Corina Johnston, Area Representative has welcomed the commencement of the upgrade works on the access to The Brook Beach, Portrane. Johnston said;”I am very pleased that our ongoing campaign for a safe and accessible access for everyone to our beach at the Brook, Portrane has been successful as it was the worst entrance to any beach in Fingal. Following an on-site meeting last July, with officials from Fingal County Council, arranged by Duncan Smith TD, We received a commitment from the Council that the funding for a scheme at the Brook would be included in this year’s programme of works. This came in the form of direct communication with Duncan Smith TD and to the council meeting dated 8th September last. Prior to this we were in contact with the National Parks and Wildlife Services who had no difficulties with our proposals. “ Johnston continued;” my colleague Seana O’Rodaigh submitted the following question to September’s Council meeting on my behalf: “To ask the Chief Executive if consideration could be given, in respect of the entrance to the Beach at the Brook Portrane, to design and install a much-needed improvement scheme which could include a tarmacadam surface, kerbing, fencing and to note that such a scheme would both enhance access for people with disabilities, parents with buggies and the physical appearance of the sole access within the village?” In their reply the Council said: The following works at the entrance to the beach at the Brook, Portrane will be included in the 2023 works programme:• The path will be tarmacked, and drainage works will be carried out at the entrance. • The existing fence will be removed, and a solid bar railing will be installed. • The area to the right will be landscaped which will include the installation of a kerb and planting. Johnston concluded; “ We are very pleased that this work is nearing completion which would not have been possible this year without our ongoing campaign and the persistence of Duncan and I. This will enhance access and will improve the appearance within the village. We wish to thank Fingal County Council for taking on board our proposals which will enhance the great work by the Portrane Village Renewal group.”

St Pats were ‘CLUB OF THE TOURNAMENT’ and their U8 boys ‘TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT’ at Gormanstown indoor hurling and camogie 2023. 30 plus clubs across Dublin, Meath & Louth, and 160 teams and 1900 players all took part in the 2023 Gormanstown indoor hurling & camogie tournament over the winter break. We had a hugely successful 5 weeks with boys and girls team from U8s-U11s representing the green and black. Well done to all the boys and girls teams. Everyone was was incredible. All the players and coaches over the past 5 weeks contributed to St Pats winning the 2023 Club of the Tournament. Special mentions to our unbeaten U8 girls (4 wins & 1 draw).The U10 girls who had two teams in the tournament with 5 players from the U9 team also playing a year above. Our U10 Boys who went unbeaten (3 wins & 2 draws). And last but not least, our U8 Boys who won the TEAM OF THE TOURNAMENT for 2023. Congratulations to all the teams who represented the club.

Donabate Parish Hall has a variety of classes & activities & events taking place during the week. The Montessori to the rear of the building runs every morning, classes range from Wellness to Weights, from Youth Drama for to Irish Dance by day and Cards to Clubs by night. During mid term break there were additional meet ups by the group Egg Heads for to help young people needing support and they were very successful. In late February a very special event was held in the Parish Hall the screening of “Angel” 1982 Stephen Rea’s very first film - more of the night & pics in the next edition of Community Local. This month March we have all things Irish with Irish Dance & Traditional Music celebrating our culture & traditions. The Donabate Portrane Drama Society will be putting on a production in late April early May - not to be missed always great! If you need further information or wish to make a booking at the Parish Hall please contact: Bernie on 01 8434574.

Yes some great walks have taken place in the last few months and a few more are planned - a big thanks to Des, Audrey & Carolyn. In January we did the Drogheda Train Station to Oldbridge House and back a fantastic rampart walk .In February we returned to Howth and did the Old Tramline and part of the summit & Cliff Walk. In March we intend doing the cliff walk from Rush to Loughshinny on Saturday 25th March. In April we hope to go on the Pidgeon House Walk from Sandymount out to the lighthouse on Saturday 22nd April. We try to go by public transport generally train and have a meal after the walks. All people on the walks take personal responsibility for themselves and must have a reasonable level of fitness and wear proper attire for the walks. The aim is to keep active-walking and have some craic on the way! Contact Des on 087 7846813 or Carolyn on 087 9284307

We are delighted to say that our classes are now in full swing as members work hard to eliminate the depredations of Christmas. We could possibly squeeze a couple of people into Yoga and Singing and Music, but we have had such a marvellous response from our membership this term that we have filled all classes. We are introducing a new class called Dancersize which we will initially run for six weeks, no partner needed. If you are interested in giving it a go see our contact info below.Just to remind you that you are eligible to join AAfA from age 55 and it is only €10.00 to join. We do give a warm welcome to new members, always delighted to see a new face. We also run free activities Croquet, Bowls, Boules outdoors, and Bowls, Pickleball and Table Tennis indoors. Our recent AGM was very well attended and we elected a new Committee and I wish them every success in their work on your behalf this year (See our pics). At the meeting we had a very interesting presentation from Danielle Monahan from Healthy Age Friendly Homes whose objective is to enable people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. We hope to organise a morning where Danielle will attend to give advice to people on an individual basis, privately. We will let you know the date later. As always we are looking for people to help on our Committee, so please get in touch if you would like to help. Or if you have any skills to offer. For information on all our classes and activities contact us by our Email - activeageforall@gmail.com Website -activegeforall.com or Text only 0868806808.

Located in the ALSAA Sports Complex, Swords Road, Co Dublin, Aer Lingus Bowls club have a long and proud history. Established in 1989 its founding members formed successful and formidable teams. They won many tournaments, leagues and cups over the years. At present we have teams representing Aer Lingus Bowls club in the L.B.L.I. Ladies league and the B.L.I. Men’s league. Post covid we are in the process of encouraging.new members to join us. Lawn bowls is a wonderful sport. It has physical as well as social benefits. We meet every Wednesday and Sunday at 11am throughout the year. It is a place to meet up with friends to laugh, chat and get some exercise. We certainly get our “steps in”!. In the words of one of our greatest writers “We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing” (George Bernard Shaw). Aer Lingus Bowls club is an inclusive club. We welcome all abilities, ages, and genders. Are you interested in trying lawn bowls this Spring/Summer? Do you know someone who might be interested? Would your club, Men’s/Women’s shed, Active Age group, organisations for individuals with additional needs, or school be interested in trying Lawn Bowls? All equipment will be provided for taster sessions. Please contact Des Walsh on 087 0678903/ Sandra McCarthy 0863114540 for further information or send a message on Facebook messenger Aer Lingus Bowls Club. We look forward to welcoming you. You will be assured of a warm welcome.

Corina Johnston Labour Party Local Area Representative for Donabate and Portrane recently said, “I am pleased that a number of my proposals on public transport are coming to fruition. New bus stop and shelter - Donabate village - The works have finally commenced on the new bus stop and much needed bus shelter in Donabate village which I first proposed at a meeting in Leinster House with Duncan Smith TD and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2019. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss public transport improvements for the peninsula. Ever since then we have vigorously pursued this proposal with the NTA, Go Ahead Ireland and Fingal County Council’s Heritage and Roads Department. Planning permission was granted for the provision of this new bus stop within Donabate village in 2021. This will replace two existing bus stops and will incorporate a badly needed bus shelter and real time passenger information unit, the first on our peninsula. I believe this will improve the travelling experience for commuters and facilitate a free flow of vehicular traffic through the village. - 33B Bus Service Improvements - I am delighted that the revised 33B bus timetable has included the following amendments following my representations:-The 00:10 33B service from Swords to Portrane will connect with the last train from the city centre which arrives into Donabate Station at 00:12. - the 11:10pm 33B service from Swords to Portrane on a Saturday night will connect with the last train from Malahide which arrives into Donabate Station at 11:13pm - the 2:50pm 33B Swords to Portrane bus service has been amended to depart at 3:02pm to facilitate children travelling home from school. Bus Connects: The Bus Connects project which includes direct bus services from Portrane to Dublin airport and UCD via Vincent’s hospital is due to be implemented in late 2024. While these improvements are to be welcomed we believe that additional bus services will be required to cater for our growing population. Regarding
Rail services: Duncan and I have stressed to the Minister and the NTA the inadequacy of the rail service on the northern commuter line and the need for increased capacity as soon as possible. We have been informed that additional rail carriages due to come into service during the year will see a 10% increase in capacity at peak periods on the northern commuter line. In our opinion this increase will still be insufficient to cater for the population increase along the northern line. Irish Rail will also be taking delivery of 95 DART and carriages in 2024. We have recommended to Irish Rail and the NTA that some of these carriages be used to maximise capacity on the Northern Commuter Line. The public can be assured that both Duncan and I will vigorously continue to pursue this important issue at National and Local level.

Last month, members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed were saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and fellow shedder, Jimmy Carter. Although a quiet and private man, Jimmy enjoyed the company of his fellow members and joined in our outings before Covid restrictions. He liked nothing more than a good singsong, “Deportees” and “The Streets of Baltimore” being his party pieces. But his fellow shedders will remember him best as Celtic Jimmy for his love of Celtic art. Jimmy’s funeral, as he wished, was simple, without church, priest or celebrant attended by his friends. A group of Men’s Shed members formed a guard of honour for his final journey to Donabate Cemetery. May he rest in peace. Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed offers weekly get-togethers on Thursday mornings, in addition to exercise classes, music gatherings, croquet and work on our allotments on other days. We have just started a healthy cooking course delivered by the HSE. If you are interested in joining us, please call Jim on 086-3694316.

The 2010 girls (6th class & 1st year) need to find the next Cora Staunton or Sínead Goldrick and they need your help with recruitment.If you would love your daughter to join or know someone with an interest in GAA message the page or contact Elaine 0879047440 (see our attached poster). Also we are once again advertising for more participants in our Mothers and Others squad. So, If you’re female and over 25 years old, you might want to join St Pats GAA 4 mothers & others team. We train every Friday at 6.30pm and play matches every two weeks approx . It’s not a competitive league and no major commitment required but it is great craic and a really fun way to keep fit. We started back after the Christmas break recently with strength and conditioning with Mojo fitness. Message Elaine on 0879047440 if you’re interested. Approx 70 euro to join for the year and 30 euro to do 6 weeks strength and conditioning. The majority of our players have never played GAA or team sports!!!

Des Carthy & Audrey Sherlock were our Walking Leaders for Peninsula Pacers as we recently checked out of part of the Boyne Camino Walk - Drogheda Town to Oldbridge House by the Boyne River on the Ramparts. This is a beautiful walk with lovely interesting views en route. To get there we took the train to Drogheda and walked down along the River Boyne for 1hr 20mins to Oldbridge House.Then we returned after coffee & cakes to Drogheda Town Centre -1hr 20mins. You should time the walk for low tide & good weather! Peninsulas Pacers have a walk once a month. The next few walks, just to give you a flavour include Rush to Lusk and return, Sandymount to the Pidgeon House on the Southside and the City Canal Walk. If you want to join us and require any further information please contact Carolyn on 087 9284307 & Des Carthy 087 7846813