Fingal County Council will immediately begin the process of procuring a new operator for its successful attractions at Malahide Castle, Newbridge House and the Casino Model Railway Museum following the decision of Shannon Heritage to withdraw from their contract. The Council was disappointed to learn of Shannon Heritage’s decision and will continue to work with them as we move into a six-month transitionary period.The properties in Malahide and Donabate, which include Malahide Castle, the Butterfly House, Newbridge House and Farm and the Casino Model Railway Museum, are open to the public and continue to attract large numbers of visitors.

Fingal County Council has moved into the public consultation stage for the Ballymastone Recreational Hub in Donabate. The purpose of this phase of the project is to give the public an opportunity to comment on the Council’s plans as part of its application for planning permission under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Act. Individuals, organisations, clubs and community groups are all encouraged to participate in the process.The Ballymastone Recreational Hub will provide for a wide range of sporting and recreational activities as a shared public facility; these facilities include a floodlit eight lane all-weather athletics track surrounding a grass soccer-sized pitch, a full-sized all-weather GAA pitch, which also provides for two all-weather soccer pitches, with floodlighting, a combined playground and skatepark, car/cycle parking, a six metre wide access road, extensive walking and cycling infrastructure, bleacher seating and extensive landscape planting.The Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh, said: “I want to encourage everyone to express their views on the Ballymastone Recreational Hub in Donabate regardless of what they are.” The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “The Recreational Hub in Donabate is an important piece of strategic infrastructure for Donabate and Portrane and will be a major addition to the existing sports facilities on the peninsula. The Recreational Hub will be built alongside the recently approved scheme of 1,200 private, affordable and social homes in Ballymastone which are being developed by the Council and our partners Gleveagh Living.” Submissions can be made online at www.consult.fingal.ie (nb: not accessible through this medium) or by post in writing addressed to: Senior Executive Officer, Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Department, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords, Co Dublin K67 X8Y2. Submissions have been open since Tuesday 6th July 2021 and will stay open until Wednesday 18th August 2021. Only postal submissions received by 5pm on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 or online by midnight that evening will be considered.

Corina Johnston the Labour Party Local Area Representative welcomes the provision of additional transport infrastructure on the peninsula which includes bus stops on the Hearse Road, a shelter and new stop in the village and a shelter at the bus stop at the end of Turvey Avenue.Johnston said;” ever since the first resident moved into Semple Woods estate on the Hearse Road in 2019, Duncan Smith TD and I have identified the need for bus stops adjacent to the estate to facilitate residents travelling to and from the peninsula. Since then we have been in ongoing discussions with the National Transport Authority (NTA), Fingal County Council and the bus company Go Ahead Ireland. I can now confirm that we have been notified by the NTA that the two bus stops will be installed during the month of August. This will be of great benefit to commuters travelling to and from Swords and Portrane.” Johnston added;” The NTA have also confirmed that the provision of a much needed bus shelter on the R132 at Turvey, which was granted planning permission late last year will be installed over the coming months. This is a direct result of our ongoing discussions with the NTA on behalf of the residents.”Johnston continued; “ I am very pleased that a planning application has been submitted by the NTA for the provision of a new bus stop within Donabate village. This will replace two existing bus stops and will incorporate a badly needed bus shelter and real time passenger information unit. This development is as a direct result of a proposal first mooted by myself and Duncan Smith TD at a meeting with the NTA in August 2019 and which we have vigorously pursued since then with the NTA, Fingal County Council and the bus company Go Ahead Ireland. I firmly believe that if planning permission is granted and the facility installed it will facilitate a free flow of vehicular traffic through the village. “Johnston concluded; “ these much needed facilitates when installed will improve the travelling experience for bus commuters on the peninsula. “

Cllr Adrian Henchy has said he is very pleased to see activity finally get underway on the repair and restoration of the historical and strategically important Newbridge House and Farm perimeter wall in Donabate. The Cllr said, “I Have been campaigning and calling for at every opportunity I have got within Fingal County Council on this important issue for the repair and restoration of the surround wall since I was first elected to Fingal County Council in 2014. I received confirmation this week from the Architects department of the Council that monies have now been committed to the repair & restoration and the contractor is presently setting up site to commence works. These works will comprise a number of phases and phase 1 will see the repair and restoration of the wall from the current main entrance in the direction of Cobbes lane and Turvey Avenue. These works will also comprise of restoring and installing the original main gates which have been in storage along with the pillars into Newbridge House & Park.” He said, “ The first phase traffic management wise should provide for minimal disruption to traffic given most of this section is off the main road but lessons will be learned from this phase regards the more challenging parts of the wall restoration into the future. My thanks to both the Architects & Operations department, FCC especially senior architect Fionnuala May on all her work in advancing these works and also the board of Malahide Castle & Newbridge House limited for supporting this major piece of infrastructural repair & improvement.”.

Recently Leithinis had a trial run at setting up their new gazebos. They did a small, socially distanced, sanitised event - adhering to all Covid guidelines - with a few members. It was the first time people had played together in over a year, so while a bit rusty they rattled of the trad tunes! We want to sincerely thank Fingal County Council for grant aiding our comhaltas group to buy two gazebos. FCC showed great vision in supporting this venture which permits events to take place safely outdoors as soon as lifting of restrictions allow. We hope to be able to allow some other groups, on certain special occasions, to be able to use them also on site at the Parish Hall. We are indebted to Donabate Parish Hall Committee also for their vision, in allowing us to put them up at this location and to hold events of this cultural nature. Keep playing your Irish Traditional tunes and we look forward to good times in the future; as Covid Restrictions abate to many good Gigs in our Gazebos! For further information contact E-mail us to eithinis@comhaltas.net- query to Secretary Jim O Donohoe. Further information re the Autumn programme in the August edition.

St Pats were delighted to chosen recently to feature in the LGFA County Board’s ‘Club Focus’ series. Pats have grown from a small North Dublin football club set up in 1924 to a 950+ member club covering Ladies Football, Camogie, Gaelic Football & Hurling operating on the ‘One Club’ model sharing Clubhouse and pitches. They are active in the primary and secondary schools where their players enjoy the best of Club & School coaching & fixtures. A Ladies team was begun in 2000 but unfortunately due to emigration, the team folded. LGFA was resurrected later in the 2000s with two juvenile teams A task force was set up to increase the number of LGFA teams with the aim of having a team every 2 years. Injections of fresh blood into the section over the last few years have seen the Club far exceed this goal. Their social media hashtag is #ProudToBePats and they now proudly boast LGFA teams at almost every year. LGFA is the fastest growing section of the Club! They’ve also increased their female representation on the Club Executive and committees; female player representation on player committees now accepted as standard. Their referees all learn LGFA, Football & Hurling rules ensuring that future players are aware of all sections of this growing club. Despite the restrictions, 2020 was a successful year for LGFA in the Club. Their Adult squad – mentored by Aidan Coppinger & Adrian Brophy – only missed out progressing to their Championship Semi Final on goal difference. They went on to beat a strong Kickhams side in the Shield Final. The minors in Division 4, U16s in Division 3 and U14s in Division 3 all fought their way through to their Championship Semi Finals before the season came to a shuddering halt.Their teams are delighted to be back training and that the season has begun for Cup, League and the Championship. The future is the Club is bright – the future is Green & Black! If you live in Donabate/Portrane and you’d like to get involved in LGFA – juvenile or adult – or G4M&O, just contact them at info@stpatsgaa.com. (NB: not accessible through this medium). Similarly if you’d like to get involved with GAA, just drop them a line as new members are always welcome in all ages and codes. Ní neart go cur le cheile.

The Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Seána Ó Rodaigh was delighted to make a presentation to St Patrick’s Boys National School Donabate this morning as winners of The Battle of the Book 2021. Fingal County Librarian Betty Boardman and author Brian Gallagher were also on hand to meet the winning class and their teacher Sarah Donohoe. The Battle of the Book is an annual competition run by Fingal Libraries. The programme is designed to encourage the children to read and gain confidence, to discuss a common book providing a shared experience of reading and to ignite a reading for life culture.Every year 6 schools in Fingal receive 30 copies of a book by a well know author, this year’s book was “Pawns” by Brian Gallagher to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Sack of Balbriggan. The other schools that took part this year were Pope John Paul II National School, St. Oliver Plunkett School, St Patricks Boys National School, Castaheany Educate Together, Sacred Heart National School and St. Mary’s National School.

The Peninsula Pacers first walk in a very long time, due to Covid Restrictions, took place in early June on a glorious summers day. We walked through the Portrane Hospital Grounds down the Ladies Walk along the Cliff Walk to the Tower. At Portrane Green we stopped to rest on the new Bleeper Bikees so when we need a quicker way home we can hop on a bike! We ended at the Brook Pub - where we had cool drinks, ice cream & coffees and pizzas & pastas to round off a lovely day. Our next walk will be on Thursday 15th July and we intend maybe having 2 routes - a longer harder walk and a shorter easier walk to facilitate all levels of walkers. For further information please contact: Carolyn on 087 9284307 or Breda on 086 8693243.

Congratulations to Third Year students who were in attendance live and via Teams at the Third Year Awards ceremony recently.It has been a difficult time for all students, however our Third Year students adapted to online learning not once, but twice over the course of their Junior Cycle studies. We are very proud of them for how they have managed their learning and for the knowledge and skills they have shown. Ms Leahy and Mr Creevey both spoke to the group and praised them for all they had achieved over the course of their Junior Cycle and wished them every success as they moved into Transition Year and 5th Year.Awards were presented to students in subjects, a school spirit award, Student of the Year and Academic Awards.All students then got the opportunity to play some sport or relax with their classmates before being treated to Scrumdiddly’s ice-cream! Congratulations to Third Year students. We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to seeing you back in the new term!

This years award winners were - English: Maksymilian Okuniewicz - Irish: Dara Heffernan - Maths: Laoise Howe - History: Hubert Wolanin - Geography: Caoimhe Murphy - Tech Graphics: Abigail Shevlin - French: Odhrán O’Connor - Spanish: Ava Pender - Business Studies: Eimear Davey - Home Economics: Lía Bracken - Art: Moya Bishop - Technology: Oscar Donohue - PE: Kyle Cumisky - Sport Award: Lauren Van Druemel, Aliyatt Badmus - School Spirit Award: Finn Donovan, Darragh Brogan, Katie May, Emma Walsh, Jasmin Egan. - Student of the Year Nominees: Aliyatt Badmus, Ruby Corcoran, Ella Nolan, Niamh Gaffney, Moya Bishop - Academic Achievement Nominees: Sophie O’Neill, Jamie Whelan, Odhran O’Connor, Hubert Wolanin, Ava Pender - Academic Achievement Award: Hubert Wolanin, Ava Pender - Student of the Year: Aliyatt Badmus.

When the Leaving Cert Class of 2021 began their Senior Cycle journey in September 2019, they could not have known how the following two school years were going to transpire.

Navigating online learning from March to May 2020 and again from January to March 2021 has without doubt proved challenging.However, the Donabate Community College Leaving Cert Class of 2021 have acquitted themselves admirably. They have developed their resilience, self-reliance, communication skills, all the while covering the Leaving Cert curriculum and looking out for their families and each other. Thus, it is with a great sense of pride we arranged this year’s Leaving Cert Graduation.While we could not carry out our normal ceremony, Sixth Year Year Head Ms Curran ensured no stone was left unturned to make this year’s Graduation special for this year’s graduates.While the year group remained in their classes, they tuned into speeches via Microsoft Teams from Mr Doyle, Mr Creevey, Ms Curran, Mr Henchy and 6th Year student Jessica Dolan. Students were also treated to a video of their memories, before collecting their graduation medal and a specially commissioned booklet. A huge congratulations to Jessica Dolan who spoke on behalf of students and reminded them that perseverance and determination are everything. On behalf of students, Jessica also thanked Mr Creevey, Mrs Flynn, Mr Doyle and the staff at Donabate Community College for their constant support and kindness. Many thanks to Chairperson of the Board of Management, Mr Adrian Henchy who congratulated the students on their achievements and wished them every success no matter where life takes them next. A big thank you to past students Jake O’Toole and Jodie Clinton from ‘The Balloon Basket’ for the wonderful balloon decorations and Megan Hogan of milisbymegan for the beautiful cupcakes each student received.We congratulate each member of this year’s Leaving Cert Class and wish them well as they move on to the next stage of their lives.