Malahide Lions Club were delighted to present a cheque for €1500 to Skerries Youth Support Services (SYSS). The project was set up 10 years ago in response to a tragic suicide in the area. SYSS provide free counselling to young people between the ages of 12 to 25 as part of an early intervention initiative to young people who may be experiencing challenges to their positive mental health. Although the group is based in Skerries their services are open to all at-risk young people in the general Fingal area including Malahide.

SYSS provide 1-6 free counselling sessions to at-risk young people and will refer them to other services if the counselling offered has not sufficiently addressed their issues. About 185-190 young people are helped every year. Currently there is a waiting period of approximately 7 weeks to access counselling so the demand for the service is huge.

The group also produce a booklet called Myself, My Life which includes information about mental health and issues such as bullying, gambling and drugs and alcohol abuse. The booklet includes useful advice and useful contact information, and it is also distributed to local schools.

SYSS is run by volunteers and does not receive any state funding; it raises the funds it needs for its service and booklet publication. Malahide Lions Club were very happy to be able to provide funding to assist in paying for counselling hours.

Dancers from all over Dublin helped launched The Golden Dance Awards Ireland at The Grand Hotel, Malahide, spotlighting the next generation of Ireland’s most talented dancers. The launch featured 20 exceptional performers, selected from hundreds of entries, representing a wide range of schools and dance styles, celebrating not just excellence, but dedication, commitment, and the artistry that drives the dance community.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy attended the press launch and shared his excitement at being part of the Awards, praising the platform for recognising the hard work and talent of dancers across Ireland and the UK.

The main awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 5th, 2026, at The Grand Hotel, Malahide, hosted by Ireland’s dynamic media personality James Patrice. The judging panel will include Dancing with the Stars judge and radio presenter Brian Redmond, professional dancer from Dancing with the Stars Kylee Vincent, acclaimed Irish choreographer Sean Taaffe of Taaffe Training, and Inna Mazurenko of Team Ireland Dance World Cup. They will evaluate entries in June and crown winners across a range of categories, including Dancer of the Year, Dance Teacher, Choreographer, and Dance School of the Year.
Founded by co-founders Catherine and Danielle, the Awards are dedicated to uplifting the dance community, offering scholarships, bespoke trophies, and prizes, while celebrating all dance styles. Headline sponsors include Dance World as official retail partner and Class for Kids.

Entries for 2026 open Friday, April 3rd, giving dancers, teachers, choreographers, and dance schools and businesses nationwide the chance to be recognised at this prestigious event.
For more information and to enter, visit www.goldendanceawards.ie.

It was another action-packed month for the club with plenty of events for our members to take part in. Congratulations to Conor McGrath and Colm Ó Donnchadha who represented Ireland at the European masters indoors championships in Torun, Poland. The Marathon season is in full swing with Lusk colours on show at Boston, London and Connemara. Thanks to McCabe’s Pharmacy and Athletics Ireland for bringing their Fit4Life roadshow to Lusk. Well done to Colm, Conor and Nessa on their National medals and on the subject of medals, the club picked up a nice haul at the Windmill 10k when a 40 strong contingent descended on Garristown for the Dublin 10k Championships.

The Top Shop Golf Society had its first outing of 2026 in Corballis on Saturday.
Overall winner: Dermot (33pts) Cat. 1 - JP Hogan Cat. 2 - Robbie H.
Front 9 - Podge
Back 9 - Robbie Moore
Ray & Podge shared the Birdy pot
New member Dave Castles had a Hole in 1 on his first time out (on the 13th)
Kindly Sponsored by: Devine Motors (offers free pick up & drop off of your car, free wash & hoover with every service Sean on 085 1776987 ) & also Conrad Murray
New members welcome with plenty more great days out in 2026
Call Martin on 087-192 3059 if you’d like to join!.
Next up, Ballymascanlon.

Active Age for All are very pleased to have been given the chance to collaborate with a class of transition year students from the community college on a 4 week project of intergenerational activities proposed by one of their teachers.

The first week was an hour of meet and greet, getting to know one and other, with the 3 elders outlining their life experiences and the students then telling us of their aims and ambitions. Then a bit of team work with a music quiz, quiz master Gemma was kind enough to put in some antique stuff for the ancients !

Also we were able to discuss with the students about what they would be interested in doing as part of the project; not really a surprise but sporting activities came out very strongly. The plan that evolved was the sports of pickleball, bowls and table tennis with a balance of jewellery making and photography.
On our second day there was a choice of pickleball or jewellery making with the majority opting for the jewellery making, our tutor Helen had her hands full with 17 girls and boys all eager to be creative.

Meanwhile Active Age members Joe and Noel were running the rest around the courts at pickleball.

The next session was on photography with members of the AAfA camera club giving a talk and practical session on the basics, with an emphasis on getting the best out of the mobile phone camera. We then gave them a variety of objects eg: shells, pottery figures, fabric and asked them to use different lights and angles to create pleasing photographs. The Bleeding Pig Festival have invited the students to put on an exhibition of their photos as part of the festival in May and I really hope that they do as a lot of talent emerged in this session.

The last session of carpet bowls and table tennis in the Sports Hall was good fun; the table tennis was very energetic but the carpet bowls, I think, was the biggest surprise for the students. Initially they viewed this as too easy, too quiet and gentle but they quickly discovered that it wasn’t as easy as it looked and presents quite a challenge, and some skill, to get that bowl going where you want it to !

These four weeks have been an absolute pleasure for the three of us and the willing helpers brought it for specific activities, we were all very impressed with the students, a lovely bunch. Many thanks to the teachers from the Community College and the Active Age members who took part, we do hope that this could become an annual (or bi-annual) event, there is a lot more scope there.

Table quiz fundraiser in aid of 16 local Special Olympic athletes who will represent our community at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in June!

16 athletes and 6 volunteer coach chaperones from Donabate Portrane Special Olympics Club will proudly represent communities across Fingal at the Special Olympics Ireland Games, taking place in sports venues around Dublin from 18th–21st June. This is a fantastic achievement for the Special Olympics club and one they are incredibly proud of.

The youngest athlete selected, Simon Smyth (aged 12), is very excited to represent his club and community. His mother Rebecca said ‘Donabate Portrane Special Olympics Club has been a lifeline to Simon. It has brought an immeasurable amount of fun, joy sport and friendships to his life!’.

Club coach Deborah McArdle said ‘Sending athletes and chaperones to the Ireland Games will cost our club over €10,000, so we are fundraising to ensure that all our selected athletes get to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. As part of these efforts, we are hosting a table quiz in Donabate Golf Club on Wednesday the 29th of April at 8pm and would love the support of as many people as possible by booking a team’.

The cost of entering a team of 4 is €50, and 100% of proceeds will benefit the club. There will also be a prize for the winning team, spot prizes and a fantastic raffle on the night. Why not support this fantastic local cause and secure your team today, by texting Louise on 087 7180324.

Special Olympics Ireland, provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and developmental programmes for almost 7000 athletes annually. Giving our athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

From 18th-21st June 2026, over 1,200 athletes and thousands of volunteers and supporters will come together for the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games - a thrilling competition and a celebration of the skill, determination, and abilities of athletes. See Ireland Summer Games 2026 | The Special Olympics for more information.

The Men’s Shed movement is based on the moto: “Men talk shoulder to shoulder”. This describes our core ethos, that men build social connections and improve well-being by working together on practical projects rather than through direct face-to-face conversation.

Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed meets on Thursday mornings from 11am to noon in the Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road for a cuppa and a chat and to organise our many other activities. There is an exercise class before that at 10am, which many members attend.

So, any man who is free at that time would be more than welcome to join us and learn more about our many other activities and events (e.g. exercise classes, croquet in Newbridge Park, music sessions, outings to places of interest). Or you could contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. Please pass on this information to a friend, neighbour or loved one who might like to join us. We are always open for new members.

The aim of the Lambay Cinema Club is to show interesting and entertaining films from around the world, and our latest cinematic travels take us from Argentina (the setting for last month’s film) to Paris for the tale of Souleyman’s Story.

This award-winning film (including wins at Cannes) focuses on Souleyman, a Guinean food delivery courier in Paris, in the 48 hours before a crucial asylum interview that could help him secure his future.
At the heart of the film is a riveting performance by Abou Sangré, a non-professional actor, whose performance brings to life the reality of seemingly invisible migrant workers trying to navigate society.

Shot on the streets of Paris with hidden cameras, the film follows Souleyman around the city revealing a unique new view of Paris from the perspective of some of its most under-appreciated inhabitants. During this journey we get to experience what The Guardian called “some of the hairiest cycling scenes since Buster Keaton.”

Join us to experience this pulse-pounding and heartrending view of modern Paris.

Nine Queens will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday May 7th at 8pm.

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 30th April at 9am and cost €10 (€8 for students/OAPs)

For more information and to buy tickets, please visit lambaycinemaclub.com

Bring your own cup for free tea and coffee – we even supply the biscuits!

If you want to get in touch, email us at info@lambaycinemaclub.com

Could all current & prospective Parish Hall users, please read this important message.

At the beginning of May, invitations will be sent out by email from the Parish Office to CURRENT GROUPS and individuals, to put in their request/wish lists by email for using the Parish Hall from June 2026 to June 2027. Please submit by the end of May to be sure of your continued use.

If there are any NEW GROUPS or individuals in the community that need space for their activities, we invite you to also email the Parish Office on or before the end of May.

Please specify whether you wish/request Weekly Activities - like Dancing, cards, art, yoga etc OR Special Events - like Music, History, Drama Meetings etc.

The email address for contacting the office is stpatricksrcdonabate@gmail.com
Then in early June, when all the request/wish lists are in, they will all be looked at & groups &individuals will be accommodated as best as possible.

The Parish Office will then be back to each group and individual before the end of June with a programme that works, as well as can be, for all users for the next year.

This approach works well, irons out the gaps and overlaps and everyone is on board and can plan their activities & lives. It reduces the workload for all! So, during the year there should be no chopping & changing of the programme, unless for a very special event or reason.

The Parish Hall is still busy - with the Drama Society, as part of their 90th Celebrations, putting on a production of a classic play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Watch for the posters; it will on around the middle of May and is not to be missed!

After the 11am Mass in Donabate on two Sundays in the month, the Parish Hospitality Committee have a lovely cuppa & cakes over in the Parish Hall for a sociable chat.

Many of the weekly activities will come to a wind down soon. But The Senior Citizens will continue during the summer months & a few others also.

If you have any queries, please contact the Parish Office in the mornings on 01-8434574

Have a lovely summer all & we hope the sun shines.