Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is delighted to announce the upcoming performances of the comedy “Wife after Death” by Eric Chappell, from the 6th to the 8th of November 2025 at 8PM in Donabate Parish Hall.
Hopefully you won’t laugh yourself to death at this reprehensibly irreverent story of finding out, and falling out, but we give no guarantees!
DIRECTED BY PAUL KEOGH, The story begins with the funeral of comedian, TV personality and National Treasure, Dave Thursby. Dave’s glamorous widow has arranged a ceremonial to remember, complete with horse-drawn hearse and an attendant dog. A mystery female guest arrives, dressed in a flamboyant outfit, and upsets the proceedings with a devastating announcement.
As the days progress other revelations come out of the woodwork and friends and colleagues begin to realise that they really didn’t know Dave at all!
The cast are: Karen Parker as Laura, Claire Humphreys as Kay, Jill Murray as Jane, Marissa Magner as Vi, Dave Costello as Kevin, and Paul Keogh as Harvey.
Performances will be in Donabate Parish Hall on Thursday 6th, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th at 8PM
Tickets are €12 per person and can be purchased online on TicketSource.eu or at the door.
Donabate Dramatic Society is also extending an invitation to all people in the community to become patrons of the society and support the local arts. The annual fee for patronage is €60 per person, and it includes two tickets for to their biannual productions along with light refreshments.
If you want to become a member or a patron of DPDS do not hesitate to contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com. And don’t forget to follow Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society on Facebook and Instagram!
The arrival of winter hasn’t slowed the activities of Donabate Portrane Shed. After a bumper crop this autumn, the plots at Turvey Allotments are being prepared for the winter with a major clean-up. But time is also being found to plant winter crops of onions, sprouts and even winter lettuce.
The Men’s Shed music group, Gerry and the Plonkers, has also been busy, with several gigs in October. They started the month with a concert for the lovely people - carers and service users - at the BASE Community Centre in Mulhuddart and a couple of days later for Lusk Seniors’ coffee morning in the Community Cottage. They finished the month by playing at the Active Age for All 10th anniversary celebrations in the Shoreline Hotel. In mid-November, the Plonkers will be providing the entertainment at a Men’s Day organised by the Irish Men’s Shed Association in Donabate Portrane Community Centre and at the St Michael’s House Christmas fundraiser in mid-December.
As the winter approaches, the Men’s’ shed is organising some outings for the group, starting with a visit to Dublin Castle towards the end of November. We will also be continuing our regular weekly activities, exercises classes, croquet at Newbridge House and Thursday morning get-together for tea/coffee and a chat. So, if you, or a loved one, would like to join us, please call Jim on 086-3694326.
Recently, the new Donabate Town Team launched the Donabate Town Centre First Health Check Plan in Donabate Parish Hall. The Town Team, along with FCC, aims to make Donabate’s town centre a more viable, vibrant, and attractive place to live, work, socialise, and do business.
In September 2024, local residents, community groups, business owners and other stakeholders in Donabate worked with Fingal County Council’s Town Regeneration Office to create a 15-point Action Plan to help guide the future development of the town centre. The actions covered public realm improvements, tourism, better use of existing infrastructure, future strategic planning, placemaking, and arts, heritage and culture. Earlier in March 2024, the Donabate Portrane Liaison Group produced the Donabate Framework Plan in consultation with the local Community which had ideas for the centre of the village. The new Town Team, building upon these ideas, has taken on the challenge of working with the community to deliver a rejuvenated town centre. We wish them the very best.
The launch event was organised by the Town Team committee, led by their Chairperson, Dr. Louis Gunnigan. Members of the original group and current group members attended. The Active Age for All Photography Group and friends put on a great display of photographs of Donabate Village - Town Centre then and now.
Present on the day also was the Lord Mayor, Tom O’Leary, and FCC officials John Quinlivan and Declan Ryan along with our Community Officer Rafe Costigan. Local Councillors Corina Johnson and Eoghan Dockrell and Fr. Pat Reilly PP were also present at the event.
A very different event took place recently in the Parish Hall. Indie-folk band ‘Djouce’ has been hard at work on a new project called “Change & Continuity”, supported by Fingal Arts Office. Over the past few months, the band has been writing and recording right here in Donabate and Portrane, creating four new songs on the topics of folklore, change, community and the future of the peninsula.
They recently gave the community a sneak peek with a performance in The Brook Pub, and followed it up with a recording session in The Parish Hall. Each of the songs will be released over the coming months, and the full film of the project is planned for Spring 2026.
Again, we wish our local musician Denis Cahill and his group the very best. djouceband@gmail.com
Our community is expanding and the Parish Hall is working hard to meet some of their needs as best as possible, with additional Daily Activities and Block Events. In the first few weekends in November, Through the Lens Photography Group will have a photography exhibition and Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society will perform a play, neither to be missed.
If you have any queries please contact the Parish Office on 01 8434574
It’s that time of the year again when the Through the Lens calendar will be going on sale. We will be starting sales at our annual photo exhibition in the Parish Hall on the 15th & 16th November. This year we are delighted to be supporting a very worthy cause, the Donabate Special Olympics group who are working hard towards competing in the Irish Special Olympics in Dublin and Meath next year (18th to 21st June). So far 16 athletes have been selected to take part with hopes for a few more. They train in the disciplines of basketball, equestrian, gymnastics, athletics and young athletes, all of which are ongoing not just for the Olympics.
It costs over €500 to send each athlete, with their chaperones to the Irish Games so you can understand that some serious fund-raising needs to be done. Through the Lens are really happy to be able to help in some way with our calendar sales which we will share with the Donabate Special Olympics. So please remember folks the more we sell the more we can help.
Donabate Parish Hall have just received a modular Riser Stage with grant aid from FCC. This is part one of a full large low stage and hopefully part two will come next year in a similar grant application. The stage can be put together relatively easily, if one knows how. So it will require a short course of instruction of a few hours to master the method of assembly for any groups that may be granted permission to use it. The Riser Stage compliments the acquisition, through grants in recent years, of other equipment to support performances and participation in activities and events of an entertainment and cultural nature.
We have had Céile House, Official Launch of the Parish Hall, Film ‘Angel’, Tayleur Events, Dramatic Productions, TradFest Fingal, Leithinis Inclusion Night, Musical Performances, Peninsula Voices and recently ‘MusicFest’, all of which either benefitted or would have from the use or a Riser Stage. In the past, a riser had to be rented for some events or we had to do without! One group, Music Makers, that was initiated by Breda Dockrell and Jim O Donohoe and run by a group of four Noel Dowling, Sean Collins and the aforementioned, who were brought together under the umbrella of the Parish Hall to see if, over the year of providing a venue to do music, there was interest and commitment. They are now, as planned with the assistance of FCC, setting up under their own structure , organisation and team/committee with Noel and a new team taking the reins. They will continue to offer a much needed platform for people to develop their musical talents and confidence.
The Parish Hall is in full swing now with Daily Activities. Here is a flavour: Senior Citizens, Pilates, Youth Club, Irish Dancing, Leithinis Irish Music and Cards!
There are also a number of Blocked Events taking place. So put the dates in your diaries.
Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society are putting on their autumn/winter production from Thursday 6th November - Sunday 9th November. (Patrons Night on Friday!)
Through the Lens Photography Group is exhibiting some of their photography work from over the year from Friday 14th November - Sunday 16th November.
The Farmers Market, which began this summer, took place during August and September in the green space beside the Church. It was a very welcome addition to the amenities and atmosphere in the centre of the village on a Saturday afternoon. We hope that it too will be a regular feature in the future.
If you have any queries to the Parish Hall please contact them on 01 8434574between the hours of 9:30hrs - 12:30hrs and they will help in any way they can.
September was a busy month for Gerry and the Plonkers (Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed music group), with three gigs. The first was for the ladies of Lusk ICA, where the Plonkers had the pleasure of playing to an appreciative audience who didn’t just listen but got up and danced the night away. Next was at the Community Showcase Afternoon in Donabate Portrane Community Centre. This was an opportunity for local community groups, including the Men’s Shed, to highlight their activity and hopefully recruit new members. Lastly, the Plonkers played in Malahide Castle at the end of September, too close to going to press to include photos.
But as we keep saying, Men’s Shed is more than Gerry and the Plonkers, maybe just not as photogenic (apologies lads!). The plots at the allotments kept many of our members busy right through the summer, but the fruit of their labour was bountiful last month. There was also our weekly exercise classes, croquet at Newbridge and our Thursday morning get-togethers at the Scout’s Den.
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is always open to new members and suggestions for new activities. So, if you, or someone close to you, would like to join us, just call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. Don’t be shy!
With regard to Slí na Sláinte routes, Covid and some other delays made it difficult for progress to be made and impediments to be removed, for safe and acceptable routes to be put in place on our Peninsula.
Just before Covid, The Irish Heart Foundation had worked with an ad-hoc local committee, drawn from different groups in the community along with some officials in The Parks Dept in FCC, in identified a suitable Slí na Sláinte route in and around Donabate Village & Newbridge Park.
But there were 3 impediments to the establishment of the route.
Turvey: Had no proper footpath or safe crossing into Newbridge Park on Turvey Avenue. There is now a new wide continuous footpath along the northern side of Turvey Avenue leading to the centre of the village. In addition, traffic lights have been installed and a crossing provided for pedestrians to enter & exit Newbridge Park at the Turvey Gate.
Links: There has been traffic lights installed for pedestrians at the entrance to the Links - to allow safe crossing of the Portrane Rd.
Ballisk & Beaverstown: This junction is known as ‘The Hand’ and over the last few weeks a footpath has been put in there, on the corner extending down into Ballisk & down the Beaverstown Rd. This was the most important junction to be sorted in terms of safety in crossing this road. So, hopefully it is now.
At this point, there have been some changes in personnel in all of these bodies, but one would be confident that with all of the obstacles gone that the new personnel will come together to ensure this Slí na Sláinte route is put in place and will be the start of many for walkers, joggers & runners in the Donabate & Portrane area. All Slí na Sláinte routes are not always suitable for wheelchair & buggy users, but this one is! Hopefully, in the future it will be possible to have some ‘braille trails’ in our area given the number of people living in our community who are visually impaired.
These routes are very pertinent at the moment with the drive toward Get Ireland Active etc. This is a project one trusts that FCC officials & local councillors will support and ensure succeeds!
It’s that time of year again! The crisp autumn air is here, and our LSA groups are settling back into their new routines.
Fit4Life: Your Autumn Fitness Journey
For those looking to kickstart their fitness goals, our fit4life group is the perfect fit. We hold training sessions every Monday and Wednesday evening, catering to all abilities. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps or an experienced runner looking for a challenge, we have groups for intermediate and advanced levels as well. To help you on your journey, we have a special offer: join us for just €65 from now until December. For more information, please contact us at lsaadultreg@gmail.com.
Marathon Season is Upon Us!
With the days growing shorter, our dedicated marathon runners know exactly what that means: the Dublin City Marathon is just around the corner! On October 26th, members from all our adult groups—from first-timers to seasoned marathoners—will be lacing up their shoes. We wish them the best of luck and hope their training remains injury-free.
Community and Upcoming Events
LSA recently had a fantastic turnout at the Donate Family Fun Day and Community Group Expo, where we saw a tremendous response and great interest from the community.
Last but not least, mark your calendars! The 4th annual LSA Peninsula Road Race is back on Sunday, November 16th. Registration is now open, and you can find all the details you need on our Instagram page, @lsadonabateportrane.
We’re excited for what this new season holds and can’t wait to see both new and familiar faces.
On 19th August last a group of 21 Active Age for All members were transported in style to Howth Castle in a Leonards coach. On arrival at the castle, we were greeted by our guide Daniel with whom we explored the castle and gardens hearing about the family history and the architectural evolution from a Norman keep to the grand mansion that it is today.
The castle’s origins date back to 1235 when the St Lawrence family built the original keep, and the property has remained in the same family until recently. Happily, the new owners plan to preserve the castle and grounds and to remain open to the public.
The most famous story relating to the castle involves the renowned pirate queen of the west of Ireland Granuaile (Grace O’Malley) who in 1576 sought hospitality at the castle and was refused. Much angered by this breach of the Irish tradition of hospitality she abducted the Earls grandson and only released him on condition that the castle gates always remain open and that a place be set at the table for unexpected guests, a practice that continues to this day.
After a fascinating couple of hours touring the castle and grounds, we all took the short walk to the village of Howth where we all found some lunch and even time for a short ramble in the harbour before the bus back to Donabate. A special thank you to Daniel whose knowledge and obvious enthusiasm for the subject of the castles history made for a very enjoyable trip.
St. Ita’s AFC, based in Donabate and Portrane, Co. Dublin, is proudly celebrating its Centenary in 2025. Founded in 1925, the club has spent the past century at the heart of the community, providing football opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. There are currently 38 soccer teams and 2 futsal teams.
From its earliest days, St. Ita’s AFC has stood for more than just sport. The club prides itself on promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect while offering a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy the beautiful game. With thriving youth coaching sessions, senior fixtures, and the much-loved Mini-Euros tournament, the club continues to inspire the next generation of footballers.
The Mini-Euros, first introduced in the 1980s by Tony Franklin, has grown into one of the club’s flagship annual events. Attracting over 500 children aged 4–16, it brings the Donabate and Portrane community together each summer in a week-long festival of football. Entirely volunteer-driven, the Mini-Euros reflects the spirit of St. Ita’s: inclusive, community-focused, and built on a passion for the game.
As part of its centenary celebrations, St. Ita’s AFC will host a Centenary Gala Night on Saturday, 18th October 2025, in The Grand Hotel, Malahide. The evening will include a four-course meal, live music, dancing, and a chance for past and present players, parents, volunteers, and supporters to come together and celebrate 100 years of footballing tradition. Tickets are €85 and can be paid in instalments.
For tickets go to https://stitasafc.com/pages/centenary-gala-night.
St. Ita’s AFC looks forward to marking this historic milestone with the community that has supported it for the past 100 years — and to building another century of football memories in Donabate and Portrane.
