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FREE Enjoy the Summertime but be careful’ Volume 6 Issue 6 - August 2021

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Summer heat and smiling faces at last!

Our Team Local News Editor E. communitylocalseditor@gmail.com Advertising Sean Maguire T. 087 915 9052 E. seanmaguire@irishmediagroup.ie Production Tim Evans E. communitylocalsdesigner@gmail. com Contact us Swords Local Magazine Email: communitylocalseditor @gmail.com www.facebook.com/SwordsLocal Designated Pick up Points Supervalu, Pavilions JC’s, Swords Lidl, Rathbeale Road Applgreen, Malahide Rd., Swords Published by

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Having been through the most frightening, boring, and completely frustrating eighteen months of all our lives it is wonderful to feel the summer heat, with ice cream and smiling faces at last. Up to now our editorials have predominatly warned of the dangers of letting down our guard and rightly so. However, while all the advice is still very necessary, lets enjoy what is left of our summer for what it is, long days of sunshine and our happy and healthy families. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying the recent spell of sunshine and the doom and gloom of Covid banished from their thoughts if only for a short time. Summer may be here but even though it seems we may be able to mix more and enjoy it, we still have to be very careful . We must continue to practise constant handwashing, using the hand sanitiser, wearing masks in public, and social distancing in order to keep ourselves and others safe. We must also protect our mental and physical health as well and let the sunshine into our lives once again. This should also mean supporting those who have supported us over the past 15 months. This means appreciating our wonderful health care workers whether they are Doctors, Nurses or Health Service Ancillary staff, they have all played and are playing their part in keeping us safe and healthy. It also means shopping locally supporting our local businesses and securing local employment. We at Local magazines really value the essence of community, we are a community based magazine and love promoting local community based sporting and voluntary organisations. We value the loyalty of you, our readership, our contributors and our advertisers. We hope you have a healthy and happy August with your smile, and the smiles of your family and friends brightening your days. Oh and don’t forget enjoy the ice cream and shop locally. The Locals Team

Swords Local Disclaimer

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.

STRICT DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER EDITION: 15th August for inclusion in our September edition.

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SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

Local News

Balbriggan/North Co Dublin Guide Dogs Updates and News

Nessa and Padraic from Skerries with newly qualified Ambassador Dogs ‘Maisie’ and ‘Casper’ lying down and Nick Palmer’s Ambassador Dogs ‘Riley’ and ‘Ellie’ standing.

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

We are delighted to hear that Puppy in Training ‘Yarrow’ is doing very well on his Advanced Training as an Assistance Dog. His trainer expects he will be matched shortly to begin training with one of the parents of the child he will be assisting late August or early September. A week later ‘Yarrow’ will go to his new home where his trainer will assist the family in adapting to life with ‘Yarrow’. Good boy ‘Yarrow’. ‘Zabbie’ is a canine blood donor. Sometimes dogs need a blood transfusion, same as humans. To become a canine blood donor a dog must be in general good health, have up to date vaccinations, be aged between 1 and 9 years old and weigh between sixteen to twenty-seven kilos or more, without being overweight. ‘Zabbie’, puppy raised by volunteer Anne Mulligan, is also part of the breeding programme. She became a canine blood donor for Gilabbey Veterinary Hospital in Cork, the official veterinary surgery for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Well done, ‘Zabbie’.Congratulations to our two new Ambassador Dogs, ‘Maisie’ and ‘Casper’, from Skerries who qualified recently. Owners Nessa and Padraic will bring them to local fundraising events to meet you, so please keep an eye out for them. They will wear an Irish Guide Dogs Ambassador Dog jacket or a reflective lead sleeve so you can easily identify them. ‘Adel’, puppy in training, is 6 months old now. She continues to grow in confidence every day. Good girl ‘Adel’. Following on from the success of our Tap to Donate machine in Specsavers, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan, and with assistance from Brian Brodigan, Manager, we are delighted that Specsavers are rolling out our Tap to Donate machines in their branches both in Dublin and nationwide. This is wonderful news as Specsavers have 22 branches in Dublin and over 50 nationwide. On 10th July Specsavers in Ashbourne and Navan launched their machines. Now there are more Specsavers locations where you can Tap to Donate €3. Contact us by phone/text: 085 7663107. Email guidedogsbalbriggan@gmail.com. Or on our Facebook page at Balbriggan.Branch.of.Guide.Dogs

Fitness

The weighing scales is ruining your progress by Ciaran Russell The weighing scales can be a source of a lot of different emotions for people but that doesn’t have to be the case. The purpose of a scales is to measure the weight that is placed and that’s it. It won’t tell you if you have lost body fat, or tell you you have drop a clothes size or even that you can play with your kids without getting out of breath. When looking to lose weight the main aim for using a weighing scales is to track progress over a long period of time. If there has been a change in weight in a short period of time this is unlikely to be a loss of body fat. Weight fluctuations can occur for many reasons. These include; increased salt intake, stress, lack of sleep, water retention, hydration levels and food volume.Giving power to the weighing scales can determine how you feel your progress has gone for any given week. It’s important to have a check in with yourself if you find that your mood changes after checking your weight. You can check in by asking yourself some questions like; how do you feel, how has your sleep been, have you laughed this week, did you hit your daily goals; calorie targets, step count, and protein target. If the number on the scales causes some unwanted distress consider using a different method of tracking your weight loss journey. Other ways to monitor progress can be taking before and after photos, how you feel, energy levels, clothes fitting better, improved fitness or getting stronger, if resistance training. The main thing to know is fat loss and weight loss are not the same thing. If a consistent calorie deficit is in place fat loss will occur but in this period of time body’s eight can fluctuate due to various reasons.If this is something that you are struggling with and would some extra support you can contact me by emailing ciaran@ciaranrussellcoaching.com or find me on Instagram @ciaranrussell_coach.

Fowlers are looking to advertise for staff and have four positions available Bar Assistant Manager with at least 5 years full time experience. Chef/Cook with 3 years experience working all areas of the kitchen assisting head chef and being able to work independantly. Senior Bar Assistant with 3 years experience. Kitchen Porter

Direct all information (CV with contact information) to;- info@fowlerspubs.ie Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

Local News

Design Team appointed to Swords Cultural Quarter project

A Computer Generated Sketch of the proposed Swords Cultural Quarter

Award-winning architects Shelia O’Donnell and John Tuomey of O’Donnell and Tuomey will lead the integrated design team for the Swords Cultural Quarter.

The Swords Cultural Quarter has taken a major step forward with the appointment of the integrated design team which will be led by award-winning architects O’Donnell and Tuomey.The announcement was made recently at a meeting of Fingal County Council by County Architect Fionnuala May when she gave councillors an update on the project.With the design team now in place, the project, which was launched in 2016, will now proceed at pace with the Council intending to initiate a Part 8 planning public consultation process in May 2022. The project is expected to go to tender in April 2023 with construction works scheduled to commence in Quarter 3 of 2023. The Civic

The Central European University in Budapest is one of O’Donnell and Tuomey’s most famous projects.

and Cultural Centre will be the first part of the project to be constructed and is expected to take 24 months to complete.The Swords Cultural Quarter will be located in the civic heart of Fingal’s County Town and will be a major new public and civic space with the new Civic and Cultural Centre and a Hub Building sitting alongside the existing Fingal County Council Offices and historic Swords Castle at the junction of North Street and Seatown Road.The Civic and Cultural Centre will be at the core of the Swords Cultural Quarter and will include a library space, performance venue and arts venue with a number of support facilities that can be utilised for artistic, cultural and community needs.The

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh, said: “This is great news for Swords and Fingal as this is a flagship project for the county. The objective of the Swords Cultural Quarter project is to energise this area of Swords in order to make a balanced town that provides places, buildings and spaces for both cultural and economic activity for all its citizens and to create a new sense of place.” Established in 1988, O’Donnell and Tuomey is an award-winning architectural practice led by Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey, with studios based in Dublin, Cork and London. They have received over 120 national and international awards for their completed buildings.

Swords Local Magazine NEEDS YOU!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

PHOTOGRAPHERS , LOCAL WRITERS, LOCAL REPORTERS NEEDED!! If you’re a Local and have some free time please email us on: communitylocals@gmail.com 6

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

We created a website for alteration service.

Local News

Swords Adult Division of St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance is an international humanitarian organisation with over 500 000 volunteers in over 20 different countries. We have been providing First Aid cover and First Aid Training Courses in Ireland for over 100 years. For further information on our organisation, please click the images below.In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed an Instructor-led ‘First Aid and COVID-19 in the workplace’ online course. Swords Adult Division meets every Thursday evening from 2000-2200, Cadets meet every Wednesday evening from 1900-2100, both in Holywell Community Centre in Swords. We operate 1 ambulance, First Aid 8

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

tent and a Cycle Response Unit. We cover many events, including Croke P ark, Dublin Zoo, Motorcross, RDS, Aviva Stadium, Local football events, local races and more. We also provide first aid courses in First Aid Response , Emergency First Aid, Baby and Toddler First Aid and more. Swords Division was established in 2014. Since the we have grown and have One ambulance, first aid tent and a Cycle Response Unit (CRU). We have 25 adult members from basic first aid, EMT to Nurses. In 2019, our cadet division was formed. Our division is lead by our Officer in Charge Mr Jamie Bollard MStJ, assisted by our senior NCO’s Michael, Noel, Jock and Claire (cadets).Our

Cycle response unit was donated to us in 2019 by One4All gift cards.We are a very active division with a wide area to cover in North Co. Dublin. We provide professional event medical cover for any event, providing our Ambulance, CRU, Tent, First aid patrols and more. Our division provides First Aid courses, demos, talks and more, with our experienced instructors Noel, Jamie, Michael, Gerard and Declan. Our training equipment is of the highest standards including our full body CPR, Airway and Trauma manikin. If you want to know more please contact: St John Ambulance Ireland, 29 Upper Leeson Streeet, Dublin 4, Ireland | Tel: (0)1 668 8077. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Finance

What options should you consider for saving? By Dave Kavanagh

charging negative interest, meaning they charge you for minding your money! Savings plans

In an ideal world, people should plan to have

that utilise investment funds are a fast growing

savings is aiming to have about a month’s salary

their savings. They are managed by experts that

breaking down or similar. Medium term is aimed

funds, such as equites and bonds. Your level of

a year or two, such as needing to change the car,

that matches your requirements is used. With

(when we can again!). These might require 3-6

there is a fluctuation in fund value, you get more

to as long-term savings. This is usually aimed at

term, these funds usually way out perform bank

from saving for children’s third level education

requirements. Talk to your financial advisor to

savings for different requirements. Short term

option for people that want to get the best out of

put by, for things like the washing machine

use a variety of investment types within their

at planning for things that will be happening in

risk is assessed, and a fund or choice of funds

having a wedding or having a special holiday

regular savings, the great part is that every time

months’ salary. Beyond these is what is referred

units for your premium that month. In the long

a period of 5 years or more. It can be anything

deposits. Plans can be tailored for your specific

to planning to buy a mobile home. The main

find out more.

difference with this time frame is that it opens

up more options to try and get some reasonable growth on your savings.

As most people know, bank deposit accounts

pay little or nothing in terms of interest. In some cases with certain balances, they are actually

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion.

ie or phone 087-6414570, 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 wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM and TV3.

Local News

Have your say on Space for Play Fingal County Council has launched the public consultation stage of the proposed policy on play provision for the young people of Fingal. Titled, “Space for Play – A Play Policy for Fingal”, the policy developed by the Council’s Parks & Green Infrastructure Division aims to provide a framework for the provision of safe, accessible, inclusive, natural and engaging play spaces for all children & adolescents up to the age of 17. The purpose of the consultation process is to provide an opportunity, to all interested parties, to examine the proposed guiding principles of play provision, how play sits within the planning framework and the objectives of the policy and to make comments or suggest changes as appropriate. Providing excellent play facilities for all the children of Fingal and visitors to the County, is a priority for the Council. Fingal County Council currently manages a network of play spaces on Council managed land ranging from playgrounds of various scales in local and regional parks, to Multi Use Games Areas and skate parks. The Play Policy will provide the basis on which the current and future play provision throughout the County will be developed to the highest quality in line with international best practice.The draft Play Policy document has been prepared in the context of the Council’s Open Space Strategy, “Keeping it Green”; the Fingal Development Plan, 2017-2023; the UN Convention on Human Rights; the National Play Policy – Ready Steady Play and the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, 2007-2016. The council values submissions and feedback on the proposed Policy to ensure the document best reflects the needs of the community it is intended to serve. The draft Policy is available to view and make submissions on through the Council’s Online Consultation Portal from 15th July until the 6th August 2021.

“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 10

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

Local News

Fingal climate change risk assessment launched

Projected changes to the Irish climate will have implications for archaeology and built heritage. Rising sea levels, flooding and coastal erosion along with wetter winters and drier summers can be expected to give rise to structural damage to monuments and historic properties. This will mean the loss of ground adjacent to structures, exposure and erosion of archaeological sites, and collapse of unstable masonry elements. Other slow-onset risks identified include the loss of historic landscape features and decay of building fabric.The aim of this project was to apply the assessment model developed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to the Irish context, using Fingal as the pilot study area. This is the first assessment of its kind in Ireland.This GIS based project was led by a multidisciplinary

steering group which provided input from the Geological Survey of Ireland, CHERISH, Dublin Metropolitan Climate Action Regional Office, Climate Ireland along with Fingal’s Heritage, Conservation and IT officers. Landuse Consultants were commissioned to assess the risk to Fingal’s cultural heritage based by analysing the likelihood and severity of risk from six categories of natural hazards: fluvial flooding, pluvial flooding, groundwater flooding, coastal flooding, coastal erosion and land instability on Fingal’s heritage assets.Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Seána O’Rodaigh said: ‘Climate Change poses risk to all sectors of society and Local Authorities can be at the front line of responding to these impacts. This report is an important first step in protecting heritage and archaeology for existing

and future generations’.While all heritage assets are subject to some level of risk, the study has shown that over 280 sites in Fingal are at risk from multiple hazards’ said Fingal Heritage Officer Christine Baker ‘These assets include towers, bridges, houses, field systems, wells and geological sites and this project provides a baseline for us to monitor the effects of climate on our archaeological and built heritage sites’.Our pictures feature the Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Seána Ó Rodaigh, Christine Baker Fingal Heritage Officer and David Dodd Coordinator of the Dublin Metropolitan Climate Action Regional Office (CARO). Our Images were taken at the Martello Tower Balbriggan and also an image of coastal erosion at Balbriggan Beach.

Local News

Swords Tidy Towns are blooming marvellous

Well done to Joanne Fulham and the Glasmore residence who were out in force prepping the Rathbeale Rd entrance to their estate for a Frontline Workers Commemmorative Garden. With €3000 worth of plants, shrubs and trees on 12

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

order it should look the business. We also want to

Great work Alla well done. Not forgetting our

poly tunnel and recently took advantage of the

weeding at the Malahide roundabout recently,

recognise and thank Alla who takes care of our

good weather to work on our patch on North St.

members Billy, Grace and Georgy who were out played a scorcher guys if you will excuse the pun. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

Implementation Group to oversee Fingal Skills Strategy Members of the Fingal Skills Strategy Implementation Group pictured at their recent virtual meeting.

A Fingal Skills Strategy Implementation Group has been set-up to deliver the objectives of the Fingal Skills Strategy, which was published in 2019.The Group is chaired by Siobhan Kinsella, former President of both Chambers Ireland and Fingal Chamber and a director at the Noel Recruitment Group. Ms Kinsella was also Chairperson of the Fingal Skills Strategy Advisory Group which originally produced the Fingal Skills Strategy, the first of its kind in Ireland.The Implementation Group brings together representatives from education and training providers, employers and industry, government agencies and Fingal County Council to ensure that Fingal has the right skills for the future.The Implementation Group is starting to implement the recommendations of the Fingal Skills Strategy, taking a fresh approach in light of the post-Covid-19 environment, and will support and actively promote on-going engagement between enterprise and industry and education and training providers, as well as Fingal County Council.The Group will seek to ensure education and training provision aligns with industry needs and that there is a pathway to skills acquisition so

that skills are offered in a complementary manner with minimal duplication. Its mandate includes regularly reviewing emerging and future skills needs within the county.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh, said: “As we start to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to be aware of the skills needed within our Labour force has never been greater and it’s great to see the Implementation Group up and running and actively looking at aligning the provision of courses by educational institutions with the demands of industry.” The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “As the local authority with the youngest population in Ireland, Fingal is looking to embed our Skills Strategy amongst industry and academia because the report showed a skills gap across all sectors which we need to close to ensure Fingal remains a primary location to invest, or grow a business, in.” The group is meeting quarterly and at its second meeting, which was held recently, there were presentations from Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Educational Training Board, Fingal Chamber Skillnet and LinkedIn on the services they offer.

Community organisations -We are here for you and it’s free! Calling all community and voluntary groups in this area! We are here to facilitate you and help publicise your organisations. We are a community based magazine therefore there will be no charge for publicising your group, whether its a chess club or small pastime group, a support group or a big community or sporting organisation. So if you want to publicise your organisation every month just send us an email to communitylocalseditor@gmail.com..We look forward to hearing from you.

Feature

Shop smart and reduce the costs and your stress! By Siobhan O’Neill White At mams.ie we often hear from with Mammies who are stressed about school expenses; so we have come up with some ways to shop smart and reduce costs - * Label your childs uniform, bag and c oat so if they do misplace it, they will get it back. MyNameTags.ie have personalised labels that you can order with your child’s personal details. Their labels have an antibacterial coating, so Covid and other viruses cannot stick to them. - * Buy Irish O’Neills offers a personalising service so you can have your child’s name or initials stitched onto their sports gear. - * Instead of buying new ipads and laptops, look for offers on almost new ones. PC Clinic in Ilac SC and Apollo Mobile are great for ‘nearly new’ technology. - * Shop the sales – Many summer sales are on now, check Regatta.ie for half price rain & wind proof coats - * Buying bundles of items together can save money. See Smiggle ‘Bundles offers’ on schoolbags, pencil cases, lunchboxes etc. Much cheaper than buying individually. - * For Art supplies, ‘The Works’ stores, they have great prices on all things art related and they do good deals on stationery too. - * Dealz have different school offers throughout the summer, so keep an eye out for lunchboxes, stationery and accessories in there. - * Instead of automatically using the recommended school uniform supplier, see if you can get your child’s crested uniform cheaper elsewhere. - * DIY – If you are on a budget, you can buy generic uniform items from Dunnes Stores and add the crests later. Often schools sell crests separately or, you can have crests stitched in a haberdashery. This is a great way to save a considerable amount of money. - * For college students, Flying Tiger have great white boards, corkboards and colourful accessories to made college accommodation more homely. - * Enter competitions – someone has to win and it may be you! Check out mams.ie for competitions on back to school items. - * If you’re financial situation has been impacted by Covid, you should apply for the Back to school clothing and footwear allowance (BSCFA). Apply at mywelfare.ie (Even if you are in employment, you may still meet the criteria to receive this grant so it is worth applying!) Most of all, enjoy the summer and try not to get too stressed about back to school. As we have all learned in the past year, being safe is more important than anything else.

Swords Local Magazine NEEDS YOU!

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

PHOTOGRAPHERS , LOCAL WRITERS, LOCAL REPORTERS NEEDED!! If you’re a Local and have some free time please email us on: communitylocals@gmail.com 14

SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

Local News

1,000 Submissions on Royal Canal Greenway Consultation

Fingal County Council received more than 1,000 submissions and surveys from members of the public in relation to the proposed route for the Royal Canal Urban Greenway. The most recent six week-long phase of consultation ended on Wednesday, July 7.This non-statutory consultation invited the public to share their views on the proposed route. Submissions were accepted through Fingal County Council’s Consultation Portal website, via survey or written submission, and written submissions were also accepted by post. The Royal Canal Urban Greenway is a proposed pedestrian and cycle route along the Royal Canal tow path. Throughout the course of the consultation Fingal County Council provided the public with access to user friendly images and videos of the proposed Greenway as well as a large number of technical drawings and reports relating to the project. These items remain online, along with recordings of two public information webinars delivered during the consultation period.The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh,

said: “It is important that citizens engage in the public consultation process and let their views be known. The response to the Royal Canal Urban Greenway consultation shows the level of interest in the project and it is great that so many took the opportunity to participate.”Fingal County Council is now engaged in reviewing, moderating and publishing all submissions on their consultation portal. Moderation involves the redaction of a submitter’s personal details prior to publication. Due to the high level of public engagement this process is expected to take a number of weeks. Fingal County Council staff have already begun this work with 375 submissions now live on the consultation portal.The design team will consider all submissions received and assess how to best address the various issues raised. This process will include discussions with other stakeholders, which may include local residents, landowners, the National Transport Authority, Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail.

Fingal welcomes Funding under Connected Hubs Scheme Base Enterprise Centre

Connected Hubs

Fingal County Council is delighted to welcome €115k funding under the #OurRuralFuture Connected Hubs Scheme which will help to facilitate remote working. Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, announced over €8.8 million in funding under the Connected Hubs Scheme – a key deliverable of Our Rural Future. The funding will enable existing hubs and broadband connection points to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure in every region across Ireland. Grants will also fund measures to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges. The funding will enable existing hubs and

broadband connection points to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure in every region across Ireland. Grants will also fund measures to assist hubs to deal with COVID related challenges. Fingal’s remote working hubs look forward to participating in the new national connectedhubs.ie platform, where remote workers can book space and services in remote working hubs across the country. The grant of €75,000 secured by Base Enterprise Centre will compliment investment already being made in the centre to upgrade its facilities and make the space within the centre more accessible and

suitable to remote workers, start-up businesses and established business in the Fingal area. The funding provided will enhance remote working infrastructure at the existing Broadband Connection Points in the Liam Rogers, Applewood, Tyrellstown and Luttrelstown Fingal Community Centres. These centres will provide a space for local businessmen and women, students and entrepreneurs to work remotely within their locality in a safe friendly welcoming environment. The funding will allow for the installation of workstations, screens and technology upgrades to enhance these facilities.

Healt

Home Cook Recipes

Niamh’s Mouthwatering Beef and Black Bean Sauce Serves 1

• • • • • •

Ingredients

50g sliced onions 200g sliced beef 120 chopped mixed peppers 1 cup of whole grain rice 40g sliced mushrooms 40g black bean sauce

To make homemade black bean sauce: • • • • • • •

200g black beans 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 shallots 2 cloves garlic 5cm fresh root ginger 1 tablespoon chilli pepper flakes 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cornflour dissolved in 1 tablespoon water

Method to make sauce: 1.Mix the beans, shallots, chilli pepper flakes and rice wine vinegar together. Mash the beans well. Set aside. 2. Sauté the garlic and ginger in a small amount of oil on a pan until soft and flavours infuse. Add the mixture from the previous step. 3.Bring the mixture to the boil then simmer for 10-15minutes. To thicken the sauce, stir in the cornflour mixture. Simmer until thickened.

To cook the rice: Bring 1.5 cups of water to boil before adding a cup of rice and let it simmer before all the water has dissolved. Then it is ready to serve.

To cook the rest of the ingredients: 1.Add 1 tablespoon rapeseed oil into a nonstick pan (preferably). Gently cook stripped beef just to brown it then remove from pan. 2.Add vegetables to pan and lightly cook before adding black bean sauce and beef then cook till sauce begins to bubble and meat is cooked thoroughly. 3.Serve with cooked rice. For nutrition and healthy eating talks or workshops in preschools, primary or secondary schools, workplaces or community groups please email:niamh@biabites. netSee my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’Facebook for other food ideas. Niamh Arthurs, Public Health and Clinical Nutritionist www.biabites.net

Local News

Momentum 2021: A Community Arts Festival

The Green Belt Arts team

Momentum 2021 is a one-off, outdoor, community arts and heritage festival in the two towns of Rush and Lusk over one wonderful August weekend: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th. At the heart of the festival is a series of outdoor dramatic performances, written and performed by local writers on The Green Belt Arts Project, which was set up by theatre artist Declan Gorman in August 2020, as part of Fingal County Council’s “Infrastructure II” Public Art: Co-Productions programme. The Green Belt involved 14 people meeting at weekly Zoom workshops, exploring the heritage of the area, and experimenting with creative writing and drama online, all during the various Lockdowns. Highlights of the festival include the Green Belt trilogy “Home, Land and Sea” which takes place at sites from Kenure Demesne to Drumanagh promontory; guided “walkabouts” in both towns, Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Declan at Cottage

where audiences will meet characters from past and present Fingal; an exhibition of photos and videos of Lusk in times gone by; a play to be staged on a football pitch featuring the story of the great Rush sporting hero, Con Martin; an Early Years Arts enclosure in Lusk, hosted by Acting Up; as well as workshops for older children. In the evenings, there will be informal music and chat in the local outdoor dining and hospitality settings.Most of the events are free or for very modest ticket costs and most are family friendly. Booking will be essential as numbers will be restricted in line with Covid best practice standards. But there will be something for everyone.Momentum 2021 is a voluntary initiative intended to support, entertain and engage the communities of Lusk and Rush with marvellous small-scale but big-vision arts activity, as we get familiar with our streets and our

neighbours old and new after a year of seclusion and difficult challenges. It is a celebration of the complex heritage of this unique region of North County Dublin. Momentum 2021 is supported by Fingal County Council under the Infrastructure 2 Co-Productions and Creative Fingal programmes and is undertaken in partnership with a range of community and voluntary groups in Lusk and Rush, Co. Dublin, including Rush Dramatic Society; Lusk Heritage Group; Power Drama School; Acting Up Early Years Arts and Declan Gorman Arts & Events. We are grateful to Lusk Athletic Club, Lusk Action Group, Rush Tourism and many volunteer individuals for support as the big weekend approaches! For further updates please follow us on Facebook: Momentum2021fingal/Facebook Or email Declan on declangorman@yahoo.co.uk SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 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 August 16. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck!

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SWORDS LOCAL-AUGUST 2021

2. Strongly wanting to do something. (5) 3. A rock that contains minerals like gold, iron or lead. (3) 4. A complete idiot. (8) 5. Produced a natural or agricultural product. (7) 6. Places to get lost in. (5) 7. Precious stone which comes in various shades of red. (4) 8. Hooded snake. (5) 9. Probable. (6) 10. The fifth category of taste - sweet, sour, salt, bitter ... (5) 11. The process of moving people from a place of danger to safety. (10) 12. A scale for measuring wind speed. (8) 17. Pour light on something. (10) 21. Lewd area for an American state. (8) 22. The sword returned to the Lady of the Lake. (9) 24. Prepare material for publication. (4) 26. Hard wheat used in making pasta. (5) 28. A legal hub is so ludicrous as to be amusing. (9) 29. Move faster. (10) 32. Bad voles had their sins forgiven. (8) 35. Relating to the countryside. (5) 38. Bald crooks place barricades. (10) 39. Mythological man-eating giant. (4) 40. Lacking energy or enthusiasm. (8) 43. A brief summary. (8) 47. Suffering from mal de mer. (7) 49. A thick cable for mooring or towing a ship. (6) 51. The country now called Myanmar. (5) 53. It’s not over til the fat lady sings! (5) 55. Welsh vegetables! (5) 57. Declare invalid, a marriage perhaps. (5) 58. Chemical element vital for brass. (4) 61. Impair the quality or appearance of; spoil. (3)

SUDOKU ANSWERS

1. The speed of something in a given direction. (8) 6. Remarkable, unexplainable, and bringing welcome consequences. (10) 13. Uncertain, indefinite, unclear. (5) 14. Sometimes a name for the Devil. (9) 15. The dishonest jack in a pack of cards. (5) 16. Relating to the heart. (7) 18. The darker stage of twilight. (4) 19. The lower house of the Oireachtas. (4) 20. A signed document acknowledging a debt. (3) 22. The long fish. (3) 23. Long-handled spoon used for serving soup. (5) 25. A circular movement of water causing a small whirlpool. (4) 27. The highest adult male singing voice. (4) 30. Money received for work or through investments. (6) 31. A gloss or sheen on a surface resulting from age or polishing. (6) 33. A new member of the armed forces. (7) 34. Synthetic material used in parachutes. (5) 35. Acting without consideration of the possible consequences. (4) 36. Soothe, make someone tranquil and quiet. (4) 37. Volatile liquid once popular as an anaesthetic. (5) 40. Bolster the crustacean. (7) 41. A lumberjack. (6) 42. Belgrade is the capital of this country. (6) 44. Garment traditionally worn by women from South Asia. (4) 45. This is one! (4) 46. Attempt a short piece of writing on a particular subject. (5) 48. A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. (3) 50. Abbreviated Canadian dog. (3) 52. Maritime call to hail another ship. (4) 54. Able island for Napoleon. (4) 56. Common culinary herb. (7) 59. Moves from site to site on the Internet. (5) 60. Widespread outbreaks of disease. (9) 61. The largest city and capital of Belarus. (5) 62. Female leaders of families or tribes. (10) 63. Trek less for the small falcons. (8)

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