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Volume 6 Issue 3 - January 2021

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Lets make 2021 a positive happy and healthy New Year. Last year we were hit with a worldwide pandemic, which meant we had to stop and start work periodically. Some of us lost our jobs. Some of were severely financially challenged, some of us got very ill and some of our families were hit with tragedy. This coming year we have a chance for a new beginning, a rebirth, and best of all another chance at making our health and lives better. Let us make positivity the byword for this year. Let us show each other the positive mental attitude that has helped us and our forebears overcome so many man made and natural disasters in the past. Let us all pull together, obey the Government rules and continue to flatten the Covid 19 curve again. We should also all shop locally and ensure the local jobs of our neighbours and friends. We all know the dangers of not wearing face coverings, not regularly washing our hands thoroughly and not keeping our distance when meeting others. Our elderly, those of us who are vulnerable because of health issues, our children and ourselves deserve to have a normal happy life and this year we can return to that. So lets keep supporting our HSE workers,our local shopping outlets and most of all our families and those we love and lets make 2021 the year we work for a new positive future for all of us. Lets make 2021 the year when we make and keep only one new years resolution -to do our best to be healthy and happy and ensure our families are also. As for us, we are determined not only to do that but to keep promoting all the wonderful works and achievements of our community and voluntary/ sporting organisations in this area in 2021. Happy New year to you our wonderful readers, contributors, and advertisers and your families from all of us in The Locals Team.

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Local News

Remediation and replacement tree works at Ardgillan Demesne

Removal, remediation and replacement tree works are underway at Ardgillan Demesne, Balbriggan in the coming weeks after an arboricultural survey identified a number of trees that require urgent removal or remediation works. The works will be carried out in two phases in the area along the Entrance Avenue and Upper Car Park within the Demesne.The first phase of the planned works will deal with ‘Priority Trees’ as these present the greatest risk to the public due to their structural stance. Phase 1 will consist of the felling of 12 Poplar trees, which are all dead, within the Entrance Avenue. Phase 1 will also involve pruning works on 24 trees, which are primarily declining Ash trees, and their ongoing condition will require regular monitoring. The second phase of works will include the pruning of a further 11 trees. These works will include dead wooding and structural pruning to improve longevity and abate any risk they pose to the public.The Tree Survey at Ardgillan Demesne involved individual inspections on the condition and health of trees and resulted in a risk assessment

of each tree surveyed. A number of trees that pose a risk to the public were identified and left the Council with no option but to remove them. All the trees that are removed will be replaced by suitable species within the adjacent woodland.The arboricultural works, including the felling, pruning and replacement planting, will be carried out in line with Fingal’s Tree Management Policy, Fingal’s Biodiversity Plan and the British Standards for Arboriculture.The ongoing surveying studies that are being carried out will ultimately be used in the Woodland Management Plan that will be prepared for Ardgillan Demesne and which will guide all future planting and maintenance works within the Demesne.Fingal County Council has launched its draft Tree Strategy entitled “Forest of Fingal, A Tree Strategy for Fingal – Draft Document”. The Draft Strategy is now going through a Non-statutory Public Consultation Process which will continue until the end of National Tree Week in March 2021. To have your say on the Fingal Tree Strategy contact the County Council.

Some of the trees at Ardgillan Demesne that will be removed or pruned.

“The Cove” at Maydenhayes Are you looking for more space for your family to live in? Would a top floor working space in your home make your life more productive?Would you love a better quality of life, living 5minutes from beautiful Mornington Bay Beach and its beautiful environs?If this has tweaked your interest, then prepare to be wowed by an exquisite new house in Maydenhayes Cove, Mornington, County Meath, a private enclave of 6 gorgeous new family homes at a very affordable/reasonable price. These new large 5-bedroom detached houses are laid out over 3 levels, maximising space for comfortable living; with a bespoke comfortable airy space at the top-floor level presenting the opportunity for a fantastic space to work from home. Other features in these spacious A-rated homes include five comfortably sized bedrooms and family bathroom, generous ensuites, walk in wardrobes, an unusually spacious landing at first floor level, underfloor heating and high-quality sanitary fittings. On approach to the house, the stained glass in the front door sets the tone for a chique new house that manages to combine the cosy feeling of home with being comfortable, modern and on trend. The front door opens into a charming and stylish entrance hallway filled with a happy and homely personality that permeates the whole house. The hall leads into a wonderful airy, spacious, and light-filled living/dining/ kitchen area featuring high ceilings at this level. Patio doors lead out into a generous garden with its favourable south westerly aspect to the rear. The house also comprises a good-sized boot/laundry room kitted out with plenty of storage for buckets and spades… and also features a smart guest cloakroom.A visit to the show house is strongly recommended if only to see how efficient living and working in a spacious, tranquil and beautiful setting could be. The Maydenhayes Cove show house is on view each Saturday and Sunday between 2pm and 4pm and on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12pm and 4pm, or by private appointment – prospective purchasers can feel free to call to make an appointment and/or to get help with any questions. Enquiries to: Pivotal Construction Limited (01) 4732473 Knight Frank New Homes (01) 6342466 or Sherry Properties (041) 9841149 4

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

Local News

‘Our Balbriggan’ short-listed for top European award

Balbriggan Residents supporting the initiative.

Fingal County Council’s ‘Our Balbriggan’ project was recently shortlisted for a top European award by The Innovation in Politics Institute, a Vienna-based organisation which works on a nonpartisan, pan-European level to enable politicians from different countries to share best practice, to network and to build bridges.The ‘Our Balbriggan’ project was one of 10 finalists in the Democracy category which honours political work that increases participation of citizens in opinion forming and decision making. The other finalists are from Ukraine (2), Poland (2), Lithuania, Belgium, Switzerland, France and Italy. The winners this year were CSO Anti Corription Headquarters in Ukraine who established the first digital tool to monitor the funds allocated from the national budget for local repairs, across all of the Ukraine.The Our Balbriggan project saw 25% of the town’s population involved in the consultation process which led to the publication of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Plan and a commitment to delivering 93 action items with the aim of creating a vibrant, inspiring place, where residents to want to live, relax, and work.The

Innovation in Politics Awards are for the best political projects from across Europe and there are nine categories with the winners being selected by a jury of more than 1,000 European citizens who award their points in an online evaluation procedure that marks each project on its levels of innovation, participation and sustainability. The winners in each category will be announced on December 3.The ‘Our Balbriggan’ project was nominated for the Innovation in Politics Awards by local councillors, Cllr Grainne Maguire and Cllr Tony Murphy, both of whom are members of the Balbriggan Leadership Group which has been charged with developing a long-term socio-economic strategy for the town.They, along with Cllr Séana Ó Rodaigh, Cllr Tom O’Leary and Cllr Karen Power, represent the Balbriggan Electoral Area on Fingal County Council. In 2019 the Our Balbriggan project won an Excellence in Local Government Award for Best Practice in Citizen Engagement and an Excellence in Public Relations Award for Best Public Sector Campaign.Please note the photos were taken prior to the introduction of Covd-19 restrictions.

Young people having their say in the process.

Our World Cafe

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

Local News

Minister O’Brien visits Fingal County Council The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has paid a visit to Fingal County Council as part of a series of visits the Minister is planning with local authorities across the country to discuss housing delivery targets for 2021 and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.Housing delivery and Covid-19 support were top of the list for discussion. The Minister praised the work carried out by all in the Council during the pandemic, particularly through the Community Call initiative which saw a co-ordinated, cross-agency approach to helping the vulnerable members of our communities.Following the Minister’s visit to County Hall in Swords, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “We were delighted to have Minister O’Brien with us to update him on the work of Fingal County Council this year. We were pleased to update him on our delivery of social housing and affordable housing targets this year and to discuss the ambitious plans we have for getting people into homes for 2021. We are looking forward to working with him and his officials to get these projects over the line and to deliver and activate more sites where possible.” Speaking during his visit Minister O’Brien said: “I am delighted to be back to Fingal, my own county, to meet with the Chief Executive and management team of

Minister O’Brien in County Hall, Swords during his visit to Fingal County Council

Fingal County Council. This visit is to talk about our plans and targets in 2021 for housing delivery and what our targets need to be for next year to deliver social and affordable housing for our citizens. These are exciting but realistic targets and I am excited to see we’re going to have the first affordable housing scheme here in Fingal in Lusk next year.“Another purpose of my visit was to thank Fingal County Council and all their

staff for the incredible work that they have done this year in ensuring the continued delivery of

key services to the public during the Covid-19

pandemic. This year has been very difficult for our citizens and businesses but Fingal, and all other local authorities, have stepped up and led from the front in the Government’s response to this

pandemic in supporting citizens and businesses.”

Balbriggan Historical - Commemorative Medal and online seminar Looking for ideas for presents for Balbriggan people at home or abroad? We have produced a beautiful Sack of Balbriggan Commemorative Medal which depicts a scene from the Sack of Balbriggan and comes with a booklet containing a short history. It is available to purchase by Paypal on our Website Or if you are local just ring the Society at 083 0269848 (Brian) or 087 7852644 (May) to pay by cash for local delivery or collection.We anticipate that this medal will be in huge demand as a memento of this important anniversary so get your order in soon.We have a seminar available online as we look back at 2020. 2020 has certainly been a very interesting year with the catastrophic effects and challenges posed by Covid-19 on an unprecedented global scale and pages of history books will be filled with it in the future. We historians of today just had to rise to the challenge of carrying on with our activities as best we could and still commemorating the Centenary of the Sack of Balbriggan in an appropriate manner.We were delighted to record our Sack of Balbriggan Commemorative Seminar with Diarmaid Ferriter as our keynote speaker. The other talks were by our own Jim Walsh relating the key events of the Sack. 6

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

Giving the RIC perspective on events was visiting speaker Jim Herlihy while Frank Whearity spoke about the experiences of the Costello family who lived on Clonard Street and Brendan Matthews looked at the effect of the Sack on the then thriving town of Balbriggan. Jim Glennon, former TD, whose grandfather was the owner of the Gladstone Inn gave an insight into his own family’s experience. A link to all the talks is available on our website. This also includes a new digital version of a video from 1992 of three eyewitness accounts of this tragic night from Michael Hammond, Mrs Kathleen McGillivary and Mrs Bridget Daly.We also commemorated the Sack of Balbriggan by laying a wreath in memory of Seamus Lawless and Sean Gibbons following a commemorative Mass on September 20th and displayed photographs from the era in town shop fronts as well as the entries in our schools competition.We would like to take this opportunity to thank our members and friends for their support during this challenging year, and we hope that you and all your family and friends are keeping well and safe.The Society can be contacted at balbrigganhistsoc@gmail.com or on our website and we are also on Social media.

Finance

How you can combine health with wealth By Dave Kavanagh The start of another year, where despite all of the challenges that Covid-19 brought, many people will still be intent on embarking on making some positive changes or improvements in their lives. The most recognisable of these is the ‘losing weight” one. To give people more of an incentive to maintain what they start, it’s worth noting that if done properly, losing weight can have the added bonus of leaving you with more money at the end of each month. So how does that work?? Well, by “doing it properly” I refer to NOT going on a diet, or buying products with magic properties that will make the weight just fall off. Instead, making small, sustainable lifestyle changes. It can be adding some exercise in week 1, drinking more water (and less alcohol/sugar laden drinks) in week 2, reducing portion sizes in week 3, substituting things like chips for wholegrain rice or pasta in week 4, breaking the association of biscuits/cakes whenever you have a coffee or tea in week 5, etc., etc. Do-ing it this way, makes it sustainable and when weight is dropped slower over a longer period of time, it is far more likely to be kept off. So how does that help my finances? When I analyse people’s spending budgets, it’s clear that takeaways, alcohol, sweets, cakes biscuits etc. pop up quite fre-quently. If you keep track of the savings when you cut down on many of these things, it’s easy to see how much you can

save. One person I was helping used to enjoy her “treat” of a chocolate eclair most days. When she accepted that she felt bad after eating it and conceded that it was not helping her goal to lose weight, I suggested it was more of a punishment than a treat. I proposed that she put the money into a jar each day and when there was enough, to treat herself to a back massage, which can positively reinforce the good changes someone has made. Make the right choices, one day at a time. Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or infor-mation (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, or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government depart-ments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM and TV3.

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

Local News

Artist seeks autistic young people interested in filmmaking

Artist Sarah Browne is looking for autistic young people aged between 16 - 21 from across Fingal to participate in making a new short film. Echo’s Bones is an ambitious, collaborative project responding to the language and locations of a collection of short stories by Samuel Beckett, set in Fingal.Commissioned by Fingal County Council under the Infrastructure 2018 – 2021 Public Art Programme. The project will be developed through a series of workshops held online which will involve elements of creative writing, acting, composition and filmmaking etc. and will also involve the viewing and discussion around a selection of experimental films made by autistic artists, writers and performers.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said: “It

is so important that we provide platforms for members of our communities that do not get seen enough in our cultural mediums. That is why this project from Sarah Browne is one that needs to be supported. It is one that will help show the perspective of Fingal through film, performance and writing by a community with a diverse perspective.” Details are as follows:The project will be developed through a series of online workshops held between February –May 2021. Shot in June 2021, with a relaxed screening in Autumn 2021, Looking for Fingal-based autistic young people aged 16-21 years of age,No film experience required,There is no cost to participate in the project,The creative team leading Echo’s Bones is trained by autistic performer and former

AsIAm youth leader, Eleanor Walsh,Workshops will be facilitated by drama practitioner Sarah Fitzgibbon, with Sarah Browne,Participants need to have internet access and be comfortable navigating Zoom (online meeting platform) after some initial guidance.Zoom sessions will have captions provided by Otter.ai for people who prefer reading/typing to speaking, who use screen readers or are hard of hearing,Participants need to be available to explore their local Fingal area and comfortable working in a group.You can express your interest by emailing echosbonesfingal@ gmail.com, If your preference is Whatsapp text/ voice call, a member of the Echo’s Bones team can happily answer all related questions.Text or call Sarah Browne on 086 602 0292.

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

Local News

2021 Funding for conservation works and repairs

Projects funded in 2020

Fingal County Council is now inviting applications under a number of schemes for works to be done in 2021 for small, medium or large-scale repairs or conservation projects to Protected Structures and in certain circumstances to buildings that enhance Architectural Conservation Areas within the Fingal area.In 2020 over €163,000 in funding was provided through Fingal County Council to 24 projects to assist owners in repairing and safeguarding the architectural heritage of Fingal in their ownership and care. For owners carrying out routine maintenance or small repairs to the historic fabric of their homes Fingal County Council’s own Stitch in Time scheme offers grants between €100 to €2,500. For more substantial works funding is available through the Built Heritage Investment Scheme or the Historic Structures Fund.The Historic Structures Fund has been expanded in 2021 to allow applications for a pilot scheme for the conservation of a vernacular structure that is not a Protected Structure and another pilot

scheme for the refurbishment of a historic shopfront and traditional Irish Language shopfronts.Funding is available through the following schemes: Architectural Heritage Fund’s “Stitch in Time Grant” 2021, Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2021, Historic Structures Fund 2021, Pilot Stream for Historic Shopfronts & Traditional Irish Language Shopfronts under Historic Structures Fund 2021, Pilot Stream for Vernacular Structures under Historic Structures Fund 2021.The deadline for the submission of completed applications is 5PM FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 2021. Application forms are available on Fingal County Council website and completed applications should be sent to the Architectural Conservation Officer of Fingal County Council.Please note that applicants cannot avail of funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in the same year and so should only apply for one scheme.

“A Need to be Heard” video collaboration released by Foroige

Young people from Foróige projects across Fingal have collaborated to write and produce a spoken word poetry piece about Covid-19 and the impact it is having on young people in particular.‘A Need To Be Heard’ was composed by Elizabeth Lola Osikomaiya from the Foróige Youth Service in Coastal North County Dublin 10 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

and Josh Tutty of Foróige in Corduff. The video was filmed throughout Fingal by Patrick Tolan of The Foróige Computer Clubhouse in Blanchardstown.The video can be viewed on youtube.Elizabeth Osikomaiya’s lyrics were written about the collective experience of young people in Ireland during the pandemic and were inspired by her own experience making the transition from school to college. Elizabeth said: “I just started my first year of university and a lot of what I wrote was just how I was feeling, the experience. I wanted to be as inclusive as I could so I tried writing from the viewpoint of people’s different situations in life.”‘A Need To Be Heard’ was composed in response to some of the negative publicity that has followed young people during these challenging times. The young people were supported by John FitzGerald, Senior Youth Officer with Foróige, and the collaboration happened remotely, using online technologies

and platforms while adhering to all Covid-19 guidelines.Miriam Ryan, Foróige Manager for North Dublin, said: “Young people need to be commended for their efforts and continued engagement with youth services. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but young people in particular have been very severely impacted, their whole lives turned upside down. Every day through our work in Fingal and beyond we see the best of young people, their resilience, their willingness to stay involved and adjust quickly to changed methods of engagement. As an organisation we are committed to listening to the voices of young people and supporting and enabling them through this very challenging time.” ‘A Need To Be Heard’ is a partnership between Foróige, Fingal County Council’s Communications Unit and BNL Productions Northern Ireland, It will be circulated widely across Fingal in the coming days. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

Be kind to ourselves and others in 2021

By Siobhan O’Neill White Like many people, I made lots of New year resolutions in January 2020 and of course, didn’t get around to most of them because of the year we had. So this year, I am not making any!!! I am going to see as much as I can of my family and friends and enjoy the little things in life. Meeting up for a cuppa….going for a walk (hopefully not socially distanced for much longer!). The one area we will be careful about is our finances, as 2020 brought a lot of changes and it made us realise how important it is so save when you can and be mindful of expenses. We sat down (over zoom!) with a finance expert this year to evaluate our outgoings and incomings and it was a great thing to

do. We did not realise about some of the outgoings from our accounts and after a bit of clever advice from Dave Kavanagh (see financialcompanion.ie) we changed some of our policies and managed to save money every month. This will be something we take into 2021 with us – to be mindful of what and how we spend our money! Aside from that, there won’t be any fad diets, no big resolutions because last year was hard enough and coming into 2021 with uncertainty, we are going to be kind to ourselves and not add any extra pressure of hard to keep resolutions. Stay safe, mind yourself and lets hope for a positive and healthy 2021! For advice, chat on anything pregnancy and/or parenting related, hop on to mams.ie and get free advice & support 24/7, all year round.

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Local News

Looking forward to 2021 - Irish Guide Dogs

Tom and Qeb

14 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

2020 was the year which brought our normal fundraising activities to a stop. We’ve really missed being out meeting you all. However it was a momentus year in many ways.Looking back in January Specsavers’ Santa Grotto in Millfield raised €1,863.62. Tesco’s Community blue chip donation raised €383.33. In February the Oldtown Poker Classic was held raising €1,700. Everything came to a halt in March when Covid-19 hit but that didn’t stop us thinking of different ways to raise funds. In April volunteer Elaine held a Facebook birthday fundraiser raising €306. Guide Dog Day, 8th May, we asked you to text WOOF to 50300 to donate €4. Katie from Lusk made masks to sell and put aside €5 for each mask sold, raising €250. Oisin in Balbriggan gave €50 from his 1st Holy Communion money. Tom & Breege’s Ruby Wedding Anniversary fundraiser was divided between 3 charities and guide dogs received €1,560. Another supporter held a seed and plant sale raising €100. For Yarrow, Guide Dog puppy’s 1st birthday, Emmet, Julie, Dara & Aidan made a donation of €50. A Doggy Zoom Quiz organised and hosted by volunteer Dana raised €405. Other support-ers donated in various ways. Old Irish coins, used stamps, sterling and other currencies were all ex-changed for euros. If you have any unwanted coins lying around pop them into a bag for us. Used stamps or old stamp albums are also welcomed. Our large collection dogs are in Balbriggan in Millfield Shopping Centre, Cuddles Pet Store and SuperValu. In Skerries; McMeel’s Pharmacy, Skerries Framing and SuperValu. In Lusk; SuperValu. Smaller counter boxes can also be found in various locations. Your support is vital to Irish Guide Dogs to help people who are vision impaired and fam-ilies of children with autism to achieve improved mobility and independence. Thank you to each and everyone of our supporters. We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you a happy 2021. Contact us by phone or text 085 7663107 or email at guidedogsbalbriggan@ gmail.com or Facebook us.

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Home Cook Recipes

Healt

Niamh’s Veggie Bean Burgers Why not try Veganuary in January? New Year - New Goals? Many people reflect on things they would like to change around this time of year.Some people consider changing for the whole month of January or giving something a go in the first few months of the year and seeing how they get on.A popular trend for January is ‘Veganuary’ whereby people opt for a vegan lifestyle for the month of January. I am not suggesting that everyone reading this needs to go to that extent but research shows that having some meat free meals each week and more plant based foods in our diet can be good for our health. One idea for a meat free meal and more plant based food is this recipe and even better if there are some helping hands to get involved!!

Ingredients:

Makes x12 - Can be oven baked OR pan fried • • • • •

1 large onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, diced 3 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar 1 large butternut squash 1 tin (400g) beans of your choice (such as

16 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

• • • • •

black beans or kidney beans) 100g oats 1 tablespoon dried chilli flakes 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 50g milled flaxseed OR plain flour for coating

Method:

Preheat oven to 200’, Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds and cut into chunks. Toss the butternut squash in the Balsamic vinegar and place onto a non-stick baking tray. Roast in the pre-heated oven at 180’c for around 45 minutes or until it is quite soft and tender. Sauté the onion in a pan until soft (usually takes around 3-5 minutes). Add in the garlic for another minute of cooking. Remove from heat. Rinse and drain the beans. Mash the beans and roasted butternut squash together. Gradually fold in the rest of the ingredients (including the softened onion and garlic), BUT NOT the milled flaxseed/flour. Mix to form a dough. Sprinkle the milled flaxseed OR flour onto a flat surface/ large plate. Shape the dough mixture into burger patties using your hands on top of this surface. Slightly wet your hands to prevent the mixture sticking to them.

OR use a cookie cutter to help form rounded shapes for the burgers. Ensure that the surfaces of the burgers are coated in the milled flaxseed/ flour. Place the burger patties onto a non stick baking tray or a parchment lined baking tray and bake in the oven at 180’c for 30-40minutes. Make sure to flip the burgers half-way through baking.Alternatively (instead of baking), place the burger patties onto a heated non-stick pan with some cooking oil of your choice and fry over a medium heat for approximately 5-7minutes on each side until both sides are crispy.Serve straight up with toppings of choice or freeze for later.

Wishing you and your families health and happiness for 2021. Here is to a New Year!!! Please follow’Biabites’Facebook for other food ideas especially in the ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums.Please follow@BiaBiteson twitter.For nutrition talks/workshops at events or in schools/workplaces/community groups= please email: niamh@biabites. net Niamh Arthurs BSc, Msc Registered Dietitian. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local Sports

New Heights for Fingal Girl’s Rugby

Girl’s and women’s rugby have been experiencing rapid growth throughout the world over the last few years and Fingal can proudly claim to be part of this expansion. For the first time, all Fingal rugby clubs have girl sections. Leinster Rugby has made it a priority to support the set-up of girl sections at all clubs in Fingal and the Fingal clubs have taken on the challenge and have seen remarkable success in many cases.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said: “It is wonderful to see every rugby club in Fingal has developed girl sections at their clubs.” Stephen Costelloe Leinster/Fingal Rugby CRO said: “The clubs deserve a lot of credit for the work they have done, and it is brilliant to see girls of all ages playing rugby with smiles on their faces. The environment the clubs have created is one of fun and learning with the girls building on the skills needed through games and Westmanstown, Coolmine, Suttonians, Malahide, Balbriggan and Skerries RFC’s are always looking for new players.” Most recently Malahide RFC becomes the final club in Fingal to form their girls’ section. Within a week of the decision being

made, the first training session was held, and over 20 girls turned up on the wettest Sunday morning so far this season. Club community rugby officer Peter Kerr and club coaches headed up the new section, along with many new volunteers and local female players. This has now gone from strength to strength with involvement from both male and female coaches.Margaret Geraghty, Director of Housing & Community at Fingal County Council, said: “Fingal County Council are proud of our relationship with Leinster Rugby. The promotion and support of women’s sport is a key priority of Fingal’s Sports Office, and we are delighted to see more young women actively participating in sport.” Since its beginning in early October, over 36 girls have been turning up regularly to training. The long-term plan is to develop a sustainable girl’s age-grade rugby section within club opportunities to girls and women in the surrounding area. For more information on rugby in Fingal contact Stephen Costelloe, Leinster/Fingal Rugby CRO 087-9844168.

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

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 January 16. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck Across

Down

2. Hangs around aimlessly. (7) 3. Metal fastener. (4) outpatients. (6) 4. Hot drink made from roasted 5. The capital of Lebanon. (6) beans. (6) 10. Court official. (7) 5. Famous Hungarian composer. (6) 11. Tool for tennis. (7) 6. Imperial measurement. (4) 12. Irish dance. (4) 7. Rare and strange. (7) 13. The man for a fable. (5) 8. The King of the Fairies. (6) 15. Caribbean Socialist republic. (4) 9. A narrow channel linking two 17. Large deer. (3) larder bodies of water. (6) 19. Settle snugly and comfortably. (6) 14. Gracefully thin. (7) 21. The paper used to vote. (6) 16. Where Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie died. (5) 22. Withdraw assistance when it is 18. Devoid of freshness or originality. needed. (7) 23. Self-confident assurance, poise. (5) 20. The movement of the tide out to (6) sea. (3) 25. Cowboy of the pampas. (6) 21. Turf provider. (3) 28. Church bench. (3) 23. Ireland’s largest island. (6) 30. Break into someone’s computer. 24. The sugar in milk. (7) (4) 26. It’s used as a moth repellent. (7) 31. Lowest rank in British nobility. 27. A strong protest or objection. (6) (5) 28. Walk with bare feet in shallow 32. Leave out. (4) water. (6) 35. Mr. Bloom’s first name. (7) 29. Sway unsteadily. (6) 36. To talk nonsense. (7) 33. Percussion instrument and medal. (4) 37. Small and sturdy hunting dog. 34. A young sheep. (4) (6) 1. Hospital department for

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18 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-JANUARY 2021

SUDOKU ANSWERS

38. The remains of a fire. (6)

We would like to thank you all for your continued support in a very tough year for everyone in 2020. But we would like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2021. From all at Cuddles Unit C1 Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, Co Dublin Tel: 01 6904422, Email info@cuddlespetstore.com web: www.cuddlespetstore.com