Balbriggan Local Volume 3 Issue 12-OCT 2018 by Irish Media Group

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Local News

New Dome for iconic Balbriggan Lighthouse Recently against an almost Mediterranean blue skies and a rainbow in the background, the new white dome was placed back on the top of Balbriggan lighthouse where it belongs. The lighthouse is the town’s landmark and the towns people are delighted to have it restored to its former glory. Councillor Tony Murphy was delighted to see the new dome on top of the iconic lighthouse. He said, “I’d like to welcome the start of many infrastructural changes and investment in Balbriggan by Fingal County Council.Today we can see the new dome for the lighthouse,this marks a new era for Balbriggan and we will now begin to see many deliverables that have been requested from the people by the local Councillors.

Photos by Michael Feeney

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Celebrate National Potato Day with Spuds and Family Fun!

Country Crest and Keoghs are hosting ‘Spud Fest’, a free family fun day at Newbridge House. The free, family fun day is being hosted by local farming businesses, Country Crest and Keoghs, in celebration of Ireland’s staple food – the mighty potato at Newbridge House & Farm, Donabate. Saturday 6 October. 12pm – 4pm. Some of the exciting activities on the day will include potato sack racing, tug-o-war, face painting, bouncy castles, traditional lawn games, vintage tractors, and music – as well as getting to see potatoes being baked in a vintage steam engine! Guests will especially enjoy the farm-fresh food fare being provided by the event sponsors: baked potatoes cooked in a smoker served with a selection of toppings, and crisps. Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info @CountryCrest @KeoghsFarm

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Local News

Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg creates short film

Members of Fingal Comhairle who created the Perfect Imperfections short film.

Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg has developed a short film to highlight mental health and body image among young men which will be distributed across Fingal and promoted at the national Comhairle Showcase event in November. The title of the film is ‘Perfect Imperfections’ and its topic of mental health and male body image was identified as being significant among young men at the 2016 Comhairle AGM. The film will be launched on Tuesday, 9 October in the Atrium in Swords.

The Fingal Comhairle has been working on developing the project over the past eighteen months. By carrying out research and conducting group workshops and discussions with Jigsaw D15 (youth mental health support organisation) and Bodywhys (The Eating Disorder Association of Ireland) Fingal Comhairle na nÓg has discovered the need for the issues to be highlighted. Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin said: “I’m delighted to see young people of Fingal

proactively highlighting the issue of mental health among young men. Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid said: “Given we have the youngest and fastest growing population in the country, initiatives that highlight and support the issue of mental health and body image among young men are essential to supporting the wellbeing of our residents. I look forward to seeing this short film and would also like to congratulate Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg for their valuable efforts in raising awareness of this issue.” Fingal’s Comhairle na nÓg has worked with film maker Gerard Walsh and Producer Liz Kenny over the past few months to produce this piece of work which was filmed on location in Fingal. The Chairperson of Fingal Comhairle na nÓg, Vlad Andriesii said: “Our comhairle has embraced their perfect imperfections with a short film on male body image and acceptance as we feel that it is important to raise awareness of these important issues affecting young people in Fingal.” As well as being distributed to schools and youth organisations across Fingal, it will be available to the 30 other Comhairlí across the country.

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Local News

Balbriggan Library events in October Imeachtaí i Leabharlann Baile Brigín Iúil 2018 / Library Events Balbriggan Library Gach Imeachtaí Saor! / All Events are FREE! Fón/Phone: 01 8704401, Ríomhphoist/Email: balbrigganlibrary@fingal.ie

Thursday 18th @ 7-8pm- Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe As part of Europe Direct Balbriggan Library are hosting a meeting to give you, your chance to share your ideas and concerns on the future of the European Union. Panellists will include Lynn Boylan MEP, Brian Hayes MEP and Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Gerry Kiely. To book a place please contact Balbriggan library on 01 8704401 or balbrigganlibrary@fingal.ie Saturday 20th 2-4pm-Children’s Book Festival Book Clinic Stuck in a reading rut, looking for a new series or direction to take with your reading? Why not visit our Book Clinic where ‘book doctors’, will recommend (prescribe) a book to suit the individual child. Books Ireland will set up a clinic here in the junior library for parents and children to visit. Children can just turn up. All welcome. For more information please contact Balbriggan library on 01 8704401 or balbrigganlibrary@fingal.ie Tuesday 30th 3.00-4.00pm Author visit Join Pat Ryan in the Junior Library as he reads stories for Halloween. All welcome

Ongoing Events Wednesday 3rd 10.30am - Baby Book Club Join us on Wed 3rd of October at 10.30am while we read stories for babies & toddlers. Scrabble Club - Mondays @ 11am Scrabble club for adults: Mondays at 11am. All are welcome, scrabble boards supplied. Knitting & Crochet Group - Tuesdays 7pm The Balbriggan Knitting Group meets in the library every Tuesday, 7pm8pm. Bring your needles/hooks and wool or get advice on what to buy. All adults are welcome. Balbriggan Junior Chess Club - Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm Junior Chess club meet every Wednesday in the Young Adult section of the library. If interested please leave your name at the adult desk or contact Balbriggan Library on 8704402 or email balbrigganlibrary@ fingal.ie Balbriggan Writer’s Group. Every Saturday 11am-1pm The Balbriggan Writer’s Group meets every Saturday in the library from 11am until 1pm. New members are always welcome – just come along on the day!

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Local News

Sustainable future for post offices is in everyone’s interest - Reilly

10 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Creating a sustainable future for our post office network is in everyone’s interest, a Fine Gael Senator has said recently. As part of the strategy for modernising post offices, An Post Retail has been established as a dedicated business unit within An Post. Senator James Reilly said: “The post office network here in Fingal is in need of modernisation to maintain and grow a postal service so it meets the needs of communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.The recent announcement by An Post of voluntary closures stems from an agreement reached in May with the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) Executive. It is not a Government decision.This agreement follows three months of intensive negotiations overseen by Turlough O’Donnell SC, and subsequently endorsed by 80% of IPU members.An Post has committed to a post office for every community of over 500 people; within 15km of 95% of the population and 3km in urban areas.While there will be some consolidation to ensure post offices are conveniently and properly located, there will be no compulsory closures. An Post will open up to 20 new offices round the country, in communities of more than 500 people currently without a post office, to remain the largest retail network in the country.” An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said: “It’s important to say that the Government doesn’t close post offices. If a post office is closing it’s because the post master wants to retire. “It’s important to get the message across that in any of these communities, if the post office is viable and the local shop keeper or anyone else want to take it on they need to apply to An Post.Where the post master is retiring, if someone is willing to take the job on, and it’s viable, then we want that to happen. I’m advising interested parties to go to An Post, say you’re willing to take it on,”

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Local News

Council’s disability initiative rolls out nationwide

commissioned to do a preliminary survey of footpath accessibility in the centre of Swords as well as within Dublin Docklands. In Swords, they surveyed the Main Street, Swords Castle and County Hall. Route4U is a free footpath navigation app and information system for wheelchair and pram users can be downloaded for both iOS or Android devices. Using the Route4U app, they compiled data on footpath obstacles, surface quality, kerb heights in crossings as well as widths and inclines

A Fingal County Council disability initiative, in partnership with Dublin City Council and Enterprise Ireland, has been rolled out nationwide during September after a successful pilot programme in Swords and Dublin’s Docklands. Route4U won the SBIR Wayfinding Challenge which was initiated by Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council - under the Smart Dublin initiative and in partnership with Enterprise Ireland - to find a way to improve accessibility for disabled people. They were

of footpaths. Using this data, they were able to provide route planning and turn-by-turn navigation for wheelchair users, customized to everyone’s own abilities. The database is kept constantly up-to-date by volunteers who can either be able-bodied people who simply download the app and report obstacles they bump into or wheelchair users who switch on the “autosurvey” function as they roll along the footpaths, activating their phone sensors to collect data automatically. On Tuesday, September 4 at a Community Hub for Accessible Technology (CHAT) event at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Route 4U was launched nationally with a one-month long obstacle-reporting campaign in partnership with the Disability Federation of Ireland and as part of the Make Way Day campaign. The company was started three years ago in Budapest and by now has users all over the globe and works with cities in Hungary, UK, Ireland and France. John Quinlivan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Governance at Fingal County Council, said the Council are now hoping that Fingal citizens will embrace the App and help to map the entire county as quickly as possible.

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Local News

Taoiseach launches Fingal Culture and Creativity Strategy

An Taoiseach with Fingal and other Council at the launch An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD., was joined by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD, and Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD., on (Wednesday) for the launch of Fingal’s Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 - 2022, as part of the all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme. This ambitious and innovative five-year Culture and Creativity

Strategy has been developed by the Fingal County Council Culture Team and local Creative Ireland Programme coordinator, in consultation with local artists, creatives, cultural and heritage organisations, community groups, the creative industries, centres of education and schools. Speaking at the launch at the Irish Architectural Archive in Merrion Square, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, said: “Creative

Ireland is all about improving access to culture and creativity in every county nationwide, to improve public wellbeing. The Culture Teams in each local authority have been absolutely essential to fulfilling this aim. We believed that by bringing people across a range of disciplines together in our Local Authorities, we could achieve more than the sum of their individual efforts. The plans being published today are proof that these collective efforts are resulting in projects of real scale and ambition.” Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, said: ‘As local authorities we want to see all of our communities reaching their full potential and this means more than just providing services. It’s about enabling our citizens to lead creative and fulfilling lives. We see real opportunities in the continued roll-out of the Creative Ireland Programme. It allows us the space to try new things, to be truly innovative, to build creativity into how we look at other policy areas such as health, enterprise, education and outreach. We firmly believe that the implementation of the Fingal Culture and Creativity strategy will lead to a better Fingal and are firmly committed to delivering an exciting and meaningful programme.” Full details of the Fingal Local Authority Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 – 2022 can be found at https://creative.ireland.ie.

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Local News

Fingal Libraries secures €711k funding to invest in ICT

County Librarian Betty Boardman

Fingal Libraries has secures funding boost of €711,000

“I just can’t give it away!” by Claire Stauber

With three older siblings, hand-me-downs were the norm growing up. Inheriting my brother’s cot and Sporting ‘light up’ trainers where one foot needed a good plod to squeeze out the last drop of battery. Wearing t-shirts with ‘holiday club’ logos splattered on the front, clubs only my sister claimed membership to. What a fraud. “It’s just what you did years ago”, we often hear. Times have changed. The online marketplace now lets us tag a price to our pre-owned goodies. Long gone are the days of

14 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Fingal Libraries has secured a major funding boost of €711,000 to upgrade and improve ICT and digital services throughout its network, which is a key strategic aim of its ambitious Development Plan to be rolled over the next five years. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has approved an almost €8 million investment for libraries nationwide, with approximately €6 million funded by the Department and a further €2 million contribution from Local Authorities. Fingal Libraries will receive €533,500 from the Department, which was the second highest grant awarded to a local authority by the Department. The remaining €177,500 will come from Fingal County Council itself. Announcing the investment package, Minister Ring said: “This investment will enhance ICT infrastructure, create new meeting spaces with state-of-the-art technology and provide dedicated digital learning suites. The new facilities and services will attract new users of all ages to our public libraries. I have to commend the local authorities for recognising the invaluable service the libraries provide and for committing €2 million to this investment package.”

boxing up and idly waiting for the next heir to arrive. Well, so we are led to believe. With much needed cupboard space bursting with redundant baby things, I was keen to jump on the ‘parentpreneurs’ band wagon, offload the clutter and earn a quick buck. Googling ‘Where to sell baby items in North Dublin’ wasn’t enough. Success stories were needed – I hit my new dancefloor, that is, the local playground. Chatting to mums at Malahide Castle, the same sites kept coming up: Adverts.ie., Done Deal (where buggies apparently sell like “hot cakes”) and Facebook Marketplace. Dusting off the pram, playmat and bouncer, my camera got to work and off the items went into the digital realm to be snapped up. Baffled that potential buyers weren’t crashing my emails within minutes, I realised that this selling game isn’t easy. A request for the prams matching car seat was the height of it - big mistake ditching it in Swords Recycling Centre months before because of a suspicious ‘chocolate’ stain. Weeks later, an email ping came through, it was music to my ears – at last, a buyer for the pram. Done Deal was living up to all the hype. Andreas, based in Hungary, double checked the prams condition and safety. What a considerate dad-to-be. I defended the oddness of shipping such a clunky package half-way over Europe with the brand not being available in Hungary (unconfirmed fact). I even considered throwing

The funding includes the provision of: • iPads/tablets/smart devices for users and for staff to assist users • Computers and workstations • Meeting space technology • Podcasting equipment and workstations • Mobile LCD screens with audio • Interactive whiteboards • Digital training suites • Maker space equipment County Librarian Betty Boardman, said: “This funding has come at a very good time for Fingal Libraries as it will assist us in achieving two of the main objectives in our Development Plan published earlier this year – to continue to provide high quality, welcoming, accessible spaces which meet the needs of library users and to reinforce the position of libraries in the community as key points of access to information technology and digital services.” The Plan identifies seven key objectives: Workforce, Capital and Infrastructure, Collections and Resources, Programming of events and Activities, Technology, Marketing and Communications and Collaboration and Partnerships. Over a million visits were made to public libraries in Fingal during 2017.

in the 35 Euro playmat advertised on the same site for free - I felt a connection to this albeit, unknown man. But if I am being totally honest, it was just to get rid of the bloody thing that hadn’t received so much as a ‘view’ since it was posted. The connection didn’t last long. Alarm bells starting ringing when Andreas posed an ultimatum - I fork out 400 Euro for the courier then he would dish out the 300 Euro for the pram. My heart sank. Deep down I knew it was a scam but clung to a smidgen of hope until PayPal confirmed the worst the next day. Months on, the pram and other bits have received zilch attention. Was it the photos? The descriptions not specific enough? I searched for answers like a heart-broken teenager. Then it hit me. There is simply too much competition, too much choice. Unlike most things in North Dublin, this is a buyer’s market. Desperate to give the items a home, I contacted Woman’s Aid and the like to make my generous donations. Turns out not even charities want the gear – limited storage means I can’t give the stuff away, for heaven’s sake. Christmas might bring a new window of opportunity. Until then, I am doing things the old-fashioned way – my new-born nephew is loaning what my sister didn’t get around to buying. Although, not a Cent has been made, I get a fuzzy feeling at seeing first-hand the things I once thought fit for my little prince being put to good use.

Fashion

From Mummy to Supermodel! By Fashion Editor Carina Cunningham

This month I would like to introduce you to mum of the month Michelle O’Reilly. Michelle was nominated to myself by a few of her good friends in MonksField Equestrian Center for a make over. I was delighted to get such a great response from readers to my monthly fashion article. Michelle is a single mum in her thirties living with her two sons Jack aged 10 and Conall aged 5. She works as a nurse part time in a day centre at St Joseph’s IDS Portrane. She is always on the go non -stop between work school runs and the boys hobbies. Jack competes in showjumping competitions on his fabulous pony Romeo. Conall also has a great pony called Beau which he takes regular lessons on. Michelle really doesn’t get a minute for make up or fashion so I was very excited to change that for her for at least one day. She is truly one of us mums that everything else comes first even feeding the goldfish. We had been invited to visit owner Emma Smith Nolan’s Beauty Salon FXMA on Main St Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Balbriggannd decided to bring Michelle along. Manager Sophie Morrison gave Michelle the most amazing make up and then styled her hair into curled and twists which worked so well with my dish shaped hat. Sophie joined FXMA a few years ago when Emma opened the two training schools and beauty salon in Balbriggan. The two schools are in Blanchardstown and D2 and are training young girls in such fantastic skills in this exciting area. Alina Balan painted Michelle’s nails as she was having her hair done in the salon, so this really is a one stop shop for all your beauty needs. To have Face hair and nails done the price starts at €65and it is well worth pampering yourself for such a huge transformation as you can see in the before and after shots. I then dressed Michelle in an Antique Style movie star dress with matching hat. Off we went then to a very unusual location in fact just around the corner to Vinnys Antique and Old Rags furniture shop.. The moody lighting

the furniture as props and there you have it. Va Va Voom a great photo opportunity. We had poor Michelle standing in a big throne adjusting her poses to get these super shots and she loved it. My super photographer Abe Neihum and myself were enjoying every minute as we knew we were on to a winner with Michelle. Her shots turned out so well she couldn’t believe it actually was herself in them. In fact one of her little boy said to her Mum, why don’t you leave that make up on and not wash your face ever again ,how touching is that? We sent Michelle her finished shots and she was over the moon with them. A huge thank you to Emma Smith Nolan for treating Michelle to her make over and to my fantastic gent photographer Abe Neihum who makes it All so easy and fun. Please contact me if you would like to be a Model For The Day in any of my next issues at carinacunningham@gmail.com All are welcome. Carina Cunningham Style Warrior. BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Finance

How much insurance cover should you have?

By Dave Kavanagh

One of the difficulties with people being aware of the correct levels of cover they should have, is that it often only becomes important at the time of a claim, and at that stage, it’s too late to do anything about it. Let’s face it, spending time arranging things like life cover, serious illness cover or income protection, are not usually high on people’s list of favourite activities. However, taking a little time to get things right, can prevent so much devastation and hardship, in the unwanted event of a claim (and can also make sure you are not vastly overpaying for something that you haven’t reviewed in years!) I see so many examples of people with inappropriate levels of cover, both way too much and way too little. The main reason is lack of understanding about how to calculate financial loss that would be suffered in certain events, for someone’s own, specific circumstances. Example: Let’s take a couple, “John” and “Mary”. Both aged 35. They have 2 children aged 2 and 5, they have a mortgage that costs them €1,200 per month which is protected with mortgage protection life cover, no other loans and no savings. John’s net monthly income is €3,800 per month and Mary is not in paid employment. He has no pension in

work or associated benefits. In the event of John’s death, the mortgage would be cleared with the mortgage protection. Mary would no longer have John’s income coming in but (assuming they were married) would be entitled to a Survivor’s Pension of €267.10 per week (€1,157.43 monthly equivalent). With no longer a mortgage to pay, there is still a shortfall of over €1,400 per month, to maintain the existing lifestyle, continue to pay bills etc. (For the purpose of this exercise, this is a very simplified example, as many other factors may need to be considered). To provide this shortfall, up until the youngest of the children in theory has finished third level education, this would need to be provided for about 20 years, needing a life sum assured of about €336,000. In reverse, if Mary passed away, John would either have to give up working or pay for extensive childcare and associated costs, needing approximately the same level of cover required for Mary. While taking the time to review these areas may not be anyone’s favourite pastime, doing so can be one of the most valuable exercises you can do. It can also give you peace of mind that you have the most appropriate plans in place for your current circumstances and are getting the best value available. Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over

25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@ financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion. ie or phone 087-6414570. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and

workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. He has spoken at all of The Full 360 events with Alison Canavan around the country. As heard on RTE 2FM and TV3.

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Local News

Big announcement for Linders motors soon Linders has a long established link with North County Dublin and especially the Portrane area where the brand started in 1938 before moving into Dublin’s Smithfield. As the brand grew to include three dealerships it was only fitting that one of its dealerships should be based where it all began in North County Dublin. Now as they approach the end of 2018 and move towards 2019 Linders are bringing back another long associated brand with North County Dublin in the form of Opel. Paul Linders grandson of Linder’s founder Sonny Linders said recently, ‘’Opel has always had a strong presence and following in North County Dublin and this is why we wanted to bring it to our dealership in Turvey. We feel the Opel brand is best suited to our dealership in Turvey and recruitment is underway for additional staff to meet the demand for Opel passenger and commercial vehicles in North County Dublin.It also presents us with other opportunities around community sponsorship and events. Linders is first and foremost a family brand driven by keeping the customer at its centre. We aim to keep this in our sights as we move into what will be no doubt an

exciting period of our development and commitment to the area..’’ In 2019 Opel will celebrate its 120th birthday and its continued commitment to precision German engineering in the Irish Market. So it is only fitting that it joins forces with one of Ireland longest established motor retailers. Opel’s current line-up of passenger vehicles is so familiar with the Irish motoring public, from the Corsa and Astra to the Insignia, quality and reliability is built in. Opel has also expanded its passenger car range with class-leading SUV’s such as the Mokka X, Crossland X, and the Grandland X. Opel is also just as famous for their ultra-reliable commercial vehicles. The range suits any size business from the Opel Combo to the Vivaro. For that touch of style check out the Mokka X Van perfect for those that want the SUV look but need the load space of a commercial. The full range will be available from Linders in Turvey. All of which are perfectly suited to the roads of Ireland and those of North County Dublin. Linders will have its official Opel opening on the 12th of October but you can drop in anything after the 1st of October to see the full range of Opel vehicles.

Linders announce on the 1st of October ‘18 that

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Healt

Home Cook Recipes

Pumpkin Soup

SoupToppings What is a pumpkin’s favorite sport? =Squash!!!!! Pumpkins are the most popular of the winter squashes. Most people just associate them with Halloween and making lanterns but pumpkins are “terror-ifically” high in vitamin A, fibre and flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, xanthin and carotenes. Vitamin A and these other antioxidants are essential for good eyesight, glowing skin and healthy mucosa which are membranes that line many cells in our body including those in our respiratory and digestive tracts. In addition the fibre in pumpkins helps to aid healthy digestion and weight management. FUN FACT: Pumpkins are actually a fruit because they grow on a vine and have seeds! Pumpkin seeds are loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, niacin, selenium and zinc. This provides a colorful splash of energy and support for our immune systems especially as darker, colder, wetter weather sinks in. Pumpkin seeds also contain beneficial amounts of the amino acid tryptophan which converts into serotonin, our “happy hormone” and so can have 18 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

positive effects on mood, sleep and anxiety. So this Autumn don’t throw out your patch of pumpkin goodness..... Instead “squash” it up into some recipes like my soup below!!!!!

Pumpkin “Spook” Ingredients

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Squashes into 4-6 mouths!! 1 medium sized pumpkin (approx 1kg) 2 onions 3 cloves of garlic 3 parsnips 3 carrots 3 sticks of celery 3 cooking apples Hard cheese to grate on top (See The Irish Farmhouse Cheeses which are super tasty!!) 300ml milk 300ml hot water (use herbs and spices below for flavour rather than stock cubes which are high in salt) 3 tsp of a mix of whatever of the following you have in the kitchen/garden!: Turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, ginger, fenugreek, mustard seed, cardamom, cinnamon

Of these flavours, try and combine something fiery to give the soup a kick such as cayenne pepper/ginger and something warm and gentle to soften the flavour such as cardamom/ cinnamon.

Method 1. Wash, peel and finely chop the vegetables, garlic and apples. 2. Sauté the onions and garlic in a nob of butter and your chosen herbs/spices. 3. Add the prepared veg and hot water, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. 4. Add in the milk and apple for the last 10 minutes of cooking until vegetables are soft. 5. Blitz using a blender/food processor. Add more liquid if the consistency is too thick. 6. Serve with grated cheese on top. Add pumpkin seeds if you like a bit of a crunch! For 1:1 clinical consultations, public health talks or workshops in preschools, primary or secondary schools and workplaces, please email: niamh@biabites.net See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’ Facebook for other food ideas. Niamh Arthurs, Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist” Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Local News

Taoiseach at first Fingal Park Run

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar running in Tyrrelstown Parkrun

Acting Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Eithne Loftus, Frank Crowley, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Matthew Barrett

The new Tyrrelstown Parkrun got off to a flying start on Saturday September 15th with 133 participants, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Acting Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Eithne Loftus and Niall McGuirk, Senior Sports Development Officer, Fingal County Council got proceedings underway and Cllr. Paul Donnelly and Cllr Mary McCamley were also among the enthusiastice participants of all ages. Huge congratulations are due to all the volunteers who worked with Fingal County Council and Parkrun Ireland to make this a great success. A great cause of celebration was that this marked the 100th ParkRun in Ireland, and by coincidence the very first parkrun was also in Fingal, in Malahide Castle in 2012. Niall McGuirk, Senior Sports Development Officer, Fingal County Council said “Fingal’s Sports office are delighted to see such a successful start to another parkrun in Fingal. We have over 50 schools involved in our Fingal Athletics League and 3,000 kids taking part in our MarathonKids programme so parkrun provides an opportunity for these kids and their families to get out every weekend and take part in a free, timed 5K run or walk” Matt Shields of Parkrun Ireland said “We have an excellent relationship with Fingal County Council. We all have a shared vision of people using public spaces for public benefit and we each have contributed to making this happen. Ten of the one hundred Parkrun events in Ireland are hosted by Fingal County Council which translated into 926 participants in the 5k events and 191 participants at junior events last weekend. Fingal is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together.” You can find details of all your local parkruns at http://www. parkrun.ie

CROSSWORD COMPETITION WINNER Congratulations!!

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Anne Corcoran 245 Malahide Marina Malahide

YOU ARE OUR CROSSWORD COMPETITION WINNER THIS MONTH THE HIDDEN WORD WAS – LUSK

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Local Sports

Balbriggan Rugby Football Club Balbriggan RFC is a Junior Rugby Club. We play in the Leinster League, and our 2ndXV play in the McGee Cup in the North East area of the Leinster Branch IRFU. The Club is also fielding a Womens Rugby Team for the first time in nearly 20 years. We welcome Women and Men of all ages to come and join our growing club. Even if you have never played before and would like to learn just come along and join in with the lads and ladies. We also welcome people who wish to coach and/or referee. We will ensure that you get the appropriate coaching and support to develop your knowledge and enjoyment of the game. Balbriggan RFC also has teams at Minis and Youths levels. We always welcome new players. At present, the Senior men and women’s training takes place at our grounds in Balrothery at 7:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights, with Youths (boys & girls teams) training from 7:15pm to 9:00pm on a Wednesday night, and Minis training from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on a Thursday.

MarathonKids Ireland launched by Olympian David Gillick The MarathonKids Ireland programme was launched by Olympian and two-time European 400m champion David Gillick in St Molaga’s National School, Balbriggan. This is the fourth year that MarathonKids Ireland has been implemented by Fingal County Council’s Sports Office, the first Irish local authority to introduce the programme to fifth and sixth class primary school students. MarathonKids encourages children to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle through training sessions and nutritional education.This year, 35 Fingal Schools and over 2,500 students will complete 25.2 miles over eight weeks. Students will train four times a week before running the final mile as a group at an organised event in November, allowing them to complete the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. During the launch, students of St Molaga’s NS began their first training session of the programme. The students are also supplied with a workbook, which highlights the benefits of sport and is used as both a training guide and learning tool for in classroom use. Neil Kennedy of MarathonKids Ireland and Fingal County Council Senior Sports Officer Niall McGuirk developed the programme which took place for the first time in 2015 and saw 800 students take part. Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Grainne

MarathonKids participant Sean Creamer, David Gillick, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Grainne Maguire and MarathonKids participant Shane Clarke

Maguire also attended the event. She said: “The MarathonKids programme is an inclusive and enjoyable means of encouraging children to embrace healthier lifestyles. Regardless of ability, each student’s health and well-being will improve

through taking part in this programme. I’m particularly happy to attend the launch here in St Molaga’s school in Balbriggan and look forward to seeing everyone’s progress.”

Balbriggan Local Magazine NEEDS YOU!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

PHOTOGRAPHERS , LOCAL WRITERS, LOCAL REPORTERS NEEDED!! If you’re a Local and have some free time please email us on: communitylocals@gmail.com

20 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Local Sports

Successful cadet season at Balbriggan

We had a very successful cadet season in BGC this year with over 40 kids taking to the fairways every Monday evening. A huge well done to all our prize winners at our end of season presentation and congratulations to

our Cadet of the Year Cillian Emmett. Many thanks to Nigel our Pro for all his

were supplied by Gerry & Melanie Andrews of Balrothery Spar. Thank you to Karl, Mary,

coaching, our very generous sponsors of prizes

Stephen and Chrissy for looking after us in the

Philip Treacy and Brenda Johnson. Our treats

clubhouse.

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and discover the name of an area in Fingal spelt out in the coloured squares. Then send the completed crossword and your answer by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@ gmail.com before 5pm on October 16. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck

22 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-OCTOBER 2018

Down

1. Felt a powerful desire for something. (6) 5. The world’s second largest country by area. (6) 10. Capable of resuming original shape after stretching. (7) 11. Pedal driven vehicle. (7) 12. Thin and fit. (4) 13. Sweet food from nectar. (5) 15. Send via the postal service. (4) 17. Scrape as if to relieve itching. (3) 19. A word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations. (6) 21. Not often. (6) 22. Previously, before now. (7) 23. Country which achieved independence from Sweden in 1905. (6) 25. Ancient Greek oracle. (6) 28. A short day! (3) 30. Youthful males. (4) 31. Take a husband or a wife. (5) 32. An inclined surface connecting two levels. (4) 35. Bring something to a destination. (7) 36. Relating to an area beside the sea. (7) 37. Produced by crossbreeding. (6) 38. Delivered a sharp blow. (6)

2. The state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be. (7) 3. Express one’s preference for a candidate in an election. (4) 4. A licensed medical practitioner. (6) 5. Evidence of a spider. (6) 6. Long part of a guitar or banjo. (4) 7. State emphatically and authoritatively. (7) 8. Beds on a ship or train; usually in tiers. (6) 9. Expression of doubtful interest or surprise. (6) 14. Questionable energy source. (7) 16. A person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive. (5) 18. Challenged to do something. (5) 20. Bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer. (3) 21. The colour of the Left. (3) 23. A person of little influence. (6) 24. Payment to a copyright holder for use of their work. (7) 26. Generic name for a credit card. (7) 27. African antelope with ridged curved horns. (6) 28. The opposite of profane and ungodly. (6) 29. Rough paths and roads. (6) 33. Finished in cricket. (4) 34. A poker hand with two cards of the same value. (4)

SUDOKU ANSWERS

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