LAG held its annual general meeting on 11 March in the Cottage Community Centre. The AGM was well represented by members of the community and local political representatives, TDs: Robert O’Donoghue and Grace Boland, Councillors: Eoghan Dockrell, Corina Johnston, Cathal Boland and Mark Boland and Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee.
LAG would like to thank everyone who attended for their participation. If there are members in the community who would like to get involved in whatever capacity you can to help make a positive difference to our community, please do contact us: luskactiongroup@gmail.com
LAG also had its first committee meeting to commence preparing the next summer festival scheduled to take place on 21 June. The Committee would also very much welcome new members to join the committee to help organise the event. It would also like to invite local businesses to get involved in sponsoring this year’s festival. Contact details for both: lusksummerfestival@gmail.com
A meeting of the Town Centre First Team took place on 13 February. It was agreed that individual community groups within Lusk will commence work to implement some of the individual projects contained within the Lusk town plan, Lusk for Life. As work progresses, we will publish more details of these over the coming months.
In the meantime, full details of the town plan are available on the following Fingal County Council webpage: https://www.fingal.ie/news/lusk-town-centre-first-plan-launched
Hexahydrocannabinol, known as HHC, is a man-made drug chemically similar to the active ingredient in cannabis, THC. It is a new cannabis substitute that can cause severe psychosis, and its harms have led to an “explosion” of addiction presentations in Ireland, according to the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland. HHC is already illegal in a number of countries including the UK, France, Germany, Poland (while legislation to ban this is being currently being drafted in Ireland).
We have received information that HHC vapes are easily available to minors in Lusk. This has been reported to the HSE. Given the dangers involved, we are sharing this information to help build awareness.
We enjoyed a very interesting talk from our local Solicitor Liam Fitzgerald, who attended our recent Guild meeting giving us a very interesting talk on the importance of drawing up a Will and a power of attorney among other topics.
Caroline O Malley and Rosanna Darby had a lovely time in the Cultural Centre to celebrate International Women’s Day, a really nice morning with talks by Patricia Langton and Dr Taaffe.
The Lusk ICA Drama ladies did us proud and enjoyed taking part in the ICA Drama Competition, which was held on 9th March in An Grianan, the play “The Big Surprise” was written and directed Anne Smithers.
Frances Devane from Lusk, was proud and honoured to be presented with the 1st prize by the National President Mary Darcy, (out of 25 entries), in the ICA National final of the Dundee Cake Competition, held in An Grianan on 10th March and sponsored by Gempac Food.
The ladies meet everyday Monday to Friday at 10 AM for a brisk walk, and everybody’s welcome.
The Lusk ICA Guild meet on the First Thursday of every month in the Scouts Den (after beavers)at 8:15 PM and we would be delighted to welcome new members to come along.
LSA members have taken to the roads in the last month with lots of our members taking part in the Lusk 4 mile Road Race and the Bohermeen Half Marathon at the start of March.
In Lusk, James Keegan was the first LSA member home in 23:42 for the 4 miles. Grace Brady was the first female in 31:30.
In County Meath the following weekend, Shane O’Farrell led the twenty seven LSA athletes home, covering the thirteen miles in 1 hour 20:18. Sinéad Kiernan was the first LSA female finisher in 1 hour 39:16.
Meanwhile, the Indoor Track and Field season continues. Our Little Athletics group had a busy day of competition at the Dublin Spraoi Games in Abbotstown. A small group of LSA Under 20 and Masters athletes competed in the Leinster Championships in Abbotstown, The following week our Masters were back in action at the National Masters Championships in Athlone.
Masters athletes Dara Carr (W55) and Enda Gavigan (M60) took double Championships titles in the 60m and 200m at both Leinster and National Championships. Xavier Hubert (M45) claimed the Leinster High Jump title, and a second place finish in that event in Athlone
Our female relay teams claimed Gold and Bronze in the Leinster Championships and went on to mark International Women’s Day with a Bronze. We also had a Mixed Masters Relay Team who claimed Bronze in Athlone.
The Cross Country season concluded with Sinéad Farrell and Reuben Capocci qualifying for the All-Ireland Championships. Huge congratulations to Sinéad who helped her team to victory in the Senior Girls event.
We are very grateful to all the coaches and parents who volunteer their time to help all the members of our club. We always welcome new members.
Keep up to date on all the events by following LSA on our website and social media pages!
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lsadonabateportrane/
Twitter https://twitter.com/LSARunning
https://lambaysportsathletics.ie/
Adult memberships queries:
lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com
Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18):
lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com
Last month there was a great do in the Parish Hall there was singing & dancing thanks to Gerry & the Plonkers Band, and eating delicious sambos made by Cates Cafe & drinking tea & coffee served by the Tea Team! All thanks to the Parish Hall Committee.
It is just great craic to have 6 times a year in the dark months of October, November, December, January, February & March an event like this for adults only on the Peninsula. Witness people meeting for the first time in one photo and all the folk just getting up dancing in another pure craic!
We were delighted to see Louis from Active Age for All committee & Rafe from FCC our hard working Community Officer there, see the two lads chatting at the door!
Sandra, Manager from the Community Centre also came to support - her ‘Memory Cafe‘ which is just fantastic continues on the third Wednesday of the month in one of the Studios from 11-1pm there is anything from poetry so witty … to flower arranging so creative … to singing so uplifting! & delicious refreshments generally homemade don’t miss it!
Other news Music Makers (see other article) Drama Society Play in mid-May always a must & Camps in the Summer starting with Drama in early July for youth.
If you want to request a booking in the hall for daily activities & or events please call the Parish Office on 01 8434574 - the Parish Office takes all requests, wishes & wants in in mid May and in early June works on the Programme of Activities - daily or events - to produce by the end of June a Programme for the year to try to meet the needs of our ever growing community.
A very Happy Easter to all in our community.
If you are a man who enjoys the company of other men, why not join us at Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed? We have a variety of weekly activities, including exercise classes, croquet in Newbridge, music jam sessions and Thursday morning get-togethers from 10am to noon for tea/coffee and a chat at the Sea Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road.
We also have two plots at Turvey Allotments, which need continuous attention at this time of year. We have onions, tomatoes, garlic, cauliflower and broccoli planted, but opted out of potatoes this year, after last year’s disaster with potato blight. Perhaps with the improving weather, we can plan for coffee/tea get-togethers on the decking at one of our plots for members who don’t regularly visit the allotments.
Gerry & The Plonkers, our music group, who as their name suggests don’t take themselves too seriously, have gone from strength to strength, with frequent concerts for community groups. Recently they played at the International Women’s Day Sing-along in Parslickstown House and in Donabate Parish Hall. On both occasions, they were joined by a special guest, Edel Dempsey, on flute and whistles and received enthusiastic responses from the audiences.
In addition to these regular activities, the Men’s Shed also from time to time organise outings to places of interest. As reported last month, a group of members enjoyed a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol Museum, which is steeped in the history of Ireland from the late 18th century to the early 20th. They saw the cells where Robert Emmet, Charles Stewart Parnell and Countess Markievicz were imprisoned and the Stonebreakers’ Yard where 14 of the 1916 Rising leaders were executed. The Men’s Shed’s next planned outing is to EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.
We are always open to new members. So, if you or someone you know is interested in joining us, call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.
Last month the Peninsula Pacers did the Balbriggan to Laytown trail walking by the coast - a long walk but enjoyable with scrumptious food in the - Cottage Inn - Italian Restaurant. One can take a circular bus from Laytown to Bettystown every 15 minutes - a great service if one is on a day out!
Our next walk will be our annual city tour - this year for James Joyce & Bloomsday - details in the May edition of the magazine.
Contact Carolyn or Des for further details.
Leithinis Comhaltas played a session in SuperValu Mall on Sunday March 8th. We were delighted to have a large group of musicians, both young and old play with us on the day.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music in Ireland. Leithinis, meaning peninsula, is the name given to our local Donabate Portrane Comhaltas Branch. We run lessons for adults and children on Monday evenings in the Donabate Portrane Educate Together School on Beaverstown Road. We also host a Stay and Play Slow Session from 7.30-8.30 on Mondays at the school. Twice a month we host a slow session in the Parish Hall, Donabate. It’s a very supportive and sociable way for adults or children to learn a new instrument, meet new people and learn a new skill.
A wonderful group of Leithinis musicians visited St. Patrick’s Boys School and Scoil Phádraig Cailiní on March 10th as part of the schools’ Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations. The children showed great musical abilities in singing and playing themselves and learned about Irish traditional instruments such as banjo, fiddle, bodhrán, tin whistle, and button accordion. A big thank you to the teaching staff of both schools for facilitating our visit and to our members for promoting annd representing our branch so well. It’s wonderful to have a collaborative musical relationship within the community. We’ve been in contact with all the schools in Donabate and we look forward to future collaborations.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Comhaltas Leithinis Donabate Portrane or through our website on www.Leithinis.com
Recently, an Open Mic Extravaganza was held in the Parish Hall one Sunday afternoon. It was a special event organised by the Music Makers in collaboration with the Parish Hall; so, with adults present to keep an eye as minors played & sang, the 15-year-olds & upwards got a chance to perform their music, some of them for the first time!
It was all about participation - giving it a go - not about perfection; so, you could start & restart, no problem at all! They even got to have a coffee and a chat with pals and meet a few new like-minded music lovers. It was a success for all those that came and they all want more!
Fridays are music nights in the Parish Hall. Two Fridays a month Leithinis CCÉ run their Slow Sessions. They are an established group with a committee and run under Comhaltas as the umbrella organisation. The other two Fridays, Music Makers invite musicians who are over 18 come & do their thing! Under age cannot be catered for on a regular basis - only for occasional events unfortunately. A committee of adults needs to be established, or a group needs to be found as an umbrella, so that the younger teenagers can be included in regular sessions.
At present the Parish Hall and some responsible adults keep the show on the road. So simply commitment is needed to further the Music Makers! The enjoyment and real buzz the young ones got from the afternoon was just brilliant & infectious.
It is hoped to run another special event coming into summer for all the local budding talent over 15yrs. In the meantime, if you as an adult have something to bring to the party in terms of energy, expertise, effort & enthusiasm, please do not hesitate to contact Noel (Dowling) & Seán (Collins) at this email:
Musicmakersph@gmail.com
NEXT MUSIC MAKERS SESSIONS - Friday 4th April, Friday 2nd May & Friday 6th June.
The Memory Cafe in Donabate is run by the Donabate/Portrane Community Centre in co-operation with Active Age for All. The cafe is held on the last Wednesday of every month from 11am to 1pm in the community centre and is always free of charge.
Memory cafes offer people with dementia and their care partners the opportunity to enjoy regular enjoyable social interaction with others in similar circumstances in a safe welcoming environment.
There are regular talks and presentations from healthcare professionals and support groups; for instance the March Memory cafe had presentations from Maria Heffernan from Healthy Eating made Easy and Mary Woods Murphy from St Francis Hospice in Raheny. Also popular is playing cards and games that promote physical co-ordination and mental acuity.
Refreshments of tea, coffee and home bakes are served and the cafe always winds up with music from local groups or musicians to enjoy and sing along with.
February marked an exciting new chapter for Takemusu Aikido Society as the club moved to a more spacious and accessible location in Balbriggan. Now based in the Balbriggan Clubs Community Centre on Dublin Street, the new facility provides a larger training area with high ceilings — an essential feature for practising Aikido with traditional wooden weapons like the aiki-ken (wooden sword) and aiki-jo (wooden staff). This move allows the club to offer a more complete Aikido experience, blending empty-handed techniques (taijutsu) with weapon training, a hallmark of the Iwama-style Aikido the club follows.
The new venue not only addresses the technical needs of Aikido practice but also paves the way for future growth. Previously, the club shared space with a local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu group, but the low ceilings restricted the range of techniques that could be safely practised. “We hope to expand our presence in Balbriggan by introducing classes for children and teenagers,” says Raman Bekarevich, the club’s head instructor who runs all club initiatives. However, the transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Since the community centre lacks mats suitable for Aikido practice, the club is actively fundraising to purchase their own mats, ensuring a safe and authentic training environment.
Behind the scenes, Raman has been supported by a dedicated group of volunteers who have played a vital role in the club’s success. Among them is Jan, the club’s newly promoted black belt and recently named Sport Volunteer of the Year for 2025. Jan’s tireless efforts, both on and off the mat, have inspired others to contribute. Other club volunteers have been very helpful in preparation for recent events and ensuring the club’s smooth operation during this period of transition. Their collective commitment reflects the spirit of community that lies at the heart of Takemusu Aikido Society.
This spirit of inclusivity and community was further demonstrated in early March when the club participated in Sport Ireland’s Women in Sports Week, a national campaign aimed at increasing the visibility of women in sport and encouraging greater participation. Recognising that women are often underrepresented in martial arts, the club offered for them three free Aikido classes during the week: two in Dublin city centre and one in Balbriggan. While many expressed interest, only a few could attend, reflecting the challenges some women face in balancing new activities with their existing commitments. Those who participated, however, had an enriching experience and were presented with small gifts sponsored by Fingal County Council as a token of appreciation. Building on this momentum, the club also took part in Balbriggan’s St. Patrick’s Parade, showcasing the art of Aikido to the local community and further strengthening their ties within the town.
Aikido, unlike many other martial arts, does not rely on physical strength. Instead, it emphasises balance, structural stability, and coordinated movement — making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities. “We want women to feel equally welcome and capable,” says Raman. “Aikido is something you can pursue throughout life, whether you’re a child, an adult, or a senior.” This philosophy of inclusivity is at the core of Takemusu Aikido Society’s ethos, and the club remains committed to fostering a welcoming environment for everyone. Plans are already underway to continue offering free classes to underrepresented groups, including women and older adults, ensuring that the art of Aikido is accessible to all.
The recent move to the Balbriggan Clubs Community Centre and the success of community initiatives like Women in Sports Week reflect Takemusu Aikido Society’s broader mission: to create an inclusive, supportive environment where people from all walks of life can explore the art of Aikido. As the club settles into its new home, the instructors and volunteers remain dedicated to expanding their reach and ensuring everyone feels welcome on the mats. With a renewed focus on community engagement and accessibility, Takemusu Aikido Society is not just teaching martial arts—it’s building a space where individuals can grow, connect, and thrive.
Whether you’re curious about Aikido, looking for a new way to stay active, or simply want to be part of a welcoming community, Takemusu Aikido Society invites you to step onto the mat. Classes in Balbriggan now take place every Saturday from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at the Balbriggan Clubs Community Centre—an open invitation to discover the art of Aikido for yourself.
