David and Emma Mills, originally from Swords but now living in Donabate have issued an urgent appeal for support for their baby girl Zoe who is being treated for stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, an extremely aggressive childhood cancer. All funds raised will support Zoe’s participation in a US-based clinical trial.
A happy baby who was meeting all her milestones, little Zoe suddenly became unwell in August 2023. Scans showed that a tumour attached to her kidney, and taking up 50% of her abdomen, had spread throughout her tiny body and fully into her bone marrow. The severity of her prognosis meant that Zoe had to start an intense 18-month treatment plan immediately.

Since then, Zoe has bravely battled through chemotherapy and intricate abdominal surgery to remove as much of the main tumour as possible. She has also undergone additional high dose chemo and a stem cell transplant requiring 6 weeks of isolation in a dedicated transplant unit; 14 sessions of radiotherapy, each one carried out under general anaesthetic; and countless blood transfusions, injections and medical procedures.

Zoe is currently undergoing the immunotherapy phase of her treatment, 5 cycles over 6 months, with the first 2 cycles requiring a morphine pump to manage her pain. Immunotherapy will hopefully be the final stage of Zoe’s frontline treatment, and it’s hoped that her post treatment PET scan will show “No evidence of disease”.

David and Emma are committed to doing all they can to give Zoe the best chance of a long and healthy life. They are aware that the outlook for neuroblastoma can be bleak, with a very high relapse rate, and limited treatment options if relapse occurs. This makes the longer-term survival statistics unthinkable.
On the anniversary of Zoe’s devastating diagnosis, David and Emma, together with family and friends, have launched a fundraising campaign called “Hope for Zoe” to try and raise as much money as possible to access a clinical trial in the USA.

Today, Zoe is doing her best to stand up and take a few steps, say a few words, and even ‘sing’ along to her favourite movie, Frozen! She is getting used to her hearing aids, which were necessary after the hearing loss caused by chemo and communicating better every day. Her feeding tube is still required for her nutrition and daily medication. She is full of personality and fun, and extremely determined! It is the hope of all who love her that she can gain access to a clinical trial and thrive, just like every other child.
For further information please contact Philip Farrell (087-7562450) or (hopeforzoe2024@gmail.com)

On Saturday 14th September the Annual Peninsula Walk from the Parish Hall to the Brook Pub by the Cliff Walk stopping at Wayne’s Cafe at Tower Bay will take place (the long route walkers can add The Burrow loop).

The walk will depart at 13:00hrs -people can use public transport for to arrive at the start of walk and to return back later. This annual walk coincides with the Bleeding Pig Trad & Pizza at the Brook Pub in the late afternoon. Carolyn will lead this walk.

Then the Greystones to Bray walk is on Saturday October 19th this is a challenging new route of 10km. Breda & Carolyn will both lead this walk.

Lastly, a Greenway or Canal flat easy Walk will hopefully take place on Saturday 9th November - all subject to the weather. Breda will lead this walk.

Further info Carolyn on 087-9284307 or Breda on 086-8693243.

The countdown is on to the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival 2024 and in just a couple of short weeks, the peninsula will be a hive of cultural activity for audiences of all cultural tastes and all ages.

From Thursday 12th until Sunday 22nd September, there will be a full timetable of cultural events in lots of venues around Donabate and Portrane.

On Thursday 12th the festivities kick-off with a launch in the Brook Pub in Portrane, featuring renowned Uileann Piper Eamonn Galldubh agus a chairde, with a little help from members of Ceomhaltas Leithinis. The launch promises an evening full of Craic agus Ceol. We are very grateful to Mick & Bríd Moynihan at the Brook for generously hosting the event.

Then from Friday 13th, each day will see a selection of activities, with something of interest to everyone.
There will be Craft Workshops for adults and children, Art Exhibitions, Concerts for performers of all age groups, Guided Talks and Walks, Sing-Songs, Gala Concerts, open-air Céilí dancing, Short Films, Historic Tours, Planetary Exploration Dome, Tango & Fiesta extravaganza, Scavenger Hunt, and lots more besides.
All the usual festival favourites feature this year, along with some new and exciting events.

Most of the events of the Bleeding Pig festival are free of charge. However, some events do require booking in advance to secure a place. Full details are available on the Bleeding Pig website, in the festival brochure and on Facebook and Instagram.

Registration for our classes – all 21 of them! – is happening on Wednesday and Thursday 4th and 5th September between 11.00 – 14.00. If you are interested in joining Active Age for All as a new member, come along on one of these days, we would love to see you. You must be over 55. Many of our existing members will be signing up for the Autumn classes on those days too. AAfA is a great opportunity to meet new people or just even get to know your neighbours! We look forward to seeing you all then.
The “Raising the Voice of Fingal Women Pioneers Exhibition,” happened on Thursday 11th July at Kettle’s Country House Hotel.

Active Age members, Carolyn, Margaret, Valerie, Mary and Jennifer took part in an initiative to introduce the local talent and skills available to make positive changes in the community. Some attended the Fingal Pioneer Community Conversation workshops and others the finished exhibition. The exhibition was part of a creative community leadership programme led by Fingal County Council’s Community Development Office. The programme highlighted the contributions of women to their communities through local groups, clubs, and services, while also supporting and enhancing their leadership skills.

The programme brought together 13 diverse and dynamic women, providing them with a platform to improve their skills, understand local government, and strengthen community connections. Through leadership training and creative engagement methodologies, these women explored how to influence local government and hosted a series of community conversations across the county.

The information, stories, and concerns gathered during these conversations were presented at the exhibition through an immersive art installation. This event offered an opportunity for these women to meet and inform newly elected public representatives about important issues affecting women in Fingal and to present their collective vision for positive change in their communities.

Thanks to all for representing AAfA Donabate/Portrane at this.

Just a reminder that the launch of the 2nd Boules Court will take place at 1pm on Monday 9th September in the mainly ADULT RECREATION HUB in Newbridge Park - full details in the last edition. There will be give it a go & coaching on both courts of basic rules, skills and best practice! Wear runners please on the day. Give a call if you want further information or are interested in coming along - all welcome!

By Nick Codd

Nestled in the heart of our beloved coastal town lies a little gem —the hidden path to a secluded beach where my family and I have spent countless serene afternoons. This path, a treasure trove of natural beauty and tranquillity, has become our cherished retreat, offering a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As we step onto the path, my two sons, eager with anticipation, dart ahead, their laughter mingling with the sounds of nature. The trail winds through a vast field of long grass, swaying gently in the breeze. The golden strands of grass, tall and wild, create a sense of adventure and freedom, evoking images of simpler times.

The field, with its rich tapestry of greens and golds, offers a perfect playground for my boys, aged two and six. They delight in exploring every nook and cranny, collecting wildflowers and spotting insect trails. Each step forward is a new discovery, a chance to learn and connect with the natural world around them. For my wife and me, this journey is a welcome respite, a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

After a leisurely walk, the grass begins to thin, and the distant sound of waves grows louder. The path slopes gently downward, revealing glimpses of the azure sea through the tall grass. As we approach the final bend, the trail opens up to a breathtaking view—the hidden beach, stretching out before us in all its untouched glory.

This secluded stretch of coastline, known well by locals, is a slice of paradise. The soft, golden sand is pristine, free from the footprints of crowds. The gentle waves lap at the shore, inviting us to dip our toes into the cool, refreshing water. The beach is framed by rugged rocks, their weathered faces standing as silent guardians over this tranquil haven.

We quickly set up our little camp, unfurling a blanket and unpacking a picnic basket brimming with treats. My sons waste no time in racing to the water’s edge, their joyous shouts echoing across the beach. They build sandcastles, splash in the shallow waves, and chase after tiny crabs that scuttle across the sand. Rock pools nearby provide endless fascination, teeming with small sea creatures and hidden treasures. My wife and I, sitting back and watching them, feel an overwhelming sense of contentment.

The secret path to this small, peaceful beach has become more than just a route to a beautiful destination. It is a journey that brings our family closer, a shared adventure that we cherish deeply. Each visit leaves us with memories that we hold dear, moments of joy and connection that we carry with us long after we leave.

As we pack up and prepare to head back, the path home feels like a gentle transition from our private paradise back to the real world. The trail, now bathed in the soft light of dusk, seems to whisper its secrets, promising to be here whenever we need a break from the ordinary.

Hope you all are enjoying the summer and we look forward to seeing many of you back in the Parish Hall soon. Over the summer while it is quieter than the winter - the Senior Citizens and a number of activities continue.

We have a number of Summer Camps in August and some planned maintenance of the Parish Hall.
Recently, Leithinis CCÉ had a ‘Saturday Summer Session’ for the ‘Slow Session’ group from 5-7pm. They may hold a number of these over the next while & will use the Parish Hall if the weather is bad & if the weather is good they may be seen on St Patrick’s Terrace Green or outside the hall, where they can still use the facilities & their black chairs etc.

There are still a small number of slots available for use in the Parish Hall - please contact the Parish Office with enquiries on 01 8434574.

In June the Peninsula Pacers went on a jaunt of the North Inner City ending up in Stoneybatter for the start of the Festival & ending in Smithfield with a meal in Oscars!

The weather was great and we had a short stop and few words at each historic place as we passed by. The places of note included the Garden of Remembrance, the Black Church, the Blessington Basin, Grangegorman former hospital now college!

We sauntered down Stoneybatter & had a short cultural stop in the Cobble Stone before heading past the Old Dublin Vegetable Market and back to Connolly Train Station after about 8/10 kms of a jaunt!

Our next walk is our Annual Peninsula Walk to coincide with the Bleeding Pig Festival Pizza’Trad event at the Brook Pub on Saturday 14th September. We usually start from the Parish Hall about mid morning & walk to Donabate Beach & around the Cliff Walk stop for a coffee at Wayne’s and on to the Brook for ceol & craic!

The October walk is on Saturday 12th and we hope to do some part of the Coastal Walk Bray to Greystones.

In November Walk is on Saturday 23rd we may do the Balbriggan to Bettystown Coastal walk if tide is out!

We try to use public transport - generally trains as much as possible. The walks are generally flat and a reasonable level of fitness is required and can be about 8-12km.

Contact Carolyn on 087 9284307 or Breda on 086 8693243 for more information.

Gerry & The Plonkers, the Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed group has been busy. In late June, they played at the Donabate Sea Scouts’ fundraiser and last month they opened the proceedings at Fingal Vintage Picnic in Swords Castle. Maybe it will be Electric Picnic in 2025!

But Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is much more than music. Last month, several of our regular croquet players participated in the croquet day organised by Active Age for All. Many thanks to AAfA, and especially Carolyn Smith for such an enjoyable afternoon. In addition to our weekly croquet sessions on Tuesday morning at Newbridge House, we have our weekly exercise classes and our Thursday morning get-togethers in the Sea Scouts’ den.

We also have occasional outings to places of interest, our next one being to the Croke Park Museum and Skyline Tour sometime in September. Depending on the weather, we will probably have a get-together on Portrane Green for Piper’s fish and chips sometime in August.

If you, or someone you know, would like to join us, please call Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694316.

Your local guild of the Irish Countrywoman’s Association meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday in the Portacabin in DPCC. We meet at 8.00 and usually are finished with tea and coffee by 10.00. If you are interested in coming along, please just come on 12th September, we would love to see you.

This year we concentrated on making knee quilts for the Hospice. When some of us went to Raheny to deliver them and they wanted to keep them and sell them at their Christmas Fair. Many of us thought that we would try to do something to reduce the stack of fabric that just seems to hang around anyone handy! For those interested, we used the quilt as you go method.