Donabate Parish Hall have just received a modular Riser Stage with grant aid from FCC. This is part one of a full large low stage and hopefully part two will come next year in a similar grant application. The stage can be put together relatively easily, if one knows how. So it will require a short course of instruction of a few hours to master the method of assembly for any groups that may be granted permission to use it. The Riser Stage compliments the acquisition, through grants in recent years, of other equipment to support performances and participation in activities and events of an entertainment and cultural nature.
We have had Céile House, Official Launch of the Parish Hall, Film ‘Angel’, Tayleur Events, Dramatic Productions, TradFest Fingal, Leithinis Inclusion Night, Musical Performances, Peninsula Voices and recently ‘MusicFest’, all of which either benefitted or would have from the use or a Riser Stage. In the past, a riser had to be rented for some events or we had to do without! One group, Music Makers, that was initiated by Breda Dockrell and Jim O Donohoe and run by a group of four Noel Dowling, Sean Collins and the aforementioned, who were brought together under the umbrella of the Parish Hall to see if, over the year of providing a venue to do music, there was interest and commitment. They are now, as planned with the assistance of FCC, setting up under their own structure , organisation and team/committee with Noel and a new team taking the reins. They will continue to offer a much needed platform for people to develop their musical talents and confidence.

The Parish Hall is in full swing now with Daily Activities. Here is a flavour: Senior Citizens, Pilates, Youth Club, Irish Dancing, Leithinis Irish Music and Cards!

There are also a number of Blocked Events taking place. So put the dates in your diaries.

Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society are putting on their autumn/winter production from Thursday 6th November - Sunday 9th November. (Patrons Night on Friday!)

Through the Lens Photography Group is exhibiting some of their photography work from over the year from Friday 14th November - Sunday 16th November.

The Farmers Market, which began this summer, took place during August and September in the green space beside the Church. It was a very welcome addition to the amenities and atmosphere in the centre of the village on a Saturday afternoon. We hope that it too will be a regular feature in the future.

If you have any queries to the Parish Hall please contact them on 01 8434574between the hours of 9:30hrs - 12:30hrs and they will help in any way they can.

September was a busy month for Gerry and the Plonkers (Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed music group), with three gigs. The first was for the ladies of Lusk ICA, where the Plonkers had the pleasure of playing to an appreciative audience who didn’t just listen but got up and danced the night away. Next was at the Community Showcase Afternoon in Donabate Portrane Community Centre. This was an opportunity for local community groups, including the Men’s Shed, to highlight their activity and hopefully recruit new members. Lastly, the Plonkers played in Malahide Castle at the end of September, too close to going to press to include photos.

But as we keep saying, Men’s Shed is more than Gerry and the Plonkers, maybe just not as photogenic (apologies lads!). The plots at the allotments kept many of our members busy right through the summer, but the fruit of their labour was bountiful last month. There was also our weekly exercise classes, croquet at Newbridge and our Thursday morning get-togethers at the Scout’s Den.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is always open to new members and suggestions for new activities. So, if you, or someone close to you, would like to join us, just call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. Don’t be shy!

With regard to Slí na Sláinte routes, Covid and some other delays made it difficult for progress to be made and impediments to be removed, for safe and acceptable routes to be put in place on our Peninsula.

Just before Covid, The Irish Heart Foundation had worked with an ad-hoc local committee, drawn from different groups in the community along with some officials in The Parks Dept in FCC, in identified a suitable Slí na Sláinte route in and around Donabate Village & Newbridge Park.

But there were 3 impediments to the establishment of the route.

Turvey: Had no proper footpath or safe crossing into Newbridge Park on Turvey Avenue. There is now a new wide continuous footpath along the northern side of Turvey Avenue leading to the centre of the village. In addition, traffic lights have been installed and a crossing provided for pedestrians to enter & exit Newbridge Park at the Turvey Gate.

Links: There has been traffic lights installed for pedestrians at the entrance to the Links - to allow safe crossing of the Portrane Rd.

Ballisk & Beaverstown: This junction is known as ‘The Hand’ and over the last few weeks a footpath has been put in there, on the corner extending down into Ballisk & down the Beaverstown Rd. This was the most important junction to be sorted in terms of safety in crossing this road. So, hopefully it is now.

At this point, there have been some changes in personnel in all of these bodies, but one would be confident that with all of the obstacles gone that the new personnel will come together to ensure this Slí na Sláinte route is put in place and will be the start of many for walkers, joggers & runners in the Donabate & Portrane area. All Slí na Sláinte routes are not always suitable for wheelchair & buggy users, but this one is! Hopefully, in the future it will be possible to have some ‘braille trails’ in our area given the number of people living in our community who are visually impaired.

These routes are very pertinent at the moment with the drive toward Get Ireland Active etc. This is a project one trusts that FCC officials & local councillors will support and ensure succeeds!

It’s that time of year again! The crisp autumn air is here, and our LSA groups are settling back into their new routines.

Fit4Life: Your Autumn Fitness Journey
For those looking to kickstart their fitness goals, our fit4life group is the perfect fit. We hold training sessions every Monday and Wednesday evening, catering to all abilities. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps or an experienced runner looking for a challenge, we have groups for intermediate and advanced levels as well. To help you on your journey, we have a special offer: join us for just €65 from now until December. For more information, please contact us at lsaadultreg@gmail.com.

Marathon Season is Upon Us!
With the days growing shorter, our dedicated marathon runners know exactly what that means: the Dublin City Marathon is just around the corner! On October 26th, members from all our adult groups—from first-timers to seasoned marathoners—will be lacing up their shoes. We wish them the best of luck and hope their training remains injury-free.

Community and Upcoming Events
LSA recently had a fantastic turnout at the Donate Family Fun Day and Community Group Expo, where we saw a tremendous response and great interest from the community.

Last but not least, mark your calendars! The 4th annual LSA Peninsula Road Race is back on Sunday, November 16th. Registration is now open, and you can find all the details you need on our Instagram page, @lsadonabateportrane.

We’re excited for what this new season holds and can’t wait to see both new and familiar faces.

On 19th August last a group of 21 Active Age for All members were transported in style to Howth Castle in a Leonards coach. On arrival at the castle, we were greeted by our guide Daniel with whom we explored the castle and gardens hearing about the family history and the architectural evolution from a Norman keep to the grand mansion that it is today.

The castle’s origins date back to 1235 when the St Lawrence family built the original keep, and the property has remained in the same family until recently. Happily, the new owners plan to preserve the castle and grounds and to remain open to the public.

The most famous story relating to the castle involves the renowned pirate queen of the west of Ireland Granuaile (Grace O’Malley) who in 1576 sought hospitality at the castle and was refused. Much angered by this breach of the Irish tradition of hospitality she abducted the Earls grandson and only released him on condition that the castle gates always remain open and that a place be set at the table for unexpected guests, a practice that continues to this day.

After a fascinating couple of hours touring the castle and grounds, we all took the short walk to the village of Howth where we all found some lunch and even time for a short ramble in the harbour before the bus back to Donabate. A special thank you to Daniel whose knowledge and obvious enthusiasm for the subject of the castles history made for a very enjoyable trip.

St. Ita’s AFC, based in Donabate and Portrane, Co. Dublin, is proudly celebrating its Centenary in 2025. Founded in 1925, the club has spent the past century at the heart of the community, providing football opportunities for players of all ages and abilities. There are currently 38 soccer teams and 2 futsal teams.
From its earliest days, St. Ita’s AFC has stood for more than just sport. The club prides itself on promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect while offering a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy the beautiful game. With thriving youth coaching sessions, senior fixtures, and the much-loved Mini-Euros tournament, the club continues to inspire the next generation of footballers.

The Mini-Euros, first introduced in the 1980s by Tony Franklin, has grown into one of the club’s flagship annual events. Attracting over 500 children aged 4–16, it brings the Donabate and Portrane community together each summer in a week-long festival of football. Entirely volunteer-driven, the Mini-Euros reflects the spirit of St. Ita’s: inclusive, community-focused, and built on a passion for the game.

As part of its centenary celebrations, St. Ita’s AFC will host a Centenary Gala Night on Saturday, 18th October 2025, in The Grand Hotel, Malahide. The evening will include a four-course meal, live music, dancing, and a chance for past and present players, parents, volunteers, and supporters to come together and celebrate 100 years of footballing tradition. Tickets are €85 and can be paid in instalments.
For tickets go to https://stitasafc.com/pages/centenary-gala-night.

St. Ita’s AFC looks forward to marking this historic milestone with the community that has supported it for the past 100 years — and to building another century of football memories in Donabate and Portrane.

Get ready for a scorching Halloween night like never before! Events in Fingal proudly presents the “Festival of Fire.” Taking place on Friday 31st October, this thrilling event will ignite your Halloween spirit at four incredible locations across Fingal: Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, Swords Town Park, Malahide Castle, and Millennium Park in Blanchardstown.

Experience the Magic of Music:
The Festival of Fire kicks off with an electrifying musical prelude that will set the mood for an unforgettable night. From spine-tingling tunes to haunting melodies, our musical lineup will captivate your senses and keep you grooving.

Spectacular Fireworks Displays:
As the clock strikes 7:30 PM, brace yourself for an awe-inspiring spectacle! Our breathtaking fireworks displays will light up the night sky, casting vibrant colors and patterns that will leave you mesmerized. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with friends and family.

Event Locations: Bremore Castle, Balbriggan: Step into the enchanting world of Bremore Castle, where history meets the mystical allure of Halloween. 7pm Enjoy a Scary disco. 7.30pm Fireworks. Please note No Parking is Available. Please walk or cycle.

Swords Town Park (Behind the Castle): Join us in the heart of Swords for a Halloween celebration like no other. The park will come alive with the spirit of the season. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.
Malahide Castle: Explore the grounds of the magnificent Malahide Castle, surrounded by the magic of Halloween. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.

Millennium Park, Blanchardstown: Get ready for an explosion of Halloween fun in Blanchardstown’s Millennium Park. 7pm Enjoy a Scary Disco. 7.30pm Fireworks.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening of music and fireworks. Bring your family, friends, and a sense of wonder as we light up the Halloween night in Fingal. It’s a celebration you won’t want to skip!
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 31st, and join us at one of our four fantastic locations. Festival of Fire promises to be the highlight of your Halloween season.

There are even more Halloween-themed events planned for the month of October and to see what’s on in your areas please go to fingalcoco.ie.

The Marathonkids Ireland 2025 programme was launched today at Morton Stadium in Santry, with more than 8,000 primary school students from 150 schools across Fingal, Dublin City, Louth, and the Gaeltacht regions set to take part in this year’s initiative.

In Fingal, over 3,500 pupils from more than 30 schools in Fingal will join the 8-week programme, which encourages 5th and 6th class students to build healthy lifestyle habits through running, physical activity, and wellbeing education.

Marathonkids isn’t about racing, as students gradually build up to completing the full marathon distance of 42.2km through weekly runs, while also learning about topics such as healthy eating, hydration, rest, and positive mindset.

Mayor of Fingal, Tom O’Leary, said: “Marathonkids has been a fantastic participation programme for over 10 years. It gives children the opportunity to take part in the lifelong physical activity of running with the bonus of getting to run on the track here at DCU Morton Stadium.”

The initiative is very much about every child achieving the marathon distance together, learning as they go, and finishing with a celebratory final mile at Morton Stadium in early November.

Marathonkids looks to make running fun and achievable for all, not just sporty kids. It was introduced in Ireland in 2015 with a pilot supported by Fingal County Council and the Dublin Marathon. Over a decade on it is now recognised as one of Ireland’s largest participation programmes for children and embedding itself as an annual fixture in the school calendar.

Seán Ó Riain, CEO of Dublin Marathon, added: “We’re proud to partner with Marathonkids again this year. The programme introduces thousands of children to running while also promoting health and wellbeing in a fun, achievable way. It’s a vital part of our community work and an investment in the future of sport in Ireland.”

Dublin-based visual artist, Maria Atanacković, has been named as the recipient of the Ardgillan Castle Studio Award 2025-26. This prestigious award provides a fully funded studio space for a professional artist for a one-year period, commencing on 1st October 2025.

The Studio Award covers all studio rental, utilities, and administration costs, offering the recipient a unique opportunity to develop their practice in a supportive and inspiring environment.

Fingal County Council and Ardgillan Castle Ltd. currently support 15 studio spaces for artists and designers working across a diverse range of practices. This initiative, which began in 2020, continues to foster creativity and professional development within the local arts community.

Fingal County Council Arts Officer, Sarah O’Neil, commented: ‘We are pleased to announce Maria Atanacković as our Ardgillan studio award recipient. This funded year long residency provides an opportunity for professional artists to explore and refine their work in the historical grounds and castle of Ardgillan.’

Welcoming the studio award, Maria Atanacković said: ‘I’m delighted with this opportunity to scale up and develop my practice. I intend to use the dedicated time and space to translate the geometric visual language that I’ve developed through printmaking into more ambitious sculptural forms.’

Maria is a Dublin-based artist working across printmaking, assemblage and textiles. Through abstraction and experimentation, she constructs pieces that explore space, composition and form.

Fingal County Council has welcomed the commencement of two new affordable and social housing developments which, when completed, will deliver in excess of 1,100 homes to the Fingal area. The official sod-turning ceremonies, attended by representatives of Fingal County Council, the Land Development Agency (LDA), Lydon, Ballymore, and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, marked a major milestone in the delivery of affordable homes in Fingal.

Hampton Demesne, formerly known as Castlelands, will comprise a total of 817 homes, including 377 houses and 440 apartments in Balbriggan, and will be constructed in partnership with Ballymore. The development will include a childcare facility, playground, café and recreational amenities for children of all age groups.

Priory Fields, formerly Hacketstown, will deliver 345 homes, including 39 houses and 306 apartments and duplexes in Skerries. These 345 will be broken down into 101 social houses, 117 cost rental homes, and 127 affordable purchase homes. The proposed low-rise development will include a crèche, community space and pedestrian and cycle routes.

Speaking at the sod turning, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said: “I’m really pleased to see these two major projects for 1,162 new homes underway. The homes will provide a great opportunity for families to make their home within the wonderful communities of Balbriggan and Skerries. Community infrastructure is a key part of these developments and the €10m Balbriggan Swimming Pool Project in Balbriggan will complement these new homes.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “It’s hugely exciting to see work underway on two excellent affordable housing projects in Fingal. This quality and mixed tenure of these developments is exactly what is needed in both communities. I would like to thank and congratulate all partners on their dedication which has brought the projects to this important stage, and I look forward to seeing them completed”.