Swords Local Volume 3 Issue 10-DEC 2018 by Irish Media Group

SWORDS

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& Medical Secretary Legal• &Legal Medical Secretary Book-keeping & Payroll • Book-keeping & Payroll Microsoft Office Suite • Microsoft Office Suite IT Technical Courses Web •Design & Photoshop Volume 3 Issue 10 - December 2018 IT Technical Courses Full-time & Part-time Diplomas Digital Marketing

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Pitman Training Swords Chamber Buildings North St., Swords, Co. Dublin www.pitmantrainingswords.ie

Kitchen open 9.30am until 9pm serving Breakfast, Lunch and A La Carte. Sunday Carvery 12.30-5pm Now taking bookings for our Christmas Party Nights

3 Course €21, 4 Course €25, Alternative option Food Platters €7 per head Parties over 10 organiser goes free Ph-01 8902636 • Book One of Our Private Area For Any Occasion with Finger Food,Buffets Menus Available on Request • Live Bands Every Weekend • Fully Stocked Off Licence With ‘Dial-A-Can’ (ph 01-890 2636) Delivery available 7 days a week from 6pm

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Check us out on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and also check out our Sister Pubs in the graingergroup, Grainger’s Hanlon’s Corner & Graingers The Fountain Bar & Grill www.graingershanlonscorner.com

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Designated Pick up Points

Supervalu, Pavilions Tesco, Airside GymPlus, Applewood JCâ€™s, Swords Lidl, Rathbeale Road Applgreen, Malahide Rd., Swords

Swords Our Christmas message to you all! As you, our readers, prepare to tuck into your turkey roast and begin ripping open presents, the staff at Swords Local would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. We really appreciate the support your community especially the advertisers have given us over the past 12 months and look forward to your continued support next year. We would also like to thank our wonderful contributors who have made the magazine the success it is. So whether you are a reader, a contributor, or an advertiser we say thank you and hope you have a happy safe and enjoyable Christmas. From all the team at Swords Local.

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Local News

St John Ambulance â€“ serving the community in Swords

St John Ambulance Swords Division are a local charity based first aid and ambulance service, we provided first Aiders, EMTs and Ambulance cover at events. All our members are volunteers who are dedicated to helping the community. In 2018 we launched a public access AED on Swords Main Street, every second counts when someone is in a cardiac arrest and we hope by providing the AED that lives will be saved. We currently have 38 adults volunteers and in 2019 we will be starting a cadet (youth) division

so we can train some of the youth of Swords if life saving skills.We also provide First Aid and CPR/ AED courses to the public and businesses.Our volunteers are always willing to help out and we rely solely on donations to keep our services going as we receive no government funding. In December 2017, Divisional Officer Jamie Bollard took over as Officer in Charge of Swords division, tasked with building the division to the potential it can reach. In 2018 we covered

over 90 duties providing ambulance and first aid cover for events, we ran 5 public first aid courses and 6 courses for local schools, Businesses and organizations. We are always looking for new volunteers, donations, courses to run and events to cover. Should you wish to book us, volunteer or simply find out more information then please contact Jamie on 0872559417 or email swords@stjohn.ie You can also find us on Facebook.

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Local News

Swords Tidy Towns Halloween Bucket Collection

Swords Tidy Towns annual Halloween Bucket Collection held in the town park during the fireworks display was a fantastic success. The volunteers turned out in numbers wearing Halloween costumes, the wet weather didnâ€™t dampen their spirits. That said, the craic was mighty, plenty of laughs all round. The celebrating crowd were very generous as they always are and for that we wish to extend our thanks and gratitude. In total we raised over 800e on the night, a fantastic result for our hard working volunteers. Through the year Swords Tidy Towns always have a number of projects

on the go. For us to bring these projects to a successful conclusion we rely on public donations and business sponsorships. Swords Tidy Towns would like to take this opportunity to wish the Operations Dept of FCC, Local Business and the wider Swords population a very Merry Christmas and prosprous New Year. We as a voluntary group could not acheive our goals without their continued support. We are always looking for new members, for further info email swordstidytowns@gmail.com or ring Ken on 0866008313

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SWORDS LOCAL-DECEMBER 2018

Local News

STEM Saturday hosted by Swords Library

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities are increasingly important for understanding and engaging with emergent technologies and new opportunities. Fingal’s STEM Saturdays aim to inspire early scientific exploration, discovery, and learning amongst children. This STEM Saturday programme promises to be particularly exciting and will be filled with robots, Lego and coding! So, come along and see R2D2 and Minecraft Creeper; witness some robots playing football and participate in

some robotics workshops. e2 Young Engineers will also be there with their tailor-made LEGO® kits, where children will be invited to work together to build and experiment with Lego.The extremely popular Academy of Code will be around to provide demonstrations and short workshops on the engaging world of coding. All these events are free and will take place between 10am and 4pm. Saturday 1st December in County Hall Atrium, Swords.

‘Ardgillan Castle Revealed’ book launched by Pat Kenny Broadcaster Pat Kenny launched the book Ardgillan Castle Revealed,written by castle tour guide Aidan Herron recently in Ardgillan Castle.The book was financially supported by Fingal County Council who bought Ardgillan Castle in 1982. In attendance of the launch was Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gráinne Maguire, local councilors and Senior Executive Officer of Fingal County Council’s Economic and Social Development, Mary Godwin. Terence Taylour’s family lived in Ardgillan Castle from the time it was built in 1738. He and his wife Lindy attended the launch as special guests along with many of Ardgillan’s voluntary tour guides. During her speech, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gráinne Maguire said: “Ardgillan Castle is one of the County’s most popular destinations among Fingal residents and visitors. Aidan’s book,Ardgillan Castle Revealed,offers invaluable insight to the history of the castle as well as unique details of treasures and collections that reside in the House are currently not on view to the public. This book is a creative and engaging reflection of the Castle, its history and importance in Fingal.” In his speech, Pat Kenny welcomed the book as an important initiative in respecting our history and traditions and described it as “a masterpiece of photography and story-telling.” During his address, Mr Herron said: “Ardgillan 8

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Photographer Eamon O’Daly, Author Aidan Herron, Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Grainne Maguire and Pat Kenny at Ardgillan Castle.

is a unique place with unique attractions and stories. People need to see that the castle is more than just a panoramic setting as Eamon O’Daly’s sublime photographs illustrate. His images portray Ardgillan in all its former, poignant grandeur The entire proceeds of this publication will be donated to the Board of Ardgillan to kick start the process of developing specific heritage projects that will allow the public to view these valuable artefacts during guided tours of the Castle.

Ardgillan Castle Revealed includes photos taken by photographer Eamon O’Daly. On Saturday, the audience viewed an audio visual presentation of Eamon’s skill and innovation in bringing the scenes and surroundings of the Castle to life. This video will shortly be available on Ardgillan Castle’s website.The book is now on sale in Ardgillan Castle and in local bookshops. You can find out more about Eamon and Christine’s workshops at www.skerriesphotography.com. Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

Local News

Fingal Libraries secures €711k funding to invest in ICT

County Librarian Betty Boardman

Fingal Libraries has secured a major funding boost of €711,000 to upgrade and improve ICT and digital services throughout its network, which is a key strategic aim of its ambitious Development Plan to be rolled over the next five years. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, has approved an almost €8 million investment for libraries nationwide, with approximately €6 million funded by the Department and a further €2 million contribution from Local Authorities. Fingal Libraries will receive €476,000 from the Department, which was the second highest grant awarded to a local authority by the Department. The remaining €235,000 will come from Fingal County Council itself. Announcing the investment package, Minister Ring said: “This investment will enhance ICT infrastructure, create new meeting spaces with state-of-the-art technology and provide dedicated digital learning suites. The new facilities and services will attract new users of all ages to our public libraries. I have to commend the local authorities for recognising the invaluable service the libraries provide and for committing €2 million to this investment package.”

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

SWORDS LOCAL-DECEMBER 2018

Local News

Swords sculptures combine beauty, history and nature

A variety of sculptures reflecting elements of the heritage, history and culture of the area have been installed by Fingal County Council in Swords over the past year. The eye-catching new works, which have been put in place since 2017, add visual appeal and provide a link to the human and natural past amid the hustle and bustle of the modern town. The projects were conceived and initiated by District Supervisor of Parks Colm Rigney, and implemented by the Operations Department. They can be found at four points in the town, at Pinnock Hill on the main entrance to the town; North Street/ Seatown Road junction; Seatown Roundabout; and Estuary roundabout. This sculpture at Pinnock Hill features a spectacular four-metre high piece of bog oak from the Bog of Allen, which is “up to 5000 years old”, according to Mr Rigney. The surround of the bog oak is built from limestone kerbs taken from renovation works at North Street in Swords. Two swans with golden beaks in full flight are also depicted on their way to the Swords Estuary. The sculpture on North Street features a piece of Cedar Glauca, which is approximately 100 years old, 14 foot in length and five inches thick. It features carvings of local landmarks like the Round Tower, Church Road, Swords Castle, Bridge St, and the Fingal County Council logo, with the words “Fáilte Sord 2018” in Gaelic script carved into the piece of cedar. Mr Rigney said this work is designed as “a welcome for all”. CNC carried out the inscription works. At Seatown Roundabout, formal planting and the installation of vintage farming equipment are intended “to tie up with some of the wonderful 10

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gardens in Fingal and our long standing affiliation with market gardening”, according to Mr Rigney. “It’s a place to while away the hours or just sit and relax for a few minutes”. The Estuary Roundabout featuring Red Deer was inspired by the close connections of the animals to Fingal. Lord Talbot maintained own herd of red deer at Malahide Demesne around 1600, and Lord Considine of Portrane continued the breeding of this herd up to the early 1800s and donated some of his herd to Lambay Island in 1821, where they are still grazing there to this day. Lord Gainsfort of Howth Demesne also continued the breeding of a section of this herd up to the early 1800s. That group of Red Deer formed the backbone of the herd which has been bred successfully by the Ward Union since 1821 to the present. A Rock Garden has also been constructed at Bridge Street which features a bespoke curved mahogany chatting bench. Along with planting of various trees and plants in the Garden, an original early 20th century hand water pump complete with Balrothery District Council plaque has been restored. A granite gate post recovered from Swords Castle during excavation works serves as the name stone at the entrance to the Garden; it is engraved with the name of the park in Irish and in the ancient Irish Alphabet of Ogham which dates from the 5th Century. Director of Services in the Operations Department, David Storey said “the sculptures and improvements recently installed in Swords show the ingenuity and hard work of the Operations team. The projects are a proactive and interesting way of improving the public space for residents and visitors”.

Rock Garden, Swords

L to R District Supervisor of Parks Colm Rigney and Operations Department General Operative David Fallon at the North Street sculpture in Swords

Local News

Fingal’s Community Development Team wins Chambers Ireland award

Mayor Anthony Lavin accepted the award from Lidl Ireland on behalf of Fingal County Council and was pictured with Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot, Jacinta Lowndes Donabate Portrane Community Centre, Louise Edmonds Senior Community Officer, Minister John Paul Phelan and Margaret Geraghty, Director of Housing and Community

Fingal County Council is delighted to congratulate Fingal’s Community Development Team on winning the Supporting Active Communities Award for its Age Friendly Kaleidoscope project on Thursday, 22 November at the Chambers Ireland award ceremony. The Kaleidoscope project paired elderly people

with preschool children to participate in arts and crafts, cookery and sports together. The initiative was implemented by Fingal’s Community Development Office in conjunction with Donabate-Portrane Seniors and Bright Sparks Montessori, also in Donabate. The aim of the project was to support older

people to tackle grief, depression and loneliness while also providing preschool children with an opportunity to learn about older people. The awards ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin, who said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Fingal County Council. The Kaleidoscope project takes an innovative approach to resolving isolation among elderly people in Fingal which is essential in improving our residents’ well-being and quality of life.” Welcoming the award, Director of Housing and Community for Fingal County Council, Margaret Geraghty said: “I am delighted that the Kaleidoscope Project has been recognised with a Supporting Active Communities Award. Our Community Development Team has worked extensively with both Bright Sparks Montessori and Donabate-Portrane Seniors to implement this project which reduces loneliness among elderly and allows children to connect positively with older people through art, games and music.” Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid said: “I would like to commend Fingal’s Community Development Group for their award-winning Kaleidoscope initiative. Through reducing loneliness and isolation among senior citizens, they are able to continue living independent and active lives. It is vital that we provide this support to elderly people if we are to achieve a cohesive and inclusive community.”

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Local News

Thank you from Balbriggan/North Dublin Guide Dogs

Balbriggan\north county Dublin branch of guide dogs had some very successful events for the forthcoming festive season. They received great support at all of the following venues: Christmas Merchandise Sale - Millfield S.C. - which took place on 02/03 November Christmas Merchandise Sale - Supervalu Balbriggan – which took place on 22/23 November. Christmas Merchandise Sale - Tesco Rush – which took place on 24 Nov. and finally Skerries Day Care Centre on Friday 30 Nov. The branch are very grateful for your support. All of us involved in fundraising for guide dogs are total volunteers and all moneys collected goes straight to head office of guide dogs Cork to train more guide dogs for blind people and more assistance dogs for families who have a child with autism To contact the branch-become a volunteer with us send an email to guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com or phone-text 0857663107 The picture shows a group of guide dogs volunteers with their merchandise stand at a recent event and this is the kind of table to look out for at all of our events.The other picture is of Tom O’Neill with his guide dog Gatsby and the owner of Cuddles Pet store Balbriggan a great supporter of Irish guide dogs for the blind. 12

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Fashion

By Fashion Editor Carina Cunningham

Beautifully small and elegantly tall ladies day out As the Christmas Rush soon approaches I’m looking in all the big brand shop windows in awe of all that sparkles and shines.Christmas Office party’s, Christmas dinners, socializing- pub to club ! This is that season ! Like it or not it’s going ahead as always ! ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ and sure we all make an extra effort this time of the year. I would like to introduce you to both our lovely models , Denisa Guinan in her early forties , Tall and strikingly attractive and Yvonne O’Reilly mid fifties our sallow skinned Petit beauty. Both up for a day of Christmas styling head to toe. We started our mornings make over in Peter Marks hair salon.Main St Swords Nikolai Krivoluski stylist gave both our ladies a stunning look. Nikolai came third in Social and Personal magazine last year in their Photographic Award category and this year he’s representing Peter Marks for the Color Trophy at The Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge -best of luck to him with this.It was a real treat to have Nikolai style both my ladies.Nikolai was using this really cool curler. It’s called The GHD Oricle Curler retails at €199 and has been launched here in Ireland before any other country. Exclusively a Peter Marks product that first straightens and then curls the hair ! Very cool. It can be bought on line at www.petermark.ie and nationwide in their salons. After our ladies had their hair styled we went to Inglot in The Pavilions where i had booked my two ladies with the lovely Inglot make up artists. Sophie O’Kelly had been assigned to Yvonne and Roisin Agnew worked on Denisa. The MUA’s did a superb job with stunning results. The products in Inglot are very well known for extremely good coverage. Their foundation make up was flawless plus their eye shadows have excellent pigment resulting in strong fabulous eyes. Their blushers and conturing products are fantastic quality plus they have stunning highlighters. They have a Christmas gift guide , sets starting at €32 right up to €130 for the quality Brush Collection. These are super presents for any age. The staff are so helpful and friendly and you can see this is their passion. So we have two beautiful ladies hair done make up done. Where’s next I hear you ask? At this stage I felt the right place to take my ladies shopping was CoCo Belle Boutique in Donabate. Owner Amanda Ni Tuathaill, of this gem of a Boutique, has the most amazing style. Colorful luxury collections of designs,shoes, boots, costume jewellery,and accessories. Lots of bling bling and definitely something there for everyone at the most affordable prices ! Yes she’s got the balance right. I bought a top when we were doing the shoot plus one of my ladies bought two jumpsuits. We all went home with shopping bags bulging. We had great fun doing our photo shoot inside CoCo Belle.Amanda has also dabbled in furniture, mirrors and lanterns also at fantastic prices. Yvonne is pictured here wearing a Spanish / boo hoo style red devine dress costing €69.99 and neck piece €30.00. 14

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Denisa is wearing a gold and black Versace inspired long dress costing €79.99 and shoes €20.00. Unreal prices for such stunning designs. If you haven’t been to this shop really it’s a must. My 23 yr old daughter also buys in here plus I have bought three tops , boots and fashion jewellery, as the prices are outstanding. I Hope you enjoyed this feature and my articles from last January to December. I have enjoyed our little journey in Community Local Magazines- it’s been great fun. I must thank my photographer’s Taz Smith who shot the first six month issues and Abe Neihum who finished the last six months these guys really are fantastic. Plus my Mua Momi Kay and Virginijia Vitkauskiene for hair who helped me earlier in the year with our fabulous photo shoots. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a happy new year. Carina Cunningham.

Fashion

Style Warriors hand over €4.900 cheque to NECRET

Carina presents a cheque from The Style Warriors fundraiser to NECRET

Well we finally did it. ! Hand over Cheque day to NECRET Cancer Research. We were so excited to visit Professor Bryan Hennessy at Beaumont Hospital to hand over the cheque for €4,900 fund raised from our fabulous show. Bryan introduced us to his two leading ladies who work along side him Angela Farrelly PHD and Sinead Toomey PHD are Clinical Cancer Researchers. They both assured me that this money will go to very good use. We were in the new Smurfit Building it was actually amazing to see. The most educated people there learning and teaching all about Cancer. However Bryan nowtells me they are progressing much much quicker with successful treatments than in years past regarding Cancer and all its various connected.strains and illnesses He is one amazing person, very young to actually be a professor and such a normal kind respectful gent it was an honor to meet him. I met him at the show as he did a few minutes speech. On the night his wife also attended and she walked the catwalk and she was fantastic. They stayed for the Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

entire show which I was so delighted to see. This was a special night to remember. As for my super models I could not have done this without your very generous time not only for the show but for the fundraiser shoot I did in Ardgillan Castle. You guys and girls are so amazing and I thank each and every single one of you. I would never take you for granted your simply fantastic and I thank you all. Thanks too to the make up artists and hair stylists for giving both your time and your products. Seriously you are so so kind and I did explain to the Cancer team how lucky I was to have you all donate your time and products free. When you all could have earned a wage that fashion show day. We all did this in our own little way to help the fight against Cancer. Designers you and your models looked fantastic. Amazingly for some it was your first time, so big stage shock, but you all did it and did it so well, take a bow. To the shops, you and your models were fantastic and professional and what a balance of interesting collections. Thank you for being part of my show.

Thank you to Sponsor Ray Quinn Bathstore and More, his €1000 donation really went a long way to stage the production. Last but not least a huge thank you to my team of fantastic photographers led by Taz Smith and Co. Taz came to casting days and rounded up models nationwide who modelled on the catwalk and a huge thank you also to Aerial Martin camera man from Go Production who filmed the show from start to finish. Anna Waters here in the photo also helped so much with producing and stage management on the day with Gordon Flynn from London as stage manager. Also I must also say a huge huge thank you to one of my favorite gents in the public eye Mr Noel Cunningham who hosted the show for the second time. He has devoted his time to helping many many charities and in my eyes he’s right up there at the top. Thank you Noel. Ok that’s it folks. We did it and we did it to help others for all the right reasons. And all should be very proud of yourselves and what you all helped to achieve. Smile on and be happy. Thank you All Carina. SWORDS LOCAL-DECEMBER 2018

Healt

Home Cook Recipes

Nuttily Nutritious Christmas Pudding!! “This is a tasty twist on the traditional Christmas pudding. It is packed full of ‘nuttylicious’ nutrition and because it is quite rich and decadent, you will find yourself feeling satisfied after 1 slice! Don’t forget to be active over the festive season too, whether it’s dancing, walking, running or ice-skating that floats your boat, be sure to fit in the fitness as much as the food!

Nuttily nutritious Christmas pudding!! Ingredients:

Makes 8x100g servings

• 200g Almonds • 100g Pecan nuts • 100g Dates • 100g Sultanas • 80g Dried figs • 150g almond butter (or just use 16

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whatever nut butter you have, better if it is smooth) • 30g honey • 50g cocoa powder • Juice of 1 large orange • 100g dark chocolate Tip: for some added festive flavour add 1 teaspoon of each of the following spices to the dried fruit mixture to soak in overnight with the orange juice: cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

Method 1.Soak the dried fruit (dates, sultanas and figs) overnight in the juice from the squeezed orange. 2. Blitz the nuts using a powerful blender/bullet until all nuts are in a fine mixture. 3.Blitz the dried fruit in a food processor/blender and add into a

mixing bowl with the nut mix. 4.Add the almond butter, cocoa powder and honey into the dried fruit/ nut mixture in the bowl and mix to combine all of the ingredients together. 5.Place the mixture into a dome shaped container/mould and leave in the fridge for 3 hours. 6.Before serving, melt the dark chocolate. Turn the mould upside down on your serving plate and gently tap the top and sides in order to ease the pudding out. Then pour the melted chocolate all over the top and sides. Wishing you all a magical, merry Christmas and a fabulous, fun new year! For 1:1 clinical consultations, public health talks or workshops in preschools, primary or secondary schools and workplaces, please email: niamh@ biabites.net See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’ Facebook for other food ideas. Niamh Arthurs, Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist” Contact us: communitylocals@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-DECEMBER 2018

Local News

Fingal to mark historical events locally Fingal County Council has revealed plans to commemorate the centenary of key historical events in the course of Irish history over the five-year period, 2018-2023, as part of its ‘Fingal Remembers’ programme. As part of the programme, Fingal County Council has committed to commemorating one major event each year where there is a connection to the region. The first of these will take place next month with the commemoration of the centenary of the death of Richard Coleman, who led Fingal men in the Mendicity Institute during the Easter Rising. It will be followed in 2019 by the commemoration of the birth of Seamus Ennis, the renowned uileann piper who lived in the Naul. In 2020, the Sack of Balbriggan during the War of Independence will be remembered, while in 2021, the truce and the end of the War of Independence in Fingal will be marked. In 2022, the plan is to commemorate the funeral of TD Frank Lawless, which was attended by key political figures of the time including Arthur Griffith, W.T. Cosgrave, Richard Mulcahy, Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera and Harry Boland. Griffith, Collins and Boland would themselves die later in 1922. It is believed to be the last time that Michael Collins and Eamon De Valera were in each others presence. In 2023,

the impact of the Civil War in Fingal will be examined. Fingal County Council will set aside funding for groups which are organising their own

Swords Community College would like to wish all our current and future students, and their families, a very Happy Christmas Holiday and a Peaceful New Year. 18

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commemorative events. Groups applying for funding will be asked to demonstrate how their event addresses at least two of the four overarching principles set out in the programme.

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Local News

Signs for thought-dogs under control by Claire Stauber ‘It’s the law - all dogs must be leashed’ – from parks to lake beaches, escaping this message on a recent Chicago trip was a no go. There, canine public outings are made easy. It is clear where, if and how dogs can explore the city. Dog owners seem to pay attention, too. Would these notices have made me bat an eyelid before I had a toddler? No. But these posts made me sigh with relief when I took my young son to visit Lincoln Park. Not only that, but back home and having dogs off leash has become a hot topic with local mums in Fingal and it is starting to bug me too. It all started on a summer’s day shell hunting at Malahide Beach. My son and I got to work with buckets in hand and buried our eyes in the washed-up sea bed. Then, out of nowhere, a ball of black fluff charges at my son, spins him around until he ends up face down on a pile of wet rocks and soggy seaweed. What seemed like minutes later, the owner saunters over and tries to wrestle the tearaway from us. Classic lines rolled from her tongue – “he is usually great with kids”, “he just wants to play” and “he wouldn’t hurt a fly”. Still in shock, I blurt out that the dog shouldn’t be out of her sight. And with that, the lead was whipped around his neck. Bizarrely the same incident, given not as dramatic, happened weeks later at

Portmarnock Beach. Friends have similar stories, mostly from Paddy’s Hill, ironically near Robs Wall playground. Was I just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Fingal County Council introduced ByeLaws which provide some guidance: Dogs can be off lead at certain times of day, months of the year and if ‘under adequate control’. Someone has got the wrong end of the stick when it comes to what this all means.

Avoiding places in fear of rogue dogs or my son growing up scared senseless of pooches isn’t an option. At the same time, I don’t want to put him in a position where he has a reason to. Perhaps we need to take a leaf out of the Windy City’s book and be more upfront about when and where loving dog owners can let their four-legged companions free. Maybe then, we would all feel safe to enjoy the open spaces Malahide and Fingal in general offers.

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Local News

Bliain na Gaeilge Fingal celebrated with Craic agus Ceol

Bliain na Gaelige-Cllr Daire Ní Laoi, Juergen Skwirbad, Paula Melvin and Bernie Kelly

Bliain na Gelige was celebrated in the County Hall Swords recently. The tunes were provided by Antaine Ó Faracháin and Nollaig Mac Cárthaigh and among the enthusiastic crowd in attendance was Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Anthony Lavin, Cllr Daire Ní Laoi and other members of the Coiste Gaeilge and the Fingal Irish language community. The event formed part of a day of celebration including the hugely successful Blas Baile Bhlainséir day in Blanchardstown Library.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Anthony Lavin with Musicians Nollaig Mac Cárthaigh and Antaine Ó Faracháin

Nollaig MacCárthaigh played great tunes on the pipes and Antaine Ó Faracháin kept the audience entertained with his stories as well as playing fiddle and singing some wonderful songs from the ancient Sean Nós tradition. There was plenty of audience interaction with questions about the instruments and the music and a few people joined in with songs of their own leaving everyone wishing that the evening wouldn’t end. Speaking about the event Naomi Weir, Creative

Ireland Coordinator, Fingal County Council said; “The Council is committed to supporting the promotion of the Irish Language which is one of the core values of our Fingal Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018-2022. Events such as this, provide an excellent way for our community to celebrate the Irish language and its intertwined cultural aspects of song and dance”.

South Africa bound after helping Suicide Awareness in Dublin 15 A five-a-side football team from Fingal are hoping to raise the profile of Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 through their participation in this weekend’s Five-A-Side World Cup in South Africa.The eight friends participate each year in the Gerry Whelan Memorial Football Tournament which is a major fund-raiser for Suicide Awareness Dublin 15. After winning this year’s competition they qualified for the All-Ireland Five-a-side Finals which they also won to book their place as Ireland’s representatives in the World Cup Finals. Prior to their departure to Cape Town this week the team visited Fingal County Council’s Civic Offices in Blanchardstown along with representatives of Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 and met the Director of Housing and Community Margaret Geraghty as well as local councillors. Eoghan Apsin, who will captain the Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 team in South Africa, said: “Gerry was taken from us tragically a couple of years ago and ever since his close family and friends have organised this well run tournament up in Corduff in the Aquatic Centre. The aim of Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 is to raise awareness for the charity.”Team manager 20 SWORDS LOCAL-DECEMBER 2018

Brendan Murphy said: “We’ve been playing with one another for nearly 20 years, so we know each other very well. We’re a well-oiled unit, and we’re going to come home with the trophy. Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 is a very important charity, we’ve all probably been touched by suicide in one way or another. We think it’s a very important charity and we’re happy to represent it to bring about awareness and publicity for the great cause that it is.”

Members of the Suicide Awareness Dublin 15 football team prior to their departure to South Africa.

Local Sports

Portrane’s Moynihan secures his place in the promised land That’s right – Mount Juliet’s Gavin Moynihan has earned his shot at redemption after grinding his way to Main Tour status right on the number at Final Stage European Tour Qualifying School in Spain.It was never going to be easy but 14 holes through his sixth and final round he was coasting with two birdies on the card before nerves inevitably took hold. Bogeys on 15 and 17 made for an anxious finale, but needing a par to win, the Dubliner duly obliged by knocking in a testing four-footer to ensure his Main Tour return. Moynihan finished qualifying on 16-under-par for the week, good enough for a share of 20th spot, with the top-25 and ties earning promotion to the Promised Land. No surprise then that relief was the overriding emotion for Gavin having come through ‘Hell Week’ unscathed. “I just had a four-footer there and it was the most nervous I’ve ever been in my life,” admitted Moynihan of the putt that secured his golden ticket to a tour that proved fruitless in his rookie season this year. There had been a noticeable upturn in Moynihan’s form coming into the Final Stage examination at Lumine Golf Club. “The last three months have been very good,” Moynihan reflected. “The first three or four months of this year I was just missing cuts by one and two and it got to me. But Valderrama

was a big turning point, a top-10 there and it was nice to keep that going here.It’s one of the most demanding golf courses I’ve ever played [Valderrama]. I finished three-under and I was top-10. There’s not many courses in the world that produce that. It was a decent field as well.But I’ve

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