By Nick Codd
Nestled in the heart of our beloved coastal town lies a little gem —the hidden path to a secluded beach where my family and I have spent countless serene afternoons. This path, a treasure trove of natural beauty and tranquillity, has become our cherished retreat, offering a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As we step onto the path, my two sons, eager with anticipation, dart ahead, their laughter mingling with the sounds of nature. The trail winds through a vast field of long grass, swaying gently in the breeze. The golden strands of grass, tall and wild, create a sense of adventure and freedom, evoking images of simpler times.
The field, with its rich tapestry of greens and golds, offers a perfect playground for my boys, aged two and six. They delight in exploring every nook and cranny, collecting wildflowers and spotting insect trails. Each step forward is a new discovery, a chance to learn and connect with the natural world around them. For my wife and me, this journey is a welcome respite, a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.
After a leisurely walk, the grass begins to thin, and the distant sound of waves grows louder. The path slopes gently downward, revealing glimpses of the azure sea through the tall grass. As we approach the final bend, the trail opens up to a breathtaking view—the hidden beach, stretching out before us in all its untouched glory.
This secluded stretch of coastline, known well by locals, is a slice of paradise. The soft, golden sand is pristine, free from the footprints of crowds. The gentle waves lap at the shore, inviting us to dip our toes into the cool, refreshing water. The beach is framed by rugged rocks, their weathered faces standing as silent guardians over this tranquil haven.
We quickly set up our little camp, unfurling a blanket and unpacking a picnic basket brimming with treats. My sons waste no time in racing to the water’s edge, their joyous shouts echoing across the beach. They build sandcastles, splash in the shallow waves, and chase after tiny crabs that scuttle across the sand. Rock pools nearby provide endless fascination, teeming with small sea creatures and hidden treasures. My wife and I, sitting back and watching them, feel an overwhelming sense of contentment.
The secret path to this small, peaceful beach has become more than just a route to a beautiful destination. It is a journey that brings our family closer, a shared adventure that we cherish deeply. Each visit leaves us with memories that we hold dear, moments of joy and connection that we carry with us long after we leave.
As we pack up and prepare to head back, the path home feels like a gentle transition from our private paradise back to the real world. The trail, now bathed in the soft light of dusk, seems to whisper its secrets, promising to be here whenever we need a break from the ordinary.
Hope you all are enjoying the summer and we look forward to seeing many of you back in the Parish Hall soon. Over the summer while it is quieter than the winter - the Senior Citizens and a number of activities continue.
We have a number of Summer Camps in August and some planned maintenance of the Parish Hall.
Recently, Leithinis CCÉ had a ‘Saturday Summer Session’ for the ‘Slow Session’ group from 5-7pm. They may hold a number of these over the next while & will use the Parish Hall if the weather is bad & if the weather is good they may be seen on St Patrick’s Terrace Green or outside the hall, where they can still use the facilities & their black chairs etc.
There are still a small number of slots available for use in the Parish Hall - please contact the Parish Office with enquiries on 01 8434574.
In June the Peninsula Pacers went on a jaunt of the North Inner City ending up in Stoneybatter for the start of the Festival & ending in Smithfield with a meal in Oscars!
The weather was great and we had a short stop and few words at each historic place as we passed by. The places of note included the Garden of Remembrance, the Black Church, the Blessington Basin, Grangegorman former hospital now college!
We sauntered down Stoneybatter & had a short cultural stop in the Cobble Stone before heading past the Old Dublin Vegetable Market and back to Connolly Train Station after about 8/10 kms of a jaunt!
Our next walk is our Annual Peninsula Walk to coincide with the Bleeding Pig Festival Pizza’Trad event at the Brook Pub on Saturday 14th September. We usually start from the Parish Hall about mid morning & walk to Donabate Beach & around the Cliff Walk stop for a coffee at Wayne’s and on to the Brook for ceol & craic!
The October walk is on Saturday 12th and we hope to do some part of the Coastal Walk Bray to Greystones.
In November Walk is on Saturday 23rd we may do the Balbriggan to Bettystown Coastal walk if tide is out!
We try to use public transport - generally trains as much as possible. The walks are generally flat and a reasonable level of fitness is required and can be about 8-12km.
Contact Carolyn on 087 9284307 or Breda on 086 8693243 for more information.
Gerry & The Plonkers, the Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed group has been busy. In late June, they played at the Donabate Sea Scouts’ fundraiser and last month they opened the proceedings at Fingal Vintage Picnic in Swords Castle. Maybe it will be Electric Picnic in 2025!
But Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is much more than music. Last month, several of our regular croquet players participated in the croquet day organised by Active Age for All. Many thanks to AAfA, and especially Carolyn Smith for such an enjoyable afternoon. In addition to our weekly croquet sessions on Tuesday morning at Newbridge House, we have our weekly exercise classes and our Thursday morning get-togethers in the Sea Scouts’ den.
We also have occasional outings to places of interest, our next one being to the Croke Park Museum and Skyline Tour sometime in September. Depending on the weather, we will probably have a get-together on Portrane Green for Piper’s fish and chips sometime in August.
If you, or someone you know, would like to join us, please call Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694316.
Your local guild of the Irish Countrywoman’s Association meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday in the Portacabin in DPCC. We meet at 8.00 and usually are finished with tea and coffee by 10.00. If you are interested in coming along, please just come on 12th September, we would love to see you.
This year we concentrated on making knee quilts for the Hospice. When some of us went to Raheny to deliver them and they wanted to keep them and sell them at their Christmas Fair. Many of us thought that we would try to do something to reduce the stack of fabric that just seems to hang around anyone handy! For those interested, we used the quilt as you go method.
Buaileann Ciorcal Comhrá le chéile gach Sathairn ag 2 iarnóin i gCafé Cates, i nDomhnach Bheathach. Is grúpa neamhfoirmiúil muid, agus tá fáilte roimh gach duine teacht. Thosaigh muid ag teacht le chéile tímpeall 2011, mar mhaidin caife, nuair a ghlac ár mbaile páirt i seó teilfíse de chuid TG4 darbh ainm, “G-Team”.
Tionscnamh ab ea é de chuid Duirmuid Ó Suilleabháin as na Scéirí, nach maireann, a chuir a lán oibre isteach maidineacha caife a spreagadh thar fuaid Tuaisceart an Contae. Gach Sathairn bíonn ó thrí go seachtar daoine ag cainnt is a comhrá is caife agus cáca milis á ithe againn.
Le déanaí, ghlac muid páirt i Seó Contae “Flavours of Fingal” i pPáirc Newbridge. Deireadh seachtaine bliantiúil den scoth is ea ea “Flavours”, atá reachtaithe ag Comhairle Contae Fhine Gall, atá saor in aisce do theaghlaigh sult a bhaint as an gceol beó, taispeántais chócaireachta, taispeántais thalmhaíochta; trialacha capall; trialacha mhadraí, is thar cionn 150 bhothannaí bia is ceirde.
Réitigh muid Pop-up Gaeltacht in san Scioból Dearg, i bhFeirm Newbridge, le ceol álainn ó ghrúpa Chomaltas Leithinis, faoi stiúr an sár-fidléir áitiúil Erin McGahan, is Óg-dhrámaíocht den scoth léirithe ag grúpa Úna Bhreathnach, “Conas mar a fuair Cú Chulainn a Ainm”. Bhí neart cluichí Scrabble as Gaeilge is picnic traidisiúnta idir láimh againn freisin.
Tá fáile roimh gach duine buaileadh linn i gCates Sathairn ar bith ag a dó a chloig le cainnt is cleachtadh na teanga.
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Our Ciorcal Comhrá meets every Saturday at 2pm in Cate’s Café, Donabate. We are an informal group, meeting together since about 2011, over coffee and cake to chat and practice our Irish. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Recently, we took part in the Flavours of Fingal County Show, in Newbridge Park, and organised a Pop-Up Gaeltacht which included wonderful trad music played by Comhaltas Leithinis and some brilliant youth drama, “How Cú Chulainn got his name”. We also enjoyed a few rounds of Irish language scrabble, and a traditional picnic.
Everyone is welcome to join us in Cate’s on Saturday afternoons at 2pm.
Foroige Coastal North Dublin's Summer so far has included Healthy Habits week - Young people learned healthy ways to manage stress, anxiety/ issues in their daily lives in a healthy way. activities included smoothie making, yoga and meditation. Some young people visited the salt caves.
Life skills week - Swimming lessons for 5 young people. This week gave young people an opportunity to do some cooking/baking and creative skills including tie dye arts and crafts.
Fishing week - Young people had the opportunity to learn a new skill they wouldn't have the opportunity to experience otherwise. We brought a number of young people each day fishing and they absolutely adored the experience.
Sports week - (multi sports day) Using local clubs from across the dublin area young people were able to engage in a number of different sports and activities. This allowed for them to meet new people and build relationships. The young people also took part in cricket throughout the week, a sport many of them hadn't tried before, once again exposing them to activities they had not experienced before.
Water safety week - (open water) Young people learned necessary lifesaving skills. They took part in this activity for 5 days on skerries beach where they had the opportunity to get into the water and not only have fun but learn lifesaving skills.
We are halfway through our summer programmes engaging over 100 young people in positive activities across Skerries, Rush and Lusk.
Be sure to sign-up to subscribe to our ezine newsletter to hear about our events firsthand.
Volunteers – As our numbers grow, we are seeking local community volunteers who would like to contribute as little as 1 hour per week. Get in touch if you can support us either admin, fundraising, join our board or in-person support. Be part of something good!
Community Events - ‘Soulful Sundays’ continues throughout the summer for adults 18+. Join us every Sunday morning for Yoga, Meditation, and Breathwork. Guest facilitators each week. An optional dip weather permitting. All welcome.
Young Adults – ‘Summer Social Sessions’ are back. Activities include Paddleboarding, Kayaking, Hiking, Cycling, Yoga and Running. All welcome, be sure to follow our social media channels and join in the banter and feel-good endorphins! Pictured are young men’s group on hike in Howth to celebrate Men’s Mental Health Day.
Teen Activities – Join our young enthusiastic instructors for fitness and social meet-up’s. Our teen group meet’s 3 times a week age 13-16 years for an outdoor activity followed by refreshments and chat led by our youth workers.
Petition For Facility – As we celebrate 3 years of health and well-being services in Donabate Portane and the wider Fingal area, we are seeking to establish a permanent base. Currently our services are dispersed across several locations and venues at a huge cost. Please sign our petition so we can continue to provide our youth and parents services and cater for our growing community in a central location.
FREE Youth Counselling
EggHeadz FREE of charge and confidential counselling service for young people aged 12+ takes place in-person or online option for over 18+. Email eggheadzcounselling@gmail.com to book an appointment.
As part of their ongoing campaign for a dedicated Cultural & Youth Center on the Peninsula, DP Crossroads have been busy designing and developing a website.
Since its inception in October 2023, the group have been very active including meeting politicians, FCC management, information days and organising local petitions.
“We believe communication and transparency are important,” said committee member Gemma Roche. “We regularly post on our social media channels and provide updates via infographics but not all residents may have access to these so a website is the next step to share our ongoing activities and progress. The website collates all the information on the campaign in one place so people can readily access it and know what’s happening,” she added.
The website details the committee’s principal objectives and gives detailed information on their activities to date. There is also space for people to sign up for regular updates/newsletters from the group. To visit the website, go to www.dpcrossroads.com
The recent introduction of a Citizens Information Service in Donabate has been warmly received in the area.
Citizens Information have confirmed that they will have an in person drop-in outreach service on the 1st Tuesday of each month in the Donabate Portrane Community Centre from 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Cllr Corina Johnston has welcomed the commencement of the service. “I am delighted to confirm that following my ongoing representations to the Citizens Information for a service in Donabate an outreach service commenced on Tuesday 4th June 2024 last. An Age friendly pilot Citizens Information telephone line service will be available on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Tuesday of each month from 2.30pm to 4.30pm only on a direct number 01-5338272 (in addition to the normal telephone line service),” she said.
Appointments for one-to-one client consultations can be made (subject to assessment) for alternate Tuesday afternoons (other than the 1st Tuesday of the month) in Donabate Portrane Community Centre. Please contact 0818 077 510 for further details.