Opening of Poppintree Early Education Centre

The children, staff and board members were delighted to welcome the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, who attended the official opening of the Poppintree Early Education Centre, Ballymun on Monday 21st May.

Poppintree Early Education Centre is a purpose built community crèche facility situated in the recently developed Poppintree Community Centre, funded by Ballymun Regeneration Limited and Dublin City Council as part of the regeneration masterplan for Ballymun.

The centre currently has 73 children, and offers full-time, part-time and seasonal childcare services. It offers services to babies, toddlers and pre-school children and participants in the ECCE free preschool scheme, and Community Childcare Subvention Scheme funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs through Pobal.

National Bike Week 18th - 24th June

To celebrate National Bike Week, GAP will be hosting a Family Cycling Fun day in Poppintree Park. Activities on the day will include:

• Cycle treasure hunt
• Smoothie bike workshop
• Bicycle maintenance workshop by Recycabike’
• Cycle road safety workshop

Where: Poppintree Park, Ballymun, Dublin 11

Registration: Park entrance at Barnwell Drive

When: 18th - 24th June This is a fun filled event for all ages but please note that children must be accompanied with an adult if they want to participate in the event

For more information contact: lynn@globalaction.ie or telephone 01 862 5846

Ballymun Support Services (BCMT)

Individual Support

BCMT offers a range of support services to residents of Ballymun. Our work primarily focuses on individuals with alcohol related problems. At BCMT we aim to meet you where you are at with your drinking or concerns, and to work at your pace. In order to meet your individual needs we will, together with you, advocate with other agencies through a case management approach to get the best support in place. We offer a non-judgmental service and all queries are treated confidentially. We will work to support you to assess your current level of drinking, and develop a specific support plan that enables you to manage or stop your drinking. This is achieved through a harm reduction approach through 1-1 work or group work with your dedicated key worker.

Group Support

We deliver regular group work sessions throughout the year. The focus of the group is to work is to equip individuals with skills and coping strategies to manage or stop drinking.

Family Support

Are you concerned about a loved one’s drinking? Does the amount they drink have an impact on your family? At BCMT we work with family members who are concerned about their loved one’s level of alcohol use. This is done through 1-1 work and/or group work and focuses on awareness, support, skills and strategies to help you move forward.

If you or someone you know would like support contact us at 01 862 3728 or call to our office at 176 Balbutcher Lane, Dublin 11 (third floor)

People Make Parks - coming soon

People make parks 2012 will be launched on Saturday the 23rd of June at Give Sport A Go in Poppintree Park . Keep an eye out for the booklet.

Poor weather doesn’t dampen the Mun-Fun-Run’s spirits

Runners, walkers and joggers limbered up to take to the streets of Ballymun on Wednesday 25th April to do their bit for both charity and their own fitness in the third annual 3km and 5km Mun-Fun-Run. After a mass warm-up instructed by the staff of Ballymun Leisure Centre, Roisin Shorthall TD, Minister for State and Department of Health set the runners off.

The day was a great success and the poor weather did not dampen the spirits. Over 289 competitors of all levels of fitness took on this challenge in the toughest of conditions. Monsoon rains pelted down on spectators and race marshals but spirits remained high and the atmosphere was electric at an event which has become and annual highlight for the community.

Speaking at the event, Rosie King, Sports Development Officer for BRL said “Despite the gloomy weather, we were all in it together – spectators, marshals and competitors” Well done to everyone who took part especially Virgin Mary Boys and Girls National School who came out and braved the elements. A big thank you to Supervalu for supplying bottles of water for all the competitors.

This event was funded by BRL and supported by DCC, Trinity Comprehensive School, An Garda Siochana as well as a number of community groups; it truly was a team effort.

Winners of Mens 5Km
1st – Chris Byrne – St Catherine’s Foyer
2nd – Salmaan Ali – St Catherine’s Foyer
3rd – Gerard Prendergast – JR Bootcamp

Winners of Ladies 5km
1st – Sue Robinson – Ballymun United Ladies
2nd – Trisha Dorman – FAI Football Foundation Course
3rd – Christina Byrne – FAI Football Foundation Course.

Ballymun Tidy Towns Summer Competition 2012

GET INVOLVED! – If you live or work in Ballymun then enter at least one of our competitions
FREE to enter & numerous great PRIZES for each competition

Best Front Garden Competition
Best Kept Area competition
Best Shop Front, Best Neighbourhood / Community Business, Best Public Building

Deadline for all entries is 22nd June 2012
Please Note this year we will be looking out for Best Newcomers

Competition entry forms available from: www.brl.ie (latest information section of home page)
Facebook – Ballymun Tidy Towns page
Or contact:
Lynn@globalactionplan.ie 01 862 5846 Roger.warburton@dublincity.ie 01 222 852

axis events

Lost and Found
Dates: 23rd May – 29th June
Forum for Arts Ballymun present a group exhibition as part of their series of biannual exhibitions in axis. The theme for this new group exhibition expresses the notion of reclaiming lost, forgotten or discontinued art options involving 17 local artists. It offers an opportunity of realising those imaginings – dormant ‘till now. Art lives in the imagination, it is not born of it and that is where its presence becomes manifest. In truth, nothing in heaven or earth can provide one with the means of acquiring it, for it is a given.

The Dream Factory
Dates: 23rd July – 3rd August
Children ages 5-8 and 9-12 years old can choose daily drama or art classes for two weeks with a final celebration marking the end of this year’s summer project. For more information contact 01 883 2100 or email Niamh Fitzpatrick at niamh.fitzpatrick@axisballymun.ie Registration is available at axis reception desk.

A cracking cuppa!
The axis café is open weekdays from 9am – 2pm.
The café offers a warm welcome and great value whether you’re just after a chat with friends or popping in for breakfast or lunch, we’re here and the kettle’s always boiled.

Shangan 5A housing scheme

The 1st & 2nd phase of this scheme consisting of 16 units is now complete and handed over. The first group of families has moved into their new homes with the remainder of the families following in the coming weeks. The final handover is expected to take place near the end of the summer.

We would like to take the opportunity to offer our best wishes to all the families who have moved into their new homes.