Tuesday morning, 6th June, saw a group from Through the Lens Camera Club boarding the ‘Fish & Trips’ boat in Malahide Marina to go on a day trip to Lambay Island. The weather was fair but the seas a little choppy which resulted in a few bodies being well salted before we reached the island ! However the welcome there was warm and we soon dried out. Skipper Eamonn gave us a potted history of the island then we set off, accompanied by the lovely Saffy, to climb the hill for the views. She was full of interesting information about life on Lambay, and the best places to spot wallabies, deer or bird life. A pleasant couple of hours was spent taking lots of pictures (with our 2024 calendar in mind) and trying to spot the elusive wildlife. We were fascinated to watch, from the hilltop, an aerial battle between a grey crow and a kestrel..too far away for photos unfortunately. On return to the harbour we grabbed a snack and a rest then Eamonn brought us around the buildings there including the Bothy and cottages, living quarters originally for coastguards more recently for the workers; the tennis court for ‘real tennis’ a game beloved by King Henry 8th and the forerunner to the modern game of lawn tennis; the 19th century church which was restored around 1916. We were also allowed a peep into the whiskey store where barrels of Lambay Whiskey lie maturing in the sea air. After all the exercise and photo opportunities we returned to the harbour where Skipper Eamonn was hard at work on the boat putting together a delicious BBQ which we all enjoyed on the way back to Malahide. Thankfully the seas had calmed so no extra salt was added ! The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all and I think we may feel the need to explore again.
A beautiful walk was held recently in Skerries - from the Train Station to the Old Mill for Coffee & Market - then out to the coast along the promenade up around Red Island and then a lovely lunch and walk back to the Train Station - the walk was about 8km a slightly shorter route than usual but great! Our next walk is on Saturday 9th September - and is our original Peninsula Pacers walk around the Parish starting in Donabate Village, Corballis, Tower Bay, Portrane Green, (& The Burrow for a longer route) ending up in The Brook Pub. The walk is planned again to coincide with the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival which has Traditional Music & a Ceile on that afternoon at their Pizza & Pint event. Last year the walk & the ceile were great craic in the beautiful sunshine enjoyed by all young & older! Contact Carolyn on 087 9284307 or Des on 087 7846813 for further information re Peninsula Pacers and types of walks to suit you!
On Friday 2d June the Active Age for All camera club went on a field photographic trip to Malahide Castle. The day was overcast but, most importantly, dry and warm and we spent a happy 3 hours or so around the grounds, the gardens and the butterfly house. The butterfly house is very warm and humid so it takes a while for the camera lenses to acclimatise and stop fogging up, but it’s well worth the wait as there is a lovely selection of different butterflys. Unfortunately the Castle itself was closed for filming (ironically) that day so we had to content ourselves with the outdoors. The trip gave us the opportunity to practise different camera settings and photography styles from Landscape to Macro (close-up) and to sharpen our ‘camera eye’. We finished up with lunch in the Avoca cafe, all in all a very enjoyable trip. There are already plans afoot for the next outing.
At the moment, AAFA is on a well deserved holiday, but your hard working Committee is still working away on your behalf planning for September. Our new Programme will be available in August. Croquet and Boules still continues on the usual days and is enjoyed by many enthusiasts,and Paul is running his normal Pilates class independly for the summer but not under AAfA banner. We would like to Congratulate Peig McManus on the successful publication of her new book ‘I Will Be Good’ her Dublin memoir What a great achievement, it is a brilliant funny book! We are very proud of her! Peig (pictured below) was one of the founding members of Active Age and it’s first Chairperson, she is one of our staunchest supporters. We are very grateful for all she did for AAfA and we are delighted at her success! If you are interested in joining AAfA or are looking for information please email activeageforall@gmail.com or see our website activeageforall.com Or Text only 0868806808.
Members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Aideen Hoey last month. Despite a break in our activities because so many members were away, a few of us were able to attend her funeral mass in the Church of the Nativity, Beaumont to say a final farewell to our friend and to express our condolences to her family.
In 2019, Aideen delivered two HSE-sponsored Healthy Eating courses to members of our shed. She is fondly remembered not just for the professional, informative and entertaining delivery of the courses, but more importantly for her good humour and ability to join in with the banter of the Shed. Aideen will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam.
After a short break last month, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is resuming our normal activities this month. Anyone interested in joining us should contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.
Corina Johnston, Local Area Representative is calling for the bad bend road realignment works on the Hearse Road to urgently proceed. Johnston said; “ The bad bend on the Hearse Road, Donabate is a notorious accident black spot with many regular road traffic incidents resulting in numerous injuries, and sadly a fatality on this stretch of road. “Johnston continued;”In October 2019 Fingal County Council’s Hearse Road Bend Realignment project went through a public consultation process and was approved by the council in 2020.”Johnston added;”Ever since we have highlighted the need for this project to commence on health and safety grounds. In response Fingal County Council have recently informed us that “This project will be assessed for consistency with the Donabate Distributor Road Phase 2 (Donabate- Lissenhall) project. A consultant is currently being appointed to begin the feasibility and options assessment process for this project, and options for implementation will follow on over the course of the next 12-18 months.” Johnston said;” While welcoming the upcoming feasibility and options assessment for the much needed Hearse Road upgrade it is obvious to me that this major project is at least a decade away. On health and safety grounds we cannot wait for that length of time before resolving the issue at this location. Last week another traffic accident occurred at this bend which reinforces the need for action. “ Johnston concluded; “On health and safety grounds It is totally unacceptable that this stand alone scheme approved by the council in 2020 is now being considered as part of the main Hearse Road upgrade project which is many years away. This position is totally unacceptable and we intend to pursue it until this urgent scheme is prioritised and approved by Fingal County Council.”
The Peninsula Pacers recently went out to the Pool beg Lighthouse for a long walk. We left Donabate Train Station at about 10am for Sandymount Train Station and started our walk through Sandymount Village crossing the road near the Strand then hugging the coast headed out to the Lighthouse. While the day was not the best it rained a bit and was a bit misty, we got a good walk in and ended up back in a great pub in the heart of Sandymount Village for some superb grub at good prices! We may take a break over the summer months but hope to be for our walk around the Peninsula in September to coincide with the Bleeding Pig Festiva back l Trad Event at the Brook Pub in Portrane where good pizzas are also to be had! If you are interested and wish to contact the Pacers contact Des on 087 7846813 or Carolyn on 087 9284307.
The Parish Hall have been working hard at finalising the Programme for next year with daily activities like Irish Dance, Cards and Parent & Baby Group and also the slots for special events like Exhibitions, Creative Camps & Drama. The hall is becoming busier and busier with an ever expanding population and increased demand for space so it is necessary to plan well in advance for all that is happening in the hall to satisfy as best as possible all wishes. If you have not already been contacted, please contact the Parish Office re use immediately. For those that use the hall for their activities thank you for your continuous support.
May has been a very busy month for AAfA hosting events in Donabate/Portrane Community Centre. We had a presentation from Danielle Monahan of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. The aim of this organisation, which is part of Fingal County Council, is “to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible” It was a most interesting presentation and she gave us very useful information about grants and supports available to the older person. We were delighted to finally host the Rosemount Singers from Julianstown for our Bealtaine Festival event, the Bealtaine Miscellany. They were joined by our own singing group the Caintóirí and Peig McManus and the writers from the Chinkwell Writers group. The Bealtaine Festival celebrates creativity in the older person. Both events were very well supported by our members and enjoyed by all. The Caintóirí were pleased to be invited to Malahide to join MARA - Malahide Active Retirement Assoc - and the Bealtaine Poetry Group in their Bealtaine celebration in Malahide Library which proved to be a great success on a most enjoyable morning. Classes are now finished for the summer, but your hard working committee is already planning for September. We are also in the final stages of designing our new website, so watch this space! As always if you need information about AAfA or you would like to join us please email us at activeageforall@gmail.com or check us out on our website activeageforall.com TEXT only 0868806808
Corina Johnston Labour Party Area Representative welcomes the announcement by Fingal County Council of its intention to commence, by late Summer this year, the badly needed and long overdue Turvey Avenue Enhancement Scheme.
Johnston said; “This information was given at a recent Council meeting in response to the following question submitted by my colleague Cllr Rob O’Donoghue on my behalf and is subject to a procurement competition and the appointment of a suitable contractor.
The Council’s reply stated: Tender documents for the procurement of a Contractor are expected to issue to the market this month. Following appointment of the Contractor, works will commence with a target start date on site in late summer. Timelines are subject to a successful procurement competition and appointment of a suitable contractor. Johnston said;”A far back as 2019 Fingal County Council’s Turvey Avenue Enhancement Project went through a public consultation process and the scheme was subsequently approved by the Council. The Council position however was that this scheme would be included with the Portrane Road Scheme (Adjacent to the Boys and Girls Primary Schools) as part of a single tender process. This position was unacceptable as it was obvious that it would take much longer to reach agreement for the Portrane Road Scheme and therefore delay the Turvey Scheme even further. “
Johnston added; “I am delighted that the council have taken on board our views and are now seeking tenders for a single project. The contents of Scheme include: (1) 115×2m footpath Northern Side of Turvey Ave, (2) Road resurfacing. (3) Provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. (4) Re positional of existing bus stop on southern side. (5) Provision of new road gullies to improve drainage.
Leithinis current term of traditional Irish music classes is proving a great hit in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhrán, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin and Concertina. We would like to welcome our new students and we were delighted to see some of them participate at the fortnightly Friday NIght Music Gathering which takes place in Donabate Parish Hall. The Session is going from strength to strength with increasing numbers of experienced musicians participating and for the rest of the year, takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. All are welcome to come along and listen.
