12-06-2024

Queen Maeve and King Sean lead the way in Dundalk

Strong showing from independents while Sinn Fein stand still

AS ALWAYS during election time, there were winners and losers, cheers and tears, celebrations and post-mortems and of course long long hours of counting and sorting before winners were confirmed.

In Dundalk, Maeve Yore and Sean Kelly were the big winners with Independent councillor Yore topping the poll for a second successive time in Dundalk South with 2150 first preference votes while Fianna Fáil’s Dundalk-Carlingford candidate Sean Kelly topped the poll with 1,828 first preference votes. Kelly was followed home by Sinn Fein councillor Antoin Watters who increased his 2019 vote with 1,723 this time around compared to 1,563 last time around.

One of the biggest success stories from the local elections saw Independent candidate Ciarán Fisher take a seat for the first time as he proved to be very transfer friendly having initialy received 688 first preference

Cllr. Sean Kelly topped the poll in the Dundalk Carlingford LEA. votes. Fisher, a teacher in Coláiste Chú Chulainn, was elected after the 11th count much to the jubilation of his supporters in the count centre in Louth County Hall.

Continued on Page 2

JOB DONE: Cllr. Maeve Yore celebrates with family and friends after topping the Dundalk South poll for a second successive election.

Queen Maeve and King Sean

lead the way in Dundalk

Continued from Page 1

Another independent led the way in Ardee with the popular Jim Tenanty the first man elected after

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Sinn Fein stayed still locally which must have been a disappointment for party members and supporters. The party ran 17 candidates in Louth and a return of seven must have been a disappointment to supporters. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald admitted that the party had run too many candidates in the local elections and expressed her disappointment with the results. The highs of 2014 when the party won 10 seats in Louth have been dampened with Sinn Fein winning seven seats in both 2019 and 2024.

Despite that disappoinment, Sinn Fein will still

have the most councillors in the chamber with seven candidates along with seven independents. This compares to six apiece for Fine Gael, and Fianna Fail. Fianna Fáil in particular must have been very pleased with the results as they returned six councillors from just eight who stood for election. Rounding up the 29 strong newly elected council will be two from Labour and one from the Greens. It was a disappointing weekend for the Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity, with no candidate from either party securing a seat in Louth.

FOUR NEW LOCAL FACES WILL TAKE THEIR PLACES IN CHAMBER FOR FIRST TIME

ELECTIONS GENER-

ALLY see some new blood injected into council chambers although unusually that wasn’t the case in Ardee where the electorate kept faith in the six sitting candidates with Jim Tenanty (IND), Paula Butterly (FG), Pearse McGeough (SF), Dolores Minogue (FG), John Sheridan (FF) and Bernie Conlon (IND) all returning for another five years. Newcomer Rachel Kerley came agonizingly close to upsetting the status quo in Ardee but she fell just a handful of votes short as she was pipped by Bernie Conlon for the sixth and final seat.

In Dundalk-Carlingford we saw two new faces enter the fray with independent candidate Ciáran Fisher enjoying a sensational debut election result as he proved very transfer friendly allowing him to win his seat during count 11. Joining him as a newbie in council chambers will

be Sinn Fein candidate Fiona Mhic Conchoille, from Omeath who benefitted greatly from transfers from unelected party colleagues Sean O’Broin and Kathleen Byrne. Two stalwarts from the chamber won’t be returning with Sinn Fein’s Edel Corrigan not seeking re-election while Fianna Fáil’s Conor Keelan lost out, ending a fifteen year stint working in local government. Keelan started off well with an initial 791 first preference results seeing him in 5th place early on but transfers were not his friend and it became clear by early Sunday evening that his fifteen years in the chamber were about to come to an end, for now.

In Dundalk South there will be two new arrivals into council chamber with Fianna Fáíl’s Shane McGuinness getting elected at the first time of asking after count 11 while Sinn Fein’s Sionainn McCann’s seat was confirmed a count earlier. Robert Nash from Fine Gael was also elected for the first time with the Bay Estate man polling very well in his debut election but he already has experience in the council chamber having been co-opted onto the council last year when Maria Doyle stepped down. Ruairí O’Murchú, Tomas Sharkey and Maria Doyle were elected in 2019 but none of the three will be returning with O Murchú now a sitting TD and his party colleague Sharkey not seeking re-election. Maria Doyle stepped down last year.

The newly elected council will consist of 13 women and 16 men.

Cllr. Robert Nash polled well in his first election.

Cllr. Shane McGuinness (Fianna Fáíl)

Cllr. Ciåran Fisher (Independent)

Cllr. Sionainn McCann (Sinn Fein)

Cllr. Fiona Mhic Conchoille (Sinn Fein)

Estelle to launch debut novel in Roe River Books this Friday

By Tamara O’Connell

A DEBUT novelist from Blackrock is inviting local book lovers to attend Roe River Books on Friday, June 14 to celebrate the launch of her new novel Ravelling.

Mother-of-four Estelle Birdy told the Dundalk Leader that she has always had a love of reading and writing.

“I attended St Oliver Plunkett’s in Blackrock and later went to St Vincent’s Secondary School,” she said.

“By and large I enjoyed my education. I had some great teachers and had lots of friends that I am still close with.

“I studied Law in UCD but I love reading books and writing; I am also a book critic now. In my younger years, I sold jewellery out of a suitcase on Grafton Street.”

She added: “My first proper job was with American Airlines where I worked as a sales agent. I also worked for Citibank and in recruitment.

“I eventually did an MA in Creative Writ-

Estelle Birdy

ing. I had considered training to be a primary school teacher but decided to focus on writing instead.

“It was a real privilege to be accepted on to the course. It helped me a lot to be able to write the Ravelling.”

Estelle continued: “The story is set in The Liberties, near where I live. I’m happy with the final draft. It’s never going to be perfect but that’s the point of the book.”

Ravelling charts the fortunes of a group of five young men, liv-

ing in and around The Liberties area of Dublin 8. It opens as they skip school to attend the funeral of a friend – a homeless man who died by suicide. The story focuses on five main characters: Deano, a weedsmoking hurling star who lives with his aunt in an about-to-be-demolished flat; Hamza, a Pakistani Muslim atheist and precocious academic; Oisín, empathetic to the point of policing how others speak; Congolese nature lover Benit, and

Karl, a maybe-gay fashionista who dreams of something better while immersing himself in his art.

The book covers themes such as parties, their Leaving Certificate, racism, poverty, drugs, violence and Garda harassment, reflecting a multi-cultural Dublin.

Estelle Birdy will be in Roe River Books on Friday, June 14 from 7pm discussing her work with Mark Corcoran from Dundalk Culture Club and attendees.

Oran’s marathon journey to Athens

LOUTH Village man

Oran Colgan will set off on a journey of a lifetime today (Wednesday) with the aim of cycling almost 2000 miles to Athens in Greece. The 22-year old works in The Fairways Hotel in Dundalk and his goal is to try and raise money for

the Irish Red Cross and help their efforts to provide support and relief to those impacted by the war in Gaza.

Oran’s previous longest cycle was from his home in Louth Village to Galway which took him ten hours but the challenge he has set himself

over the next month will make that trip look like a walk in the park giving the almost 2000 miles he will have to travel.

According to Oran he is excited for the challenge ahead and he says he is planning to document his journey at the end of each day via his

social media channels.

“I’m the kind of guy that just gets some mad ideas into my head to try and challenge myself and I suppose this one is the ultimate challenge. I love cycling and before I got my car a few months ago I would have cycled into work in The Fair-

way in Dundalk from Louth Village five or six days a week. A couple of months ago my car was in the garage getting fixed for a few days and I cycled into work again and remembered how much I loved it.

“Around that same time we were getting fed images and videos on the news of the terrible things going on in Gaza and I really wanted to do something to help the humanitarian efforts for the people out there. I decided I would try and cycle across Europe and I wanted an end point where everybody would know so I went for Athens which is kind of apt as it’s where the

marathon was first run and where the Olympic Games first took place.

“I will take the ferry to Holyhead on Wednesday morning before cycling to Dover. From there I will board another ferry to Calais and

then the journey will begin in earnest. The plan is to travel with a tent and each night wherever I am I will pitch a tent and get a few hours rest. I plan on giving updates at the end of each day on TikTok and Instagram offering a first hand look at the impact of everybody’s support towards me. I have set up a Just Giving fundraising page and amazingly I have managed to raise over €2000 already before my journey has even began. People are so kind! I know it won’t be easy and there will be challenges but I’m pretty strong minded so whatever comes my way I’ll face it and get past it. I’ve

giving myself thirty days to do it and have given myself an extra five days as well in case I get into trouble,” explained Oran. My parents have been very supportive and they will be cheering me on from back home. It will be the experience of a lifetime and more importantly I will be raising money for the Irish Red Cross. If I can help even one family over in Gaza I’ll be happy,” he added..

You can follow Oran’s progress by typing in Oran Colgan on either Instagram or TikTok. His Just Giving Page is called Oran’s Fundraiser for Irish Red Cross.

Dundalk school in social justice showcase event

Students from St Vincents Secondary School were involved in Young SVP day last month. The event teaches students abut the social justice issues that face St Vincent de Paul.

STUDENTS from St. Vincent’s Secondary School in Dundalk were among over 300 students involved in a Young SVP day last month.

The event held in Emerald Park in Ashbourne, Co. Meath on 16th May brought together students from schools in the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) North East & Midlands region to learn about social justice issues that face the SVP.

The range of projects that students showcased on the day were about befriending, education, awareness and direct aid.

Hannah Clarke, SVP Regional President said; “It’s important that young people see their ability to make change and make a difference, just like our founder Frederic Ozanam did as a young man.”

On the day the students from St Vincent’s as well as students from schools in counties Cavan, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath were asked to leave their comfort zones and mix with like-minded students from other schools to share ideas and opinions The emphasis was to promote social action and to empower young people to help people in need.

Clodagh Naughton SVP Youth Development Officer for the region said: “I’m thrilled to say that our Regional Youth Day was an amazing showcase of the work the schools, students and teachers had done for SVP. The projects were of a very high standard highlighting the ways they could help in their community.

“Students, teachers, SVP members, volunteers, and staff all really enjoyed the day and are already looking forward to the next Youth Day Event in 2025.”

For further information about the Young SVP Programme contact clodagh.naughton@svp.ie

Oran Colgan.

Sean leads the way in Dundalk Carlingford

FIANNA FAIL Councillor Sean Kelly enjoyed a stress free weekend at Louth County Hall with the Ard Easmuinn man topping the poll in the Dundalk Carlingford LEA. Kelly who was elected for the first time in 2019 said he was delighted to have topped the poll in his second election.

“I was lucky enough to be elected last night (Saturday evening) and I want to thank everybody who voted for me. I know I have worked extremely hard over the past five years for everybody in my electoral area and I think the people who voted for me and helped me top the poll have recognised and supported me for all I have done. I look forward to working just as hard if not even more so for the next five years and I once again thank my team and everybody who voted for me,” stated Sean.

Sinn Fein councillor Antoin Watters topped the poll in 2019 and this time around he came in just behind Kelly as he comfortably retained his seat.

The North Louth man has been a sitting councillor for seven years having been co-opted to replace Jim Loughran in 2017 and he is looking forward to helping the people of North Louth for five more years at least following his re-election.

“Thankfully I had a pretty stress free time of it and I got elected after the first count with more votes than I received in 2019 when I topped the poll. I’m absolutely delighted we got two councillors elected in Dundalk Carlingford and I’d like to welcome my running mate Fiona Mhic Conchoille to Louth County Council. We are both from the same Cumann and we are both really looking forward to getting stuck in and sorting out some of the issues that we have been hearing on the doorsteps during the campaign,” stated Antoin.

Fiona Mhic Conchoille from Omeath will join Antoin in the chamber and the National School Secretary in Scoil Naomh Lorcan said she is looking forward to tackling issues and seeing them through to the end.

One of the most impressive results of the weekend saw Independent candidate Ciarán Fisher get elected after the 11th count. The schoolteacher in Coláiste Chu Chulainn said he ran a guerilla war on a shoe-string budget and he thanked everybody who gave him their vote.

“I’m so privileged that the people of Dundalk have chosen me to represent them. Obviously I was up against it as I don’t have a big political machine behind me but I think my message resonated on the doorsteps and I am looking forward to getting stuck in and doing everything I can to help the people who voted for me. This is all new to me so it will be a steep learning curve but I will dig in straight away and get to work. I will not let down anybody who voted for me,” he stated.

Fine Gael’s John Reilly will return to the chamber after being elected for the first time having been co-opted to Louth Council when John McGahon was elected to the Seanad.

“It was tight in the end but a win is a win as they say. It’s a tremendous honour to get elected and I am humbled and proud that I have been given the chance to work for the great people of Faughart and Kilcurry for five more years. They have shown tremendous faith in me and I won’t let them down, “ he stated.

Fianna Fáil’s Andrea McKevitt will also return to the chamber after she was re-elected following the 12th count in the early hours of Monday morning. One councillor who will not be returning this time around is McKevitt’s party colleague Conor Keelan who was narrowly edged out. The Dowdallshill man had been an ever present in the chamber since he was first elected in 2009 and he holds the unique honour of holding the chains of Dundalk Town Council, the Municipal District and Louth County Council. He thanked everybody who supported him over the past 15 years as a councillor and said it was an honour to serve them.

Tenanty leads the way in Ardee as old guard remain in place

INDEPENDENT candidate Jim Tenanty led the way in the Ardee Electoral Area with the publican and undertaker becoming the first candidate in Ardee to be elected, taking the seat with 1,468 votes after the 9th count.

I would like to sincerely thank every single person who voted for me. I am overwhelmed with the result,” stated Tenanty “A special thanks and congratulations to my fellow Independent Councillors Kevin Callan and Declan Power who have supported me and pushed me throughout my campaign. Thank you again to the people of Ardee and Mid-Louth for showing their confidence in me,” he added.

Sinn Fein’s Pearse McGeough followed Tenanty home shortly afterwards with the Kilsaran man taking his seat for a fifth time having first been elected twenty years ago in 2004. Speaking after it was confirmed he had kept his seat he thanked everybody who had helped him during his campaign.

“I am absolutely delighted and feel privileged to serve the great people of Ardee and Mid-Louth for five more years. I want to thank my running mate Kitty Colbert who ran a great campaign and who was unlucky not to get in. I also want to thank my team and all who voted for me. I will do all in my power to help make things better in Ardee and Mid Louth,” he

promised.

Fianna Fail candidate John Sheridan will return for another five years after finally hearing his name called in the early hours of Monday morning. There was never really any doubt that Sheridan would retain his seat but he had to remain patient during a slow moving day at the count centre in Dundalk on Sunday.

Last year’s poll topper Dolores Minogue had a more anxious weekend at the count centre this time around but with the clock approaching 3am on Monday morning she was finally declared elected alongside her Fine Gael running mate Paula Butterly. Fine Gael had hoped to get three candidates elected and were very close to achieving that

goal but newcomer Rachel Kerley was left disappointed as she lost out at the death to Independent candidate Bernie Conlon who edged the final seat by less than thirty votes.

The six elected candidates in Ardee remain the same with two from Fine Gael, two independents and one each from Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein.

Officials hard at work at the count on Saturday afternoon.

VOTES

VOTES

Vote magnet Maeve tops the poll again

INDEPENDENT

councillor Maeve Yore topped the poll in Dundalk South for the second successive time with the Avenue Road vote magnet taking the first seat with a surplus of 637 votes. This was Yore’s third time getting elected on to Louth County Council and the second time in succession that she has topped the poll. Speaking after her re-election, Yore put her popularity at the polling station down to good old-fashioned hard work and integrity.

“I love representing the people of Dundalk South and I think they appreciate that I speak up for them and put my head above the parapet on occasion even if it makes me unpopular with my colleagues in the chamber. I work very hard and I take integrity very seriously.

“I have a great team behind me as well and I want to thank every one of them who helped me canvas the whole length and breadth of Dundalk South. I proved once again that you don’t need posters to get re-elected

and hopefully that message will get through to other councillors for future elections. I’ll enjoy this victory tonight but the hard work starts again tomorrow,” stated Maeve.

Fine Gael’s Robert Nash was the second person to be elected with his 1515 votes enough to see him elected on the 7th count. The firefighter from Bay Estate was contesting his first election having been co-opted onto the council following Maria Doyle’s decision to step down last year.

Nash, a great grandson of the well known Fine Gael politician James ‘Duker’ Coburn, who was one of the founders of Fine Gael, polled well in his debut election but said he had to grind it out to get over the line.

“I’m absolutely delighted and I thank the people of Dundalk South for putting their faith in me. I had to grind it out for the extra 200 votes needed but it’s a great feeling to be in on merit now and to have been elected by the

people,” he stated. Sinn Fein held on to their two seats in Dundalk South with veteran campaigner Kevin Meenan getting re-elected for the first time since 2014 having stepped down on health grounds in 2017. He returned to the chamber in 2020 when he was co-opted on to the council when Ruairi Ó Murchú was elected as

TD. Joining him in the council chamber will be his party colleague Sionainn McCann who was elected shortly after Meenan on the 10th count. Tomás Sharkey had held a seat in Dundalk South for over 20 years but his retirement paved the way for McCann to take his place.

Fianna Fáil also took two seats in Dundalk South with Emma

Coffey getting reelected while her new party colleague Shane McGuinness, chairman of Haggardstown Tidy Towns, was elected in his debut campaign. Marianne Butler will fly the flag for the Green Party in Co. Louth alone as she retained her seat in Dundalk South getting elected on the 11th count.

Cllr. Maeve Yore celebrates topping the poll with husband Martin.

Cara Cancer Support Centre Charity shop celebrates first birthday

THERE WERE great celebrations as the Cara Cancer Support Centre in Dundalk celebrated the first birthday of their charity shop in 3-4 Williamson’s Place last Friday.

Cara Cancer Care Centre opened up their doors for the first time just over ten years ago when when a group of people who had all been affected in some way by cancer decided that they wanted to try and offer the people of the local community the chance to avail of support here on their doorstep. The charity began life at 7 Williamson’s Place where they provided a range of services including one-to-one counselling, reflexology, spiritual healing as well as group therapies including taichi, crochet and knitting and yoga.

As the service got more popular the charity moved a few doors down to 3-4 Wiliamson’s Place and the bigger space allowed the group to expand their services by opening up a charity shop which happened last June with long term volunteer Geraldine Bond cutting the ribbon to signal the open-

ing of the new shop.

Speaking last Friday morning Geraldine told the Dundalk Leader that she was delighted with how well received the shop had been over the past year and she thanked everybody who had donated items for the shop over the past twelve months.

“I’ve been working in the shop for the past twelve months and I love it. I love the chats and it’s great to see people come in and pick up a bargain while also helping the Cara Cancer Care Support Centre” stated Geraldine.

“We get lots of donations throughout the week and we sell them in the shop which is opened from 10pm-4pm Monday to Saturday. We have two volunteers come in to work in the morning and then two more in the afternoon. We accept all donations of good quality clothing, footwear and jewellery or bric-a-brac. I enjoy giving my time to such a worthy cause and I get a lot more back from the experience,” added Geraldine.

Louth Contemporary Music Society will bring ‘Lovely Music’ to town this weekend

LOVELY MUSIC.

Would that be Tchaikovsky? Not exactly, as the Louth Contemporary Music Society will be demonstrating in Lovely Music, their annual midJune festival. There’ll be operas whose characters seem to be talking in their sleep, divulging their dreams and fears. Other voices will chant the sun in a ritual of love and joy. A violinist and a percussionist will take off for an intimate dialogue. Other musicians will, with Irish voices, sound out traces of traditional music from Southern Egypt. Lovely, perhaps, but also unexpected and vital.

“Lovely Music” originated as the ironic, combative title that Mimi Johnson, a New York agent, chose in 1978 for a record label she founded to feature composers she represented. One of them was her husband, Robert Ashley, who was starting work on television operas that investigate the benumbed anxieties of people out of soaps realising they are adrift from reality. Rarely presented in Europe, two of these haunt-

ing entertainments will be performed in Dundalk by the specialist Varispeed Collective. Ashley’s mesmerizing final work Crash opens the festival at the An Táin Arts Centre at 8 p.m. on Friday June the 14th, followed by The Bar at the appropriate venue of the Spirit Store the next day at 5pm. The Varispeed Collective will be joined by their Irish colleagues at the Spirit Store: Sean Carpio, Caoimhe Hopkinson and Steve Welsh. Events on that afternoon of Saturday the 15th begin at 1pm. in the Chapel at St Vincent’s, where the violinist Larissa O’Grady and the percussionist Caitríona Frost set out on Linda Catlin Smith’s Dirt Road. “I imagined”, says the composer, “the two instruments as two travelers, moving along a simple landscape, with all of its slight or grand changes.”

Move to St Nicolas Church of Ireland by 3 for Escalay (The Waterwheel) by Hamza El Din, a player on the oud (Arabian lute) who moved to California in the early 60’s and had a powerful

effect on US musicians from the Grateful Dead to Steve Reich. This piece

turns at first with the steady purposefulness of the irrigation machine after which it is named, before gathering energy and excitement. Appropriately, Rihab Azar, oud player from Syria with two outstanding exponents of Irish traditional music , Zoë Conway and Inni-k—will provide the power.

Finally, after a stop at the bar for The Bar, the scene shifts back to St Nicolas Church, where the crack New

1-Which two countries have the longest shared international border?

2-Ciara Mageean won a gold medal for Ireland on Sunday evening at the European Athletics Championships. What county does Ciara hail from?

3-Who, in 1903, was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize?

4-How many local electoral areas are there in the Louth constituency?

5-In which city is the Sistine Chapel?

Louth Local Elections

Vocal Soloists of Stuttgart perform Karlheinz Stockhausen’s exuberant Stimmung for six voices. Having explored whole new worlds of noisemusic and extreme harmony, Stockhausen in 1968 rediscovered pure consonance in this celebration of togetherness and bliss. Very 1968. Necessary still. Funded by the Arts Council and Create Louth. Supported by RTÉ Supporting the Arts www.louthcms.org

6-Whose sidekick was named Mini-Me?

7-Before becoming James Bond, Pierce Brosnan starred for five years on what TV series?

8-What is the word for an individual piece of spaghetti? (Spaghetti is plural)

9-In Irish politics what do Nicholas Robinson, Martin McAleese and Sabina Coyne have in common?

10-What does the T in NATO stand for?

The Stinker: The Overlook Hotel was

Grainne Duffy, Josephine Mulholland, Bernie King, Geraldine Bond, Eileen Connolly and Carmel Nulty who all volunteers in the shop.

The composer Robert Ashley.

SF’s Kevin Meenan elected in Dundalk South.

Cllr John Reilly was elcted in Dundalk Carlingford for FG.

SF’s Antoin Watters delighted after re-election.

Andrea McKevitt and Sean Kelly were both re-elected.

FF Cllr John Sheridan (dark navy suit jacket) with family and ftiends after getting elected in teh early hours of Monday morning.

SF’s Pearse McGeough returns for a fifth time.

Fun filled day of creativity in Louth for Cruinniú na nÓg 2024

CRUINNIÚ na nÓg, an annual day of free creativity for children and young people, takes place this year on Saturday, June 15th. The national programme of events is funded by Creative Ireland, and the Louth programme is delivered by Louth County Council and the Louth Creative Ireland Culture Team.

The Cruinniú na nÓg programme encourages children to embrace their creativity and get involved in Arts and cultural activities. All events are free of charge and there are creative workshops, performances and activities for all to enjoy right across the county. There will also be a display of winning entries and other submissions from the Cruinniú na nÓg county-wide art competition, WOWTH! at Dundalk Library on the day.

NORTH LOUTH

CARLINGFORD

In Carlingford, artist Leonora Reilly will lead a Plein-Air painting workshop and a Monster Doodle and storytime will take place at Carlingford Library. Meanwhile in Lordship, a summer-themed art workshop will take place at Pebble Lane Studios with artist Helen Mortimor.

Dundalk – Market Square will be a hive of activity, with a fun filled day of adventure and creativity guaranteed! There will be giant mural workshops, spray painting sessions, a popup escape room, puppet shows and AAEX teens will host stop motion

workshops. Creative Spark Fab Lab will also be there with their highly successful outdoor playground and shape construction which was a huge success last year. Down the street at An Táin Arts Centre, a variety of workshops will be on offer on creative mindfulness, film making, podcasting and storytelling as well as drumming workshops with one specifically for children with sensory needs.

Over in Dundalk Library there will be Lego workshops on building your own car and making Lego jewellery, and a special parent and baby messy play workshop with Beyond the Bump to make sure our littlest citizens can also get involved in the day’s activities. Mess Chef will host a baking workshop with Coxes Demesne Youth and Community Project, encouraging young bakers in this group to get messy and enjoy delicious treats. Bridge Street Studios will host a day of creative workshops on pottery, watercolours, and a variety of other artistic techniques with their expert team of tutors at their studios. Artist Olga Duka will host art workshops at Craobh Rua, Muirhevnamor where young artists are invited to design a mythical fern flower.

M.A.D. Youth Theatre encourage teenagers to come to their theatre space in Earl Street to try out drama techniques with their team of tutors where fun is guaranteed! Finally, a Maritime Mys-

tery Trail starting and ending at County Museum awaits junior detectives who have the savvy to solve the mystery!

Under the Night Time Economy fund from Creative Ireland, Dundalk Youth Centre and Dundalk Outcomers have teamed up to participate in a variety of workshops including mural design and creation with Omin, drumming workshops with Daire Stanley and screen printing for merchandise design with Gráinne Murphy at Creative Spark. On June 15th, the mural painted at the newly renovated Outcomers centre will be unveiled, and a live performance of local teenage bands will take place in the Spirit Store that night.

MID-LOUTH ARDEE

Dee Hub hosted a special workshop in May with the Rhyme Island Team who worked with members of the New Leaf programme to devise their very own rap song. Participants had a fun filled day learning all about this genre of music, and the highly anticipated premiere of their music video will be launched on social media on Cruinniú day so watch this space!

Ardee Library will also host a Creative Waste Reuse Workshop with the Rediscovery Centre and artist Shauna Swords will lead a series of wildlife-themed art workshops, and the beautiful collaborative creations from these workshops will be displayed in Ardee Library afterwards for

Last year’s Cruinniú na

was

all to enjoy.

DUNLEER

A needle felting workshop led by Jenni Kilgallon will take place at Dunleer Library for ages 12-18. Participants will make their very own felt creations to take home on the day.

DROMISKIN

A wonderful immersive cookery workshop takes place at Bothairín Garden and Cookery in Dromiskin for children aged 6-12. At this event, children will learn to create a variety of sweet and savoury treats and will also get to spend time in the vegetable garden, if the weather permits, to learn more about growing food.

Supported by a partnership of local organisations including the Drogheda Night Time Economy Adviser; Boomerang Youth Café’s ‘Basement Sounds’, Droichead Art Centre and Bru Digital Hub Drogheda, The Abbey Microfest promises an unforgettable celebration of creativity, community, and youthful energy.

nÓg

enjoyed by many children around the county. This Saturday sees the start of this yar’s event.

The Dance Kids Proudly Present ‘Summer Madness’

AN TÁIN Arts Centre is the place to be on Sunday the 16th of June when the Dance Kids unveil their latest show ‘Summer Madness’.

Never one’s to sit still; the Dance Kids have been rehearsing for ‘Summer Madness’ since January and have promised that this year’s show will be the perfect event for all the family, with performances to suit all ages.

The talented dancers aged from just four years of age are promising to stage a ‘show-stopping performance’ of the classic Disney film, ‘The Little Mermaid’ as well as many favourites from ‘Moana’ and ‘Footloose’.

The night of entertainment will also include hit songs from ‘Steps’ and ‘Girls Aloud’ to name just a few. If that wasn’t enough, An Táin Arts Centre will be trans-

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formed into East High School where the cast of ‘High School Musical’ take to the stage to perform the most popular songs from the hit movie.

“We are so excited about this year’s show ‘Summer Madness’,” said Freda Hearty. “Everyone has worked so hard and we can’t wait to show off these fantastic kids on stage once again. After the tremendous success of our sold-out Christmas show, ‘Summer Madness’ is going to be the show of the year and is not to be missed. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

‘Summer Madness’ takes place in An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk, on Sunday the 16th of June at 2pm and 7pm and is not to be missed. Book your tickets today at An Táin Arts Centre box office on 042 9332332 or antain.ie

Freedom and the Gun by

Sean Brannigan

What happens when the killing and the massacres are done in your holy land of corpses, Cain and Abel, murder sons ? Freedom, you are stillborn when you’re fathered by the gun. Midday in the West Bank more land is occupied. With sticks and stones as weapons young Arab boys defy the settlers with their bull whips who advance and grab at will protected by their soldiers with orders ‘shoot to kill’.

Riding on a crowded bus Jerusalem after dawn a prisoner of religion in a vest with hidden bombs.

As the red horizon spreads it’s fingers from the shore in the blast that follows more innocent blood pours.

What happens when the killing and the massacres are done in your holy land of corpses,

Cain and Abel, murder sons ? Freedom, you are stillborn when you’re fathered by the gun.

A dance party, a kibbutz happy people in a music spell. Through nearby broken fences came the messengers of hell. Following the slaughter revenge now falls like rain. My children ask me questions and I just can’t explain.

I stare blindly at the window feeling sadness, anger, shame, thinking history teaches nothing except whose god is to blame.

A radio is blaring from a car that passes by on the news it says “in Gaza 40,000 have now died”.

What happens when the killing and the massacres are done in your holy land of corpses, Cain and Abel, murder sons ? Freedom, you are stillborn when you’re fathered by the gun.

Wheelie Bins

Dance Kids new show takes place this Sunday.

FAMILY NOTICES

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past

I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail). F.M.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail) K.K.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past

I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail).

S.K.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail) M.E.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail).

M.S.

NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I asked you for many favours

This time, I ask for this special favour (mention it). Take it, dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart, where your Father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes, it will become your favour, not mine.

Amen. Say this prayer for 3 days. Promise publication and favours will be granted. (Never known to fail) B.L.

SEEK Festival in full swing

THE SEEK Festival in Dundalk is in full swing and Mister Copy who created the magnificent mural of Setanta last year in Church St. has returned and replaced his original mural with a stunning new version of Setanta complete with knights on horses in the background. Last years version saw a young Setanta flanked by the fierce dog owned by Culann who he killed in self-defence by driving a sliotar down the dog’s throat with his hurley. In the mythological tale Setanta offered to take the place of the dog until a new one could be reared and thus he became the “Hound (cú) of Culann”. This year’s version sees an older Setanta but the detail from Mister Copy is no less spectacular and the mural has already attracted a huge amount of positive reviews both online and on the street.

Mister Copy (or Michael as he is known to his parents!) was born and raised in the vibrant and diverse city of Johannesburg, South Africa. He fell in love with the art form of graffiti, and started spray painting illegally on the streets. Now based in Paris, France, he mainly focus on photo-realism, and in particular “Mod-

ATTENTION LANDLORDS We supply furniture & Beds for any rental properties you have. Beds from €180, Bedroom Furniture Sets from €249 Call us today www. bedstore.ie , Coes Rd, Dundalk Tel 042 932 0927

SELL IT THROUGH A CLASSIFIED. Only €5 for one week up to 20 words. 042 93 20888. The Dundalk Leader

Special Services

CHIMNEY & STOVE CLEANING – Tel Paul McArdle 042 933 2491 / 087 666 0094

CHIMNEY CLEANER - The Clean sweep, clean & tidy, no dust. Brush & Vac. Also gutter cleaning. Contact - Cathal 087-2259799

ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICE to over 60,000 readers for only €5 per week up to 20 words Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888

WE CAN DISTRIBUTE your leaflets from €75 + vat per thousand Phone Dundalk Leader 042 932 0888

GRIMLEY’S DUBLIN ST. DUNDALK—

Televisions, TV aerials, satellite, Freeview & Saorview, new installations, sales, service & repairs. Free estimates 042 935 4343.

DUNDALK GARDEN SERVICES – Tree topping, felling, hedge trimming, grass cutting & strimming. RUBBISH REMOVALS –Garage clearance, House & Garden refuse. Permit holder. Contact : Ben 085-840-7707

FORTUNE TELLER - Available for appointment, private or group bookings. Tel. Alison 042 933 5102 or 087-67-51229

ROOF LEAKS MASTER : We repair all types of roof: tile, slate, bangor blues. Repair torch on roofs, scrape & clean, chimneys & chimney pots, chimney bird guards, gutter facia & soffits. All work guaranteed, 25 years experience. Tel. 086 8184827

CARPENTRY & JOINERY, maintenance and repairs, roofing, 1st & 2nd fix carpentry, sash window repairs. No job too big or small. Contact Seandon Carpentry 087 298 5110

MOBILE HOME TRANSPORT : Transported throughout 32 Counties. Contact : Eugene 086-607-1702

CARPET & OVEN CLEANING : Carpet, upholstery & specialist oven cleaning available. Call MVI Cleaning Dundalk on 042 94 21300 or visit www.mvicleaning.ie

GARDENS/POWER WASHING - one stop garden service, large & small lawn cutting, strimming, hedges, tidy-ups, power washing, clearances. Contact Will’s Services 085860-4048

BUILDER & HOME MAINTAINENCE

Building, Woodwork, Painting, Plumbing, Tiling, Kitchen Refurbishments, Paving & Fencing. No job to big or too small. Tel. 087 295 2529

PAINTING AND DECORATING – No job too small, keen rates, Dundalk & surrounding areas, estimates free. Phone 086 3848079

CARPENTRY/BUILDING SERVICES –

Over 20 years experience. No job too big or too small. Available services – Doors, Frames, Floors, Skirting, Architraves, Walls, Built in Units, Fencing/Gates, Plaster boarding and Roofing Services. Complete renovations carried out. Contact Mark 086 0895508

MAN WITH A VAN. Hedges, tree topping, painting, facia & Soffit, patios, concreting, garage clear-outs, outside taps. Call Kevin for a free & honest quote 089-4016728

ALL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE services carried out. Roof repairs, Plumbing, Painting & Decorating, Wall & Floor tiling, All outdoor work, Paving & Fencing, Power washing. Call Gerry your local man 087 6461556 or 042 9327241 after 6pm

PAINTING SERVICES available, interior and exterior, sprayed and hand painted kitchens, all work carried out by professional trades men Also available for Power washing. Tel Brian 087 7558506

CHARA COUNSELLING, 20 years’ experience, currently taking appointments. Supporting you with emotional intelligence for relationship issues, your mental health, grief, all addictions & past traumas. For a strictly private consultation call Martin today on 083 3402766.

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE—Repairs, building, plumbing, painting, roof repairs, tiling, bathroom refurbishments, plastering, gardening, power washing, PVC facia and soffits, Over 20 yrs experience. References available. Whatsapp or Tel 085-7623758 for quotation.

CARPENTER, fully qualified available for all aspects of carpentry. Tv units, paneling, doors or floors call James on 0871833091

LOCAL PAINTERS & DECORATORS AVAIL-

ABLE All types of painting & decorating done to the highest of standards, no job to big or to small, we also do shops/offices and can work out of hours to avoid any disruption or inconvenience to the day to day running of your business ,call 085 1588667, or get us on Facebook @ Budget painters Decorators

STOP SMOKING also quit gambling, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, weight loss and vaping. Facebook: denismcloughlinhypnotheraphy , www.denismcloughlin. com or Tel 087 7838780

LOCAL POWER WASHING – No job too big or too small. Patios, driveways, walls, also grass cutting, gutter cleaning and furniture removals, recycling or rubbish removals. Contact James 0862086141 for free quotation

TAKE THE HASSLE out of your garden. I do it all. Grass cutting, strimming, hedge cutting, weeding, fencing, wall painting, power washing, gutter cleaning and general DIY. Tel Catriona 087 3172109

LANDSCAPING, flower beds tided up, outdoor cleaning, patios, footpaths, walls, general property maintenance, exterior painting of fences, gates, walls, etc and decking cleaned. Dundalk & District. Tel. Jim 086 3818184.

DMC GARDEN maintenance services. Weekly/fortnightly lawn mowing services available. Hedge , shrub trimming and Shaping. Weeding, spraying, strimming. Full garden clean up and all waste removed. Free quote. Keen rates. Please contact 087 7019178

CLASSES & COURSES

GET FIT THE FUN WAY and learn to dance, the Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot and Jive, now taking place in the Lisdoo, Dundalk Tuesday’s from 8pm – 10pm, no partner required. First wedding dance lessons and private lessons also available. Contact 086 357 3271 for further information.

DRUM LESSONS INCLUDING BODHRAN. For adults & children aged 8 years upwards. One to one lessons. Phone 087 414 4228. WEEKLY SEWING CLASSES ongoing at Northlink Retail Park, you can join in any time, for enquiries please call or WhatsApp Elizabeth on 0872649221 or visit www. djk-creations.com

FRENCH SPEAKER. Qualified teacher from France available to give grinds for Junior and Leaving Certificate students. €40 for 30 mins. Will travel anywhere in the Dundalk area. Call Roy on 0899835254. KIDS FUN WEEK by Lighthouse Church 1st – 5th July in Dundalk. Crafts, activities & more. Ages 4-12. Only 15 per child for the week. Contact Rebeca for details 085 1207495

ern Mythology” where he focuses on ancient tales of Gods and Goddesses from differnt cultures around the world. This year marks the 6th annual SEEK Urban Arts Festival and it has become a highly anticipated event in the street art calendar. The festival’s humble origins as a creative regeneration project demonstrate how art can be a powerful tool for revitalising town centres, fostering community pride, celebrating local culture and attracting visitors. Town Centre Commercial Manager, Martin McElligott explained “As always, the source

of inspiration for each piece will be Dundalk’s rich history and heritage. We are very excited about the new themes chosen this year, as well as revisiting and reimagining some of the older ones. Street art is characterised by its transient nature, which contrasts with the more permanent forms of traditional art. It is also influenced by factors such as weather and pollution, and with passage of time these environmental factors contribute to degradation.”

ROOFING AND BUILDING contractor available. Repairs and new builds. Fully insured. Contact Mark Carney on 087 1302040 for enquiries.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE - Hedge cutting, Lawn cutting, Powerwashing, fencing. Slabs laid. Contact Brian 086-1097358

FIFI’S ALTERATIONS Longwalk S.C. (formerly A-Alterations) Tel 083 011 8728. Zips, hems, clothes taken in or let out, also Dry Cleaning Service. Open Mon – Fri 9.30 – 5.30pm & Sat 10-2pm WATCH REPAIRS. Mechanical/Quartz (battery) and Vintage. In our own workshop. Most brands – Cartier, Longines, Omega, Revue, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Citizen & more, also Jewellery repairs. Goldstar Jewellers, Demesne Shopping Centre Dundalk Tel. 042 93 39478. Please note, we do not repair Clocks.

ANAM CARA HEALING -- Holistic company providing Psychic Tarot Reading, Reiki, Crystal Therapy and Aromatherapy. Phone for appointments 0864591226 or visit www.anamcarahealing.ie”

SIMON’S GARDENS. Grass cutting & general gardening services contact Simon 086 3004930

a

contact 00447933

NOVENA NOVENA NOVENA

Mural of Setanta on Church Street. Pic Credits: Anthony O’Hagan.

Mister Copy

Cuchulainn Camera Club

End of Year Awards 2024

Freddie McArdle AIPF, Lisa McArdle and Declan Gernon LIPF, receiving their PSA Awards (Photographic Society of America), with Declan receiving a Certificate of Merit and Freddie and Lisa both receiving a Certificate of HM.

Paul Harmon LRPS receiving his PSA Award (Photographic Society of America) from Declan Gernon LIPF.

Joe McArdle receiving his Bronze Medal from Freddie McArdle AIPF for the nonadvanced Monochrome image.

Sandra Bowman receiving Trophy for non-advanced Photographer of the Year from Freddie. Sandra also received two further gold medals for her efforts.

Lisa McArdle receiving a Silver Medal for the non-advanced Colour image and a Silver Medal for the non-advanced Monochrome image.

Lisa McArdle receiving her PSA Award (Photographic Society of America) from Declan Gernon LIPF.