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.

Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, Fingal has launched a new immersive tour designed especially for families. Lasting 30-40 minutes it’s an engaging and entertaining way to explore the elegant world of the Taylor family who lived in Argillan for generations.

The self-guided audio tour is delivered through the voice of the 19th century matriarch Lady Marianne St. Leger Taylor. A significant community figure and socialite, Marianne kept daily diaries revealing daily life behind the Castle doors, which form the basis of the tour. Lady Marianne’s first-hand accounts of family life include household routines, social gatherings, and the joys and challenges of raising her seven children. These authentic diary reflections bring the house to life, allowing visitors to experience her thoughts, observations, and memories as they walk through the rooms where she once lived.

Well designed, informative panels in each room supplement the audio information with fascinating insights. The tour begins in the entrance hallway and includes dining and drawing rooms, the billiards room, the butler’s pantry and the basement kitchens. Secret hidden doors add to the interest and intrigue.

Throughout the immersive tour the past comes to life through sensory connections including evocative “smellometers” dotted through the rooms. Automatically triggered “soundscapes” introduce an acoustic element defining each location like the murmur of diners and clinking of glasses in the dining room while in the kitchen the busy clatter of pots and pans dominates.

In the Discovery Nook children dive into character, dressing up in historic costumes while solving puzzles and playing games. The tour includes a fun activity trail booklet including a quest to find hidden chicks in the castle – a nod to the Taylor families pet name for their offspring.

The audio tour is available in five languages - English, Irish, German, Spanish, French and Polish. These are accessed via a QR code. Headphones are not provided but visitors are welcome to bring their own. The QR code also leads to a helpful transcript as an option.

Open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm. Ample free parking is available. Café and craft shop open daily.

Cost €10 per adult, €7 per child (u18), €30 for 2 adults and 2 children, €8 seniors (65+)

Labour Councillor Corina Johnston has called for urgent action to restore visible community policing and rebuild trust in An Garda Síochána, warning that communities are being left behind as Garda numbers fall and resources fail to keep pace with demand.

Cllr. Johnston said, “People in Donabate can see the reality on the ground. Garda visibility has dropped and response times are under pressure. This is not acceptable. The government have failed to properly resource An Garda Siochána and the impact is being felt in Donabate and neighbourhoods across Fingal.

“We now have fewer Gardaí per person than we did just a few years ago. At the same time, our population has grown. In 2009 DMR North (which includes Swords, Balbriggan, Malahide, Garristown Rush, Lusk) had 832 Gardai, in December 2025 DMR North had 761 Gardai. That means fewer Gardaí covering more people, more communities and more complex policing demands. In Donabate this translates into less visible policing, less community engagement and more pressure on an already stretched force. Community Gardaí play a vital role in building relationships, preventing crime and supporting vulnerable people. Yet their numbers are falling. That weakens the connection between Gardaí and the people they serve. In Donabate, people want to see Gardaí on the streets, in schools and in their communities, not tied up in administrative backlogs or pulled away due to shortages.

Councillor Johnson is now calling on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to deliver a funded plan to recruit and retain Gardaí, restore community policing in Donabate to ensure the community has the, “visible, effective policing it deserves.”

“Morale within the force is also a serious concern. Gardaí who serve our communities deserve proper support, fair conditions and respect. Instead, many feel undervalued and overworked. That has real consequences for recruitment and retention. If we cannot attract and keep Gardaí, communities like Donabate will continue to lose out. The government promised thousands of new recruits but have failed to deliver. Training numbers remain too low, and there is no clear plan to reach the levels needed. Meanwhile, equipment and fleet issues continue, with outdated vehicles and inadequate resources affecting frontline policing in places like Fingal.

“People in Donabate deserve a modern, properly resourced police service that is rooted in the community and capable of keeping people safe. That means investing in recruitment, improving conditions, restoring community policing and ensuring Gardaí have the tools they need to do their job effectively,” Cllr Johnson added.

It’s that time of year again when Guide Dog Day is fast approaching and this year is extra special as Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind is turning 50! You can find our Branch in Millfield Shopping Centre, Balbriggan from 10am-6pm on Guide Dog Day Friday 22nd May and continuing the fundraising on May 23rd in SuperValu, Balbriggan from 10am – 6pm.

In March our branch took part in the Cork parade alongside many other branches and celebrated 50 years of Guide Dogs at the Cork St Patricks Day parade. The memory bus for Breege O’Neill, Guide Dog owner from Balbriggan, named Breege’s bus was the meeting point for the volunteers, and the banner was carried by Breege’s son, Eoin and her grandson Nathaniel. Her granddaughters Katie and Paige along with friend, Ann O’Dwyer from Waterford also took part in the parade while Tom O’Neill and Guide Dog Qeb sat on the viewing platform with CEO Tim O’Mahony! As always. Qeb stole the show on the stand giving the paw to all who wanted it! A wonderful day was had, and some lovely finger food and hot cups of tea were enjoyed after the festivities in the City Hall Cork.

Also in March, The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Perpetual Trophy was given out. To give a little bit of background, the award began due to one couple Ned and Máire Maguire from Dolahesy just outside of Balbriggan, the couple were for our branch the Facebook of the 80’s/90’s as they informed people as they went what a guide dog is and what a guide dog does, they took part in sponsored walks and went door to door fundraising for our branch, to name a few of their amazing contributions. When Ned passed away, our branch sourced a trophy to represent a litter of puppies with their mother and each year, the trophy is given to a person or business that has done something that stands out to our Branch during the year. The latest recipient of the Perpetual Trophy was Mark Hynes, owner of Java The Hut Coffee Roasters for their ongoing support of the Balbriggan/North County Dublin branch of Guide Dogs.

You can contact the Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs by phone/text 0876489479, email: GuideDogsBalbriggan@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Balbriggan Branch of Guide Dogs.

Looking to connect, learn something new, and meet like-minded women? Balbriggan Women’s Shed offers a warm, welcoming space for women aged 18+ to come together, build friendships, share skills, and support one another.

From creative workshops like pyrography, decoupage, painting, pottery, and upcycling, to relaxing and wellbeing activities such as yoga, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re trying something new or sharing what you love.

We meet at various times on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at Balbriggan FC. For our full monthly calendar of events, follow @balbrigganwomensshed on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information, call 087 444 8384 or email balbrigganwomensshed@gmail.com—new members are always welcome!

Flemington Community Centre was alive with energy on 11 April 2026, as dozens of sports clubs, cultural groups, community organisations, local enterprises, education providers, emergency services, and agency partners came together for BELIEVE Balbriggan, a major community expo celebrating the very best of the town’s talent, services, opportunities, and innovation - while strengthening connections, civic pride, and participation across the community.

Exhibitors presented inspiring examples of innovation, best practices, and community involvement, offering visitors a first hand look at the strengths and creativity within Balbriggan. A wide range of
interactive workshops added to the atmosphere, giving attendees the chance to engage, learn and experience all that is positive and dynamic about the town.

The event also promoted the ongoing Digital Detox initiative, encouraging attendees to intentionally reduce or switch off their electronic devices for one hour. By stepping away from phones, tablets, computers, and social media, participants were able to focus on well-being, reduce stress, and create more meaningful, real-world connections – benefits that can be measured and felt within the
community.

Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Gráinne Maguire, praised the event, saying: “There’s so many wonderful people and groups at work in Balbriggan and an expo like this is an excellent way for all to get out there and see them. We have some major talent in our local communities and I’m proud to point their way as they exhibit here today. Our many enterprises and community organisations are what bring real life to this town and I’m happy to see so much innovation and talent here in the one place.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, also reflected on the significance of the expo: “I’d like to congratulate community organisers for giving something for everyone here in Balbriggan. I’m pleased to see so many of different ages participating today. The Digital Detox is another fantastic initiative providing hands-on help for our very many community organisations. Encouraging people to step away from their devices and create meaningful, real-world connections is something I’m always happy to encourage.”

BELIEVE Balbriggan continues to grow as a long-term community movement, designed to strengthen neighbourhoods, support local partnerships, and ensure every resident has the chance to help shape Balbriggan’s future. Events like this year’s expo are an important step in building a more connected, engaged, and proud community.

For more information on the expo and to learn more about the Digital Detox initiative, visit: https://believebalbriggan.ie/

The north County Dublin town of Balbriggan is to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious sports events – the NFL Draft, this Saturday.

The Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) in the town will play host to a player draft for Wisconsin team the Green Bay Packers, ensuring Balbriggan is seen around the world.

The NFL Draft is a three-day event held every April where all 32 US National Football League teams select new players from the college football ranks.

The Packers want to bring a distinctly Irish theme to one of American football’s biggest stages, highlighting the passion of their fans in Ireland and celebrating the country’s rich musical heritage.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Gavin James will take part in the festivities, alongside young musicians from the Institute, playing the harp.

The Irish Institute of Music and Song is a non-profit organisation and premier music campus, featuring the 400-seat Lark Concert Hall and a dynamic academy dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Irish performers.

James, a patron of the Institute, is one of Ireland’s most recognised musical talents, with more than two billion Spotify streams. He has toured globally with artists including Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
The Dublin-based Draft moment is part of the Packers’ broader commitment to growing the game internationally through the NFL’s Global Markets Programme.

The Packers’ Irish connections will also be represented on-site at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, where its nominee for International Fan of the Year, Stephen O’Brien, will announce an additional day three pick.
A native of Arklow, County Wicklow, O’Brien founded the UK and Ireland Packers fan club and has become a leading voice in the team’s international fan community.

In recognition of his impact, the Packers commissioned a large-scale mural in O’Brien’s home town.
The Packers are the league’s most successful franchise, with 13 championships, including four Super Bowls.

The NFL Draft is televised live across ABC, ESPN and the NFL Network in the US and Sky Sports and DAZN internationally.

The 2025 event was the second most-watched draft in history, averaging 7.5 million viewers across the three-day event.

Balbriggan is currently the site of a €60million economic, infrastructural and social plan, ‘Our Balbriggan’ led by Fingal County Council, launched - following a community engagement in which 25% of the town’s population took part - seven years ago.

According to Michael T Dawson, CEO of the Irish Institute of Music Song educational campus, hosting the event is an ‘incredible’ boost for Balbriggan.

“This is a wonderful honour for the Irish Institute of Music Song, The Lark Concert Hall and the town of Balbriggan,” he said.

“The IIMS Harp Ensemble, a group for young harpers aged 9-18, directed by Dr Helen Lawlor and Aoibheann Galvin, which often collaborates with international artists, proved the key factor in capturing the NFL Draft. Its appeal was instrumental in attracting the NFL Draft to Balbriggan,” he added.