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27th November 2012 • Volume 19, Issue 38 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Residents Urged To Shop Local This Christmas The busy Christmas season is well and truly underway here in the North County. As we approach a crucial time of year for our businesses and retailers, the local Chambers of Commerce are actively encouraging all Christmas shoppers to support their local community and buy their gifts close to home.
By Jennifer McShane This is expected to be a real boost for the local retail trade over the festive season. Consumers nationwide are expected to shell out millions in the run up to Christmas, which sparks a change in our more recent shopping trends. The County Leader contacted the local Chambers of Commerce and they all passionately spoke of the importance of shopping around your home town this Christmas. There is, they say, “no substitute to shopping locally.” Fingal Dublin Chamber CEO, Tony Lambert was eager to stress the hugely important aspect of shopping locally this Christmas. “Shopping locally is vital for our community,” he said. “The more demand there is is for local shops, the more jobs that will be created. I would encourage all who live and work in the area, to shop local whenever possible to help and support the creation of local jobs.” Kevin Tolan, President of Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce was also eager to emphasise the importance of shopping in your local town during the busy period, particularly because the new year can be a quiet time of year for many businesses. “Balbriggan Chamber of Commerce feel that it is important for consumers to shop locally especially at Christmas time. Retail outlets, in particular, rely on the Christmas period to help them through the traditionally quieter period that follows in the early new year.” While the Balbriggan Chamber do not see virtual shopping as a substitute for local shopping, they would encourage the on-street shops to establish some form of an online presence - even a facebook page displaying their products, so that consumers browsing the internet might spot a suitable gift that is available locally which does not necessarily have to be flown in from abroad. Local Councillor, Anthony Lavin (FG), who has close ties with the Malahide Chamber of Commerce also said that he can’t emphasise the importance of shopping locally enough this Christmas, particularly as retailers may be feeling the strain. This is, he says, the ideal time to give them a boost. “I would ask the people in Malahide to try to do as much of their Christmas shopping and socialising locally in the “Village” this Christmas.” “Local businesses are feeling the pinch more than ever and any support given to them would benefit the whole area,” he added. Echoing the sentiment that internet shopping is no substitute for the local service provided in our towns, is President of the Skerries Chamber of Commerce, Martin Scully. “This is the time of year to give something back to the businesses that have been so obliging during the previous months,” he said. “Shopping online completely does away with this purpose and it is at this time of year, more than ever that we need to support our community. You just don’t get that unique personable shopping experience from a large chain of shopping centres.” “All throughout the year, all the local shops support the various groups and clubs around the area,” he continued. “They contribute
to parades, different charity events and are always willing to lend a hand to whoever might need it. We would ask shoppers to come out and support their own. If our town is to continue to thrive, the local businesses have to stay put.” Chairperson of the Rush Chamber of Commerce, Mairead Sweetman, told the County Leader that she was very much aware of the challenges that local retailers faced: “I know beyond a doubt the challenges that our local businesses face, but I think many are
beginning to see and appreciate the real advantages that comes from shopping in their home town,” she said. She also says that she has seen a rise in the amount of new locals arriving in the town to shop and now, more than ever, she is witness to the community pulling together. “We have a new butchers opening up just in time for Christmas, which is a real positive. I can’t stress the importance of shopping locally enough, as it is the successful businesses that keeps not only Rush thriving, but all the North County towns too.”
Wonderful Milestone For Swords Lady Katherine Mallin is a truly remarkable lady. Last week, she celebrated her 104th birthday, with a party at Tara Winthrop Nursing Home in Swords. Katherine was born in 1908, and to put some perspective on her wonderful age, it was a very significant year in a newly developing century. It was the year of the first aeroplane passenger flight and the year that Henry Ford introduced the ModelT, the first affordable automobile. It was also four long years before the Titanic was launched on it’s fateful maiden voyage. Katherine is originally from near Hacketstown in Co Carlow and moved up to Swords to live close to her daughters almost 24 years ago. She married her husband, Frank Mallin in June 1936, and they had five children, one son Seamus
By Patrick Finnegan and four daughters Maura, Breda, Christine and Kay. Katherine can tell stories of school hall dances and wartime restrictions that will always seem a world away from younger generations. “I can clearly remember the war years” and before that, the Black and Tans coming and going, it was terrible,” she said. One thing that she can vividly remember, is being down on her knees saying the rosary for Kevin Barry the morning he was killed. He was from the adjoining townland, so it was a very sad time for her family and the community”. We couldn’t stop the tears that day.” Having lived through two World Wars, Katherine can also recall the harsh restrictions placed on
people here. But despite all the hardship then, we were happy. I always hear children these days saying they’re bored, we were never bored, there was always so much to do.” Katherine thanked everyone who made an effort to travel to celebrate her special day. This wonderful lady is an example to us all and her outgoing and friendly disposition is very evident. Her extended family all celebrated her amazing landmark birthday and nobody enjoyed it more than Katherine herself. Katherine Mallin celebrated her 104th birthday last week, with a party at Tara Winthrop Nursing Home in Swords. Katherine, who lived in Valleyview, Swords until recently, is pictured with her extended family of four generations. Katherine is the granmother of well known Swords businessman, Shane Curran.