This has been a historic year for us all for a myriad of reasons but a special year for St Pats in that they held 2 Mini All Ireland tournaments. Their rescheduled 2020 one was held in June but the actual 2021 tournament ran from 30 August - 04 September. And like all the best movie promos - this one was bigger and better! With over 400 children taking part in either the GAA or LGFA tournament, it was a tremendous success and allayed the back-to-school woes for a few days at least. The Academy section was for children born 2014 & 2015. The Junior section was for those born 2012 & 2013 while boys and girls born 2010 & 2011 were in the Intermediate Section. The Senior - and most seriously contested section - was for boys and girls born 2007, 2008 & 2009.The winners of the Senior Cup were Armagh in the GAA section: Cian Latham, Colum MacQuaile, Conor Tighe, Dáire Turner, James Casey, James McElhinney, Moses Harley, Sam Kealy & Seamus Moore.The Wexford girls came out on top in the LGFA tournament: Beibhinn Mythen, Ella Higgins, Erin Finn, Lily Hyland, Lily Maher, Lucy Sheridan, Molly McDonald, Sadhbh Finnegan & Tiana Whelan.The tournament is the highlight of the juvenile calendar and this year was no exception. Kudos to all the children who took part - from beginer to experienced, everyone put their heart & soul in to each game. The standard of football on display was impressive.Also impressive was the work of the scores of volunteers whose trojan work made the week run so smoothly. The Club have asked us to thank everyone involved Their social media tagline is #ProudToBePats and seeing how well run their MAI 21 was, you’d be hard-pressed to disagree with that. Maith sibh go leir!

Donabate Parish Hall reopened for activities about a month ago with full adherence to COVID guidelines - since then e. g. Irish Dancing, Senior Citizens and Flower Arranging have started, to name a few. The Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is coming soon in mid October with some exciting new productions, taking place during our three week cultural slot. The hall is newly refurbished thanks to Fingal County Council grant aid and The Parish Hall Committee. There are still some spaces available to rent, so if you are interested, please contact Bernie in the Parish Office ASAP

When Donabate parkrun had to stop due to the pandemic after event number 224 on Saturday 7th March 2020 we assumed it would be for a short break. There were 80 lost Saturdays before we were able to resume on 25th September 2021 for a welcome return. Runners, joggers and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join us each Saturday at 9:30am for the free, timed 5k event. We meet in front of Newbridge House. Remember to register once at https//www.parkrun.ie/register/ (NB: not accessible through here) then print off your barcode and bring it or your parkrun wristband with you to get a result. We would also love to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer at any of our events. All roles are easy and full training is given on the morning of events. It’s a great way to meet new people and have fun. Please contact us by sending a message to our Facebook page Donabate parkrun. We would like to wish our new Event Director Patrick Phillips the best of luck in his new role. Patrick has taken over the baton from Sean Greensit who has stepped down six years after helping to bring parkrun to Donabate.

It is hard to believe that we are back attending classes. We have waited so long and now it is happening. On the 20 September we started back. We have had to meet various requirements to make sure we stay safe while we are together. Masks are worn during classes and the duration has moved from classes of one hour to 45 minutes each class. This allows us to then have time between uses of the studios to sanitise the whole room and any equipment that may have been used. Thanks to all members who have volunteered to do the sanitising between the classes. Some classes have yet to start and these will probably start around the beginning of November. We feel that we need to get up and running with the easier ones (without equipment) before we take on the more complicated logistically.We had to meet the challenge of not using cash if at all possible and we are now equipped to take all credit or debit cards. The photo above shows Alain giving us a lesson on the use of the machine. By the time you are reading this we will all know if we are latent shopkeepers! We still owe money to some… we still have a few members who were with us in 2020 when we had to shut down classes. Remember, you may be carrying a small credit balance with us and we would encourage you to make contact and renew your membership card by just using some of your balance. If you want to do this, please email us on activeageforall@gmail.com or text the AAfA mobile 086 8806808 and let us know. Don’t forget that your new card will give you discounts in the usual suppliers. If you are new to the area or new to retirement – you just need to be 55+ - you can call in to DPCC and collect an AAfA New Member form and fill it out and leave it for us, or email us at the address above and we email a form out to you. We can make contact and will do our best to include you in classes as soon as possible.

We are absolutely delighted to be putting on two one acts ‘Lockdown’ by David Tristram & ‘Melody’ by Deirdre Kinehan from October 22nd-24th at 8.00pm including a matinee performance on Sunday 24th at 3.00pm. We are looking forward to entertaining you all - after such a drought of live events in the last year or two in our newly refurbished Parish Hall. Tickets €10 concessions €8.Keep an eye for updates on our Facebook page. We look forward to welcoming all of our valued patrons back! For tickets contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com.

Corina Johnston, Labour Party Local Area Representative has welcomed a recent announcement of funding for the removal of an invasive plant from the sand dunes at the Burrow in Portrane. Johnston said; ”grave concerns were expressed to me earlier in the year regarding the deterioration of protected habitats on the sand dunes at the Burrow beach, Portrane, a Special Area of Conservation. These issues were raised with me by John Lovatt a local field ecologist, and Butterfly Conservation Ireland.”Johnston continued; “The threat to these protected habitats is due to the rapid encroachment of a invasive alien species, Sea Buckthorn, which is new to the area. Sea Buckthorn develops into dense shrub,eliminating all ground vegetation where ever it grows. In the case of Butterfly Conservation Ireland, this plant was encroaching on the sole larval food plant for the localised population of the Small Blue Butterfly which is classified as an Endangered Species and which requires an unshaded habitat. This invasive plant is also putting at risk the future of the rare plant, Hairy Violet at Burrow. “ Johnston added; “As a result Duncan Smith TD and I made strong representations to Fingal County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to have this problem tackled as a matter of urgency. As a result, we are very pleased that Fingal County Council have been awarded funding for the removal of this invasive plant from our sand dunes. “Johnston concluded; “In recent days we have been informed that Fingal County Council will be tendering for these works within the next fortnight with the works expected to be carried out shortly thereafter. Hopefully the treatment will prevent the regrowth of this alien species in the Burrow. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have also confirmed that the National Parks and Wildlife Service is preparing a tender request for expertise to carry out a review of Sea Buckthorn in Ireland which we warmly welcome.”

Cllr Adrian Henchy has expressed concern about a planning application and said recently. “I support developments in Donabate where they are of merit, well designed and contribute something positively back into the Community. However, there are a lot of major shortfalls in this planning application. The only merit at this stage is the provision of housing but without the critical underpinning of the social and physical infrastructure that would be needed in tandem with a scale of this enormous development upon the rural peninsula of Donabate. The fact the developer acknowledges within their documentation, that this application is a breach of the Donabate Local Area Plan is totally unacceptable for me given the enormous work, time, effort and extensive public consultation that has gone into adopting the Donabate Local Area Plan.I would also contend that this application is also in breach of National Planning Guidelines and I would also lend a lot of weight to the Ministerial Circular Letter: NRUP 02/2021 from April 2021. The Circular clarifies the application of the Sustainable Residential Development Guidelines to ensure that when carrying out their planning functions, An Bord Pleanála and Planning Authorities apply a graduated and responsive, tailored approach to the assessment of residential densities in Peripheral and/or Less Accessible Urban Locations,which would very much apply to Donabate.This high-density development made up of mainly one and two bedroom apartments is entirely unsuited to a rural environment and is not in keeping with the dramatic and critically important local landscape that is at the very heart of this application.On behalf of my local community, I want to acknowledge the work and effort of Donabate Portrane Community Council who have worked tirelessly with the local community in highlighting the biggest planning application that has ever been lodged on the community of Donabate and the second largest strategic housing development (SHD) that has ever gone to An Bord Pleanala.The fact, this application was lodged at the height of the summer season with absolutely no public engagement was very disappointing.I would request that An Bord Pleanala in its deliberations reject this SHD Planning application and instead request that the developer goes back to Fingal County Council and starts again with this development by clearly working within the frame work of the visionary Donabate Local Area Plan and the Fingal County development plan.”

Ballyboughal Pitch & Putt Club are Fingal and East Meath Champions for the second year in a row. The competition held at Ring Common Pitch & Putt Club recently, was closely fought out throughout the Competition and up until the evening of the Final. East Meath opposition, Bellewstown, had a narrow half-point lead coming into the Final, in front of Ballyboughal Team A, with Skerries/Laytown following closely with only a point and half in the difference from the table toppers But it was Ballyboughal with three wins and a draw that rose up the table so unlike previous years in this competition, no play-off was needed.Ballyboughal and Ring Commons had entered two teams into the Competition, allowing for more players to take part and following Covid Guidelines for the Safe Return to Sport. It was Bllyboughal’s Team A that were victorious. Their Captain Jimmy Browne was delighted to accept the trophy from Fingal Mayor Councillor Seána Ó Rodaigh, who gave her support to the competition on the night.“It’s great to have teams from Fingal and East Meath taking part and for the Fingal Sports Office to provide support” said the Mayor “the social aspect of this competition is so important for all participants”. The competition, now in its sixth year, was created by Ballyboughal Stalwart Ronnie Delaney, with the support of the Fingal Sports Development Officer, Caitriona Geraghty. The Fingal & East Meath Pitch Putt Championship was established back in 2015 to promote the game of Pitch & Putt in Fingal.“It has become a permanent fixture in the Fingal Sports Calendar, and this is in no small effort to the great work done by Ronnie Delaney”, said Caitríona Geraghty, Fingal Sports Development Officer” stated “even a Global Pandemic wouldn’t stop him from holding this competition”.

Balbriggan & District Historical Society are delighted to celebrate this significant milestone however all celebrations are restricted of course at this time. Jim Walsh Librarian at the time and his colleague Don Griffin worked were joined on the first committee by Michael Banim, Antonia Cassin, Pauline Corcoran, Marion Crane, Bernie Healy, Eileen McKenna and last but not least May and Pat McKeon.Our society was inaugurated on Thursday 16th July 1981 with the name of Balbriggan Historical and Cultural Society – Cumann Stair agus Cultúir Bhaile Brigin and the main aims were to promote an interest in the local history of the area through lectures, publications and exhibitions and also to establish a Museum in the Balbriggan District. The first ever presentation was ‘The Gaelic Placenames of Fingal’ by Brendan Scally and was followed by Bob Browne- The building of the Dublin-Drogheda Railway –1838-1844. Next was Christy Geraghty with an illustrated lecture of Local Shipwrecks with particular reference to Sarah of Runcorn (1873) and Bell Hill (1875). In 1982 the Committee decided to hold an exhibition in the Grand Hotel and exceeded all expectations in terms of both participation and also attendance. We were delighted by the generosity of the populace who gladly donated many items of historical and familial interest. . May McKeon remembers with fondness some of the talks on the ‘Balbriggan flyer’ Harry Reynolds, Balbriggan’s daughter Sinead Bean De Valera nee Flanagan and several talks covering the 1916 events in Fingal.Of particular pride to May is also the event organised in 2017 to commemorate the hugely important Siege of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961 and the heroic efforts of Balbriggan native Pte Terence Joseph McMahon. One particular source of pride to Chairperson Brian Howley is the enormous effort that the Committee undertook to ensure the Centenary of the Sack of Balbriggan last year 2020 would have a fitting and appropriately respectful commemoration and there are still a small amount of the beautiful Commemorative Medals available. We are still very determined to find a Museum building to house our significant artefacts and historical items – who knows somewhere on Bremore Castle site may yet be an option? To anyone who has attended our talks and seminars, our historical walkabouts, our summer tours, our school’s programmes Brian says that we thank you most sincerely for all of your support and we look forward to the next 40 years with great positivity and enthusiasm.Balbriggan Historical Society can be contacted at Balbrigganhistsoc@gmail.com

The Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Daniel Whooley, launched the second part of The Weather Stations for Schools project yesterday at the Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School when he presented Third Class with the first of the automatic weather stations that are being rolled out to primary schools across Fingal.Primary Schools in Fingal had the opportunity to apply for an automatic weather station which produce real time information about rainfall, temperature, wind speed and wind direction. There were 42 applications from which 16 were chosen. Cllr Whooley said: “It was fantastic to officially launch the second phase of the Weather Stations for Schools project and present the class with the automatic weather station today. This initiative is being supported by the Chief Executive’s Innovation Fund, set up January this year by the Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly. Ms Farrelly said: “This is the first of four projects to be launched from the Innovation Fund this year. The Innovation fund was launched to facilitate staff submitting original ideas that can bring greater value to the Council. The Weather Stations for Schools project is a great initiative that will not only provide valuable information, but it will also help to promote an appreciation of the water cycle and climate change challenges faced by the community.” Sarah Gallagher, Head of Observations at Met Éireann, said: “Met Éireann are very supportive of the Weather Stations for Schools project. Schools can easily enter rainfall measurement and other weather information collected from their weather stations onto Met Éireann’s Weather Observations Website, WOW-IE.” The Champion Schools in our catchment are:Balbriggan Local Electoral Are- St Patrick’s SNS, Skerries and St Oliver Plunkett’s, Balrothery, Rush-Lusk Local Electoral Area - Rush and Lusk Educate Together National School and Naul National School,Howth-Malahide Local Electoral Area - Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School, Malahide, and in Swords Local Electoral Area - St Colmcille’s BNS, Swords,Holy Family SNS, River Valley, and Thornleigh Educate Together National School, Applewood.