The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday 6th. March. The event was held on Zoom but we are looking forward to having a “live” celebration next year. Burrow resident Nancy Dempsey opened the celebration. Nancy, at age 96, has contributed to International Women’s Day over the years.

We were delighted to welcome Dr. Annie Curtis, immunologist and Senior Lecturer in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She has worked with Professor Luke O’Neill in his laboratory in Trinity College. Dr. Curtis answered the many questions put to her by the attendees. Catherine Connolly is a Master Clinical Aromatherapist. Catherine demonstrated how to make a cooling menopause spray and cream. Mary Farrell was in conversation with author Rosemary Hennigan, a former resident of Donabate. Her debut novel “The Truth Will Out” was launched on 17th March. Rosemary is a former solicitor, and has worked in the NGO sector on issues of asylum, direct provision and homelessness. These talks were interspersed with music, song and poetry.Margaret Godwin played “Mná na hÉireann” on the flute. Denise O’Toole sang “Bread and Roses”.Marian Neary read two poems “The Secondhand Book” and “Thin Air”. The inimitable Rose from Fingal gave her humourous view on coping with aspects of modern living. Debbie Breslin read “Let Her Breathe” a poem by Becky Hemsley. Thanks to Fingal Co. Co. for their support for this event. We are delighted to say that the Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival is working to bring you Festival 2022 in September.The committee is meeting to put the programme together with the usual mixture of concerts, walks, talks, workshops, music, tours, exhibitions and our 3 day Short Film Festival…something for all. Because of nearly 3 years of COVID restrictions we were unable to fundraise so our coffers are fairly low. We will be holding a number of fundraisers and we ask that you support them. This is your community festival. We are always looking for committee members and if you feel like joining us as we prepare for bigger and better this year, please contact eilish mcdermott on eilishmcdermott64@gmail.com

Through the Lens Photographic Group were delighted to take part in the peninsulas’ Cultural Activity Week on the weekend 25 th /27 th February with a Photo Expo in Donabates’ newly refurbished Parish Hall.The Expo included over 30 framed photos, which made good use of the new picture rails; a selection of black and white photos of Donabate and Portrane past and present; and a variety of examples of photo techniques and ideas to enhance picture taking. We were very pleased with the publics’ response to the Expo and hope that people came away with a few hints that may prove useful, and indeed some enthusiasm to get out and use that camera. Many thanks to Fingal Co Co for funding the refurbishment of the Parish Hall. It has been very well done and is much appreciated in the area. Through the Lens club is open for membership for over 18yo. We meet in Donabate Golf Club every fortnight. For further information please feel free to contact Joe 0872569943, or Carolyn 0879284307

In addition to our weekly Monday morning exercise classes, our Tuesday morning croquet and boules at Newbridge House, our Thursday morning get-togethers in the Donabate Sea Scouts’ den and the regular tending to our plots at Turvey Allotments, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed has resumed our occasional outings to places of interest. Over the past few weeks, we visited two local attractions, the Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide, which houses the Cyril Fry model railway collection, and Newbridge House, where we had a very informative guided tour. We hope to have other outings soon to more distant locations. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Area Representative is calling on Fingal County Council to commence a public consultation process on its recently acquired Donabate Progressive Credit Union site. Johnston said; “Duncan Smith TD, Cllr Robert O’Donoghue and I wish to compliment the CEO of Fingal County Council and her staff for acquiring the Iconic Ballisk House Credit Union Building and site from Progressive Credit Union for the benefit of the people of the Donabate Peninsula. The announcement in April 2021 that the Donabate Office of the Progessive Credit Union was to close came as a major shock to the members as they were unaware that such an option was under consideration by the Board. “ Johnston added; “As a result of numerous representations I set up an on line campaign to retain the Office in Donabate. Our well supported on line petition was presented to the Board of Directors of the Progessive Credit Union who were not prepared to overturn their decision and the office closed on 1st July last year. At national level Duncan Smith TD recommended that the site be acquired by the State for the provision of a Garda Station at a meeting with the assistant commissioner and senior Gardai and wrote to the Minister for Justice who responded “ l am informed that the current Garda Building and Refurbishment Programme does not include the development of a new Garda station in Donabate, Co. Dublin. Johnston concluded; “Fingal County Council have confirmed no decision has been made on the future use of the site. I carried out a recent online survey and can confirm that 95% of the respondents would welcome a full consultation process with the people of the peninsula on it’s future use. I am now calling on Fingal County Council to initiate such a process as soon as possible.”

Cllr Adrian Henchy has welcomed what he termed as good news regarding Ballisk House Donabate. He said,” I am very pleased to receive confirmation this morning from the Director of Economic Enterprise, Tourisim and Cultural Department of Fingal County Council, that they have completed the purchase of Ballisk House Donabate (formely Donabate Credit Union) While the closure of the Progressive Credit Union was a major blow to our local community this is a positive outcome in that the building and site which was delivered by our local community many years ago now rightfully returns to our local community. The coming weeks and months will see firmer plans put in place for the future potential use of the building for our local community.My thanks to Fingal County Council for the thier diligent work in getting this over the line and for the support of my peninsula colleague Cllr Paul Mulville who has also strongly supported this campaign at every opportunity we got within Fingal County Council.” Cllr Henchy said regarding the closure of Credit Union in Donabate,” I have just concluded a meeting with Fingal County Council Director of Economic/Enterprise/Tourism and Culture Emer O Gorman and her officials also attended by my colleague on the peninsula Cllr. Paul Mulville and other Fingal Councillors. Emer gave a background to the sale of Council owned lands to the then Donabate Credit Union in 1995 to allow for the building of Ballisk House the home of Donabate & District Credit Union. This was a full sale of the land to the credit union and the council did not insert any conditions or buy back clauses on the sale of the land at that time. I took the opportunity to impress upon Emer and Fingal County Council the history of the iconic building, I am encouraged by the fact Fingal County Council are agreeable to reaching out to Progressive Credit Union with a view to keeping this building and site in retaining it for Community usage and I very much welcome the Councils agreement to fully explore this. I will also once again be writing to the Progressive Credit Union to request a meeting with the Chief Executive in order to impress upon him the critical need to keep this service operational for the peninsula of Donabate Portrane both now and into the future and to reverse the plans they have to close this vital service.”

Glebe North Football Club was founded in 1945 and play in the Leinster Senior League at our home ground in Balbriggan, North County Dublin, Ireland. At the moment the club are looking for boys and grls aged 4 – 7 who want to learn the skills of football and enjoy all the club has to offer.

Balbriggan Cricket Club is delighted to announce our Kids Easter Camp.It will be a Fun Games based camp suitable for both complete beginners and kids with some experience in cricket. The camp will be held at our ground in Balbriggan Town Park, located behind St. Peter’s and Pauls Church. Each day will be hosted by our club coaches including Ireland International Lara Maritz , Tess Maritz and our other experienced coaches. All weather facilities will be used if required -To confirm places for your child/children - 1. Book and Pay Viia balbriggancricketclub.com/…/easter-summer…/ 2. And register at balbriggancricketclub.com/youth-registration/ Spaces are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

A new network of leaders were presented with Certificates of Achievement at the She Leads Fingal Awards recently by AnnMarie Farrelly, Fingal County Council Chief Executive and Cllr Karen Power, Chairperson of Fingal County Council Women’s Caucus.The Awards Ceremony was held at Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main Street, Swords.The programme explored the achievements, challenges and opportunities that women experience in community action. Selected participants - all women in Fingal involved in their local communities - were supported to discover the leadership skills, resources and approaches already successfully used in Fingal. Certificates were awarded to Helen Galgey, Michelle Griffin, Sandra Losty, Carmelle Keane, Ginta Bezdeliga, Hanan Kaaoiss, Akvile Simanskiene and Alison Herlihy.Participants are interested in a wide variety of areas for community change. Sandra Losty is the founder of Recovery Hour, an online self-help community founded during the Covid-19 restrictions to aid people in recovery from addiction. Akvile Simanskiene is a Balbriggan artist creating murals with the community in public spaces. Helen Galgey is a coach and committee member at Baldoyle FC. Alison Herlihy leads a team supporting youth representation at Donabate Portrane Tennis Club. Carmelle Keane leads a mentoring programme for women in local radio at Phoenix FM.A networking event held at the end of the programme saw guests with national influence meet with participants to provide opportunities for mentoring and connection with national and regional networks. Guests included the Mayor of Fingal Seána Ó Rodaigh, Louise O’Reilly TD, National Women’s Council of Ireland, Sport Ireland, and Empower as well as influencers in the worlds of food, film, arts and wellbeing. She Leads Fingal was co-designed with Shelly Gaynor, a disability advisor and former Chair of the Independent Living Movement Ireland, Bridie O’Reilly, an experienced community activist and former Chair of the Older People’s Council of Ireland, and Dr Lucy Michael, an experienced lecturer in community leadership. She Leads Fingal is supported by the Community Development Office of Fingal County Council. A new one-day leadership programme for Fingal women is currently being planned.

By Siobhan O’Neill White

Thinking of organising an Easter egg hunt for your little ones? It doesn’t have to be EGG-stravagant
but with a little effort, you can make it really fun!We like to create riddles for our children to solve, to find the eggs and treats we have dotted around the house and garden. And if it rains, don’t worry because you can do it all indoors! All you need is chocolate and imagination! Here are a few ideas for riddles and hiding places:• In the place you sit down, look for chocolate upside down (under the sofa!) • Where you lay your sleepy head, find a yummy treat instead (inside their pillowcases) • Inside the pots and pans, rummage around with your hands (choc eggs in pots/pans) • Where we block the daylight out, is a treat for you to scout (behind the curtains) • School is out for 2 whole weeks but check your schoolbag for scrummy treats • Where dirty clothes are made clean, look near the washing machine! (laundry basket)Dealz have easter eggs from €1.50, ideal for egg hunts. They also have Easter decorations to pop up around the house. Dunnes Stores have fab Easter decorations too, such as pastel coloured wreaths. The Works stores have ‘Colour your own’ Easter egg hunt bags and Easter eggs kits, which are ideal for rainy days for keeping kids busy whilst using their imagination. Dealz, The Works and Dunnes are all in Ilac SC if you fancy a trip to get ‘Easter’ ready! As we are still dealing with Covid, we may not be able to get together with family this year. If you are unable to see someone you love, All Ireland Foods delivers wonderful chocolate hampers, which would cheer up anyone stuck at home with Covid over Easter! And if you are getting over Covid or suffering with colds and coughs, which are so common at this time of year, check out Salt Cave and Salt Cave Paradise in Balbriggan. Our daughter is asthmatic,and we take her there to inhale the salt in the air. It is so good for clearing out her sinuses. It’s helpful for anyone who has sinus issues or is getting over a cold. There are toys for the children to play with and massage chairs for the adults to lay back in and relax. We’ve been hit by Covid recently and found this helpful for recovery.As always, stay safe this Easter and if you need inspiration for activities at home, or places for a family day out, check out www.mams.ie

Fingal County Council`s Community Office, were delighted to be joined by Cllr Mary McCamley, deputising for Mayor of Fingal and Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly, in Millennium Park Blanchardstown to Celebrate International Women’s day on March 8thand Shine a light on Gender Bias and Safety Issues for Women. Also in attendance at the commemorative tree planting and symbolic walk event were local councillors and Director of Housing and Community Robert Burns with participants lighting the way as they walked in solidarity with women.Speaking at the event Cllr Mary McCamley said “While International Women’s day is an opportunity to Celebrate Women it’s also an opportunity to highlight challenges and issues that effect their lives.” Cllr McCamley spoke of the struggles of all girls and women in Ukraine at the moment and asked that they be remembered during the walk saying the walk was an opportunity to shine a light on issues and challenges women in society face so, “lets shine a light for women going forward”.Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly echoed Cllr McCamley’s sentiments for the women of Ukraine and said: “I am delighted to be here to mark this day with all of you and it is great to see so many local residents and groups along with so many local councillors which shows their commitment to their local constituents.” Over 100 people registered for the ‘Shine a Light’ event and many more people engaged in all of our International Women’s day events this week which is great to see. The Community Development team has been working hard on getting back out and engaging with local communities and groups and developing community initiatives. We look forward to opportunities for working with communities in the coming months.”