Donabate quilters are a sewing group who meet on Tuesday evenings 7:45 -9:45 pm in the portacabin at Donabate Community Centre from September to end of May. When last March Olive, who is one of our members, mentioned that her daughter Dr. Caoimhe Costigan had worked with the National Neonatal Transport Team, and that they used small baby quilts to cover the incubators while transporting the babies. She also mentioned that the Neonatal Unit at Holles Street Hospital was very interested in using quilts on their incubators also. We discussed this at our class and quickly decided it was a very worthwhile project and that we would be delighted to make the quilts.

We liaised with Dr. Carmel Moore, Neonatologist at Holles Street Hospital, she explained what type of quilts were required, measurements, and types of fabric. She also explained the function of the quilts. The incubator covers are important because babies born early or unwell are sensitive to light, before 32 weeks the eyelids are very thin and their pupils cannot constrict, we try to control the level of lighting depending of a baby’s stage of development and sensitivity. This also helps to develop sleep rhythms that are important for growth and brain development. So knowing this important information and exactly what was required, we got busy designing, cutting, sewing and quilting. And 2 months later, we had 22 beautiful quilts of various designs and colours ready for the Neonatal unit. On the 8th of June, 3 of our members: Maura Porter, Liz Downey, and Linda Harford brought the quilts to Holles Street Hospital, where they were met by Dr. Carmel Moore. To demonstrate its function, she placed a quilt on to an empty incubator to show how the light would be reduced while still allowing access to the baby. The Donabate Quilters were very happy to be involved in such a worthwhile project; making quilts that were colourful, functional, and a practical aid to the Neonatal unit. Please note it is important to stress that the incubator is empty in the photos.

You may well be wondering what on earth a Christmas Tree is doing on a page of this magazine in July . Th e answer is fairly simple… re-cycling and community activity at its very best! Back in the autumn/winter of 2020 when we were deep in Covid times, Inclusion Week led to the suggestion of a knitted Christmas tree to be created and to be displayed in DPCC. Some Active Age for All women and some of their friends began the work on creating a hand-knitted and crocheted Christmas tree. All old scraps of wool were dug out of cupboards and bags and shared around and needles began to click.The result was a very different tree that brought people together just when they needed to see each other and to complete a creative project. Some members of Men’s shed helped with the frame and eventually DPCC had an alternative tree to celebrate this coming together project. The local ICA women offered to take the squares when the tree was unassembled and offered to take the project a step further and to make blankets from them and to give them to the Hospice. With lockdowns in 2021, this became a really challenging job. ICA were not able to meet as often as they wanted (they meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in the portacabin at DPCC) but were able to pass the squares around members and they put together 5 blankets in all. These have been delivered to the Hospice and they are thrilled with them and have remarked on how warm and colourful they are for patients to use when they are able to sit out. To the women (and men) who made this happen, congratulations on your creativity.

Members of The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival continue to prepare for your Community Festival in September. Blanchardstown Library is sending their Sensory Collection over to Donabate Library during the festival. Fergus and his staff in Donabate library are preparing a sensory friendly event to take place during the Festival.Some more events to look forward to..James Bond Casino Royale themed night in Balcarrick Golf Club, the Launch of the Lambay Cinema Club, Mol an Óige, local band Santoria.More on these next month.Don’t forget our fundraising Festival Quiz in Keelings on Thursday 25th August at 8.30pm. The Festival Committee recently received one of the Fingal County Council Mayor’s Awards. The awards ceremony was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, and many local voluntary groups were recognised and commended for their contribution to society in Fingal.

The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival has not taken place for the last 2 years due to Covid-19, but the festival is back, bigger and better than ever this year! Running from Thursday September 8th, to Sunday September 18th, the festival programme promises something to suit all tastes and age groups. From Craft Workshops for all ages to Ceili dancing, Gala concerts to Short films, and Bio-Diversity Walks to a Casino night, there will be something to satisfy all cultural tastes.All events in the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival are free of charge, but some events must be booked in advance through Eventbrite. Please keep an eye on the festival FaceBook page for details of booking, from about mid-August.

The festival will host a fund-raising Pub Quiz in Keelings Lounge, Donabate on Thursday August 25th. Tickets for the quiz are €10, available at the door on the night or in advance from Emer on 0863691871.Come along and join in with some of the events and let’s welcome the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival back to the peninsula!

Cllr Adrian Henchy has said he is, “ Immensely proud and it was a great honour to have been joined by the the Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council Ann Marie Farrelly, my Council colleague Cllr. Paul Mulville along with the Operations Dept, An Taisce, Community representatives and the staff from the local Shoreline Hotel for the official launch of both the Blue Flag and Green coast award for Balcarrick beach Donabate recently.” The Councillor said, “ 2016 was the last time Donabate beach held the Blue Flag status so it has taken 6 years to regain this much respected and coveted beach award.Blue Flag criteria include standards for quality, safety, environmental education and information, the provision of services and general environmental management criteria. The Blue Flag is sought for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators as an indication of their high environmental and quality standards.” Five beaches nationally were awarded both a blue flag and a green coast award for the 2022 season which were Balcarrick Beach, Donabate, Dublin; Ballinskelligs in Kerry; Salthill and Silverstrand in Galway City and Trá Inis Oírr in Galway. Cllr Henchy added, “ With that in mind it was a double celebration recently with Donabate beach being the only Dublin beach to obtain both the “ Blue Flag” and Green Coast award. Great credit has to go to everyone involved from our local community volunteers, Fingal County Council, Clean Coasts/An Taisce and indeed many more, too many to mention for regaining this very important recognition of both beach cleanliness and high levels of Water quality. Finally I wish to express my thanks also to the Operations Department of Fingal County Council who carried out some improvement works at the entrance to Balcarrick beach including footpath improvements to improve getting onto the beach especially for disability/mobility impaired users of the beach and also the installation of beach shower facilities near the entrance. These small improvements will hopefully in a small way improve all users experiences at Balcarrick beach, Donabate,” Cllr Henchy concluded.

Corina Johnston Labour Party Area Representative has welcomed the commitment from Fingal County Council for the much needed pedestrian access into Newbridge Demesne off the Hearse Road. We wrote to the CEO on 10th February requesting that this project be given the priority it deserves. We also requested a footpath be provided from the new bus stop to the pedestrian crossing on health and safety grounds.” Johnston said:”I wish to compliment the role played by the residents of Semple Woods in this campaign and for their persistence on such an important health and safety issue for themselves and their children. I am delighted to have received the following response to a question submitted by my colleague Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh to a recent council meeting on my behalf in respect of the proposed new entrance. The Council’s reply said, “Following on from a meeting on the Hearse Road at the entrance to Semple Woods Estate by staff from the Operations Department, Planning and Strategic Infrastructure Department and Active Travel the following list of works were identified. The current plan is to try and get all works completed by the end of Q4 2022. As the works are not included in any current work programme it will be necessary to prepare drawings/ specifications for works/ materials to be used and to arrange procurement. • Travelling towards Donabate install new footpath and heritage bollards from new bus stop to the pedestrian crossing.

(1) Open existing gate in Newbridge to allow pedestrian access to the Demesne, (2) Construct new footpath within the Demesne to link with existing path, (3) Move the 50KPH signage south of new bus stop, (4) Remove barriers at crossing and install new barriers at the entrance into the Demesne.
Consideration will also be given to the inclusion of two traffic calming ramps on the Hearse Road at Semple Woods in future Programme of Works.” Johnston concluded; “I am very pleased with the commitment given to carry out the works outlined above which should see the new access in operation by the end of the year.

LSA Juvenile training has ended for the summer break. If you are interested in signing up your child born in 2015 or older, please contact Heather on lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com Thanks to all our coaches and volunteers during the year and see you all in the Autumn. We have a 3 day summer camp on 19th, 20th and 21st July, check it out at lambaysportsathletics.clubzap.com/pages/summer-camp-2022.Our Adult section continues all year around catering for all abilities from absolute beginner to advanced marathon runners and track and field competition. For more details check out our webpage on lambaysportsathletics.ie.

The HSE Foróige Youth Health Initiative, which is situated in the two centres of Castlemills Education Centre, Flemington and the old Balbriggan Health Centre, has just appointed four new youth workers Cillian, Mégan, Conall and Lorraine. The project is open to all young people aged 10 – 24 who are living in the Balbriggan area. It will work in partnership with HSE services, schools and the local community to ensure collaborative work takes place and will allow all young people access to good quality youth work. All youth work programs and activities for young people in Balbriggan will be based on Foróige’s proven programs which will lead to a more positive and healthy lifestyle. Another exciting element of the work will include the opening of a new technology hub that can be accessed by young people and can explore the likes of coding, graphic design, music and much more. “Foróige is very excited to be working with the HSE in delivery of this brand new project. All young people who want to be involved in youth work should be able to participate. The purpose of our work is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their own development of society.This project is a first for the country and we are delighted to have it here in Balbriggan”, said Miriam Ryan, Area Manager, Foróige. The project is currently launching their summer programs which will run over July and August. Each week will be jam-packed with an exciting array of activities and experiences for young people to choose from, including sports weeks, arts and crafts, day trips, forest based sessions, and access to the new cutting-edge technology hub. These summer programs are an excellent opportunity for young people to come and learn more about the new project and get a feel for the type of programs that will be available throughout the year. To book onto one of the summer programmes, simply scan the QR code found on the image. Foróige is an independent, non-profit national voluntary youth organisation that greatly values volunteerism. One of the goals for the new project is to run weekly clubs throughout the school year and is actively seeking volunteers. Foróige welcomes anyone who would like to get involved and provide opportunities with young people in their community. For more information about volunteering with the new HSE Youth Health Initiative contact Lorraine Farrell on 086 0123078 or email lorraine.farrell@foroige.ie

Some of our younger members put on a sparkling display in the glorious sunshine in Balscadden recently at the tractor run , which was wonderful as it was back to the roots where St. Marys Baton Twirlers began some 43 years ago.The present boys and girls are looking forward to competing in the 2022 ABTI National Championships at the end of June. For further information on classes contact us on Facebook messenger @StMarys Baton Twirlers or 086 3270636.

We have some exciting new additions to the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch! On Monday the 9th of May, Adele Halpin of Stamullen welcomed black Labrador, Voldee into her home as a puppy in training, where he will stay with Adele and her family for the next 12-14 months before he heads off to Cork HQ. Andy Green of Balbriggan also welcomed a new addition. Andy returned to Balbriggan with his new guide dog, golden Labrador, Ollie on Friday the 13th of May, after the retirement of his trusty Guide Dog Nico last year. Andy, along with Ollie and his wonderful choir Cór Fingal performed in Millfield Shopping Centre, outside Specsavers on the 28th May last. The recital was in part to celebrate the fact that Andy got a new Guide Dog and also because Specsavers has been in Balbriggan now for ten years. Did you know that thanks to Brian Brodigan and Paul Quinn of our local Specsavers, a tap to donate machine for the Irish Guide dogs has now gone into over 50 Specsavers across Ireland? If you want to support us, you can find one of our tap to donate machines, where you can donate a minimum of €3 to us in Specsavers, Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan. We are so grateful for all the support. We want to thank Brian, Paul and Specsavers. We would also like to wish Adele and Voldee and Andy and Ollie all the best in the future.

You might remember Adel, puppy raised by Anne Mulligan, went to Cork HQ back on May 17th and we are pleased to say Adel has settled in very well in the centre and we’re looking forward to all the promising updates to come. Would you like to be a puppy raiser and help change lives? You can find information on the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind website guidedogs.ie or email support@guidedogs.ie, you can also contact your local branch on Facebook, by email at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or by mobile on 085 766 3107 to find out ways to support your local branch.

Bremore Castle Food & Craft Village returned as a monthly fixture, from Sunday May 1st when the gates opened from 11am until 4pm. Based on the grounds of the magnificent Bremore Castle at the heart of the Balbriggan community in North County Dublin. The market brings together local businesses & artists to showcase a variety of local produce, artisan food and handmade crafts in an open-air family and pet friendly environment. The market will be running on the first weekend of every month (subject to planning and permission), and dates will be posted well in advance on all social media channels. With work nearing completion on Bremore Castle restoration, it is also an opportunity for the public to get a closer view of the incredible work that has been done on this amazing structure. Bremore Castle is a large tower house located in Balbriggan, County Dublin. Estimated to have been built in the 14th century, the Norman Barnewalls family held it from the time of construction till 1727, the year in which it was sold. However, the first mention of this castle or its location was in reference to William Rosel De Brimor, who held land in England and Ireland at the end of the 13th century. Its deterioration began much before the sale, and by 1783, it was termed as “not many years ago inhabited” by Austin Cooper, a prominent antiquarian of that time. For any enquiries regarding the market, please contact our email bremorecastlefcv@gmail.com or visit us on Instagram by contacting us at instagram.com/bremorecastlefoodcraftvillage) or you could Facebook us at facebook.com/BremoreCastleFoodCraftVillage.