It was a proud day for Donabate Tidy Towns when it was recently announced that we reached 2nd place in our category and 12th in the whole of Dublin. We applied for the Tidy Towns competition a number of months ago hoping to get some useful feedback from experienced adjudicators in terms of projects completed and work projects we could complete over the next year. We did not expect to score so well and needless to say we were overjoyed with the results and the feedback. Of course, there were plenty of suggestions and ideas for the village which we look forward to planning and implementing over the coming weeks and months as some of the projects require more planning and funding than others. We would like to thank the volunteers who helped and participated in the Tidy Towns activities over the last year. Without your hard work and dedication none of the completed projects and progress around the village would have been possible and this was reflected in the report. Quite a few of the volunteers often do so very quietly and in their own time and do not seek any gratitude for the work that they do but we would like to extend our thanks to each one of them. We will be holding our rescheduled AGM at the Donabate Portrane Community Centre on Tuesday the 24th of October at 8.30pm. We will reflect on all the hard work that has been done by both the committee and volunteers over the last year, plans for the coming year and we hope to share these with you in due course. We would be really interested in hearing everyone’s thoughts and ideas for the village or for your own area/estate. Tidy Towns would be happy to work with you and provide as many resources as possible to help you with any projects you had in mind. We would also like to hear how Donabate Tidy Towns could bring in new volunteers and support the existing volunteers more. We hope to see as many people there as possible.

Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is delighted to announce the upcoming performances of two Irish plays from the 23rd to the 26th of November 2023 in Donabate Parish Hall. “A Galway Girl” directed by Aengus Gordon and Áine Dilleen is a one-act play by Geraldine Aron about the life of a rural Irish wife in the 1950s. Maisie and her husband Dermot. Sitting at opposite ends of a table and rarely addressing each other directly they recollect moments of their married life in London. The anecdotes they relate are both humorous and heart-breaking. Their story is filled with disagreement and bickering but also loving moments and affection. “Playing the part of Maisie gives me an insight into the strength and courage of women of that generation in Ireland, who under an austere Catholic regime, rendered it impossible for women to leave violent and unhappy marriages”, said Christina Fahy, former member of the society and who is back on stage this season playing the part of Maisie. The second play is “Bedtime story”, directed by Lisa Buckley. This one-act comedy, written by Sean O’Casey in 1951, depicts the odd things and misfortunes that may happen to young Catholic bachelor John Jo who has just spent the night with seductive Angela in his Dublin lodging. Full of remorse and afraid of ruining his reputation John Jo finds himself in a situation with which his conscience cannot cope. The play bursts with farcical elements, dark humour and sharp social satire. On stage there will be seen some familiar talents but also some first time actors with the society, while behind the scenes a production team has been assembled to ensure that every other aspect is well looked after when bringing the plays to life on stage. Mícheál O’Dea, long-time member, actor and producer of the society is delighted to be back in the production team after a small break: “I am looking forward to co-producing these two one acts plays with some new directors and actors alongside Italian production manager Valentina Falcone”. Tickets cost €12 per person and can be purchased online on Eventbrite.ie or at the door. Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is also extending an invitation to all people in the community to become a patron of the society and support the local arts. The annual fee for patronage is €60 per person and it includes two tickets for their biannual productions along with light refreshments. If you want to become a member or a patron of DPDS do not hesitate to contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com. And don’t forget to follow Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society on Facebook and Instagram!

Leithinis Donabate Portrane CCÉ resumed Traditional Irish Music classes on Monday 2nd October in DPETNS. We are delighted that 65 members are taking classes in Tin Whistle, Flute, Bodhrán, Guitar, Fiddle, Concertina, Banjo and Accordion. Our Friday Grúpaí Cheoil slow and intermediate sessions for CCÉ members took place in Donabate Parish Hall during October and the next are on November 10th and December 1st and 15th. Traditional Irish Music sessions led by Denis continue as usual in The Brook Pub, Portrane on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30 pm. All are welcome to come along to listen and enjoy a great evening of music by some of our talented local musicians. We are delighted that Donabate Parish Hall has been confirmed as one of the venues for Tradfest 2024 featuring the very talented local musician, Gerry O’Connor, and friends playing on January 28th. This will be a great gig!

Gubbio is a town in Umbria, Italy, nestled in the foothills of the Apennines. It’s peaceful and picturesque now, but once in the 1200s it was terrorised by a wolf that killed any of the residents that ventured outside of the town walls. Saint Francis of Assisi was asked to intercede on behalf of the residents and famously made a pact with the wolf that if the residents of the town fed the wolf it would stop killing. The wolf indicated its agreement by placing its large paw in Saint Francis’ hand. Thereafter, the wolf lived quietly with the villagers and they fed him and cared for him. The point of the story was that mankind needs to live in harmony with nature and that when the two are not in synch mankind suffers. Today the proverbial wolf at our door in Donabate and Portrane as coastal communities is climate change and also the broader issue of the ecological devastation that has been wrought on our common home. Pope Francis has tried to emulate his namesake by making climate change, ecological issues and care for the poor central to his pontificate. One key action was the publication of his encyclical whose title borrowed from Saint Francis’ words and was entitled Laudato Si’ - care for our common home” and Laudato Si’ calls on people to recognize the urgent need for ecological conversion and sustainable living. In our own community the call in Laudato Si’ has been answered by the establishment of a group in the Parish of Donabate, Portrane and Balheary dedicated to helping achieve Pope Francis’ ecological vision in the parish and wider community. Father Pat Reilly, P.P. who convened the group said “ For ecological conversion to take place we all need to think using our hearts as well as our heads.” The group has launched an initial plan with actions for our parish in the key areas highlighted in Laudato Si’. Details are available on the parish website. The group welcomes new members and more details can be obtained by emailing laudatosi2023@yahoo.com

On Sunday 26.11.2023, Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School will open their doors between 12 and 4pm to welcome you to their annual Winter Fete. This event is a great day out for the entire family. 2€ entrance per adult. Kids and senior citizens go free. Enjoy a great atmosphere, some lovely food, local crafts, games and music. Being the school’s largest fundraising event, there are preloved games, toys, books and clothes available for you to purchase. The entire family gets a chance to compete head-to-head in the game room, or can get their picture taken in our photobooth. Or you can get your nails done or face painted in our beauty room to name only but a few of our activities. Additionally, we hold a raffle, with some incredible prices including cash, voucher, hampers and gift baskets. Tickets can be bought on the day as well as in SuperValu on the 11/12 November 2023.

Recently the Peninsula Pacers went to Clogherhead. So for the first real walk of the season we did a nice short one - suitable for all abilities. There are great views on this short walk of cliffs, sea and sandy beaches. There is a great fish shop at the harbour and when the fish & chips trailer cafe is open, it is second to none for fresh & crispy food. This time we ate in The Forge in Termonfeckin set in a lovely garden and trinkets shop. Our next walk is Saturday 4th November to Carlingford for a longer hike! 90% on the flat! Out on the Greenway & back by the forest. We hope to stop in Fitzpatrick’s on the way home a great eating house closer to Dundalk. If you are reasonably fit & interested in walking, please contact Carolyn Smith 087 9284307 or Des Carthy 087 7846813

Last month, a group of musicians from Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, jokingly christened Gerry and the Plonkers! by one member, played a short set at the Positive Aging event organised by Active Age for All in Donabate Portrane Community and Leisure Centre. The event also included other music and readings. The Men’s Shed choice of songs, hits from the 50s and 60s, reflected the age of the musicians and most of the audience. The well-attended event was enjoyed by all. And to confirm the wide range of interests covered by the Men’s Shed, we also had a visit to Dáil Eireann. A full report and photos of this will be available for the next issue of Donabate/Portrane Local. If you are interested in joining us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Corina Johnston Area Representative said; “I am delighted that the provision of a much needed Cultural, Arts and Youth facility was endorsed at our recent well attended public meeting held by Duncan Smith TD and I in Donabate. At the meeting we outlined that the Local Area Plan provides for 4000 homes with the population to exceed 20,000 in the next 10 years with no indoor community facility for the growing Cultural, Arts and Youth Groups. These groups have no permanent home to support their growing numbers and activities with no stage, inadequate parking facilities, no facility for permanent exhibitions or storage of equipment. “Johnston continued; “A number of Crosscare youth workers addressed the meeting and confirmed that they have no permanent home to provide the vital youth services needed in Donabate. According to Census 2022 31% of the Donabate population is under 19 years with 41% aged under 30. Given the huge youth population with an increase in anti-social behaviour it is imperative that a permanent youth facility is included in such a facility.” Johnston continued;” it was great to see so many people and especially our young people enthusiastically addressing the meeting in support of this multi-functional facility in Donabate. The Local Area Plan provides for a community facility on lands at Ballymastone, the provision of a community/cultural/exhibition and performing Arts centre for Donabate- Portrane and encourages the development of multi - functional community buildings.”

Johnston concluded;” it now appears that the people of the Donabate Peninsula will get the housing units but not the Purpose Built Cultural and Community facility. The meeting soundly rejected this proposition with a committee set up to commence a campaign for this facility. The first priority is to secure a site in the Ballymastone/ Corballis area. A Motion will be submitted to the next council meeting (hopefully a cross party one) on this issue. . A local authority site needs to be identified for this purpose before all the suitable land either secures planning permission or is built upon.”

The Parish Hall has most groups and activities fully up and running again - there were some took short breaks for the summer period. Classes such as Irish Dancing, Pilates, Mother & Baby Breast Feeding, Flowers Friends - to name a few are taking place. Groups such as Senior Citizens who provide a great meeting point for older people & organise the best trips ever! and Leithinis Grúpaí Cheoil Trad Sessions for members are also going strong! The Parish Hall Programme sets aside some blocks of time for events & activities to take place to ensure that cultural & creative activities take place which enrich & serve our fast-growing community. This term it is hoped that a youth or children’s camp will take place at October break followed by the fantastic exhibition of Photography by Through the Lens in mid-November, then the ever popular Donabate Dramatic Society Production will take place towards the end of November. The calendar would not be complete without the Christmas Fair on the first Saturday in December. There is still some limited availability to book the Parish Hall for activities & events so if you wish to do so please contact the Parish Office 01 8434574immediately!

After a successful summer, Autumn is shaping up to be a busy season for Lambay Sports & Athletic Club. In August we saw an exciting milestone in the history of our 12-year-old club when the first sod was turned on the Ballymastone Sports and Recreational hub. Club co-founder Jennifer Tanner and Club Chairperson Steven Rice were present to witness this landmark moment. The Club also had great club success in Tullamore in August. Our Ladies Track and Field Team placed 6th in Division 1 of the National League Final. Later that month, also in Tullamore, Shane O’Farrell placed 8th in his age category in the National Half Marathon, in a time of 1:15.57.

Our men’s M50 team placed 8th overall, with Pat Cussen and Ken Spratt both placing 13th and Donal Kerr placing 20th in their respective age categories. Mary McNamara and Eimear Caulfield placed 12th and 17th in their respective age categories. LSA Masters Track and Field athletes are preparing for the European Masters Athletics Championships in Pescara, Italy in late September, whilst our distance runners are continuing their preparation for the Dublin City Marathon at the end of October. Our younger athletes are participating in the Dublin Cross Country Leagues. Our Little Athletics, Juvenile and Fit4Youth groups have returned to Thursday evening training on the Hockey Pitch and our Saturday Cross Country group for older Juveniles resumed with Hill training on Reilly’s Hill. Meanwhile, our Track and Field Competition group has recommenced training with coach Gerry Ronan. As you can see, we have a growing, diverse club and we aim to cater for everyone! We always welcome volunteers, especially the parents or guardians of our younger members. If you can help out, even occasionally, we will be delighted to welcome you to the team. Please talk to a coach at one of our training sessions.