Recently the Peninsula Pacers went to Clogherhead. So for the first real walk of the season we did a nice short one - suitable for all abilities. There are great views on this short walk of cliffs, sea and sandy beaches. There is a great fish shop at the harbour and when the fish & chips trailer cafe is open, it is second to none for fresh & crispy food. This time we ate in The Forge in Termonfeckin set in a lovely garden and trinkets shop. Our next walk is Saturday 4th November to Carlingford for a longer hike! 90% on the flat! Out on the Greenway & back by the forest. We hope to stop in Fitzpatrick’s on the way home a great eating house closer to Dundalk. If you are reasonably fit & interested in walking, please contact Carolyn Smith 087 9284307 or Des Carthy 087 7846813

Last month, a group of musicians from Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, jokingly christened Gerry and the Plonkers! by one member, played a short set at the Positive Aging event organised by Active Age for All in Donabate Portrane Community and Leisure Centre. The event also included other music and readings. The Men’s Shed choice of songs, hits from the 50s and 60s, reflected the age of the musicians and most of the audience. The well-attended event was enjoyed by all. And to confirm the wide range of interests covered by the Men’s Shed, we also had a visit to Dáil Eireann. A full report and photos of this will be available for the next issue of Donabate/Portrane Local. If you are interested in joining us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

Corina Johnston Area Representative said; “I am delighted that the provision of a much needed Cultural, Arts and Youth facility was endorsed at our recent well attended public meeting held by Duncan Smith TD and I in Donabate. At the meeting we outlined that the Local Area Plan provides for 4000 homes with the population to exceed 20,000 in the next 10 years with no indoor community facility for the growing Cultural, Arts and Youth Groups. These groups have no permanent home to support their growing numbers and activities with no stage, inadequate parking facilities, no facility for permanent exhibitions or storage of equipment. “Johnston continued; “A number of Crosscare youth workers addressed the meeting and confirmed that they have no permanent home to provide the vital youth services needed in Donabate. According to Census 2022 31% of the Donabate population is under 19 years with 41% aged under 30. Given the huge youth population with an increase in anti-social behaviour it is imperative that a permanent youth facility is included in such a facility.” Johnston continued;” it was great to see so many people and especially our young people enthusiastically addressing the meeting in support of this multi-functional facility in Donabate. The Local Area Plan provides for a community facility on lands at Ballymastone, the provision of a community/cultural/exhibition and performing Arts centre for Donabate- Portrane and encourages the development of multi - functional community buildings.”

Johnston concluded;” it now appears that the people of the Donabate Peninsula will get the housing units but not the Purpose Built Cultural and Community facility. The meeting soundly rejected this proposition with a committee set up to commence a campaign for this facility. The first priority is to secure a site in the Ballymastone/ Corballis area. A Motion will be submitted to the next council meeting (hopefully a cross party one) on this issue. . A local authority site needs to be identified for this purpose before all the suitable land either secures planning permission or is built upon.”

Well done to former Glebe North players Ruby McCarthy, Lia O’Leary and Hannah Healy wo were called into the Republic of Ireland WU19 squad in recent weeks. Ireland played their first game recently against Wales winning 7-0 with our very own 15-year-old Hannah Healy on the scoresheet. Well done girls, we are all so proud of you!

2023 was the first year we brought over an overseas female player , we spoke to Jaimie Lee Strang about how we wanted her to be a role model on and off the pitch and to help us win the league. Well, Jaimie Lee delivered on all fronts and was top class on and off the pitch , she’s already back home in Oz and into her new season and we wish her all the best for her season , hopefully more silverware. Thanks for Everything JL

Balbriggan U16s travelled to Drogheda recently to play Boyne RFC ‘B’ team in the last game of their North East group stage. Two tries from Kajus, one from Conor, and another very strong performance across the squad left the two teams tied on tries scored - the difference at the end being a couple of successful kicks from Boyne.

However, the day was about more than the rugby match; Boyne hosted a memorial event for Andrew Dobson, one of their much-loved coaches who passed away, far too young, a couple of years ago. After the match, Boyne hosted our team and parents to hospitality before presenting awards in Andrew’s name.

Another key milestone in the ‘Our Balbriggan’ rejuvenation programme, which is set to transform the town with public investment of over €50m, has been reached with the granting of planning permission for a €3.3m creative hub. .Fingal County Council has approved plans for works at 2-4 Dublin Street, which are expected to be completed by mid-2025. Ensuring Balbriggan becomes a nationally renowned destination for arts and culture is a key part of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, and the creative hub will be central to this. The vision for the listed building includes the development of creative art spaces with adjoining digital learning facilities, a courtyard and gallery. The project will now move to the design stage before the appointment of a contractor. Welcoming the move, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, said: “The creative hub is another key piece of the rejuvenation programme which will shape the development of Balbriggan and ensure it is regarded as a great place to live, work and do business.” Under the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, the council has made a number of strategic property acquisitions as well as completing preliminary works for the redevelopment of the Harbour as part of a massive urban regeneration project. “Four years on from the launch of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme 2019-2025, the bricks and mortar transformation of Ireland’s youngest town is now beginning to take shape,” said the Chair of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, Professor Brian MacCraith .“The ambitious vision contained in the rejuvenation plan was the result of an historic community engagement which saw more than 25 per cent of Balbriggan’s residents outline their preferences for the future of the town .”Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, was pleased to note an important milestone in the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme. “Fingal County Council is strongly committed to delivering the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme for the benefit of the people of the town. The creative hub is a key piece of the planned infrastructural development,” she said. The move is complementary to Balbriggan’s designation by the Arts Council as a truly Creative Place. It is to receive Arts Council funding of €330,000 over three years, under the Creative Places programme, to provide local people access to the arts in their own community. That funding was also secured by the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, led by the Council’s Economic, Enterprise, Cultural and Tourism Department. Ireland’s youngest town now plays host to a number of festivals and cultural events in partnership with the locally-based Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) which is due to open a 400-seater state of the art concert venue.

Culture Night in Balbriggan provided another stunning example of how the town is becoming a major centre for all things creative. It filled the town with colour, music, song, film, stories and wonderful events. Culture Night marked the climax of the ‘How it’s Made’ Festival, facilitated by the local Scéal Arts collective, in partnership with the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, led by Fingal County Council, and the locally based Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS). ‘How it’s Made’ ran over three weekends in the run-up to Culture Night on Friday and was supported by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland. Culture Night venues included The Warehouse on Vauxhall Street, The Vault at the old bank on George’s Square, The Boathouse under the Viaduct on Quay Street, The Our Balbriggan Hub on George’s Square, The Window at 4 Dublin Street, and significantly the IIMS which will shortly open a new state of the art 400-seater concert hall, The Lark. As well as documentary film screenings, there were art and photographic exhibitions, reading and musical tours, performances and recitals with local businesses including Molly’s Coffee Shop and The Central Bar joining as hosts. Cultural organisations, castles and historic houses, extended their opening hours to the public, highlighting the wealth of facilities and talented people in the locality. Hundreds of people turned out for events in wonderful Balbriggan to mark Culture Night. Amongst other events, the Our Balbriggan Hub welcomed visitors to George’s Square where local musicians, artists and the local photographers gathered. “Culture Night in Balbriggan celebrated the superbly unique community spirit and talents of its people,” said the chair of the ‘Our Balbriggan Leadership Group’, Professor Brian MacCraith. “There was a wonderful programme of events, each of which celebrated Balbriggan’s appetite for culture.” He said, “Most importantly of all, Culture Night showcased the bonds which tie the community together and make it such a special place. “Culture Night was another wonderful example of how the town is bursting with creativity. “It was fantastic to see so many events showcasing local talent, bringing acclaimed artists to Balbriggan and also people together through the arts. “Now designated as a ‘Creative Place’ by the Arts Council, the long-term aim is that 10 years from now people from all creative disciplines will want to spend time in Balbriggan.”

The Balbriggan Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) CLG is developing an Energy Master Plan for Balbriggan, County Dublin, in partnership with the ORS Energy Management team. The Energy Master Plan (EMP) is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which supports community-led climate action in the transition to a low-carbon future. As a community, the Balbriggan SEC is committed to actively engaging all residents in the initiative, by sharing knowledge and encouraging input from all residents, businesses, clubs, volunteer groups and community representatives in the Energy Master Plan process. “We are delighted to be working with ORS on this important initiative for Balbriggan and we welcome feedback from everyone in the community to help us better understand local energy needs,” said Sarah Zimmermann, Secretary of the Balbriggan SEC.-Balbriggan has also recently been announced as a Decarbonising Zone in the Fingal County Council Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, which is open for public consultation at the moment and brings welcome attention and focus on the town. As one of the youngest towns in Ireland with an average age of 31, combined with the fact that around 30% of residents are born outside of Ireland, Balbriggan has distinctive qualities. Building a climate resilient community for the long-term is a top priority given our high proportion of our young people. “Balbriggan is a unique town with a mixture of long-term residents and people newer to the area, a great opportunity exists for the people of the town to come together to help shape what a sustainable town looks like in the 21st century,” said Eamonn Donlyn, Chairperson of the Balbriggan SEC. There is currently a Home Energy Survey for residents of Balbriggan to provide input into the Energy Master Plan. Please scan the QR code to fill in the 5–10-minute survey. The community is also invited to speak with members of the Balbriggan SEC at the Climate Action Street Party on Railway Street in Balbriggan on Saturday October 21st, from 10a-5pm.

About the Balbriggan Sustainable Energy Community CLG: Balbriggan Sustainable Energy Community CLG is a community organisation working to ensure a just transition to a low carbon society in Balbriggan. The Balbriggan SEC has adopted a whole of society, inclusive approach by promoting the SEC widely and encouraging participation from all residents, businesses, clubs, volunteer groups and community representatives. By actively engaging with the SEC Network and SEAI to provide feedback, the group works to share knowledge and support the SEC national mission.

Councillor Brendan Ryan (Labour) has called for a special project team to be set up within the Council to ensure that Balbriggan Beach achieves at least a “Sufficient” rating for bathing water quality in 2024. Speaking during a debate on the matter in the Council this week he stated that business as usual is not an option. “The issue of consecutive “Poor” classifications is very serious because if any beach gets five “Poor” classifications in a row there will be automatic de-designation and it can be a long road back” he stated. He continued: “The matter is serious enough to make it a special priority. Everything that this local authority is serious about, I see special project groups being set up to deliver. I see project managers; project co-ordinators and dedicated staff being put in place to deliver results. That’s the type of seriousness that I am looking for. That’s the type of seriousness that the people of Balbriggan are asking for and expect.” The Councillor added, “ I know that the current staff are working flat out to bring about improvements, but additional resources, which reflect the seriousness of the situation, must be allocated to help them. A special project team is warranted.”