The races are coming thick and fast for our club members with something on the calendar almost every day of the week during the summer months. The Irish Runner race series took place in Phoenix Park and the Irish Life Dublin race series commenced with the Fingal 10k in Swords. There was a big contingent from Lusk for the latter including an army of volunteers. That race also signals the start of training plans for many athletes who are taking on the Dublin City Marathon in October or one of the other Autumn marathons. Best of luck to all with their plans. The club held a Heavy Throws event in Lusk which was a great success. Conor McGuirk ran his final race as a juvenile with a Championship record and we now look forward to seeing his career develop in the senior ranks. A reminder to register for the Man O War Round 7k which takes place on August 13th.
The Top Shop Golf Society had an outing at Coorstown, it was a lovely day and the course was exceptional.
We were sponsored by Conrad Murray of The Top Shop bar and lounge, KP Windows and Doors.
The Overall winners were, David Grimes, Category 1, Dermot Halpin, Category 2, Matt Byrne, Front 9, Robbie Hender, Back 9, Ken McDermott.
A historical society in Donabate & Portrane was first established in 1948 but became inactive in 1955. It was reactivated in 1972 by Mr Peadar Bates of Donabate and continues to this day. The aim of the society is the collection of information on the peninsula as to the customs, stories and incidents of the ancient, medieval and modern times to complete a written history of the area.
The Donabate/Portrane historical society has regular meetings, times and dates of which will be posted on social media and website, anyone interested is welcome to attend. Talks and presentations are also arranged several times a year, information available as before, and all are welcome.
The society Local History Museum is located in the courtyard of Newbridge House and is open every Saturday & Sunday (+ bank holidays) from 2 to 4pm, entry is free. The museum provides a wonderful window into the past of the peninsula containing artefacts and images of life in rural Donabate and Portrane, and the ‘big’ houses of the area. Well worth a visit! For information please contact: Donald Henderson 087-2610164 Copies of Peadar Bates book available in the museum, or call 087-2397608
Active Age for All held their annual Fun Croquet Day in Newbridge Park on Wednesday 24th June this year and we were delighted to welcome guests from the Newbridge House Croquet Club and Donabate Men’s Shed to join us.
The weather was beautiful, the lawns in tip-top condition (many thanks to the Newbridge Park groundsmen) and the game playing went very smoothly. Everybody got to play two games before we had to whittle down to the final rounds. While battle went on in ever decreasing numbers those on the sidelines were free to enjoy the refreshments, have a chat and maybe play some silly croquet like ‘Pot the Wellie’.
The grand final was played by: Peter Dempsey (AAfA), Eugene McKenna (NHCC), John McIntyre (NHCC) & Raymond McGuigan (NHCC) Peter Dempsey carried the day for Active Age. Well done Peter!
The AAfA committee are busy preparing for the autumn term commencing middle of September. We will have a table in the Donabate Mall on Friday 21st August 10am to 4pm so come along and say hello and get all the details for the coming term. If you have yet to join us we would be delighted to meet you.
With our regular weekly exercise classes and Thursday morning get-togethers suspended and only Tuesday morning croquet continuing, July threatened to be a relatively quiet month for members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed.
However, the flurry of activity at our plots at Turvey Allotments more than made up for the inactivity elsewhere. Members were kept busy with the shared daily tasks of watering, feeding, weeding and harvesting the impressive range of plants being grown, including tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, courgettes, peas, rhubarb, grapes, lavender, gooseberries, cucumbers and cherries. Ant powder and slug pellets were laid, potatoes were sprayed to protect from blight and, not resting on their laurels, members replaced old fencing with recycled and treated pallets.
Gerry and the Plonkers, the Men’s Shed music group, continued their involvement in community projects by playing for an appreciative audience at Swords Memory Café held in Fingallians’ GAA Club and look forward to playing on Saturday 8th August at the Donabate Portrane Summer Festival.
Our full range of regular weekly activities resumes this month. So, we’re always open to new members joining us. If you or someone close to you might be interested in joining us, don’t be afraid to take the first step by contacting Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694416. We look forward to meeting you.
I have received confirmation from An Garda Síochána that the Garda Community Engagement Initiative commenced in Donabate on 26th June and will continue every second Friday throughout the summer as part of Operation Irene in response to representations made by myself and Duncan Smith TD. This initiative provides an important opportunity for residents to raise concerns, seek advice, and speak directly with Gardaí in an accessible, local setting.
The Garda Community Engagement Vehicle will be in the Parish Hall car park every second Friday from 6–9pm until the end of August, and I would strongly encourage anyone with issues or concerns to drop in and speak with the Community Gardaí.
As part of this initiative, there will also be an increased Garda presence around the town centre and across the wider peninsula over the summer months. I want to thank Superintendent Barry, Inspector Clune and our Community Gardaí for their continued support and for the increased patrols in the area.
However, while this engagement initiative is welcome, it does not replace the need for permanent Garda resources in Donabate. Over the past year, I have received a significant increase in calls from resident, often daily, reporting incidents of anti social behaviour, including threats, damage to property, doors being kicked, and recent arson attacks on public amenities. Many residents are understandably fearful, and the current level of Garda resourcing is not sufficient for a town of our size.
The DMR North district now has fewer Gardaí than in 2009, despite a dramatically larger population. Within the next few years, Donabate will be the third largest town in North County Dublin, with a population exceeding 20,000. Permanent Garda resources are required in the immediate short term, and a Garda station will be essential in the long term.
Duncan Smith TD and I have been persistently raising this matter with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice.
While national recruitment plans are welcome, Donabate needs dedicated Gardaí on a permanent basis and a Garda station to serve our growing community. We will continue to press for the resources and infrastructure that Donabate needs and deserves and will keep you informed of developments.
During the Summer break, the Lambay Cinema Club is working hard to create our 2026/2027 programme. We are continually on the lookout for films from across the world that never or rarely get shown in local commercial cinemas.
We return on Thursday Sept 17th and will announce the season opening film soon. To mark our 4th year we will be introducing Audience Choice – where you get to pick the film for our December screening. Details will be announced in September.
In the past three years we have shown films from across Europe, Middle East and The Americas, and have also screened well known and less well known Irish Movies. As a committee we discuss films we have discovered and work to build a varied and entertaining schedule of films.
As we enter our fourth year, this is time to recognise those that are fundamental to our success. Obviously at the heart of it all are our loyal and growing audience who appreciate the ability to see world class cinema without having to leave the peninsula.
We would not have films to screen if it was not for access>CINEMA. Their nationwide network of over 70 local organisations including independent cinemas, film festivals and voluntary-film film societies such as Lambay Cinema Club.
The aim of the access>CINEMA network is to facilitate and increase access to a wider choice of movies to screen locally in non-mainstream or commercial venues by ensuring we can affordably license the movies we want.
Our contacts at Access are also an invaluable source of information and advice as well as giving us an opportunity to meet with similar movie clubs and view new releases.
The other key ingredient of our success is the support we get from St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square. We work closely with them to ensure a successful screening and allow us to take over the church for afternoon set up and evening performance. We would not be successful without their support.
To find out more about our Autumn season and keep up to date with our programme, visit lambaycinemaclub.com
We are delighted to announce that Craobh Cholm Cille, Conradh na Gaeilge has been re-established in Swords, North County Dublin.
The same branch was in the town as far back as 1902 (check out the article from Drogheda Independent, 19 April 1902).
There is a language revival underway at the moment and we want to cater for that interest and represent those that are interested in promoting our national language. The success of the gaelscoileanna movement in recent years means there are many Irish speakers looking to preserve their language skills and help pass the gift to the next generations.
We intend to provide speaking opportunities, organise Irish lessons, run Irish language juvenile sports camps, inspire social occasions trí ghaeilge and to make An Ghaeilge available to the people of Swords.
Ta lúcháir orainn a fhógairt go bhfuil Craobh Cholm Cille, Conradh na Gaeilge athbhunaithe againn i Sord Cholm Cille, Tuaisceart Chontae Átha Cliath.
Bhí an Chraobh chéanna sa bhaile chomh fada siar le 1902, ar a laghad (féach ar an sliocht ón Drogheda Independent, 19 Aibreán 1902).
Tá athbheochan teanga ar siúl faoi láthair agus ba mhaith linn freastal ar an spéis sin agus ionadaíocht a dhéanamh orthu siúd a bhfuil suim acu ár dteanga náisiúnta a chur chun cinn. Mar gheall ar an rath a bhí ar ghluaiseacht na ngaelscoileanna le blianta beaga anuas, tá go leor Gaeilgeoirí ag iarraidh a gcuid scileanna teanga a chaomhnú agus an bronntanas a thabhairt do na glúnta atá le teacht.
Tá sé mar chuspóir againn tuilleadh deiseanna cainte a chur ar fáil, ranganna Gaeilge a eagrú, campaí spóirt trí ghaeilge a reáchtáil, imeachtaí sóisialta a spreagadh agus an ghaeilge a chur i lár an aonaigh do phobal an bhaile.
If you would like more information please contact:
craobhcholmcille@cnag.ie / Liam @ 086 3814422
Would you like to build your confidence in public speaking? Have you grown tired of letting fear hold you back? This September, take the first step towards overcoming this fear by visiting Swords Toastmasters for an obligation-free meeting. Discover a supportive and encouraging environment where you can develop your communication and leadership skills while gaining the confidence to speak with ease.”
That’s exactly what member Amanda O’Hara did last year when she wanted to meet the challenge head on.
Amanda said “Joining Toastmasters has been one of the most rewarding things I have done in a long time. When I first attended, I was fearful and I wasn’t sure if I was going to stick with it. The fact that it was a massive fear was the clear sign I needed that I had to face it. I’m only there a year but I have taken on many roles, completed a couple of speeches and I feel it has helped my confidence greatly. Toastmasters gives you the freedom to be who you are, and express yourself freely as your authentic self. You will receive nothing but encouragement and support from everyone in the club. I’m really enjoying being a part of it.”
Swords Toastmasters is a club that helps people develop their public speaking, listening, and leadership skills, in a fun and supportive environment. Members join for a variety of reasons. Some, to progress their careers, to perform better at interviews, to practice for workplace presentations,or even for tat all important wedding speech.
If you would like to see Amanda and her fellow Toastmasters in action, get in touch today, for an obligation-free visit. Perhaps you will be inspired to take the first step towards finding your own voice and changing your life!
Swords Toastmasters
Date: Every 2nd Monday, September - June
Location: Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825
Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.
For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.