A reminder to members to purchase their tickets for the Lusk AC Christmas party which takes place on Friday 11th December. Always a great night!

Congratulations to all who completed this year’s Dublin City Marathon as well as a big thanks to those who volunteered or supported at the event. We will include photos in next month’s issue. We’ve also had athletes completing marathons in Munich, Lisbon and Amsterdam in recent weeks. Well done to all who took on the Rathfarnham 5k in challenging conditions and to everyone who supported the Lusk AC 20 mile. It was a nice preparation race for DCM with plenty of hills included.

Well done also to everyone involved in the Juvenile Cross Country events.

An Exhibition of Paintings by Rush Artists
Margaret Dobinson
Bernadette Galloghly
Liam Kearns

Following on from the success of last year’s exhibition, local artists Margaret Dobinson, Bernadette Galloghly and Liam Kearns are delighted to announce that they will again be showcasing new work in the Lusk Community Cultural Centre, Katie Hunt’s Cottage, Church Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin, K45 CP40 from Saturday 31st October to Sunday 15th November 2026.

This year’s exhibition will include a variety of paintings ranging from local seascapes, places of interest visited, classic still life and portraiture of humans and animals.

The Town Team, along with their volunteer working groups are progressing the work outlined in the Lusk for Life document, alongside Fingal County Council.

Community Forum
The Community Forum is up and running and is currently chaired by Amina Ojeifo. The next meeting is on the 23rd November from 7pm till 9.30pm in the Saint Macullin’s Centre.

Communications and Community engagement
The Communications Group has established social media accounts for the Town Team to share updates and opportunities to get involved. It is also engaging with other community groups, building connections and encouraging wider participation.

Streetscape improvements
Lusk secured €195,000 earlier in the year, through the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme fund, to help develop the Streetscapes and Wayfinding projects.

The Streetscapes Group has been exploring options for improving public spaces around the town. A tender will shortly be issued to appoint a professional landscape architect to develop plans for streetscape upgrades, turning ideas into practical proposals that respect Lusk’s character.

Parks
Following a consultation and design process, plans for Lusk’s parks will soon be presented to local councillors and made available to the public. This will give residents an opportunity to see the proposals for these important community spaces.

Farmers’ Market
The farmers’ market pilot was a huge success, recording 2,130 visits across three markets in Murray’s car park on 22 August, 29 August and 5 September.

The market supported producers, craftspeople and small businesses while creating a lively community gathering place. The Town Team and Farmers’ Market Working Group are now developing a sustainable long-term plan for regular markets, addressing venue arrangements, facilities, funding and volunteer support.

Lusk Identity and Wayfinding
The Identity and Wayfinding project has progressed to tender stage. It aims to develop a coherent identity for Lusk and coordinated signage to help residents and visitors explore the town, drawing on its history, heritage, food growing traditions and community life.

The community members helping to deliver these projects are all volunteers, giving their time and skills to improve Lusk. If you would like to get involved, email
projects@luskforlife.com

Balbriggan was the last outing of the year with player of the year still up for grabs. Sponsored by all our previous sponsors and Conrad Murray of The Top Shop. Overall winner Gary Boylan, Category 1, Padraig Lehany, Category 2, Paddy Brown, Front 9 Dermot Halpin, Back 9 Keith Penrose, Nearest to the pin, Rod Mangan. Player of the year was between David Grimes and Robbie Moore, David wins on most 1st places.

Thanks to our captain, Padraig Lehany for a great year of golf. Looking forward to seeing you all next year, new members are always welcome.

Lusk is our town, and we all have a part to play in shaping its future.

As Chairperson of the Lusk Community Forum, I would like to invite residents, community groups, charity organisations, sports groups, local businesses, cultural groups and anyone with an interest in Lusk to join us at our next meeting on Monday, 23 November 2026, from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm at Saint Macullin’s Centre.

Established as part of the Lusk for Life initiative, the Forum brings together the different voices that make up our community, creating a space to share ideas, exchange information and identify opportunities to work together. It is not about one person or one organisation; it is about what we can achieve collectively.

Through the Lusk for Life Town Centre First Plan, we have an exciting opportunity to help shape how our town develops. Projects already underway include the development of Lusk’s identity and wayfinding, tourism, streetscape improvements, the Farmers’ Market and the new Sports Hub. Our meetings provide an opportunity to understand how these projects are progressing and, importantly, consider how we as a community can contribute to their success.

We also want to encourage more people to get involved in working groups and initiatives that will help bring these plans to life. Whether your interest is in sport, culture, the environment, local business or simply making Lusk a better place to live, your perspective and experience are valuable.You do not need to represent a large organisation or have previous experience to take part.

If you live, work, volunteer or have an interest in Lusk’s future, there is a place for you in this conversation.

Please come along, share your views and be part of the conversation. Together, we can help Lusk grow and develop in a way that reflects the needs and ambitions of our community. I look forward to welcoming you.

By Amina Ojeifo, Chairperson, Lusk Community Forum

Concerns over rising antisocial behaviour in Dublin Fingal West have been raised in the Dáil, with Deputy O’Donoghue calling for greater Garda visibility and resources across the area. Speaking during the debate, O’Donoghue said the region had a strong community spirit and was “a fantastic part of the country”, but a lack of visible Garda resources was allowing some individuals to take advantage of communities.

The Deputy pointed to a serious incident at Skerries Harbour during the summer, as well as concerns about open drug dealing in local towns and raised the issue of teenagers recording vicious attacks and sharing footage on social media. While acknowledging that local gardaí were doing their best, he said they needed additional resources and a stronger presence within the communities they serve.

Deputy O’Donoghue specifically highlighted Garda stations in Rush, Lusk and Skerries, saying the towns now each have populations of more than 10,000 people and that stations are currently open for just two hours a week, arguing that this level of access was insufficient for growing communities. He called on the Government to address the issue directly and to increase the number of Gardaí working in the North County, both on local streets and in Garda stations.

Minister Chambers said he appreciated the concerns raised about growing communities in Dublin Fingal West and acknowledged reports of increased antisocial behaviour in recent months. He said the Government had sought to significantly expand Garda numbers and that increased civilianisation would also allow for the redeployment of gardaí to frontline duties. Minister Chambers said he would seek specific information from the Minister for Justice on Garda allocations and would relay the Deputy O’Donoghues concerns.

Donabate/Portrane Community Council were delighted to host a special event in the Shoreline Hotel on Friday 2nd October to present grant cheques from the Community Fund to the successful applicants.

The Community Fund arose from a community – mandated agreement with Cairn Homes in 2024; €50,000 has been allocated now with a further €50,000 to follow in 2028.

Congratulations to: Donabate Sea Scouts: €10,000, Donabate/Portrane Drama Society €5,000, Donabate SEC €5,000, Donabate/Portrane Summer Festival €5,000, Lambay Cinema Club €5,000, Portrane Hockey Club €5,000, St Patricks Boys NS €5,000, St Pats GAA €2,500, St Pats Girls GAA €2,500, Lambay Singers €2,500, Tower Bay Swimmers €2,500.

These grants recognise the dedication and community spirit of the organisations that make Donabate and Portrane such a good place to live.

To our wider community thank you for your support of the Donabate/Portrane Community Council and your understanding that progress takes time, care and constructive co-operation. Finally, thank you to Cairn Homes for their help in administrating the fund.

Active Age has now settled into the autumn term for the start of its’ 11th year in action. We now offer 16 different classes and activities with multiples of some due to their popularity. Our membership is now over 300 and given the growth of population in the area we want to prepare ourselves for increased demand for membership and an expansion of subjects on offer.

With that in mind the committee thought it would be a good idea to gather the information that we will need going forward. So we would love you to join us for a relaxed and friendly evening in the Shoreline Hotel on Wednesday 11th November from 7 to 10.30pm. The evening is open to all 55+, you do not have to be a member, so if you know someone who would enjoy a lovely evening out do come along. Your voice matters, we want to know what you think we’re doing well, what we could do better, and what you would like to see in the future. After we have picked your brains we will move on to the social part of the evening with music, chat and light refreshment.

Transport will be provided by Leonards Coaches starting at Marsh Lane at 6.30pm, picking up at all bus stops to the Shoreline Hotel with return at 10.30pm.

You can register to attend (we need to have an idea of numbers) with Eventbrite, or email us on www.activeageforall.com to let us know you are coming and we will register you.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Fingal Co Co very much for all the support they give to us at every level be it grant aid, advice or any help we need at the time. Also a big thank you to my hard working committee who do so much behind the scenes to enable out organisation to be the success it is.

The special 90th anniversary year of Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society continues! After the very successful run of The Importance of Being Earnest in May The society is delighted to be presenting another Irish classic, the very moving and much-loved story of SIVE by John B Keane, running Thursday, Friday Saturday the 12th,13th,14st and 19th,20th,21st November.

Now that she’s finishing school what will become of the orphaned Sive, who has been looked after by her uncle and his wife, and how much say will Sive and her loving Grandmother have in her fate?

SIVE is essentially a battle between Love and money; Love, and the costs it can ask; versus the sordid choices people are drawn to by Money, or the lack of it. Though written in 1959, the story still resonates. As Conor Cruise O Brien said : “The very young and the very old have a lot in common; they’re both kicked around by the middle-aged”.

Last performed to packed houses on our 70th anniversary in 2006, it looks like it’s as popular as ever. Thursday 12th November is sold out, but tickets can be booked at https://www.ticketsource.com/donabate-portrane-dramatic-society.

Drawing towards the end of this great year the society would like to thank everyone who helped and came out to join in our special events during 2026, from leading the first Donabate-Portrane St Patrick’s day parade followed by readings from the group and the unveiling of a plaque in the Parish Hall commemorating our first performance, to our 90 minutes for 90 years miscellany in Triangle Coffee, in July, and in September our very special Gala Dinner in the Donabate Golf Club, attended by, oddly enough, 90 guests including long-standing members, former members and those with personal or family connections going right back to the start in 1936, ably interviewed by Charlie Weston to share reminiscences and stories of DPDS, celebrating not only its theatrical achievements but also the friendships, community connections and countless memories created along the way.

Mary Byrne provided a wonderful selection of songs spanning the 1960s right through to the present day. Her incredible voice and engaging performance made for a memorable evening, with everyone thoroughly enjoying the entertainment. A special mention must go to Rita McDermott, whose dedication, hard work and enthusiasm were instrumental in bringing this wonderful celebration to life. Working alongside fellow members of the society, Rita put an enormous amount of effort into making the evening such a success. She was also at the Shoreline to receive our award from the Donabate Community Council, with thanks to all who helped us in our bid;. another great fillip for DPDS in this year of years.

If we can we’ll try and squeeze in one or two other happenings before the year’s out, but here’s to 90 years of drama, laughter and friendship — and many more to come