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15th March 2016 • Volume 23, Issue 09 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. EirCode: K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Fond Memories Recalled In Balbriggan Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan have embraced the centenary celebrations of the 1916 Rising in a most enthusiastic way. To mark the commemoration, they had former student, Sinead Hunt , officer in the army, read aloud the Proclamation to the entire student population of 1200.
By Patrick Finnegan The history students in Loreto created a spectacular exhibition, which is on display in the atrium of the new school building. In this exhibition, artistic works and projects commemorating the events of the Rising were put on display. These include newspaper cuttings from 100 years ago. Practically all groups are given an airing, including the 40 children who were killed in the Rising. Graphic accounts of how these children lost their lives in the conflict are particularly poignant. A special emphasis was placed on the women of the Rising and the important role they played. Throughout the week senior history students were brought on various history trips, which
included Glasnevin Cemetery, Collins Barracks and a 1916 walking tour of Dublin. All of the students thoroughly enjoyed this. Special guest speakers arrived at the school last week, including former Taoiseach, John Bruton and Fianna Fail TD, Éamon Ó Cuív. John Bruton gave an excellent perspective in relation to the Rising. His talk was certainly thought provoking and informative and the students found it truly beneficial. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív also addressed the students on Friday last, where he gave his insight into the Rising. He was particularly impressed with the wonderful work the students did in putting the exhibition together. Deputy Ó Cuív has very strong connections to Balbriggan. His grandmother, Sinead Bean De Valera was born in Balbriggan. The students found the talk engaging and very enlightening. He spoke to the County Leader prior to addressing the students, regarding his early memories of Balbriggan and visits to the town. He said, “My great-grandmother came from Balbriggan and I had a big connection with
Éamon O'Cuiv TD (centre) is pictured at Loreto School, Balbriggan on Friday last with Sr Rosaleen Hayes, dressed in 1916 clothes, as Grace Gifford, the wife of Joseph Plunkett and School principal, Eddie Fynes
Balbriggan. Auntie Kit, my grandmother’s sister had a shop here in the town. She married a man called White, so there are family members, including Declan White, who married a daughter of Sean McBride, who died a few years ago. “I can remember as a very young child visiting Balbriggan to meet my grand-aunt, my grandmother’s sister. They had a little shop in the town and as we were townies from Dublin, we were fascinated with being in a shop where the bell rang when you opened the front door of the shop. Balbriggan was only a small village at that time and nothing like the big metropolis it is today”. “My grandmother wrote Irish stories and the original books she published back in the 1940s,
Rush Daffodil Day Loses Its Brightest Flower The community of Rush and in particular, the committee of Daffodil Day in the town, were shocked to learn of the sad death of Michelle Herbert, who was PRO of Rush Daffodil committee. It was particularly poignant that her death came just one day before Daffodil Day was celebrated in the town last Friday. Michelle, who was 43 years old, was a tireless worker and the driving force behind the committee, and while the fundraising day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society was held at the
Millbank Theatre in the town, a great sadness was evident amongst all who supported the coffee morning. They were also acutely aware that Michelle would not have been happy with people moping around, so lovely stories of this remarkable woman were shared by all. The Garden of Hope, which is located at Rush library was particularly special to Michelle. It is a place of great peace and reflection, where deceased friends are remembered. The County Leader spoke to some of Michelle’s
Callum and Luke and friends and fellow we will look after them Daffodil Day committee forever in Michelle’s members there. Angela name,” she said. Byrne said, “The Chairperson of Rush Daffodil Day committee Daffodil Day have lost their committee, Gina brightest, bubbliest McGee said, “Michelle and most positive was so full of life and thinking flower. We will laughter and she was love and miss Michelle so enthusiastic about forever and Daffodil Daffodil Day and Day is dedicated to you The late Michelle Herbert the fight against in your brave battle against cancer. Our thoughts and cancer. She will be so sadly prayers are with her husband, missed by us all. Jason and children, Claudia, Continued on page 4
many of them were actually folk stories she got from her mother, which were rural folk stories, which obviously came from Balbriggan,” he concluded.
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7th March hurs 1 pm T 6 &4
FREE CUPCAKES with green frosting
FREE FACEPAINTING FREE E INCREDIBL S NCER IRISH DA MORE CH AND MU
FUN ARTS AND CRAFTS FOR KIDS IN THE AFTERNOON SNAP A #SEwitLFh IE
ON VISIT US OK FACEBO FO RE IN FOR MO
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The Heart Of Shopping In Balbriggan