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Volume 6 Issue 5 - March 2021

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Stay home and still enjoy St Patricks Day! Its a strange time, the pubs, restaurants and hotels closed on Paddy’s Day and no real sign of a let up in the restrictions that have governed our lives for the past 12 months. However all of these restrictions

have been imposed in a loving way by our Government to try and keep us safe and healthy. To try and keep our loved ones safe and healthy and to try and safeguard our elderly and our future generations.

This St Patrick’s Day will once again be one like no other any of us have ever experienced. The traditional parades will be virtual as will our messages of greetings to our relatives and friends throughout the

world. However that does not mean that we cannot show love to those who mean the most to us. Unlike any other period on history we have the means to stay in touch and communicate without meeting in person, whether that be through a mobile phone call or Facetime or Zoom or whatever technology we

have at hand. The worldwide communications structure is so vast now that we need never feel alone and can send messages of love and support to those we care most about. At this stage we do not have a choice

we must all obey the Government rules and continue to flatten the Covid 19 curve again. We must shop locally and ensure the local jobs of our neighbours and friends. We must wear face coverings, regularly wash our hands thoroughly and keep our distance when meeting others. We at ‘Locals ‘ magazines feel

the pain as do all of you. We hate not meeting our friends or loved ones, we hate not being able to go for a meal or a pint down the local or a drive in the country, But we as a nation can show the world on St Patrick’s Day that we are the best wee country in the world by flattening the curve and safe guarding

each other. So please, obey the rules, stay safe, lets pull together and keep supporting our HSE workers, our local shopping outlets and most of all our families and those we love.

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BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Local News

Safe Balbriggan Pillar ratified by Leadership Group

Michael O’ Sullivan

The Balbriggan Leadership Group ratified the establishment of a Safe Balbriggan Pillar at its quarterly meeting recently. This brings to five the number of pillars that the Leadership Group is responsible for with Safe Balbriggan being added to Local Economy & Enterprise, Community Affairs & Integration, Employment, Education & Training

and Public Realm & Placemaking. At the meeting retired Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan was appointed as the Chair of the Safe Balbriggan Pillar and the Leadership Group agreed terms of reference, membership and works programme for the new Pillar. Former Assistant Commissioner O’Sullivan retired from An Garda

Síochána in March 2020 after a 39year career serving in a wide variety of roles in Ireland, the European Union and internationally. He has held a number of key positions in An Garda Síochána, most recently as the Assistant Commissioner in charge of national security and intelligence. He remains a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and, in July 2020, he was appointed by Government, for a four-year term, as one of the lay person nominees to the Judicial Council of Ireland’s Sentencing and Guidelines Committee. Professor Brian MacCraith, Chair of the Balbriggan Leadership Group, said: “The establishment of the Safe Balbriggan Pillar is an important step forward for the Leadership Group as it is directly in response to community feedback seeking investment in this sphere. I would like to thank the Department of Justice, An Garda Síochána and Fingal County Council for the work they have done since last October to establish a framework for this new Pillar. They have also sourced an excellent leader for the Pillar in

former Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Sullivan and his huge experience from 39 years as a police officer working in Ireland and abroad will be of tremendous benefit to Balbriggan as we seek to enhance community positivity and well being through multi-agency collaboration and community policing initiatives.” Michael O’Sullivan, Chair of the Safe Balbriggan Pillar, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of the Safe Balbriggan Pillar and become a member of the Balbriggan Leadership Group. We have put together a strong team to oversee the Safe Balbriggan Pillar and have a comprehensive programme of works to deliver.” In addition to former Assistant Commissioner O’Sullivan, the membership of the Safe Balbriggan Pillar will also include representatives from Department of Justice, Department of Children & Youth Affairs, An Garda Síochána and Fingal County Council as well as Public Sector, Education Sector and Community Sector representatives and a member of the Leadership Group.

“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-MARCH 2021

Local News

Puppy raising for Irish Guide Dogs My name is Anne Mulligan and I am

Yarrow, a golden Lab/Retriever who arrived

a Puppy Raiser for Irish Guide Dogs for

late November 2019 when he was 8 weeks

the Blind. I also volunteer with the local

old. My role has been to help Yarrow become

Balbriggan/North Co Dublin branch. I’ve

well-mannered and socialised. The early

been a Puppy Raiser since March 2011 and

training team from Cork provided support

have taken care of a number of puppies. In

throughout the time Yarrow has been with

no particular order I have looked after Zack,

me. All veterinary fees and feeding costs are

Cinders, Gabby, Oscar, William, Genna,

covered by IGDB. Now at 14 months old

Zabbie and Coby. All were Labradors except

Yarrow will shortly go to Cork for his formal

Oscar who was a Retriever. Zabbie was part

training where he will hopefully become a

of the breeding programme and Mother to

Guide Dog or Assistance Dog. I will miss

the “G” litter. All pups born are named using

Yarrow but I know that he has the potential

a letter from the alphabet. Cinders, Gabby,

to change the life of a person who is visually

Oscar and Genna all qualified as Assistance

impaired or the life of a family of a child with

Dogs. Unfortunately, not all pups make

autism. I will follow Yarrow’s progress in Cork

the grade required to become a Guide Dog

with interest.I have something to look forward

or Assistance Dog. In such cases they can

to in 2021 as I am on the waiting list for

become a Companion Dog or an Ambassador

another puppy once Yarrow leaves. If you are

Dog or sometimes be rehomed as a pet. Zack,

interested in becoming a puppy raiser Contact

William and Coby are all happily settled

us by text or phone 085 7663107. Email

in home environments.My current pup is

GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Yarrow and Anne Mulligan

Finance

Women are still being undervalued in society By Dave Kavanagh I wrote a piece a couple of years ago following a series of interactive talks I had given to a number of groups. I had broken each group into small working groups and set them a task, to work out ap-propriate levels of life cover for a 35 year old couple with 2 young children, where “John” was in full time employment and “Mary” was a homemaker with no source of income. I gave a few basic details such as income, mortgage balance, loans and savings etc. and although there were varying levels of cover suggested (ranging from €150,000 to €2,000,000 life cover) in the vast majority of cases, the groups suggested that John needs approximately double the level of cover that Mary does, being the sole income earner. Cover should be based on the financial loss that would be suffered, so once I explained that although John passing away would remove his income, if Mary passed away, John would have to either give up work (also removing his income) or have very high costs for the minding of 2 young children, as well as additional, potential costs associated with running the house, the groups then realised that the appropriate levels of cover should be about the same. So is that the reality for most couples?Obviously, there are many different family unit dynamics, one or both in paid employment, more or no children, one or both with pension and death benefits etc., and

the important factor when arranging cover is to calculate the potential financial loss that could occur for your own specific circumstances. But I still see many examples that are still placing too low a value on a homemaker by not considering the financial loss that would occur in the event of that homemaker passing away. Have a look at your own levels of cover and see if this is something you need to review.

wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM and TV3.

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 0876414570, 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 departments on financial

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Local News

Fine Gael Councillor calls for investment in infrastructure

Cllr Tom O’Leary

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Fine Gael Councillor Tom O’Leary has called for the Council to prioritise roads, housing, jobs and broadband to facilitate Fingals post-Covid recovery.He has called for major investment in Fingals 4 Harbours and Deepwater Port & Businesss Park North of Balbriggan.As part of the National Development Plan review, has stressed the need to continue investment in infrastructure, housing, connectivity and employment, to help with the post-Covid recovery.The National Development Plan (NDP) which will oversee Fingals development for future years and generations is currently being reviewed. Speaking about the review of the National Development Plan (NDP) review, Cllr Tom O’Leary said: “The review of the NDP is an opportunity to strengthen the bottom-up approach which has been the hallmark of the Project Ireland 2040 Plan.Regional development and enhanced regional connectivity must remain at the centre of the National Development Plan, which, through Project Ireland 2040, is Fingal’s

roadmap to a sustainable and prosperous future. If anything, the review is a chance to reaffirm our commitment to the NDP and underscore the investment in public infrastructure Fine Gael believes should be at least 4.4% of gross national income each year for at least the next decade.In Fingal , we’re already seeing the value of the NDP through, for example, the National Broadband Plan, a pivotal plan, driven by Fine Gael, to ensure connectivity, remote working and access to services regardless of location.

Plan of proposed Bremore Ireland Port

Local News Work due to Start in Skerries area connecting 2183 premises to 500MBps High Speed Broadband.Because of the NDP, our communities in Fingal are also benefiting from transformative projects like Balbriggan where a €30 million investment plan is underway, Swords where major investments in facilities like the upgrade of Swords Castle and a new Theatre and cultural Centre at North Street Swords are planned .These key investments in Fingals Community have been made possible through the four funds of Project Ireland 2040, including the urban and rural regeneration funds.” He said “These funds must be protected and strengthened while simultaneously enhancing the bottom up approach by reinforcing the role of local authorities and local public representatives in the process.The NDP also includes key infrastructure projects like upgrade

and new access road infrastructure at Dublin Airport, The Long awaited Metro Service to Dublin and Dublin airport a key connectivity project . that are crucial for the sustainable development, quality of life and thousands of new jobs in Fingal. These projects must not be impacted, in any way, by the review of the NDP. That new Funding be provided to design and implement a plan to maximise the potential of Fingal Harbours in Fingal Co Council ownership , for Recreational use for local fingal residents and tourists and to assist the native fishing industry adapt and thrive and improve access for the public to these wonderful facilities in Skerries, Balbriggan , Loughshinny, Rush . Funding should be provided for a plan and implementation under the URDF Urban Regeneration Fund and other Government Funding sources. Key

investment in a pontoon and new boardwalk access to Skerries Harbour. Major Plan for Balbriggan Harbour in the town center. That the proposed development of a Deepwater Port and industry park north of Balbriggan be facilitated with suitable linkage and upgrades to the road network and in Particular to the M1 and that the Government consider investing seed capital or infrastructure and collaborating in the proposed new Port to facilitate the creation of thousands of new sustainable jobs in the area of North Fingal Meath and Louth .“At a crucial time for our country, when investment in public infrastructure will help us overcome challenges like Covid-19, the NDP review must result in faster implementation of the plans and policies that are central to the future of Fingal and the country,” added Cllr Tom O’Leary.

Proposed Bremore Ireland Port

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Local News

New programme for Fingal HomeFit Yoga Fingal County Council Sports Office will be adding to the Fingal HomeFit live series by facilitating a free yoga programme. Erica from Yoga Sanctuary will be teaching a 4-week online yoga course aimed at beginners, but all are welcome. She will guide you through a 1-hour class each week aimed at introducing you to the benefits of yoga through breathwork, yoga postures and relaxation. If you are interested in starting something new for yourself or would like to join in to stretch out and feel good in your body, then join Erica from Wednesday, March 3rd at 6 pm.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr David Healy said: “Another excellent online programme from Fingal County Council Sports Office. The Fingal HomeFit programme has been an important exercise option for many people during the current government restrictions. The inclusion of a 4-week Yoga programme is fantastic news and will give people an extra activity to participate in the evenings.” Margaret Geraghty, Director of Housing and Community Development for Fingal County Council said: “The Fingal Sports Office HomeFit live sessions have been a great success. Adding a new class to the already popular programme will give participants the chance to try a new physical activity from the comfort of their home.” For more information contact Noel McManus, Fingal County Council Community Sports Development Officer

‘Remember us’ continues to keep its members occupied and connected ‘Remember us’ have been very busy since we started back in middle of January. For our Teen/adult members we are doing Zoom 4 nights per week for all to join in Zoom activities organized up until St Patrick’s day include the following.Exercise, dance , magic show, cookery, Body Percussion, play your cards right, creative arts, disco, homemade bird feeder class, bakery, pebble art, yoga, movie night, Ceili dancing sessions. In addition to all that we also run one to one and small group sessions for our younger age group twice a week.We also send a Webtext to all our members and their families once a week to see how they are getting on and to say we are at the end of the phone if they would like to talk etc. We have been posting on our Facebook page everyday since we broke up last March. Each week we have a Facebook theme where our members send in a photo or a video to us.Current themes are Design their own

Valentines card and the Jerusalem family dance challenge.Also my son Paul and myself have been making a fun video every Friday since last March to go up on Facebook. We dress up and act a little silly. Anything to give our members and their families a laugh.Currently we have given our families a challenge to fundraise for Remember us. Some are doing walking, some are doing a weight loss challenge, others are baking etc. I would like to thank them most sincerely for fundraising for us.We have a fundraising page in Idonate.ie where people have the choice to set up a fundraiser themselves or just make a donation. We would be really grateful if members of the public would make a donation. It doesn’t matter how big or small the donation is it all adds up at the end of the day and we are really appreciate of it.

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10 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Local News

Move your body and move it often With our fitness Guru Ciaran Russell Being physically active is important. Not only does being active have physical benefits for your body but also has positive mental health benefits.People that are more physically active tend to have fewer illnesses, get sick less, have more energy, feel better about themselves and others, and contribute more to their community. But with such a range of positive benefits, why do so many people stay inactive or sedentary? Simple, because it’s easier! It’s easier to jump in the car to go to the shop. It’s easier to sit on the sofa instead of going for a walk. It’s easier to take the lift instead of the stairs. It’s easier drop the kids to school instead of walking, cycling or scooting. But it’s different for me; I’m tired, I don’t have the energy, I had a tough day or week. Sound familiar? If this was your response ask yourself why. So then ask yourself who would you be without

that story, or those excuses.To be an active person you don’t have to go running the roads every day of the week, you don’t even need a gym membership or be a member of a sports club.The best part? You get to decide how you become more active, you get to figure out what you love to do to be a healthy person. It’s your choice.Maybe you love walking at sunrise listening to your favourite podcast. Maybe you really enjoy doing yoga when the kids are gone to bed.However you like to stay active, do that! Physical activity isn’t just about taking part in organised sport or exercise. It’s about being an active person as often as you can. Organise a walk with a friend. Take the stairs. Park further away. Walk to the shop. Clean the house.Every time you choose to move your body is a positive step towards becoming more active. Your health is important so why not start prioritising it today while you have the choice before it becomes necessary to prioritise it later in life.

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels At time of going to press, we have just entered another further period of lockdown, with Level 5 restrictions. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels will with the help of the local people and organisations, continue to provide their service and deliver meals to the most vulnerable within our community. Since the start of the pandemic, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels has managed to operate through the help of volunteers and the generosity of those who have made monetary and food donations.If you are in a position to help, donations of dried food goods and hygiene products can be dropped to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan. Monetary donations can be made via Balbriggan Meals on Wheels Facebook page. Balbriggan Meals on Wheels can be contacted at Tel: 01 8416743 In the meantime, please stay safe, follow the guidelines and we look forward to a brighter time as the year progresses.

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Feature

A different kind of Mother’s Day- try the web! by Siobhán O’Neill White Whether you live with her, haven’t seen her in a while due to lockdown or if she has sadly passed away, March is a time for remembering and thanking our wonderful Mammies for everything they have done for us.When we asked the Mammies on mams.ie what gift they would like this year, the most suggested was hampers! Between homeschooling, keeping the family fed and safe - with all the cooking and cleaning that entails, Mammies just want a break! Whether it’s skincare, bath products, yummy food, sparkly drinks – hampers are a fabulous way to treat your Mammy this Mother’s day and here are some of our favourites. The breakfast hamper from GiftsandTreats. ie is a super treat. Fresh bread, zesty orange juice, scones, tea, coffee, cake, chocolate and flowers. The perfect breakfast in bed! There are also lots of great websites yuu should check out. The Love = Love hamper from the GreenGrocersDaughters website comes with chocolates, cheese, wine, prosecco, onion jam, candles and beautiful bunting, which can be hung up after all the wine and chocolates are devoured! The ‘Days Out’ hamper from the hampersandco website is perfect for a picnic! Set out a blanket and enjoy some outdoor family time with yummy food! The website YourSurprise. has clever gifting ideas, from champagne glasses to teddybears. We love their personalised Toberlones! The website GreenAngel make beautiful skincare gift sets. These Irish made products feel gorgeous and smell amazing! On a budget? Check out the sweetliving website for luxury chocolate bars, which can be personalised. But as any Irish Mammy will tell you, we don’t care about the cost of the gift. You could make a hamper with budget items from your local supermarket. Or simply do something nice, like vacuum the house and run her a bath to ensure she has a relaxing day. One of my favourite Mother’s day gifts was a salad sandwich my children made me for breakfast in bed. The butter was an inch thick, the tomato slices huge and the bread tasted of ‘hands’ (parents of young children will understand!) It was inedible but so thoughtful and is a treasured Mother’s day memory. If you would like to enter some competitions to try and win something fabulous for your Mammy or you want more gifting ideas, go to mams.ie.

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CommunityLocals.ie 14 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

The National Framework for Living with COVID-19

Safe Reopening of Schools & Childcare Thanks to continued adherence to public health restrictions, we can now plan for reopening of schools and childcare on a phased basis.

Phased Reopening is planned as follows:

Special Schools at 100% capacity

Early Childhood Care and Education

3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class at Primary Level

Early Learning & Care, and School-age Childcare

1st to 4th years post-primary

March

Junior & Senior Infants First and Second Class

March

5th year post-primary

April

Final Year Leaving Certiﬁcate Classes

COVID-19 is still a threat. A careful, gradual reopening of our society will protect our communities while we await supplies of COVID-19 vaccines.

In the meantime, ﬁnancial supports for individuals and businesses will continue up to the end of June. Wellbeing and mental health supports also continue.

Current Level 5 restrictions will continue unchanged until Monday 5th April. The following key factors will be reviewed weekly and will guide the lifting of restrictions after 5th April:

Controlling the Virus We must continue to reduce infection rates in our homes and communities.

Decreasing Hospitalisations We must continue to reduce the pressure on our health system and front line workers.

Securing Vaccine Supply Vaccine supplies are organised on an equitable, EU-wide basis. Once supplied, vaccines are delivered swiftly in accordance with a carefully planned schedule.

Managing New Variants New variants can have an impact on the course of the disease. Surveillance and monitoring of emerging variants will continue during phased reopening.

We must continue to reduce the pressure on our health system and front line workers.

Remember, we are still at Level 5 which requires that we stay at home, with limited exceptions.

Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.

More detailed information is available at gov.ie/COVID19 If you need to talk, free text HELLO to 50808 to start a conversation

Wear a face-covering in indoor spaces, on public transport and outdoors wherever you see people gathered. Ensure that your facecovering is clean.

Always keep a distance of 2 metres from others.

Home Cook Recipes

Healt

Easy Peasy Dark Chocolatey Bark Some of you may have given up sweet foods for lent. Some of you may be trying to cut back on sweet foods as part of healthy eating plans or goals or new year’s resolutions.Or some of you may just like trying out new food ideas and recipes!!! This recipe is super quick, easy and you can tailor it to your taste preferences or to whatever is in your kitchen cupboards!! I love the crunch that the dried edamame beans or nuts provide in this recipe and the richness of the dark chocolate. It is also very satisfying and filling. Edamame Beans are green soya beans which have become very popular due to their nutritious properties including high levels of protein and fibre which can help to keep us fuller for longer. Edamame Beans also contain vitamins A, K and folate, and are good sources of calcium, manganese and iron. If you don’t have or like edamame beans, you could use nuts or seeds or dried fruit instead in this recipe! Ingredients: • •

200g Dried Edamame Beans OR nuts OR seeds OR a combination with some dried fruit!!! 200g GOOD Quality dark chocolate (Please Note: When I state good quality dark chocolate, it does not need

16 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

to be expensive. Most supermarkets have good quality dark chocolate at reasonable prices. The difference is how the chocolate melts and reforms. Good quality dark chocolate will melt smoothly and reform into a smooth bark. The not so good quality chocolate may turn lumpy and crumbled!) Tip: I love the bright green colour of the dried edamame beans which makes them stand out against the dark chocolate but for a variety of colours, use a mixture of different coloured dried fruits, nuts, seeds etc. You could even do an Irish flag theme for St Patrick’s Day with green pistachios or pumpkin seeds, orange apricots and white coconut chips or flakes! Method: 1. Spread out a sheet of greaseproof paper on a baking tray or lunchbox. 2. Melt the dark chocolate either: in a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water and stir intermittently until just about all the chocolate is melted, OR in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each one.

Please stand by the chocolate whichever way you melt it, have patience, don’t forget to stir and be careful not to overdo it! 3. Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the pre-lined tray/lunchbox and spread it into a rectangle. Do not let any condensation or water droplets fall onto the melted dark chocolate as they do not mix well! 4. Scatter over the dried edamame beans OR nuts OR seeds or fruit. Allow it to cool and set at room temperature for a few hours. 5. When hardened, break up the bark into pieces or use a sharp knife to cut it neatly into squares, triangles or however you like!! Store within an airtight container and use within 2 weeks. Bain sult as (=Enjoy)!!!! Please follow ‘Biabites’ on Facebook for other food ideas especially in the ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums. Please follow @BiaBites on twitter. For nutrition talks/workshops at events or in schools/workplaces/community groups= please email: niamh@biabites.net Niamh Arthurs BSc, Msc Registered Dietitian and Researcher. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local Sports

Balbriggan Roadrunners alternative in Lockdown!

Lee Maritz

Nicola

Tag Marathon

Tom Reilly

Runners LOVE running and we’re lucky we’ve chosen an exercise that can be done regardless of weather, the season or the lockdown. However, runners love running TOGETHER and of course this couldn’t have happened during most of the lockdown. So, with the help of social media – primarily our Facebook group page we were able to keep in touch with each other and many people have found innovate ways of running together virtually. Roadrunners Lee and Karen Maritz came up with a “Tag Marathon” whereby Roadrunners formed teams (with novel Disney names) of 8 who were to run 5.3km each and virtually tag the next group member and collectively (but separately) run a marathon. Each team tallied up their collective time to see which

one ran the best marathon time. This ignited plenty of excitement on social media with lots of banter and photos online – to the point that there have been 4 “Tag Marathon” events over the 4 lockdowns. We have all really missed our Saturday parkrun up in Ardgillan so some regular parkrunners (Tom Reilly and Nicola ) devised a novel “Parkrace” whereby runners could do the parkrun route on a Saturday on their own schedule (socially distanced) and send in their time to these new “Parkrace” organisers. So still enjoying the buzz of doing a parkrun whilst adhering to COVID guidelines. We are looking forward to getting back together for scheduled runs in the near future – but keeping fit in the meantime.

BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 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 March 16. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck

18 BALBRIGGAN LOCAL-MARCH 2021

Down

1. An acknowledgement of appreciation. (6) 5. Not feeling secure, anxious. (6) 10. The metered Greek goddess of fertility. (7) 11. Leaning like a damaged ship. (7) 12. A person known for taking advantage of others. (4) 13. Device for finding aircraft. (5) 15. The lowest female singing voice. (4) 17. Skedaddle hides a parent! (3) 19. Takes samples of several dishes. (6) 21. A down-market violin. (6) 22. Seaside places. (7) 23. Rectangle with four equal sides. (6) 25. A period of ten years. (6) 28. Essential for writing. (3) 30. Smell like Magillicuddy.. (4) 31. One of God’s attendants. (5) 32. A mark made by dirt. (4) 35. Sharply exact and accurate. (7) 36. Part of a cake. (7) 37. The upward route on a mountain. (6) 38. Stand up against someone or something. (6)

2. Small villages straight out of Shakespeare. (7) 3. Military alliance of some European states. (4) 4. Drapes hide a sandwich filler. (6) 5. Put your material on the Internet. (6) 6. Primary compass direction. (4) 7. There’s no point in crying over this milk. (7) 8. Alter equipment for accuracy and effectiveness. (6) 9. Refuse to notice. (6) 14. Getting involved with the music. (7) 16. It’s a black and white animal. (5) 18. Gets annoyed like Tim Finnegan. (5) 20. Perceive the bishop’s seat. (3) 21. Provided food. (3) 23. Leather bands for binding things together. (6) 24. Of no help whatsoever. (7) 26. Puts into service. (7) 27. Stretch out and forward, like a limb. (6) 28. Very small creature. (6) 29. Someone in charge of a building, grounds or animals. (6) 33. Alcoholic beverage. (4) 34. Popular subject at UCD. (4)

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