Words Meals on Wheels had a significant shortfall of meals the first week of August due to one of the group’s suppliers being on holiday for the week, and they were trying to source alternatives to cover one of our runs. The local branch contacted The Carnegie Court Hotel with a view to buying a number of meals daily to cover our shortfall. The management group very quickly made a decision to supply all of the requirements completely free of cost!
“Thank you all in the hotel and particularly Tracey Dunne for doing this for us, it is really appreciated. Great to see local business’s supporting local causes. Swords Meals on Wheels supplies just under 100 meals daily free of charge in the greater Swords area,” reads a statement from the local branch.
By Ken Duffy
Our long time Swords Tidy Towns member Matt Cullen who is one of the founder members of our group twenty years ago along with myself recently celebrated Fifty Years of volunteering. He has volunteered with many different organisations over those years. There are two groups I know that hold a special place in Matt’s heart, Swords Tidy Towns which he helped to found and (ILFA) the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association to which Matt has given much of his time since he was diagnosed with the decease himself a number of years ago.
What we all admire most about our friend Matt besides his commitment to his community is that he has never allowed his illness to get in the way of his voluntary work. His constant smile and upbeat attitude have served as an inspiration to all the group over many years, even through the ups and downs he has suffered over the years since being diagnosed.
Matt was the winner of the 2015 All Ireland Volunteer of The Year Award, Swords Tidy Towns nominated him in recognition of all his hard work over many years and for his ability to always turn negative situations into a positive ones.
To celebrate Matt’s Fifty-Year milestone and recognise his contribution to the group, we organised a party in his honour in the Whiskey Room at the Old Schoolhouse where a wonderful time was had by all in attendance.
Swords based band Sweep Head have recently released their self-titled album and since the 5th of July, the album has become available to download online.
Their Debut EP has three new songs and is the first music released by the group. The songs where recorded in the start of 2024 in sonic studio. These three new songs are a blend of classic rock and roll and more psychedelic sounds. The new EP is released by Moltesanti records and is distributed worldwide by DistroKid.
“We spent a large part of this year and last year working on our sound and now we are finally ready to release our music to people,” said Sweep Head’s bassist and Vocalist Sean Walsh. He went on to say, “people can expect to hear a blend of a variety of genres and can expect more of this sound in the future”.
We at St Colmcilles are looking to grow our teams. If you are interested in playing Gaelic football, please come along. Training will resume for this programme Thursday 29th August
Save the date 24th August. For the community of Swords, we are holding our annual Family Fun Day. All welcome!
Are you new to area. Looking to meet more people. Gaelic for Mothers and others is a great way for women of all ages to meet new people. Call Deirdre on 087-9309962 if you are interested.
Next year, 2025, St Colmcilles will mark its 90th year, we are looking to create a book of memories. If you have a story to tell or photos of years gone by, please email them into us - stcolmcillesswords@gmail.com
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
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.
