Major Cycling Plan For Skerries

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:17

The County Council appears to have won an award for a pilot project for the development of a cycling network in Skerries town. At a meeting of the Transportation Strategic Policy Committee last week, the County Council revealed that it was close to completing negotiations with the Department of Transport for funding under the Smarter Travel Projects Fund.

The fund targets cycling development throughout the country. The award is approximately three quarters of a million euro and the Council has agreement in principle from the Department of Transport for this funding, subject to signing contracts and fulfilling certain legalities. This development will facilitate access by bicycle to schools, shops, the Townpark and the train station. This report was completed with the co-operation of the Skerries Cycling Initiative. A second element of the council’s plan envisages a pro-cycling and pro-walking upgrade of the R127 Skerries-Balbriggan road, via Barnageeragh.

Airport Celebrates 70th Anniversary

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:14

Dublin Airport celebrated 70 years in operation on the anniversary of the first commercial flight on 19th January, 1940. The airport was officially opened, when an Aer Lingus Lockheed 14 aircraft departed Dublin for Liverpool. Collinstown Airport, as it was known then, had just one flight a day to Liverpool. Just over 248 million passengers have travelled through Dublin Airport since that first flight took off in 1940. The architect of the then, new terminal building, was Desmond Fitzgerald, an elder brother of former Taoiseach, Dr. Garret Fitzgerald.

Pictured is Kinsealy resident, Denis Murray, who has 34 years of service at the airport

Elaine Brennan married William Owens originally from Church Road in Malahide recently. The newly weds celebrated with a reception at the Kilkenny River Court Hotel.

Swords Signing On Must Be Reversed

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:04

Local Senator, Brendan Ryan (Lab), has said that the fact that people from Swords and Donabate must sign on in the city centre is an absolute disgrace. He is calling on the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to reverse this outrageous decision.

The Swords Local office is now spread out between the new office in the Credit Union on North Street, the portacabins on the Malahide Road and now the old North Cumberland St. Social Welfare office as well.

Decision on Ward Hunt Imminent

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:00

The next few weeks will be crucial in the future of the Ward Union Hunt, the Secretary of the hunting union said recently. The Ward Union Hunt met with it’s members on January 17th in a meeting that aimed to continue the drive to prevent the government’s plan to abolish the 156 year-old hunt.

Bracken Boxing Club Gala Event

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:58

Bracken Boxing Clubwill be hosting a gala boxing tournament in the Milestown Inn in Balbriggan on January 29th. The tournament will be made up of 14 bouts that will see competitors from the Bracken club compete against boxers from Wales. The tournament will kick off at 8pm and locals are invited to come along and support the event.

Rush Society Performs Classic

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:53

Just over 100 years since the death of one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights, Rush Dramatic Society will stage J.M. Synge’s classic The Playboy of the Western World. Directed by Seán Corcoran, this exciting production will open its doors to the public on Wednesday the 27th January.

Fingal Community College students: Oscar Kwok, Laura Doyle, Niall Cleary and Jason Bajarias entered projects into this year's Young Scientist Exhibition.

Swords Lions Celebrate 25 Years

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:33

Swords Lions Club marked the 25th Anniversary of its foundation at a function in the Clarion Hotel on Saturday 23 January 2010.

Swords Lions Club is part an international network of 1.3 million men and women who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities across the world.

John Daly, EBS and Peter O'Donovan, Team Manager, were pictured at the presentation of jerseys to the under 13 football and hurling squad at Naomh Mearnog.

Students from Ardgillan Community College: Ralva Kidukula, Taofeeqat Olanlokun and Patrick Kilpatrick achieved great success in this years BT Young Scientist and Technology exhibition picking up two award for their project called, "A natural alternative in increasing skid resistance on our roads , a scientific study".

Concern Over Coastal Erosion

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:12

Derek Evans points to the pathway on Portrane beach which is on the verge of being swept away through coastal erosion.
The harsh winter weather appears to be taking a toll on the coastline of parts of the North County. Concerned Swords man, Derek Evans is a regular walker along Portrane beach and recently he noticed an alarming deterioration in the condition of the beach. Derek explained to the County Leader, “A footpath was constructed by the Council some time ago which made walking here pleasurable. However, bit by bit, the pathway is getting nearer to the sea, and will eventually will be swept away, unless the council do something about it”, he said

Third Level College To Come To Balbriggan

Monday, 25 January 2010 13:06

Cllr. Tom. O’Leary has welcomed the County Council’s plans for a third level college in Balbriggan in the new development plan issued last Friday. “Balbriggan is a strategic growth town and will need a 3rd level educational facility to service the projected employment opportunities that may become available in the near future”, said Cllr. O’Leary.

Chris and Patricia Denison were pictured at their wedding reception in Swords on January 15.

Rallying Call For Horticulture

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:58

Local man, P.J Jones, who recently resigned his position as National Fresh Produce Co-ordinator for the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), has called for a meeting of local horticultural growers next week. His reason for resigning was that he

felt horticulture was not getting its fair share of representation within

the IFA.

Former I.F.A. National Fresh Produce Co-Ordinator, PJ Jones pictured in the offices of North County Leader last Thursday

Malahide School Prepares For Musical

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:57

Transition Year students from Malahide Community School are getting ready for their musical “Return to the Forbidden Planet”. The plot follows the crew of a routine survey flight under the command of Captain Tempest. Their spaceship is drawn mysteriously to the planet D’Illyria where mad scientist, Doctor Prospero and his lovely daughter Miranda are marooned.

New Healthcare College Launched In Swords

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:50

Last Thursday saw the official launch of the National College Of Healthcare Education in Applewood Village, Swords.

The college will deliver a number of healthcare courses ranging from nursing home health care skills and CPR and defibrillator training to occupational first aid was launched by Aine Brady TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion.

Reilly Highlights Bed Crisis

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:46

Local Fine Gael TD, Dr James Reilly, has released new figures showing bed days lost due to delayed discharges. They show 50,000 more bed days were lost in 2009 than 2008. Dr Reilly said the number of bed days lost due to delayed discharges has increased by 65 per cent since 2007.

Malahide ESB Problem To Cost One Million

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:29

Local Fianna Fáil TD, Michael Kennedy, met officials from ESB to discuss the recent power failures in North County Dublin and to get an update on the proposed works planned for the area to rectify the issue.

During discussions with a number of ESB personnel, Kennedy highlighted the many power failures experienced by residents in Kinsealy, Drynam Hall, Malahide and Portmarnock.

Irish School Under Consideration

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:26

Minister for Food & Horticulture and local T.D.,Trevor Sargent, has requested his government colleague, Mr Batt O’Keeffe, T.D., Minister for Education and Science, to assist with the provision of a new Irish language post-primary school in North County Dublin to reflect the number of Irish language medium primary schools now operating in the area.

Balbriggan Photography Club Back In Action

Monday, 25 January 2010 12:26

The Balbriggan Photographic Club is back meeting every second Saturday in Ardgillan Castle from 2:15 to 4:20pm. Anyone with an interest in getting involved in the photography club is welcomed to attend and can contact Frances on 8412762