The weather was wet, grey and dismal as 14 stalwarts (not being put off by a drop of rain ! ) gathered at Donabate/Portrane Community Centre for a trip to Glasnevin Cemetery and Casino in Marino. On arrival at Glasnevin Cemetery we met our guide for the tour, Grainne. Our first stop was at the Daniel O’Connell crypt which is beneath the cemeterys’ most conspicuous architectural feature, a round tower, the tallest in Ireland. It was a fitting place as Grainne explained that Daniel O’Connell,’ The Liberator’, was the founder of the cemetery. It was opened in 1832 as a non-denominational graveyard, the first of its kind in Ireland, and is the final resting place of some 1.5 million people. Since the first burial on 22nd February 1832 the Glasnevin authorities have maintained a record of every single burial in the cemetery. We finished our tour at the grave of Michael Collins near the main building;. After a lovely lunch in the cafe we set off to our second destination of the day Casino in Marino. The Casino ( casino= small house, not a gambling establishment) was built as a summer or pleasure house for James Caulfield the 1st Earl of Charlmont and is all that remains of his 18th century demesne at Marino. All in all a very enjoyable day, the weather relented and both places were fascinating with excellent guides.Just a reminder that Registration for our Spring Term takes place on the 9th and 10th of January between 11.00 - 14.00 so come along and meet your friends and sign up for one of our classes. You have such a choice from Pilates to Singing and Art to Yoga, Tai Chi, Sit and Get Fit to Stronger for Longer. Our age profile is from 55 to 90 so I am sure you will find something to suit you. Reminder Our AGM will take place on the 17th of January at 11.00a.m. and we hope to have a speaker at it to talk about the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. To finish we would like to wish all our members a happy and healthy 2023!

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Area Representative has questioned the relevance of The County Development and Local Area Plan given a recent planning decision by An Bord Pleánala. Johnston said; “The decision of An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission for the controversial Corballis East SHD (Strategic Housing Development) in contravention of the County Development and Local Area Plan is a further indication of how irrelevant the County Development and Local Area Plans have become in the planning process within Fingal and indeed throughout the country. This controversial application has been objected to by the vast majority of people in Donabate, public representatives and Fingal County Council.” Johnston said; “In my own submission to the Board I raised the issues of densities, heights,mix and the impact on the highly sensitive landscape and also that the application is a material contravention of the current County Development Plan and the Donabate Local Area Plan. “ Johnston added; “In their decision the Board overruled their own inspector and the recommendations of the council’s planning department. The Board justified their decision based on National Policy and the fact that Donabate is “recognised as a Strategic Development Area”. The fact that it is designated as such is no justification for disregarding the existing character of the area. This land was zoned residential although controversially rezoned in 2003. “ Johnston continued; “While this application was under consideration by the Board local residents discovered an archeological monument (souterrain) on this site which had failed to be discovered during previous inspections and which could be seriously affected by this planning application. In response to representations from Duncan Smith TD and I the National Monuments Service confirmed that this monument will be included in the next review of the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). Johnston concluded; “Although An Bord Pleánala have made this decision I am totally convinced that this is the wrong type of development on this site in Donabate for the reasons outlined and the potential implications on the recently discovered souterrain. Should this development proceed as per this permission the people of Donabate will become even more disillusioned with the planning process and realise the futility of public participation in the County Development and Area Plans.”

by Adrian Henchy

It was a great honour to be in the Shoreline Hotel on Sunday November 13th for the official launch of the book “ The Story of Hockey in Portrane” marking the 100 years of Portrane Hockey Club from 1919-2019. Wonderful to see so many great friends and players from down through the decades who gave their all to the purple & white of Portrane Hockey Club. My own memories and joy from playing and been involved in this great family and community club is just immeasurable. Great credit to the author of the book Mr. James Bennett for the painstaking work that went into putting the book together “ The story of hockey in Portrane”. He received enormous assistance and encouragement at all times from my own father Paschal or “ Percy” Henchy as they call him in hockey circles. As we mark and celebrate the last 100 years of Portrane Hockey Club many of those years just about surviving to where we are now today in 2022 one of the fastest growing hockey clubs in Leinster, fielding 7 Adult teams in the Leinster hockey leagues and almost 300 juveniles from our academy right up to our Under 16s, ensures a very bright future for Portrane Hockey Club. Family names like the Neville’s, Byrne, McCann, Conway, Henchy’s that are connected all the way back to the foundation of the club continue to this day. and the club are also indebted to new families into Donabate like the Van Dreumel, Patterson, Lloyd, Shoebridge and McCarthy families who together with so many others have the club in such a strong and healthy position in 2022. Portrane Hockey Club were delighted to welcome Jack Chambers Minister for Sport, Howard Mahoney Mayor of Fingal, our own Club Development Officer Cllr. Adrian Henchy and Kenny Carroll from Hockey Ireland along with many Former and Current players, Committee members and supporters to help launch our book. It was also wonderful to be joined on this occasion by former local TD and legendary Portrane Hockey Goalkeeper Mr. Sean Ryan. The book is available to buy from the club on Amazon.portranehockey.clubzap.com/products/9852/purchases/new Here’s to the next 100 years and many more great club memories and friends made.

LSA WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY OF DONABATE & PORTRANE A SPECIAL HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A SUCCESSFUL NEW YEAR in 2023. Come join us as LSA take over the Donabate Parkrun on December 17th 2022 for some Christmas fun and treats. If your New Year’s goal is to get fit, keep fit or improve your running goals, LSA is the club for you. To join the club,w please contact our Registrar on lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com. You can access our webpage on lambaysportsathletics.ie for more information. We are also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy or on Instagram @lsadonabateportrane or on Twitter - @lsarunning

On Saturday and Sunday the 25/26th of November Through the Lens, the Donabate & Portrane Photographic Group, held their second Photo Exhibition in the Parish Hall in Donabate. With over 40 framed prints of photos by members taken both locally and in far flung places there was plenty to look at. The annual Through the Lens calendar was also displayed and on sale. This year we are proud to support the Donabate & Portrane Tidy Towns who work so hard to enhance our locality with clever floral displays. The calendar, as always, contains only photos taken on the peninsula with the aim of providing seasonal views. It makes an ideal gift to send to family and friends abroad. We will be selling the calendars at the Christmas Market in the Parish Hall on December 3rd, the evening that Donabate Christmas lights are turned on. We were delighted with the attendance at our Photo Expo and the amount of interest shown in joining the club. For anyone who would be interested in joining, or finding out more about the Through the Lens club look us up at www,throughthelens.ie, or email to info@throughthelens.ie Our sincere thanks to the Parish for the use of the Hall, especially Bernie in the office and Martin who did the opening and closing of the hall.

Registration for classes, to run from the end of January to mid May, will take place on the 9th and 10th of January 2023.So, to get rid of all that Christmas indulgence, come and sign up for one of our fitness classes that range from Pilates to Chair Yoga and not forgetting Sit and get Fit, Stronger for Longer and Yoga. What a choice! For those who want to get those sluggish brains working again we have Intermediate Spanish and French and Singing & Music. Our free activities of Croquet, Boules and Bowls and Pickleball and Table Tennis are always popular so come early and Register to ensure your place.ACORN tablet CLASSES – last session coming up The last session of ACORN classes will take place in the New Year. If you want to understand the basics of ‘computer speak’ and would like to learn about using a tablet computer, then let us know by text on 086 880 6808. Comments such as “I love how I can see my children when I call them.” “My daughter can put my medical appointments into my diary, without having to be with me!” “I can read the headlines with my breakfast.” You don’t have to be an existing member of Active Age to join this class. See our website www.activeageforall.com or email activeageforall@gmail.com or Text only 086 880 6808 for information about any of our classes or activities.

As part of Fingal Inclusion week 2022, members of Leithinis CCE were delighted to be joined by some of our local Ukrainian community for an evening of music and dance. Members of the local Ukrainian community participating in the Donabate (DPCLC) Fáilte Isteach programme attended the Parish Hall on Friday evening to share some of their wonderful culture, song and dance. Thanks to all the many members from both communities who participated, it was a fantastic showcase of both Irish and Ukrainian culture. Traditional tunes were supplied by the Leithinis musicians led by Bean an Tí Erin McGahan and Fear an Tí Willie Cahill. In addition to the many great performers from our local Ukrainian Community, brilliant interpreters and local leaders Gallia & Serhiy joined in the craic with a song or two. Special thanks to everyone who helped make this such a special evening; the parish hall committee for their support in sponsoring the event, Sandra Mathews & Linda Sutton from DPCLC for their support, Jacinta Lowndes who attended on behalf of Fingal County Council (FCC), Helen Flaherty, Cathy O ‘Rourke, Breda Dockrell, Evaleen McGahan and Jim O’Donohoe for organizing and setting up the event and our local representatives.

After a Covid-19 absence of two years, the Donabate Christmas Lights Festival is back!!! The festival makes a welcome return on Saturday, December 3rd at 4.30pm, in the car-park of St. Patrick’s Church in the village. For the past 10 years or more, this much-loved local tradition has attracted huge crowds to the village to enjoy some seasonal festive refreshments and entertainment. This year is shaping up to be no different, with festive entertainment and refreshments for kids of all ages! And we have a real surprise in store to provide some seasonal entertainment. The organisers would like to thank Fingal County Council for sponsoring the event and for the beautiful Christmas tree and lights. Local electrician, Karl Harte, is coming back from retirement to oversee the installation of the festive lights around the village. Karl and his team have installed the festive lights around the village for more than 30 years, and we owe huge thanks to Karl for ensuring that the village will look festive and bright! We are very grateful to Tesco and SuperValu for their generous sponsorship of the event. SuperValu donate the delicious warm Mince Pies, washed down by Mulled Wine courtesy of Tesco. We are also grateful to Fr. Pat Reilly and all at St. Patrick’s Church for accommodating this event. Just across the road from the church, in St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, the festive Donabate Christmas Craft Fair also makes a welcome return. From 12-6pm, local crafters and artisans will showcase their arts and crafts. Drop in and browse the market and maybe even pick up a quirky Christmas gift or two! And boys and girls, unlike recent years when Santa visited Donabate via Zoom, Santa himself will be in the Parish Hall, in person, from 2.30-5pm to meet you all. A visit with Santa is free of charge and no appointment is necessary. The organisers would like to thank the team of Elves who give up their Saturday to make the day such a success. The day wouldn’t happen without them. Thank you. Later on in the evening, the businesses in the village will showcase their goodies and offers with a Christmas Market in the Town Centre. So, come along to the village on Saturday December 3rd and join in the festive atmosphere. Let’s kick-start the festive season in Donabate in style!!

At Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, we continue to expand the range of our activities. In addition to our usual weekly exercise classes on Mondays, croquet on Tuesdays and tea and chat on Thursdays, we recently had a pitch and putt outing to the scenic course in Deerpark, Howth. Although no one expects a call-up to the Ryder Cup team, we had a great morning, enjoying the company and the spectacular scenery. Also recently, we enjoyed our first annual Christmas dinner since 2019 in Keeling’s, again great company and wonderful tunes and songs. What a talented bunch! Based on the standard of performances, we hope to start a weekly jam session for members with an interest in music. We wish our members and the wider community, who has supported us over the years, a very happy Christmas and hope to see more members joining us in the New Year. If you’re interested, please call Jim on 086-3694316.

Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival 2022 ~ 2023 So, another hugely successful Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival has come to a close. After a Covid-induced absence of two years, the festival made a welcome return to the peninsula in September. The festival boasted 11 days of fun-filled cultural activities for all ages and all cultural tastes. From Art & Craft Workshops to Gala Concerts, Céili Dancing to Guided Tours, and Short Films to a Casino night, the timetable included something for everyone. All events in the Bleeding Pig Festival were free of charge. We are very grateful to all generous festival sponsors, without whose assistance the festival could not happen. Our sponsors include Fingal County Council, Tesco Ireland, SuperValu, DoughBox Pizza, Roughan & O’Donovan Engineers, Donough Higgins and D&S Construction Limited, Screenlink Printers, Cates Café, Forget-Me-Not Flowers, Life Pharmacy, Progressive Credit Union, Keelco Limited, John B. Dockrell Limited, Film Equipment Hire and Wiley Design. The organiser are also very grateful to all the premises on the peninsula who offered their locations as venues for festival events, including Donabate/Portrane Community Centre, Donabate Library, Pea & Pod Café, the Brook Pub, Keelings Pub, St. Patrick’s RC Church, St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland, and the Parish Hall. The committee worked hard to put the festival together and make it such success. If you would like to be part of the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival and are interested in joining the committee, contact Eilish McDermott on 0877911833, or any committee member. The committee met last weekend for a workshop and cabinet re-shuffle and the new committee was voted in as: Festival Director Eilish McDermott Chairperson Anne Hand Vice-Chairperson Peig McManus Treasurer Larry Carolan Secretary Eilish McDermott PR & Advertising Sharon Scally, Áine Duffy, Emer Weston A huge debt of gratitude is due to Breda Dockrell for her tireless contribution to the festival since its’ inauguration in 2013. Breda is retiring from the committee and taking a well-earned break. We wish her all the best for the future. The next item on the Bleeding Pig calendar is the Winter Miscellany on Sunday December 18th at 6.30 in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland. This festive favourite features stories written by members of the Chinkwell Writers, together with musical interludes from the Blanchardstown Brass Band, the Bevertones, Willie Cahill, Kate Smartt, Louise Flood School of Irish Daning, and the Yukeleles. 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival and the celebrations will be worthy of a decade of successful, fun, entertaining cultural events! Keep an eye on FaceBook and the Bleeding Pig website for details of events to come.