Thanks, Fingal County Council.

Khannie · 17-06-2015 9:56am #1

Not a hint of sarcasm. They get heaped with a lot of criticism, but it's easy to overlook the really good things that the council do. This thread is about pointing out the nice things, so away you go.

The Hill Billy · 17-06-2015 10:06am

Nice one, Khannie!

I especially appreciate my 'back garden' - Ardgillan Castle. Even with the occasional gridlock we have to suffer with visitors on sunny Saturday & Sunday afternoons - it is worth it. A fantastic amenity!

martinn123 · 17-06-2015 10:56am

Living in a Rural area of DCN, we are often plagued by Fly-Tipping.

To be fair to FCC, I find that a message sent to their Twitter account will produce a clean up within days.

Paulw · 17-06-2015 10:58am

I appreciate the work they give me ... nah ... I think they run some great events. This Swords Summer Festival looks good.

The Muppet · 17-06-2015 11:40am

Yeah, And they gave us that beautiful building in the middle of Swords, Who needed a town park anyway?

Dizzyblonde · 17-06-2015 2:08pm

The Muppet wrote: »

Yeah, And they gave us that beautiful building in the middle of Swords, Who needed a town park anyway?

They gave us a much-needed building, and jobs for the town in place of a park I never would have felt safe taking my children into when they were little. But maybe that's just me.
They're developing the castle and surrounding area, I'm delighted about that

There's a nice park there too.

This is the positive thread about the council.

Tilly · 17-06-2015 2:32pm

The pretty roundabouts in Swords

The Hill Billy · 17-06-2015 2:42pm

The Muppet wrote: »

Yeah, And they gave us that beautiful building in the middle of Swords, Who needed a town park anyway?

Not in the spirit of the thread. Let's keep it positive.
If you want to bitch/moan about FCC - start another thread.

tHB

mickmmc · 17-06-2015 3:10pm

The hanging baskets and flowers have really brightened up Main St., Swords, which were put up in the last few weeks. A small investment, in relative terms, by Fingal Council has been really worth it.

The new 'Welcome to Swords' signs (recently fitted) sponsored by DAA look nice.

pinkypinky · 17-06-2015 8:28pm

I second the roundabouts. The Estuary roundabout had lovely daffodils and then almost immediately very pretty purple flowers I don't know the name of.

Stheno · 17-06-2015 8:35pm

pinkypinky wrote: »

I second the roundabouts. The Estuary roundabout had lovely daffodils and then almost immediately very pretty purple flowers I don't know the name of.

Do you know the first sight I get of those each year cheers me up no end

BrensBenz · 18-06-2015 1:07am

Khannie wrote: »

Not a hint of sarcasm. They get heaped with a lot of criticism, but it's easy to overlook the really good things that the council do. This thread is about pointing out the nice things, so away you go.

Fair Dues, Khannie, you're right!

Any organisation is only as good as its people and I've found FCC's staff, either on the phone or in person, to be switched on to the concept of customer satisfaction. That's not easy when funds are tight and you've been the butt of criticism and jokes for generations.

Of course, they're not perfect - who is? - but FCC, often in combination with some really excellent local groups, are working hard to make positive differences to our community.

Have a look around. Even the grizzliest of slaggers must agree that our little corner of the world looks great and is a nice place to live! Little things, e.g. of all things, our beautiful roundabouts, walkways, etc! Fun things, e.g. the new "Seal Family" in Floraville, Skerries and kids' playgrounds. Major things, e.g. Ardgillan. Serious things, e.g. their contribution to the recent Darkness into Light events. So, Well Done and Thanks, FCC.

The Muppet · 18-06-2015 10:06am

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

They gave us a much-needed building, and jobs for the town in place of a park I never would have felt safe taking my children into when they were little. But maybe that's just me.
They're developing the castle and surrounding area, I'm delighted about that There's a nice park there too.

This is the positive thread about the council.

Never thought of it that way, If only there had been any green field sites available on the outskirts of the town how things could have been different.

I'll leave ye to your positivity , the gods appear to dislike my viewpoint.

yknaa · 18-06-2015 12:33pm

The walkway around the head in Skerries and its extension all the way up beyone the brook. It has made the whole area accessible for buggys and wheelchair users.

Long term lease on Ardgillan and the snazz playground (thanks also to REM!)

Helping make our beaches clean and safe with employment of lifeguards during the summer.

Khannie · 18-06-2015 12:43pm

Few things myself (I had written up a post yesterday, but the internet ate it, weirdly).

The playgrounds are fantastic. Recently saw some French kids over on holiday playing in Malahide castle playground and they were having super craic. I honestly haven't seen playgrounds of better quality anywhere in the world. Maybe they exist, but I haven't seen them and I'm well travelled.

The parks are great. Every weekend we make use of Ardgillan, Malahide castle or Newbridge house.

I also think the roundabouts in Swords look great.

The recent work to improve the areas leading to the Skerries train station (and the bridge across the ballast pit) are real improvements.

We had some issues with antisocial behaviour caused by a fenced area near our house a few years back. The council worked actively with the Gardai at the time and after some discussion removed the fence. Things improved dramatically as a result.

The recent improvements near the duck pond at Skerries mill are very good and have improved safety for kids and visibility of the wildlife there.

I think it's cool to have the public exercise equipment in various places (Malahide castle, Lusk bypass, Skerries south strand that I'm aware of and I'm sure there's more).

dubsontour · 18-06-2015 12:43pm

I think they do deserve huge credit especially their staff. Any time I've had cause to call them about with a variety of problems I've found them more than helpful.
Also the entrance to Kenure park has been looking really well this year.

neris · 20-06-2015 9:06am

I spend alot of time in Howth especially on weekends have often left the place as a mess of over filled bins and discarded chip boxes and in fairness to Fingal early the next morning they,ll have a few lads out on their vans empty bins, picking up rubbish and tidying the place up for that days hoardes

cbreeze · 21-06-2015 12:38pm

.... and not forgetting the Library Service for books, cds dvds, electronic books, text alerts for your borrowings and reasonable charges for ordering books including just-published (well, you may have to wait a bit for popular ones)

Arthur Daley · 21-06-2015 2:49pm

Newbridge house is a great park and facility for donabate and swords
In the last few years I reckon it's got more and more popular at weekends.

On a warm summer evening after work it's a great place for a civilised walk or run to clear the head and admire nature.

Dizzyblonde · 21-06-2015 5:30pm

I love Newbridge House too, and it looks like they're going to redevelop it including putting in new visitor facilites

http://www.northcountyleader.ie/2015/06/16/newbridge-house-to-be-redeveloped/

Murt10 · 22-06-2015 11:07am

And the allotments that they provide at a much cheaper rate than the private sector.

They are actually in the process of giving out new ones at the moment, for anyone that's interested.

Here's the link

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/environment/allotments/

dslamjack · 23-06-2015 12:01am

The council do trojan work every year,for the blessing's of the grave's. Let alone just the usual upkeep of the many graveyard's around NCD.

expectationlost · 30-07-2015 4:42pm

I think that FCC website does a good job with tech to follow meetings etc (although it still hard, and not perfect) but I think the new planning alerts system is great.

they have been doing email/sms water weather and roadworks alerts for a while based on your location but now they are doing planning alerts, they were always listed but you'd wouldn't necessarily make a habit of checking and reading through the lists.

now they have is a weekly summary of any planning applications (new or updated) within 2km of your home. Its a Mapalerter service created by PinPointAlerts

http://www.fingalcoco.ie/news-and-events/fingalalerts/latest-alerts/ its started in June

cathy01 · 31-07-2015 8:23am

The library over the summer.last month my kids did two events and loved it. No charge ,it was fantastic

Dizzyblonde · 04-09-2015 10:36am

Well the proposed Cultural Quarter in Swords looks good and if they go ahead with it, it will be of huge benefit to the Fingal area: http://www.fingalcoco.ie/planning-and-buildings/swordsculturalquartermasterplan/
There's a link to the masterplan at the bottom.

There's also an online survey so the public can share their views on the Civic and Cultural Centre: https://consult.fingal.ie/en/content/survey-proposed-swords-civic-and-cultural-centre

McAlban · 14-09-2015 11:23am

They do a great Job in and around the big parks and the larger urban areas. The Other half commented last night about the beautiful hanging baskets all over Swords Castle.

They don't get everything right however. and unfortunately some of the decisions are purely politcal.

Paulw · 14-09-2015 5:27pm

Fingal Co Co had a family fun day recently in Blanch. We took our 2 yr old. She had a brilliant time. Ok, the place was very busy, and there were long queues for some things, but it was all free and great. Well organised.

tobsey · 31-10-2015 9:28pm

Excellent fireworks display tonight in swords castle. We took a break from trick-or-treating and went over. Well worth it.

Stheno · 31-10-2015 11:48pm

tobsey wrote: »

Excellent fireworks display tonight in swords castle. We took a break from trick-or-treating and went over. Well worth it.

It was superb, we took it in while driving to Howth to dinner.

On the way back we tried to get into Octoberfest, but it was sold out.

Staff were lovely to deal with.

Lovely to see the castle being used

The Muppet · 01-11-2015 11:58am

Yep have to agree the fireworks display was spectacular well done to all involved.

Paulw · 02-11-2015 10:37am

The fireworks were just brilliant.

Great viewing from all around.

cbreeze · 11-11-2015 12:53pm

FCC have a new library management system - local library says that they are not charging for loan reservations any more - the website is still saying that you have to pay.
You can get alerts by email - but the text reminder to bring back books is not in the new system
plus I had a few books late and the system seems to have lost the fines! happy days!

subpar · 17-11-2015 8:10pm

Thanks for cleaning up all the fallen leaves.

LeoB · 22-11-2015 1:06am

Great job done at Barnegeeara, between Skerries and Balbriggan as you approach the railway bridge on the way to Ardgillen. Great visibility now and hopefully they will continue the next 40 meters.

cbreeze · 23-11-2015 4:07pm

cbreeze wrote: »

FCC have a new library management system - local library says that they are not charging for loan reservations any more - the website is still saying that you have to pay.
You can get alerts by email - but the text reminder to bring back books is not in the new system
plus I had a few books late and the system seems to have lost the fines! happy days!

UPDATE: you can get a text message!

Stheno · 26-11-2015 10:24pm

The Christmas lights are on in Swords and look lovely

The Hill Billy · 27-11-2015 10:20am

Likewise in Skerries.

thegrowreport · 28-11-2015 11:49pm

cbreeze wrote: »

UPDATE: you can get a text message!

No you can not. An email yes. Text message service is not yet reinstated for overdue items.

You can receive a text message if you have reserved an item but not yet for overdues.

An email service is available for overdues. The text message service for overdues may be reinstated in the new year.

dslamjack · 29-11-2015 12:11pm

The Fingal Litter warden's do a great job,I keep there number in my mobile.
There are no words worth mentioning to describe the type of low life moron that dumped a TV
at Grange lodge rd,adjacent to the old graveyard,on the way to Ardgillian last week and household waste further up the road.
Horse whipping would be too good for these moron's,they don't even have the intelligence to know that ye can bring any old electrical's to any electrical shop or recycling centre for disposal for free.
Whoever dumped the TV obviously had a car,why not go the kilometre extra and dispose of it properly.Grrrrrrrrr .
The litter warden's or some decent citizen had it gone before I had a chance to ring them,I would have lifted it myself but am unable too these days due to illness.
What ever about fly dumpers , Tagger's need exterminating proper,ye can't give em a lick of the cat o nine tail's,the birch is politically inappropriate (god I hate that word now),I'd super glue the sod's hand's shut,so they'd not be able to hold an aerosol can in there brain dead hand's,might give them the time to''find them selves'' and some other positive form of self expression.
That's the worst of getting older ,ye start mellowing out,we could with judge Frank Martin back on the bench,aye he knew how to sort em.
Any way I tend to go on a bit ,as ye might notice,but fair play and well done to our on the ball Litter Warden's.

The Hill Billy · 29-11-2015 12:29pm

Just a reminder, but as per Khannie's original post...
"This thread is about pointing out the nice things"

Feel free to start a new thread on things FCC could improve.

tHB

RobFowl · 30-11-2015 11:37am

Good work in Balrothery landscaping around heritage centre, also have to say great cycle link from Balrothery to Balbriggan. My eldest goes to Ardgilan school and can cycle all the way there without having to cycle on the road at all.
Kudos..

The Hill Billy · 30-11-2015 11:47am

Kudos also for free parking on the 3 Saturdays in the run up to Christmas.

martinn123 · 30-11-2015 12:39pm

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Kudos also for free parking on the 3 Saturdays in the run up to Christmas.

That wasn't FCC, that was B Ryan TD:D:pac:

Twitter wrote:

Brendan Ryan @BrendanRyanTD
Great that @paulreiddublin has agreed to my request for free parking in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Malahide and Swords on Christmas Eve

Dizzyblonde · 30-11-2015 12:45pm

martinn123 wrote: »

That wasn't FCC, that was B Ryan TD:D:pac:

As I said in another thread, he's a good one

jwwb · 30-11-2015 3:27pm

martinn123 wrote: »

That wasn't FCC, that was B Ryan TD:D:pac:

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

As I said in another thread, he's a good one

Sweet Jesus on a bike. Did he travel back to 2012?

http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/park-free-in-five-fingal-towns-28976039.html

ProudDUB · 30-11-2015 5:16pm

The Hill Billy wrote: »

Kudos also for free parking on the 3 Saturdays in the run up to Christmas.

Where? Every where? Malahide, Swords villages etc etc

The Hill Billy · 30-11-2015 5:51pm

Yup. All FCC pay parking spots are free for the next three Saturdays.

ProudDUB · 01-12-2015 1:39am

Cula Boola...cheers !

Edit: Massive shout out from me too, to the FCC for all the flowers on the Swords roundabouts. They really do your heart a world of good, on all those cold, wet & miserable February/March days, when you think that the Spring will never arrive.

dslamjack · 03-12-2015 5:15pm

Have to say the Chrismas light's in Rush look great this year,especially down around the Carly Ann and the anchor.

neris · 04-12-2015 12:59pm

after teh rain yesterday looks like we,ve finally got the drainage on our road sorted out after a few close calls with heavy rains in the last few years. They put in new drains and more drains over the summer and then yesterday they had 2 council crews and large drain cleaning sucky truck out cleaning up leaves and gunk before the drains blocked

martinn123 · 05-12-2015 11:58am

TWITTER wrote:

#Fingal staff car park in #Swords (beside courthouse) will be available to the public on the following Saturdays: 5th, 12th & 19th Dec

I assume it's free?

Thanks, Fingal County Council.

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