Donabate has become the inaugural host for Ireland’s first ever pop-up swimming pool, with the Swim Ireland initiative set to bring swimming to communities right across the country. In partnership with Fingal County Council and Sport Ireland, Swim Ireland wanted to improve the opportunity and experience for all level of swimmers to access somewhere local, so found an innovative solution by bringing the first of its kind pop-up pool to communities. Every 12-weeks the pool will move to new locations on its journey around Ireland, with an ambitious target of providing 750 swimming experiences a week. Holding 45,000 litres of water, the 12m by 3.4m structure will remain in Donabate until mid-July before setting off to its next destination. The pool itself is sheltered from the elements in a hard sided marquee, and there is a ramp and a hoist meaning the pool can cater for all types of swimmers. Cllr Adrian Henchy says he is delighted at the new“ Pop Up” Pool. He said, “ It was a great honour for me today to be at the official launch of the first ever Pop Up Swimming Pool the first of its kind in Ireland that brings swimming right into the very heart of Donabate Portrane by been located on the grounds of Donabate Portrane Community & Leisure Centre A great privilege for me over recent months to play a part representing my local community through many discussions with Swim Ireland,Fingal County Council and Donabate Portrane Community Centre to get this initiative off the ground to its official launch today where I was immensely proud today to welcome Minister for Sport Jack Chambers on behalf of my local Donabate Portrane community.”

A series of intimate outdoor concerts have just been announced for North County Dublin.
One of County Dublin’s “best-kept secrets”, The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, Naul, has just announced the line-up for this year’s “Garden Party”. A series of outdoor Summer concerts to be held under the shelter of the venue’s purposely designed stretch tent and stage located at the heart of the picturesque North County Dublin village. The Garden Party will provide a unique opportunity to experience intimate concerts with some of Ireland’s best-loved music acts as well as a host of comedy and film events throughout the long summer nights. Amongst the acts announced today, Speaking about the line-up announcement Deirdre Roche, Director of The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, commented: “As our communities emerge from the isolation of the past two years there has never been such a hunger for the return of live music events. This year’s line-up is a gathering of some of Ireland’s much loved musical legends, in a totally unique and intimate setting. The venue will provide a complete night out for ticket holders, with live music, food offerings and a full bar on site. We look forward to welcoming audiences.” The Séamus Ennis Centre in Naul village is located 11 minutes from Balbriggan and is accessible from there by bus and taxi. From Dublin City centre take the Drogheda or Dundalk train service to Balbriggan. Bus services from and to the venue include; Bus Line 1467 from and to Swords, Bus Line 195 runs to and from Balbriggan to Ashbourne.Tickets for The Garden Party are on sale now visit: tseac.ie. The Full Schedule of Events: May 27th - The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow - June 10th - Neil Delamere & Guests (Comedy) - June 11th - The Stunning - June 25th - Bell X1 - June 29th - Irlando-Québécois (Irish & French-Canadian Live Music, Dancing) - July 09th - The Rob Strong Band (Live Music, Dancing) - July 22nd - David O’Doherty & Guests (Comedy) - July 23rd - The Lost Brothers - August 12th - Paul Brady - August 13th - Classic Cinema (Cinema, Live Music, Dancing) – August 14th - (afternoon Classic Family Cinema) - August 20th - Atlantic Arc.

Everyone at the club is delighted to see our Club Professional for 2022 Ryan Hadley has been awarded a full contract for the New South Wales Blues Squad for 2022/23
Well Done Hadders , keep it up.

The U16’s who attend Ardgillan Community College were photographed this morning with their Leinster Premier League, North East League and JCT Pat Rossiter trophies. They were then joined by the junior players from Ardgillan, and all the senior players from the school who won the Fingal Senior Cup. Well done lads on a great season!

The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival was last held in 2019. Covid restrictions meant that it could not be held in 2020 or 2021. BUT we are delighted to say that we are working on Festival 2022. The Festival will be launched in The Brook, Portrane on Thursday 8th. September and finish on Sunday 18th September.Festival favourites are back on the programme.The Dublin String Quartet is performing in our Gala Concert and they will be supported by The Blanchardstown Brass Band, Skerries Strummers and David Scott.Films for the 3 Day Short Film Festival are being sourced by Emma Fagan from Fillum.We have workshops for adults and for children, tours of Portrane Martello Tower, St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland and Newbridge House, Biodiversity Walk and Talk led by Hans Visser, biodiversity officer with Fingal Co. Co. Family events - “Go Fly Your Kite” and walking treasure hunt. Health and Well Being workshops in The Community Well and Tai Chi on Portrane Green.These are just SOME of the events.We will be back with a more comprehensive list next month.We have 2 fundraising events during the summer – A Quiz and a Raffle and we ask you to support these. Most of the events in the Festival are free and even though we have generous sponsors, we haven’t had any fundraising opportunities for 3 years. September is Festival time again on the Peninsula!

We are delighted to see the return of our Dinner Club three days per week at our centre in Hampton Street, where our clients can enjoy a meal and socialise with their friends; something which they really missed out on during the Covid pandemic. Our Pop-up-Shop is open again every Friday from 10am to 1pm. This year we are also serving Teas & Coffees, so you can enjoy a cuppa after you browse for some bargains. We would like to thank Christopher White of Three Gates Garden Centre and Nursery, Naul for donating some fabulous flowers, bedding plants and compost to us for our Outdoor Area. We took part in a Food Drive in Tesco in April, with another planned for 17th & 18thJune. All food donated will be used within our service or donated to our clients and those in need in the local area.

We would like to congratulate Tommy Murray of Derham Park, Balbriggan, Co Dublin who is the recipient of this years Ned and Máire Maguire Perpetual Trophy. Back in 1986 our Guide Dogs branch formed and began fundraising. One of our biggest fundraisers was a sponsored walk in the late 80’s to 90’s and one couple who did the walk every single year was Ned and Máire Maguire from Delahasey just outside Balbriggan. The couple would go door to door with their sponsor card and inform people of what a guide dog was and what they did. This was long before we could spread the word with a simple text via mobile phone or by sharing a post on social media. They were doing the work that social media does today and getting the word out there. So, when Ned and later Máire passed away, a trophy was sourced, featuring a mother with a litter of puppies. It is named after them to reflect the extraordinary commitment they gave to our branch. The trophy is given annually to someone or some business that does something that stands out in the past year to help our branch. This year we were delighted to award it to Tommy Murray who joined our branch in the late 80’s and has given over 30 years of service to us, including but not limited to, helping at dog walks, emptying counter boxes, church gates, selling Christmas cards and calendars to name a few. We extend our congratulations to Tommy and thank him for all he has done for our branch. If you want to support our Branch, you can find us at Summerfest in Quay Street Car Park, Balbriggan on Sunday the 5th of June from 10am – 6pm. If you would like to join our Branch or become a volunteer? You can contact us by phone or text on 085 7663107. You can also email or contact us on Facebook at GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com.

Bremore Castle Food & Craft Village returned as a monthly fixture, starting on 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.

Fingal’s Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has approved over €300,000 in grant funding to community and voluntary groups across the county under the 2022 Community Activities Fund (CAF). Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the 2022 scheme was launched nationally by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD.Over 200 grants will be paid to groups across Fingal under the scheme. This will help with running costs such as utility bills, insurance and in some cases rental or leasing costs. They will also be supported with funding to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, and the purchase of equipment such as defibrillators, furniture, tools. signage, laptops, printers, lawnmowers, canopies, among others. The Community Activities Fund provides a flexible and targeted approach to funding those communities most in need. The fund is aimed at addressing disadvantage, as identified in the Fingal Local Economic and Community Plan and also at this time supports local community and voluntary groups with reopening costs resulting from COVID-19. Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Seána Ó Rodaigh, welcomed the large number of grants approved, saying: “The Community Activities Fund provides invaluable support to a broad range of organisations, particularly at a time when operating costs for many groups are rising sharply. The amount of funding made available reflects the vital role played by those groups making a real impact on the ground right across Fingal, be it community centres, Scouts and Guides, childcare providers, sports clubs, support services for older people or drama societies.” Mary Harford, Group Leader of the 89th Bremore Scout Group said: “The grants will enable us to buy much needed equipment for our young people and will also help us cover our operating costs for the year without worrying where the money will come from.”

Last month we welcomed Brown & Black belt members of JKS Ireland from all around the country to a National training session in the dojo.The 2-hour session covered important Kihon (basics) required for Brown & Black Belt grading examinations as well as an in depth study of Unsu Kata. It was great to see all our karate friends from around the country and train together again after such a long time in lockdowns. The next National Brown & Black Belt training session will be in May. Black Belt Award: Conor Kinsella of Swords Karate Club was presented with his Shodan Diploma (Black Belt 1st Dan) by the head of JKS Ireland, Dermot Keeffe Sensei, 6th Dan JKS, at the recent National Brown & Black Belt training session. Conor (18) has been studying karate since he was 9 years old and took his Black Belt examination in December 2021. The tough examination covered Kihon (Basics), Kata (Forms) and Kumite (Fighting). The results were then sent to Japan to be ratified by the JKS Headquarters and his Diploma arrived from Japan last month. The JKS Karate Diploma is recognised worldwide. Online Training Seminar from Japan: Members of the club took part in an online training seminar with JKS World Chief Instructor Masao Kagawa Shihan, 9th Dan JKS recently. These seminars usually take place once or twice a year in person, but the online seminars are being used at the moment because of the Covid19 pandemic.The seminar over 2 days enabled club members train with one of the world’s highest ranking karate experts. Class Report : Juniors, Seniors and Tiger classes were well attended during the month with all students working hard on their techniques needed for the upcoming grading (belt) examination.Tigers and Juniors focused on Kihon (Basics) and Kata, while Seniors worked on more technical aspects of how Karate can be used in real life self-defence situations. We take new members all through the year. Contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club.