Are you registered to vote?

Please click on the Fingal County Council link at the end of this text, to ensure that you are registered to vote in the forthcoming Spring 2011 elections.

You do believe in having the right to vote, but are unsure as to whether it really will make a difference. So, should you vote or not? Yes - if you want better healthcare, education and childcare, fairer taxation, basic income for all, good recycling facilities, better roads and transport, better local amenities because your government, national and local runs all these services and your vote in a General, Local or European Election or a Referendum will send a message about what sort of Ireland you want and expect.

Voting is the most important way to make your voice heard on the issues that concern you. Voting gives you an opportunity to be part of decision-making that affects your life.
If you don’t vote, others will make the decisions for you.
Decisions are made on your behalf everyday, healthcare, education, housing, global issues like defence and environment and local issues like bins and leisure facilities.

In many countries, including Ireland, people have fought for the right to vote. The right of women to vote in Ireland was granted in 1922 just over 80 years ago ! But we need to use this vote to have a strong and stable democracy.

From the safety of your street to the quality of the air you breathe, voting is an important way of having your say on the issues you care about. By voting you are also deciding who will take decisions on issues affecting your everyday life.

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/YourLocalCouncil/LocalDemocracy/RegisterofElectors/#d.en.32676

Sarah Ann McGrath

Gibneys, Malahide - Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2011

Congratulations to Gibneys, Malahide who was awarded Dublin Off-Licence of the Year 2011 at the National Off-Licence of the Year Awards 2011 held on Monday, 10th January 2011.

The awards are held by NOffLA annually to recognise those off-licences around the country that offer exceptional service to customers and demonstrate excellence in retail standards.

The awards were held in the prestigious surrounds of the Honourable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin, where the 50 finalists from around Ireland gathered for the final stage of the judging process, comprising a blind-tasting.

For more information in relation to the awards, please log onto http://www.noffla.ie/Off_Licence_of_the_Year/Default.137.html

Congratulations to all at Gibneys!

Sarah Ann McGrath

Bon Appetit Retains Michelin Star

Congratulations to Bon Appetit, Malahide on retaining their coveted Michelin star.

The iconic Michelin restaurant guide's 100 year celebrations took place in London on Tuesday, 18th January 2011.

Accoring to the Irish Independent, Oliver Dunne of Bon Appetit said that he was very pleased given the very difficult climate for high-end restaurants. He said that thankfully, his business had remained busy despite the current economic downturn.

For bookings and more information in relation to Bon Appetit, please log onto http://bonappetit.ie/

Sarah Ann McGrath

Malahide Tennis News

Malahide's tennis star Colin O'Brien turned the form book upside down yesterday when he dumped out Britain's Richard Bloomfield in the ITF Futures event in Sheffield.

Playing in his first world ranking tournament since November 2010, the 614-ranked Dubliner sent 356-ranked Bloomfield, the No. 5 seed, packing on an emphatic 6-3 6-2 scoreline in the first round.

The Malahide left-hander's reward for his success is a second-round clash today against British qualifier Liam Broady.

Dubliner Barry King failed to join O'Brien in the second round, the Knocklyon man losing 6-4 2-6 1-6 to France's Vincent Stouff.

Best of luck, Colin!

Sarah Ann McGrath

The Laura Brennan Charitable Trust - Annual Gala Evening

On Saturday, 12th February 2011 at 7pm the 3rd annual Laura Brennan Charitable Trust Gala Evening shall take place in the 4* Grand Hotel, Malahide.

This is their principal fund raising event and each year the event has become bigger and bigger.

The Trust was set-up to provide assistance and support to children under the age of 18 who have life-threatening or life-limiting diseases within the local area.

The cost of each ticket is €100. The night itself will include a full sit down meal at 8pm, wine for the evening, a raffle, auction, and dancing until late!

For more information in relation to the event, please log onto http://www.laurabrennan.org/

Sarah Ann McGrath

New Year's Resolution - Join the Library!

Joining your local library is the best New Year's resolution you shall ever make.

Its' yours and it's free! For books, C.D.'s, D.V.D.'s, Gaming and Internet access; children's and family events and programmes; database access, courses and workshops; public lectures; research; local studies; etc. There is free access for all.

For more information in relation to Malahide Library, and joining the library, please telephone 01 8704430; send an email to malahidelibrary@fingalcoco.ie or click on the following link: http://www.fingalcoco.ie/CommunityRecreationandAmenitiesDepartment/Library/LibraryBranches/MalahideLibrary/

Sarah Ann McGrath

Update on Restrictions to Fingal Water Supply

Fingal County Council is glad to report that as there have been significant improvements to the stored capacity in the reservoirs, it is intended to ease back on the water restrictions over the coming days. There will be no further planned shutdowns to the water supply for the foreseeable future, however, there will be reduced water pressure between the hours of 7pm and 7am across the County on a rota basis and in this regard we are continuing with the schedule that has been in place up to now.

Fingal County Council wishes to thank all consumers throughout the County for their patience during the current periods of water restrictions.

Reduced Water Pressure - Planned Areas:

Tuesday, 18th January 2011: 7pm to 7am - Area 2
Malahide, Portmarnock, Bremore, Balrothery, Clonsilla, Porterstown, Clonee, Barnhill, Westmanstown, Lucan, Littlepace, Castaheany, Huntstown(part), Hansfield/Ongar, Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown and Kinsealy(part)

Wednesday, 19th January 2011: 7pm to 7am - Area 3
Swords, Cloghran/Baskin, Mulhuddart, Castleknock, Farmleigh, Blanchardstown, Carpenterstown, Huntstown(part), Hartstown, Blakestown, Clonsilla, Coolmine and Phoenix Park Racecourse

Thursday, 20th January 2011: 7pm to 7am - Area 1
Swords, Kinsealy(part), Skerries, Lusk, Rush, Loughshinny, Bayside, Sutton and Baldoyle

Friday, 21st January 2011: 7pm to 9am - Area 2
Malahide, Portmarnock, Balbriggan, Bremore, Balrothery, Clonsilla, Porterstown, Clonee, Barnhill, Westmanstown, Lucan, Littlepace, Castaheany, Huntstown(part), Hansfield/Ongar, Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown and Kinsealy(part)

For more information, please visit http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Water/CustomerServicesEmergencyNotices/EmergencyInformationUpdates/#d.en.30721

Sarah Ann McGrath