To mark the end of our Spring/Summer 26 season, Lambay Cinema Club is pleased to present The Ballad of Wallis Island – the hit 2025 UK comedy that one reviewer called “Warm, perceptive and quietly life-affirming.”

The film centres on an eccentric lottery winner called Charles Heath and his attempt to force the reunion of two of his musical heroes.

Musician Herb McGwyer made his name in a popular folk duo with former creative and romantic partner Nell Mortimer. Now a struggling solo artist, Herb accepts a lucrative offer from Heath to perform a private gig on a remote island. The appearance fee will fund Herb’s new album.

But it turns out Charles - who has very personal reasons for organising the gig - has also invited Nell to play, forcing Herb into an unexpected McGwyer Mortimer reunion.

Co-writers and co-stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside director James Griffiths, have delivered a winning crowd-pleaser with The Ballad of Wallis Island. With a perfect mix of humour and poignant character work, this film is a total charmer.

The Ballad of Wallis Island will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday June 11th at 8:00pm.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 4th June at 9:00am and cost €10 (€8 for students/OAPs)

To celebrate the onset of Summer, we will be providing a complementary wine reception before the screening.

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit lambaycinemaclub.com

We will be taking a break over the Summer with our Autumn season kicking off in September. To make sure you are kept up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and make sure you are signed up to our mailing list. Visit our website for details.

If you want to get in touch, email us at info@lambaycinemaclub.com

Pam Lecky, a local crime writer, living in Donabate has just released a brand new crime series: The Clew Bay Detectives, which will be published on the 16th of June.

Set in the fictional village of Glenfinn near Westport along the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo, Ireland, the series follows Ali Brennan, a landscape designer with a surprising talent for solving crimes. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered on a remote island in Clew Bay, Ali and her nephew Gavin are drawn into the complex mystery surrounding his murder.
Welcome to Westport, where the wild beauty of Ireland’s western coast hides deadly secrets…

Reeling from a devastating breakup, landscape gardener Ali Brennan escapes to the small coastal town of Westport, hoping its rugged shoreline and quiet rhythms will help her rebuild her life. But peace is short lived when wealthy landowner John Clifford-Murphy is found dead on a remote island in Clew Bay – alone, and inexplicably without his phone or vital medication.

The local Gardaí are quick to rule the death an accident. Ali isn’t so sure… especially when Clifford-Murphy’s widow begs her to look more closely. Joined by her enthusiastic college-dropout nephew, Gav, Ali begins to ask questions the tight-knit community would rather leave unanswered. And when her ex-boyfriend, Detective Aidan Cahill, turns up to inform her that her life is under threat, Ali is forced to confront the past she thought she’d left behind.

As secrets surface, the danger escalates. When Ali herself becomes a target – waking terrified and alone on the shores of nearby lake Doo Lough – it’s clear the investigation has drawn her into something far darker than she ever imagined. Can Ali uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?

The series is published by Storm Publishing with the second book in the series slated for publication in November 2026, and the third in June 2027.

Donabate Portrane Sustainable Energy Community (DPSEC) is a volunteer group working to make our community more sustainable through practical, inclusive events. The group was established in late 2023 by a group of locals passionate about climate action, biodiversity, and community empowerment.

Our objectives include improving the energy efficiency of buildings, increasing the use of renewable energy, helping nature to thrive, and promoting more sustainable consumer behaviour and transport choices.

In 2024, we were delighted to be awarded over €15,000 in Climate Action Funding from Fingal County Council, in partnership with Donabate Portrane Community Centre. With this funding, we were able to purchase items for the Community Centre which help to promote sustainable living and the circular economy. These include a set of reusable cups, a bike repair station, five new bike lockers, clothing rails for swap shops, five sewing machines, and raised beds for growing food.

We also collaborated with the local Scout Den on the most recent Climate Action Fund and are currently waiting to hear if it was successful.

One of our most popular initiatives has been our clothing swap shops, which take place every few months on a Saturday afternoon in the Community Centre. A swap shop is a place where people can bring items they no longer need and take home items they will use, for free. This helps to keep our resources in circulation for longer and reduce the cost of living for families. We have organised special swap shops for Halloween costumes, Christmas jumpers, and at the Portrane Summer Festival.

We also hold repair cafés at our swap shops, where one of our volunteers can help you to repair an old item of clothing, or to practice simple sewing and mending techniques on scrap fabric. We can help with both sewing machine and hand sewing skills.
We have lots more projects in the pipeline (or electricity line!), so keep an eye on our social media to find out what’s happening next- just scan the QR code on this page.

We love collaborating with other organisations like community groups, businesses, public bodies and social enterprises to share knowledge and resources and maximise our ability to achieve our vision. Equally, we are always looking for new volunteers to join the organising committee or provide one-off support for events.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at donabateportranesec@gmail.com or on social media if you would like to collaborate or support our work - we would love to hear from you!

Active Age for All are very pleased to have been given the chance to collaborate with a class of transition year students from the community college on a 4 week project of intergenerational activities proposed by one of their teachers.

The first week was an hour of meet and greet, getting to know one and other, with the 3 elders outlining their life experiences and the students then telling us of their aims and ambitions. Then a bit of team work with a music quiz, quiz master Gemma was kind enough to put in some antique stuff for the ancients !

Also we were able to discuss with the students about what they would be interested in doing as part of the project; not really a surprise but sporting activities came out very strongly. The plan that evolved was the sports of pickleball, bowls and table tennis with a balance of jewellery making and photography.
On our second day there was a choice of pickleball or jewellery making with the majority opting for the jewellery making, our tutor Helen had her hands full with 17 girls and boys all eager to be creative.

Meanwhile Active Age members Joe and Noel were running the rest around the courts at pickleball.

The next session was on photography with members of the AAfA camera club giving a talk and practical session on the basics, with an emphasis on getting the best out of the mobile phone camera. We then gave them a variety of objects eg: shells, pottery figures, fabric and asked them to use different lights and angles to create pleasing photographs. The Bleeding Pig Festival have invited the students to put on an exhibition of their photos as part of the festival in May and I really hope that they do as a lot of talent emerged in this session.

The last session of carpet bowls and table tennis in the Sports Hall was good fun; the table tennis was very energetic but the carpet bowls, I think, was the biggest surprise for the students. Initially they viewed this as too easy, too quiet and gentle but they quickly discovered that it wasn’t as easy as it looked and presents quite a challenge, and some skill, to get that bowl going where you want it to !

These four weeks have been an absolute pleasure for the three of us and the willing helpers brought it for specific activities, we were all very impressed with the students, a lovely bunch. Many thanks to the teachers from the Community College and the Active Age members who took part, we do hope that this could become an annual (or bi-annual) event, there is a lot more scope there.

Table quiz fundraiser in aid of 16 local Special Olympic athletes who will represent our community at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in June!

16 athletes and 6 volunteer coach chaperones from Donabate Portrane Special Olympics Club will proudly represent communities across Fingal at the Special Olympics Ireland Games, taking place in sports venues around Dublin from 18th–21st June. This is a fantastic achievement for the Special Olympics club and one they are incredibly proud of.

The youngest athlete selected, Simon Smyth (aged 12), is very excited to represent his club and community. His mother Rebecca said ‘Donabate Portrane Special Olympics Club has been a lifeline to Simon. It has brought an immeasurable amount of fun, joy sport and friendships to his life!’.

Club coach Deborah McArdle said ‘Sending athletes and chaperones to the Ireland Games will cost our club over €10,000, so we are fundraising to ensure that all our selected athletes get to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. As part of these efforts, we are hosting a table quiz in Donabate Golf Club on Wednesday the 29th of April at 8pm and would love the support of as many people as possible by booking a team’.

The cost of entering a team of 4 is €50, and 100% of proceeds will benefit the club. There will also be a prize for the winning team, spot prizes and a fantastic raffle on the night. Why not support this fantastic local cause and secure your team today, by texting Louise on 087 7180324.

Special Olympics Ireland, provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and developmental programmes for almost 7000 athletes annually. Giving our athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

From 18th-21st June 2026, over 1,200 athletes and thousands of volunteers and supporters will come together for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games - a thrilling competition and a celebration of the skill, determination, and abilities of athletes. See Ireland Summer Games 2026 | The Special Olympics for more information.

The Men’s Shed movement is based on the moto: “Men talk shoulder to shoulder”. This describes our core ethos, that men build social connections and improve well-being by working together on practical projects rather than through direct face-to-face conversation.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed meets on Thursday mornings from 11am to noon in the Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road for a cuppa and a chat and to organise our many other activities. There is an exercise class before that at 10am, which many members attend.

So, any man who is free at that time would be more than welcome to join us and learn more about our many other activities and events (e.g. exercise classes, croquet in Newbridge Park, music sessions, outings to places of interest). Or you could contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. Please pass on this information to a friend, neighbour or loved one who might like to join us. We are always open for new members.

The aim of the Lambay Cinema Club is to show interesting and entertaining films from around the world, and our latest cinematic travels take us from Argentina (the setting for last month’s film) to Paris for the tale of Souleyman’s Story.

This award-winning film (including wins at Cannes) focuses on Souleyman, a Guinean food delivery courier in Paris, in the 48 hours before a crucial asylum interview that could help him secure his future.
At the heart of the film is a riveting performance by Abou Sangré, a non-professional actor, whose performance brings to life the reality of seemingly invisible migrant workers trying to navigate society.

Shot on the streets of Paris with hidden cameras, the film follows Souleyman around the city revealing a unique new view of Paris from the perspective of some of its most under-appreciated inhabitants. During this journey we get to experience what The Guardian called “some of the hairiest cycling scenes since Buster Keaton.”

Join us to experience this pulse-pounding and heartrending view of modern Paris.

Nine Queens will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday May 7th at 8pm.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 30th April 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

Could all current & prospective Parish Hall users, please read this important message.

At the beginning of May, invitations will be sent out by email from the Parish Office to CURRENT GROUPS and individuals, to put in their request/wish lists by email for using the Parish Hall from June 2026 to June 2027. Please submit by the end of May to be sure of your continued use.

If there are any NEW GROUPS or individuals in the community that need space for their activities, we invite you to also email the Parish Office on or before the end of May.

Please specify whether you wish/request Weekly Activities - like Dancing, cards, art, yoga etc OR Special Events - like Music, History, Drama Meetings etc.

The email address for contacting the office is stpatricksrcdonabate@gmail.com
Then in early June, when all the request/wish lists are in, they will all be looked at & groups &individuals will be accommodated as best as possible.

The Parish Office will then be back to each group and individual before the end of June with a programme that works, as well as can be, for all users for the next year.

This approach works well, irons out the gaps and overlaps and everyone is on board and can plan their activities & lives. It reduces the workload for all! So, during the year there should be no chopping & changing of the programme, unless for a very special event or reason.

The Parish Hall is still busy - with the Drama Society, as part of their 90th Celebrations, putting on a production of a classic play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Watch for the posters; it will on around the middle of May and is not to be missed!

After the 11am Mass in Donabate on two Sundays in the month, the Parish Hospitality Committee have a lovely cuppa & cakes over in the Parish Hall for a sociable chat.

Many of the weekly activities will come to a wind down soon. But The Senior Citizens will continue during the summer months & a few others also.

If you have any queries, please contact the Parish Office in the mornings on 01-8434574

Have a lovely summer all & we hope the sun shines.

Labour Councillor Corina Johnston has called for urgent action to restore visible community policing and rebuild trust in An Garda Síochána, warning that communities are being left behind as Garda numbers fall and resources fail to keep pace with demand.

Cllr. Johnston said, “People in Donabate can see the reality on the ground. Garda visibility has dropped and response times are under pressure. This is not acceptable. The government have failed to properly resource An Garda Siochána and the impact is being felt in Donabate and neighbourhoods across Fingal.

“We now have fewer Gardaí per person than we did just a few years ago. At the same time, our population has grown. In 2009 DMR North (which includes Swords, Balbriggan, Malahide, Garristown Rush, Lusk) had 832 Gardai, in December 2025 DMR North had 761 Gardai. That means fewer Gardaí covering more people, more communities and more complex policing demands. In Donabate this translates into less visible policing, less community engagement and more pressure on an already stretched force. Community Gardaí play a vital role in building relationships, preventing crime and supporting vulnerable people. Yet their numbers are falling. That weakens the connection between Gardaí and the people they serve. In Donabate, people want to see Gardaí on the streets, in schools and in their communities, not tied up in administrative backlogs or pulled away due to shortages.

Councillor Johnson is now calling on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to deliver a funded plan to recruit and retain Gardaí, restore community policing in Donabate to ensure the community has the, “visible, effective policing it deserves.”

“Morale within the force is also a serious concern. Gardaí who serve our communities deserve proper support, fair conditions and respect. Instead, many feel undervalued and overworked. That has real consequences for recruitment and retention. If we cannot attract and keep Gardaí, communities like Donabate will continue to lose out. The government promised thousands of new recruits but have failed to deliver. Training numbers remain too low, and there is no clear plan to reach the levels needed. Meanwhile, equipment and fleet issues continue, with outdated vehicles and inadequate resources affecting frontline policing in places like Fingal.

“People in Donabate deserve a modern, properly resourced police service that is rooted in the community and capable of keeping people safe. That means investing in recruitment, improving conditions, restoring community policing and ensuring Gardaí have the tools they need to do their job effectively,” Cllr Johnson added.

Following on from the sold out screening of Blue Road to celebrate International Women’s Day in March, we hope to see many of you at our April screening.

Our aim is to show interesting and entertaining films from around the world, and for April we will be screening Nine Queens, a classic Argentinian file from 2000 that was remastered and rereleased in 2025.
In this “deliciously cynical tale of swindling and double-cross”, we see the main character Marcos, an experienced con artist, witnessing Juan, a wannabe con artist failing to pull off a minor scam. Marcos rescues Juan by pretending to be a policeman and offers to make him a partner in a few other deals - including one involving the sale of a sheet of counterfeit rare stamps.

From this simple set up, the deal involving the stamps becomes more complex and as extra people become involved, true motivations and plans within plans are slowly revealed.

Nine Queens will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday April 16th at 8pm.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 9th April 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