Lusk ICA hosted a fun Halloween fancy dress group meeting and invited the Rush, Balbriggan and Donabate guilds with music from Gerry and the Plonkers.
Rosanna Darby presented our National presented Mary D’Arcy with a fresh fruit and vegetable hamper.
All the ICA ladies dressed up for Halloween group meeting, followed with a beautiful supper organized by Alma Farrell, Mary Hagan and team.
We enjoyed a fantastic night out in the Millbank Theatre at the play “Lend me A Tenor” by Ken Ludwig a fast-paced door slamming farce, set in a luxurious Hotel suite - in aid of the Lusk twinning.
Our thanks again to the Lusk choir and father Kevin who celebrated a lovely mass in memory of the deceased members of Lusk ICA.
Soccer Stars – Free Trial alert at Corduff Attention Soccer Stars Lusk!
Football lessons for toddlers aged 1.5 to 5-years-old at Corduff National School – Lusk takes place every Saturday from 10am – 12pm. Come and join us for a morning of fun, engaging, and pressure-free games!
It’s not just about football – it’s about the friendships we build along the way. Why choose Soccer Stars? The only toddler football school that truly understands parents’ needs, flexible make-up classes if you miss a session, safe, fun, and supportive environment for your little star. DM us or email info@soccerstars.ie for a Free Trial this weekend! Don’t miss out – spots fill fast! For more information go to www.soccerstars.ie.
Many thanks to all the Donabate and Portrane community for their support in our Four Mile Road Race in November. The race was a great success with over five hundred adults and almost one hundred young people taking part. A big thanks to our organising committee and the almost one hundred club members who volunteered to make it such a success. Even the weather was kind on the day.
LSA trains throughout the year. We are a community based club, made up of volunteers. Our Juveniles train at the Hockey Pitch on the Beaverstown Road on Thursdays and our adult groups train on various days during the week. If you would like to get involved please contact us:
For adult memberships queries: lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com and for little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18) : lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com
Oh, what a night it was on Friday 24th October 2025 in the Shoreline Hotel, Donabate. It was the 10th anniversary party for Active Age for All on the peninsula and we celebrated in style!
About 100 gathered that evening including some of the original committee who got the whole movement going along with much help from Fingal Co. Co. and Donabate/Portrane Community Centre. There were Peig McManus (first chairperson), Brid Hayes, Willie Cahill and Chrissy Ivory from the 1st committee, Louise Edmonds and Janette from Fingal Co Co and Jacinta Lowndes and Sandra Matthews from the Community Centre, all of whom have been, and continue to be, helpful and supportive in any way they can. Unfortunately some of the original committee were unable to attend, they are Eilish McDermott (Vice Chair), Breda Dockrell (Secretary), Miriam Scully (Treasurer), Mary O’Connor (Asst Treasurer) and Edie Keeley (Activities Organiser)
Music was provided by the Men’s Shed group ‘Gerry & the Plonkers’ and boy did they entertain us! With music suited to the audiences’ generation we danced and sang the night away. Leonards Coaches provided the transport and on request Decci Leonard was happy to delay the home run as people were having so much fun!
The Shoreline Hotel looked after us so well from planning to party, and the dinner was delicious, a big thank you from all of us. Thanks also to Mary McKenna from the AAfA camera club who set up a slide show of AAfA photos which provided a lot of trips down memory lane.
Many thanks are due to our generous sponsors whose help went a long way to our having a truly memorable anniversary party, they are: Shoreline Hotel, Cairn Homes, Donabate/Portrane Community Centre, Glenveagh, SuperValu and Ganson.
All in all, we all had a wonderful evening with a strong sense of community that bodes well for the ongoing success of Active Age for All.
Oh, what a night it was on Friday 24th October 2025 in the Shoreline Hotel, Donabate. It was the 10th anniversary party for Active Age for All on the peninsula and we celebrated in style!
About 100 gathered that evening including some of the original committee who got the whole movement going along with much help from Fingal Co. Co. and Donabate/Portrane Community Centre. There were Peig McManus (first chairperson), Brid Hayes, Willie Cahill and Chrissy Ivory from the 1st committee, Louise Edmonds and Janette from Fingal Co Co and Jacinta Lowndes and Sandra Matthews from the Community Centre, all of whom have been, and continue to be, helpful and supportive in any way they can. Unfortunately some of the original committee were unable to attend, they are Eilish McDermott (Vice Chair), Breda Dockrell (Secretary), Miriam Scully (Treasurer), Mary O’Connor (Asst Treasurer) and Edie Keeley (Activities Organiser)
Music was provided by the Men’s Shed group ‘Gerry & the Plonkers’ and boy did they entertain us! With music suited to the audiences’ generation we danced and sang the night away. Leonards Coaches provided the transport and on request Decci Leonard was happy to delay the home run as people were having so much fun!
The Shoreline Hotel looked after us so well from planning to party, and the dinner was delicious, a big thank you from all of us. Thanks also to Mary McKenna from the AAfA camera club who set up a slide show of AAfA photos which provided a lot of trips down memory lane.
Many thanks are due to our generous sponsors whose help went a long way to our having a truly memorable anniversary party, they are: Shoreline Hotel, Cairn Homes, Donabate/Portrane Community Centre, Glenveagh, SuperValu and Ganson.
All in all, we all had a wonderful evening with a strong sense of community that bodes well for the ongoing success of Active Age for All.
On a beautiful Saturday morning in November a group of 12 from the Peninsula Pacers met at Rivervalley Community Centre to walk the ‘Jacko’ in the Ward valley. It was organised by Rosaleen O’Reilly, one of our members who lives in the area. She brought along friends Dominic and Margaret to share some of the interesting history of the area.
We set off by the very busy sports pitches and it was great to see so many youngsters out training and playing games. Along our route, led by Dominic, he pointed out some of the local landmarks so we could get our bearings and we marvelled the fact that we were so secluded in nature yet in the middle of a busy urban area.
Our route took us to the Knocksedan bridge, a historic meeting spot for volunteers of the 1916 rising, passing the old mill race on the way. The mill race once provided power to run a flour mill and a saw mill but went out of use when steam and electricity took over.
After nearly two hours of pleasant walking along the Ward river in the lovely autumnal woods we all arrived at Peacocks restaurant for a very welcome drink and some lunch. A lovely day enjoyed by all.
Johnston said: “Since elected I have been raising the need for dedicated youth services in Donabate and have been working with Crosscare youth services for the provision of such services. Donabate has a very young population with 31% of the population under 19 years of age (census 2022). This will continue to grow with so many young families moving into the area.
A recent UNICEF report found that Irish teenagers have among the lowest life satisfaction scores in high-income countries, despite excelling academically with nearly one in three 15-year-olds reporting low life satisfaction research commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth, published last year, found play and recreation amenities for adolescents are under-resourced and under-facilitated.
Johnston continued; “Our young people have no dedicated indoor space. Many are bored with nothing to do but hang around which can lead to anti social behaviour. The Minister for Justice recently confirmed in a response to Duncan Smith TD that 22 youths have been referred to youth services from Donabate in the last year.
A dedicated youth services centre can provide Youth Cafes & Group Education, Training and Employment Support, Life Coaching, Counselling Services, Summer Programmes, Mental Health and Well Being Programmes, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Film , Photography, Performing Arts as well as a drop in space with a music and games room, snooker table, kitchen area, chill out space with support from fully qualified youth workers.”
Johnston added ;”In response to a recent question raised with the Minister of Education and Youth on this matter the Minister confirmed that supporting the provision of youth services is a priority for her department and that she is committed to developing and implementing a policy for youth spaces at local level with an action plan currently being worked upon.”
Johnston concluded; ”The young people of Donabate cannot wait for plan after plan to be published with no action. A dedicated youth services centre must be provided as a matter of urgency. Early intervention is vital. It’s the very least our young people deserve. I will continue to pursue this very important matter.”
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed activities will continue through the run-up to the forthcoming festive season. We have our music practice most Mondays, croquet at Newbridge House on Tuesdays, weather permitting and our regular get-togethers for tea or coffee and a chat on Thursday mornings at the Scouts’ Den on the Portrane Road. Our plots at Turvey allotments have been winterised but some work continues in the polytunnel. So, if you, or someone dear to you, would like to join us, please call Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694316.
Last month we had a fascinating tour of Dublin Castle; hopefully we’ll have photos of that for next month’s edition. Our annual dinner will be held in Keeling’s on 5th December, where we’re sure of a great singing session.
Gerry and the Plonkers have been busier than ever, with three gigs last month for Lusk ICA, Donabate Memory Café and for International Men’s Health Week. This last event, organised by the Dublin Men’s Sheds, was held in Donabate Portrane Community Centre, with Jim Hawkins as MC and the Mayor of Fingal, Tom O’Leary and local councillors Eoghan Dockrell and Corina Johnston in attendance. Paul Fleming, a movement and yoga coach, spoke about the need to keep active and demonstrated several simple exercises. John spoke to us about his personal experiences of addiction and suicide ideation. His message was simple: it takes bravery to ask for help! Eric Lawlor, a comedian, and the Plonkers provided the entertainment.
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed wishes a Happy Christmas to all our members and to our community for all their support over the past year.
At the end of October young people from Really Cool Adventure, a Balbriggan-based youth organisation, travelled to the coastal town of Ünye, on Türkiye’s Black Sea, to take part in an inspiring Junior Model United Nations (JMUN) project — co-funded by the European Union through Erasmus+.
The project was hosted by Prof. Dr. Necmettin Polvan İlköğretim Okulu school, together with partners from Ireland, Türkiye, Greece, and Romania. Throughout the week, young delegates stepped into the shoes of world leaders to debate the urgent global issue of climate change. They represented different countries, searched for practical solutions, and learned how diplomacy and teamwork can shape a better future. The group also met the Mayor of Ünye, Hüseyin Tavlı, to discuss how young people can take an active role in politics and climate action.
The event went far beyond formal debate — it was a vivid intercultural experience. Participants joined creative workshops, shared national traditions, and spent a day at a local Turkish school to see how education works in another country. They also explored the beauty of northern Türkiye, from Ordu’s panoramic views of the Black Sea to Amasya’s ancient tombs, apples, and the romantic legend of Ferhat and Şirin.
For many, the experience was truly transformative:
Nikola Brykala shared: “I made great friends and discovered confidence I didn’t know I had. Erasmus is way better than a normal holiday!”
Julia Gruba added: “The memories I made here are unforgettable — this trip has genuinely been one of the best.”
Project coordinator Marzena Stronska said: “Watching our young people speak with such confidence and curiosity makes us incredibly proud. This project shows them that their voices matter, and that they can lead positive change.”
The JMUN project in Ünye once again proved that Really Cool Adventure is more than a youth group — it’s a gateway for young people from Balbriggan and surrounding areas to learn, travel, and grow as global citizens.
To join our next Really Cool Adventure follow @ReallyCoolAdventure on Facebook and Instagram.
2025 was a very special year for Balbriggan Meals on Wheels as we marked the 50th anniversary of our foundation and 1st January 2026 will mark 50 years since the very first meals were delivered.
As we approach the end of this special year, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to thank most sincerely, all those who supported the service throughout 2025. Huge thanks to all our volunteers and staff who enabled us to continue providing meals throughout the year. Thank you also to all those in the Balbriggan community who supported us in any way.
Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is looking forward to continuing to provide meals for those in need in our community throughout 2026. We would like to wish all our service users and supporters all the very best wishes for Christmas and hope 2026 will be a great year for everyone.
Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan.
Tel : 01 8416743
Email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com