TALK: Clontarf Historical Society is hosting a talk, ‘Chopin and his beloved Poland’, by Aoifa O’Tierney, on Monday February 8 at 8.15pm in the Parish Resource Centre beside St John the Baptist Church, Clontarf Road. Admission is e4. Enquiries 8338711.

PITCH & PUTT: St Mary’s Pitch and Putt Club is seeking new lady members. The club plays at Inisfails GAA Club in Balgriffin on Saturdays at 10am from February to December. For more details contact Pat on 086-3505384.

WANTED: Old spectacles or sunglasses to help those less fortunate in the developing countries to see better. Please post or drop in your unwanted spectacles or sunglasses to Supersavers Opticians in Talbot Street (phone 8363051) or Raheny Opticians. Raheny Shopping Centre (phone 8187918).

CEILI: Craobh Brugha CCE Ceili will take place on Monday February 8 from 8pm till midnight at Gael Scoil Mide, Greendale Road, Kilbarrack. Triskell Ceili Band will provide the music. Admission is e10 and all are welcome.

ENGINEERS’ WEEK: To celebrate Engineers' Week, February 8-14, Dublin City Public Libraries presents ‘Bridges Over the Liffey’, a talk with Michael Phillips, Dublin City Engineer, at Raheny Library on Wednesday February 10 at 6.30pm. Admission is free but booking is essential, phone 8315521. It will focus on the history of Dublin’s bridges right up to the erection of the city’s newest addition, the Beckett Bridge. Admission is free but booking is essential, phone 8315521.

NORDIC WALKING: Have Fun, meet new friends and get fit in 2010. A new Nordic Walking Club meet and walk in the Phoenix Park every Saturday morning throughout the year and every Tuesday evening during the summer months. It suits people of all ages and all levels of fitness. Training will be arranged for anyone interested in joining the club. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 086-0427989 for more information. You can also visit www.nordicwalkers.ie

EASTER RAFFLE: The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) is looking for people to hold Easter Egg raffles in their local pub/shop/club or workplace. Each egg will be raffled at e2 per line (raffle cards will be supplied). If you are interested in undertaking a raffle on the IMNDA’s behalf, contact Dearbhla or Gemma on freefone 1800 403 403 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to ensure you have your Easter eggs on time. All orders must be received by Friday February 5. The IMNDA will deliver all the eggs.   

BREMORE MEETING: The Save Bremore Action Group is holding a meeting at the Huntsman's Inn just outside Balbriggan on route to Drogheda on Sunday February 7 at 2.30pm. This meeting is for anyone interested in joining the group or learning more. All are welcome.

CHILDMINDING: Are you childminding or thinking about becoming a childminder? The Childcare Bureau is one of Dublin City Childcare Committee’s local childcare resource centres providing support and training to childminders and parents. If you are interested in availing of training or require support and information, please contact Alison on 8675244 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This is a community based resource centre that provides support, advice and training for free.
 
TOASTMASTERS: Iarnrod Eireann Toastmasters invites you to develop better speaking and presentation skills. Learn to think quickly and clearly on your feet. Build strong leadership abilities. Improve your listening skills. Meet every second Tuesday at Ripley Court Hotel, Talbot Street, Dublin 1, at 6.45pm.

AGM: The Artane Beaumont Family Recreation Centre’s agm will take place on Monday March 1 in the Piano Room at the centre at 8.30pm. The closing date for motions is February 14. Accounts available for collection on Monday February 8.

FUCHSIAS: The Irish Fuchsia and Pelargonium Society is holding a talk, ‘Looking Forward to Fuchsias – Slides & Advice’, by Nick Egan, on Thursday February 4 at 8pm in St Brigid’s Resource Centre, Howth Road, Killester. Admission is e3 and everyone is welcome.

VOLUNTEERS: The Caring and Sharing Association (CASA), which has two youth groups based in the Swords area, is recruiting volunteers for 2010. If you have one Sunday afternoon a month free, and can make a minimum commitment of six months then CASA would love to hear from you. No experience is necessary but enthusiasm and dedication is required. CASA offers friendship, respite care and social activities on a one-to-one basis for people with both physical and intellectual disabilities. Phone Rebecca on 087-1260975 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.
  
NEW MEMBERS: Scoil Uí Chonaill GAA club welcomes new members. The club caters for every age from nursery boys and girls to adult ladies and men. For more details contact PRO Niamh Crowe on 8333599.

TOASTMASTERS: Malahide Toastmasters meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 8pm in the Grand Hotel Malahide. All are welcome. Contact Liam on 087-2696260 for more information.

BRIDGE: A Novice Bridge Club is opening in Drumcondra. A place where novice and mini bridge players can practice what they’ve learnt in a friendly atmosphere and under expert supervision. Weekly, starting February 11 at 7.30pm in the Ierne Sports and Social Club. Contact Ranald on 086-3868480 for more details.
    
VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are required to establish a Foróige youth club in the Santry area. If you are aged 18 or over and would have an hour to spare once a week, the club needs you. The club is for young people aged 12 and over from the local area. For further information phone Bryan Gavin on 086-8519639 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

TRADITIONAL MUSIC: The Craobh Seán Treacy branch of Comhaltas Ceolteori Éireann host a traditional music, song and dance session every Tuesday night at Clasac, Alfie Byrne Road, Clontarf. Musicians of all ages welcome. Contact 8393093 or 8363059 for further details.

EMPLOYMENT: North Dublin Supported Employment. Do you have a disability/impairment? Would you like support in finding employment? If you have training, work experience or previous work history, we can support you. Please contact Work4U on 8442700 for further information.      

BEREAVEMENT: Are you interested in supporting those who have been bereaved? If you would like to become a member of St Colmcille’s Parish Swords Bethany Bereavement Support Group, would like further details about Bethany volunteers and training or would like to avail of this free, confidential service, phone 8403243 or 8402652. Also, visit www.bethany.ie

MEALS ON WHEELS: Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals in the Swords area around midday. This should take no more than an hour of your time and can be done on a fortnightly basis. It is an invaluable service in the community. Please call Joan on 087-6963813 for more information.

COUNSELLING: TARGET in Donaghmede offers a one-to-one non-directive counselling service on Monday to Friday from 9.30am-1.30pm and Monday to Thursday from 7pm-9pm. For an appointment, phone 8670279. Childcare services are available for morning appointments by arrangement with receptionist.

DREAMS: Dreams have long been a source of fascination. What are dreams and what is their purpose? These are just some of the questions that will be discussed at a Dream Discussion Group (non-profit making). If you are interested in dreams or would like more information, contact Declan on 087-9957277 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

TOASTMASTERS: Clontarf/Marino Toastmasters Club is a non-profit club affiliated to Toastmasters International. The club holds regular meetings.  Guests are always welcome with the first night free. Contact Patricia Murphy on 085-1165571 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you require further details.
  
BADMINTON: A badminton club (mixed), based at 1 Commons Street, International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), is recruiting new members for Fridays from 8.30pm to 11pm. Three-court facility. For more information, phone Catherine on 086-2730399.
 
CHOIR: Would you like to join a mixed choir? Seafield Singers always welcomes good singers, particularly men. Sight-reading is not a priority. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 7.30-9.30pm in Clontarf. If you are interested, please contact Alison Young on 4904226.

VOLUNTEERS: The ABACAS School in Kilbarrack is looking for volunteers to drive the school minibus for school activities like swimming and horse riding during school hours. Volunteers will have to have a clean D1 driving licence, be willing to fill out a Garda Vetting form and must have at least two references. Please call Mandy Daly on 8396705 from 9am to 3pm or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BADMINTON: A badminton club is looking for ladies to play the sport at Portmarnock Community School every Tuesday from 8.30pm to 10.30pm. For more information phone Eileen on 8461474.

BIBLE TALKS: A series of talks from the Bible are being given at Balbriggan Combined Clubs Community Centre Dublin Street, Balbriggan, on Tuesdays from 8-9pm. These talks are free.

CHESS: Portmarnock Chess Club is seeking new members (juniors 7.30pm and adults 8.30pm) for their meetings every Thursday. The club caters for all types of players from casual and social to highly competitive, and competes in Dublin Community Games and the Leinster Chess Leagues. For further details, contact Denis Kelleher on 085-1690101.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: Is food a problem for you? Do you eat when you’re not hungry? Do you go on eating binges for no apparent reason? Is your weight affecting the way you live your life? Phone Overeaters Anonymous on 2788106 or visit
www.oa.org

WANTED: Collector seeks Irish picture postcards, old and not so old, used or unused. Also, Irish aviation picture postcards and Aer Lingus memorabilia. Please contact John on 8378898.

BRIDGE: Afternoon Bridge in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Sybil Hill, Raheny, takes place every Monday from 2pm to 4.30pm. All grades welcome. Novice and Improvers’ section is separate. For more information, phone Peter on 8339797 or 087-9344795.

WEBSITE: Struggling to find out where kids’ classes are on or to think of things to do with the kids at the weekend in North Dublin? Visit www.mykidstime.ie for more information.

WOMEN’S GROUP: A new intercultural women’s group is being established in the Swords area, which will initially meet on a monthly basis. The group is open to women from all backgrounds. For further information, contact Atinuke Diya on 085-7065797 or Sara McIntyre, Fingal LEADER Partnership on 8951070/086-1718002 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

VOLUNTEERING: Are you interested in helping your community to improve services and opportunities? Lá go Bhrí is a community childcare service based in the Mourne View Estate, Skerries. The management committee is seeking new members to become involved in the running of the service. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Helen on 8020484 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

CHOIR: The Dublin City Council Choir is a mixed choir drawn from all over the city. They rehearse from 5.30pm to 7.30pm every Thursday at the Civic Offices, Wood Quay, and would welcome people who enjoy raising their voices in song and meeting likeminded people.

UNEXPECTED PREGNANCY: Unexpected Pregnancy is hard to face. If you need help or support, contact CURA. Phone in confidence. All services are free.
Phone 1850 622 626 or 6710598 or visit www.cura.ie for more information.

STROKE SCHEME: The Volunteer Stroke Scheme Northside is appealing for volunteer drivers and helpers for their stroke clubs held in Kilbarron Court every Monday and Wednesday from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Please send your applications to: The Volunteer Stroke Scheme 249, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Phone 4559036.

WRITERS: Trinity Writers’ Group is currently looking for new members. The group has been in existence since 1991 and have produced several collections of poetry and short stories. It is a friendly group where members meet and chat, read poetry, short stories or a section of a novel they may be working on. It’s optional to read or not. The group meets at 6.30pm on the first Thursday of the month in the back room of Donaghmede Library.

AL-ANON: If you are troubled by someone else's drinking, there are weekly meetings taking place throughout Dublin, including Abbey Street, Gardiner Street, Stanhope Street, Ballymun, Blakestown, Cabra, Coolock, Finglas, Killester, Malahide, Raheny, Sutton and Swords. For details of the meeting nearest you, contact Al-Anon Family Groups Information Centre, 5 Capel Street, Dublin, on 8732699. Alternatively, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.al-anon-ireland.org

SOCIAL GROUP: A social group for mature single people has been formed in north county Dublin. The group is for people in their 30s or 40s who want to meet new people for dining, cinema, nights out and maybe even daytrips or weekends away. You must be single/divorced/separated, with or without kids. The group meets once a month for drinks on a Saturday night at various venues on the Northside, where the setting up of other events is discussed. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/NSSN35/

HISTORY: Are you interested in the history of Coolock and surrounding areas? You are invited to join a new local history group in Coolock Library. Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm in the library. No particular skills are needed and all are welcome. For further details phone 8477781 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

TODDLERS: A Parent & Toddler Group meets at St Gabriel's Parish Centre, Clontarf, every Monday from 10.30am to 12 noon except during school holidays. Open to pre school children. Parents and childminders are welcome. Enquiries to 087-9383772.

COUNSELLING: Baldoyle Family Resource Services provides confidential counselling for anyone experiencing difficulties in life. Counselling is offered in marital/relationship difficulties, adolescent/child counselling, bereavement and other general issues. For more information/ appointment, phone Lilian on 8326115.