. Pictured are all the Swords competitors.

Fingallians GAA’s Culture Officer, Liam Ó Culbáird, told the Fingal Independent: “The Irish language is a central part of our heritage, as are our national field games. We are working to create an environment where it is not unusual to hear Irish spoken both willingly and enthusiastically. An environment where Irish is not just associated with the classroom. Fingallians GAA are receiving great recognition for this on a national stage. We had visitors this week from each of the main National Irish language promotion organisations; Conradh na Gaeilge, Fóras na Gaeilge and Glór na nGael. All commended Fingallians for the ongoing work. Fins are now regarded as an exemplar club in the promotion of the Irish language outside of An Ghaeltacht.”Games Promotion Officer Naoise de Bhaldraithe said “I am delighted that the Campa Samhraidh was so successful. We had 102 children playing sport through the Irish language medium. There are not many such camps taking place in Dublin but we are proud to lead the way.” Fingallians GAA Camp Co-ordinator Donagh Mac Liam commented: “2022 was our second year running the Irish language camp and again it has proved a great success. We have a template established and we look forward to expanding into the future. The Camps are tough work but seeing the enjoyment of the kids makes it a privilege to be involved.” Ní ábhar í an Ghaeilge, is teanga í. Is ár dteanga í. - Irish is not a subject, it is a language. It is our language.

Despite a 2-1 loss against Beechwood FC recently, Swords Celtic U15.4 celebrated last seasons league win after finally receiving their medals and trophy. Both managers are very happy that the team has remained fully together for another season. A very happy captain Max Savage lifted the trophy to start the celebration with his teammates. Well done to all involved

Training returns to normal schedule after the summer in Applewood Community Centre as the club prepares for the new karate season. Classes are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Congratulations to Ashish Johnston and Sandra Ilasz who won Students of the Month for September. They were presented with the Student of the Month Trophies by their instructor Dermot O Keeffe Sensei, 6th Dan JKS recently. Ashish and Sandra attend classes regularly and puts huge effort into their training in kihon, kata and kumite. Well done, Ashish and Sandra! 20 members of JKS Ireland gathered in Applewood Community Centre recently for Brown and Bclak Belt training. The 2-hour class consisted of a variety of kihon and kumite techniques and drills. The class then studied katas Tekki Shodan, Kakyoko Shodan and Gojushiho Sho. Well done to all who took part in this training session.We take new members (Children, Young People & Adults) all through the year. Contact Dermot on 087-98073885 for details on how to join. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Fingal County Council has today confirmed its commitment to explore how best to deliver a new project that will create a vastly enhanced Ward River Valley Regional Park in Swords, as the population in the key town continues to grow rapidly and develops into well-designed county capital.The Council has outlined plans that will see an expansion of the park to some 80 hectares (200 acres) and create a space that will benefit all users on the doorstep of Fingal’s county town. The project will involve extensive consultation with the local community with the goal of developing an ambitious shared vision for the future.The project - led by the Parks & Green Infrastructure Division - aims to deliver a sustainable vision for the development of the park. Protection and enhancement of the existing heritage, ecology and biodiversity is a key element of the park’s future, along with developing new links within the park and with the wider area.The recent acquisition by Fingal of strategically located lands within the River Valley will help unlock the future potential of the park. The project will also identify current recreational needs and uses, providing a framework for development of the park from the present time into the future. Plans for the Ward River Valley Regional Park will dovetail with the Council’s ambitions as part of Sustainable Swords, which aims to facilitate an accessible, inviting public realm that links with the natural and historic context of the area. Sustainable Swords will also look to improve permeability, with green corridors around the town as well as those linking into the centre of Swords itself. An innovative consultation program is proposed to inform the public, encouraging people to have their say on the project. The first phase of public consultation will begin on Saturday 8th October with an interactive design workshop at Rivervalley Community Centre where the public will be invited to meet with the design team.Further details on the workshop and how to register interest in attending will be available shortly via the Council’s website and social media channels.

Fingal County Council has launched a public consultation on its draft plan to regenerate the centre of Swords through sustainable development. The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “A town is never complete and it never stops changing. The population of Swords has increased ten-fold over the past 50 years and is continuing to expand. In response, Fingal County Council is working to ensure that Swords grows sustainably and develops into well-designed county capital.” The key to this is a plan to facilitate better placemaking and create a more resilient town centre by reversing the historic shift away from Main Street, which commenced in the early 2000s.These projects include a cycle network that consists of radial routes linking the outer residential areas to Swords Town Centre as well as a greenway network that utilises the green and blue corridors that exist in the area. There is also a Quietways and Home Zones project which will facilitate the sharing of streets by pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles as well a project which will deliver Safe Routes to Schools and School Zones.The final project under the third theme is the Western Distributor Road which will direct vehicular through-traffic away from Swords Town Centre. The projects include the Swords Cultural Quarter as well as two feasibility studies on the creation of a heritage trail around the town and a visitor experience at St Columba’s Church and Round Tower..The final theme focuses on enhancing the natural environment, supporting community initiatives, and celebrating Swords through promotion and branding which will include a way finding strategy. The draft Sustainable Swords Strategy can be viewed and downloaded through fingal.ie/sustainableswords while copies are available to read at County Hall, Swords Library and the Civic Offices in Blanchardstown. Submissions can made to consult.fingal.ie before Tuesday, October 18, 2022. There will be a static information stand in The Atrium in County Hall until October 18.. Here are Computer Generated Images of how Main Street, Swords will be transformed under the Sustainable Swords Strategy.