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Volume 8 Issue 12 february 2024

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WORKING FOR YOU We are now in the second month of a new year and are all facing into tough times with challenges in a lot of areas. There has been a continued fall in living standards for households, figures released by the CSO at the end of 2022 showed an increased decline reflecting a continued fall in Irish living standards compared to other European countries over the past ten years. This reflects the impact the cost-ofliving crisis has had and continues to have on households. Workers and families were facing high costs long before the energy crisis and many are really struggling. Irish living standards have fallen further behind other European countries over the past decade and are now 10% below the European average and in the bottom half of the EU. This is a reflection of successive bad governments who have failed in improving prospects for Irish households – the current government has failed in areas like housing and healthcare, costs have risen and services are more difficult to access. Housing Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that we deliver affordable homes to rent or buy for people on ordinary incomes.

There are many families in Fingal who have grown up kids who cannot move out and cannot move on with their lives and they are the generation who have been locked out. We need to build communities that have the necessary infrastructures in place and homes for residents that are affordable to rent or buy. People should decide what type of housing suits their needs, public, private or owner occupied but it needs to be affordable. We’ve seen too many government housing policies that aren’t delivering homes for our residents. Working in the Community Myself and Deputy Louise O’Reilly TD work closely together and with resident’s groups and individuals in our community to deal with local and personal issues. We listen to people’s concerns and do everything in our power to ensure that their interests are met, locally through Fingal County Council and through the Dáil, and through our constituency offices in Swords and Balbriggan. I also work closely with Dessie Ellis TD on issues affecting the Santry area that falls within the Swords boundary and with community groups and indi-

viduals in this area. We support our communities on many campaigns and issues that affect their daily lives. Sustainable Transport With delays to Metro North I have called for and had a motion passed which calls for a Town Bus for Swords to facilitate those areas that have no direct access. Sinn Féin has supported residents who will be affected by the works in relation to the Metro. Dublin Airport – Noise The current situation with Dublin Airport ignoring noise regulations and agreed flight paths is a significant concern. Sinn Féin have met with groups campaigning against these breaches and I was happy to stand with residents in a recent protest. I’ve raised the matter with FCC and continue to do so. Along with Deputy O’Reilly we have met with the DAA and the IAA, and continue to meet with residents groups in affected aeas. The DAA ignoring noise regulations and agreed flight paths is unacceptable we will continue to raise this with FCC, ANCA (noise regulator) and in the Dáil. Health The current crisis in the health servic-

es is not new, despite promises by government the additional beds have not all been delivered and the numbers on trollies and the delay times for treatments and surgeries is not acceptable. Swords needs a primary care centre, I was delighted to get a motion passed to facilitate this as part of the Fingal Development Plan and we will be working closely with the HSE and the Department of Health to ensure this is delivered. There must be greater collaboration between community healthcare and acute hospitals to ensure that recovery and transitional care beds are available in the community for speedy discharges and the provision of care outside of hospitals where appropriate. Crime We need to tackle the growing crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a real problem– and there has been a lack of focus on making communities safe for everyone. As a member of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) in Fingal, I have called for additional resources, community policing to be prioritised and for a local task force to deal with crime. The additional number of com-

munity Gardaí have had a positive impact in areas in Swords, but realistically the Garda station is not sufficient to meet the needs of a growing community and the resources needed to police the growth in population. This needs to be addressed as a priority to ensure the safety of our residents. Environment I’m a member of the Swords Woodland Association formed with the aim of maintenance of the green belt within the wider Swords area and promoting ways to ensure a greater appreciation of green spaces and promoting the planting of trees – one tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces driving 20K miles. I also worked closely with the Save Swords Greenbelt group on their campaign to ensure that our environment is protected not just for current but for future generations to come. Representing our Community The Local Property Tax for Fingal was set at a 7.5% deduction, although Sinn Féin asked Councillors to support my motion seeking the full 15% reduction. In 2022 thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin protesting the

Tel: 087 2724359 • Ann.Graves@cllrs.fingal.ie

rising cost of living including members from other political parties. Alleviating hardship is what the council should be striving to do, and not adding to it. The highest number of people who replied to public consultation on LPT requested a figure of 11-15%, and that’s what the people in Fingal wanted, however Sinn Féin were the only party who voted against the lower deduction. Sinn Féin Councillors have worked hard on the Development Plan, representing interests of our communities in areas that will most benefit them. As we come to the final stage we will continue to make our decisions based on what is best for the people we represent. I have worked hard to represent residents since my election in 2019 and before that as a community activist and will continue to do so. I have always worked in the heart of our communities and am available to meet with groups and/or individuals to provide any support or assistance that I can. Since Covid rather than formal clinic times, I have found that pre-arranged meetings work best for people. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance.

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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Love is in the air once again this February! There is an old saying that ‘Love makes the world go around,’ and every year in February people seem to be reminded of that as Valentine’s Day comes around. However, love is not only for the individual but also for the community we live in and all the diverse people we live amongst. The old and infirm through age, the young and disabled either mentally or physically. Those who are struggling with making ends meet, those who have lost their jobs, those who have no home and all those who care for them. The love shown to those people, the helping hand and words of encouragement from the voluntary sector right across Fingal and beyond throughout this country cannot be underestimated. The countless hours of planning ad preparation, of logistical pondering and of persuasion and cajoling of the statutory sector to help goes unheralded. That is a fact of life in our society, yet those self-same volunteers across hundreds of groups continue to provide a service that gives love as well as support to help those less fortunate than themselves. Those of us involved in the ‘Local Magazine ‘team come from the voluntary/community sector and appreciate this more than most. We have been to homes which need help and did our best to improve things, we have rolled up our sleeves and sought to improve people’s lot in life. Not through any egotistical notion but through love for other human beings. A love that manifests itself in many ways every day in our community. Through unseen good deeds by our wonderful business community and retailers who quietly without fanfare help those most in need. Through our voluntary/community and sporting groups who raise funds for worthy causes and through those working in the caring sector. So, you see, love is a very small word with a huge meaning, and its impact across our community is immense. I sincerely hope each and every one of you experiences love this St Valentine’s Day and in turn you send love in some way to all of us in our community. Happy Valentine’s Day from the Locals team

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Finance

How To Avoid Capital Acquisition Tax By Dave Kavanagh

Capital Acquisition Tax includes Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax. In 2022 in Ireland, there was over €600 million collected in Capital Acquisition Tax. It also includes estates that may have been taxed in previous generations. For example, if someone left an estate worth €1,000,000 to an only daughter, she would (in the current tax year) have a tax bill of almost €220,000. After she pays the bill and puts what’s left in the bank, any interest is taxed (DIRT). Guess what happens when she passes and leaves her estate behind? It’s taxed again! Spouses can leave any amount to each other tax free. After that, the three thresholds are, a) Children - €335,000, b) Other close relatives - €32,500 and c) All others (including cohabiting partners) - €16,250. Everything received above these is taxed at 33%. So, is there any way to prevent it? There are two main actions that can either reduce or eradicate such a tax bill. The first is to take the time to plan when making a will. Let’s say a value of €750,000 was being left to 2 adult children. (Not a big estate if you combine a house, savings and a life policy). This would create a tax bill of over €25,000. Instead, if €670,000 of it was left to the 2 children and the balance between a few grandchildren, there is no tax bill. The second thing that can be done is for the person leaving the estate to take out a Section 72 plan. This is a

type of life policy that is allowed to pay any tax liability without adding to the value of the estate. It becomes particularly important for anybody that does not have children to plan things out, as even other relatives can only receive €32,500 before any balance is taxed. These thresholds are particularly important for anybody in the process of planning or making their will.

Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can of course also be contacted by you by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or you can also use the contact form on www. financialcompanion.ie 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, LMFM and TV3.

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Local News

What it’s like to be a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs!

Anne Mulligan with puppy in training Cosmo

One of our fantastic Balbriggan North County Dublin Guide Dogs volunteers, Anne Mulligan who has puppy raised multiple times, explains that “In 2010, having taken early retirement from the Civil Service I began volunteering with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind as a Puppy Raiser.” Anne said, “Puppies arrive with the raiser at 9 weeks old and stay until they are 12-14 months old at which time return to Cork for further training. Puppy raising comprises socialisation and taking the pup anywhere they would be going with a Visually Impaired Person or child with Autism. Support is provided through a Puppy Walking Supervisor.” Anne went on and discussed the first pup, she puppy raised, stating, “The first pup I took on was Zak, followed in no particular order by Cinders, Genna, Oscar, Gabbie, Zabbie, Coby, William, Adel, Yarrow and most recently Cosmo. It can sometimes happen that dogs, for various reasons are found to be unsuitable and are withdrawn from the programme. This was the case with Zak, William and Coby who were rehomed as family pets. Zabbie was part of the breeding programme. All of the others became Assistance Dogs for children with Autism. Cosmo, my most recent pup, returned to Cork on 18th September and will be starting her advanced training as an Assistance Dog in early January.” Anne noted that, “Another

aspect of volunteering is temporary boarding. Naturally, there are times Puppy Raisers, Guide Dog or Assistance Dog Owners will be going on holidays or for other reasons will need their dogs looked after for short periods. This is where I come in handy. Sometimes, I take a friend’s Guide Dog for a free run in Ardgillan which is very enjoyable both for the human and the dog.” Anne finished by saying that “While puppy raising is hard work, it is also very enjoyable and rewarding especially when you see your pup helping a Visually Impaired Person or a child with Autism. I have made many friends over the years and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about volunteering.” Also, just to note that the Annual Feis in Naul GAA club is on Saturday 10th /11th February if you would like to attend. The Feis is a fantastic event which has brought in over €25,000 for our branch over the years and for that a massive thank you! If you would like to get involved or are interested in volunteering, please feel free to contact us: Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. Phone or text us on 085 7663107. Email us at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs. You can visit GuideDogs. ie to find out more about puppy raising.

Community Climate Action Launched in Fingal Community Climate Action Fingal was launched on Wednesday, 6th December during a three-hour period, from 4 – 7 pm in the County Hall Swords. The public from all over Fingal were invited to learn about grants for Tidy Towns groups, community groups, sports clubs and not-for-profit organisations. Above all it was a networking and information evening about applications and grant funding. Light refreshments were served. If you could not attend on the night visit ow.ly/8SXc50Qb1ZK for information and details of other public sessions for this grant funding.

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Film Review

FILM REVIEW

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Maestro (2023) - A Harmonious Symphony of Emotion and Brilliance

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By Jack Shanley Maestro, directed by acclaimed Actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper is a captivating cinematic experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional 2023, the film delves into the tumultuous life of renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein, storytelling. Released in portrayed with brilliance by Oscar nominated actor Bradley Cooper. Maestro not only provides an intimate glimpse into the world of classical music but also explores the beautiful relationship Leonard had with Chilean-Costa Rican actress Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan). The film unfolds as a seamless blend of flashbacks and present-day sequences, unravelling Bernstein’s journey from a prodigious young musician to a maestro whose genius is matched only by the shadows of his past. Coopers’ performance is nothing short of fantastic, as he navigates the character’s highs and lows with a nuanced grace that elevates the film to new heights. His portrayal of Leonard Bernstein’s passion for music, coupled with the internal struggles that threaten to consume him, creates an amazing yet emotional narrative. Bradley Coopers direction is a testament to his skilful storytelling, as he weaves together the threads of Leonard Bernstein’s life with a delicate touch. The film’s pacing is masterfully orchestrated, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the life of a great Composer. From the grandeur of concert halls to the quiet moments of introspection, 6

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Cooper captures the essence of each scene with a visual finesse that mirrors the elegance of classical music. Maestro’s supporting cast is equally commendable, with standout performances from Carey Mulligan who at times steals the show as Bernstein’s devoted but conflicted wife. The chemistry between the actors enhances the film’s emotional depth, adding layers to the intricate web of relationships that shape Bernstein’s world. The film’s cinematography, helmed by the visionary lens of Matthew Libatique, is a visual symphony that complements the musical narrative. Each frame is a work of art, capturing the sweeping grandeur of concert performances and the intimate moments of vulnerability with equal finesse. The use of light and shadow enhances the emotional feel for the story, creating a visual language that speaks volumes alongside the musical score. Speaking of the score, Maestro’s soundtrack, is beautifully composed and is a character in itself. The classical compositions evoke a range of emotions from melancholy to triumph. The wonderful score becomes the heartbeat of the film, underscoring the highs and lows of Bernstein’s journey with a sublime elegance. In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘Maestro’ on Netflix and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four stars. Director: Bradley Cooper– Rating: 15 – Genre: Romance/Musical – Run Time: 2h 9m Language: English. For more film content please follow @movies4fanatics on Instagram.

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Features

Childhood Memories - The heady days of television By Jon Kavanagh These days we hardly notice the gigantic TV screens occupying an entire wall in our living rooms. Yesteryear, sitting down to watch a program was a planned event, shared by the whole community. TV sets are few and far between. Two sisters living locally are running a defecto cinema; opening the door of their cottage to anyone who wants to view their newfangled googlebox. My father is among the patrons, visiting there twice a week to see The Virginian and The Fugitive. A debate opens up between my mother and father - now that we have electricity in the new house should we rent our own television? He is for, she is sitting firmly on the fence. Perhaps swayed by her growing suspicion that the sisters’ abode is a flea distribution centre, she capitulates. Ecstatic, my father heads to Paddy Weston’s television shop on the main street in Swords to arrange delivery. Paddy duly arrives in his Citroen DS, hauls in the heavy apparatus, connects a rabbit ears antenna, tweaks various knobs and hey presto a black and white picture flickers into life. My mother allocates herself the role of censor; issuing regular dictates: “TURN THAT OFF!” at the first hint of anything she deems inappropriate. I am mesmerised by the cartoons: The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, Mr Magoo, and the famous duo Barney and Beany who are advertising a well-known brand of baked beans. Detectives including McCloud (who propels my normally serious father into convulsive laughter as he gallops his horse through the streets of New York), lolly pop addict Kojak, and the well disguised genius Columbo who always has “Just one more thing” to ask the culprit, chase the bad guys across our screen. Garda Patrol alerts us to real crime happening locally whilst Frank Hall shines a satirical torch on the

not so fictional townland of Ballymacash. Bunny Carr “Stops the lights” on Quicksilver, as he doles out prizes ranging from shillings and pence to the jackpot of ten pounds. We see ourselves when we visit the microcosm of Leestown where The Riordans, and their eclectic friends and neighbours reflect our own daily lives. Real reality TV.

facebook.com/SwordsLocal www.facebook.com/BalbrigganLocal

Goodbye to dreary January and welcome to Valentine’s Day! By Siobhan O’Neill White January is done and dusted and February is here. Goodbye to the dreariest month of the year and welcome the month of love! The growing popularity of Galentine’s day on February 13th means you can choose to celebrate with your girlfriends that day and the 14th can be a romantic day with your partner or if you are single, a day to treat yourself to some self-love and self-care. Last year my daughters and I spent Galentine’s day at an anniversary screening of Titanic at The Arc in Drogheda and then headed for dinner at Yeah Burger. If you haven’t been yet and you love a good burger, highly recommend, they have the best burgers! This year we’re planning to do that again. It’s a nice low-key way to spend an evening with my girls. I am also planning a Galentine’s get together with my Mam and sisters at City North for Afternoon tea with a few glasses of Prosecco thrown in! As for Valentine’s Day; often the most appreciated gifts are the personal 8

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

ones. Making someone a romantic dinner, running them a bubble bath, giving them a massage – are all nice things you can do that won’t cost much. To make dinner at home extra special, pop a tablecloth on, sprinkle a few rose petals around and set out your nicest glasses, cutlery and plates. Or treat your loved one to their favourite takeaway and snuggle up to watch a movie together with a bowl of popcorn and warm blanket. As Valentine’s night is so busy, sometimes its nicer to stay home on the 14th and head out for a romantic dinner another night instead, when it’s less busy. Whatever you get up to on 13th and 14th February, try to make time to do something nice for yourself. It could be sitting down with a good book. Going for a walk on the beach followed by coffee and cake at your favourite café. Relaxing in a warm bath. Remember, we have to look after ourselves first before we can look after others. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. And make sure to pop over to mams.ie for our fab competitions! Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

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Local News

New Swords Surgery Hub will be most welcome - Cllr Tom O’Leary

Cllr Tom O’Leary

The new Swords Surgery Hub will provide nearly an acre (3910m2) of Surgery and medical rooms in an existing building -at Unit 1 at Swords Business Campus said Cllr Tom O’Leary. The Surgery Hub will be operated under the governance of Beaumont Hospital. Swords Surgery Hub Comprises of: 4 Operating Theatres (with 28 associated service rooms) an Endoscopy unit with 16 Bays/Beds, 11 Reception Beds, 4 Exam Rooms, 6 Treatment Rooms, 2 Procedure Rooms, Anaesthetic Room, Café/Shop The “Swords Surgery Centre” will serve the medical needs of a growing and aging population of 160,000 residents in Swords, Balbriggan, Skerries Rush, Lusk, Donabate, Malahide and Portmarnock and rural Villages of Fingal, said Cllr Tom O’Leary. Cllr O’Leary

continued, “Full Planning Permission was granted on the 8th of December 2023, and the tender process is complete. Work on a “turnkey medical fit-out” of the existing building will get underway shortly. The Swords Surgical Hub will likely be open Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm running two surgical sessions per day in each theatre, with each session lasting four hours in length and with a 30-minute turnaround time between each session, similar to the successful Reeves Day Surgery Centre (RDSC) at Tallaght University Hospital opened in 2020. So the question is: What Procedures Might be carried out at a Swords Surgery Day Hub? Swords Surgery Hub is for patients that need elective surgery under general or local anaesthesia or sedation and are scheduled to go home on

the same day following their procedure. General Surgery – Otolaryngology - which is Ear, Nose and Throat - Orthopaedics - PlasticSurgery Ophthalmology - Gastroenterology - Urology - and Pain Medicine - Gynaecology - Vascular surgery (peripheral surgery). The new hub at Swords is modelled on the very successful “Reeves Day Surgery Centre” at Tallaght University Hospital (opened in 2020) which has substantially reduced waiting times for day-case procedures. - Transport - Serviced by High Frequency Bus Routes - 41C, 41x, 43, 500, 503,505,506X,507. - 180 Car Parking spaces - 330m from the proposed Estuary Metro Link Station. I am hopeful of real progress on “Swords Primary Care Centre” project soon,” said Cllr Tom O’Leary.

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

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SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

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SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Local News

Swords Tidy Towns going for gold this year!

2024 has arrived and with it

part in our ongoing battle against

alone in itself is an achievement we

especially the Operations Dept

hard-working volunteers. For those

diligence that we will get over the

dedicated teams out and about stop

on many projects over the years.

it brings new challenges for our

readers who are unaware, Swords Tidy Towns in 2023 missed out

by only one point in achieving our very first Gold Medal, in 2024 we will endeavour through our hard

work to bring home the Gold. We rely on you the public to play your

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

street litter, it is you through your

line and achieve that elusive Gold

Medal, team work. We have come a

long way in twenty years. It has been a fantastic journey with many ups and downs. But that long journey

led us to six Silver Medals in a row plus many other accolades, that

are all proud of. When you see our

with whom we have worked with

and chat. Tell them how proud you

are of how well your town is looking, a kind word and a smile goes a long

way, and they cost nothing. We look forward again this year to working

new volunteers. All you need do is

email us at swordstidytowns@gmail. com or just turn up on a Saturday at

closely with the various departments within Fingal County Council,

We are always on the lookout for

10.15am in the car park of Colour trend Paint Shop opposite the Garda station on Main St.

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Top Floor, Town Centre, Lusk, County Dublin. Tel. No.: 01 8438138 Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Local News

Swords Women’s Shed Chakra Healing night!

What a wonderful organisation Swords Women’s Shed is proving to be in our community. Their mission is to unite and empower women within the community through creative craft and socialisation. Recently the Women’s Shed organised an amazing chakra healing from Ciara Robinson reiki master. It proved to be an enlightening and amazing night thanks so much to Ciara. She has also promised she will be back again for a further session. After the stress of Christmas and the New Year, the lovely peaceful energy was needed for our ‘rejuvenating January ‘ We hope you are all starting to unwind from 2023 and the Women’s Shed are half way through theirr monthly programme and very soon will welcome Marion , a life coach motivational speaker , and positive mindset coach so everyone is looking forward to that.

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

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SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Healt

Home Cook Recipes

Valentine’s Day Romantic Rawlos Try these for a tasty, romantic Valentine’s day or an any day treat. Blitzing up dates in a little bit of water turns them into a melt in the mouth healthier caramel!!! Add nut butter and you’re packing in protein and healthy fats (which we need in small amounts!) Smoother them in dark chocolate and you’re reaping all those beautiful cocoa benefits!! The great thing is even though they are so delicious, they are very filling so you won’t scoff them down as you might do with a normal pack of Rolo’s.Plus they are SOOO simples to make! 16

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Ingredients

(Makes 12 ‘Rawlos’) • 60g Dates in 1-2 tablespoons water • 140g Almond butter (or a nut/seed butter of your choice!) • 50g Dark chocolate (AT least 70% cocoa)

Method 1. Having soaked the dates in a small amount of water overnight, mash them up. If they don’t mash up easily, heat them gently in the microwave/hob. 2.Add the nut/seed butter to the mashed dates and mix well. 3. Roll into balls and freeze for 1 hour.

4.Melt dark chocolate. Coat the balls in the dark chocolate and freeze for 20minutes. See how long they can last melting in your mouth without you gobbling up their gooey centre and crisp chocolate shell!!!!

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”

Swords Karate Club News Swords Karate Club Race Night Fundraiser on February 17th! 2024 kicked in when we returned to training on 2nd January. Christmas break and goodies long forgotten, all classes resumed in the first week of the New Year and all trained well. We hosted our first event of the new year on 7th January – hosting the JKS National Brown & Belt training session as well as the JKS Open Squad Session, welcoming our friends from around the country to Swords. 2024 will be a busy year with these events being held monthly to help raise funds to send our students who have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Karate Championships in Japan this July. As part of our fundraising efforts, we will be holding a Race Night Fundraiser on Saturday 17th February 2024 in Graingers. The Manor Inn, Swords, Co. Dublin. It promises to be an exciting night with 10 races, raffle and auction. All members of the community are invited to attend and have a good night out while at the same time supporting the local kids selected for Japan 2024. We have Toyama Sensei from the JKS Japan Headquarters visiting us at the end of January. He is a truly phenomenal technician, with superb karate skills and we hope to have a very enjoyable training session with him. He is one of three Japanese instructors we will have visiting us this year, with Kagawa Shihan visiting in May and Yamaguchi Sensei visiting in October. We are looking forward to an exciting fun packed 2024. The Club is looking always for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: or indeed @jks_swords_karate_club.

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

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SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024

Down

1. The largest German city. (6) 5. Not harmful to the environment. (6) 10. Ostentatiously costly and luxurious. (7) 11. This Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa. (2,5) 12. Old stringed musical instrument. (4) 13. A numbers game. (5) 15. Soft cheese named after a French region. (4) 17. Type of graffiti and a chasing game for children. (3) 19. Type of quickly flashing light. (6) 21. They hold up trousers. (6) 22. Difficult to do or needing a lot of effort. (7) 23. The solid surface of the earth. (6) 25. People who roam from place to place. (6) 28. The movement of the tide out to sea. (3) 30. More than enough. (4) 31. The anguish experienced after significant loss. (5) 32. The extent of a surface or a piece of land. (4) 35. North African country. (7) 36. Half man, half horse. (7) 37. Shot someone from a hidden position, often at a distance. (6) 38. Rest yourself in a warm, comfortable and protected position. (6)

2. Imaginary line around the Earth. (7) 3. An emblem of Wales. (4) 4. A silly or stupid person. (6) 5. Someone who is dishonest or unreliable. (3,3) 6. Colour and maritime force. (4) 7. Drugs that are produced by many companies. (7) 8. French ball game. (6) 9. Muscles of the arms. (6) 14. The capital of Kenya. (7) 16. A dark brown hardwood. (5) 18. The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property. (5) 20. Conclusion, finish, complete. (3) 21. A small cake. (3) 23. The City of the Tribes. (6) 24. An eight-sided figure. (7) 26. Flying messages. (7) 27. Ascenders. (6) 28. A short journey to deliver or collect something. (6) 29. A fire or light in a high position as a warning or a signal. (6) 33. Catch one’s foot and stumble or fall. (4) 34. Small insects that live in underground colonies. (4)

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Across

VALENTINES SHOW: THAT’S AMORE DATE: FEB 11, 2024

in the Morning...

Afternoon

FRANKIE GAVIN & CATHERINE MCHUGH DATE: FEB 18, 2024

THE AMY WINEHOUSE BAND DATE: FEB 22, 2024

SWORDS LOCAL-FEBRUARY 2024