Fingal kept St Patrick’s Day flag flying despite Coronavirus restrictions
The community of Fingal celebrated St Patrick’s Day in unique fashion this year overcoming restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus crisis that saw the curtailment of festivities on our national holiday.
Fingal kept St Patrick’s Day flag flying despite Coronavirus restrictions
The community of Fingal celebrated St Patrick’s Day in unique fashion this year overcoming restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus crisis that saw the curtailment of festivities on our national holiday.
Fingal County Council’s Events Team, whose plans for parades across Fingal were cancelled, instead organised a Virtual St. Patrick's Day Parade that invited people across the county to post pictures of how they were celebrating the day.
Hundreds of residents across Fingal got involved in the fun initiative, sharing images and videos from the day, including mini - but elaborate - St Patrick’s Day parades around living rooms and gardens as well as numerous displays of window art, funny costumes and displays.
All contributors were entered into a raffle for a €100 One4All gift card with prizes awarded to the seven best contributions.
The winners were:
- Fiona McGarrigle along with her children Garreth and baby Rya from Balbriggan;
- Lambourne Residents Association;
- Edel Woods, Swords;
- Annabel Fitzgerald, Portmarnock;
- Amy Lawson, Tyrellstown;
- Emma Devlin Jameson, Lusk;
- Karina Russell, Rush.
Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Eoghan O’Brien said: “A huge thank you to all who entered and got involved in our Virtual St. Patrick's Day which showed great community spirit during this challenging time. At this time of national crisis, can I remind people to please follow HSE guidelines and help keep each other safe.”
As well as the Virtual St Patrick’s Day Parade Fingal County Council has devised other ideas to help people manage their daily lives during the restrictions.
Although playgrounds and playing pitches have been closed people are encouraged to walk the magnificent grounds of local heritage properties such as Ardgillan, Malahide and Newbridge and enjoy the fresh air and exercise while maintaining social distancing. All of our parks and beaches remain open, so there is plenty of opportunity to get out for a walk remembering to keep a safe distance from others.
The Fingal Sports Office has released a series of home workout videos to help people exercise and keep fit. Two videos have been released so far, showing how to perform the perfect chair squat, leg raises, push ups, shoulder presses, bicep curls and more.
While the Council’s libraries and mobile library services are closed, people can avail of the many electronic resources provided by Fingal Libraries including joining the library online and borrowing eBooks, audiobooks, E-Magazines and E-Comics online.
AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive Fingal County Council said: “We are fortunate in Fingal to have some wonderful parks and beaches which remain open and I would encourage people get out for a walk, remembering to keep a safe distance from others. We will continue to provide services and support to communities and business during this unprecedented public health crisis.”
Fingal County Council’s public offices in Swords and Blanchardstown remain open as normal but members of the public wishing to conduct business with the Council are encouraged to do so by phone, email or post rather than going to the Council’s public offices. The phone number is 018905000, the email address is [email protected] , and the postal address is Fingal County Council County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 X8Y2.
For those who wish to drop in letters, forms or additional information for applications, a drop box has been located immediately inside the main entrance of the Council offices at County Hall, Swords and Grove Road, Blanchardstown in order to avoid unnecessary queuing.
