Members of Swords Karate Club gathered recently in their final preparations before travelling to Tokyo Japan for the JKS World Karate Championships 2024.

They attended an early morning training session on Portmarnock Beach where they trained solidly for an hour covering the required Kihon, Kata and Kumite that will prepare them for the Championships. Following this, the Squad braved the 13C water for some team building exercises. Great fun was had by all!

Later the Squad convened for another, more technical training session in which Dermot Sensei brought them through the finer elements of competing in karate. The session was rounded off with the Squad being presented with their official Squad Kit for the trip.

The Squad is looking forward to representing their Club and Country at the JKS World Karate Championships and would like to thank everyone in the community who supported them in their fundraising efforts to get the Squad to this point. A full report of the trip and results of the Championship will be in the next edition.

Our Club is always looking for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

While the ‘Jacko’ park leading from Sword’s village is very familiar to local walkers, did you know that there is a continuation of this walk leading right up to Knocksedan Bridge, ie the Ward Valley Heritage Park? An un-sung part of Fingal’s extensive park portfolio, this most attractive area adjacent to Swords is ideal for hiking, dog-walking and adventuring.

Like many, I only got to know this fabulous part of Swords during Covid19. Going up there with our grandchildren was indeed a revelation. This park has abundance of heritage, from pre-historic remains, fine 17th cent follies, landscapes and walks; unrivalled scenic views, and lots of industrial archaeology from the 19th cent. It’s biodiversity, plants, trees and nature are unrivalled, the area having been left untouched by man for many years.

The Ward River itself is most scenic within the park, with many access-points for fishing, paddling or just ‘chilling out.’ The Park is one of easiest places to enjoy this river’s many attractions. Many local Swords folk would have had their first swimming lessons up here! The park also offers an abundance of walking trails, ideal for dog-walkers. The unspoiled biodiversity on offer here provides interest for all the family, of whatever age.

Children love exploring new places and this park certainly lots of exciting places for this. Walks can be short (30mins),longer(90mins) or 2 hrs for the longest. I’ve recorded some guided heritage walks in the park which can be found at: Mike Power/ Guided Walks/Youtube.

The Ward Valley Heritage Park has something to offer everyone, whether history-buff, hiker, nature-enthusiast, dog-walker or those just looking for a pleasant ramble in the great outdoors.

Getting There: By car, drive to Brackenstown roundabout. By bus, take the 41 to the Manor Inn and walk across to the Park. Walker’s access is continuing on past the Children’s Playground in the ‘Jacko’ into the Park. Not suitable for prams of buggies.

Highly recommended!

The Fingal 10k took place in Swords on Sunday 14th July in what was a superb event that saw a very large entry list taking to the roads in fantastic weather conditions.

The streets were lined with supporters attending the event that is part of the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Race Series that attracts entrants from Fingal, the Greater Dublin area and from around the country.

Hugh Armstrong was the first man home in a time of 29:39 making it back-to-back victories in the event for the Ballina AC member. There was also jubilation for Michelle Finn of Leevale AC who was the first woman across the line in a time of 34:35.

The top 3 men were: Hugh Armstrong Ballina AC 29:39; Jamie Fallon Craughwell AC 30:45; Peter Somba Ratoath AC 30:57

The top 3 Women were: Michelle Finn - Leevale AC 34:45; Caitlyn Harvey - Roadrunners AC 35:39; Kate Purcell - Raheny AC 35:46

6 SL 04 Top three men Hugh Armstrong Jamie Fallon and Peter Somba Web

6 SL 03 Michelle Finn is the first woman to cross the line Web

Fingal County Council, Creative Ireland and the Irish School Orchestra presented ‘Orchestral Odyssey’ for children and families in Swords in June. The magic of a full orchestra was brought directly to children in school settings and families in the newly refurbished Carnegie Library

Swords Educate Together National School, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe and Scoil Chrónáín Senior National School responded to the invitation issued by Fingal Arts Office. Musicians Niall O’Sullivan, Shóna Henneberry and Denice Doyle visited each school over three weeks to mentor children in carefully selected songs about inclusivity, diversity, and resilience, alongside the intricate art of ensemble performance. Children were encouraged to explore the layers of orchestral compositions in preparation for performing in front of their peers accompanied by the 35 professional musicians forming the Irish School Orchestra.

Children got acquainted to the instruments of the orchestra and to the classical masterworks, memorable film scores, beloved TV themes and captivating opera & contemporary arias.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council commented, ‘Fingal Arts Office is committed to the enhancement of children’s music education and strives to establish educational partnerships that underscore the pivotal importance of music in a child’s development’.

Niall O’Sullivan, Musical Director said, ‘Highly skilled professionals are at the heart of the Irish School Orchestra, which serves as a catalyst for the development of young minds, inspiring audiences, and musicians alike’, he continued, ‘In an era defined by constant stimulation, this project offers children an oasis and an opportunity to witness the transformative magic of live music’.

Cruinniú na nÓg , Creative Ireland’s annual day of free creative activity for children and young people, has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2018. This event is unique to Ireland and is the flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth Plan, which aims to enable the creative potential of children and young people.

Fingal County Council are planning to build a new Civic and Cultural Centre in the heart of Fingal’s county town. As part of the rejuvenation of Swords town centre the building, designed by renowned architects O’Donnell Tuomey, will include: a new County Library that will cover 3,000m2; a new theatre with seating for 165 people; a new art gallery exhibition space; a new Maker Space to encourage creativity; new studios and rehearsal rooms for the Arts; new archive and reference library and a new Café.

Outside the building the Council will open up Town Park by extending the grassed and landscaped area around the castle. The road and pedestrian spaces will be repaved and public access to the park at the Council Offices will be improved with the removal of railings and the installation of steps that will create a new open space incorporating County Hall, Swords Castle, Town Park and the Cultural Centre building.
The Council has opened public consultation on the plans for the Swords Cultural Centre on 7th July and has urge the public to have their say.

‘This is a major community development for Swords and everyone in Swords should take the opportunity to inspect the plans online or at the Council offices in Swords or Blanchardstown, Swords Castle and Council Libraries. Make a submission at www.consult.fingal.ie to give your thoughts and views. The Consultation will run until 22 August, so please let us know what you think.’

The 2024 Fingal Poetry Slam is coming to the Carnegie Free Library in Swords on 10th July and local poets are being encouraged to enter to be in with the chance of winning the chance to perform at the Grand Slam event later this year.

Poets of all experience levels are welcome to enter the event and are asked to come prepared to perform two poems of their choice.

Heats have already taken place in Malahide, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown with the Swords event hosting the final round. The events have been very well attended and the organisers are hoping for the same on 10th July.

Poets and audience members will also be entertained by host Sheila Ryder, The Poet Geoff, and there will also be live music from Ange Boxall.

The event is free, but tickets are required and can be booked by visiting fingalpoetryfestival.ie and visiting the Eventbrite link.

Regular training took place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays this month. All students are training really well with an eye on grading at either the JKS National Grading in Drumcondra or at the Club grading next month. The grading’s for new belts are important milestones for each student as they become more proficient at their Karate practice.

We linked in with our JKS Tallaght friends for a fundraising Bag pack for the JKS Ireland Squad members (some who are from JKS Swords), going to Japan in July for the World Karate Championships. We did really well and the funds will go directly to the Squad members to help them with the expenses of this trip.

This month (May), we are delighted to host Masao Kagawa Shihan, 9th Dan JKS, for a three-day seminar. Kagawa Shihan is the World Chief Instructor of JKS Karate and we are very fortunate that he visits Ireland once a year. Over the three days, Kagawa Shihan will instruct members of JKS Swords and other JKS clubs in many technical aspects of karate. He will also conduct Dan grading’s (Black Belt examinations) and Qualifications in areas such as Judging and Refereeing. A full report of the Seminar will follow in next month’s edition of our Club news.

St Colmcille’s GFC are delighted to welcome the mobile unit from Marie Keating Foundation to our club house on Wednesday 5th June.

This initiative is part of our Healthy Club and is open to all in the community .

The mobile unit will be at the clubhouse 10am-11.45am. Then, from 12pm-1pm there will be a Health held in the building with the nurse. There will be information and advice available on the topics Breast, Prostate and skin cancers.

The members of Swords Meals on Wheels were delighted when they learned that local singer and artist Roly Daniels has donated one of his painting to support a fundraising raffle for the local group.

Organised with the help of the Swords Bridge Club, the Meals on Wheels members were approached by Roly who offered to donate his signed painting ‘The Old Mill in Swords’ that will be raffled to raise much needed funds for the group.

“We received a wonderful donation of a framed painting of ‘The Old Mill in Swords’ painted by none other than Roly Daniels the famous Irish singer, not only a terrific signer but also an accomplished artist that has had an exhibition recently in Donegal,” explained Niall MacNeill of Swords Meals on Wheels.
“Roly lives locally and wanted to do something to support Swords Meals on Wheels. This unique artwork will be raffled in aid of Swords Meals on Wheel. There will be 100 tickets, each ticket will cost €10. Swords Bridge Club were instrumental in organising this and we are extremely grateful to Roly for his time and skill. And to all in Swords Bridge Club for their support,” Mr MacNeill added.