Gubbio is a town in Umbria, Italy, nestled in the foothills of the Apennines. It’s peaceful and picturesque now, but once in the 1200s it was terrorised by a wolf that killed any of the residents that ventured outside of the town walls. Saint Francis of Assisi was asked to intercede on behalf of the residents and famously made a pact with the wolf that if the residents of the town fed the wolf it would stop killing. The wolf indicated its agreement by placing its large paw in Saint Francis’ hand. Thereafter, the wolf lived quietly with the villagers and they fed him and cared for him. The point of the story was that mankind needs to live in harmony with nature and that when the two are not in synch mankind suffers. Today the proverbial wolf at our door in Donabate and Portrane as coastal communities is climate change and also the broader issue of the ecological devastation that has been wrought on our common home. Pope Francis has tried to emulate his namesake by making climate change, ecological issues and care for the poor central to his pontificate. One key action was the publication of his encyclical whose title borrowed from Saint Francis’ words and was entitled Laudato Si’ - care for our common home” and Laudato Si’ calls on people to recognize the urgent need for ecological conversion and sustainable living. In our own community the call in Laudato Si’ has been answered by the establishment of a group in the Parish of Donabate, Portrane and Balheary dedicated to helping achieve Pope Francis’ ecological vision in the parish and wider community. Father Pat Reilly, P.P. who convened the group said “ For ecological conversion to take place we all need to think using our hearts as well as our heads.” The group has launched an initial plan with actions for our parish in the key areas highlighted in Laudato Si’. Details are available on the parish website. The group welcomes new members and more details can be obtained by emailing laudatosi2023@yahoo.com

On Sunday 26.11.2023, Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School will open their doors between 12 and 4pm to welcome you to their annual Winter Fete. This event is a great day out for the entire family. 2€ entrance per adult. Kids and senior citizens go free. Enjoy a great atmosphere, some lovely food, local crafts, games and music. Being the school’s largest fundraising event, there are preloved games, toys, books and clothes available for you to purchase. The entire family gets a chance to compete head-to-head in the game room, or can get their picture taken in our photobooth. Or you can get your nails done or face painted in our beauty room to name only but a few of our activities. Additionally, we hold a raffle, with some incredible prices including cash, voucher, hampers and gift baskets. Tickets can be bought on the day as well as in SuperValu on the 11/12 November 2023.

Recently the Peninsula Pacers went to Clogherhead. So for the first real walk of the season we did a nice short one - suitable for all abilities. There are great views on this short walk of cliffs, sea and sandy beaches. There is a great fish shop at the harbour and when the fish & chips trailer cafe is open, it is second to none for fresh & crispy food. This time we ate in The Forge in Termonfeckin set in a lovely garden and trinkets shop. Our next walk is Saturday 4th November to Carlingford for a longer hike! 90% on the flat! Out on the Greenway & back by the forest. We hope to stop in Fitzpatrick’s on the way home a great eating house closer to Dundalk. If you are reasonably fit & interested in walking, please contact Carolyn Smith 087 9284307 or Des Carthy 087 7846813

Last month, a group of musicians from Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, jokingly christened Gerry and the Plonkers! by one member, played a short set at the Positive Aging event organised by Active Age for All in Donabate Portrane Community and Leisure Centre. The event also included other music and readings. The Men’s Shed choice of songs, hits from the 50s and 60s, reflected the age of the musicians and most of the audience. The well-attended event was enjoyed by all. And to confirm the wide range of interests covered by the Men’s Shed, we also had a visit to Dáil Eireann. A full report and photos of this will be available for the next issue of Donabate/Portrane Local. If you are interested in joining us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Corina Johnston Area Representative said; “I am delighted that the provision of a much needed Cultural, Arts and Youth facility was endorsed at our recent well attended public meeting held by Duncan Smith TD and I in Donabate. At the meeting we outlined that the Local Area Plan provides for 4000 homes with the population to exceed 20,000 in the next 10 years with no indoor community facility for the growing Cultural, Arts and Youth Groups. These groups have no permanent home to support their growing numbers and activities with no stage, inadequate parking facilities, no facility for permanent exhibitions or storage of equipment. “Johnston continued; “A number of Crosscare youth workers addressed the meeting and confirmed that they have no permanent home to provide the vital youth services needed in Donabate. According to Census 2022 31% of the Donabate population is under 19 years with 41% aged under 30. Given the huge youth population with an increase in anti-social behaviour it is imperative that a permanent youth facility is included in such a facility.” Johnston continued;” it was great to see so many people and especially our young people enthusiastically addressing the meeting in support of this multi-functional facility in Donabate. The Local Area Plan provides for a community facility on lands at Ballymastone, the provision of a community/cultural/exhibition and performing Arts centre for Donabate- Portrane and encourages the development of multi - functional community buildings.”

Johnston concluded;” it now appears that the people of the Donabate Peninsula will get the housing units but not the Purpose Built Cultural and Community facility. The meeting soundly rejected this proposition with a committee set up to commence a campaign for this facility. The first priority is to secure a site in the Ballymastone/ Corballis area. A Motion will be submitted to the next council meeting (hopefully a cross party one) on this issue. . A local authority site needs to be identified for this purpose before all the suitable land either secures planning permission or is built upon.”

Well done to former Glebe North players Ruby McCarthy, Lia O’Leary and Hannah Healy wo were called into the Republic of Ireland WU19 squad in recent weeks. Ireland played their first game recently against Wales winning 7-0 with our very own 15-year-old Hannah Healy on the scoresheet. Well done girls, we are all so proud of you!

2023 was the first year we brought over an overseas female player , we spoke to Jaimie Lee Strang about how we wanted her to be a role model on and off the pitch and to help us win the league. Well, Jaimie Lee delivered on all fronts and was top class on and off the pitch , she’s already back home in Oz and into her new season and we wish her all the best for her season , hopefully more silverware. Thanks for Everything JL

Balbriggan U16s travelled to Drogheda recently to play Boyne RFC ‘B’ team in the last game of their North East group stage. Two tries from Kajus, one from Conor, and another very strong performance across the squad left the two teams tied on tries scored - the difference at the end being a couple of successful kicks from Boyne.

However, the day was about more than the rugby match; Boyne hosted a memorial event for Andrew Dobson, one of their much-loved coaches who passed away, far too young, a couple of years ago. After the match, Boyne hosted our team and parents to hospitality before presenting awards in Andrew’s name.

Another key milestone in the ‘Our Balbriggan’ rejuvenation programme, which is set to transform the town with public investment of over €50m, has been reached with the granting of planning permission for a €3.3m creative hub. .Fingal County Council has approved plans for works at 2-4 Dublin Street, which are expected to be completed by mid-2025. Ensuring Balbriggan becomes a nationally renowned destination for arts and culture is a key part of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, and the creative hub will be central to this. The vision for the listed building includes the development of creative art spaces with adjoining digital learning facilities, a courtyard and gallery. The project will now move to the design stage before the appointment of a contractor. Welcoming the move, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, said: “The creative hub is another key piece of the rejuvenation programme which will shape the development of Balbriggan and ensure it is regarded as a great place to live, work and do business.” Under the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, the council has made a number of strategic property acquisitions as well as completing preliminary works for the redevelopment of the Harbour as part of a massive urban regeneration project. “Four years on from the launch of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme 2019-2025, the bricks and mortar transformation of Ireland’s youngest town is now beginning to take shape,” said the Chair of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, Professor Brian MacCraith .“The ambitious vision contained in the rejuvenation plan was the result of an historic community engagement which saw more than 25 per cent of Balbriggan’s residents outline their preferences for the future of the town .”Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, was pleased to note an important milestone in the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme. “Fingal County Council is strongly committed to delivering the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme for the benefit of the people of the town. The creative hub is a key piece of the planned infrastructural development,” she said. The move is complementary to Balbriggan’s designation by the Arts Council as a truly Creative Place. It is to receive Arts Council funding of €330,000 over three years, under the Creative Places programme, to provide local people access to the arts in their own community. That funding was also secured by the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, led by the Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Cultural and Tourism Department. Ireland’s youngest town now plays host to a number of festivals and cultural events in partnership with the locally-based Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) which is due to open a 400-seater state of the art concert venue.

Culture Night in Balbriggan provided another stunning example of how the town is becoming a major centre for all things creative. It filled the town with colour, music, song, film, stories and wonderful events. Culture Night marked the climax of the ‘How it’s Made’ Festival, facilitated by the local Scéal Arts collective, in partnership with the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, led by Fingal County Council, and the locally based Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS). ‘How it’s Made’ ran over three weekends in the run-up to Culture Night on Friday and was supported by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland. Culture Night venues included The Warehouse on Vauxhall Street, The Vault at the old bank on George’s Square, The Boathouse under the Viaduct on Quay Street, The Our Balbriggan Hub on George’s Square, The Window at 4 Dublin Street, and significantly the IIMS which will shortly open a new state of the art 400-seater concert hall, The Lark. As well as documentary film screenings, there were art and photographic exhibitions, reading and musical tours, performances and recitals with local businesses including Molly’s Coffee Shop and The Central Bar joining as hosts. Cultural organisations, castles and historic houses, extended their opening hours to the public, highlighting the wealth of facilities and talented people in the locality. Hundreds of people turned out for events in wonderful Balbriggan to mark Culture Night. Amongst other events, the Our Balbriggan Hub welcomed visitors to George’s Square where local musicians, artists and the local photographers gathered. “Culture Night in Balbriggan celebrated the superbly unique community spirit and talents of its people,” said the chair of the ‘Our Balbriggan Leadership Group’, Professor Brian MacCraith. “There was a wonderful programme of events, each of which celebrated Balbriggan’s appetite for culture.” He said, “Most importantly of all, Culture Night showcased the bonds which tie the community together and make it such a special place. “Culture Night was another wonderful example of how the town is bursting with creativity. “It was fantastic to see so many events showcasing local talent, bringing acclaimed artists to Balbriggan and also people together through the arts. “Now designated as a ‘Creative Place’ by the Arts Council, the long-term aim is that 10 years from now people from all creative disciplines will want to spend time in Balbriggan.”