Cllr Rob O’Donoghue has welcomed the opening of the second public consultation on the Dart+ Coastal North project which commenced on the 9thof May and runs until the 23rd of June. Information on the project can be found on the dedicated website dartplus.ie. The project will deliver higher frequency, capacity reliable electrified route to enable an increased DART service between Drogheda and Dublin City Centre. Coming works will provide a sustainable, low carbon and climate resilient design to make use of existing infrastructure and add new infrastructure at key locations. Works to be undertaken will include bridge improvements, continued electrification of the northern line, track reconfigurations and the addition of extra carriages. These works will increase peak passenger capacity and train frequency at the Rush-Lusk Station, facilitate more frequent public transport for surrounding communities for work, education and leisure purposes and help to alleviate road congestion on the Lusk bypass. Cllr O’Donoghue supported the second public consultation and expansion of service saying that without development of the service the traffic issues facing the North County would continue to exacerbate. “Rush hour traffic along the R127 and R128 is already bumper to bumper, which impact commuting times and quality of life for all commuters in the North County. The expansion of cost effect train and bus routes, in conjunction with the cycling connection from Lusk to the Train Station is vital in order to improve quality of life, reduce carbon emissions from vehicles and provide solutions to residents who need to commute to Dublin City Centre for work or education.”

The Peninsula Pacers recently went out to the Pool beg Lighthouse for a long walk. We left Donabate Train Station at about 10am for Sandymount Train Station and started our walk through Sandymount Village crossing the road near the Strand then hugging the coast headed out to the Lighthouse. While the day was not the best it rained a bit and was a bit misty, we got a good walk in and ended up back in a great pub in the heart of Sandymount Village for some superb grub at good prices! We may take a break over the summer months but hope to be for our walk around the Peninsula in September to coincide with the Bleeding Pig Festiva back l Trad Event at the Brook Pub in Portrane where good pizzas are also to be had! If you are interested and wish to contact the Pacers contact Des on 087 7846813 or Carolyn on 087 9284307.

The Parish Hall have been working hard at finalising the Programme for next year with daily activities like Irish Dance, Cards and Parent & Baby Group and also the slots for special events like Exhibitions, Creative Camps & Drama. The hall is becoming busier and busier with an ever expanding population and increased demand for space so it is necessary to plan well in advance for all that is happening in the hall to satisfy as best as possible all wishes. If you have not already been contacted, please contact the Parish Office re use immediately. For those that use the hall for their activities thank you for your continuous support.

May has been a very busy month for AAfA hosting events in Donabate/Portrane Community Centre. We had a presentation from Danielle Monahan of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme. The aim of this organisation, which is part of Fingal County Council, is “to support older people to live in their own home with dignity and independence for as long as possible” It was a most interesting presentation and she gave us very useful information about grants and supports available to the older person. We were delighted to finally host the Rosemount Singers from Julianstown for our Bealtaine Festival event, the Bealtaine Miscellany. They were joined by our own singing group the Caintóirí and Peig McManus and the writers from the Chinkwell Writers group. The Bealtaine Festival celebrates creativity in the older person. Both events were very well supported by our members and enjoyed by all. The Caintóirí were pleased to be invited to Malahide to join MARA - Malahide Active Retirement Assoc - and the Bealtaine Poetry Group in their Bealtaine celebration in Malahide Library which proved to be a great success on a most enjoyable morning. Classes are now finished for the summer, but your hard working committee is already planning for September. We are also in the final stages of designing our new website, so watch this space! As always if you need information about AAfA or you would like to join us please email us at activeageforall@gmail.com or check us out on our website activeageforall.com TEXT only 0868806808

Corina Johnston Labour Party Area Representative welcomes the announcement by Fingal County Council of its intention to commence, by late Summer this year, the badly needed and long overdue Turvey Avenue Enhancement Scheme.

Johnston said; “This information was given at a recent Council meeting in response to the following question submitted by my colleague Cllr Rob O’Donoghue on my behalf and is subject to a procurement competition and the appointment of a suitable contractor.

The Council’s reply stated: Tender documents for the procurement of a Contractor are expected to issue to the market this month. Following appointment of the Contractor, works will commence with a target start date on site in late summer. Timelines are subject to a successful procurement competition and appointment of a suitable contractor. Johnston said;”A far back as 2019 Fingal County Council’s Turvey Avenue Enhancement Project went through a public consultation process and the scheme was subsequently approved by the Council. The Council position however was that this scheme would be included with the Portrane Road Scheme (Adjacent to the Boys and Girls Primary Schools) as part of a single tender process. This position was unacceptable as it was obvious that it would take much longer to reach agreement for the Portrane Road Scheme and therefore delay the Turvey Scheme even further. “
Johnston added; “I am delighted that the council have taken on board our views and are now seeking tenders for a single project. The contents of Scheme include: (1) 115×2m footpath Northern Side of Turvey Ave, (2) Road resurfacing. (3) Provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. (4) Re positional of existing bus stop on southern side. (5) Provision of new road gullies to improve drainage.

Leithinis current term of traditional Irish music classes is proving a great hit in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhrán, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin and Concertina. We would like to welcome our new students and we were delighted to see some of them participate at the fortnightly Friday NIght Music Gathering which takes place in Donabate Parish Hall. The Session is going from strength to strength with increasing numbers of experienced musicians participating and for the rest of the year, takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. All are welcome to come along and listen.

Tús maith, leath na hoibre a deirtear agus tá páistí Gaelscoil na Mara, le cabhair ó Bailte Slachtmhara ag cuir cruth deas ar Gáirdín na Scoile. Over the last number of months Gaelscoil na Mara has worked in partnership with Tidy Towns establishing an allotment on the school grounds. Six 10×5 ft raised beds were built and the pupils immediately set about planting potatoes and onions and shoots are already starting to appear. The pupils were also busy in the classroom sowing lolla rossa, strikeforce, crisphead, Swiss chard, beetroot and spinach and brassicas of cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Kale and Broccoli which will be ready for planting outdoors over the next number of weeks. A large fruit garden was also planted with nearly thirty fruit bushes including raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, rhubarb, cranberries, blueberries and strawberries which should start bearing fruit over the next year.The pupils in the school have full responsibility for the sowing, planting, watering, feeding and in time, harvesting of the produce with a ‘farm to fork’ approach. Making food from the produce will also be an important aspect of the allotment, e.g. making jams from the fruit or Brussels sprouts for Christmas dinner. The school community is very aware of the benefits of food production and outdoor education on the physical and mental health of the pupils.

Tá na páistí ag foghlaim sa rang faoi na glasraí, torthaí, plandaí agus cad as a dtagann ár soláthar bídh. Bhí sceitimíní ar cách nuair a bhí seans ag na páistí prataí agus oinniúin a chur le cabhair agus súl saineolaí Tidy Towns. Ár mbuíochas le gach éinne a chabhraigh chun ár ngáirdín a chruthú. Táimid an brodúil as an comhoibriú pobail a bhí i gceist chun an tionscadal seo a chuir le chéile. Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabhail go mór mhór le Cairde na Scoile agus Tidy Towns Donabate as an pleanáil, soláthar trealaimh agus tacaíocht airgeadais chun an tionscadal seo a thabhairt chun críche . Táimid ag súil go mór torthaí ár saothair a bhlaiseadh.

The Leinster Pipe Band Championships were held in Newbridge House, Donabate on Saturday, 6th May. Bands from the four corners of Ireland travelled to Donabate - from Cork (Youghal Pipe Band), to Wexford (New Ross & District Pipe Band), Donegal (Letterkenny & District Pipe Band) and Down (Down Academy Pipes & Drums, Moneygore Pipe Band and Closkelt Pipe Band). In total, twelve bands competed for the title of Leinster Pipe Band Champions. The other bands were Arklow Pipe Band (Co. Wicklow), Killeshin Pipe Band (Co. Carlow), St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band (Maynooth), St. Joseph’s Pipe Band (Clondalkin), Black Raven Pipe Band (Lusk) and Irvine Memorial Pipe Band (Clabby, Co. Fermanagh). When all the bands had competed, they paraded into the central area in front of the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony. A lament was played by Paul Russell from Black Raven Pipe Band for members who had passed since our last meeting, with particular tribute to members of the Closkelt Pipe Band, who had recently suffered a bereavement and still made the journey to compete. The much anticipated results were announced with the Leinster title going to Moneygore Pipe Band (Grade 4B), New Ross & District Pipe Band (Grade 4A), St. Joseph’s Pipe Band (Grade 2) and St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band (Grade 1).

Our thanks to Fingal County Council, for both the venue and financial support without which we could not have the Championships. The attendance on the day was approximately 1,500 which we were all absolutely delighted with. We cannot thank the staff of Newbridge House enough as they did soLeinster Pipe Band Championships – A great success! much for us and we would like to be able to hold the Championships in the grounds again next year. We would also like to thank the staff from Brambles restaurant for the delicious food and the Red Cross, while in attendance, were not needed professionally on the day. And thankfully, the weather was great, as we only got a few tiny drops at the end of the day, which makes all the difference to these outdoor competitions. To the Mayor, the staff of both Newbridge House and Fingal County Council, volunteers, helpers in any way, the bands, their families, supporters and the general public – ‘Go raibh mìle maith agaibh’.

The most recent highlight for Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed was our visit to Áras an
Uachtaráin, where 16 members enjoyed the hospitality and the tour for three hours. Unfortunately, President Higgins was not there during our visit but that was more than made up for by Corporal Tommy Martin, Aide de Camp, who guided us on an entertaining and informative tour of the house and grounds. He regaled us with stories about the history of the building, often embellished with personal anecdotes, and answered our many questions with patience. When he asked if any of us played piano, Peter Cooney stepped forward and gave us a wonderful rendition of Elton John’s “Song for Guy” on the grand piano. It will be hard to match this special occasion, but further trips are being planning. In addition to these occasional outings, the Men’s Shed members enjoy are regular weekly activities – exercise classes (Mondays), croquet at Newbridge House (Tuesdays), music jam sessions (Wednesdays) and get-together for tea and chat (Thursday). If you would like to join us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. You will be given a warm welcome.

Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is delighted with the success of their latest production, the hilarious comedy ‘Last of the Red Hot Lovers’ by Neil Simon, held in Donabate Parish Hall at the beginning of May. This production was particularly special for DPDS as it paid tribute to a valued late member and good friend of the Society, Gerry McGuire. A mentor and supporter who, for over twenty years, helped to develop and grow the society. The production brought together a mix of long-time and new members who kept the audience hooked from beginning to end. The brilliant performances were filled with laughter, good humour, and entertainment. From the performers to the crew and the volunteers, everyone worked tirelessly to bring the play to life. Paul Keogh, director of the production, is very proud of the result: “The “HECTIC” is all finished now, thank God, but I’m already missing it really! What a brilliant cast I got to work with, it was a joy. Two first timers on our Donabate stage – Emily McClenahan and Miriam Dowdall; Peter Finnegan carrying off the biggest part he’s done with aplomb, and finally Lisa Buckley with a long-awaited return to acting with DPDS having directed in our first two post Covid productions. These four and their hard work are what earned all the wows we got from our audience; loads of locals but also fabulous to see a big bunch of our friends from Skerries and Rolestown as well as many from “further out the road”. I can’t thank everyone involved in this production enough. They worked together seamlessly to bring the production to life. I’m honoured to have been involved with DPDS!” The Society is now looking forward to building upon this success and creating more exciting performances in the future and is now going to resume their weekly workshops in preparation for upcoming projects. “We are delighted with the success of our recent production of Neil Simon’s Last of the Red Hot Lovers in the Donabate Parish Hall. The support received from the local community, our Patrons, and Sponsors is gratefully appreciated. We look forward to preparing for our summer project as part of The Bleeding Pig Festival and a production in the Autumn! As always, new members are welcome both on stage and off!” said Áine Dilleen, newly elected Chairperson of the Society. If you want to become a member or a patron of DPDS do not hesitate to contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com. And don’t forget to follow Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society on Facebook and Instagram!