Do you have a big day on the horizon? A wedding speech, an important job interview, or a high-stakes presentation? For many of us, the thought of addressing an audience can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right support and practice, you can transform fear into confidence.
That’s where Toastmasters International comes in. At Swords Toastmasters, we provide a supportive, structured environment where members develop the skills and self-belief to communicate with clarity and confidence. Guests are always welcome to attend for an obligation-free visit. One member who took that first step is Louise Duffy.

Louise said “After I got promoted, I quickly felt the dread of having to deliver presentations to senior management and speak in front of large audiences. I began researching ways to improve my skills and found Swords Toastmasters. From the very first meeting, the group was welcoming and encouraging. They provide a friendly, non-judgemental environment where you can become comfortable addressing a crowd. Everyone genuinely wants you to succeed, while also offering constructive feedback to help you grow. I’m pleased to say I now have no problem addressing an audience — whether delivering a speech or presenting. In fact, I don’t give it a second thought anymore. That transformation wouldn’t have been possible without Swords Toastmasters.”

Louise’s experience is a reminder that confident communication is not something you are simply born with — it is a skill that can be learned, practised, and mastered. If you’re ready to conquer your fear and unlock your potential, why not come along and see what’s possible?

Contact swordstm@gmail.com today to arrange your complimentary visit.

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 Louise 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 meet Every 2nd Monday from 8pm – 10pm at Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825. For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.

We know that in the past, Swords definitely had stone walls surrounding it.Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1575 called Swerdes (Swords) ‘…our good and walled town of Swerdes.’

But just where are these walls? Lacking physical evidence, the patterns of footfall around the village give us a good indication of how things looked back in medieval days. The passage shown in both pictures is called locally the ‘gut’, presumably because of it’s constricted width.

In fact,this old alleyway was the site of the postern(secondary) gate for Sword’s walls.The main gate of the medieval town had to be located where the main roads meet, ie just down from Witherspoons on main street.This particular gate was rarely opened, being heavy and cumbersome, with folk generally entering the town via this smaller ,postern one.

The earlier picture reveals that the outside wall of the present-day pizza shop, was in fact part of the original town walls of Sword. The complex of buildings jutting out from main street here were part of the defensive medieval main gate complex of Swords.

This upper, southern section of Swords was for centuries the heart of the English garrison here, with St Columbas ,the Vicarage (Glebe) , RIC barracks (Church street) and toll booth, all nearby .Older inhabitants of Swords have told me they felt that this area was the more ‘protestant’ part of the village, the later developing main street being mainly Irish and nationalistic in their outlook.

Fingal County Council and Broomfield Construction have officially started work on transforming a rundown 19th century townhouse in Swords. The project will refurbish, convert and extend the old building to create 13 new homes on North Street, right in the centre of the town.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tom O’Leary, and the Council’s Chief Executive, AnnMarie Farrelly, visited the site in December to mark the beginning of construction. The Council’s architects outlined how the project supports Fingal’s “Town Centre First” goal — which focuses on bringing unused or derelict homes back into use.

Once finished, the development, called North Court, will offer a mix of one bed and two bed homes. This includes three age friendly units and two built to universal design standards. All homes will be allocated to people on the Council’s social housing list.

Urban regeneration is a key part of the Council’s housing strategy, which has received a record €884 million under the 2025–2028 Capital Programme.

North Court is next to another major project — the €40 million Swords Cultural Quarter. This will include a library, theatre, gallery, maker space, arts spaces and a café, all within an iconic new building due to open in 2027. The project also includes improving the area around Swords Castle to create a better public space for events.

By making use of existing services and being close to jobs and public transport, North Court will offer sustainable living for the 38 people who will eventually move in. Turning a semi derelict site into new homes will also help improve the look and feel of the street.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tom O’Leary commented on the occasion: “I am delighted to turn the sod on North Court Swords which will provide much needed housing, including age friendly homes, in the heart of the town close to all amenities. Developments such as this, which sees the conversion of semi derelict houses into three new homes and additional ten apartments to the rear, contribute to combatting dereliction and breathing life into our town centres”.

Swords Autism Friendly Town Group is a new community-led initiative established in summer 2025 by community leaders, Autistic adults, and parents of Autistic children living in the Swords area.

They are currently planning a large multi-agency autism symposium in April, bringing together services, families, and Autistic voices to strengthen understanding and inclusion across the Swords area.

This community event will focus on the major stages across the lifespan, including moving from preschool to primary school, primary to secondary school, and secondary to tertiary education or adult day services.
“In a very short space of time, the response from the local community has been truly overwhelming. We now have an active WhatsApp community of over 250 members across multiple channels, where families and Autistic adults share trusted information, local supports, and peer connection. For many families who previously felt isolated, this has already become a vital source of support,” explained Events Coordinator Caroline St Leger.

Alongside online connection, Swords Autism Friendly Town Group have facilitated several in-person initiatives, including: A Friday night teen social club; An Adult Support Group and an Adult Social Hangout.

“Our aim is simple: to ensure Autistic people and their families feel visible, supported, and connected within their own community,” Caroline added.

For more information, please contact swordsautismfriendlytown@gmail.com.

Do you have a big day coming up, that you need to prepare for? Does the thought of addressing 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 Ciaran Pender did when he wanted to prepare for his wedding speech.
Ciaran said ‘After I got engaged last year, I quickly felt the dread of having to do a speech in front of a large audience. I began researching ways to help improve my public speaking skills and found Swords Toastmasters. From the very first meeting the group have been extremely welcoming and encouraging. They provide a friendly, non-judgemental environment so you can get comfortable with addressing a crowd. Everyone is willing you to succeed, while also providing friendly feedback on how you can improve. I’m pleased to say that the speech went really well and I don’t think that would have been possible without the Swords Toastmasters group.’

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 Ciaran 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
Date: Every 2nd Monday
Location: Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825
Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.

Meabh Thomas of St Colmcille’s GAA Club, Swords, Dublin, has been chosen as the 2025 winner in the Leinster GAA Beko Club Champion awards. Meabh is pictured receiving her award from Beko Ireland marketing manager Shane O’Connor during the Leinster GAA Club finals at Croke Park in Dublin. The St Colmcille’s GAA Club clubwoman was nominated for the award which celebrates local GAA club heroes who go above and beyond to help their local community. St Colmcille’s GAA Club will also receive €1,000 worth of GAA equipment courtesy of Beko. The Beko Club Champion accolade rewards and celebrates the incredible, often unheralded volunteer work carried out by clubs and club members. For more information visit Leinstergaa.ie/beko-club-champion/

Our Swords Tidy Towns Xmas Party this year was a great success. We had so many talented singers on the night one might be forgiven for thinking we were at the Eurovision.

We were delighted to welcome Ann Graves TD, Cllr Joe Newman, Cllr Darren Jack Kelly, Cllr Darragh Butler and Cllr John Smyth who came along to relax and join in the fun. Also there were friends from fellow Swords voluntary groups who joined in our celebrations, Swords Womenshed, Swords Woodland Ass, The Valley Project, The Bold Woman.

A reflection of the high regard we all hold for all the wonderful hard working Swords volunteers, especially the Swords Tidy Towns double Gold Medal winning team, all doing their bit for the Swords Community. Last but by no means least we wish to thank Fiona for her generosity and her wonderful hard working team at Peacocks Bar Rivervalley for hosting and looking after us all so well on the night.

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.

Eileen joined 8 years ago because of a profound and crippling fear of standing up in front of a group to speak.

Thanks to the guidance and support of her local Toastmasters Club, Eileen fulfilled a lifelong dream last month by delivering a speech titled ‘Living beyond your labels’ at TEDx Tralee.

Eileen was selected from thousands of applicants to become one of TEDx Tralee speakers, with her moving speech titled ‘Living beyond your labels’.

Eileen said “Standing on the red dot on the big stage at TEDx was a dream come true for me, something that would never have been possible without the support and encouragement I received from Swords Toastmasters.”

If you would like to see Eileen 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: 8pm – 10pm

For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.

Coolmine Lodge and Rivervalley Community Centre were the big winners for Fingal at the 2025 IPB Pride of Place awards. Supporting the Fingal nominees on the evening were Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary, Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly and members of the Community Development team.

Swords’s Rivervalley Community Centre was runner up in the Urban Neighbourhood and Housing Estates category as they showcased the thriving centre and its importance in the local community. Thrive Balbriggan also represented Fingal in the Health and Wellbeing category, centred around the Great Places and Spaces Mapping Project.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Tom O’Leary commented: “It is inspirational to be here at the Pride of Place awards with the fantastic Fingal groups whose dedication and pride in their local areas is being celebrated for making a really positive change in their communities. I want to congratulate everyone involved.”

Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “Huge congratulations to the Coolmine Lodge and Rivervalley Community Centre on their success at this year’s Pride of Place Awards and also to Thrive Balbriggan who represented Fingal. These awards are particularly special as they celebrate the invaluable role of the voluntary and community sector and the fruits of their efforts, with the support of our Community Development team, is very evident to me in the vibrant communities in Fingal.”

The awards, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Dermot Whelan, took place in Limerick’s Strand Hotel on November 7th, with 400 community volunteers in attendance.

2026 will be another year of growth for St Colmcille’s. Full schedule of return dates for 2026 will be posted on our social media.

Cilles cubs: As we come to the end of busy year in nursery, we welcome new children age four years upwards to either start or continue their Gaelic footballing journey with us. We will return Saturday 10th January 2026 at 10.30am with new and exciting games and skill learning.

The academy is completely free of charge for first 2 weeks which allows families to come down and have a go, see if it’s for you!. All our coaches are fully qualified and vetted. We are a growing club and always welcome new children, players, and mentors .

We also are in the planning stages of the “Gaa all-stars Inclusive Club Initiative- “All-Stars Club Program” which we hope to have running in January. Proudly sponsored by Glenveagh Homes

For more information contact Cora 083-3741305. Along with Nursey the under 8’s group will return January 10th.