Editorial Why Us Advertise Distribution Competitions Photographs Subscribe Careers Tech Data Classifieds Memoriams Prayer Publication

Digital Edition

Local Craft Workers’ American Trade Opportunity

Local craft-workers are being invited to participate in an export trade mission being organised by the The County Enterprise Board. Flying under the Fingal’s Finest banner, the aim is to create new export sales opportunities, which in turn will help the participating businesses to create new jobs. The Ireland Show is one of the biggest ‘Irish’ trade shows in the U.S. and takes place in New Jersey from 21st to 24th April next. Hundreds of buyers from Irish and Celtic Stores from across the USA and Canada will visit the trade show, where North County craft-workers will showcase their products, opening doors to the massive US ‘ethnic Irish’ giftware market.

Boeing Dreamliner Visits Dublin Airport

There was a welter of excitement last Thursday, 26th January, when the new Boeing Dreamliner 787, one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, paid a courtesy call to Dublin Airport. The Dreamliner was here to coincide with an aviation conference in Dublin and was available for prospective purchasers to view.

DAA Communications Manager, Siobhan Moore pictured at the Boeing 787

Swords Students Volunteer For Ugandan Programme

Ten Swords students are leading the way for charitable causes this year with the volunteers edging ever closer to the target needed to embark on a two week trip of a lifetime to Uganda next month. The generous fifth-year-students - from Fingal Community College - have raised an impressive x15,000 for the Uganda Volunteer Programme set up by school teacher Ms Claire Scanlon in conjunction with Nurture Africa and will set off for the African nation on Friday, 10 February.

Ten students from Fingal Community College are set to embark on a two week trip to Uganda next month, a part of Uganda Volunteer Programme. Pictured are volunteers, Rebecca Cooney, Claire Fox, Andy Savage, Calon Dooney, Scott Gaughran, JJ McCormack, Saroja Bhondari, Michael Hayden and Eddie McLoughlin. Missing from the photo is Ciara Masterson.

Swords School Has The X-Factor

The many talents of the pupils of St Colmcille’s Boys National School, Swords were again on display at the X-Factor competition which was held in the school recently. This event which is organised by Ms Audrey Harte, Ms Lisa Hoey and Mr Oliver Fitzmaurice is considered one of the highlights of the school year for all members of the school community. After an exhaustive (and exhausting!) series of auditions, ten acts were selected to appear before a judging panel.

Ethan Willmount who won the recent X-Factor contest.

Chinese New Year Kicks Off In Style

The County Council, in partnership with the Chinese Irish Cultural Academy, celebrated a Dragon Dance, with an Irish touch to mark the Chinese New Year at Newbridge Demesne on Saturday, 21st January last. A programme of Chinese themed events was also launched. Dragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture and the event, attended by County Mayor, Gerry McGuire, featured a specially commissioned dragon recently arrived from China in the colours of the Irish tricolour and carried by 13 people in full festival costume.

Pictured at the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Newsbridge House last week are County Mayor, Gerry McGuire and Councillor Tom O’Leary, with his wife, My Xiaoling and members of the Chinese community in the North County.

The recent Tractor Run in aid of St Francis Hospice was a resounding success. A total of €7,661 was raised and it was presented to Gene Murphy, a volunteer with St. Francis Hospice. Pictured at the presentation of the cheque at Man O'War pub are, L-R Johnny O'Sullivan, Martin McNulty, Barney Greene, Maria Greene and Gene Murphy (St Francis Hospice), in the presence of many wellwishers.

Sadness At Closure Of Iconic Swords Shop

The news that well known Swords fashion and hairdressing shop, Joan van den Maagdenberg has closed it’s doors for the last time, has been greeted with great sadness. The shop, which closed on Tuesday, 31st January was one of the most instantly identifiable retail outlets in the town. Proprietor, Joan van den Maagdenberg was very philosophical when she told the County Leader: “I started in Swords 28 years ago and am 25 years in the present shop. Initially I started work with four people and progressed to 16 only five years ago. I had to cut back on staff and it was particularly difficult to get staff to stay in the past year.

Well known Swords fashion shop, Joan van den Maagdenberg, which closed it's doors for the last time on Tuesday, 31st January.

Irish Paralympic Awards Launched

The OCS Irish Paralympic Awards were formally launched on Friday last, 27th January at OCS headquarters at Airways Industrial Estate by Minister of State for `Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD. The inaugural awards will take place on December 7th, following the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The OCS Irish Paralympic Awards will be the first of it’s kind in Irish Paralympic Sport, honouring the achievements, successes and contributions of the Irish Paralympic team and it’s support network over the London cycle.

Pictured at the official launch of the OCS Irish Paralympic Awards at Airways Industrial Estate are, Gerry McInerney (McInerney Saunders), Steven Whelan (Aviation Director, OCS), Cecil Ryan (MD,OCS Euro), Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD and Denise Molloy (Sales and Marketing Director OCS).

Council In Bind Over Malahide Land

A proposal to lease land at Wheatfield in Malahide to Naomh Mearnog GAA Club and a proposed allotment is to be revisited by local councillors. Instead of asking the council to rubber-stamp the decision, the local area committee requested another opportunity to discuss the plan. Cllr Peter Coyle (Lab) intervened on behalf of the Malahide/Howth Area Committee at a meeting of the full council where that committee’s earlier decision to lease the land was to be rubber-stamped. But Coyle asked that the matter be sent back to the local area committee for further discussion before it was approved by the full council. The plan is for some 1.81 hectares for playing fields for the club to be leased from the council to the Portmarnock club.

Local councillor, Peter Coyle is pictured at the possible new entrance to the allotment and playing field at Wheatfield, Malahide.

Great Year For Balbriggan Cancer Group

Balbriggan Cancer Support Group had a very positive 2011, filled with lots of events and campaigns, such as Balbriggan Summerfest and the BCSG being awarded a plaque from the Irish Cancer Society as the group is now affiliated with the ICS. The biggest achievement of last year was the opening of their new centre at Unit 23 in Balbriggan Industrial Estate on Harry Reynolds Road.

Pictured here are L-R: Sandra Cannon and Tina Kelly from Balbriggan Cancer Support Group.

Black Belt Triumph For Portmarnock Student

Portmarnock Kenpo Karate Club student, Zoe O'Byrne recently received her junior black belt at the recent Irish Kenpo Karate Union grading. The exam was intensive and was two hours in duration. It was attended by member clubs from all over Ireland. Students are expected to display their understanding and technical ability in respect of both the belt they are grading for, in addition to course work for the preceding grades. Zoe was being tested on her knowledge of years of course work, given she was grading for such a high level belt.

Pictured here is Portmarnock Kenpo Karate Club student Zoe O'Byrne. She recently received her junior black belt at the recent Irish Kenpo Karate Union grading.

Art Success For Malahide Lady

Artist, Jacinta Eydan, had much to celebrate recently, as she successfully launched her first ever Cubism art exhibition in Malahide recently. The exhibition which finished last week, featured 14 of the artist’s own paintings which she worked on in the months leading up to the exhibition. Jacinta who currently resides in Malahide, excitedly told the County Leader how delighted she was with her success: “The launch was well attended with 40 - 50 guests arriving to view the paintings. The feedback I got was really positive, everyone seemed to really like the work and I was thrilled with such a positive response.” Surprisingly, Jacinta only started painting three years ago.

Pictured here is artist Jacinta Eydan with her friend Andreas at the recent launch of her Cubism Art Exhibition in Malahide.

Swords Judo Club Sweeps Awards

Swords Judo Club swept the boards at the All-Ireland School Championships recently, proudly bringing home a total of nine medals to the North County. Seven Swords players finished on the podium at the National Dojo in Finglas, where Eddie McLoughlin was particularly outstanding. The Fingal Community College student won the under-55kg gold junior medal, winning all of his fights by ‘Ipon’ total knock-out, as well as a silver at cadet level.

Pictured here is Eddie McLoughlin from Swords Judo Club who won the under-55kg Gold Junior Medal as well as a Silver Medal at cadet level at the recent All Ireland Championships. He is pictured with his Coach Neil MacBradaigh.

Prosper Fingal Further Expansion Planned

Prosper Fingal has been supporting adults with intellectual disability and their families since 1978. Last year, the organisation decided to further expand its provision to the most southern part of the region. In preparation for this planned development in 2012, it took an innovative approach to connecting with the communities of Howth, Sutton and Baldoyle. The organisation hosted its first community information sharing evening on Wednesday, 25th January last. The event, which was attended by a large number of community leaders and activists from a range of groups, took place in the Marine Hotel, Sutton.

Pictured at the community information sharing evening for Prosper Fingal at the Marine Hotel, Sutton last Wednesday, 25th January are, Anne Mulligan (County Council), Geraldine Doyle (Operations Manager, Prosper Fingal), Pat Reen (Director of Services, Prosper Fingal) and Stuart Garland (Fingal Volunteer Centre).

Pyrite Homes May Be Exempt From Charge

Deputy Alan Farrell (FG) has received confirmation that the household charge will be reviewed for pyrite affected homeowners. This comes as a result of the findings of the report issued by the pyrite panel, after raising the proposal during the topical issue debate in the Dail. Farrell said: “Minister Fergus O’Dowd, speaking on behalf of the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan TD, outlined that he will be giving serious consideration to this proposal upon receipt of the report from the established Pyrite Panel.

Special Meeting Of Local Chambers

A special meeting of the boards of the Fingal Dublin Chamber and D15 Chamber was held last week to discuss the proposed changes to the structures of the Chamber. It is hoped that it will help to make them fit for purpose in their new role representing the Fingal Region. A new Board/Council structure is being rolled out at the upcoming AGM and the Chamber will be developing new strategies and policies to improve the value of the Chamber to members.

Facebook Fans and Design Joomla template

News Archive

North County Leader