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.
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed was delighted to play its part in the special event in Newbridge Park organised last month by the Fingal Men’s Shed branches and supported by Fingal County Council and Sport Ireland, to celebrate and raise awareness of International Men’s Health Week with the theme: “One Step at a Time – progress, not perfection”. Our shed helped with organising and participating in the walks and our music group, Gerry and the Plonkers, provided the entertainment. A great day was had by all, with good weather, food, music and company, a chance for the various sheds to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
Earlier last month Ray, our “Outings Organiser”, arranged for our members to visit and have a guided tour of the GAA Museum in Croke Park and the opportunity of a photo with the Sam Maguire cup.
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is taking a break for July from most of its weekly activities, apart from croquet in Newbridge on Tuesday mornings and of course the work in our plots in Turvey Allotments, where tending to our onions, tomatoes, courgettes and lettuces cannot be neglected.
We will be back with our full range of weekly activities in August and hopefully some more special outings organised by Ray. In the meantime, we are always open to new members. So if you, or someone close to you is interested in joining us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.
The Parish Hall provides, through their wonderful team of hospitality volunteers, refreshments In the Parish Hall at least twice a month which includes various special days e.g. Mothers’ & Fathers’ Day. This takes place immediately after the 11am Mass. Tea & coffee and delicious cakes & buns are served and people get to chat with other parishioners in a very friendly & welcoming atmosphere. All are invited to call in, Donabate is a very fast growing community & it is good to meet the new & old neighbours.
All users of the Parish Hall submitted there requests/wishes in May for daily activities & block events and the Parish Office has now responded with the best arrangements they can provide, for all.
There may be some changes, but in general this is the programme below.
Re Daily Activities: - There may still be some slots available, so if you need a space to do an activity or event in the hall between this July & next July please enquire ASAP.
Re Special Block Events: - Below are events that are taking place in 2026. The events for 2027 will follow in later editions. (There are still one or two events requested - awaiting final details to see if they can or will go ahead.)
July | Crosscare 1 Day Event | Wednesday 29th 12:30 - 3pm | The Drama House
July Summer Camp 2 weeks | Contact Shauna to Booking | shauna@thedramahouseireland.com
September | DP Crossroads ‘Culture Night’
Friday 18th
November | Donabate & Portrane Dramatic Society Saturday 7th - Sunday 22nd
Hospitality - Fr Pat will be remembered at mass on his 1st Anniversary & a cup of tea/coffee afterwards in the Parish Hall. | Sunday 22nd
Through the Lens - Photography | Friday 27th - Sunday 29th
The Parish Office wishes the community a good summer with plenty of fine weather - stay safe & well. If you need any further information or have a query - please contact the Parish Office on 01 8434574.
Key works will shortly commence on the Portrane Road Enhancement Project, a major investment aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety, improving accessibility and raising the overall standard of the road network in the Donabate area. The scheme has been designed to provide safer, more inclusive infrastructure for the local community, with a particular focus on schoolchildren and families travelling to and from St. Patrick’s Boys National School and Scoil Phádraic Cailíní.
The project includes a series of upgrades such as wider footpaths along the northern side of Portrane Road and new pedestrian crossings to support safer and easier movement for all users. Traffic calming measures, including junction tightening and a raised table, will help to reduce vehicle speeds and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. A new bus layby will also be delivered, allowing buses to pull clear of the main carriageway and improve traffic flow.
The scheme forms part of Fingal County Council’s ongoing commitment to active travel and the delivery of safer, more sustainable streets. It will facilitate safer school journeys, encourage walking and cycling and enhance the overall environment for residents and visitors alike.
Welcoming the project, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tony Murphy, said: “This is an important investment in the local area that will significantly improve safety and accessibility for the community. In particular, it will support safer journeys for schoolchildren and their families, while encouraging walking and cycling and creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment for everyone who uses this route.”
Donnelly Civil Engineering Ltd has been appointed to carry out the works, which are scheduled to begin in July and are expected to take approximately nine months to complete. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption throughout the construction period, with access to homes and businesses maintained wherever possible.
Director of Infrastructure and Transport at Fingal County Council, Matthew McAleese, stated: “The Portrane Road Enhancement Project reflects the Council’s strategic focus on delivering safer, more inclusive transport networks. By strengthening pedestrian infrastructure and introducing targeted traffic calming, the scheme will support a shift towards active travel while improving connectivity for all road users.”
Fortnightly updates on construction progress, including details of traffic management arrangements, will be available on the project webpage Portrane Road Enhancement Project | Fingal County Council and across Fingal County Council’s social media channels.
Public Health Nurses are the backbone of community healthcare. They support families from the very first days of a newborn’s life, provide essential developmental checks, deliver care to our elderly and vulnerable neighbours, assess needs in the home, promote independent living, manage chronic illness, provide wound and palliative care, and ensure people are connected to the wider health system when they need it most.
Yet despite this vital role, Donabate a community of almost 15,000 people has been left with only 2.5 Public Health Nurses. This is an alarming ratio of 1 nurse for every 6,000 residents, far below what is needed to deliver safe, timely, and comprehensive care. With rising birth rates and a growing elderly population in the area, this shortfall places enormous pressure on staff and raises serious concerns about whether our most vulnerable residents are receiving the full range of services they deserve.
This situation is not sustainable. It is not fair to our community, and it is not fair to the nurses who are doing everything they can under impossible conditions. Additional Public Health Nurse staffing must be provided to Donabate without delay.
The current Health Centre originally built to serve just 2,000 people has seen little improvement over the decades and is no longer fit for purpose. For years, the HSE has acknowledged the need for a Primary Care Centre in Donabate. The decision last year to abandon the planned facility on Turvey Avenue, on the grounds of “value for money,” was deeply disappointing and entirely at odds with the needs of a rapidly expanding community.
A modern Primary Care Centre is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Donabate cannot continue to grow without the healthcare infrastructure required to support its people.
I have raised this matter directly with the HSE, and Duncan Smith TD has brought it to the Minister for Health. We await their responses and will consider further action as needed. Our community deserves a health service that is properly staffed, properly resourced, and capable of meeting the needs of every resident from newborns to older adults.