The news that additional services on the 33D line from Portrane to Dublin City Centre are to be provided by Dublin Bus has been warmly welcomed by Cllr Corina Johnston. Johnston said; “Duncan Smith TD and I have been campaigning for the last few years for additional 33D direct bus services from Portrane to the City Centre. Duncan raised this with the CEO of Dublin Bus at numerous Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee meetings and We have been also raising this matter on an ongoing basis with the NTA (National Transport Authority).”

“Over the last number of months in conjunction with regular bus users of this service I carried out a passenger capacity survey which highlighted 20-25 passengers standing on this bus service on a regular basis. This information was collated and provided to the NTA and Dublin Bus. As a result, Dublin Bus carried out a feasibility study which fully justified our case for additional services.” We were subsequently informed by Dublin Bus that they intend to provide additional services in early 2025. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks.”

On Wednesday 20th November 9 members of the AAfA camera club decided to take advantage of their free travel passes, and the extra Enterprise express train times, to go to the Belfast Christmas Market. On arrival in Belfast, after a very comfortable journey, most opted for the open-top bus tour of the city which was interesting, informative and very COLD!

After having lunch, and thawing out, in a nice warm cafe we ventured across the road to the market which had a distinctly continental air with a great variety of stalls, plenty of shopping and photo opportunities. We finished the day with a visit to one of Belfast’s oldest and best-preserved Victorian pubs, the Crown, a lovely spot. After another comfortable journey we arrived back in Donabate at 6.15pm with all happy and planning a lot more rail excursions.

Tuesday 10th December was the date for Active Age for Alls’ annual Christmas Carol fund raiser for St Francis Hospice to help to support the wonderful work that they do. It was very well attended and all enjoyed refreshments of home bakes, tea, coffee and non-alcoholic mulled wine. We were serenaded by the AAfA singing group led by Ed Mallarky, enjoyed a number from Willie Cahill and some rousing renditions from the marvellous Bright Sparks crèche children.

Many thanks to all the local businesses and individuals who donated items for the raffle, there were over 50 so the draw took quite a while; we managed to raise over €1,000 so well done to all !

Dates for the Diary (2025): January 6th & 7th: online registration for AAfA members; 8th & 9th Jan – walk in membership and registration in DPCC; Friday Jan 17th: AGM; Monday Jan 20th: Classes commence for the Spring term.

In October, we did a great walk from Greystones to Bray on a beautiful day when we went up to The Cross at Bray Head. We finished up in the Heritage Hotel for some great food!

In November, we did a flat easy route through St Anne’s Park down to the coastal walk and along the NEW Green Way along the Docks at the East Point Business Park. We finished up in The Yacht in Clontarf which is self-service but still great food!

Both walks were all by train & bus - active travel at its best!

In 2025 there are three walks organised which are all short to medium length and easy in terms of difficulty a fairly good level of fitness is still required!

January 18th - Clontarf - NEW Greenway Docks Walk - 6/8km - Train
February 1st - City Walk - La Féile Brįd - 6/8km - Train
March 8th - Walk Short part of the Pilgrim Way in Armagh & Visit Navan Fort - 6/8km - Car
If you are interested in walking please contact Carolyn 087 9284307

As part of the lead up to Tradfest 2025, the Parish Hall will host Céilí House for RTE 1. In early January, an hour-long programme of Céilí House - the best of Traditional Irish Music & Song - will take place in the Parish Hall. It will, as always, be presented by the renowned presenter and musical talent Kieran Hanrahan. This is an honour not just for the Parish Hall but our village that Céilí House will take place in our local community.

During ‘Tradfest’ which takes place from Wednesday 22nd - Sunday 26th January 2025. in Fingal (Dublin City & South County Dublin)

There will be a number of events & gigs in Fingal - Donabate Community Centre will have the famous ‘Stocktons Wing’ on Friday 24th January - which should be a great gig. Kieran Hanrahan equally famous brother Michael is a member of the band and will be playing that night!

We are honoured & delighted that the two brothers will be in our parish promoting Traditional Irish Music and thank Martin Harte CEO of Tradfest and FCC Events team for bringing them here!

Thanks to FCC yet again and our Community Officer - Rafe Costigan - for supporting and assisting with the refurbishment of the Parish Hall, especially the acoustic panels which allow for eg music events and dramas to take place.

Look up the Tradfest website now to see what is on - especially in the Fingal area.

With regard to music! Gerry & the Plonkers will be performing again in the Parish Hall from 12-2pm on three Wednesdays in 2025: Wed 22nd Jan; Wed 12th Feb and Wed 12th March.

There will be Dancin & Singin - and lots of great music All adults in the parish are invited for two hours of fun! Refreshments served at 12noon then it’s up and dancin!

Music Makers
Will be back in January with Noel Dowling & Sean Collins leading the way. Keep an eye on Facebook & email Noel musicmakersph@gmail.com for further info. Thank you to all who have donated instruments so far! Adults over 18’s this is your chance to play your instrument with like minded people mad about music

The Parish Hall thank you for your patience with the maintenance work & refurbishment that is taking place at the beginning of January - this is necessary to keep the Parish Hall in good order for your use.

The daily programme is continuing to fill & fill and there are very few slots left for further information please contact the Parish Office on 01-8434574.

Finally, we wish all who live in our community a very, very Happy & Healthy New Year.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed finished 2024 with a flurry. In addition to our regular weekly exercise classes, croquet (when the weather permitted), music jam session and our Thursday morning get-togethers for a cuppa and a chat, we had several special events.

On 6th December, we had our annual Christmas dinner in Keeling’s followed by a sing-song, proving that there’s more musical talent in the Men’s Shed than just Gerry and the Plonkers.

Speaking of which, the Plonkers had a couple of outings in December, a concert in Donabate Parish Hall and one in St. Michael’s House. While both audiences enjoyed a selection of songs including several Christmas standards, the latter concert was very special with very enthusiastic and appreciative attendees.
As reported last month, a large group of members visited the museum in Mountjoy Prison. Sean Reynolds, a retired maintenance carpenter/joiner, was our very knowledgeable guide. He enthusiastically explained many aspects of the prison’s history, through the artefacts on display, many of which he had personally sourced, and answered all our questions. We saw historical warden uniforms, Albert Pierrepoint’s (the hangman’s) records and the Reception Register for the Women’s Prison with the entry for Countess Markievicz.

2025 promises to be just as active. So, if you or someone you know would like to join us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

The Christmas tree is up and the countdown is on to the most exciting day of the year in Donabate! The Donabate Christmas Lights Festival is on Saturday December 7th.

Many thanks to Fingal County Council for installing the beautiful tree and lights.

All day on Saturday 7th, Karl Harte and his team from CP Electrical will be busy installing all the other festive lights around the village. We are hugely indebted to Karl who has been voluntarily doing this job for 30 years or more now. Huge thanks to Karl’s team who will give up their day on Saturday to help make the village look sparkly and festive.

The Christmas Craft Fair will be on in the Parish Hall, from 12-6pm, with lots of artisans showcasing their crafts. Drop in and browse and maybe pick up a gift or two!

Santa Claus will arrive in the Parish Hall at 11am and will be there all day in his grotto visiting with the good boys and girls.

Free hot drinks will be on offer outside the Parish Hall from Shirley Higgins and her coffee van, courtesy of Progressive Credit Union.

At 4.30pm the switching-on event will start at the tree in the carpark of St. Patrick’s RC Church. There will be festive entertainment from the Peninsula Voices, under the baton of Áine Daly.

There will be seasonal refreshments, with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies for the adults and juices and treats for the kids.

We are very grateful to Tesco, SuperValu and the Progressive Credit Union for their ongoing support for this event. Without their generosity, the event would not happen.

Four children have been chosen, one from each of the Primary schools on the peninsula, to lead the countdown and flick the switch to turn on the lights.

After the lights are on, there will be a Christmas Market in the Town Mall, with local businesses showcasing their goods.

So, put on your Santa hat, join us for some of the festivities and help kick-start the Donabate festive season in style!

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed was involved in two events on the same day as part of Fingal Inclusion Week.

The first was a gathering in Donabate Portrane Community Centre of members of the Fingal Men’s Sheds, organised by the Irish Men’s Sheds Association and sponsored by Fingal County Council. Entertainment by provided by Gerry and the Plonkers, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed music group, and a group of musicians from Swords Men’s Shed. There was also a light exercise session led by our own Fintan Delaney and a light-hearted, but insightful, talk by writer and story-teller Michael Harding.

The second event was one of Gerry and the Plonkers’ series of free monthly concerts in Donabate Parish Hall, sponsored by the Parish Hall Committee, where they were joined by local musician, Edel Dempsey, on whistles and flute. Their next free concert will be on Wednesday 4th December from 12 noon to 2pm. All adults are welcome, and light refreshments will be provided.

Gerry and the Plonkers also played at the recent Memory Café in Donabate Portrane Community Centre and will lead the singsong at our Christmas party in Keeling’s on Friday 6th December.

But Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed has more to offer than music. In addition to our music sessions, every week we have an exercise class, croquet at Newbridge House and a gathering for tea and chat. From time to time, we also have outings to places of interest. Our most recent was an interesting visit to the museum at Mountjoy Jail; more about that next month. We also have two plots at Turvey Allotments, which even at this time of year need attention.

So, if you or someone you know would like to join us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Earlier this year the Parish Hall & Tradfest along with the help of the Historical Society and Dramatic Society came together to put on a number of events held over a few days to commemorate the tragic sinking of the Tayleur Ship of the coast of Lambay Island with the loss of hundreds of lives.

The events ranged from talks by historians & divers, to a film & play and an exhibition of artefacts. It was all very well received by adults and children in the local community.

None would have been possible without the support & help of the Parish Hall Committee & the CEO of Tradfest Martin Harte.

When all the bills were paid & adding up sponsorship and public donations there was €500 left to Donate to the RNLI.

We are all aware of the wonderful work done by the RNLI in saving lives when people come into difficulty in the water. So, we had great pleasure in making this donation recently to their representative Pauline McGann from RNLI - outside the Parish Hall. Keep safe everyone especially with all the social & charity swims over the Christmas time.

The Parish Hall Committee wishes everyone on the Peninsula a very happy & peaceful Christmas. We hope and trust we are using the resources of the Parish Hall to serve the present and some of the future needs of our growing Parish as best as we can. We are conscious that there are many new people in our community this year and we send you a very special welcome to our Parish.

We collaborate & give some support to a few events & activities which are provided for all of the older & younger adults in the community.

We support the Men’s Shed - music group ‘Gerry & the Plonkers’ to provide a few midday Wednesday concerts a year, in the Parish Hall.

Their recent November concert was just great! With the fantastic Edel Dempsey joining them on her tin whistle and the capable Noel Dowling doing sound.

Please put Wednesday 4th December from 12noon-2pm in your diaries now for their next concert. There will be some very special Christmas tunes included! & of course refreshments.

The 3 dates & times for next years concerts in 2025 are: 12noon-2pm; Wednesday 22nd January; Wednesday 12th February and Wednesday 12th March.

Please put in your diaries; all adults in the area are welcome to come & sing along & dance or just listen & enjoy!

The ‘Music Makers’ led by Noel Dowling & assisted by Sean Collins have also been given support to get over 18th plus plus plus! Into the Parish Hall about twice a month on a Friday night. (See separate article). They have nearly all the ‘music gear’ funded by FCC through a grant so are well set up. A big thanks to our Community Officer from FCC - Rafe Costigan for all his advice & support.

Thank you to all our users for their support. Also, we now have Maria who is assisting in the running of the Parish Hall & we give her a warm welcome.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Parish Office for the great work done in the running of the Parish Hall. If you need them ph: 01- 8434574 in the mornings - please.