Donabate Parish Hall has a number of weekly activities taking place at present from Irish Dancing to Cards.In February/ March from Friday February 18th - Sunday 13th March, it will again do a “Cultural Slot” of about 3 weeks - where all weekly activities will be suspended - and hopefully Plays, Films, Exhibitions and Culture Camps etc can take place during this period. If you or your group are interested in doing something during this period please apply to Bernie in the Parish Office before Tuesday 7th December with all your details. This will all be subject to Covid guidelines and regulations that apply at the time. We wish everyone in our Community a Happy Christmas and hope that you stay safe and well so that we all can return to normal activities and living as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support over the last year and a half in these difficult times and during our refurbishment. Again have a good Christmas and take care of yourself and each other. Bernie can be contacted at stpatricksrcdonabate@gmail.com or any queries to 01 8434574

As things are beginning to get back to something resembling normal and community hubs are able to start opening again the Through the Lens camera club mounted an exhibition in the Donabate/Portrane Community Centre.The group had not been able to get together for meetings since the pandemic struck but have been staying in touch by email and WhatsApp. However the restrictions did not stop the cameras clicking and members have been out and about practising and honing their skills.The idea of an exhibition was suggested as a way of getting together as a group and kick-starting our activities again. We are very grateful to the community centre for allowing the exhibition; and to Alain Rochecouste for organising all the practicalities without which it would have never have got off the ground.The Through the Lens Photographic Group is open to anyone over 18, from beginners to more expert, who would like to join a group of like-minded people who enjoy photography. For more information call 085 2682266, or email info@throughthelens.ie

Cllr Adrian Henchy has welcomed the budget adopted by Fingal County Council recently. In order to keep pace with continued growth across the county, Fingal County Council has adopted a spending plan of around €300m for 2022 which will help deliver improved services and see supports remain in place to help reenergise economic development in a post-Covid environment. Cllr Henchy said, “The budget is an increase of around €13m from the previous year and means the equivalent of €1012 per head of population will be spent in a number of key areas such as roads, parks, housing and the environment. While it comes against a backdrop of ever-increasing demands for the wide array of services that the council delivers, there have been no rises made to commercial rates or Local Property Tax. I very much welcome the significant increases in the budget to help deliver a range of operational services across local communities, including road maintenance, traffic management, increased street cleaning, improvement works at parks and open spaces, as well as for projects as part of the Council’s efforts to encourage active travel. Some €1.2m has also been set aside to assist the recovery and development of the tourism sector in Fingal.This is a very positive and well-balanced budget which will play an important role in Fingal’s ongoing economic recovery as we hopefully emerge from Covid. It confirms that we are committed to undertaking the necessary steps to help progress the best possible outcomes for our citizens and that we can continue to encourage business development opportunities. The budget includes allocations to the following key areas:(A) €89.1m - Housing & Building, (B) €32.7m - Road Transport & Safety, (C) €19.4m - Water Services (D) €24.9m – for Development Management, (E) €49.4m - Environmental Services, (E) €52.3m - Recreation & Amenity, (F) €1.5m - Agriculture, Education, Health & Welfare, (G) €30.4m - Miscellaneous Services. While there was a reduced number of events held in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, funding allocated for 2022 will allow Fingal to host several key events which had been postponed or cancelled throughout the pandemic and means it will be able to further develop its culture and arts programme. That will see the highly popular Flavours of Fingal return in July 2022 .

Sunday the 7th of November was a fantastic example of how far our club has come and what we as a club are all about. We ran no less than 5 Winter Training sessions with well over a 125 players of all ages taking part , 5 and a half hours of training , Coaching and fun in 2 different venues and supervised by our experienced team of Qualified coaches. The day began in Castlelands Community centre at 10am with our 2 Ultimate Softball Sessions , the boys at 10am and the Girls at 11am under the supervision of Tess , Lara , Connor and Druhan. Then at 5pm in North County our Minor , Junior and Colt Hardball squads had their weekly session run by coaches , Adrian , Gary , Dylan and Lara. At 6:30pm we had our first ever Women’s Social Cricket session and there was a brilliant turnout and plenty of fun and craic was had , and now a Xmas Party is already planned ! At 7:30pm it was the turn of our new Women’s Team who dusted off the kit bags and got stuck into it , an excellent turn out and lots of positives from what was an excellent session. We provide cricket for Boys , Girls , Women and Men of all ages , ability and experience , Top class coaching and a club that makes everyone welcome. If you or your child would like to join our club, Get in touch via WhatsApp or balbriggancricketclub.com/contact/

Dancesport Ireland proudly presents the International Ballroom & Latin Classic to be held at Lusk Community Sports Facility, Lusk N.S. on Sunday 5th December. The event will be a spectacular display of ballroom and latin dance with some of the best dancers from Ireland, England and abroad. Dancing will commence from 11am, with the main events, including the International Ballroom & Latin team match between Ireland and England scheduled from 2.30pm. Dancesport Ireland look forward to seeing you there. Queries to events@dancesportireland.org.This event is supported by Fingal County Council.This event is being run in line with government guidelines.

Fingal County Council has welcomed the news that as well as maintaining the much-coveted Green Flag Award at six locations across Fingal, the hard work undertaken at Santry Community Garden has also been recognised after picking up a Community Award..Green Flag Awards are the benchmark international standard for publicly accessible parks and green spaces around the world. This year, around 2,300 public sites in 16 countries achieved Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award status. Those Fingal sites to retain Green Flag status in 2021 are: Ardgillan Demesne, Malahide Demesne, Millennium Park in Blanchardstown, Newbridge House and Farm, Santry Demesne and St Catherine’s Park. In addition to Santry Community Garden, The Rock Garden in Swords also received a Community Award, the second year in a row it has managed to achieve the accolade. These Awards are acknowledgment of the efforts made by local community groups to improve a community green space.Raising a Green Flag at Malahide Castle, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Joe O’Brien thanked park staff and community volunteers for their hard work in securing the awards.Praising the achievements, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Fingal has received increased recognition for the number of locations that manage to exceed tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions.

The Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA) is holding a 14-week public consultation on its draft recommendations regarding DAAs application to amend aircraft operating restrictions at Dublin Airport when the new north runway opens.The public consultation will inform ANCA’s final direction to the Planning Authority before it rules on daa’s application next year. ANCA’s recommendations are: (a) Introduce a Noise Abatement Objective for Dublin Airport - the first of its kind in Ireland – as a long-term plan to ensure best management of aircraft noise at the Airport. This will serve to dramatically reduce the long-term impact of aircraft noise by 30% by 2030, 40% by 2035 and 50% by 2040, compared to 2019 aircraft noise levels. They also plan to make three new conditions: (1) Noise Quota System – or noise budget - for night-time operations at Dublin Airport between 11pm and 7am; including a restriction on very loud aircraft flying at night. (2) Restrict flights on the new north runway between midnight and 6am (00:00 – 05:59). and (3) Provide a new Residential Sound Insulation Grant Scheme of up to €20k for residents most affected by night-time noise from Dublin Airport. The ANCA team will hold webinars and be available to engage with stakeholders during the consultation period which is running from 11th November 2021 to 28th February 2022.. ANCA has recorded a short video on the public consultation available at youtu.be/IZD2DeRidkE and registration has now opened for the first of a series of evening webinars where the public will have the opportunity to put their questions to the project team

As we approach year end, Balbriggan Meals on Wheels would like to thank, most sincerely, all those who supported the service throughout 2021. Huge thanks to all the volunteers and staff who enabled Meals on Wheels to continue providing meals despite the continuing challenges of Covid 19.In the run up to Christmas Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is seeking donations to help with the continuation of their service. You can help by making a monetary donation through the Balbriggan Meals on Wheels Facebook page or you can send your donation to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels, 14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan.

You can also assist in the annual Food Drive in order to prepare hampers of food and essential items for distribution within the wider Balbriggan community. Donations of non-perishable foods and essential hygiene items can be brought to Balbriggan Meals on Wheels from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm.Balbriggan Meals on Wheels is looking forward to continuing to provide meals for those in need in our community throughout 2022. They would like to wish all their service users and supporters all the very best wishes for Christmas and hope 2022 will be an easier year for everyone. Stay safe everyone over the festive period!

Balbriggan Meals on Wheels,
14 Hampton Street, Balbriggan.
Tel : 01 8416743
Email: mealsonwheelsbalbriggan@gmail.com

Balbriggan Woman Kathleen Byrne has written a wonderful book about her life growing up in Balbriggan , her experiences of entering a religious order and how it’s impacted her life since. A brilliant read and an insight into the life growing up in Balbriggan in the 40’s and 50’s. Born into an Irish Catholic family, Kathleen entered a religious order in France when she was 17 years old. Working and living in the prison of La Roquette, she was thrown into the Parisian underworld of crime, drugs and prostitution. Without any training and very little knowledge of the language, she struggled with homesickness, despair and loneliness. She found consolation in her faith and in knowing that she was doing God’s will. But was this enough to sustain her mental and physical strength? How did this experience affect her future? Years of living with low self-esteem, fear of God and authority, together with doubts in faith and religion took its toll. However, hoping and praying for better things to come, love found a way” The Book is available to buy online from Amazon and the Book depository.

Our Christmas cards, 8 in a pack of 4 different designs, (suggested donation) €6, 2 packs €10, calendar (suggested donation) €10, can be found in Balbriggan; Baxters Butchers, and Donal Hayes Chiropodist, Clonard St; Suds Laundrette, Drogheda St; Cuddles Pet Shop, Millfield Shopping Centre; Java the Hut, Balbriggan Business Campus, Harry Reynolds Road and Balbriggan Train Station; Jill’s Garden Centre, Barnageera. Skerries; McMeels Pharmacy and Oakes Pharmacy, Strand St; Skerries Hardware, Thomas Hand St; Stacks Pharmacy, Holmpatrick. Swords; Lissenhall Vets; Petstop, Airside Retail Park. Corduff; Irish Rosettes Pet Shop. ‘Yarrow’, puppy raised by local volunteer Anne Mulligan, is featured for May in our calendar with his temporary boarder Padraig Sheehan. Padraig tells us ‘My Grandfather lost his sight at 76. I witnessed first-hand the challenges facing visually impaired people. I’ve volunteered since 2015 and a dog stays with me during their training. On my way to work I leave the dog into the Training Centre and pick them up on my way home. Each dog has an unique personality. My last lodger was Yarrow, a gentle giant who is working wonders in his new home as an assistance dog. He is perfect for this role, so well behaved, placid and calm. He gives and loves cuddles. My latest lodger Nell, is half his size but twice the energy. A real pocket rocket who follows me everywhere around the house. Yarrow was happy to watch me pottering about until he thought food was involved! Though different they share many of the same traits, well behaved, obedient, attentive and calm on the lead. Nell is going to be an assistance dog too. During training each dog’s character is assessed and matched with a child and family which compliments both the dog and family, creating a perfect partnership. I love seeing their development throughout their training. Though sad and a little teary eyed, seeing them leave, I’m always so proud of them when they go on to change someone’s life. Both Yarrow and Nell benefitted from the love and attention their puppy raisers gave them.’Phone/text: 085 7663107. Email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com Facebook Balbriggan.Branch.of.Guide.Dogs