Beach Lifeguard Training
Are you interested in becoming a qualified beach lifeguard?
The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) provides the essential knowledge and skills needed to keep the public safe across different beach environments. The course includes CPR, first aid, and a range of pool, beach, and open water training.
Requirements:
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Applicants must be 16+ years old
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Good level of fitness
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Confident swimming in the sea
Successful candidates may have opportunities for paid work with Meath Local Sports Partnership and Meath County Council.
Course Details:
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Location: Bettystown Beach & Civic Centre
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Dates: Monday 27th October – Saturday 1st November
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Time: 9:15am–5:30pm (10am–6pm on Tuesday)
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Cost: €100 (reduced from €450)
More information, including full requirements and registration details, is available here: Meath Sports – East Meath Amenity Hub
Please ensure you read the full course information before booking.
September 1, 2025
Reminder to Farmers: Protect Drinking Water When Landspreading
Meath County Council is reminding all farmers of the buffer zones required to protect local drinking water sources when landspreading:
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200m – for larger water sources (serving more than 500 people or abstracting over 100m³/day)
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100m – for sources serving 50–500 people or abstracting over 10m³/day
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25m – for all other boreholes, springs, and wells
Please take note of drinking water sources in your area. Maintaining these buffer zones is essential to protecting our community’s water quality.
September 1, 2025
Strawberry Season in Stamullen
Who doesn’t love fresh strawberries – especially when they’re local? 🍓
It’s strawberry season, and you can pick up delicious Clarke’s fresh strawberries right here in the community. A sweet treat and a great way to support local growers!
August 27, 2025
Balbriggan Garda Station Open Day
📅 Date: Saturday, 30th August 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm (Sensory Hour: 12:00pm – 1:00pm)
Balbriggan Garda Station is opening its doors for a family-friendly day out. Come along to see Garda vehicles, meet different units, and enjoy plenty of activities for all ages.
August 27, 2025
New Parent & Toddler Group at Bettystown Library
We are excited to welcome families to the new Parent & Toddler Group at Bettystown Library!
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Start Date: Friday, 5th September 2025
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Time: Every Friday morning, 10:30am – 12:30pm
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Booking: Not required
Bring your little ones along to enjoy playtime, stories, and activities, and connect with other parents in the local area.
August 22, 2025
DART+ Coastal North Approved
Exciting news for commuters and the community! The extension of the DART network from Malahide to Drogheda has been officially approved.
An Comisiún Pleanála has granted the Railway Order for DART+ Coastal North, which will see the electrified DART service extended to Drogheda.
Once completed, the project will nearly double rail capacity from Drogheda into Dublin city, increasing peak-hour passenger capacity from around 4,800 to 8,800.
This is a major development for improving travel options and connectivity in the region.
August 21, 2025
Cancer Support Counselling in Balbriggan
A local counselling group in Balbriggan is offering support for anyone affected by cancer. The group provides a safe and welcoming space to talk, share experiences, and find strength together.
If you or someone you know could benefit, please reach out and make use of this valuable community resource.
August 21, 2025
⚡ Lifesaving Defibrillators in Our Community ⚡
Meath Coast CFR is proud to share that we have many Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) located across our area — always available, always ready.
Just a few of the locations:
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Julianstown
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Laytown
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Bettystown
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Mornington
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Donacarney
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Grangerath
🕒 Available 24/7 — these units are unlocked and ready to be used in emergencies only.
📞 If a defibrillator is used or taken in an emergency, please contact us directly through this page or call 085 156 5222 immediately.
Did you know?
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All our defibrillators are funded by the community
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Each unit is checked every fortnight by volunteers
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All are registered with the National Ambulance Service (NAS)
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And thankfully, there has been no vandalism to date
🗺️ You can explore the full interactive map of all community defibrillators here:
👉 View Map
💚 A defibrillator could be just around the corner — do you know where your nearest one is?
August 17, 2025
Sign Up Now – Girls’ Basketball Program!
Starting Tuesday 26th August, the East Coast Cavaliers Basketball Club is inviting girls aged 10 to 17 years to come and give basketball a try! 🏀✨
No experience in basketball – or even in sports – is needed. Just bring your energy and enthusiasm, and we’ll provide the rest.
Why Try Basketball?
- Make new friends
- Build confidence
- Be part of a team
- Learn new skills
- Everyone is welcome!
Whether you’ve never picked up a ball before or are simply curious to see what basketball is all about, this is your chance to join a fun, supportive environment where you can grow both on and off the court.
When: Starting Tuesday, 26th August
Who: Girls aged 10–17 years
Where: East Coast Cavaliers Basketball
Don’t miss out – come along and give it a go!
August 17, 2025
🚦 New Slow Down Sign Installed on Church Rd, Mornington
A new “Slow Down” sign was installed today on Church Road, Mornington near Moran’s.
The aim is to encourage drivers to reduce their speed and make the road safer for everyone who lives, walks, and drives in the area.
Let’s hope it helps to curb speeding on this busy stretch of road.
August 14, 2025
Celebrate the River Boyne Through Photography
The Meath Association of An Taisce is inviting photographers of all ages and skill levels to take part in a special Photography Competition focused on capturing the natural and built heritage along the River Boyne.
It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty, history, and character of this important landscape.
Keep an eye out for more details on how to enter and get involved.
August 2nd, 2025
Important Notice: Increased Sightings of Lion’s Mane Jellyfish Along the Coast
Recent weeks have seen a rise in confirmed sightings of Lion’s Mane jellyfish on beaches around the coast. Visitors are advised to take extra care while swimming or exercising on the beaches during this time.
Lion’s Mane jellyfish prefer the cooler waters of the Irish Sea. Their tentacles can grow up to two metres long and can still sting even if washed up on shore or detached from the jellyfish body. Stings can be painful and may require medical attention.
What to expect if stung:
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Immediate pain, stinging, or pricking at the contact site
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Possible skin reactions such as redness, itching, blistering, numbness, or wheals
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Allergic reactions are very rare
Immediate steps after a sting:
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Swim ashore calmly and quickly
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Seek help from a lifeguard if available
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Rinse the affected area with plenty of sea water to remove any tentacles
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Carefully remove remaining tentacles using a bank card, tweezers, or a gloved hand, rinsing tools after each use
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Avoid getting stung yourself when helping others
What not to do:
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Do not apply cold packs or fresh water
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Do not tightly bandage or rub the sting area
Further care:
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Immerse the affected area in hot water (as hot as can be tolerated) for 30 to 90 minutes to ease pain, or apply hot flannels
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Repeat hot water treatment if pain returns within two hours
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Contact the NPIC, your GP, or pharmacist if pain or itching persists
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Seek urgent medical help if you experience breathing difficulties, chest tightness, swelling, or vomiting
For advice, contact the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) at 01 809 2166.
Stay safe and enjoy the coast responsibly.
August 1st, 2025
August Bank Holiday Weekend - Road Safety Advice
95 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, including a number of tragedies here in Meath.
Launching Amber Thursday this week, our Road Safety Officer Audrey Norris highlighted that the August Bank Holiday Weekend is a high-risk time on our roads, and called on road-users in Meath to slow down, wear their seatbelts, don’t be distracted by phones, and to never, ever drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
August 1st, 2025
We came across a lovely poem that reminds us how simple acts — like picking up after ourselves — can make a big difference.
It paints a picture of how beautiful our shared spaces could be if everyone took just one small step. Whether it's picking up a piece of litter or caring for your corner of the world, every little action adds up.
Every little helps!
August 2nd, 2025
🌟Old Mill Hotel Site – A New Chapter for Julianstown🌟
We are pleased to share that a planning application has been submitted to Meath County Council by Casana Developments Limited for the redevelopment of the Old Mill Hotel site in Julianstown.
The proposal includes 62 new homes in a mix of terraced houses, apartments, and duplex units. Importantly, the historic Mill House at the corner of the site is set to be repurposed as a Medical Centre, and the Old Mill building itself will be conserved and adapted to include a café, a community room, and apartments above.
A public riverside walkway along the River Nanny is also planned, with seating and landscaping to enhance the space for residents and visitors alike.
This site has long been a concern for the community due to its prominent location in the heart of the village. As the Old Mill lies within a designated conservation area, we strongly believe that any new buildings should respect and reflect the historic character of Julianstown.
High-quality design, whether traditional or innovative, should aim to complement the surrounding environment and celebrate the heritage of the village. We are confident that Meath’s planning authorities and conservation officers will provide the necessary guidance to ensure a thoughtful and sensitive approach.
This project has the potential to breathe new life into Julianstown, providing much-needed housing, local employment, and community amenities.
We look forward to engaging further as plans develop.
August 1st, 2025
Boyne Valley Trails Walking Festival – 14 to 21 September 2025
This September, explore the rich landscape and stories of the Boyne Valley with the Boyne Valley Trails Walking Festival. Running from 14 to 21 September 2025, this week-long event invites walkers of all ages and interests to enjoy a variety of guided experiences.
The festival includes:
• Guided hikes and Nordic walking
• Foraging walks and wellness experiences
• History tours filled with myths and legends
• Evening talks with special guests
Whether you are a seasoned hiker or just curious to explore Ireland’s Ancient East, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
For more information, contact hello@lovedrogheda.ie or visit visitlouth.ie.
July 28th, 2025
A Vision for the Village
There is a real opportunity to transform this derelict site into something beautiful that complements the character of the village.
We hope to see support from The Heritage Council, An Taisce, and The National Trust for Ireland in helping to shape a thoughtful and respectful development for the community.
July 26th, 2025
Bellewstown Races – August Festival 2025
Get ready for two exciting days of racing at the Bellewstown August Festival, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 26th and 27th August 2025.
Join for the thrilling races, great atmosphere, and a true celebration of tradition and community spirit.
July 26th, 2025
Progress at Last in Julianstown
We are delighted to share that things are finally moving forward at the site in Julianstown.
Councillor Geraldine Keogan, Councillor Amanda Smith, Carol Lennon, Independent Councillor for East Meath, and I have been working closely with the development team to ensure the community stays informed and involved.
We are pleased to say that the team has kindly agreed to hold a public information evening in Julianstown in the coming weeks.
Details on the date and venue will be shared as soon as they are confirmed. We look forward to seeing you there and continuing the conversation together.
July 26th, 2025
FOOD ALERT – URGENT RECALL
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland FSAI has issued an update to a major food safety recall involving over 140 prepared meals and side dishes produced by Ballymaguire Foods due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes– a harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness.
Affected Brands Include
Impacted Products
These products are sold in major supermarkets: Aldi, Centra, SuperValu, Tesco, and more.
What You Should Do
Stay safe and help spread the word by sharing this post.
Yellow Rattle — Nature’s Lawnmower
Yellow rattle, also known by its Irish name gliográn, is a wildflower with a wonderful secret. On warm summer days, if you find yourself in the right kind of meadow, you might hear a gentle, rattling sound carried by the breeze.
This soft clatter comes from its dried seed pods, which shake like tiny maracas in the wind. It is a sound that once signaled something special — the time for farmers to sharpen their scythes and begin the hay harvest.
Yellow rattle plays an important role in wildflower meadows by helping to keep vigorous grasses in check. This gives other native plants room to grow, making it a natural helper in creating vibrant, biodiverse habitats.
July 25th, 2025
✨Attention parents, teachers, and book lovers! 📚💛
Have you heard about Barrington Stoke? It’s truly a gem for young readers who need a little extra support.
These books are thoughtfully created for children who find reading a bit tricky. Whether it’s due to dyslexia, low confidence, or simply needing a gentler introduction to reading, Barrington Stoke makes a big difference.
With clear fonts, cream-coloured paper, shorter chapters, and captivating stories from top authors, these books help children feel included and excited about reading. From thrilling adventures to touching tales, there’s something to inspire every young reader.
In our home or classroom, the Barrington Stoke titles are always the first ones picked up. Watching a child’s confidence grow through stories like these is such a joy.
If there’s a young reader in your life who finds reading a challenge, or if you just want to spark a love for books, give Barrington Stoke a try. These stories truly open doors.
July 10th, 2025
Good Dunes vs. Bad Dunes — What’s the Difference?
Healthy sand dunes are nature’s shield and they protect our coastline, support biodiversity, and help prevent erosion.
But when dunes are damaged, the coast becomes vulnerable, and precious habitats are lost.
Let’s all do our bit to keep our dunes strong and thriving and stay on designated paths, avoid trampling vegetation, and spread the word!
Together, we can protect what makes our coast so special.
July 18th, 2025
Could you create the next Super Garden?
Applications are now open for people who would like to take part in the RTE TV show Super Garden, the garden design competition. Can you come up with a great design idea for a garden and bring it to life?Five people will be selected to compete in the new series and the winning garden will go on to be recreated at Bord Bia Bloom 2026, Ireland's premier garden show.
The series will be filmed from 15th August to 12th September 2025. You need to be available during this time.
To apply just click on the link and tell us why you would like to take part.
July 6th, 2025
Big Announcement-tickets are on sale now!
We are so excited to return this Autumn with our Boyne Valley Trails September Festival.
Join us from 14th to 21st of September for 8 days of tracks, trails, hikes, Nordic Walking classes, storytelling, myths and legends, history tours and special guests. We have a jam-packed schedule with something for everyone.
Tickets are on sale now over at boynevalleytrails.ie with more events announcements coming very soon. We cannot wait to share the beauty, history, nature and stories of the Boyne Valley with you.
#keepdiscovering Visit Louth Drogheda on the Boyne Tourism Discover Boyne Valley
July 4, 2025
Under the Big Top – A Musical Fancy Dress Adventure
📅 Sunday, 10th August
🕐 1:00 PM
📍 Under the Big Top, overlooking Trim Castle
Step into a world of music, magic, and imagination at Orchestral Odyssey – a spectacular live concert designed for families.
What to Expect
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Kids and adults – come dressed as your favourite heroes and characters! (Superheroes, princesses, cartoon stars – everyone’s welcome.)
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A magical performance of music from Marvel, Disney, TV, and film favourites
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Meet the orchestra – 35 world-class musicians live in action
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Hosted by Shóna O’Sullivan, conducted by Niall O’Sullivan
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Special performances from Glitz Performing Arts and Elite Stage School & Productions
Why You’ll Love It
- Costumes encouraged
- Music guaranteed
- Fun unstoppable!
A vibrant big top setting with the stunning Trim Castle as the backdrop makes this the must-see family event of the summer. Perfect for all ages – don’t miss it!
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🎉 Official Announcement 🎉
Meath County Pride of Place – July 1st! 🌟
We’re incredibly proud to announce that our community has been selected to take part in the Meath County Pride of Place on Monday, July 1st! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that makes our neighbourhood so special — and we want YOU to be a part of it!
💪 Helpers Wanted – Your Community Needs You! To make this day shine, we need a team of enthusiastic volunteers to help with preparations and on-the-day activities. Whether it’s lending a hand with setup, or simply bringing your positive energy — every bit of help counts!
✨ Let’s show Meath what our community is all about: pride, people, and positivity! More details to follow — but for now, save the date and get ready to shine! 🌈
Exciting News!
We’re thrilled to announce that our long-awaited Street Party is officially happening on August 2nd!
With COVID now behind us, we can't wait to reconnect and celebrate with our wonderful neighbours and friends — past and present.
Official invitations are on the way, but for now, save the date!
We’d love your help to make this event unforgettable. Check below for the upcoming meet-up date — as they say, many hands make light work!
Saturday morning 29th April from 12 noon to 3 pm Summer Charity Fair in St. Peter's Church of Ireland Drogheda EAST MEATH news Julianstown & District Community Association Julianstown Community Centre East Meath Local Community News Meath Chronicle Drogheda Independent Drogheda Leader DroghedaLife.com.png?timestamp=1755610470180)
On Tuesday evening an Oil Tanker broke down on the bridge in Julianstown. An Garda Síochána Meath did a great job with traffic control. Tonight (Thursday 26th) there is another crash in the centre of the village and it's taking an hour to get through Julianstown. Meath County Council
June 16th 2025
WIND TURBINES
Wind turbines kill a lot of birds, particularly eagles and other raptors. The exact number is unknown, because many of the world’s wind farms don’t monitor bird deaths. One mitigation idea to reduce these numbers—and assuage a political argument against wind turbines—is gaining traction: Paint one turbine blade black. Ecologist Roel May spoke with IEEE Spectrum about his 11-year study to reduce raptor deaths, and his surprise at the lukewarm reactions from wind-turbine engineers.
Roel May
Roel May is a senior research scientist focusing on renewable energy impacts and mitigation at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) in Trondheim, Norway.
How bad are wind turbines for birds?
Roel May: It depends a lot on where you put the turbines, and whether there’s breeding or foraging areas nearby, and the species of birds. If you put wind turbines smack in the middle of a vulnerable population, the effect can be quite large. That’s what happened in Norway on the island of Smøla, which is a hot spot for white-tailed eagles. That’s where we did our study.
Why are eagles susceptible to wind turbines?
May: Raptor species like eagles are very good at flying, but they don’t look straight ahead; they look down at the ground for prey. They like to use updrafts to soar, but updrafts are common near ridges where wind conditions are good for turbines. So that’s a bad combination.
Does the wind-turbine type make a difference?
May: Larger turbines kill more birds because their blades take up more area. But where wind turbines are smaller, there’s often more of them, so those wind farms may end up killing more birds than farms with fewer, larger turbines, at least onshore. Offshore wind farms are harder to study: You can’t count the exact number of birds that die because you can’t find them; they fall into the sea and they’re gone. Some researchers are trying to record collisions with bird radar, cameras, and other systems.
You found that painting one blade black resulted in a 70 percent decline in bird deaths. Should all wind farms be doing this?
May: Our study is something that should be repeated in other places because there are likely site-specific and species-specific effects. A group in the Netherlands painted blades and hasn’t seen a clear effect. So we need more studies. There’s one study going in South Africa where they painted a blade red, and some others that arestarting in Wyoming, Italy, and Spain. The United Kingdom is planninga pilot project for offshore turbines. But these studies are hard to do because the operator has to get exemptions from regulations to paint the blades and hire certified painters who can rappel up and down. And it takes a lot of time. We collected data on eagles in Smøla for seven years before the blades were painted. After we painted, we spent four more years studying the effects.
How did engineers respond to your study?
May: A lot of people from turbine manufacturers asked if I had considered the technical implications of this. I hadn’t, because I’m an ecologist, not an engineer. Apparently black blades will heat up more than white blades, which may cause structural effects. And the black paint is made with carbon, which could affect the turbine’s performance when hit by lightning. Engineers don’t like that. So we need to overcome these disciplinary silos and work together to develop functional mitigation measures.
This article appears in the June 2025 print issue as “Roel May.”
June 2025
Go Purple Day will take place on Friday 30th of May 2025.
Go Purple Day is An Garda Siochana's National Day for Domestic Violence Awareness.
Go Purple Day aims to raise awareness in relation to domestic violence, domestic abuse services and available supports.
An Garda Siochana encourages people to speak to one another about this issue to raise awareness.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence please phone 999/112 or your local Garda Station.
Our Meath community engagement units will have pop up stands throughout the area on Friday 30th of May.
Below is a list of where you can meet Gardai and learn more about this topic
Navan
Pop up stand in Navan Shopping Centre between 10am -2pm
Trim
Pop up stand at SuperValu Trim in the evening time
Ashbourne
Pop up stand at Ashbourne Town Centre between 10am- 11am
Pop up stand at Supervalu Dunboyne between 12md-1pm
Pop up stand at Bettystown Library between 2.30pm-3.30pm
May 28 2025
From the Nanny to the Boyne
New in - copies of the impressive book From the Nanny to the Boyne.
A History of the Villages and Townlands of Coastal County Meath. Compiled by Margaret Downey. Edited by John McCullen. It's a revised version of the original book printed in 1999.
Margaret used to work in Sonairte's Ecoshop ❤️
The book is for sale in our Ecoshop (€20). We're open Friday to Sunday 10am-5pm.
