As the COVID challenge in society wanes, Lusk Community Council is focused on delivering a range of strategic initiatives for Lusk. Lusk Vision 2030 is the strategic plan that we commis-sioned and completed in 2021. We are now focused on the delivery of this strategic plan for the town. The Community Council is delighted that Lusk Vision 2030 has received recognition in Eu-rope with its shortlisting in the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2022. The project has been chosen as one of 52 overall finalists out of 1,100 submissions from across the EU. No matter what the outcome of the awards, this international recognition for Lusk Vision 2030 to be shortlisted is a source of great pride for the town and for the Community Council.We have submitted the final Lusk Vision 2030 plan to Fingal County Council for the review of the Fingal Development Plan as we seek to embed the Lusk Vision 2030 priorities in the Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029. In line with the principles of “Town Centre First”, the construction of the Lusk Community Cultural Centre represents the single largest community led investment in the town to date. As the con-struction project is nearing completion, we are focused on opening up of the Cultural Centre with a very special exhibition, staffing arrangements for the new community facility and the creation of a community campus composed of the Cottage Community Centre, Saint Macullins Centre and the Cultural Centre in the heart of the town. We see the Cultural Centre as a phase 1 project on the Katie Hunt’s site. The Community Council and Fingal County Council have received grant ap-proval for €48,600 under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme for the design of phase 2 for the site. This phase 2 project represents a very significant workload that we are now beginning and look forward to bringing forward new phase 2 proposals in line with our Lusk Vision 2030 strate-gic plan by the end of 2022.
The consultation period for the Fingal Development Plan 2023 – 2029 has now closed. Lusk Action Group along with other community organisations and local residents made submissions on the plan. We thank the members of our community who took the time to make submissions. We all strive to improve our town. Lusk Action Group has recently been made aware of building quality issues being experienced by homeowners in The Forge estate. Mindful of the fact that the same developer responsible for the delivery of this estate is now looking for planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for another very large estate within Lusk, we intend to investigate these issues, document them, and present them to the developer and relevant authorities and push for any necessary remediation to be undertaken without delay. If you are experiencing any building quality issues in this estate, please contact us at the email address below. Summer is fast approaching and it’s always a busy time in Lusk with many people enjoying the outdoors. We ask that the local environment is kept to the fore of people’s minds during this time and if you encounter litter to pick it up and dispose of it in a bin of which there are lots around the village. You might consider a litter picking walk once a week or even once a month. All you need is a bag, a pair of gloves and a litter picker. Half an hour along a patch of your choice makes such a difference to our town. Remember that the Summer Festival is coming up in mid-June. LAG is still looking for sponsorship from local businesses and support from members of the community to help on the day. Please get in touch with us at the email address below if you can donate or help. As always, we are on the lookout for new members of Lusk Action Group. If you have drive, enthusiasm, care about the future of our town and have some time to spare, please consider joining us. You can email us on luskactiongroup@gmail.com.
At the May Area Committee Cllr Rob O’Donoghue brought a motion discussing the phasing of amenities transfer to the Council related to residential developments in Lusk. As part of conditions set down for residential developments Class 1 Open Space or Commercial buildings may be phased so that they are completed in a timely manner in order to provide amenities for the people in the town to utilise. O’Donoghue commented ‘that while I accept that phasing is not an exact science, and it needs to be flexible there is a perception that in Lusk, time and again that the social dividend that comes with residential development is back ended. The Class 1 Open Space associated with the Forge was conditioned that it should be developed in tandem with the residential development and should be available to future residents of the development prior to the occupation of any dwelling in the last phase of the development. This has unfortunately not happened to date and the space is consequently not available for use by the residents and local sporting organisations.’ ‘It is vital now that that as highlighted by An Bord Pleanala in August of 2018, that the safeguards put in place around the Class 1 Open Space associated with the Station Road Development at the northern section of the Lusk Sports Hub is transferred in an expedient manner to ensure the delivery of amenities for clubs at the Hub. I welcome the Council managements assurances that the delivery of the site has been subject to ongoing monitoring by the Planning Authority’
On Saturday 14th May the sun shone brightly and the Peninsula Pacers enjoyed a walk around Ardgillan Park. The views out over the sea to Skerries and Balbriggan were breathtaking as we made our way down the hill to explore the forest trail. We were very impressed by the signage on the trail and the information points that gave an insight into the history of the castle and its neighbours. Also noted were placards geared to the younger generations which are colourful and interestingly educational. After our exploration of the forest and the Ladies Bridge to the beach we all made our way to Brambles Cafe for some excellent refreshments. Suitably fortified and rested we then ventured into the wonderland that are the Gardens, how envious they made all the gardeners among us ! Having enjoyed a very pleasant day we were delighted to be told by one of our group that we had actually covered some 7.4km, that’s 9000 steps, I’ll go along with that kind of keep fit !
Active Age members got baking in May to contribute to this call for support for special equipment in the various childrens’ hospitals – Crumlin, Temple Street, Connolly and Tallaght. On the 9th and 10th of May there was the wafting smell of baking around the houses on the peninsula - and a great selection of goodies were produced. A raffle was held too and again, members were very generous with prizes donated for this. We had gorgeous flower arrangements and many and varied bottles and a large hamper. Members turned out in great numbers and it was almost a case of ‘now you see it – now you don’t.’ In the space of 2 hours everything was gone! We made just over 1000.00 euro! What a fantastic effort and congratulations to all who supported in any way. Pea and Pod did a special offer on tea/coffee and scones and donated all of that income to the sale as well. Thanks to the team there. One of the best parts of the day was meeting up again and having a group event where people took delight in chatting and catching up with each other. Thanks to DPCC who were happy to have us set up in the front-of-house – it certainly helped to make the sale such a success. Interested in joining Active Age for All? Just email activeageforall@gmail.com or text 086 8806808
By Carolyn Smith
One of Donabates’ senior Senior citizens, my mother Wendy Geary, celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday 23rd April. She did so in Balcarrick Golf Club in the company of family and friends, many of whom had travelled, and will travel, from near and far to be a part of the festivities. Wendy was born in London, she spent her first four years in India where her father was a civil engineer, then she and her brother John were cared for in London by an aunt. In due course she did her nursing training in Bristol Royal Infirmary and on qualifying she joined the army nursing corps the Queen Alexanders Imperial Military Nursing Service as WW2 was raging at that time. She worked in a casualty clearing station on the south coast of England during the D-Day landings in 1944. Then she was posted to India where she met my father who was in the RAF. He had been posted there having completed two full tours with Bomber Command in England. She worked on the ambulance trains which travelled the length and breadth of the country collecting wounded personnel and caring for them as they were conveyed to hospital. At the end of the war she was posted to Germany where she witnessed the post-conflict devastation and deprivation. She and my father were married in London and subsequently came to live in Ireland (Dad was Irish) where she has lived since.
During her party she was surprised and delighted by the arrival of Brian Duffy Chairman of the Royal British Legion, Republic of Ireland and Standard Bearer Geoff Berry to honour her as a war veteran. Many thanks to Brian and Geoff, they made her day extra special.
Many thanks to Balcarrick Golf Club for welcoming us all, and of course especially to Jacinta and her catering team who looked after us so well. Another important thank you goes to Fathers’ Pat and Augustine of St Patricks Church, Donabate. At 6.30pm Mass on Saturday Fr Augustine made a special mention of mums’ birthday, and Fr Pat brought out a beautiful cake to the singing of Happy Birthday in the church. All in all, a very well celebrated 100th Birthday.
The Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society were delighted to enchant the audiences once more following a three year hiatus due to covid. It has been a long time for the drama group to showcase their performances of ‘Melody’ by Deirdre Kinahan directed by Lisa Buckley & ‘Lockdown In Little Grimley’ by David Tristram directed by Noelle Corcoran two one act plays that have been on production since August 2021 and was postponed due to the restrictions that were in effect while the plays were due to be performed.
Each night the cast and crew were rewarded with a full house in the newly refurbished Donabate parish hall and standing ovations. The group, being one of Ireland’s oldest amateur dramatic society’s founded in 1936 was delighted to welcome mayor of Fingal to close the shows on the final performance Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh who gave a heartfelt speech to the group to congratulate them on their success. Followed by a speech by honorary guests from Ukraine who thanked the society for the invitation to the performance quoting it was “The first time we’ve laughed since February 21st”. If you would like to become a member or a patron of the Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society please feel free to get in touch on donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com
Our lessons for this term were wrapped up at the end of May. We hope to see all our members back with us in September. We offer lessons in Tin whistle, Accordion, Banjo, Bodhran, Fiddle, Concertina and Flute. If you are interested in classes with us please email us at leithinis@comhaltas.net stating name, date of birth ( if under 18), instrument and level ( beginner, or advanced) and we will get back to you. In addition to classes we have slow sessions lead by Erin every second Friday evening in the Parish Hall. We strongly encourage all our members to join in these sessions as playing music in a group is an enjoyable way to practice what you have learned at the classes. Some of our more experienced musicians take part in the Traditional Irish session lead by Denis in the Gin Bar in Keelings on the first Tuesday of the month. The next session will be on the 7th June at 7 30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a evening of great music.
The development of a Failte Isteach programme in Donabate has seen 26 volunteer tutors and over 30 students sign up to attend classes in Donabate Library, twice a week. Support from Fingal Community Office, staff at Donabate Community Centre & Library, Active Age for All and so many local people have helped create a fantastic class, plenty of laughing, chatter and of course the tea & biscuits. Classes are held Tuesday & Thursday Donabate Library 11am to 1pm. To register or volunteer email failtedonabate@gmail.com or just turn up. All are welcome.
Corina Johnston, the local Labour Area Representative has welcomed the recently installed public lighting in the public car park in Ballymastone. Johnston said; “Duncan Smith TD and I have over the last year in particular received ongoing representations from parents and club users on a number of health and safety grounds relating to the condition of the existing car park and the need for public lighting in Ballymastone. “Johnston added; “Duncan Smith TD sought an on-site meeting with Fingal County Council to discuss these important issues. This meeting took place on 8th Feb and was attended by Duncan, myself and officials from Fingal County Council. During the meeting I highlighted the safety implications with large numbers of children/youths entering and exiting the club facilities across an uneven surface with large potholes without any public lighting. The council officials undertook to carry out temporary resurfacing works on the car park with a permanent solution to be discussed at a later stage. Further consideration was to be given to the need for public lighting.” Johnston said; “We are delighted that in response to our ongoing representations the public lighting has been provided. This will be of great benefit especially during the winter months. We wish to thank Fingal County Council for taking on board the legitimate concerns of the parents and carrying out the work.“ Johnston added; “Last year the Ballymastone Recreational Hub was approved by Fingal County Council which we warmly welcome. However we were deeply concerned that this was approved with the existing car park excluded. At my request my colleague Cllr Rob O’Donoghue submitted the following motion to a recent council meeting: “That this Committee recommends the inclusion and the upgrading of the existing public car park in Ballymastone be incorporated into the Ballymastone Recreational Hub Plan. Johnston concluded; “We are delighted that our motion was passed unanimously and as a result should ensure the ongoing maintenance and upgrading of the existing car park which is so important given its proximity to existing facilities.”