Category Archives: SCA

Tidy Towns Success 2014!

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Maeve McGann from Skerries Tidy Town writes:

“We won the county award and a gold medal. We went up 7 points and are now only 4 points behind the overall winner, Kilkenny. This is the highest we have ever been in the competition.” Well done indeed!

tidy towns May 2014 terns

The following is an extract from the 2014 report, which we have also posted in full on a separate page:

Skerries is a lovely coastal town that is a pleasure to visit. Its charms are numerous, but its buildings, coastal location and beach, harbour and high quality open spaces stand out.

The high level of participation of volunteers is a reflection of the pride that local people take in the town

It was a very great pleasure to revisit Skerries and experience its many delightful charms on a perfect summer’s day.

tidy towns May 2014 oyster cormorant

Over the past number of years, the projects of Skerries Tidy Towns have included:

  • Commissioning sculptures of The Cormorant, Terns, Oyster Catchers and, in conjunction with Skerries Tourism, the Percy French seat
  • To commemorate the centenary of the opening of the Carnegie Library in Skerries, they commissioned a three-faced clock for the library tower
  • They erected three plaques to mark areas of local interest: “Walker’s Corner,” “The Bay Wall” and “The Ovens”

The very successful Adopt a Beach initiative by Skerries News – which got a well-deserved special mention in the adjudication report – and Adopt a Patch initiative by Skerries Tidy Towns ensure that the beaches and green spaces in the town are kept virtually litter free, thanks to the involvement of local residents.

Do find their Facebook page, and see what else they do!

Skerries Community Association would like to congratulate the Tidy Towns committee – also all those mentioned in it (we hope we didn’t miss anyone):

Skerries Tourism & Town Information Office, Skerries Mills, Skerries Adopt-A-Beach, Olive Skerries, Parachute Cafe-Skerries, Foróige Skerries, Fingal County Council, Fingal Leader Partnership, the Skerries Community Association – SCA (that’s us), Skerries Cycling Initiative, Sustainable Skerries, Skerries Guerrilla Gardeners, Skerries Reaching Out, Skerries Bookshop, Venezuela, The Shoe Horn ltd, EBS Skerries, Blooms, Rockabill Restaurant, Divino, Present Company, Nealons Pub, Gladstone Inn, Kelly’s Solicitors, @Red Island Wine, The Parlour Bar, Ritz, The Steakhouse, SuperValu, Skerries, The Church of Ireland, Bring Back The Pole , Sea Memorial Skerries, BirdWatch Ireland, Irish Seal Sanctuary, schools, youth groups, scouts

… and of course all the people living and working in Skerries.

flower display at the monument

The flower display at the monument – one of the many things the adjudicators liked!

 

20 Years of Skerries Town Twinning

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Skerries Town Twinning Association, part of the Skerries Community Association, looks back on a very successful visit from France which marks the 20th anniversary of the first visit from Guichen!

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Bon Retour en France !

Fond farewells, warm hugs and  kisses on both cheeks  were the order of the day on Tuesday afternoon last, when Skerries hosts bid  ‘au revoir et bon retour’ to the 41 guests who had come to Skerries from the Canton of Guichen.  They were here to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the twinning of the two areas.  It seemed like no time since the visitors had arrived to blue skies, but, right on cue, the first rain of the five days fell, as they departed.

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During their stay, the visitors, young and old, had packed in an eventful time.  On Friday morning, the adults of the group had guided tours of Ardgillan Gardens and the Castle, while the younger visitors were warmly welcomed to the Cúl Camp in Skerries Harps GAA.  In the afternoon the adults among the group had guided walking tours of Skerries, and the kids had a Treasure Hunt around the town.

Friday evening saw the official opening of the joint photographic venture, called ‘Through Each Other’s Eyes’ – photographers from Guichen and Skerries having photographed each other’s landscape and people.  The opening was performed by Councillor Grainne McKenna, deputising for the Mayor of Fingal.  There was a large crowd from across a broad spectrum of local people, many of whom had been among those who had welcomed the original visitors twenty years ago.   Many of the photos were quickly sold, a tribute to the high quality of the works.  Others photos were on display in Seasons, Rockabill, Parachute and The Plough restaurants.

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On Saturday, an illustrated talk on ‘Twenty Years of Twinning’ took place in Keane’s Bus Bar and Skerries Town Twinning Association was pleased to welcome representatives from Rush, Loughshinny, Balrothery and Lusk Twinning Associations who spoke of their experience of having a twin town.  On behalf of the Canton of Guichen, Philippe Gourronc, Jean-Paul Gachot and Jean-Paul Quéré made  contributions to the discussion which followed the talk.  Meanwhile a drama workshop occupied the younger folk. Workshops on Celtic embroidery, set dancing and traditional music were also organised.  An evening of music and song, by young Skerries artists took place in Café Jacques to round off a busy day.

At Mass on Sunday, there were French, English and Irish readings, followed by a display of Breton music and dancing outside St. Patrick’s Church, before a colourful parade set out for Guichen Way ( on Red Island), where despite the strong breeze, a beautifully engraved piece of Milverton granite commemorating the twentieth anniversary was unveiled and the twinning promise of friendship and cooperation was renewed.  This plaque was kindly organised and donated by Wisteria Garden, Strand Street.  This plaque will be incorporated into the new Town Garden, beside the Library, when it is completed.

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On Sunday afternoon a hotly contested Boules tournament took place at The Dorn.  Eight teams were formed (each comprising French and Skerries participants).  After several rounds of heats, the winners, aptly named ‘The Goats’,  narrowly defeated ‘The Bears’ amid much fun and laughter and a fine air of competitiveness.  A return match is promised in Guichen next year, when a group will travel for the twentieth celebrations there.    A special Dinner was held on Sunday evening in Skerries Golf Club.

Bright and early on Monday morning, the Guichen group, accompanied by three Skerries members set out for a day-long excursion to Kilkenny.  It was an excellent day, the weather held up and there was an enjoyable guided tour of St. Canice’s Cathedral, with many of the group climbing the Round Tower, followed by a picnic and tour of Kilkenny Castle.  A little retail therapy followed and all were glad to climb aboard the bus for the return trip to Skerries.  A final evening of singing and music was held in Joe May’s and despite the weariness which was beginning to creep in, a very lively session took place, with Skerries and Guichen singers and musicians contributing in turn to the entertainment.

Finally, for the brave-hearted, a quick trip to Dublin took place on Tuesday morning, before packing of bags for the return trip via Rosslare.

The five day visit was a great success and plans are already afoot for the return in July 2015.  Huge thanks must go to the host families and the many individuals and organisations, who gave so freely of their time and energy to make the trip such a success.  If you would like to see more photos, follow us on Facebook or contact any of our members – jcoleman467@gmail.com, bnfriel@gmail.com or staffordmar@eircom.net

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First Ever Skerries CoderDojo a Great Success

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CoderDojo Sep 2014 05

The newest Skerries Community Association committee, Skerries CoderDojo, had a great start to its monthly free computing-club sessions. Their aim is to bring interested young people aged 7 to 17 and mentors who have a computing / coding background together. The buzzword here is Digital Literacy, the ability to not just use computers but to understand how they work, and to write your own computer programs.

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The organisers, helpers, and mentors numbered more than a dozen, and the interest in Skerries for this monthly event is huge. The venue could hold 30 “ninjas” (which is what CoderDojo participants are called) – it could have been filled twice over, and the (free) tickets were snapped up within twenty minutes.

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If anybody would like to join the group of mentors / parent helpers / organisers, they can send an email to coderdojo@skerriesca.com. And if you would like to get a ticket for the October meeting, scheduled for Sun Oct 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., then you need to keep an eye on the daily SCA Newsflash email – that, and the SkerriesCoderDojo Google Group (which you are invited to join)  is where you will first learn when next month’s tickets are released.

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PS: The organisers asked for feedback; here just a very short summary:

Do you think you will be back for next month’s event? – Yes, definitely. – 100%.

What was particularly good from your point of view? 

“The number of mentors available and the expertise. Also, the kids were having such a great time”

“It’s a fun environment, yet the children really learn something in a constructive way”

“The buzz in the room, community spirit. ”

“An opportunity for “screen-time” with other kids … what’s not to like. My beginner child feels so enabled now – great for self esteem”

Skerries Community Association is delighted to be helping Skerries CoderDojo to get established and would like to thank all the mentors, organisers, and helpers for their efforts. Best of luck to you for the future!

Be a Green Dog Walker!

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Have you noticed? The days are getting shorter. And for those of us with dogs to walk, we’ll increasingly be out and about with Fido in the dark. Joggers, walkers, kids going to school will be out when it’s not 100% bright, either… and these are the times when we are all particularly happy about clean, poo-free sidewalks, roads, and verges!

I guess 99.5% of all dog walkers are well-intentioned and always mean to tidy up after their dog. Sometimes, however, they might be caught without a plastic bag to do so…

Enter the Green Dog Walker!

Green Dog Walkers is a regional programme. It is a non-confrontational, friendly way to change attitudes about dog fouling.

Volunteers wear a Green Dog Walkers armband which signifies that they have “taken the pledge” to always:

  • clean up after their dog
  • wear the armband or put the Green Dog Walkers collar on their dog when walking
  • carry extra dog waste bags
  • be happy to be approached to ‘lend’ a dog waste bag to those without
  • be a friendly reminder to other dog walkers to clean up after their dogs

Sounds good, doesn’t it?  All you have to do is sign the  Green Dog Walkers Pledge – either online (follow the link) and return by email to enviraware@fingal.ie or post to the Environment Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Swords, Co. Dublin. A Green Dog Walker armband and a bone dog bag dispenser will then be posted to you.

Or even better: Come to the South Strand, Skerries, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon this coming Saturday (13 Sep), meet a Fingal dog warden, “take the pledge,” and meet other doggies and their walkers! (Or should that be: walkers and their doggies?)

Do encourage friends with dogs or dog lovers to come down and join in the fun!

You can read more with our  Green Dog Walker Leaflet or Green Dog Walker Leaflet Irish Version .

Skerries Community Association is happy to be cooperating with Fingal County Council in this initiative.

green dog walkers rectangle

Centenary Celebrations for The Old School

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This August, it will be exactly 100 years since the doors first opened of what is now the Old Schoolhouse. To mark this, there will be an evening of reminiscence and celebration, organised by Skerries Community Association and taking place  in the very building.  On Tuesday 26 August, from 8 p.m.  the people of Skerries are invited to a very enjoyable evening of pictures, historical information, reminiscences and more. Stephanie Bourke of Skerries Historical Society will provide the historical background – complete with a number of old photos. Refreshments will be provided, and plans are shaping up nicely for reminiscences, folklore, music and song… and a variety of other contributions. Will we see you there? Do come along to this free event!

Mary, Jane, Rachel and Ciara (aka The Centenary Celebration Commission)

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New Officers for Skerries Community Association

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At the August meeting of the directors of Skerries Community Association, three new officers were elected and one agreed to continue with her role.

The SCA directors, all volunteers, normally meet once a month, and their August meeting, far from suffering from any summer-time blues, saw near-full attendance and a number of exciting changes.

After three years as the SCA Chairperson, Martin Russell (well-known in Skerries for his work with Mourne View Residents’ Association, the Mourne View soccer club, the cricket club to list but a few) handed over the reins to fellow director Ciara Leonard.

Ciara has been on the Board of Directors for a good number of years and is delighted to be elected as chairperson. With her finger in many pies, from The Little Theatre Upgrade Project to Skerries Water Quality, she hopes to continue on Martin Russell’s fantastic hard work. Ciara is very much looking forward to kick-starting her new role with the centenary celebrations of The Old School on the 26th of August!

Geoff McEvoy was elected as the Vice Chairperson. Geoff has lived in Skerries since he was four years old and is a former pupil of Réalt na Mara and Skerries Community College. He joined the SCA Board of Directors in 2013.
Zaneta Wright is the new Secretary.  On the SCA Board since earlier in 2014, Zaneta has been living in Skerries since 2008. She is involved with Sustainable Skerries and is very interested in working towards developing a better, happier and more resilient world.

 And the Skerries Community Association’s directors are very indebted to their treasurer, Mary Conway, who has agreed to continue as the Treasurer of the SCA. Mary has been involved with Tidy Towns for many years and has also been serving on the board of the SCA for a good while.

Together with the other Directors, Ciara, Geoff, Zaneta and Mary will certainly do their best to contribute to the SCA’s central mission: To make a great town even better!

Our new SCA chairperson, Ciara Leonard, stated: “I hope to follow in the footsteps of the past chairpersons I have worked with on the SCA, especially Ernestine Woelger, Jane Landy, and of course Martin Russell. They have been an inspiration to me through their hard work and achievements. I admire the dedication of all the directors of the SCA board and their enthusiasm and commitment to making Skerries an even better community to be a part of. I aim to give continued support to the longer-established committees like Skerries Tidy Towns and Skerries Town Twinning Association – but equally to the newer committees that are under the SCA umbrella, like CoderDojo . I hope to increase the opportunities for local volunteers to be get involved with a group of their own interest through the positive success of local projects and groups.”

Get on your bike and see the Skerries countryside!

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Bike WeekLR (3 of 7)Skerries Cycling Initiative are looking forward to welcoming lots of new faces to their  “Rediscover your Bike” cycle (20 km) along quiet roads (Saturday evening, 21 June, from 7.30 p.m.), and their much-loved Family Fun Cycle to Ardgillan Park and back (Sunday 22 June, from 12 noon).

Rediscover Your Bike – Saturday 21 June – meet at Sea Pole at 7.30 p.m.

It is amazing how beautiful the surrounds of Skerries are, and how suitable for cycling!

Bike WeekLR (6 of 7)When I recently tested this route with the organiser from the SCI, I was pleasantly surprised – most of the tour was free of traffic, and very well suited to cycling. The beauty of the rolling hills around Skerries more than makes up for having to cycle up and down those said hills, and with a half-way decent bike, this is quite do-able.

Bike WeekLR (7 of 7)A half an hour took us past the Golf Club and on very scenic roads to the outskirts of Lusk. Then we turned towards Loughshinny, which we reached in another half hour. The evenings are possibly the ideal time for cycling – the light was only beautiful on the day we were out, and the break at Loughshinny Harbour was lovely.

Bike WeekLR (1 of 7)
Refreshed and rested, we pushed on land-inwards, past Baldungan Castle (which I myself had never seen up close before, so we stopped for a photo), crossing the Skerries-Lusk road near the former Daffodil Gallery, and then on another beautiful back road down to Skerries again, where we rolled into town just in time to enjoy the last of the summer evening at the harbour.

This cycle comes highly recommended! It is aimed primarily at adults, including those who have bikes but may not have used them for a while.  Not suitable for complete beginners. See here for a map of the tour.

bike in front of harbourStarting from the Sea Pole at 7.30 p.m on Saturday evening 21 June; we anticipate returning there at around 9.30 p.m.

And don’t forget the Family Fun Cycle to Ardgillan with a picnic by the Rose Garden. Meet Skerries Mills 12 noon on Sunday 22 June!

Photographs: Michael McKenna (4), Sabine McKenna (the last one).

 Skerries Cycling Initiative is a committee of the Skerries Community Association.

Thank You from the Rás Committee

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The Skerries End Stage Rás Committee would like to say a massive THANK YOU to all who supported and helped this year with the An Post Rás End Stage and Street Party. It was a triumph of community spirit and cooperation. Thanks to all the marshals and stewards, to Fingal Tri Club and all the stallholders, the schools, community and sports groups, to our photographer Michael Johnston, the Sphinx ladies cycle group, to St Patrick’s Church, Skerries Community Association, to Coca Cola for the bottled water and to Ollies Place for the packed lunches for stewards, to Skerries Mills for their car park, Holmpatrick School for the Race Centre, to the local businesses and residents, and anyone inconvenienced by traffic restrictions, and to the spectators who turned out in droves for this great event. We could not have done it without you.

Fingers crossed for a record 10th in Skerries in 2015!

Greg Reddin, Skerries End Stage Rás Committee

Greg Reddin on Rás Day

Greg Reddin on Rás Day

Skerries Tidy Towns are Asking For Your Help

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Maeve McGann of Skerries Tidy Towns writes:

tidy towns 3Now we are in judging season for the national Tidy Towns Competition. This begins every year on 1st June and continues until the end of August. We have no idea when the adjudicators will arrive, so we need to be prepared every day.

Please lend us your support during the coming months.

Now is the time to get the window boxes and hanging baskets out. Make sure you keep them watered.

Stephen from Wisteria is offering a deal which includes a watering service – check it out.

Some premises in the town could do with a touch of paint. Check yours out and see if there is anything you can do to improve the presentation of your business. Ensure that the windows are clean and free of posters.

A well-presented business encourages customers and certainly helps us to gain more marks in the competition.

If there are any weeds near your home or business, in the kerb or at the base of buildings, please remove them.

Grass verges in front of houses need to be neat and tidy.

No litter is acceptable to the adjudicators.

Let’s all work together to show what a great town we have to live, work and grow up in.

Contact details for Skerries Tidy Towns are on their page here.

You could, of course, also join one of the regular work parties which meet every Monday evening at the old fire station on Quay Street at 7 p.m. until further notice.

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National Bike Week

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Skerries Cycling Initiative are preparing some great events for the 2014 National Bike Week (14-22 June), including a “Cyclist Photo Safari” (Sunday 15 June, 9 a.m., South Strand, little bridge), a “Rediscover your Bike” cycle (20 km) along quiet roads (Saturday evening, 21 June, from 7.30 p.m.), and their much-loved Family Fun Cycle to Ardgillan Park and back (Sunday 22 June). Send them an email at cycling@skerriesca.com for details and to be added to their email Newsletter (first issue coming soon), or like their Facebook page to stay in touch.

SCI Fun Cycle

Skerries Cycling Initiative are a committee of the Skerries Community Association.

Cycling photo safari on Sunday 15 June-meet South Strand 9 a.m.

Aimed at photographers who cycle and  cyclists who photograph, the cycling photo safari will entail a  leisurely ride with stops to capture landscapes, beaches and walled gardens in the environs of Skerries. This event will be a nod/celebration  in the direction of  the Victorian era when the two activities of cycling and photography merged as cycling clubs set up photography sections and photography clubs set up cycling sections to accommodate their crossover members.
Meet on South Strand, Holmpatrick end, near the little bridge, at 9 a.m..
After taking some shots here we can cycle to Barnageeragh beach and then take our bikes over Lady’s Stairs and into Ardgillan where the Walled Garden will open at 9.30 a.m. and the Tea Rooms at 10 a.m.. for well-deserved tea/coffee and scones. After that  the world, or at least the environs of Skerries, is our oyster!

Rediscover Your Bike – Saturday 21 June – meet at Sea Pole at 7.30 p.m.

A tour on the day of the Summer Solstice – shall we call it the Giro d’Romance? – along some of the quieter roads around Skerries. This is aimed primarily at adults, including those who have bikes but may not have used them for a while. Starting from the Sea Pole at 7.30 p.m on Saturday evening 21 June; we anticipate returning there at around 9.30 p.m.

Map of route below. Black line shows route out of Skerries to Loughshinny via Lusk and red line shows return route. Hopefully we can stop and enjoy the view of Loughshinny on a pleasant summer solstice evening.

Rediscover 2014

 

Family Fun Cycle to Ardgillan with a picnic by the Rose Garden. Meet Skerries Mills 12 noon on Sunday 22 June.

Bike Week in Skerries would not be complete without the Family Fun Cycle to Ardgillan. All cyclists are welcome on the Fun Cycle, but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please note that there is some hill-climbing involved so gears must be working and children should be instructed in their use. (Please check that the bike is in roadworthy condition including brakes, gears, tyre pressure and saddle height).
Children must be capable of using brakes on their bikes as the route includes significant descents in both directions.
The SCI will provide stewards to assist the riders in getting through junctions along the way.

Route to be followed (see Map): from the Skerries Mills car park via Millers Lane to the railway roundabout (1st catch-up pause), under the bridge followed by an immediate right turn up Togher Hill to Milverton Gates (2nd pause) and right again along Ardla Rd. to Ardgillan (3rd pause at the gates). We will have our BYO picnic by the Rose Garden.

For those who want it, a stewarded return to Skerries Mills Car Park will be offered in the early afternoon.

family fun cycle map