I am Eoghan Dockrell, a first-time local election candidate and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and set out my priorities. I grew up on the Portrane - Donabate peninsula and have recently moved back to Donabate. I count myself very fortunate to have grown up here; however, many of the problems we now face should have been foreseen by those planning the development of our community. Fingal County Council has a central role to play in how our peninsula is developed. I believe too much emphasis has been put on the development of large-scale housing estates, yet we still don’t have adequate social and cultural infrastructure. For a population our size, we should have better, more reliable transportation links. We should have better childcare facilities and not have young families traveling long journeys to drop off their children. We should have a dedicated cultural centre and performance space for local groups to use (musicians, artists, our drama society). We should have more Community Gardaí given how rapidly our area is growing. These are the issues that I’m prioritising. Our elected councillors are responsible for holding the executive of our local authority to account and this includes pushing for developing our community in a balanced and sustainable way. In my view, that hasn’t happened; In other areas of Fingal, outside of Portrane and Donabate, you see towns with similar populations that have more social and cultural infrastructure. If elected, I promise to bring new energy to the Council. I’ve already started working on the issues I’ve mentioned by making representations to the Council on behalf of residents of Donabate and Portrane. I have also been in contact with An Garda Síochána to discuss policing matters on the peninsula and how we can have more community Gardaí assigned to our area. In the coming months I will continue to meet as many people on the peninsula as possible in the hope of earning your support. Please contact me at: eoghandockrellfg@gmail.com if you have any issues, you need help with.
The newly formed Community Singing Group rocked around Donabate Villages Christmas Tree in early December, as Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Adrian Henchy turned on the Christmas lights. The group only began singing together in October and entertained everyone with a medley of Christmas Favourites, under the musical direction of Aine Daly. Meeting every Wednesday evening in Donabate Community Centre, the group welcomes everyone who enjoys a sing song, no auditions or talent required just a willingness to have fun and meet new friends The group also helped to raise funds for the Simon community by singing in Powerscourt Townhouse and St, Stephens Green Shopping Centre later in December.
The Parish Hall programme provides for a variety of activities and events to satisfy as many needs as possible. During the normal week e.g.: Seniors meet twice - on a Wednesday and Friday mornings and enjoy bingo and other activities and a cup of tea and chat. There are also in the Parish Hall, Cards, Bridge, Pilates, Irish Dancing, Drama Classes and Leithinis Trad Music on different days. The special events range from Photo Exhibitions, to Drama Productions, to various Camps, to Music Makers and Craft Fairs! At present the Parish Office is confirming all activities and events from January to July. In 1923 the hall was described as cold and cheerless. Locals organised a football tournament, Cinderella dances and gift sales resulting in a new floor and new piano. The hall became so busy that bookings were hard to get. In 2023 the Parish Hall after refurbishment and a makeover, courtesy of FCC and the Parish Committee is now busy again and bookings are hard to get! We still have no piano but plenty of music is taking place anyway with Leithinis & the Music Makers Men’s Shed! If you wish to book a time and space for weekly or special events including camps, please contact the Parish Office on 01 8434574 immediately to check if there is still any availability. The Parish Hall Committee wishes all their users and the entire community a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Circle VHA is proud to announce its entrance into the Cost Rental sector, commencing with the tenancy of 29 homes at Lanestown View, Donabate, situated in North County Dublin. This partnership focuses on providing long-term, secure rental options, contributing significantly to the provision of high-quality homes in the region. In a significant expansion of its affordable housing initiatives, Circle VHA, a prominent Approved Housing Body, is set to scale up its housing delivery, aiming to provide over 3000 social and affordable homes in the next four years. This ambitious goal builds upon the success of the recently launched rental homes with an additional 700 cost rental homes set to commence construction in 2024. The strategic move solidifies Circle VHA’s commitment to addressing mixed tenure housing needs through innovative solutions. The inaugural Cost Rental homes at Lanestown View represent a pivotal moment for Circle VHA, marking its entrance into the Cost Rental market. This development, in partnership with Cairn Homes, will deliver 29 high-quality Cost Rental homes, forming part of a larger project comprising a total of 72 homes. The mixed-tenure scheme, encompassing both social and Cost Rental homes, offers a diverse range of housing options, including 2-bedroom homes, duplex homes, and apartments, complete with contemporary amenities such as private balconies and communal spaces, enhancing its appeal to prospective residents. This development not only represents Circle VHA’s groundbreaking entry into Cost Rental but also holds the distinction of being the first development along the new Donabate ring road. This road is anticipated to usher in thousands of new homes on the peninsula, marking a significant stride toward meeting the burgeoning housing demand in the region.
The musical narrative of ‘OCEAN CHILD’, is composed by Neil Martin, and is wrought from the tragic sinking of the RMS Tayleur off Lambay Island on January 21st, 1854. This is the world premiere of this newly commissioned work and it will be performed in St Patrick’s Church Donabate for the very first time ever on Sunday 28th January 2024. In this suite, a spoken narrative, drawn from contemporaneous newspaper reports and witness accounts, marries with an original score embracing string quartet, uilleann pipes, harp, flute and concertina. The performers include the world-famous actor Stephen Rea, The West Ocean String Quartet, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy. It was Commissioned by Templebar Trad Fest and made possible through the generosity of Fingal County Council. Remember the time and date: The Concert is at 6pm on the Sunday January 28th in St Patrick’s Church Donabate, tickets on sale Thursday November 16th on tradfest.com
Hi everyone, Corina here, just a note to wish you all a Happy New Year. In reviewing my past year, I want to thank you all for your support. At very short notice I contested the local elections in 2019 and narrowly missed out for the final seat. Although unelected I decided to continue to work and represent the people of the area given the lack of real progress on the provision of vital infrastructure, public transport and public services. I am pleased that on foot of our representations and campaigns we have delivered a number of projects in 2023 all of which we proposed and pursued including:
Duncan Smith TD and I held well attended public meetings on public transport and the need for a Cultural/Arts/Youth Centre. Our proposal will be debated in FCC chamber soon. I have been successful in raising these issues and many more with the assistance of my colleagues. I am keenly aware that while the area will grow in population to over 20,000 in the coming years the necessary infrastructure, school and childcare places and services are not coming quick enough to meet the needs of the people and will continue to campaign at local and national level for these vital facilities.
I can be even more effective on behalf of our growing community if elected a councillor in the upcoming elections.
Fingal TD, Minister Joe O’Brien has welcomed €45m Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The grant is €45m announced under the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant. There are also Grants in early 2024 for Early Learning and Childcare Services to expand their capacity by means of internal renovations. Grants from mid-2024 for Early Learning and Childcare Services to deliver larger scale extensions to their premises by the end of 2025. A targeted Grant will deliver thousands of Early Learning and Childcare places in areas of undersupply.
Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has today announced a €45m Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the revised National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP). The purpose of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant is to address capacity gaps by expanding existing provision and investing in the development of new provision where most needed. The primary focus of the Capacity Grant is to increase capacity in the 1-3 age range for full day or part-time care. Places for children under age 1 will also be eligible for funding. The Capacity Grant will be open to Core Funding partner services. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is undertaking a detailed needs analysis of supply and demand for Early Learning and Childcare. This analysis will identify areas of undersupply across the country and will allow the funding to be targeted at areas most in need. Welcoming the announcement, Minister Joe O’Brien said “This funding will enable services to develop new provisions where they are needed, and it will also extend existing services ensuring that capacity gaps are addressed.”
Another step forward in the delivery of projects under the €50m Our Balbriggan Regeneration project was marked recently with the opening of a temporary Pocket Park at 14 Bridge Street. The Pocket Park is part of the mixed-used development planned for the area which will create a vibrant, family friendly location in the heart of the town. With the demolition of 14 Bridge Street now complete, annexes and outbuildings to the rear of 6a-12 Bridge Street (De Bruns) are now also being demolished. The appointment of an Integrated Design Team by Fingal County Council to consider the next stages of development at this location will happen shortly. The plan is to link Millpond Park to a new park entrance at 14 Bridge Street which will facilitate a pedestrian and cycling route down to the transformed Quay Street and Harbour area. The opening of the Pocket Park coincided with Santa’s arrival in the town. Festivities will begin with the lighting of a Christmas tree at St George’s Square at 6.00pm.Deputy Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Grainne Maguire,invited those gathered to walk the short distance to the Pocket Park to meet Santa.Members of the cast of North County Dublin’s latest pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’ which tool place at The Lark, Balbriggan’s new concert hall, will joined the Deputy Mayor and Santa for the special festive occasion. According to the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Adrian Henchy, the opening of the Pocket Park is another milestone in the Our Balbriggan Regeneration project. “The Pocket Park forms part of the redevelopment of the DeBruns site, which will transform the area,” he said.The Our Balbriggan leadership group, formed at the outset of the regeneration programme, and chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, plays a key role in helping guide the town’s rejuvenation programme. “It is wonderful see the opening of the Pocket Park in time for the festive season and I encourage locals and visitors to visit the park and enjoy it,” said Professor MacCraith. “These works will form part of the transformation of the town through the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme.” Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, said the opening of the Pocket Park stage is another key development in the delivery of the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme.“Fingal County Council is strongly committed to delivering the Our Balbriggan rejuvenation programme, with the aim of ensuring a great place to live, work and do business,” she said.
EggHeadz CLG is delivering programmes and support services across Fingal and Dublin. Here is some of what we’re doing…
School Engagement: -Secondary School: Our ‘Shape Your Life Through Sport’ programme continues across Fingal and Dublin. Pictured recently at Donabate Portrane Community College as part of Mental Health Month and at St. Finian’s Community College Swords as part of Careers Week.
In-school Primary: programmes have continued to grow and now includes Dublin South Central as well as Fingal and Dublin City. Pictured are children learning basic Physical Literacy skills. After-school Primary: Yoga & Art programmes are enjoyed by primary school children 5-7 and 9-12yrs. Pictured are children learning Strength, Agility, Relaxation and Winter Crafts at Donabate Portrane Educate Together. EggHeadz drop-in evening and weekend classes take place in Donabate Parish Hall and Donabate Portrane Community Centre. See eggheadz.ie for timetable and join us!
Community Engagement: EggHeadz and Cycle Against Suicide took part and supported an evening of live music in St. Patrick’s Church, Donabate in November. The night was in memory of Conor Culleton, the theme of the music focused on mental health and was performed by the extremely talented Sean Collins, with local special guests Andrew O’Sullivan and Eve Doorley. EggHeadz volunteers have completed the Peer Buddy training programme with Cycle Against Suicide.
EggHeadz Inclusion Programmes: EggHeadz support services take place in five different centres for Direct Provision in the Fingal area. Our engagement with the migrant community has been vital for integration and inclusion of young people in local sports clubs. For a second year running we collected and delivered Christmas presents to children and families living in Direct Provision. Thank you to everyone who donated.
EggHeadz Youth Counselling Service - A FREE of charge and confidential service for young people (aged 12-25) by appointment. It takes place on Mondays in Donabate Portrane Community Centre by appointment between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Contact Mairead on 086-329 6812 or by email eggheadzcounselling@gmail.com to book an appointment. For more follow us on social media or visit our website.
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien TD, recently announced €6 million in capital funding under the “Department of Rural and Community Development Local Enhancement Programme 2024”. The Minister said there will be €220,842.98 of this funding allocated to provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations across Fingal. There will be a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs. The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all. Announcing the funding today, Minister O’Brien said: “The funding will provide really practical support to smaller community groups in Fingal that are active at a grassroots level to help them to ensure they have the facilities and equipment they need to support their communities”. “These grants will help thousands of community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls, to improve their facilities and continue to facilitate the provision of their valuable services to the people in their areas. I am particularly happy to have reserved funding for Women’s Sheds, groups and networks. Many of these groups are providing essential services on a day-to-day basis to those most in need. I hope this funding will help to support the provision of safe warm spaces for those groups to continue to meet and support their communities in both rural and urban areas right across the country”.