Very best wishes for Christmas and for 2025 from LSA. Do you have running goals to achieve in 2025? This is a great time to join LSA and let us help you achieve those goals through the power of support. Our participation in the recent Dublin Marathon was a great experience for both runners and supporters alike.
We are an Athletics Club based in Donabate/Portrane and affiliated with Athletics Ireland. We are run entirely by volunteers, and our membership ranges from age 7 to 70 and beyond. We aim to provide coaching in all the athletics run, jump and throw events.
We have a number of different adult groups catering for a wide variety of goals and capabilities.
For example, our Fit for Life Group is essentially about being consistent and having a Fit for Life mentality in a fun and social environment. We also have advice to share on nutrition and strength training. We train on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm and a long slow run on Saturday.
The aim of our Developing Group is to learn to control and maintain pace for easy running. It is offered as a progression from our Fit for Life Group, but still aimed at those who want to run a Park Run in under 30 minutes and improve fitness and general health.
We also have Intermediate and Advanced groups, and adult sprint groups. Our new home, a permanent athletics track in Ballymastone, will begin to take shape very soon.In the meantime we always welcome new members. Please check out our social media channels for more up to date information
Adult memberships queries:
lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com. Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18) :lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com
Calling all Donabate and Portrane music lovers aged 18 and over! If you’re looking for a place to unleash your inner rockstar without your neighbours filing noise complaints, Music Makers is here for you. This local group is a cozy, friendly space where you can jam with fellow music enthusiasts.
No real experience? No problem. Tone-deaf? We respect your bravery. Whether you’re a virtuoso or can only manage three chords on a ukulele, Music Makers is all about keeping it real, having a laugh, and sharing the universal language of music. Whether you’re an aspiring musician, a singer / songwriter or just love music, everyone is welcome! So, grab your instrument, come hang out, and let’s make music!
The club meets once or twice a month in Donabate Parish Hall on Friday evenings at 7.45pm.
If you’re interested, please email musicmakersph@gmail.com for dates and more information.
We welcome any donations of musical instruments or equipment in reasonable condition.
Have you ever considered playing Bridge?
Why play Bridge?
Bridge is fun!
Bridge is sociable ~ meet lots of lovely people!
Bridge is cheap!
Bridge is great for your mental agility.
Omar Shariff gave up horses, women and gambling in favour of Bridge!
Donabate Bridge Club is a group that meets every Wednesday evening, all year round, in St. Patrick’s Parish Hall, to play Bridge. The club currently boasts approximately 45 members at many levels of Bridge prowess, from Beginners, or Novices, to more experienced players. However, here in Donabate, all the different levels plays together, with the emphasis on having fun!
The club is very grateful to Fr. Pat and Bernie, and the Parish Council for accommodating our weekly meetings.
The club are looking for new members to join the club and increase the membership. A 10-week term of lessons for Beginners will be starting in January 2025.
Experienced players of any level are also very welcome to join.
The club regularly holds Improver lessons.
Donabate Bridge Club is affiliated to CBAI, the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland, who provide expert support and guidance to the club.
There is a weekly competition held in the club, and some of the members also participate in Regional and National competitions, putting the name of Donabate Bridge Club firmly on the map!
If you think you would be interested in joining Donabate Bridge Club and playing learning to play Bridge, contact Emer on 0863691871, or any club member.
On Bank Holiday Monday, 28th of October, a large group of people met at Tower Bay Beach, Portrane, for the 3rd Annual Big Pink Breakfast & Swim Fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society. Olivia Nolan, from Portrane, is a Breast Cancer Survivor & started running this event 3 years ago, while on Chemotherapy treatment. Olivia is a regular sea swimmer since she started it in 2020 during Covid.
This is the 3rd year of the event, and it was the biggest yet - the fundraiser has reached in excess of €5,500.00!
The theme of the event is Pink.. everyone wears something pink, and gathers for a swim all together, turning the sea Pink! Olivia and her husband Francis, along with all of their friends, organise a BBQ on the beach for after the swim. Many of the supporters bring along home bakes as a welcomed treat for all of the sea swimmers and supporters.
The event will continue to be held at Tower Bay Beach in Portrane on the October Bank Holiday Monday every year.
Here is a link to the fundraiser, which is still open for donations; https://www.justgiving.com/page/olivia-nolan-1727122562160?utm_source=IG
Active Age activities and classes are back in full swing following the half term and we are now preparing for Christmas activities.
As part of Inclusion Week we held a coffee and sing along morning in the Donabate/Portrane Community Centre. It was very well attended and we were royally entertained by our own AAfA singing group led by Ed Mallarky and the Willie Cahill Quartet, a talented foursome otherwise known as Willie Cahill, Brian Andrews, Maurice Buckley and Fran Ryan. Many thanks also due to the many bakers who provided the goodies, and of course all the centre staff who rowed in with the practicalities on the day.
On Tuesday 10th December we are holding our annual Christmas Carol coffee morning fund raiser for St Francis Hospice. This is in memory of our previous, and much missed, chairperson Philippa Coady, and to support the wonderful work that they do. There will be plenty of delicious goodies including mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine; a sing along with our own singing group plus the Willie Cahill quartet and a raffle with lots of wonderful prizes. As special guests we are delighted to include the children from the creche who will sing 1 or 2 Christmas Carols for us. Do come along and join in the fun !
Some dates for the diaries:
Classes finish for Christmas on Friday 13th December.
Mon/Tues 6th & 7th Jan ’25: Online registration for AAfA members,
Wed/Thurs 8th & 9th Jan: In person membership and registration.
Friday 17th Jan ’25: AGM
Monday 20th Jan: Spring ’25 programme of classes commences.
Wishing all the Active Age for All members and their families, and the Donabate & Portrane community a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
This year Santa is using Active Travel to get to Donabate - he will arrive to Dublin by Sleigh then cross over O’Connell St and take a train to Donabate & back to deliver some presents to all the children on our Peninsula. Remember you must have your letter written & wishes in by now and also that Santa has a lot of children to bring gifts to, so you cannot ask for lots, it is a wish list!
Santa will be with you soon so mind yourselves & each other ….xxxx
On Saturday 16th of November, at the National Garda Youth Awards held at the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Balbriggan woman Aisha Alameen Betro was celebrated for her outstanding commitment to community safety.
Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris presented the prestigious National Garda Youth Award in the Community Safety category to Aisha for her incredible work in improving access to life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
A member of an Garda Síochána explained: “Aisha took it on herself to research the availability of defibrillators across Balbriggan where she lives. She quickly found that there were incredibly few defibrillators that were accessible 24/7, 365 days a year. To highlight the urgency of this issue, Aisha examined the prevalence of cardiac issues across Ireland, gathering data as she went. When she had all the information she needed, Aisha recruited four young women and established the Aisha AED Initiative. The AED Initiative issued informational leaflets on defibrillators, cardiac events and emergency procedure across North Dublin; helping to educate the public on where their nearest defibrillator is in the event of a crisis. Launching the AED Initiative’s first 24/7 365 defibrillator in Balbriggan Garda Station in June, with plans to place more accessible defibrillators in her town.”
Speaking of the award Aisha said: “I am absolutely delighted to have received this award from the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris. This award recognises the work I have been doing in Balbriggan and encourages me to keep going to reach a future where no one passes away due to not being able to access an AED. Our vision is that Aisha AED Initiative will become a cornerstone for community safety, with AED/CPR education and training, and further AED installations in the future.”
Balbriggan Community Council stated: “Aisha Alameen Betro and the four young people Ciara Leonard, Alicia Rice, Mizna Shadid and Zainab Shahid have been an inspiration and have created a collaborative movement within Balbriggan aimed at providing lifesaving AEDs for the entire town and have advocated with community groups, individuals, stakeholders, political representatives, both locally and at Dail Éireann. We’re incredibly proud of Aisha and the other four young women and look forward to continuing to work with these truly exceptional young women” For further information, please contact Aisha AED Initiative on aishaaedinitiative@gmail.com or Balbriggan Community Council on balbriggancoco@gmail.com
Thrive Balbriggan hosted an Open Table discussion on Our Mental Health and the City on Monday October 14th, 2024, at the Open House Info Hub on Charlemont Walk in Dublin.
Open Table is a series of expert-led lunchtime conversations to encourage people to discuss different issues facing Dublin. These meetings are part of Open House Dublin, Ireland’s largest festival of architecture organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) since 2005.
Thrive Balbriggan was invited to host one of the talks and was represented by Joe McKenna, Thrive Balbriggan Chairperson and Team Leader at Empower and Lisa Kelly, Thrive Balbriggan member and the HSE Health Promotion and Improvement Officer.
Alongside Thrive Balbriggan members, two students Paula and Amy from Balbriggan Community College contributed to the discussion on creating a mental health friendly community for all. Both students attended a focus group for young people organised by Thrive Balbriggan the previous week and expressed their interest in participating in today’s event.
The Open Table discussion was led by Caroline Brogan, Development Officer for Mental Health Ireland and Lead for Thrive Ireland who said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the ongoing conversation about mental health and the role our built environment plays, particularly in supporting the wellbeing of young people. It’s encouraging to see growing interest in recognising how the design of our towns can better address mental health needs. When we prioritise mental health in design, we help foster stronger, mentally healthier communities”.
During the conversation, participants explored the character and identity of Balbriggan and shared their insights on the urban planning and its impact on the mental health of the local community. The group also discussed ideas on how to create mental health friendly workplaces as well as habitual places.
Thrive is a community-led movement to create happier and healthier communities by conducting projects and events aiming at improving mental health and wellbeing. Thrive was introduced to Ireland in 2021 by Mental Health Ireland and currently operates in two locations in County Fingal in Balbriggan and Swords as well as in Connemara.
Thrive Balbriggan is an initiative of Mental Health Ireland and is supported by Fingal County Council. For further information please visit Thrive Ireland – Mental Health Ireland.
It’s been a busy month for the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs.
On Tuesday, November 5th our branch held a coffee morning in Skinny Batch Bakery in Lusk, Co. Dublin. There was tea, coffee, sweet treats and even doggy gift bags! A great morning was had by all and a big thank you to anyone who came along and supported us, €535 raised. On Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd November our merchandise stand was set up in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan where plenty of Christmas cards, car raffle tickets and calendars were sold. Again on Friday the 29th and Saturday the 30th November our merchandise stand was back, but this time in Supervalu, Balbriggan with more festive merchandise to get us into the Christmas spirit!
We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported us, donated and purchased any merchandise from us. Your support is greatly appreciated! In the lead up to Christmas, you can expect to see our branch out and about, so make sure to keep an eye on our social media accounts for more information. There will be Christmas cards and calendars in local shops in Balbriggan and Skerries. You can also reach out to us on our social media below if you would like to purchase these, along with car raffle tickets.
You can contact Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Irish Guide Dogs by phone/text 0857663107, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.
This October, members of Takemusu Aikido Society returned from an inspiring two-week journey to Japan, where they trained intensively at the historic Iwama Dojo. This dojo, established by Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, known as O-Sensei, holds a unique place in the world of Aikido, preserving traditional techniques and philosophies. For members of Takemusu Aikido Society, this pilgrimage has become an annual tradition — a chance to deepen their understanding of traditional Aikido under Japan’s most respected instructors and bring that experience back to Ireland.
Raman, the head instructor of the club, spent many years training in Japan before moving to Ireland. Now, he and his dedicated students travel to Iwama Dojo every year, spending a few weeks on each trip to fully immerse themselves in the rigorous and authentic training atmosphere. In Iwama, a serene village in the Japanese countryside, practitioners live the life of uchideshi (live-in students), which includes three daily Aikido sessions, caring for the Aiki Shrine, and helping with farm work around the dojo grounds. This intense routine enhanced by fierce training on the rock-hard mats deeply engages students in the traditional training methods offering a unique opportunity for authentic practice in the Aikido Founder’s Dojo.
Aikido in Iwama is led by Inagaki Sensei, one of O-Sensei’s disciples, who has passed down teachings directly from the founder’s time, maintaining an unbroken lineage. Inagaki Sensei began practising under O-Sensei at the age of 12 and has been practising Aikido for an astounding 66 years. His dedication and profound knowledge form the heart of Iwama Dojo, creating a unique and unforgettable experience for those who journey from around the world to study under his guidance. This year, Raman and the group met and trained with uchideshi from Spain, Australia, Japan, Argentina, Germany, Israel, and the United States. In Iwama, there is rarely a day when there isn’t a foreign uchideshi present, creating a rich environment for the exchange of skills and experiences.
This year, Raman was honoured to participate in the 39th Demonstrations of the Ibaraki Aikido Federation with the group representing the Founder’s Dojo. “These annual demonstrations showcase the skill, dedication, and spirit of Aikido practitioners from across the prefecture. It was a privilege for me to perform alongside Japan’s most skilled Aikido masters”, said Raman.
Inspired by their experience in Iwama, members of Takemusu Aikido Society bring this dedication and authenticity back to Dublin. The club holds classes every Sunday in Balbriggan and every Monday and Wednesday at Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre in Dublin city centre. Open to all, Takemusu Aikido Society invites newcomers of all ages to discover the benefits of Aikido, including fitness, flexibility, self-discipline, and mindfulness.
If you’re curious about Aikido, visit Takemusu Aikido Society and experience the principles and techniques of Japan’s Iwama Dojo right here in Balbriggan. For more details, visit their website at www.aiki.ie.
