< Previous© September 2018 The Meath Coaster10 Continued over....Council Update By Cllr. Sharon TolanAs many of you will know, there are no Local Authority statutory meet-ings in August, but it has still been a very busy month!Feeling Fleadh-bulous!A massive congratulations and well done to the Drogheda Fleadh Committee and Louth County Council, on delivering an amazing week of Irish culture, craic agus cheoil! It is estimated more than 500,000 visitors descended on Drogheda and it’s environs (including East Meath), which resulted in a busy and prosperous week for some local businesses. If you didn’t get a chance to visit, don’t despair, the an-nual Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann will be back in Drogheda next year from 11th-18th August 2019 – a must for your calendar!Laytown Strand Races 150 Years Book LaunchFor 150 years, racing under official rules has taken place on our beautiful beaches between Laytown and Bettystown. A Cllr Sharon Tolan with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fergus O’Dowd TD who visited the Fleadh, photo courtesy of Andy Spearman, Drogheda Lifeunique achievement worldwide! The Laytown Race Committee commissioned John Kirwan and Fiona Ahern to publish a commermorative book to celebrate the past 150 years of racing here! It’s a won-derful book, and I was delighted to attend the launch in the Glenside Hotel where a huge crowd gathered to mark the occa-sion. Well done to all involved…..Chap-ter One is named after one of my favourite mantras, “Life’s a Beach”.Oldbridge Walkway DamageI’d like to take this opportunity to praise all the staff of Meath County Council who went above and beyond to repair the recently destroyed boardwalk between Drogheda and Oldbridge. This amenity Cllr Sharon Tolan with Minister Helen McEntee T.D. and Joe Collins, Chairman of Laytown Race Committee)© September 2018 The Meath Coaster12is used by so many on a daily basis, and it is so hard to understand why anyone to deliberately destroy it. Meath County Council pulled out all the stops to clear the burnt debris and make temporary re-pairs in time for the Fleadh. This was a great opportunity to showcase this gor-geous area to visitors. It’s an amenity that the council are so very proud of. We are now working to secure the funding for the permanent repairs, which is estimated to be in the region of €200,000.Boyne Valley Tourism Strategise Hal-loween in Slane DistilleryAs Directors on the Board of Boyne Val-ley Tourism, Cllr Eimear Ferguson and I recently attended a strategy event to assist members plan Halloween events around the region. Lot’s going on so keep an eye on social media and of course, local newspapers and radio. If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit the newly opened Slane Distillery, it is well worth a visit. The tours are very informative and enter-taining with lots of information on the de-mesne as well as whiskey!Good News!I am delighted to announce that following many representations over the past year, funding for the Alverno Regeneration Programme has been increased signifi-cantly, from €3,458,329 to €4,150,329. The scope and up to date costings of the project are currently being examined in order to finalise what level of works will be viable, and to ascertain the extent of lo-cal funding that may be required, before the project proceeds to tender stage.It has been a priority for Irish Water to replace the ageing 2.3km Staleen Pipe-line, following the two major bursts we experienced in the past year. This pipe-line currently brings water from the River Boyne to the Staleen Water Treatment Plant, where it is treated and pumped to the Donore Reservoir serving 90,000 peo-ple in Drogheda, South Louth and East Meath including the towns of Ashbourne, Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Donacarney, Ratoath, Duleek, Stamullen, Clogherhead and Termonfeckin. This is a €5 million investment, to replace this pipeline that is over 50 years old, to en-sure a secure and reliable water supply for homes and businesses in the area.Separately, Irish Water also commenced work late last year on a €14 million up-grade of the Staleen Water Treatment Plant which was originally constructed in 1974 and upgraded last in 1986, and is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Remedial Action List. All welcome news for the area, that will ensure a safe and re-liable water supply for us into the future.That’s all I have room for this month, but I’ll be back to keep you updated soon. If I can be of any assistance with any issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at sha-ron.tolan@members.meathcoco.ie Sha-ron. . §© September 2018 The Meath Coaster14150 Years of Laytown RacesHorse racing on Laytown and Bettystown strand is believed to have been in existence since the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. These were informal races run once or twice a year in the form of one race with two heats. tion near a strand had a race meeting and nearly all were sponsored by the railway companies. In 1868, 150 years ago this year, Laytown Strand Races were officially recognized by the Turf Club, making it an official Race Meeting abiding by the rules and regulations of the Turf Club.To commemorate this, Laytown Race Committee commissioned a book: “Laytown Strand Races, Celebrating 150 Years” The book @ €20, which is full of history, facts, stories, and photographs, is avail-able at the following venues:On the day at Laytown Race-field; Laytown And Bettystown Golf Club; Gilna’s Cot-tage Inn Laytown; O’Reilly’s Super-market Laytown; Glenside Hotel SmithstownBellewstown Post Office; Jim Cor-coran of B Corcoran Garden Shop Dyer St Drogheda. Enquires to Paul Kerbey At 087 648480By the mid 1800’s rowing regattas had become the main sport in Laytown, with a few informal horse races added. When the Dublin Drogheda Railway opened in 1844 the railway company was quick to spot the popularity and opportunities pre-sented by these regattas. The following year they were laying on special trains at reduced rates and happily contributing to the prize money as they transported large crowds to and from the area.By the 1860’s and 70’s strand races were taking place from Carlingford in Co. Louth to Sandymount in Co. Dublin. In short, anywhere there was a train sta-© September 2018 The Meath Coaster15map of where to park: Locations are Laytown Train Station, Lis Maura Farm Shop, Coláiste na hInse and Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa.celebrating 150 years.The Laytown Races are on the 6th September, start time 3.30pm. There are 4 FREE car parks around the race field. Visit website: www.laytownstrandraces.ie to see a Laytown Races Free ParkingFREE shuttle bus service will run continuously from the car parks to the race field.LaytownStrand RacesTrain StationTrain StationLis MauraColáiste na hInseScoil Oilibhéir Naofa.© September 2018 The Meath Coaster16Laytown Tidy TownsOur CE participant Gary has now been placed full time in Bettystown with the Tidy Towns group there. We appreci-ate his work during the summer when he worked in Laytown two days per week, he really made a difference during the heat wave when the beach was being used so much, and so much litter was being left behind! Thank you Gary!The good news is we have been joined by another CE participant, Will Connell, who is placed with our group full time. Will has already made a huge difference by picking litter through the village and along the beach on a daily basis. Between the two of them both Bettystown and Laytown are looking great!Will tells us he is delighted to be placed in Laytown as he grew up here and feels he is now giving something back as well as meeting up with people he hasn't seen in years! He will be helping with the maintenance of the flowerbeds and planters and any other projects we take on.As always we meet on Saturday mornings at the Coast Tavern at 10am. Feel free to join us if you have a half an hour to spend!The extensive work on strengthening the sea wall at Laytown seems to be almost complete. The finished effect with the seaside railings looks really good. Hopefully our Wheelchair Access table will be placed in the concrete overlooking the beach!The work in the Memorial Garden is also nearly complete. It too is looking very well! (see photos) !. §© September 2018 The Meath Coaster17Full print & signage service- Digital Print- Books & Brochures- Labels & BannersProvidingProfessionalPrint Services to Meath Coaster Since 2009*Subject to T&Cs© September 2018 The Meath Coaster18Fit Kids/Fit Teens Dance SchoolFit Kids/Fit Teens Dance School are looking forward to resuming classes this September, bringing all the latest Hip Hop dance moves to the local children and teenagers. After their great success on TV3's Ire-land's Got Talent, where their FKFT crew were 2018 Runners Up, they took a break to prepare for the year ahead. School founder Jacinta Cassidy from Mornington is delighted with the success of the school and so grateful for the public support. FKFT were delighted to perform for the Taoiseach and Minister for Education and are honoured to have been invited to In-dia to perform at the international Saarang festival in JAnuary which attracts over 60,000 visitors.This term, they hope to continue to bring a 'party feel' fun atmosphere to their classes with their Halloween Fancy Dress event and Christmas Display ahead. They are also de-lighted that the new heating system is now operating in Laytown Parochial Hall. For those who enjoy competition, they will be heading to Tralee to the Irish Hip Hop/Breakdance Masters 2019 in March to represent their towns. They are hop-Julianstown Foroige Youth ClubJulianstown Foroige Youth Club public meeting Friday 7th September 2018 at 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms, Laytown Road, Julianstown.Julianstown Foroige Youth Club has been in existence for 10 years. The club is hoping to start back again this September however it desperately needs new leaders. Dwindling membership in the latter years is also a factor in the clubs future.We are holding a meeting on Friday 7th September for all young people 12 years plus interested in joining the club and any adults who may be interested in helping out in the club. The level of interest on the evening of both young people to join and adults to help out will decide the future of the club. If you have any interest in saving the club from closing please attend. For further information please contact Caroline 087-6796634 §ing to do as well as last year when their Crews including Back 2 Scratch(pictured) trained by local Bettystown Instructor Shauna Browning swept the boards. All boys and girls from 3 years to 21 years are most welcome to join in. §© September 2018 The Meath Coaster19SCHOOL SERVICES 2018/2019Email: info@eastcoasttravel.ie www.eastcoasttravel.iePhone Sarah 086 6006443, Gerry 086 7954646, John 087 2303068East Coast Travel are the sole transport provider for primary schools in Laytown and Bettystown, Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa and Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh. We also serve Coláiste na hInse, and St Mary’s and Sacred Heart Drogheda Coláiste na hInse - Stamullen, Julianstown, Drogheda, Bryanstown, Five Oaks ,Stameen, Grange Rath, Donacarney, Mornington, BettystownScoil Oilibhéir Naofa and Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Donacarney, Mornington, Bettystown, Laytown Places are restricted Please phone well in advance to book a place!St Mary’s and Sacred Heart, DroghedaLaytown, Bettystown, Mornington, Donacarney, Grange Rath BUS PICK-UP POINTSNext >