Under the umbrella of the Parish Hall Committee, a very special event was held in Donabate Parish Hall in late February 2023. The Parish Hall became an old style Picture House for the screening of Angel (1982) featuring Stephen Rea in his very first film and starring in the lead acting role. Part of it was shot in The Burrow on the Portrane Beach, which made the occasion extra special and nostalgic for all present. Stephen, as our special guest, came on the night to watch the film and did a very enlightening and entertaining Q&A session afterwards with the well versed and prepared Leticia Agudo, who is film director herself and also tutors on the Film & Production Degree Course in Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education. It was a community event, all the main Cultural and Creative groups were invited first; then some tickets were extended to other Community groups - people who do or have enriched our Parish. On the night, a huge thanks was extended to FCC for their part in refurbishing our Parish Hall, especially the acoustic panels which make it an ideal venue for cultural and creative activities eg Drama, Film, Music, Dance, Craft. There was no Eventbrite, no Facebook, no Instagram, no Posters, no Advertising and we still were sold out of tickets for the night and there was a full house. On the night, we went down Memory Lane for a few minutes about places that use to show films in the parish. Do you remember John’s Club (now gone) or Dockery’s (upstairs in what’s now Grogan’s Shop) in The Burrow? Both places showed films once a week or month in the 1950’s and 1960, fond memories for many people present.

Now we have a great new film club in the Parish. Recently, Larry Carolan and Breda Maguire set up The Lambay Cinema Club and they and their team show a great selection of films once a month on a Thursday in the Church of Ireland at The Square, Donabate. Without Larry’s enthusiasm, expertise and experience in the screening of Angel (1982) in the Parish Hall, nothing could have taken place on the night; the film and the equipment were borrowed from the Bleeding Pig and Larry did the set up and showing. A huge thanks also to Country Crest Farm Shop who sponsored some of the refreshments for all of the people on the night. Also, a big thanks to Stephen from Keelings Pub who sponsored delicious sandwiches for all the volunteers who were working hard on the night and well before the night The Parish Hall Programme tries to co-ordinate and cater for, in a workable way, as many needs as possible, daily/weekly eg Senior Citizens, Cards, Irish Dance, Youth Wellbeing etc and blocks of cultural and creative activities eg Drama, Camps, Exhibitions etc.To that end the Dramatic Society are back again with one of their twice yearly fantastic productions at the end of April, beginning of May. Also coming up is an inclusion of some camps to cater for the children of the Parish. Lastly, a special thanks to the Parish Hall Committee and a massive thanks to all of the volunteers who helped to make it such a memorable evening, caretakers, cleaners, film showers, ticket takers, ushers, reception team, parking attendants, gift maker, photographers, video maker, setter uppers & washer uppers! for, without them all, it would not have happened. A very very special thanks to Stephen Rea; we are sincerely honoured that not alone did you come to our community event as our special guest but took such a big part in it. We hope it can be repeated again in the future!

The old Howth Tramline was our walk in February, led by Audrey Sherlock one of our leaders. It has great variety weaving up the hill from the Train Station on the Tramline one arrives to The Summit, where you can then take part of the Cliff Walk to descend back down to the village of Howth. The day ended with a lovely meal in the Abbey Tavern. We try as much as possible to use public transport. With good timing one can go from Donabate to Howth by train in less than an hour ! Our walk in March was planned for Rush to Loughshinny (and return) by beach and cliff. It has fantastic views in/out but is dependent on the tides so one must take care. Our April walk on Saturday 22nd is by train Southside and then walk to the Pidgeon House & Lighthouse and return for food to Sandymount Village.These long walks 10/12km approx can vary in difficulty and require good health and a fairly good fitness level. Also, one must be attired properly with walking shoes with vibram soles (not runners) and layered up for all weathers with rain coat and rucksack a must! Please contact Carolyn Smith on 087 9284307 or Des Carthy on 087 7846813

Active Age for All will take a two week break from classes over Easter,starting the 3rd of April.
We hope that the weather will be fine and we can have an opportunity for some gardening and some nice long walks with the walking group.We will be hosting an event on the 5th of April at 10.30 a.m. in Donabate Portrane Community Centre with Danielle Monahan from Fingal Age Friendly Healthy Homes. She will give a more in depth presentation, as to what grants and help is available to make your home more age friendly and healthy. All with the idea of keeping people in their own homes for as long as possible. Danielle will be available to answer individual queries privately after the presentation. If you want to book a slot Text only 086 880 6808.We are excited to be involved in planning an event on the 9th of May for the Bealtaine Festival to celebrate creativity in the older person. We are hoping to involve our singing group Caintóirí, the writing group and some of our Ukulele players, so it should be a very enjoyable morning. so please ‘watch this space!’

To finish I would just like to wish our members A very Happy Easter! If you need information about our classes or our organisation please go to our website www.activeageforall.com. or why not email activeageforall@gmail.com. Or TEXT only 086 880 6808

The death has occurred recently of the former Mayor of Fingal, Gerry McGuire. He served as Mayor of Fingal in 2011-12. He was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in July 2003 to replace long-serving Labour Party Councillor and TD Seán Ryan, who was obliged to stand down following the abolition of the dual mandate which allowed members of the Oireachtas to also serve as councillors. Mr McGuire was subsequently elected to the Council in 2004 as a councillor for the Swords Local Electoral Area which, at that time, included his Donabate base. He served as the Chairperson of the Housing Strategic Policy Committee from 2004 to 2009. He was re-elected as a Councillor in 2009 but lost his seat in the 2014 local elections. He served on the Eastern Regional Authority and the Northern Area Health Board and was also a member of the Donabate and District Sports Association and the Donabate Housing Co-Operative. Originally from Tullamore, Co Offaly, where his father also served as a Labour Party Councillor, he moved to Donabate in the 1960s and worked in St Ita’s Hospital where he was a founder member of the Psychiatric Nurses Association. The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, said: “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the death of former Mayor, Gerry McGuire, who served as a Councillor on Fingal County Council for 11 years and was a dedicated representative for the people of Donabate. On behalf of all my fellow councillors, past and present, I would like to extend our sympathies to wife Mary, sons Brendan and Alan, and daughters Ciara and Darina.” The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council. AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “Gerry McGuire was a dedicated community activist who worked very hard over the years for the people of Donabate, and also represented the people of Fingal for one year when he was elected as Mayor. I would like to extend the sympathies of everybody at Fingal County Council to his family and friends.” His funeral mass took place on Wednesday 15th March at 11am in St Patrick’s Church, Donabate. A minute’s silence, in memory of the former Mayor, was held at the March monthly meeting of Fingal County Council.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed continues to expand its range of activities. Over the past two months, a group of members partook in a HSE-sponsored Heathy Eating programme, an enjoyable and information hands-on cooking course focusing on producing nutritious meals. We also started a weekly music jam session. All of this is in addition to our regular tea-and-chat get-togethers, our croquet and boules sessions at Newbridge House, our exercise classes and our occasional outings to places of interest.So, if you are interested in joining us for any or all of these activities, feel free to call or text our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316 or just turn up to our weekly Thursday morning get-togethers in Donabate Sea Scouts’ den on the Portrane Road. Either way, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

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.