The Lambay Cinema Club was formed to give local residents a chance to see a wide range of movies from around the world that otherwise would be difficult to track down.
To kick off our Autumn/Winter season we once again return to our home at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Church in The Square, Donabate, with a film that really demonstrates our commitment to showing films that entertain while giving us a glimpse into other worlds.
Our season opener is DJ Ahmet, a Sundance festival award winner that introduces us to Ahmet, a fifteen-year-old teenager from a remote Yuruk North Macedonian farming village who becomes “the first celebrity from the village” after a video of him chasing his escaped sheep through an illegal rave goes viral on TikTok.
Life is difficult on the farm with Ahmet’s family struggling after the death of his mother. His younger brother, Naim, hasn’t spoken since her death and his grieving, strict father regularly takes him to local healers to try and get him to speak.
Meanwhile, Ahmet copes by daydreaming during class until his father removes him from school so he can work on the farm full time. He also worships his teenage neighbour, Aya. She is considered to be worldly wise as she lived in Germany for a while before having to return for her arranged marriage to an older man she hates the sight of.
Ahmet uses music as a form of escape and shows his affection for Aya by rigging up his tractor to play music so she and her friends can practice their dancing.
Critics have described the film as “totally charming”, “delightfully humorous”, “hugely lively”, “charming and optimistic” and “laugh-out-loud.”
DJ Ahmet will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday Sept 17th at 8pm.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday Sept 10th at 9am and cost €10 (€8 for students/OAPs)
For more information and to buy tickets, please visit lambaycinemaclub.com
Bring your own cup for free tea and coffee – we even supply the biscuits!
If you want to get in touch, email us at info@lambaycinemaclub.com.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you on the 17th.
The first six months of this year have been exceptionally busy, with 620 representations submitted to Fingal County Council on behalf of constituents across the electoral area. This volume reflects both the scale of growth in our communities and the increasing pressure on essential public services.
A substantial proportion of these representations relate to core local infrastructure issues — deteriorating road and footpath surfaces, missing or faded road markings, pothole repairs, road safety concerns, requests for traffic calming measures, pedestrian crossing provision, coastal erosion risks, planning enforcement matters, and the need for wider upgrades across our public realm.
These issues are not isolated; they are symptomatic of infrastructure struggling to keep pace with population growth.
In addition to Council matters, I have made numerous representations to national and regional bodies including the NTA, Irish Rail, Go Ahead, Dublin Bus, HSE, Gardaí, Uisce Éireann, EIR, Government Departments and other State agencies. The largest number of representations received relate to:
As a Peace Commissioner, I continue to support residents with witnessing signatures, verifying statutory declarations and assisting with official documentation. This is a free service available to all constituents.
Donabate is experiencing significant and sustained population growth. However, the delivery of essential infrastructure ( transport, education, water services, community facilities and Garda resources)
is not keeping pace with this rapid expansion. This mismatch is placing increasing pressure on families and communities who rightly expect timely, reliable and well planned public services.
I will continue to pursue these critical issues relentlessly on your behalf and advocate for the infrastructure and services our growing communities urgently need.
You can read my latest newsletter here:
https://mailchi.mp/bb6f2ddf53e5/community-update-july-2026
If you would like to receive regular updates on local issues and community events, you can join my mailing list by scanning the QR code in the newsletter or registering at the link below:
https://mailchi.mp/dc356852b3e1/corina-johnston-mailing-list
As a community we are absolutely delighted to welcome Fr John Bracken as our new Parish Priest! Fr John, who comes from Beaumont, was ordained in 1996 and has recently been Parish Priest in Churchtown. He was both surprised and honoured to be appointed by Archbishop Dermot Farrell to serve in the growing parish of Donabate, Portrane and Balheary.
Fr John recently shared his thoughts on his predecessor, the late Fr Pat Reilly, and spoke about the heartfelt words shared on rip.ie and on social media following the sudden passing of such a beloved pastor. He mentioned how, in Fr Pat’s humble way and under his gentle guidance, the parish was growing into a welcoming and faith-filled community, all the while practising servant leadership, active in social justice.
Fr John looks forward to working with our Parish Pastoral Council and within our local Early Saints of Ireland Partnership of Parishes of Swords, River Valley, Brackenstown and Donabate, in developing further our mission of Building Hope. He also looks forward to working with the Parish Finance Committee, who advise and assist the parish priest in matters of finance, compliance, fundraising and maintaining our church buildings and parish hall, and working too in the Parish Office - the welcoming face of the parish - where Bernie also supports our many volunteers in their varied ministries.
Fr John said, “I am so thankful for the warm welcome I have received as I start to make this lovely parish my home. I hope everyone who comes to worship in our faith communities of Donabate, Portrane and Balheary feels the same welcome. I want to extend that welcome to everyone, especially those who are new to the parish as I am.”
Weekend Mass times: Donabate Saturday 6.30pm (Vigil) & Sunday 11am, Portrane Sunday 9.30am, Balheary Sunday 11.30am
August was a busy month for Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, as our regular weekly activities resumed after the July break, with croquet in Newbridge Park on Tuesdays and our Thursday morning exercise classes and get-togethers over a cuppa. Our plots at Turvey Allotments were a hive of activity where the daily watering and weeding is being rewarded with a bumper harvest.
In keeping with the motto of the Donabate Portrane Summer Festival - “a festival for the community by the community” - the Men’s Shed music group, Gerry and the Plonkers, provided entertainment on Portrane Green on the Saturday afternoon of the festival. By all reports, the Plonkers played their part in making it a great weekend enjoyed by all. The Plonkers celebrated their third anniversary by playing at the annual Turvey Allotments barbecue. The Plonkers also played a slot at Vintage Picnic, a free, age-friendly music festival for adults over 55, which this year was held in Millennium Park in Blanchardstown.
On a more serious note, last month we had a very informative presentation by a community nurse, arranged through the Marie Keating Foundation, about men’s health issues, including awareness of prostate, testicular, lung, bowel and skin cancer.
Over the next months, we hope to have a few outings to places of special interest in addition to our regular weekly activities. So if you, or someone near to you, would like to join us, don’t wait; contact our PRO, Jim, now on 086-3694316.
A historical society in Donabate & Portrane was first established in 1948 but became inactive in 1955. It was reactivated in 1972 by Mr Peadar Bates of Donabate and continues to this day. The aim of the society is the collection of information on the peninsula as to the customs, stories and incidents of the ancient, medieval and modern times to complete a written history of the area.
The Donabate/Portrane historical society has regular meetings, times and dates of which will be posted on social media and website, anyone interested is welcome to attend. Talks and presentations are also arranged several times a year, information available as before, and all are welcome.
The society Local History Museum is located in the courtyard of Newbridge House and is open every Saturday & Sunday (+ bank holidays) from 2 to 4pm, entry is free. The museum provides a wonderful window into the past of the peninsula containing artefacts and images of life in rural Donabate and Portrane, and the ‘big’ houses of the area. Well worth a visit! For information please contact: Donald Henderson 087-2610164 Copies of Peadar Bates book available in the museum, or call 087-2397608
Active Age for All held their annual Fun Croquet Day in Newbridge Park on Wednesday 24th June this year and we were delighted to welcome guests from the Newbridge House Croquet Club and Donabate Men’s Shed to join us.
The weather was beautiful, the lawns in tip-top condition (many thanks to the Newbridge Park groundsmen) and the game playing went very smoothly. Everybody got to play two games before we had to whittle down to the final rounds. While battle went on in ever decreasing numbers those on the sidelines were free to enjoy the refreshments, have a chat and maybe play some silly croquet like ‘Pot the Wellie’.
The grand final was played by: Peter Dempsey (AAfA), Eugene McKenna (NHCC), John McIntyre (NHCC) & Raymond McGuigan (NHCC) Peter Dempsey carried the day for Active Age. Well done Peter!
The AAfA committee are busy preparing for the autumn term commencing middle of September. We will have a table in the Donabate Mall on Friday 21st August 10am to 4pm so come along and say hello and get all the details for the coming term. If you have yet to join us we would be delighted to meet you.
With our regular weekly exercise classes and Thursday morning get-togethers suspended and only Tuesday morning croquet continuing, July threatened to be a relatively quiet month for members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed.
However, the flurry of activity at our plots at Turvey Allotments more than made up for the inactivity elsewhere. Members were kept busy with the shared daily tasks of watering, feeding, weeding and harvesting the impressive range of plants being grown, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, courgettes, peas, rhubarb, grapes, lavender, gooseberries, cucumbers and cherries. Ant powder and slug pellets were laid, potatoes were sprayed to protect from blight and, not resting on their laurels, members replaced old fencing with recycled and treated pallets.
Gerry and the Plonkers, the Men’s Shed music group, continued their involvement in community projects by playing for an appreciative audience at Swords Memory Café held in Fingallians’ GAA Club and look forward to playing on Saturday 8th August at the Donabate Portrane Summer Festival.
Our full range of regular weekly activities resumes this month. So, we’re always open to new members joining us. If you or someone close to you might be interested in joining us, don’t be afraid to take the first step by contacting Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694416. We look forward to meeting you.
I have received confirmation from An Garda Síochána that the Garda Community Engagement Initiative commenced in Donabate on 26th June and will continue every second Friday throughout the summer as part of Operation Irene in response to representations made by myself and Duncan Smith TD. This initiative provides an important opportunity for residents to raise concerns, seek advice, and speak directly with Gardaí in an accessible, local setting.
The Garda Community Engagement Vehicle will be in the Parish Hall car park every second Friday from 6–9pm until the end of August, and I would strongly encourage anyone with issues or concerns to drop in and speak with the Community Gardaí.
As part of this initiative, there will also be an increased Garda presence around the town centre and across the wider peninsula over the summer months. I want to thank Superintendent Barry, Inspector Clune and our Community Gardaí for their continued support and for the increased patrols in the area.
However, while this engagement initiative is welcome, it does not replace the need for permanent Garda resources in Donabate. Over the past year, I have received a significant increase in calls from resident, often daily, reporting incidents of anti social behaviour, including threats, damage to property, doors being kicked, and recent arson attacks on public amenities. Many residents are understandably fearful, and the current level of Garda resourcing is not sufficient for a town of our size.
The DMR North district now has fewer Gardaí than in 2009, despite a dramatically larger population. Within the next few years, Donabate will be the third largest town in North County Dublin, with a population exceeding 20,000. Permanent Garda resources are required in the immediate short term, and a Garda station will be essential in the long term.
Duncan Smith TD and I have been persistently raising this matter with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice.
While national recruitment plans are welcome, Donabate needs dedicated Gardaí on a permanent basis and a Garda station to serve our growing community. We will continue to press for the resources and infrastructure that Donabate needs and deserves and will keep you informed of developments.
During the Summer break, the Lambay Cinema Club is working hard to create our 2026/2027 programme. We are continually on the lookout for films from across the world that never or rarely get shown in local commercial cinemas.
We return on Thursday Sept 17th and will announce the season opening film soon. To mark our 4th year we will be introducing Audience Choice – where you get to pick the film for our December screening. Details will be announced in September.
In the past three years we have shown films from across Europe, Middle East and The Americas, and have also screened well known and less well known Irish Movies. As a committee we discuss films we have discovered and work to build a varied and entertaining schedule of films.
As we enter our fourth year, this is time to recognise those that are fundamental to our success. Obviously at the heart of it all are our loyal and growing audience who appreciate the ability to see world class cinema without having to leave the peninsula.
We would not have films to screen if it was not for access>CINEMA. Their nationwide network of over 70 local organisations including independent cinemas, film festivals and voluntary-film film societies such as Lambay Cinema Club.
The aim of the access>CINEMA network is to facilitate and increase access to a wider choice of movies to screen locally in non-mainstream or commercial venues by ensuring we can affordably license the movies we want.
Our contacts at Access are also an invaluable source of information and advice as well as giving us an opportunity to meet with similar movie clubs and view new releases.
The other key ingredient of our success is the support we get from St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square. We work closely with them to ensure a successful screening and allow us to take over the church for afternoon set up and evening performance. We would not be successful without their support.
To find out more about our Autumn season and keep up to date with our programme, visit lambaycinemaclub.com
The past few weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary for our club, with athletes producing outstanding performances across Ireland and Europe.
Anna Gavigan has enjoyed a sensational start to the summer, producing a huge personal best of 55.34m in the women’s discus at the Halpus Werfertag Meet in Germany on May 22nd. She followed that with an incredible silver medal performance at the Continental Tour Challenger Meet in Italy on June 2nd, where her throw of 57.38m not only marked another massive personal best but also broke Patricia Walsh’s Irish Under-23 record that had stood since 1982.
Our distance runners also shone brightly at the Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin and the Cork City Marathon and Half Marathon on May 31st. Mary MacNamara claimed a National silver medal in the F35 category at the Cork City Half Marathon, while Jen Carpenter received bronze after finishing third in the F50 category at the Dublin Half Marathon on May 3.
The Leinster Championships proved to be a memorable weekend, with the club collecting an impressive haul of medals and relay titles. Gold medals were secured in the Masters Women’s 4x100m, Senior Women’s 4x400m and Mixed 4x400m relays, with the mixed quartet also setting a new Leinster Championship record. Dara Carr stole the show with three individual gold medals, while Xavi Hubert claimed M45 High Jump gold and a personal best in the 100m. Reuben Capocci earned bronze in the U18 800m before adding silver in the U18 1500m at the Dublin Championships, where Daniel Minto also won discus bronze.
Internationally, Sinéad O’Farrell impressed with 34th place in Slovenia as the highest-placed Irish senior athlete in the elite races, while her mother Louise O’Farrell finished 24th in the women’s open race the previous day.
Congratulations also go to our Couch to 5K graduates, who completed their inspiring eight-week journey and celebrated a fantastic achievement together.
Huge congratulations also to Brian Kelly and his beautiful bride Michelle on their wedding day on the 14th of June. We wish them both a lifetime of love, happiness and every success together.
It has truly been a fantastic period of achievement, dedication and club pride for everyone involved.
