The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday 6th. March. The event was held on Zoom but we are looking forward to having a “live” celebration next year. Burrow resident Nancy Dempsey opened the celebration. Nancy, at age 96, has contributed to International Women’s Day over the years.

We were delighted to welcome Dr. Annie Curtis, immunologist and Senior Lecturer in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She has worked with Professor Luke O’Neill in his laboratory in Trinity College. Dr. Curtis answered the many questions put to her by the attendees. Catherine Connolly is a Master Clinical Aromatherapist. Catherine demonstrated how to make a cooling menopause spray and cream. Mary Farrell was in conversation with author Rosemary Hennigan, a former resident of Donabate. Her debut novel “The Truth Will Out” was launched on 17th March. Rosemary is a former solicitor, and has worked in the NGO sector on issues of asylum, direct provision and homelessness. These talks were interspersed with music, song and poetry.Margaret Godwin played “Mná na hÉireann” on the flute. Denise O’Toole sang “Bread and Roses”.Marian Neary read two poems “The Secondhand Book” and “Thin Air”. The inimitable Rose from Fingal gave her humourous view on coping with aspects of modern living. Debbie Breslin read “Let Her Breathe” a poem by Becky Hemsley. Thanks to Fingal Co. Co. for their support for this event. We are delighted to say that the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival is working to bring you Festival 2022 in September.The committee is meeting to put the programme together with the usual mixture of concerts, walks, talks, workshops, music, tours, exhibitions and our 3 day Short Film Festival…something for all. Because of nearly 3 years of COVID restrictions we were unable to fundraise so our coffers are fairly low. We will be holding a number of fundraisers and we ask that you support them. This is your community festival. We are always looking for committee members and if you feel like joining us as we prepare for bigger and better this year, please contact eilish mcdermott on eilishmcdermott64@gmail.com

Through the Lens Photographic Group were delighted to take part in the peninsulas’ Cultural Activity Week on the weekend 25 th /27 th February with a Photo Expo in Donabates’ newly refurbished Parish Hall.The Expo included over 30 framed photos, which made good use of the new picture rails; a selection of black and white photos of Donabate and Portrane past and present; and a variety of examples of photo techniques and ideas to enhance picture taking. We were very pleased with the publics’ response to the Expo and hope that people came away with a few hints that may prove useful, and indeed some enthusiasm to get out and use that camera. Many thanks to Fingal Co Co for funding the refurbishment of the Parish Hall. It has been very well done and is much appreciated in the area. Through the Lens club is open for membership for over 18yo. We meet in Donabate Golf Club every fortnight. For further information please feel free to contact Joe 0872569943, or Carolyn 0879284307

In addition to our weekly Monday morning exercise classes, our Tuesday morning croquet and boules at Newbridge House, our Thursday morning get-togethers in the Donabate Sea Scouts’ den and the regular tending to our plots at Turvey Allotments, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed has resumed our occasional outings to places of interest. Over the past few weeks, we visited two local attractions, the Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide, which houses the Cyril Fry model railway collection, and Newbridge House, where we had a very informative guided tour. We hope to have other outings soon to more distant locations. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Area Representative is calling on Fingal County Council to commence a public consultation process on its recently acquired Donabate Progressive Credit Union site. Johnston said; “Duncan Smith TD, Cllr Robert O’Donoghue and I wish to compliment the CEO of Fingal County Council and her staff for acquiring the Iconic Ballisk House Credit Union Building and site from Progressive Credit Union for the benefit of the people of the Donabate Peninsula. The announcement in April 2021 that the Donabate Office of the Progessive Credit Union was to close came as a major shock to the members as they were unaware that such an option was under consideration by the Board. “ Johnston added; “As a result of numerous representations I set up an on line campaign to retain the Office in Donabate. Our well supported on line petition was presented to the Board of Directors of the Progessive Credit Union who were not prepared to overturn their decision and the office closed on 1st July last year. At national level Duncan Smith TD recommended that the site be acquired by the State for the provision of a Garda Station at a meeting with the assistant commissioner and senior Gardai and wrote to the Minister for Justice who responded “ l am informed that the current Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme does not include the development of a new Garda station in Donabate, Co. Dublin. Johnston concluded; “Fingal County Council have confirmed no decision has been made on the future use of the site. I carried out a recent online survey and can confirm that 95% of the respondents would welcome a full consultation process with the people of the peninsula on it’s future use. I am now calling on Fingal County Council to initiate such a process as soon as possible.”

Cllr Adrian Henchy has welcomed what he termed as good news regarding Ballisk House Donabate. He said,” I am very pleased to receive confirmation this morning from the Director of Economic Enterprise, Tourisim and Cultural Department of Fingal County Council, that they have completed the purchase of Ballisk House Donabate (formely Donabate Credit Union) While the closure of the Progressive Credit Union was a major blow to our local community this is a positive outcome in that the building and site which was delivered by our local community many years ago now rightfully returns to our local community. The coming weeks and months will see firmer plans put in place for the future potential use of the building for our local community.My thanks to Fingal County Council for the thier diligent work in getting this over the line and for the support of my peninsula colleague Cllr Paul Mulville who has also strongly supported this campaign at every opportunity we got within Fingal County Council.” Cllr Henchy said regarding the closure of Credit Union in Donabate,” I have just concluded a meeting with Fingal County Council Director of Economic/Enterprise/Tourism and Culture Emer O Gorman and her officials also attended by my colleague on the peninsula Cllr. Paul Mulville and other Fingal Councillors. Emer gave a background to the sale of Council owned lands to the then Donabate Credit Union in 1995 to allow for the building of Ballisk House the home of Donabate & District Credit Union. This was a full sale of the land to the credit union and the council did not insert any conditions or buy back clauses on the sale of the land at that time. I took the opportunity to impress upon Emer and Fingal County Council the history of the iconic building, I am encouraged by the fact Fingal County Council are agreeable to reaching out to Progressive Credit Union with a view to keeping this building and site in retaining it for Community usage and I very much welcome the Councils agreement to fully explore this. I will also once again be writing to the Progressive Credit Union to request a meeting with the Chief Executive in order to impress upon him the critical need to keep this service operational for the peninsula of Donabate Portrane both now and into the future and to reverse the plans they have to close this vital service.”

With almost 1,200 members, St Pats is the biggest sports club in Donabate Portrane. They’ve been going from strength to strength year on year. They now field 9 adult teams in Mens & Ladies Football, Hurling, Gaelic For Mothers & Others along with social football for Dads & Others.

They have Juvenile Football for boys & girls at all ages and Hurling / Camogie from U13 / U11 downwards. Their Academy for children born 2015, 2016 or 2017 takes place on Saturday mornings. No doubt, you’ll have seen their social media tag #ProudToBePats; well 2022 was certainly a wonderful reflection of their plan and purpose! Their first Mens Football squad enjoyed a fabulous season winning the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship breaking through to the Senior Championship ranks! Their second squad won back-to-back Junior Championships gaining promotion. While their Ladies & Hurlers were unlucky to bow our at Semi-Final stage. All this along with their recent success receiving the maximum amount in the Capital Sports Grant means the Club is certainly on the up. They’ve always had a great tradition of welcoming new members to all their teams but having added additional Mens & Ladies football teams this year, they’d be particularly pleased to hear from adult players at all levels - hurling and football - whether you’re returning to play or taking up Gaelic Games for the first time. Now’s the perfect time to join in! If you or your friends / family would like to join the Club, just contact Órlaith on info@stpatsgaa.com and she’ll direct you to the right team for you.

Active Age for All started their year with a very successful AGM in January and a new Committee was elected. Registration for classes took place at the beginning of February and we had a great response with most classes nearly full. People are delighted to get back to in-person classes once again. They started on the 14th of February, but we do have some places left in Chair Yoga, Singing, Music, and Bridge. So come along and try a new activity this Spring! If you are interested in joining classes or just becoming part of AAfA please contact us, details given below. Application forms are also available from reception in DPCC.At present we are running a program for our members to improve their digital skills. We are using Acorn Tablets, which are simplified computer tablets for older people. This is a Try & Buy program, whereby members are loaned a tablet for three months to enable them to learn how to do email, connect to family, use WhatsApp and send and receive photos. We are providing classes free as part of the programme. At the end of three months they are returned and then they are loaned to a new cohort. If you are interested in joining this programme please contact us or leave your details at reception in DPCC.We are all looking forward to a more normal Spring and the start of our outside activities Croquet and Boules. Contact details: please email us at activeageforall@gmail.com or text 086 880 6808.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed has now resumed our pre-Covid activities, albeit with caution, withexercise classes on Monday mornings, croquet & boules on Tuesday mornings, coffee & chat on Thursday mornings and plans being made for an outing soon. We are also exploring how to get involved building owl boxes, under the guidance of the Barn Owl Project. Recently, we held our first proper AGM in two years, at which a new committee was elected, with Seán Buckley as our Chairman. We also completed our self-assembly storage shed, which proved to be a greater challenge than the instructions implied. Now that we are back to our “new normality”, we are actively recruiting new members. If you are interested, please contact Jim on 086-3694316.

After a year and 11 months of lessons over zoom our face to face classes resumed on the 7th February. We now have 49 students taking lessons in 9 different instruments. In addition to our classes our Grupai Cheoil Gatherings for members are back up and running. The next session will be on the 4th of March in the Parish Hall which will be a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. We would strongly encourage all our members to partake in these sessions as they allow our students to play the tunes they have learned at the lessons with other students who are at a similar level.We have alot of experienced and talented traditional Musicians living on the Peninsula. If you are interested in seeing them showcasing their skills come along to the Traditional Irish Music Sessions led by Denis Stack in Keelings on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9pm. An enjoyable night will be guaranteed. Further information about our classes, teachers and sessions can be found on our website leithinis.com or our FB page Comhaltas Leithinis Donabate Portrane. Or contact us on leithinis@comhaltas.net.