New playgrounds open in Ireland’s youngest town

BALBRIGGAN has received a major boost following the opening of two new playgrounds in the town.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, in the company of Fingal County Council chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly, officially opened the Bandstand playground near the Martello Tower and Quay Street playground. 

The amenities got a joyous seal of approval from the enthusiastic children at St Molaga’s National School on the day.  

Also in attendance at the opening were members of the Balbriggan Playground Committee and local councillors Tony Murphy (Ind) and Gráinne Maguire (Ind) and former councillor Malachy Quinn (SF), who were very involved with the project from the beginning.

The playgrounds were designed to provoke children’s imagination and fit into the landscape and resulted from extensive consultation and engagement with the local community.  

The Bandstand Playground design has taken inspiration from its location overlooking Balbriggan harbour with a nautical theme including a replica of the iconic lighthouse, and the Quay Street design has also taken inspiration from its location beside the railway viaduct to inspire a railway themed playground.

The council said it recognises the significant benefit of investing in children’s play as one of the important things to improve children’s health and wellbeing.  

Speaking at the launch, Mayor O’Brien said: “I am delighted to be back in Balbriggan launching these playgrounds after having launched the new town Skatepark late last year. 

“These new play facilities are part of the response by Fingal County Council to address the deficit of infrastructure in Balbriggan.”

Mayor O’Brien added that it was wonderful to see the excitement of the children from St Molaga’s trying out the playgrounds at the launch.

Ms Farrelly commended Kevin Halpenny and the Parks’ team at the council for meeting the challenge of delivering the projects in the first 12 months of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Plan.  

“Fingal County Council has had a particular focus on Balbriggan for a number of years and will continue to work to deliver infrastructure to meet the needs of the town and its young and diverse population.”

The council has committed significant capital funding for Balbriggan and strong progress has been made on plans for the Bremore Regional Park, the Fingal Coastal Way and cycling and pedestrian schemes for the Harry Reynolds Road.