North County Leader - 07th July 2015

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7th July 2015 • Volume 22, Issue 24 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie

Pictured at the announcement that All-Ireland Pipe Band championships to be held in Dublin for first time in 25 years, with Malahide Castle as the venue are: Finbarr Connolly (Honourary Secretary of Irish Pipe Band Association (IPBA)) Gavin Richardson (Chairperson of IPBA), County Mayor, Cllr David O'Connor, Paul Reid (Chief Executive Fingal County Council) and Senator Darragh O'Brien

Great Honour For Ballyboughal Ballyboughal has been nominated by the County Council into the national Pride of Place awards 2015, as Fingal’s sole entrant in the 300 to 1000 village population category. The Pride of Place competition is a Co-operation Ireland initiative to acknowledge the fantastic work being done by communities all over the island of Ireland, and their efforts to create vibrant, viable and visible communities. It also affords local authorities an opportunity to participate at the heart of local communities and help build community spirit. To this end, a working document on improving and repairing amenities in the village has been prepared by Ballyboughal Community Council, in conjunction with other voluntary groups in the village, and has been submitted to the County Council for consideration and, where possible, completion. The Pride of Place judges are coming to Ballyboughal on Tuesday, 28th July, where Ballyboughal Community Council and the Pride of Place steering committee, will make a presentation on the history of the area and all of the voluntary and community work being carried out in the village and environs. The judges will make some historical and location site visits, and afterwards meet socially with various members of the voluntary community. These include

the GAA, Athletics Club, Tidy Towns, Youth Club, Scouts, Pitch and Putt, St Patrick’s Hall, Ballyboughal.net, The Hedgerow Society, Senior Citizens, the Community Council and several other voluntary groups. By coincidence, Ballyboughal Community Council is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and will run a special Pride of Place photographic and video exhibition, which is dedicated to all of the volunteers, from all voluntary groups in the village, and their enormous contribution to the community of Ballyboughal over the years. This exhibition will also form part of the presentation to the Pride of Place judges. The Pride of Place exhibition in St Patrick’s Hall will have the theme “The Spirit of Ballyboughal”. It will be opened officially at a reception for all the village at 8pm by the new County Mayor and Ballyboughal man, Cllr David O’Connor. The entire village and all volunteers from any Ballyboughal voluntary group, past and present, are invited to attend this reception. Afterwards a major evening of music celebration is planned in the Village Inn to celebrate the wonderful history of music that lives on to this day and is such an intrinsic part of the culture and Spirit of Ballyboughal.

Massive Tourism Boost Pipe Band Championship Comes To North County

The County Leader can reveal that a major musical event is to be held in the North County next year. In an exclusive interview, Local senator, Darragh O’Brien (FF), has confirmed that the North County is about to get a significant boost to the local economy, when it hosts the AllIreland Pipe Band Championships next year. An announcement is due to be made that the world renowned Irish championships will be held in Malahide Castle in July 2016, with 80 bands from across Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the US and Australia due to travel to the event. An audience of 5,000 people is expected to attend, spending at least half a million euro in the local economy. It is very fitting that North County Dublin has been chosen to host this prestigious championship, given that the North County has a long tradition of pipe bands, producing some of the finest pipe bands in the country, including the Black Raven in Lusk, St Maur’s in Rush and St Laurence O’Toole in Howth. O’Brien explained, “This is a huge announcement for Malahide and the entire north county Dublin region. It’s the first time in 25 years that Dublin has hosted this event, and the first time ever that it will be hosted in the North County. “The announcement follows several meetings I had with the Irish Pipe Band Association, which involved showcasing Fingal as the perfect venue for the event. I also met with the County Council and I am delighted that they agreed to fully support the endeavour. This event gives us an opportunity to capitalise on that tradition. The

this event in Fingal. We are fully supportive of this magnificent occasion which will form a key part of our 2016 Events Calendar.“ Chairman of the Irish Pipe Band Association Gavin Richardson said, “The All-Ireland Pipe Band Championships is the premier event for Piping, Drumming and Drum Majors in Ireland, showcasing individuals and bands from every county, all competing for the title of All-Ireland Champion. Hosting this prestigious event in Malahide would not be possible without the support of Senator Darragh O’Brien, County Mayor, David O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer Paul Reid and Ethna Felten, Ann Marie Farrelly and Paul Barnes from the County Council. I would take this opportunity to thank them most sincerely for their support,” he concluded. Members of the popular St. Maur’s Pipe Band perform at a recent Easter 1916 remem- Many towns and areas brance parade in Rush. have already benefited since the All Irelands were held in Dublin, and we from hosting the All-Ireland Pipe Band look forward to giving all the bands from Ireland, Championships over recent years, including and abroad a great North County welcome when Letterkenny Co Donegal, New Ross Co. Wexford, they come to Malahide,” he said. Ballina Co. Mayo and Ennis Co. Clare. The 2016 Fingal County Council Chief Executive, Paul Reid contest is attracting bands from not only Ireland, also expressed his great pride in the fact that but also Australia, the United States and Scotland such a prestigious event will be held in one of the who will bring a unique opportunity for local busiCouncil’s heritage gems. “I am delighted to have nesses in the area. benefits for the North County will be significant, with hotels, restaurants and local businesses all set to receive a boost from the sheer numbers that will attend from Ireland and abroad,” he explained. I have no doubt that our local tourism sector will benefit for years to come,” he added. Speaking after the announcement, County Mayor, Cllr David O’Connor expressed his delight at the plans to host this historic All-Ireland event. “I am absolutely delighted with this announcement. It is 25 years

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North County Leader - 07th July 2015 by sean fitzmaurice - Issuu