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Inside This Months Issue Fingallians on the ball page

Swords Lions diabetes screening

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Harp Recital for Swords Library

6 100 cycle for cycling safety

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Supervalu, Pavilions Tesco, Boroimhe Eurospar, Applewood Eurospar, Kinsealy JCâ€™s, Swords Lidl, Swords Applgreen, Malahide Rd., Swords Published by

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Every effort is made by Swords Local Magazine to ensure that the information is correct and will not be held responsible for any advertisement or editorial errors. Swords Local reserves the right to decline, suspend or omit any advertisement or article submitted. No liability can be accepted by Swords Local for any printing errors in advertisements or otherwise.

10 STRICT DEADLINE FOR APRIL EDITION: 15th March for inclusion in our March edition.

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SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Local News

Butler praises Castle award but sceptical about broadband Cllr Darragh Butler said recently. “As a Swords resident, I’m delighted to see the on-going progress being made with regards to Swords Castle and the proposed Swords Cultural Quarter. Every year things keep getting better and better and great progress is being made. This year we look forward to more and more events and concerts in Swords Castle and one part that I am really looking forward to is being able to go up on the ramparts and walk around the upper level of the Castle walls. Really can’t wait to see that part restored and to be able to do that. The proposed civic space looks great, really exciting and really promising. As a local Swords Councillor I am delighted to see such progress being made and one of my main election commitments from 4 years ago being achieved.” However he expressed concerm about infrastructure and broadband plans. He said, “As confirmed by my party colleagues, the National Development Plan contains at least 179 previously announced projects and more than EUR 40bn of funding which was already earmarked for infrastructure initiatives. Let’s hope that it was not simply one big marketing plan but for the sake of Swords and north County Dublin residents, let’s hope we finally get delivery on Metro North, Housing and Broadband. There is no doubt at this stage that the Government’s National Broadband Plan is an unmitigated disaster. We have families, businesses, students and people who want to be able to work from home, not being able to do so due to lack of adequate broadband. It is limiting small local businesses from setting up and expanding, people can’t work from home and students can’t complete college work and submit projects on-line. It is one of the most common complaints that I get from Rolestown, St. Margaret’s and rural north County Dublin and unfortunately the Government’s progress to date does not fill any of us with confidence that this issue will be resolved any time soon. Unfortunately, just like a lot of other issues, the modus operandi of this Government seems to be announcement after announcement, but no action and no delivery. People are just getting fed up.”

Mulville frustrated at procurement for council housing

Paul Mulville, Social Democrats councillor for the Swords local electoral area, has stated his 4

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frustration at the slow pace of the tender and procurement process in terms of the delivery of council housing schemes, and has called on the Minster for Housing, Community and Local Government to take steps to address this. Speaking after a recent County Council meeting, Cllr. Mulville stated, “Figures provided to us under the Chief Executive’s report at yesterday’s county council meeting, state that there are 7 council housing schemes still at tender stage, totalling 169 housing units. In our own local electoral area, the Swords ward, council housing schemes which we have approved quite a time ago, are proceeding at a snail’s pace.” “For example, councillors approved a small scheme of 24 council houses on the Rathbeale Road, Swords, in March 2017, yet the tender and procurement process is still not complete. Even longer back, we approved another small scheme

of 24 houses in Rolestown in November 2016, yet there is still no sign of these houses being provided.” “At the same time, the Council’s Housing Department have been making good progress locally in terms of assisting homeless families. Council staff and management in the Housing Department, as well as the McVerry Trust, are to be commended for their work in this vital area.” “In conclusion, it is clear that the Government must take steps to address the shocking delay in the tender and procurement of council housing schemes. Once schemes have gone through the public consultation and been approved by councillors, the Minister for Housing, Community and Local Government must step up to the mark and end the unacceptable delay in getting these homes built, in particular given the current urgent housing need.” Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Easter is…

tender, local Irish lamb, shared with people you love. Celebrate in style. Gather together with a feast of delicious Irish lamb from trusted, local farms. Serve it with crunchy, roasted Country Crest potatoes and fresh spring veg. And for dessert, keep it festive with handmade Easter Eggs from local chocolatier, Chez Emily. It’s all ready and waiting at Country Crest Farm Shop.

tender irish Leg of Lamb €19.95 - save €15.00

Country Crest Farm shop at Jones Garden Centre, JunCtion 4, m1 open 7 days a week. CountryCrestFarmshop.ie

Local News

Swords Lions club undertake successful diabetes screening day

Swords Lions Club recently undertook a highly successful Diabetes screening day . The club wish ti thank the nurses who gave up their time for free and carried out their work in a highly professional

SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

manner. Thanks also to the shopping Centre management and staff and to all our members who turned up to work and support us. Finally thanks to the public for their continued support in all our campaigns.

Local News

SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Local News

Guide dogs say thanks to Specsavers and call for volunteers It is very important to say thanks and the Balbriggan\ north county Dublin branch of Irish guide dogs for the blind would like to sincerely thank Specsavers\Hearing Aid Centre Balbriggan for setting up a beautiful Santa grotto before Christmas in the Millfield Shopping Centre Balbriggan. Picture shows Tom O’Neill with his guide dog Gatsby, Brian Brodigan manager and Elaine staff member of Speck Savers displaying proudly the cheque of how much money was made for the local branch of guide dogs through the generosity of those who took their little ones along to talk with Santa in his Grotto. An amazing amount of €1,466.28 All monies goes to train more guide dogs for blind people and more assistance dogs for families who have a child with Autism. Would you like to volunteer with guide dogs this year, if so ring 0857663107 or send an email to guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com

Mobility Essentials is an Irish healthcare and mobility equipment supplier, set up to provide quality healthcare products that our customers can recommend to their family and friends. Our goal is a simple one, to provide the best service combined with the best quality products, helping our customers improve their mobility and daily life. We stock a wide range of Molicare Incontinence Products, Daily Living Aids, Wheelchairs, Walking Aids, Bathroom Accessories, etc. here at our store in Airside, Swords.

www.facebook.com/SwordsLocal

Suppliers of incontinence swimwear All sizes of Ramps Orders can be placed on-line, for convenient delivery to your door, or you can visit us at our premises to view our range of aids, we’ll be happy to help.

Call us on 01-8900890 or visit our website: www.mobilityessentials.ie 8

SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

St. Patricks Day

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Local News

100 cycle for Safe Cycling Campaign

100 Fingal residents took part in a cycle from Swords Castle to Skerries to raise awareness of the Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 safety campaign for cyclists on Sunday, February 18.The campaign encourages drivers to maintain a 1.5 metre distance between themselves and cyclists to reduce cyclist deaths and injuries. Fingal is the first Dublin Local Authority and the fifth Irish Local Authority to support the campaign. The Stayin’ Alive at 1.5 Campaign was originally promoted by Wexford cyclist Phil Skelton after he was nearly run off the road by a car while cycling before it was supported by

Wexford County Council. Fingal County Council’s Road Safety Officer, Niamh Russell explained the importance of supporting this initiative: “As part of a wider Cycle Safety Campaign, Fingal County Council is recommending that drivers maintain a 1.5 metre distance between themselves and cyclists in an effort to reduce cyclist deaths and injuries.. There will be road signs in place throughout Fingal to raise awareness of the campaign and to encourage safe driving so that cyclists can travel safely on our roads.” The campaign also includes a School Cycle

Training Programme to educate primary school children on the importance of practicing safe cycling Fingal County Council Chief Executive Paul Reid welcomed the launch of the campaign: “In Fingal we have many active cycling clubs and residents who cycle to work and school so it is essential that we make the roads safe for them to use. By simply being aware of cyclists and giving them enough space, we can reduce the risk of deaths and injuries on our roads.”

Council welcomes MSD job announcement for Swords Fingal County Council has welcomed the announcement by pharmaceutical company MSD that it is to create 350 jobs at a new manufacturing facility in Swords. The MSD Biotech Dublin plant will produce biologics-based medicines for the global market on the grounds of the company's previous site in the county capital. Welcoming the news, the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, said that it was another major boost for the county, and in particular Swords.

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“This is another endorsement of Fingal as a place to do business in and it is encouraging to see the company highlight the talent pool available as one of the main reasons for their decision as well as the strong relationships they have with the various agencies including the Council,” said Mr Reid. Ed Hearne, Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism at Fingal County Council said: “MSD are just one of many global leaders who have based their Irish operations in Fingal and, as a Council, we continue to work closely with

them all so they can expand and create more jobs in the county. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, said: “This is more great news for Swords and Fingal. The creation of these 350 jobs will be a major boost to the local economy."

Local News

Heritage Property Strategy wins IPI award

Fingal County Council won the prestigious Economic Development Award at the Irish Planning Institute Annual Awards held at the Grand Hotel in Malahide recently. The Council was awarded for its recently adopted strategy for Fingal’s portfolio of heritage properties. The strategic review of heritage properties which was completed in late 2016 was the result of an in depth financial and operational review of Fingal County Council’s heritage property portfolio in partnership with SLR consulting. Welcoming the award and highlighting its significance, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Paul Reid said: “I would like to congratulate Fingal County Council’s Heritage Properties team for the work they have done in the strategic review of Fingal’s heritage properties. The implementation of the outcomes of this review can greatly improve the tourism potential of the County and provide tangible economic benefit to the County as a whole.” Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Mary McCamley said: “Fingal’s Heritage Properties hold a special and important place in the hearts of Fingal’s citizens and it is of great significance that this piece of work to improve and protect the properties into the future is recognised.” Fingal County Council‘s Director of Economic Development, Ed Hearne said “Our new strategy will support the creation of up to 700 jobs, safeguard the important community value of the properties and will further improve our tourism performance. As we developed the strategy it became apparent that the scale, variety and value of the portfolio of historic properties here in Fingal mark us out from all other regions and our receipt of this award is recognition of this.”

...to give us your news and stories!!! Do you run a Local Sports Club or Team? Are you a new business or a business celebrating an anniversary? Are you running or hosting a Local event or Fundraiser? Do you have a story to tell? A Special Birthday, Christening, Communion..

Send us your news & pics.. We Want it ALL.. Contact us today: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Fashion

Style Warriors Fashion and Entertainment Show By Fashion Editor - Carina Cunningham

So this is the show ! The show we are all waiting for. Why is that?. It’s because this is not your basic show one model in - one model out! This show is for the guys. There’s lots of exciting entertainment on stage! It’s action packed. This year we have invited back The Olivia Whelan School of Ballet from Donabate. The girls are amazing and they get the chance to try alternative style. Last time they danced to Cabaret ! They were fantastic. Music will be a big feature in the show this year. So much so, we have our own composer Carl Allen, overseeing the entire show plus writing our very own theme song. Any musicians in the area who would like to get on board please email me. We have invited back The Fire Angels from Belfast as they were truly amazing with stunning costumes. We have our very own choreographer Thomas Spratt who danced and opened The Xpose fashion awards a few weeks ago. He will be helping with super moves on the catwalk! This month I’d like to share with you our other shoot featuring The BathRoom Fairies, Sabrina and Nita at Mr Ray Quinn’s Bathstore and More Metro Point business park Swords. Ray Quinn was so thrilled with the fairies brightening up his stunning collection of bathroom samples. Ray has continuously been our top sponsor for the show as he enjoys the evening of fun and entertainment. This is a show for the guys as I said. We will be featuring men’s shops Louie Copeland -Capel St, AB Formal Wear - Swords with special guests celebrities modelling Mattress Mick, Patrick Walsh, Hector Heathwood and more to come. Other shops confirmed are Sensational Clothing Swords, Co Co Belle Boutique in Donabate, Phoenix ‘V’ at St Stephens Green and designers confirmed so far are Kat Condon, Oxanna Hefferon ,Kristina Lauren and Wobias from London. 12

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Sat 6th October -Wrights Venue Swords in aid of NECRET Cancer Research.

More to confirm next time. Anyone wanting to try out at modelling please email me and any local business who would like to be a sponsor please email me. This is a fantastic night out and for an amazing cause. Professor Bryan Hennessy will open the show and talk about the tremendous work he and his team are participating in. That’s it for now over and out. Thanks for reading and we hope you will support our endeavours for this worthy cause. Carina. carinacunningham@gmail.com Credits: location - Bathstore and More Metro Park buisness park Models : Sabrina Maria and Nita Bajrami (BathRoom Fairies ) Make up :by Momi Kay Styling: outfits and accessories by myself Carina Cunningham. Photographer Taz Smith. …Many thanks to all involved. Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Fashion

Happy Mother’s Day! (11th March) By Fashion Editor - Carina Cunningham

Being a mother and a grandmother myself I appreciate this day every year. One of my favourite memories is my two daughters when they were young bringing me breakfast in bed on a tray, with a buttercup flower in a jug. Little girl’s and mammy’s-friends forever, and so it should be ! It should be the one day mammies get the day off every year, no cooking, no cleaning, no hassle, please. Daughters and sons, have you thought about how you plan on treating Mum this year.? Here are a few ideas to help you out. Plants and flowers are a beautiful gift especially if they are long lasting in the house, as a warming memory of your thoughts and kindness. Perfume- Has mums favourite perfume run out ? It can be expensive but always nice to say to her friends “ it’s by Chanel -My Johnny bought me that for Mother’s Day.” . A gift token for a Spa with relaxing treatments is always well received. Me personally - some Botox treatments. Not for all the ladies out there but still getting more popular than you would know dear friends. A meal out, dinner, lunch, high tea spending luxury time having food served rather than cooking as cooking is such a drag to most mums. Thank god for Mc Donald’s. Now don’t get all paranoid on me, my children Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

were fed lots of fresh veg but its nice to have a change. It’s also not unheard of to take mum to the movies! The VIP tickets are really cool and some cinemas even serve wine and beer. If she likes the theatre you could take her to a play. These are just a few ideas to get you thinking. Our photo shoot this month for Mother’s Day features beautiful mum Janice Peacock with her fabulous twin daughters Darcey and Reese having high tea in The City North Hotel. Pictured wearing crisp white cottons with beautiful floral prints, reminding us that Spring, thank God, is on its way. Florals are so fresh and beautiful to wear and are ageless fashion. As a matter of fact no matter what height, size or stature you are florals look fabulous on any figure and themed with the right hat are very impressive indeed. Credits: . Location North City Hotel Co Meath. Mum: Janice Peacock and daughters Darcey and Reese. Mums Dress: Neola Boutique Malahide, Make up: Momi Kay, Photography by Taz Smith, Styling, concept and poem by myself Carina Cunningham. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. Happy Mother’s Day. SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Local News

Celebrating Chinese new year at Citynorth Hotel (CITYNORTH Hotel & Conference Centre, Gormanston, Co. Meath)

The CityNorth Hotel celebrated Chinese New Year – Year of the dog, with a “China Red” reception on Wednesday 14th February. Madame Xue He, Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, launched the celebrations and spoke about the potential for increased trade between Ireland and China with over 70,000 Chinese visitors to Ireland last year. This is great news for the Drogheda, East Meath and Louth region ahead of the start of Cathay Pacific direct flights to Dublin in June. The evening was a lavish affair with the Lord Mayor of Drogheda, Pio Smith, many councillors and local business people in attendance. “It has been a privilege to collaborate with Fáilte Ireland and become one of the first hotels in Ireland to be officially China Ready.” said Mr Cyril Laffan, General Manager for the CityNorth Hotel, he also commented that “The hotel has undertaken several measures to be culturally welcoming to our Chinese guests. For example, our staff have been trained, we’ve adopted Union Pay as a method of payment, QR Codes have been added to our menus which can be scanned to translate the menu into Chinese and we are working with Emerald Media to setup social media platform, WeChat and various marketing campaigns.” 14

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Local News

Fingal County Council welcomes announcement of Metro Link

Fingal County Council has welcomed the announcement of a metro system linking Swords and Sandyford at the launch of Project Ireland 2040 in Sligo today. The Metro North project, which was to have run from Swords to St Stephen’s Green, has been

extended and renamed Metro Link. According to Project Ireland 2040 - National Development Plan 20182027, Metro Link will be complete by 2027. The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, who attended today’s launch, said that

the decision to finally give the green light to a metro system for Fingal is a major boost. “A northbound metro system is the most crucial piece of infrastructure needed in Ireland because not only will it link the Airport with Dublin City Centre,

it will also link Swords and North County Dublin with existing public transport infrastructure such as LUAS and DART. “This will be a game-changer for Fingal as the new metro system will allow for the sustainable growth of Swords in accordance with our Development Plan. I am also pleased that the National Planning Framework specifically recognises the future development potential of Swords” said Mr Reid. The Council’s Director of Strategic Infrastructure and Planning, AnnMarie Farrelly, said that Fingal has already put in place the necessary preparatory steps required to fully exploit the arrival of a metro system for the benefit of the local community and local business. “The strategic development sites along the metro route have the potential to deliver significant new housing and local employment from now to 2040. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, said: “On behalf of my colleagues I welcome its inclusion in the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan and I look forward to the project being delivered as quickly as possible because it is long overdue.”

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Feature

What happens if you don’t review your cover?

“Let’s not watch TV this evening, instead let’s open a bottle of wine and review our financial planning”, said NOBODY (well, hardly anybody) ever. There are certain activities we tend to put off and put off and put off. With some aspects of financial planning catering for eventualities that either may not happen, or else may not happen for a very long time, people can find it easy to justify putting off this important exercise. But what are the consequences of putting these things on the long finger? Well firstly, you could be paying too much. Next, any cover that you have in place should be appropriate for your own, specific circumstances. If anything has changed with those circumstances then what you have may no longer be appropriate (or the most appropriate). Jobs may have changed (and benefits that were attached to the job), income and expenditure may be different, family may have increased. These and more reasons could mean that different types and levels of cover are far more suitable. One of the biggest factors that impact on cover is your health. It is understandable that people are more prone to consider their cover when there has been adverse health news, either for themselves or someone close to them. The problem with waiting until this happens is that it is often too

late. Some of the regular findings we see during reviews, include: people paying for things that are no longer required (and sometimes they thought they had cancelled). People believing they have a certain type and level of cover when they do not. People having cover that their bank arranged and could not compare premiums and so they are paying way over the odds. People who only have cover on the “income earner” without realising that the financial loss that would be suffered in the event of a “non income-earner” with children, if they were no longer around or in full health. Less than an hour spent once per year, can not only remind you what you have and reassure you that you have everything in place correctly. It could also result in you paying far less. Make the time to look at these important areas, it could be far more valuable than you think. Dave Kavanagh QFA has been a financial advisor for over 20 years. He has done advice slots on on RTE 2FM and on TV3 and does the “Ask the Expert” Financial Advice section on Mumstown.ie For more information on this topic, just email info@financialcompanion.ie or visit www. financialcompanion.ie for contact details.

Friends of Autism session on behavioural problems Friends of Autism/ADHD Ltd are delighted to host a talk in The Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan on Wednesday 14TH March 2018 AT 7:30 PM.Psychologist Ann Prosser will be giving an information session on Behavioural Problems & Anxiety experienced by young people with tips on how to manage meltdowns.

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Ann will do her best to answer any questions you may have in relation to coping with these issues. This seminar is open to all teachers, snas, parents, carers and any concerned family members and a booking fee of 5 euro applies. To reserve your place, please phone 01 8495670

or send an email to adhdfingal@gmail.com We would ask you to note that a payment of the booking fee can be posted to our offices at 102 strand street , skerries. co. dublin or payment can be made by paypal using the link below: https://paypal.me/friendsautadhd

Local News

Artists’ support scheme-funding increased Fingal County Council is delighted to announce the 2018 Artists’ Support Scheme. This strand of funding, which has increased by 50% this year, allows professional artists to avail of an award towards travel/professional development opportunities, a residency or the development of work. The objective of the Artists’ Support Scheme is to support individual professional artists from Fingal to develop their artistic practice. The award is open to practising artists at all stages in their professional careers working in music, visual art, drama, literature & dance. To be eligible to apply, applicants must have been born, have studied, or currently reside in the Fingal administrative area. Speaking about the award, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid said “Last year 27 bursaries were awarded to artists across all disciplines. Fingal County Council is proud to provide funding to professional artists through this scheme and the increase in funding reflects the Council’s continued commitment to support and encourage artistic excellence in Fingal.” The funding is for projects/initiatives which will take place from 1 June - 31 December, 2018. Closing date for receipt of applications is 23 March, 2018 at 4pm. For further information and application forms please see www.fingalarts.ie Contact: denise.reddy@fingal.ie 01 890 5733 The Council also announced they will present an artist’s professional training & mentoring session entitled - Developing a Creative Proposal .The session will take place on Thursday 8 March (10.00 – 17.00) at Malahide Castle Visitors Centre. Fingal County Council in partnership with Visual Artists Ireland will present a Creative Proposal Writing and Mentoring session for artists working in Visual Art, Music, Dance, Theatre and Literature. The workshop will provide advice on preparing and developing proposals. Mentors include: Annette Moloney – Visual Art; Ian Wilson – Music; Helen Meany - Literature and ? – Theatre. For further information please contact Monica Flynn: monica@visualartists. ieTel: 01 672 9488 www.visualartists.ie.Places prioritised for artists based in or originally from Fingal County.Fee for artists from outside Fingal: €15

Howth RNLI at the Angling Exhibition in Swords

Members of Howth RNLI’s Community Safety Team were on hand to raise awareness and offer water safety advice at the Ireland Angling 2018 exhibition at the National Show Centre in Swords recently. The charity that saves lives at sea has been a popular presence at the annual fishing show for the last eleven years. Being prepared and wearing a suitable lifejacket gives a casualty time for the emergency services to reach them. Each year

approximately 1,200 anglers are rescued around the coasts of Ireland and the UK. If any angling, sailing or water sports clubs would like a member of the RNLI Sea Safety Team to give a sea safety presentation and carry out a free lifejacket clinic, please contact John McKenna at csohowthlifeboatstation@gmail. com . Emergency Mobile Phone Calling Procedure : Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard, Describe your location. Describe the number of

people/craft in your group Describe the problem, and Give any additional information Always keep your mobile phone protected and attached to you at all times Stay Safe and always: Carry a means of calling for help, Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, Check the weather and the tide times and Read signs and be aware of local hazards.

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Feature

Tips for a stress free communion by photographer Constanze O’Toole

As a photographer, I am very lucky to be part of the Communion celebrations in our community every year. It is a special day for the child, family, school and community. When the time for my own children came to receive their First Holy communion, I was surprised how much pressure I felt in the build up to the day. Here are some tips based on my own and my client’s experiences: • Take your time and involve the children in finding the ideal communion outfit. Make sure it is comfortable for them to wear it for hours on the special day and reflects their personalities. • Don’t leave the shoes to the last minute. Communion shoes seem to fly out of the shops as soon as they come in. Kids can wear them for a few hours in the house to ‘break them in’ before the big day. • You often end up with more accessories than you anticipated. Jewellery and watches are popular gifts and kids like to wear everything at once. Select a mix of gifts and your own selected accessories in advance. • Schedule in some extra time after the ceremony. It takes time to leave the church and socialise with the other families. You don’t want to feel under pressure to be on time to host your dinner party or do your family photo shoot. • Call your selected service providers: caterers, restaurant etc the week before the communion to confirm your booking. • You could do the communion photo shoot, before the big day. E.g. when you do a dress rehearsal with the final outfits or after girls get their hair done. • Finally, remember to enjoy the special day with your child! 18

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Healt

‘Egg-ocado Brunch’ Ingredients

• 1 avocado • 2 eggs • 1 handful washed spinach leaves • 140g smoked salmon • 2 tablespoons cream cheese (Feel free to change up the cheese, mozzarella would also work ‘grate’!) • 2 teaspoons paprika/ cayenne pepper/black pepper • 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Home Cook Recipes

Method The celebrations are ‘March’ing in this month with Mother’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and to top it all off an ‘egg-cellent’ finish with Easter! Hopefully “the luck of the Irish” will stand to us in the Rugby Six Nations and we will all welcome the brighter evenings with the clocks going forward. My ‘egg-ocado’ brunch below is a tasty, quick and satisfying way to start the day of events, celebrating or indeed for the day after! Easily prepped and with the option of baking in the oven or the microwave, younger members of the family could treat Mummy or Granny for Mother’s Day. It has an Irish theme with the green, white and orange colours and has an ‘egg-travagant’ twist to the usual ‘Irish breakfast’!! Makes for 1 If oven baking, preheat oven to 200’c 1. Slice through the avocado with a sharp knife lengthwise until you hit the pit and repeat for the other sides so that there is a circular cut all the way around the avocado. Take the avocado in your hands and twist to pull the 2 halves apart. Remove the pit. 2. Scoop out about half of the avocado flesh and keep aside. 3. Place the avocado halves onto a baking tray or microwavable plate and crack 1 egg into each halve. 4. Sprinkle with seasoning of your choice (paprika/cayenne pepper etc.). 5. Place the tray in the oven and cook at 180’c for 20 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes but stop and check it at 30 second intervals (This ensures that the egg cooks thoroughly as the avocado acts as an insulator). 6. Meanwhile prepare your serving plate with layered smoked salmon, spinach and cream cheese. 7. Place the cooked egg-ocado on top of the layers. Sprinkle with chopped chives. For sports nutrition sessions, community group workshops, preschools, primary and post-primary schools and workplaces talks/workshops please contact: niamh@biabites.net. Follow ‘Biabites’ on Facebook and Twitter for more fun foodspiration and events. Happy Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and I hope you all enjoy the brighter stretch in the day in the lead up to Easter. Niamh Arthurs Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist

Local News

Tuesday 6th March: 6.30-7.30pm Free Event but please book in advance Harp Recital Mary Louise Oâ€™Donnell Mary Louise Oâ€™Donnell has won many prizes for her performances and has played in a wide range of ensembles and orchestras, touring Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. She has also achieved several educational distinctions in music, including a PhD from the University of Limerick. For her Masters in Musicology, she specialised in

Ethnomusicology.

Swords Library

20 SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Local Sports

Swords Rugby Football Club seeking new talent this season

After a few turbulent years in the club after the loss of a majority of players to emigration and retirement Swords are back being a formidable force in North Leinster. The club has seen its ranks swell over the last 3 seasons with the club back actively developing a second’s team to compliment the first fifteen. It’s great to see the team back to strength when we were struggling to field 15 players 3 seasons ago. Swords are currently sitting 3rd in the Leinster League division 3 and are aiming for promotion along with silverware in the McGee and Towns Cups. We have people joining the club from all over the country and beyond from all walks of life and

skill levels. Swords RFC is an all-inclusive club and will happily welcome new players down every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in ALSAA sports grounds. This season was also a historic one for the club as we launched our first Senior Women’s Team. It’s great to be able to open the sport up to everyone and with the great work the IRFU and Leinster are doing to get more women into the game we can see the team going from strength to strength. Swords Women’s Team train every Tuesday and Thursday in ALSAA from 7pm. They are actively recruiting players and welcome

players of all skill and fitness levels. The team has gelled extremely well and this is evident on and off the pitch. Swords Spring Tag League is also back again this year for those who want to play the game without the contact. Tag is a great social sport and a brilliant way to keep or get fit. Registration is now open at http://www.irishrugby.ie/tagrugby with the league running from April 4th to May 11th. For more information on the club, training or if you’re interested in joining you can find us on all social media @SwordsRugby.

Diary Date: Our big fundraiser of the year, ‘Race

Ryan were 1st & 2nd from the National Sports Arena.

Fingallians club notes Day @ Bellewstown’ will take place on Saturday 7th July.

Easter Camp Dates: Monday, March 26th

to Thursday March 29th. Each day from 10am 2pm. It will cost €40 for members & €60 for non members. It is for girls & boys aged 4-13 years.

Vetting of members: This is a legal requirement. Every person involved with a team must be Garda vetted. A person who is not vetted is no longer be allowed to be on a side line, interact with children, transport players to games or training or be near ANY team. If you are not registered please click on the link on the GAA website or contact a team manager. Membership: This is urgent for all players. Forms are available in the clubhouse or on the club website www.fingallians.com Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Athletic Section – Dublin Championships: Well done to Liana Buckley

on her 2nd place finish in the long jump and in the 60M, under 19 boys, Leon Chiza & Pascal

Junior & Leaving Cert Members: We will be hosting a supervised Irish language conversation group for déagóirí in the clubhouse gach oíche Máirt, 8-9pm. Starting on 13th Feabhra and running until the oral exams are críochnaithe. Suitable for daltaí preparing for Junior & Leaving Cert. Saor in aisce agus fáilte roimh chách. Tuilleadh eolas ó Liam-086 3814422

Club shop: shop open Saturday mornings at 10 for players and parents looking for club clothing for coming season.

Saint Patricks Day Parade: The club are

looking for mentor & parents to put their names forward to help with the organisation on this event. Please email David on secretarybng. fingallians.dublin@gaa.ie for further information. SWORDS LOCAL-MARCH 2018

Crossword & Sudoku

WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! To celebrate St Patricks Day we are offering you the chance to win €50. To be in with a chance of winning all you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and send the answers by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@gmail.com before 5pm on March 15. The first correct entry to be drawn will win €50..Good luck

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Down

1. Great coolness and composure under strain. (6) 5. No Java for me, I’m a Native American. (6) 10. Politically incorrect term for all the inhabitants of the earth. (7) 11. Not well, can’t talk about it! (4-3) 12. Ballet dress. (4) 13. A convicted criminal. (5) 15. Mix ingredients to start a row. (4) 17. Woman belonging to a religious order. (3) 19. Those who look after others. (6) 21. Euclid was a Fascist dictator. (2 4) 22. A small Hawaiian four-stringed guitar. (7) 23. Fatty sausage of pork and beef usually dried. (6) 25. Shelter for a dog. (6) 28. The outward flow of the tide. (3) 30. Feeling of marital discontent after seven years. (4) 31. An appliance that removes moisture. (5) 32. Folklore giant who likes to eat humans. (4) 35. The drink for Mr. Bond. (7) 36. Indecent, repugnant to morality. (7) 37. Conduct oneself well or properly. (6) 38. Not the sheriff but the next in line. (6)

2. One who makes jokes based on words with more than one meaning. (7) 3. The Buckeye State (USA). (4) 4. “My brother Sylvest, he killed 50 ... in the West.” (6) 5. The missing man in O’Connell Street. (6) 6. A moral depravity, corruption or weakness. (4) 7. Traditional Japanese form of self defence. (2-5) 8. Any substance administered to induce vomiting. (6) 9. An erratic deflection from an intended course. (6) 14. A song to encourage a child to sleep. (7) 16. Small piece of bread or cake. (5) 18. Drain a radiator of water. (5) 20. Glide over snow for recreation or sport. (3) 21. “The cow is of the bovine ...” (Ogden Nash) (3) 23. A mark of shame or discredit. (6) 24. “John ...” author of “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.” (2, 5) 26. Lack of attention and due care. (7) 27. Suggestively looked or grinned. (6) 28. The stoat during winter, when its coat becomes white. (6) 29. Archaic “see”, as in “lo and ...” (6) 33. Passport endorsement to allow the bearer enter the country issuing it. (4) 34. Used on an invitation to request a response. (4)

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