When Donabate parkrun had to stop due to the pandemic after event number 224 on Saturday 7th March 2020 we assumed it would be for a short break. There were 80 lost Saturdays before we were able to resume on 25th September 2021 for a welcome return. Runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join us each Saturday at 9:30am for the free, timed 5k event. We meet in front of Newbridge House. Remember to register once at https//www.parkrun.ie/register/ (NB: not accessible through here) then print off your barcode and bring it or your parkrun wristband with you to get a result. We would also love to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer at any of our events. All roles are easy and full training is given on the morning of events. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun. Please contact us by sending a message to our Facebook page Donabate parkrun. We would like to wish our new Event Director Patrick Phillips the best of luck in his new role. Patrick has taken over the baton from Sean Greensit who has stepped down six years after helping to bring parkrun to Donabate.

It is hard to believe that we are back attending classes. We have waited so long and now it is happening. On the 20 September we started back. We have had to meet various requirements to make sure we stay safe while we are together. Masks are worn during classes and the duration has moved from classes of one hour to 45 minutes each class. This allows us to then have time between uses of the studios to sanitise the whole room and any equipment that may have been used. Thanks to all members who have volunteered to do the sanitising between the classes. Some classes have yet to start and these will probably start around the beginning of November. We feel that we need to get up and running with the easier ones (without equipment) before we take on the more complicated logistically.We had to meet the challenge of not using cash if at all possible and we are now equipped to take all credit or debit cards. The photo above shows Alain giving us a lesson on the use of the machine. By the time you are reading this we will all know if we are latent shopkeepers! We still owe money to some… we still have a few members who were with us in 2020 when we had to shut down classes. Remember, you may be carrying a small credit balance with us and we would encourage you to make contact and renew your membership card by just using some of your balance. If you want to do this, please email us on activeageforall@gmail.com or text the AAfA mobile 086 8806808 and let us know. Don’t forget that your new card will give you discounts in the usual suppliers. If you are new to the area or new to retirement – you just need to be 55+ - you can call in to DPCC and collect an AAfA New Member form and fill it out and leave it for us, or email us at the address above and we email a form out to you. We can make contact and will do our best to include you in classes as soon as possible.

We are absolutely delighted to be putting on two one acts ‘Lockdown’ by David Tristram & ‘Melody’ by Deirdre Kinehan from October 22nd-24th at 8.00pm including a matinee performance on Sunday 24th at 3.00pm. We are looking forward to entertaining you all - after such a drought of live events in the last year or two in our newly refurbished Parish Hall. Tickets €10 concessions €8.Keep an eye for updates on our Facebook page. We look forward to welcoming all of our valued patrons back! For tickets contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com.

Leithinis Donabate Portrane CCE’s new term of classes for beginner adult and children (aged 7+) in Fiddle, Bodhran, Tin whistle, Accordion, Banjo, Flute and Concertina are starting on Monday the 4th October between 6pm.and 8pm. In addition we will be offering Tin whistle lessons for children aged 5 years and over. Classes for all other levels will commence on Monday 18th October.The lessons will be held over Zoom until January ( subject to review). We will be offering beginner students a face to face lesson with the teacher on the 4th of October. 12 lessons will cost €100 plus €20 annual Comhaltas family membership.Please note that we have a bank of instruments to rent.If you are interested in learning to play a traditional irish instrument please email us at leithinis@comhaltas.net stating name, age( if under 18), level and instrument of choice.

Further information regarding our classes and teachers can be found on our website leithinis.com

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Local Area Representative has welcomed a recent announcement of funding for the removal of an invasive plant from the sand dunes at the Burrow in Portrane. Johnston said; ”grave concerns were expressed to me earlier in the year regarding the deterioration of protected habitats on the sand dunes at the Burrow beach, Portrane, a Special Area of Conservation. These issues were raised with me by John Lovatt a local field ecologist, and Butterfly Conservation Ireland.”Johnston continued; “The threat to these protected habitats is due to the rapid encroachment of a invasive alien species, Sea Buckthorn, which is new to the area. Sea Buckthorn develops into dense shrub,eliminating all ground vegetation where ever it grows. In the case of Butterfly Conservation Ireland, this plant was encroaching on the sole larval food plant for the localised population of the Small Blue Butterfly which is classified as an Endangered Species and which requires an unshaded habitat. This invasive plant is also putting at risk the future of the rare plant, Hairy Violet at Burrow. “ Johnston added; “As a result Duncan Smith TD and I made strong representations to Fingal County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to have this problem tackled as a matter of urgency. As a result, we are very pleased that Fingal County Council have been awarded funding for the removal of this invasive plant from our sand dunes. “Johnston concluded; “In recent days we have been informed that Fingal County Council will be tendering for these works within the next fortnight with the works expected to be carried out shortly thereafter. Hopefully the treatment will prevent the regrowth of this alien species in the Burrow. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have also confirmed that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is preparing a tender request for expertise to carry out a review of Sea Buckthorn in Ireland which we warmly welcome.”

Cllr Adrian Henchy has expressed concern about a planning application and said recently. “I support developments in Donabate where they are of merit, well designed and contribute something positively back into the Community. However, there are a lot of major shortfalls in this planning application. The only merit at this stage is the provision of housing but without the critical underpinning of the social and physical infrastructure that would be needed in tandem with a scale of this enormous development upon the rural peninsula of Donabate. The fact the developer acknowledges within their documentation, that this application is a breach of the Donabate Local Area Plan is totally unacceptable for me given the enormous work, time, effort and extensive public consultation that has gone into adopting the Donabate Local Area Plan.I would also contend that this application is also in breach of National Planning Guidelines and I would also lend a lot of weight to the Ministerial Circular Letter: NRUP 02/2021 from April 2021. The Circular clarifies the application of the Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines to ensure that when carrying out their planning functions, An Bord Pleanála and Planning Authorities apply a graduated and responsive, tailored approach to the assessment of residential densities in Peripheral and/or Less Accessible Urban Locations,which would very much apply to Donabate.This high-density development made up of mainly one and two bedroom apartments is entirely unsuited to a rural environment and is not in keeping with the dramatic and critically important local landscape that is at the very heart of this application.On behalf of my local community, I want to acknowledge the work and effort of Donabate Portrane Community Council who have worked tirelessly with the local community in highlighting the biggest planning application that has ever been lodged on the community of Donabate and the second largest strategic housing development (SHD) that has ever gone to An Bord Pleanala.The fact, this application was lodged at the height of the summer season with absolutely no public engagement was very disappointing.I would request that An Bord Pleanala in its deliberations reject this SHD Planning application and instead request that the developer goes back to Fingal County Council and starts again with this development by clearly working within the frame work of the visionary Donabate Local Area Plan and the Fingal County development plan.”

To date, members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed have been holding our regular Thursday mornings get-togethers outdoors at the Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road, but we are now preparing for full indoor re-opening later this month when public health restrictions are fully eased. We have all the sanitising equipment we need to make re-opening as safe as possible, thanks to a grant last year from Fingal County Council. We will also re-start our occasional outings to places of interest. The Men’s Shed has been given a weekly slot on Tuesday mornings at the croquet lawn at Newbridge House. Contrary to its reputation as a “genteel” pastime, we’re discovering that croquet can be a cut-throat, competitive game. Members are really enjoying it and there is space for more; so, give us a call. Over the past few weeks, members have done a huge amount of work at our plots at the Turvey Allotments. The harvest is in and we’re now preparing for next season using materials funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Fingal LCDC. To upgrade fencing at our allotment plots, we plan to recycle picket fencing from Newbridge House, donated to us by Fingal County Council thanks to Colm Connell and Paul Smyth. We installed a deck and benches, with material costs mostly covered by a grant from Fingal County Council, so members can rest between shifts working on the allotments. As Covid-19 restrictions ease, we are welcoming new members. If you wish to join us, please call Jim on 086-3694316.

Donabate Parish Hall hope to have resumed activities if Covid restrictions allowed, or as soon as possible. There are a number of times & spaces available for renting in the newly refurbished hall & ancillary rooms; so if you are interested in further information, please email Bernie with your details and request to the Parish Office email address at stpatricksrcdonabate@gmail.com as soon as possible and she will get back to you. In the meantime stay safe & well.

Our first ever summer camp for children took placer this summer. We hoped to give our young LSA members and other members of the community an opportunity to experience a range of athletics disciplines without having to travel outside the Donabate/Portrane peninsula. It was fitting that Ballymastone GAA Grounds was the venue for the first two days of the camp, where St Pat’s GAA club generously gave us their pitches, storage and clubhouse. Ballymastone could be called the spiritual home of Donabate, since this was the location of the first Community Games that led to the formation of the club in 2011. We made full use of all the space in Ballymastone with six different activity stations. Children and teenagers from age 6 up tried out Throws: (Shot put, Turbo Javelin and Discus); Jumps: (High Jump and Long Jump) Sprints and Middle Distance, as well as fun games, yoga, obstacle course and tug of war. We are hugely grateful to our 30+ volunteer coaches and helpers who gave their time and shared their experience, energy and enthusiasm with our 85 participants. Apart from being great fun, this was also a wonderful opportunity for many of our club members to meet for the first time.As we have gradually returned to competition, LSA members from our juvenile and adult sections have had great success competing. Anna Gavigan was selected to represent Ireland at the under 18 International Team Match in Franconville Paris. Anna secured a 2nd Place finish in Discus with a new PB of 43.33m. Anna and her coach Gerry Ronan continue to go from strength to strength; shortly after her international appearance, Anna went on to become the National Champion Discus U18.September will see a return to training for all our members. Our Masters Track and Field team take on the National Masters Championship on September 5th in Tullamore. Note that our next C25K will start September 7th and finish on October 30th for a Halloween run. If you’re interested in joining our C25K, email lambaysportsatheltics@gmail.com.

10 members travelled on the 12th August to visit these centres. While sun was on the forecast, the rain happened too – but reports from all agree it did not dampen their day out. Being able to eat inside was really quite a novelty too! The Interpretative Centre has lots of lovely walks and a café and is well worth the day out – but do book ahead online. It is free but they need to know numbers for each self-guided tour. Flexibus operates in the Navan, Louth and Fingal areas and has been offering free trips to older members from these communities during the summer.As AAfA members who registered in July know, all classes so far are fully booked. The only problem is that we have not received the go-ahead from government for August and we hope that by the time you are reading this, we will have started again. If not, we will wonder what the vaccination bonus really is for us…

We still owe money to some… we still have quite a few members who were with us in 2020 when we had to shut down classes. Many members are carrying a small credit balance with us and we would encourage you to make contact and renew your membership card by just using some of your balance. If you want to do this, please do email us on activeageforall@gmail.com or text the AAfA mobile 086 8806808 and let us know. Don’t forget that your new card will give you discounts in the usual suppliers.If you are new to the area or new to retirement – you just need to be 55+ - you can call in to DPCC and collect an AAfA New Member form and fill it out and leave it for us, or email us at the address above and we email a form out to you. We can make contact and will do our best to include you in classes as soon as possible.