In January Peninsula Pacers braved the elements and walked from Portmarnock Train Station to Malahide Village - mind you the weather forecast on all sites stated clear blue sky all day! Either climate change is daily or a Friday end of week weather report!

Anyway, a stop at Sands for coffee - remember Mango in the 70th & 80th - revived them all to stomp on to McGoverns Restaurant in Malahide - where a great meal was had.

We have a number of new leaders & will be sharing the walks - we hope to do one a month until June - most walks are from 8/12km and at a reasonable pace - reasonable fitness needed. Walks mostly on the flat but not always. Walks will include the Dodder & hopefully the New Newry to Omeath Greenway & maybe a trip back to lovely Leitrim and the Canal.

Further information for this month - please contact Breda on 086 8693243

Fingal Libraries is delighted to announce the opening of the new Donabate Library in Ballisk House. It comes following a €2 million refurbishment project which began in January 2025 and has transformed Ballisk House into a modern, welcoming public building at the heart of the community.

The new library was officially opened today by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, along with Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly, County Librarian Betty Boardman, County Architect Fionnuala May, the Director of Economic, Community and Cultural Development, John Quinlivan, and children from Gaelscoil na Mara.

Fingal County Council purchased Ballisk House in 2022, after the closure of Donabate Credit Union. The new library provides an improved, accessible space for reading, learning and community engagement and represents a significant investment in local services for the growing Donabate area.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Tom O’Leary said: “It is a pleasure to celebrate a milestone for Donabate and for Fingal, the opening of our new public library in Ballisk House. This remarkable new space will serve the people of Donabate for generations to come.”

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said: “This building speaks to Fingal’s belief in the value of libraries as dynamic, forward-looking spaces that respond to evolving technologies and the needs of a growing community. We are committed to investing in our communities and creating places where everyone feels welcome.”

Among the many exciting features of this new facility is the introduction of the My Open Library service which is expected to begin shortly. With opening hours extended from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year, this service gives library members the freedom to use the space beyond normal staffed hours including Sundays.

The celebration to mark the official opening of the new library included a circus performer, the Bohemian Strings string quartet and a magic show for the children of Gaelscoil na Mara from Reuben the Entertainer.

Director of Economic, Community and Cultural Development, John Quinlivan, said: “The opening of the new library marks the completion of phase one of a two-phase project. Planning for phase two — the expansion of this building and the enhancement of its facilities - will begin in early 2026 and is already at feasibility stage.”

Councillor Corina Johnston has welcomed the addition of an extra 33D bus service in Donabate following a prolonged campaign first being raised in the Dáil nearly seven years ago. However, Cllr Johnston also called on the NTA to also add an extra return service in the evenings.

Speaking on the issue, Cllr Johnston said, “Duncan Smith TD first raised the need for additional 33D bus services with the NTA at a meeting in Leinster House in August 2019 and have been pursuing the need for 33D additional bus services and public transport ever since. In April 2025 the NTA confirmed to us that additional 33D bus service would commence before the end of 2025. We were pleased to receive confirmation early last week from the NTA and Dublin Bus that the additional bus service will finally commence on 9th February at 7am. While welcoming this additional service in the mornings given the current bus is full to capacity, we were disappointed that no additional return service will be provided in the evening. This is unacceptable as trains as completely full at peak times with the population along the line increasing and Donabate population growing at a very fast rate.

“I was very disappointed to be informed that the Bus Connects implementation, which includes direct bus services from Portrane to Dublin airport and UCD via Dublin City centre, has been delayed to 2027. These services were to be implemented in 2023. I am calling on Minister for Transport and Local TD, Darragh O’Brien to intervene, ringfence the funding for these services and to ensure they are prioritised and delivered without further delay.””Donabate is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Many planning permissions have been granted on the provision of improved public transport services. This is not the case in Donabate. Duncan and I intend to pursue this matter further and will keep you informed of developments, she added.

With a break for Ch ristmas and the New Year, no gigs in January for the Gerry & the Plonkers (the Men’s Shed music ground) and the plots in Turvey Allotments winterised, January was a quiet month by the normal standards of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed. However, we have some photos, which weren’t available for last month’s issue, from the Plonkers’ Christmas gig in St. Michael’s House.

Although we had no special events in January, our usual weekly activities continued - exercise classes, music practice, croquet in Newbridge and a cuppa and chat on Thursday mornings. Also, plans are being made for some special outings over the coming months.

If you, or someone close to you would like to join us, please call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316. We always have a warm welcome for new members.

Happy New Year from The Balbriggan/North County Dublin Branch of Guide Dogs, if some of your new year’s resolution include a clear out and you find something you no longer want, that could make a spot prize or help to fill a hamper, why not pass it on to our Branch of Guide Dogs who can use it to go towards raising funds for our branch. You can get in touch on the details below.

If you have any used postage stamps or coins which are no longer in circulation, please give them to us. We will turn them into Euros and lodge them to the guide dog’s account.’ We receive coins from all over the world and old postage stamps. In our guide dog boxes and enormous collection dogs we find coins from all over the world and from Europe that are no longer legal currency since the Euro came into place. We get paper notes of all sorts of denominations, coins and used stamps from our branch volunteers and friends, keep them coming they make good money for us. Remember also we always need new volunteers so give us a shout if you want to chat to us about it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

We also had a busy December in the lead up to Christmas, Jim and Brendan in Cuddles Pet Store, Millfield held a hamper raffle on 17th December where Volunteer and Puppy Raiser Anne Mulligan attended with Guide Dog Pup in training Lulu, Assistance dog Gigi and ambassador dog Adel who got the royal ‘treat’-ment from Brendan and Jim. Tom and his Guide Dog Qeb, along with Anne and Lulu attended an after-school club in the Cottage Community Centre in Lusk to talk about puppies in training and guide dogs to the children who were big fans of Qeb and Lulu. A Christmas art exhibition also took place in Millfield Shopping Centre from 21 December to 23 December where plenty of great works and a bunch of new art was on show. The exhibition supports Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind annually with a donation for which we are very grateful. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout 2025, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2026.

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.

Work will continue at pace on delivering the major economic, infrastructural and social elements of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme in 2026, it has been confirmed, according to Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, 2025 was one of momentous progress for the €54-57million plan.

The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, is one of the biggest ongoing urban renewal projects in the country. It is led by Fingal County Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development Department.

According to Dr Begg, the plan’s locally-based leadership group will oversee see major change in the town across the next four years.

“The leadership group has adopted plans for its various pillar groups under the headings: Economic Development; Community Development; Education, Skills and Training, and Sustainability, Climate Action and Biodiversity,” he said.

“A key objective includes leveraging investment in the regeneration of Balbriggan by attracting new business, jobs and visitors. Strong collaborative networks have been established between the community and public and private sectors. The continued operation and strengthening of these networks will enable an integrated and flexible approach to the resourcing and delivery of plans.

“These include a range of objectives and actions which will make a demonstrable, positive impact across a range of economic, social and environmental platforms,” he explained.

The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is set to transform the town through public investment and has seen work commence and continue on a number of other key projects.

“Six years on from the launch of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme 2019-2030, the transformation of Ireland’s youngest large town really is now taking shape,” said Dr Begg.

In 2025, plans for a €3.3m creative hub moved to tender stage. The development will deliver a dedicated space for arts, culture and innovation.

Fingal County Council has approved plans for the works at 2-4 Dublin Street, which are expected to be complete, pending the award of a tender, by the end of 2027.

Ensuring Balbriggan becomes a nationally renowned destination for arts and culture is a key part of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme.

Fingal County Council has proposed a mixed-use commercial, community and residential development, with the River Bracken at its heart.

The plan is to link Millpond Park to a new park entrance at 14 Bridge Street to facilitate a pedestrian and cyclist route down to the transformed Quay Street and Harbour area.

It is estimated work will begin at the site in 2027.

The buildings are within an architectural conservation area. The front façade will be preserved.

The restoration and adaptation of the Historic Bath House and Boat House by the Martello Tower will continue to progress in 2026.

It is intended to proceed to a Part 8 planning public consultation process in the second half of 2026, with completion in 2027.

Long-term, plans for a reinvigorated Railway Street will result in better connectivity between the beach and Quay Street.

Census figures report the population of Balbriggan increased by 215% between 1991 and 2002 to 27,300. Along with being the youngest large town in Ireland, 30% of its population were born outside the country.

“Building on its rich history, and its diverse and growing talent base, Balbriggan is an ambitious community which aims to be inclusive,” Dr Begg said.

“Community prosperity will come from harnessing social, economic and physical advantages.”

Lands at Stephenstown have been earmarked for industry, and further developments are planned for Bremore Castle and Regional Park which will enhance the proposed Fingal Coastal Way.

Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us in 2025.

We had a very successful year and our membership grew.

We continue to look for people to go on CE/TUS schemes and volunteers to help us continue and grow.
We look forward to 2026 and even bigger and better things to happen. Watch this space!!!

Give us a ring on 0860457003 or drop us an email at hello@rememberus.ie if you are interested in supporting us in anyway or if you would like to become a volunteer etc.

Remember us would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and thank most sincerely everyone who supported us in 2025. It is appreciated by all our members and their families. We look forward to your continued support in 2026.

We are constantly looking for volunteers. Please see poster for day and times we require help. If you have an hour or two to spare, please contact us on 0860457003 or email us at hello@rememberus.ie for more information.

Do you have a big day coming up, that you need to prepare for? Does the thought of addressing a crowd put the fear of God in you? Why not conquer your fear and head along to Swords Toastmasters public speaking club for an obligation free visit.

That’s exactly what member Ciaran Pender did when he wanted to prepare for his wedding speech.
Ciaran said ‘After I got engaged last year, I quickly felt the dread of having to do a speech in front of a large audience. I began researching ways to help improve my public speaking skills and found Swords Toastmasters. From the very first meeting the group have been extremely welcoming and encouraging. They provide a friendly, non-judgemental environment so you can get comfortable with addressing a crowd. Everyone is willing you to succeed, while also providing friendly feedback on how you can improve. I’m pleased to say that the speech went really well and I don’t think that would have been possible without the Swords Toastmasters group.’

Swords Toastmasters is a club that helps people develop their public speaking, listening, and leadership skills, in a fun and supportive environment. Members join for a variety of reasons. Some, to progress their careers, to perform better at interviews, to practice for workplace presentations, or even for that all important wedding speech.

If you would like to see Ciaran and his fellow Toastmasters in action, get in touch today, for an obligation-free visit. Perhaps you will be inspired to take the first step towards finding your own voice and changing your life!

Swords Toastmasters
Date: Every 2nd Monday
Location: Forrest Little Golf Club, Forrest Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 K825
Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.

Meabh Thomas of St Colmcille’s GAA Club, Swords, Dublin, has been chosen as the 2025 winner in the Leinster GAA Beko Club Champion awards. Meabh is pictured receiving her award from Beko Ireland marketing manager Shane O’Connor during the Leinster GAA Club finals at Croke Park in Dublin. The St Colmcille’s GAA Club clubwoman was nominated for the award which celebrates local GAA club heroes who go above and beyond to help their local community. St Colmcille’s GAA Club will also receive €1,000 worth of GAA equipment courtesy of Beko. The Beko Club Champion accolade rewards and celebrates the incredible, often unheralded volunteer work carried out by clubs and club members. For more information visit Leinstergaa.ie/beko-club-champion/