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Malahide Escort Volunteers For Chernobyl

On Monday, 13th February, the 2011 Dublin Rose of Tralee Escort, Darragh McGrath from Malahide will travel to Belarus to volunteer in the Adi Roche aided Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum. Darragh will be accompanied by Tara Talbot, the 2011 Rose of Tralee and 12 other Roses and Escorts from last year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival. The Chernobyl Children International (CCI), brings aid and medical assistance to hundreds of children in Belarus that were affected by the Nuclear Tragedy in Chernobyl 25 years ago.

Pictured here is Dublin escort Darragh McGrath with his San Franciso Rose, Sheila Ashtiani.

Residents Get Say Over Kinsealy Centre

Swords residents were recently invited to have their say over proposals for a new state-of-the-art sports and community hall in Kinsealy. Plans for the Liam Rodgers Centre – named after a late local resident who spent years campaigning for the facility – have been put on display by the County Council and work is expected to begin on the project in the autumn.

Swords School ‘F-Factor’ Contest

Fingal Community College held their annual talent competition the ‘F-Factor’ recently. There was a multitude of talent on display for the day as the students sang their hearts out in hopes to become the winner. After some stiff competition, student Jodie Morris, sang her way to the top prize.

Pop Up Museum In Balbriggan

On Thursday, 9th February in the Bracken Court Hotel, there will be a unique pop up museum on display in Balbriggan. For the first time, a window on the past will open, with a display of cannon balls, fishing nets, whale bones and artefacts found by trawlers from Balbriggan in their nets down the years. This display is free for the public to visit.

Balbriggan On The BBC

Balbriggan was recently featured on the very entertaining BBC 2 series: 'Great British Railway Journeys: Goes to Ireland' When Balbriggan and District Historical Society (BDHS) assisted the researchers, the result was that viewers were treated to the wonderful heritage of the town and the present thriving community was shown in the best positive way.

Thank ‘Yew’ from Balbriggan Tidy Towns

Spring is knocking on our doors at last, so the season of planting has begun in Balbriggan. On Saturday, 28th January, Balbriggan Tidy Towns Association acquired the help of 22 volunteers, and proceeded to plant 500 yew hedge bushes around the perimeter wall of the local garda station. They were joined by Scouts from the 34th/161st Troop, members of the Martello Residents Association, members of the local Green Party from Balbriggan, Donabate and Skerries and a number of volunteers. When work started at 11am, it seemed like a daunting task, but once they began, the team soon got into a rhythm, planting approximately 100 plants an hour.

Pictured at the planting of 500 yew bush hedging at Balbriggan Garda Station are Balbriggan Tidy Towns members, Terry O'Reilly, Alex McCullagh and Ciaran Wiseman.

Malahide’s Gavin Set For Golfing Glory

Malahide lad, Gavin Moynihan seems destined for a glittering golfing career. Gavin, aged 17 is a student at Pobal Scoil Íosa in Malahide, and is heading off to Texas to play in the World Junior Golf Championship. Gavin is a member of the Island Golf Club, having previously played at Donabate Golf Club and plays off an incredible plus two handicap. He is very excited about his upcoming trip to Texas. He told the County Leader: “This competition is by invitation only and I am the only European invited to play. I played in Sawgrass in Florida last September and finished in third place, which resulted in me being invited back again by the American Junior Golfing Association.”

Champion golfer, Gavin Moynihan from Malahide is off to Texas to compete in the World Junior finals. Gavin is pictured outside his school, Pobal Scoil Iosa in Malahide.

Feargal Quinn Visits Swords School

Senator Feargal Quinn paid a visit to Coláiste Choilm in Swords on Friday, 3rd February last. The senator and successful businessman was invited to the school on behalf of the fifth years by Mr. Ciaran Fogerty. The senator’s first visit to the school was in 1991 when he presented academic awards for excellence in the Leaving Certificate. Since then, he has regularly been invited back by Ms. Sheils, the head of the Business Department to speak to students on the benefits of entrepreneurial skills and good business acumen. The senator’s jovial and convivial disposition has inspired numerous students in Coláiste Choilm, many of whom partake in the Young Entrepreneurs Scheme which is run each year in the school.

Senator Feargal Quinn paid a visit to Colaiste Choilm on Friday, 3rd February last where he addressed the Business Studies class. Pictured L-R are Principal David Neville, teacher Fergal Coen, Liam Roarty, Conor Carey, Senator Feargal Quinn, Ian Scanlon, Graham Murray, Jack Keogh, Ciaran Fogarty, Sean Halpin, Josh Power, and teachers Kate Shiels and Ronan Gallagher.

New Bishop’s Curate In Balbriggan

The United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough introduced Reverend Anthony Kelly as Bishop’s Curate of Holmpatrick and Kenure with Balbriggan and Balrothery. The ceremony was held at St. George’s Church Balbriggan, on St. Brigid’s Day Wednesday 1st February last. A native of Clontarf, Reverend Anthony Kelly spent last summer in the Clonenagh group of Parishes in Co. Laois prior to beginning this new role in the North County. He also spent time training in Africa for the position.

Pictured here with Trever Sergent is Reverend Anthony Kelly who was newly appointed as Bishop’s Curate of Holmpatrick and Kenure with Balbriggan and Balrothery.

Retirement Of Popular Swords Teacher

St Cronan’s Junior National School in Brackenstown, Swords has been dealt a blow on Friday last, 3rd February, with the retirement of one of it’s most popular teachers, Ciaran McAuliffe after 36 years service in the school. A large crowd gathered in the school library on Thursday, 2nd February to bid farewell to Ciaran, and representatives of the Board of Management, the Parents’ Association, the local community Gardai and children all paid tribute to him. He had requested a non-uniform day for the children and he hosted a Coffee Morning for staff and parents, both past and present.

Ciaran McAuliffe

Fundraising Day For Skerries RNLI

A fundraising effort in aid of the RNLI Local Lifeboat Volunteers took place the 27th of January in Skerries. Many volunteers were out in different locations around the local area selling RNLI pins for € 2 and all proceeds went in aid of S.O.S. fundraising day. Skerries RNLI are delighted to announce that they now have a new fundraising committee.

Pictured here are George Sweetman and Berry Kavanagh selling pins for the Skerries RNLI.

Red Kites Must Be Protected

The discovery of a ninth dead red kite from illegal poisoning in Co Wicklow recently, has caused anxiety in the North County that the recently released kites may be in danger of being poisoned. The breeding female bird, which had been nesting on a farm near Redcross, Co Wicklow, was found near Brittas Bay recently. Dr Marc Ruddock, Red Kite project manager, told the County Leader that it was “a demoralising loss.”

Downhill All The Way For Swords Girl

Rebecca Power from Swords is an athlete with a very unusual hobby. She is a champion skier, with definite plans for Winter Olympics glory some day. Eleven year old Rebecca, who is a student at St Cronan’s Senior National School in Brackenstown, caught the skiing bug, three years ago on a family skiing holiday in St Johann in Austria. Such was her interest in the sport that she took immediate action when she arrived home. “She told the County Leader, “I joined the ski club of Ireland at Kilternan and they asked me to join the children’s race squad. I was delighted,” she said.

Champion skier, Rebecca Power (11) from Swords is determined to compete in the Winter Olympics for Ireland someday.

Major Tourism Boost For Malahide

County Mayor, Cllr Gerry McGuire and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar T.D. officially marked the start of the new €10 million Malahide Castle and Gardens Redevelopment Project, with a stone plaque unveiling and tree planting ceremony. This €10 million redevelopment project is one of the largest tourism investment initiatives in the country. Up to 100 jobs are supported in the construction phase. When opened, an additional 80 jobs will be provided, and a new operator for the tourism facilities.

County Mayor, Cllr Gerry McGuire officially unveiled a stone plaque, marking the start of the new x10 million Malahide Castle and Garden Redevelopment project. He is pictured here at the unveiling with Minister for Sports and Tourism, Leo Varadkar.

Clarion Hotel Dublin Airport Celebrates 40th Birthday

During the month of February, the Clarion Hotel Dublin Airport celebrates its 40th birthday. Hotel Manager, Lynn Cawley spoke of the many changes throughout the decades that have occurred and fondly remembered past guests and celebrities who have passed through the hotel. “From Jack Charlton along with his green army to Air Force One and its crew, the Clarion has played host to many famous and high profile individuals.” Currently, Lynn and her team look forward to the European Championships and wish Mr Trapattoni and his team every success in the Euros.

Specsavers Opens New Store In Balbriggan

A new Specsavers store has opened in The Millfield Shopping Centre Balbriggan, creating 15 full and part time jobs for the area. The opening marks a significant milestone for the company, as the 40th Specsavers store to open in Ireland since 1991. It is one of two to open in the country this month.

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