30kph Speed Limit to be Introduced Across Fingal Estates?

The council is to invite expressions of interest from the community on piloting 30kph speed limits within housing estates around the county.

The experiment is currently taking place in some estates in the Malahide /Howth area, and now, according to the Fingal Independent, Fingal County Council wish to extend the pilot schemes with the agreement of local residents and gardaí.

Director of services at the council's transportation Department, Michael Lorigan has said that the issue is being considered as part of an overall review of speed limits at the council's Strategic Policy Committee on transport.

Sarah Ann McGrath

Grand Hotel, Malahide Supports New Aviva Stadium

The Grand Hotel, Malahide has had a long relationship with the Football Association of Ireland. The Hotel is currently supporting the construction of the new home of Irish football at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin by buying a number of seats.

On Tuesday, 16th February 2010, we visited the stadium which is due for completion in August 2010. We were accompanied on the visit by Packie Bonner, our most famous national goalkeeper.

Pictured to the right in the stadium are: Ernie Brenner (Financial Controller - Grand Hotel / Marine Hotel); Packie Bonner (former Ireland International Goalkeeper); Matthew Ryan (Managing Director - Grand Hotel / Marine Hotel) and Al Ryan (Director - Grand Hotel / Marine Hotel).

Al Ryan
Sarah Ann McGrath

Up to 380 New Homes for Malahide

According to the Fingal Independent, councillors have voted in favour of a Local Area Plan (LAP) for lands in Broomfield in Malahide which could bring up to 380 new homes to the area.

The 30.8 hectare plot of land, located directly across the road from the main entrance to Malahide Castle, is divided into three main areas for the purposes of the plan.

There shall also be an allocation in the plan for a new home for the very active C.A.S.A. group in Malahide, which give respite breaks to people with severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

Construction on the site is not due to commence until after the report from the FEMFRAMS study is completed, which shall give the council important information on drainage and flood risk in the area.

Sarah Ann McGrath

Proposed Malahide Shuttle Bus Service

According to the Fingal Independent, Malahide Coaches, a family-run business, have recently applied to the Department of Transport for a license to operate a shuttle bus service for the Malahide area.

Running from Robswall to Seabury every 15 minutes during peak hours, the service aims to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home when using the DART and bus services in Malahide village. If approved, it could be operating within 2 months time.

A group representing Malahide Community Forum, Malahide Chamber of Commerce and the council's transportation Department has been working to establish the route since last summer, which they hope will also alleviate parking and traffic congestion in the town.

The proposed service would offer a bus every 15 minutes during the morning and evening peaks, charging 1 each way, while O.A.P. passes would also be accepted.

The initial route will cover the Coast Road from Robswall to the village and a circuit on the west side, including Yellow Walls Road, Seabury, Estuary Road, Swords Road and Millview Road, before going back to the railway station.

If the license application is approved and the service proves to be a success, it may yet be extended to off-peak hours and to other areas in the town.

Sarah Ann McGrath

J.C.I. Fingal Table Quiz

A J.C.I. Fingal Table Quiz shall take place on Thursday, 25th February 2010 at 8pm upstairs in Duffy’s, Main Street, Malahide.

Cost of entry is €40 for a table of 4, with great prizes to be won!

To book a table, please contact Joanna on 086-8778360 or email fingal@jci-ireland.org

Junior Chamber International is a worldwide nonprofit organisationwhich contributes to the advancement of the global community. JCI provides young people in their 20's and 30's with the opportunity to develop the leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change. For more information, please log onto http://www.jci-ireland.org/ or http://www.jci.cc/

Sarah Ann McGrath

Tánaiste’s Presentation to Malahide Chamber of Commerce

The Malahide Chamber of Commerce shall host the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Coughlan on Thursday, 18th February 2010, as she speaks on current economic matters. The schedule for this event is as follows:

Agenda
5.15pm - Assemble and registration in Tara Suite, Grand Hotel
5.30pm - Presentation of Malahide Business Awards
5.45pm - Address to the Chamber by An Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan 6.15pm - Refreshments served and opportunity for networking
7.00pm - Finish

All are welcome to attend.

For registration and further event details, please copy and past the following details into your browser:
http://mcoc-feb-18-2010.eventbrite.com/

Sarah Ann McGrath

MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR CITYJET TO SPEAK AT JCI FINGAL OPEN EVENING

Colin Lewis, Marketing Director of Cityjet will speak about Guerrilla Marketing at the JCI Fingal Open Evening on Tuesday 9th February at 8pm in the Grand Hotel, Malahide. This event is open to all and free of charge and will be of particular interest to anyone looking for a greater understanding of on-line marketing strategies and using social networking tools effectively.
Colin is currently Marketing Director of CityJet, which flies to seven countries across Europe, with forty aircraft and a turnover of over €400m. Previously, he was Head of Sales and Marketing for Aer Arann, where he was responsible for all brand, advertising, sales, PR, ecommerce and sponsorship. Colin won Marketer of the Year in 2008 for his work in Aer Arann.

As a voluntary organisation JCI is all about having fun while serving as a means for young people to socialise and network. Membership of JCI is open to anyone aged between 18 and 40. Members gain personally and professionally through training and self development programmes. This can be achieved through leading teams, organising events, increasing skills and networking.
If you would like to find out more about JCI, why not come along to the Open Night? Alternatively email fingal@jci-ireland.org for more information.

Malahide Man to Ski in Winter OLYMPICS

Syls Hurler Shane O'Connor on Irish Winter Olympics Team

Shane has been picked to represent Ireland in the men's alpine slalom at the Winter Olympics. Although he has represented Ireland in five World Championships, this is Shane's first Olympics . The O'Connors are a busy lot with Colm, Shane and Niall all hurling with Syls and part of our recent successes, Colm coaching our Minors this year, Danny just completed a three stint as Dublin GAA Vice Chair and Gwen a great supporter and organiser with Malahide Hockey Club. Congratulations lads from all at Sylvesters, we wish Shane the very best at Whistler and maybe we'll have one of those big home comings in a few weeks time, here's hoping.

World Championships 2009

Video

http://www.skiclub.ie/Video_of_Shane_OConnors_second_slalom_run_at_the_

2009_World_Championships/Default.277.html> of Shane's second run in the

2009 World Championships

Article in Fingal Independent.

http://www.fingal-independent.ie/sport/other-sports/chance-of-a lifetime-2032439.html

As a juvenile, Shane O Connor was a "dual player" in effect with ski-ing at Kilternan every weekend in winter and hurling with some football in the summer. He came to notice when he was selected for the first Irish team to enter the world Championships in Morioka, Japan early in 1993. * Knee problems, hurling and study intervened (in that order) in the 90’s and he played under 21 hurling championship for Dublin against Wexford in 1994. That Wexford team didn’t seem out of the ordinary but at least three players, Damien fitzhenry, Adrian Fenlon and Rory Mc Carthy went on to win all Ireland medals in Wexford’s triumph of 1996.

By now Shane was playing mainly midfield for Syls and Keogh Cup (intermediate League) runners up medals followed in 1998 and 2000 against Lucan and St Olaf’s. He also played Dublin Intermediate in a few different years.

Returning to the ski story, he went to the East Coast of USA for a season in 2001 and got his points rating (handicap) down low enough to qualify for what looked like a last world championship appearance in 2003. It is probably since then that he has trained hardest and spent more time on snow and he has competed in the World championships for Ireland in 2005,2007 and 2009.

Shane has been coaching junior racers for the last five or so years and from that start in 1993 when no Irish Skier was at the Olympic qualifying standard, there are now four other (younger) skiers who have achieved the ‘B’ Olympic standard. One such is Shane McShira, also from Malahide who has also represented St Sylvesters at juvenile and minor level.

Alpine Slalom is one of two so-called "technical" disciplines (the other being giant slalom). It tests the skier in short radius turns, requiring balance, agility and quick reactions. Alternate blue and red gates are set between 4 and 6 metres wide.

St. Oliver Plunketts WOW Days!

Despite cold and wet conditions over 100 pupils from St Oliver Plunketts, accompanied by their parents walked to school this morning on one of the regular WOW Days (Walk on Wednesday) which encourages children to think green and walk rather than drive to school.

The ‘Ollies Walking Bus’ started at Biscayne and by the time it left the Coast Road over 200 pupils had joined it en-route.

While the WOW Initiative and ‘Walking Bus’ are a regular happening todays occurance had special significance. To raise funds for schools in Haiti all children were allowed dispense with uniform for the day and wear tracksuits on making a contribution to this much needed appeal. Also cars on the route were encourage to make a donation.

As an added bonus the scenes were filmed by RTE for their programme ‘Operation Transformation’ as Malahide man Conor O’Connor is taking part in the show. Conor is also using the Arena Leisure Centre at the Grand Hotel Malahide as part of his weight loss and fitness regime.