My name is Brenda King and I live in Lusk, North County Dublin. I am an Inter-Faith Minister and legal Solemniser with the HSE. I’ve had the pleasure of marrying couples for the past few years and I’ve realised that a lot of people are unclear about the different wedding options available and the process that needs to be followed, so I thought I’d offer a quick overview. Firstly, anyone thinking of getting married in Ireland must register their ‘Notice of Intent’ with the HSE, at least three months before their intended wedding day. To start the ball rolling you would need to contact your local civil registration office by phone or email, who will then send you a notification form which must be completed and returned. If you or your partner were not born in Ireland, you may have to have your birth certificate officially authenticated in your country of birth. This is referred to as an ‘Apostille’. Eventually, you will receive ‘The Green Folder’ which must be present and signed on your wedding day for legal purposes. Secondly, you might consider what type of ceremony you would like. Some couples might choose a religious ceremony in a church, while others may opt for a ceremony officiated by a celebrant. A solemniser is a celebrant who can do the legal signing on the day of your ceremony. There are different types of celebrants such as Inter-Faith, Humanists, and Spiritualists As a multi-faith celebrant, I can offer both non-religious, religious, or blended ceremonies, but ultimately, it is the couple’s choice and together we would craft an inclusive ceremony, in a relaxed atmosphere, that they feel is personal to them, and reflects who they are, while not forgetting to have some fun! I hope you found this overview helpful but if you have any questions, I’m always happy to help and look forward to hearing from you. You can contact me for more in-depth information on 0874173165, by email at brendaking04@gmail.com or sure we can always have a cuppa and a chat! I can also be found on Facebook and Instagram; ‘Brenda King Celebrant ‘

Africa Day is an annual celebration of the people and cultures of this wonderful continent. On 25th May Lusk Community Council will celebrate Africa Day in its Cultural Centre in conjunction with the Redeemed Christian Church, Lusk Community College, Fingal County Council and the community of Lusk. Africa Day celebrates the vibrancy, diversity and potential of Africa. In Ireland it is an opportunity to recognise the growing cultural, trade and political links we have with various countries right across Africa.The Department of Foreign Affairs organises a programme of events each year to mark Africa Day. Lusk Community Council is working with Fingal County Council to have a very special celebration in Lusk.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Lusk’s Community Tree Planting Day last Saturday. Three varieties of bare root whips and Holly shrub saplings were planted along the boundary fencing between the Hub and Lusk Community School. Students from Lusk Community College also helped to plant some bare root whips last Friday too. Thank you to Fingal County Council for supplying over 300 bare root whips and for helping to pre-dig so many holes in the ground, it made the job so much easier! In addition to the hedge planting at the HUB, Fingal County Council also planted: Six mature trees along Minister’s Road, Six mature trees along Dun Emer Drive, Bare root whips at the end of Minister’s Park, and Bare root whips along the railings between Orlynn Park and Remount Estate.The Spring Community Tree Planting Event was a first for Lusk and Fingal County Council hope to facilitate another one in the autumn. Thanks to the sub committee from Lusk Vision 2030, Fingal County Council and Councillor Robert O’Donoghue for co-ordinating the day.

Last month, we had a meeting with An Garda Siochana and Foroige, to discuss issues of concern in Lusk. We would like to thank the community for their feedback regarding this. We discussed the growing need for more visible Garda presence, better and clearer opening hours of the Garda Station, the growing drugs issue in the town, concerns regarding break-ins and car theft, speeding issues, anti-social behaviour, especially at weekends, and vandalism, among other issues. The Gardaí share our concerns and we await further information from them regarding actions to be taken. They continue to advise the community to dial 999 if there are concerns. This ensures that all issues are linked to the Garda PULSE system, thereby creating essential data as regards the volume of issues in the town. This is the one thing that will ensure more Gardai in the future. To put this simply, if it is not reported officially, then it did not officially happen, and then nothing can be officially done about it. Reporting issues is essential to getting what we need in Lusk. We would like to extend our immense gratitude to The Progressive Credit Union for their sponsorship of Lusk Summer Festival. Last month we received an amazing €8000 from them, which makes running this great event so much easier for Lusk Action Group. Don’t forget to keep the day in your diary! Saturday 24th June. We have a fantastic music line up, a bigger and better children’s entertainment section, our Market stalls, food galore and much more! We are all looking forward to it. We are also delighted to see the new Ladies Shed up and running successfully. They meet in The Cultural Centre Mondays 10am till 12pm and Wednesdays 7 till 8pm. Wishing them every success! The first official community tree planting day happened last month and we would like to thank the tree sub-committee from the 2030 group, Fingal County Council, and the whole community for making this happen. Approximately 700 saplings were planted, the first of 2030 trees that will be planted as part of the Lusk Vision 2030 plan.

Plans are well advanced for the St Pats Golf Classic which will be held at Beaverstown Golf Club later this month. The Classic will take place from 8am - 4pm on May 26th! The fees are as follows: From 8am -12pm: Team of 4 = €160 - The second grouping is From 12pm -4pm: Team of 4 = €200

To register call Beaverstown Golf Club on 01 8436439 - press 2 for proshop and all support will be greatly appreciated.

Our 6-week Healthy Eating course finished in late March. This was sponsored by the HSE and delivered by Susanne, who was well able for the Men’s Shed banter! The course was enjoyable, entertaining and informative; participants learned not just about nutrition (calories, saturated and unsaturated fats, salt and sugar content), but also how to prepare healthy and tasty meals. As it was a hands-on course, we got to sample the end products of our own cooking. We hope to arrange a follow-on course later in the year. After that, our minds and efforts turned to our plots at Turvey Allotments and the preparation and planting for the new season. As in previous years, we’ve planted potatoes, onions, scallions, cabbage and tomatoes but this year spinach has been added. We also hope to cultivate a herb bed this year. In addition to these activities our regular exercise classes (Mondays), croquet at Newbridge House (Tuesdays), music jam session (Wednesdays) and coffee/tea and chat get-togethers (Thursdays) are back in full swing after the Easter break. We are also looking forward to an information session to be delivered by Diane O’Carroll of Swords Citizens’ Information Centre focusing on finances, age-related entitlements and other matters likely to be of interest to Men’s Shed members and to a presentation, organised by Active Age for All, on the use of smart phones. If you wish to join us, please call our PRO Jim on 086-3694316.

Our Spring term of traditional Irish music classes continues through to the 15th May in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhán, Accordion, Banjo, Mandolin and Concertina. We are delighted to see so many of our new students participating at the fortnightly Friday Night Music Gathering which takes place in Donabate Parish Hall. We had an extended Easter Music Gathering led by Erin on the 24th March with a large number of younger members participating. The monthly Traditional Music Session led by Denis, takes place in The Brooke Pub, Portrane on the first Tuesday of every month and we now have experienced musicians arriving from all over the North County to participate. All are welcome to come along and listen.

It’s been an exciting week for Donabate‘s, Eve Duffy, who won the Best Performance Award at The
Fresh International Film Festival Awards 2023 on April 12th. She was awarded for her performance in “Shell”, a short film about the struggles of a family relationship changing through time which Eve also wrote and directed. The Fresh Film Awards recognises and celebrates Ireland’s young filmmakers and was established in 1997. 34 films of all genres, from across the country were shortlisted. Eve enjoyed the celebrations with her fellow winners, held in The Odeon Cinema in Limerick. Eve also receives six months 1:1 acting coach sessions with Take2Talent agency, free professional headshots, one year free subscription to Fishpond Casting’s website. What a fantastic achievement for the 5th year Loreto Balbriggan student. Eve’s success is a testament to her skill, determination, and hard work. There is no doubt that we will see her name in lights with a very bright future ahead. “Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí” Eve is currently working behind the scenes with Lambay Cinema Club and The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival. Congratulations Eve and best wishes for the future!

Recently the Peninsula Pacers did the beautiful scenic walk from Rush to Loughshinny & return; it was about 10km and moderate. The views back of Rush and forward of Loughshinny are lovely and to see out to sea Lambay and the Rockabill Lighthouse are just beautiful! The walk must be done at low tide and one must come away from the coast which is a pity - bridge needed like in Laytown! Also, just to be warned parts of the walk can be very mucky and unfortunately there is barbed wire fencing along some of the coastal route. We walked back by road which was very suitable and gave us a circular route then ended up in the Harbour Bar for some good grub! Another walk or two planned so join us if you can!

Sadly it is coming to the end of our Spring term and classes will finish around the beginning of May (except for catch up classes). But Croquet and Boules will continue throughout the summer. It has been a great term, without Covid breaks, and I could see the enjoyment on people’s faces in classes, and groups chatting together in Pea & Pod after class. Where they are enjoying their coffee with a generous 10% discount for Active Age members, for which we are very grateful. Before our term finishes we will have an event for the Bealtaine Festival which celebrates creativity in the older person. It is on the 9th of May in Donabate/Portrane Community Centre at 11.00 a.m. Where our singing group the Caintóirí will sing some medleys, they will be joined by the Rosemount Singers from Julianstown. We will also have contributions from our creative writers from Chinkwell group and Peig McManus will read from her new memoir “I Will Be Good “ to be published shortly. To finish we will have some lively music from the Ukulele group. We have such talent on the Peninsula! I hope you can join us to celebrate creativity in the older person! Refreshments will be served! As always if you need information or you do wish to join AAfA please see our website at activeageforall.com or you can contact us at our email: activeageforall@gmail.com or TEXT only 086 8806808.