Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed continues to expand our range of activities. In addition to our weekly croquet on Tuesdays, our exercise classes on Wednesdays and our tea-and-chat gatherings on Thursdays, we have started a weekly jam session for member interested in making music, also on Wednesdays. There is such a diverse array of instruments, styles and musical interests, our only problem is deciding on which songs and tunes to play together!

For those more interested in outdoor pursuits, work has now started back at our allotment plots preparing for the growing season ahead.And finally to round out the variety of interests we cater for, the latest of our occasional outings was to the National Art Gallery. Here we viewed the special exhibition Turner: The Sun is God – 90 artworks by the English painter J. M. W. Turner on loan from the Tate Gallery in London – and the National Gallery’s own collection of Turner’s watercolours, which are only displayed in January each year. If you are interested in joining us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. We are always open for new members.

The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival is busy preparing for the 2023 festival which will celebrate 10 successful years of this renowned local festival with the quirky name! Lots of people have asked where does such an unusual name come from. It is, in fact, a local geographical landmark, albeit only visible at very low tide and with some climbing and pot-holing involved. The Bleeding Pig is a very unusual rock formation in a cave on the cliff walk from Donabate to Portrane. This rock formation does resemble a pig and in certain tidal conditions and when the light is right, the rock takes on a reddish/pink hue, suggesting that the pig is actually bleeding. No animals are harmed in the making of this festival! So, preparations are well underway for the festival in September.In the meantime, Donabate will celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday March 5th from 12.30 ~ 6.00pm in the Donabate/Portrane Community Centre.With thanks to the generous support of Fingal County Council, the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival will host a day of activities and entertainment, specifically aimed at our female residents.Sisters Teresa and MaryLousie O’Donnell will open the day with an exhibition based on the book ‘Sisters’ about “sisters in Ireland who have made a difference”. Teresa and Mary Louise have themselves written a book called ‘Sisters of the Revolutionaries’ about Patrick Pearse’s sisters, Margaret and Mary Brigid. The O’Donnell sisters are accomplished harpists and they will also give a short performance.“A Problem Shared Is A Problem Halved” will be an informal presentation and discussion by Physiotherapist Ann-Marie Ennis. She will discuss the inconvenient and uncomfortable condition of female incontinence. Ann O’Reilly from Hair Rootine will give a presentation about haircare called “Your Crowning Glory”. She will discuss the importance of a good diet and using appropriate products. Learn how to do various types of braids including Fishtail braid, French braid, Waterfall braid, Celtic braid. A firm favourite from IWD celebrations in recent years, Marks & Spencer have promised to send a fitter to correctly fit attendants for proper-fitting bras. Bras will be available to purchase on the day.There will be some entertainment in the centre during the day, more details to follow closer to the time. Come along to the Community Centre on Sunday March 5th between 12.30 and 5.30pm and celebrate being a woman!

Cllr. Adrian Henchy said recently, “The recent surge in both Water and Electrical outages across Donabate and Portrane is totally unacceptable. I have called upon both representatives from the ESB and Irish Water to attend the next Area Committee meeting in County Hall, Swords in order to give elected representatives from across all parties and none the opportunity to hold them fully accountable for these far too frequent outages and what actions are being put in place to address them. One issue I have been campaigning on now for many years has been the all too frequent water pipe bursts and outages affecting Portrane but especially residents of the Burrow, Portrane and also residents living along Turvey Avenue, Donabate which has in recent months seen a spate of water outages.I am pleased to confirm Irish Water have committed to the upgrade of the water infrastructure network at the Burrow, Portrane and I will continue to campaign strongly on behalf of my local community for the replacement of old pipes and upgrade of water infrastructure serving Turvey Donabate.” Henchy said, “I have been in regular communication with Irish Water on these matters and my thanks also to the Burrow Residents Association who brought this issue to my attention and have been campaigning for the water infrastructure to be replaced and upgraded given the all too frequent outages. At a recent area committee meeting, I requested an update from the Chief Executive in consultation with Irish Water on any plans to upgrade the Water Infrastructure serving The Burrow area in Portrane. Irish Water have informed me today, that the Asset Management Department of Irish Water have approved the replacement of approximately 1.1km of poorly performing 4” asbestos cement water mains on the Burrow Road. This work will take place in 2023.” Henchy added, “My thanks to both Irish Water and Fingal County Council for their commitment to these much needed infrastructural improvement works and be assured I have also requested that a sense of urgency be applied for the replacement and upgrade of the major water mains network serving Turvey Avenue Donabate. I look out for updates on this in the coming weeks also.”

It has been a sad time for the members of Active Age and all who knew Philippa Coady, our
former Chairperson, who died suddenly before Christmas after a short illness. She will be missed as she was a dynamic person with great energy and ideas. May she rest in peace! In memory of Philippa we presented a cheque for €1,400,00 to St Francis Hospice Raheny, which we raised at our Carol Concert before Christmas. We are grateful to all who contributed. Our new term started on the 23rd of January with many classes full. It is not too late though, we still have places in some of our classes. Art, Singing & Music, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga. Yoga. If you want information about any of our classes or activities or about Active Age please contact activeageforall@gmail.com or TEXT only 0868806808 or see our website activeageforall.com.

Lambay Cinema Club has an exciting Spring Season ahead for peninsula movie enthusiasts with a real pick ’n mix of international films scheduled for the months ahead. We kicked off 2023 with our first screening last month with Nebraska (2013) an American comedy-drama. The story follows an elderly Montana resident and his son as they try to claim a million-dollar sweepstakes prize on a long trip to Nebraska. The film was well received by the audience.This month we will show an emotive French film, ‘Everything Went Fine’ (2021,12A) on Feb 16th. Eighty-five year old, Andréis a wealthy and successful art-collector, used to doing everything on his own terms. So, when he suffers a stroke, which leaves him unable to continue life as before, he asks his two daughters for help with his assisted suicide. The burden of dealing with this fall to his eldest daughter Emmanuèle, who must navigate the challenging consequences and practicalities of André’s decision. Remember, you do not need to be a member to attend any of our monthly screenings. We advertise on our social media platforms as well as locally and tickets are available on Eventbrite a week prior to the screening, with limited on the door availability. Our screenings take place in the beautiful setting of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland, The Square, Donabate.We are also looking for volunteers to join our backroom team, if you have a particular interest in film or have marketing experience or just like to help out, please feel free to contact us by email at lambaycinemaclub@gmail.com. Many thanks to those that have attended and supported this entirely voluntary community initiative. Without this support (as like all community groups) it would not be possible to continue. Dates for the diary. - (1). 16th February – the film - ‘Everything Went Fine’ (2). 5th March - the film -‘Wadjda 2012’ - (3) 20/04/23 –the film is yet to be decided – (4) 18th May - the film ‘Gravediggers Wife’ and (5) 10th June – the film ‘Compartment No 6.’

On Saturday and Sunday the 5th and; 6th of November2022 ‘Through the Lens’, the Donabate and
Portrane Photographic Group held their second Photo Exhibition in the Parish Hall in Donabate. With over 40 framed prints of photos taken by members both locally and in far flung places there was plenty to look at.The annual Through the Lens calendar was also displayed and on sale; the calendar, as always, contains only photos taken on the peninsula with the aim of providing seasonal views of our area. This year we are proud to support the Donabate & Portrane Tidy Towns who work so hard enhance our locality. We were delighted with the success of the calendar sales and as a result we have been able to donate €600 to the Tidy Towns Groups to aid them in their endeavours. Many thanks to our loyal customers and to our kind sponsors.In December members of both Through The Lens and the Active Age for All camera clubs joined forces to combine a photo-shoot of the Swords Christmas lights with a seasonal get-together in the Carnegie Court Hotel. A very enjoyable evening was spent reviewing the photographic events of the previous year and planning bigger and better for the next one. For anyone who may be interested in joining, or finding out about, either club look up Through the Lens on throughthelens.ie or for Active Age for All activeageforall.ie. Or you could call Carolyn 0879284307 Our sincere thanks to the Parish Hall committee for the use of the Hall, in particular Bernie in the office and Martin who looked after the door.

Our Spring term of traditional Irish music classes commenced on the 23rd January in Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School. Leithinis CCÉ provides weekly lessons in Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Flute, Bodhán, 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 monthly Traditional Music Session took place on the 17th January in The Brooke Pub, Portrane which was led by Denis. 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.

Corina Johnston, Local Labour Area Representative is calling on Fingal County Council to initiate an Active Travel Plan for the Donabate and Portrane peninsula. Johnston said; “As an avid walker and cyclist I very much support the concept of the Fingal Coastal Way linking our towns and coastlines. However I am totally opposed to the proposed emerging route in Donabate from Newbridge Park via Turvey Green, Turvey Drive, Beverton and Ballisk for the following reasons: (1)This proposal is at variance with one of the main objectives of the scheme that is to encourage and enhance the Local Tourism Economy. (2) The route diverts the public especially walkers and tourists through housing estates and away from the Village Centre and the Commercial and Historic areas of the village. (3)The residents along the route are totally opposed to the proposed route as it will open up the Turvey estate, which has been a cul de sac since the estate was built over 30 years ago. At the time a proposal to provide an access into Beverton estate via Turvey Drive was successfully resisted by the residents.(4) The opening up of the estate would have major safety and security implications for all properties and especially for young children playing on the public open space and the elderly. I believe the most suitable route is the alternative route from Newbridge park via the Hearse Road/ the new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the Dublin Belfast line and via Smyth’s Pub which is an objective in the Donabate Local Area Plan. Johnston concluded; “I urge Fingal County Council to support my proposals for the alternative route in Donabate and to initiate an Active Travel Plan for the Donabate and Portrane peninsula to be initiated as a matter of urgency to integrate the Fingal Coastal Way, Coastal Walk and all the schemes and to ensure community engagement.

Blasters Cricket starts up again on the 5th of Feb in Castlelands Community Centre !!!! Open to boys and girls aged 5-11. The sessions will run for 8 weeks and it’s just €50 for 1 or €75 for 2 kids for the 8 weeks. To Book go to balbriggancricketclub.com

The Society is looking forward to the year ahead, and as Chairman of the Society I would like to thank Swords Local community news for their support for letting groups like ourselves publicise upcoming events and Society news. The Society was formed back in 1944 and was known as the FINGAL OLD IRA WELFARE SOCIETY. AS the then name of the Society would suggest, it was founded mainly to help OLD IRA men and their families who had fallen on hard times as a result of unemployment and illness – in some cases due to hardship endured during the struggle for our National Independence which was not won without a stern fight for our freedom in the period between 1916 – 1921 throughout Fingal and at the Battle of Ashbourne. The Society also was involved in seeing that events of the struggle for Independence were suitably commemorated and, to this end, it was decided to hold a memorial mass on Easter Sunday in a different Parish in Fingal and also to hold an Annual mass and parade in Ashbourne in September, this tradition has, happily, been maintained up to this present day. In 1990 it was decided by the committee of the day to change from the Welfare to the Commemorative society and for clarity, to include 1916 – 1921 . So now we jump head to the present since 2016 up till the end of last year the Society has held over 100 events throughout Fingal and Ashbourne and have made our first film Who Shot Sergeant Kirwan directed by Society member Cathal Boland it’s an Award winning Production and available to watch free on YouTube , but we could do our events our make films without the financial support and help from Fingal County council our members and the support of the local community throughout Fingal and Ashbourne. So, the first event this year will be the St Patrick’s Parade in Swords and the Society will also be taking part in Blachardstown’s Parade. So, if you like to get involved with the Society you can contact me on 086 3518927 Paul O’Brien.