Dear Resident, My name is Eoghan Dockrell and I will contest next year’s local elections to Fingal County Council as the Fine Gael candidate for your area. As part of Senator Regina Doherty’s team, I work with community groups and residents of Donabate, Portrane and Lusk on a daily basis. In the months ahead, I hope to meet you to convince you of my commitment to represent our area on Fingal County Council. However, I appreciate how busy people are. I am therefore taking this opportunity to introduce myself; to give you an overview of my priorities and to share my contact details with you should you wish to raise any issues with me by phone or email (or if you’d like to arrange a meeting). I know that North County Dublin is a brilliant place to grow up and live. However, we all know that as the population has increased in recent decades, not enough consideration has been given about the impact on our close-knit communities. Our local authority, Fingal County Council, is one of the best resourced local authorities in the country; yet there is still a significant lack of social, cultural and sporting facilities in our area. The development of our area should involve more than just building homes. It should be about nurturing our communities as the population increases so that people feel connected. If elected, I will be a strong advocate on Fingal County Council calling for social, cultural and sporting infrastructure in Fingal to be prioritised. I want to be a fresh voice on the Council, fighting for increased spending on infrastructure in Donabate, Portrane and Lusk, and I hope to earn your trust and support in the months ahead. I will be dropping a leaflet in the coming weeks which will set out my priorities in detail (including the urgent need for quality childcare facilities, more affordable housing and better transportation links). If you have any issues that you would like to discuss with me or if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please contact me at 087 618 3774 or at: eoghandockrellfg@gmail.com. Yours sincerely, Eoghan Dockrell.
Lusk Community Cleaning Group was formed three years ago by some like-minded local residents, who wanted to enhance their community by planting flower beds and some seasonal containers around the town. They’re also an avid litter picking group, which really helps to enhance the appearance of Lusk Town Centre and as well as the approach roads.
As an active community organisation, they co-ordinate monthly litter picking mornings all year round, as well as bulb and tree planting days. Everyone is welcome to join these events, no membership is necessary. Just come along and enjoy helping your community, whilst meeting some new residents. In addition to litter picking, the volunteers have taken on various new projects this year, such as: (1.) Cutting back grass verges along footpaths and cycle lanes -(2.) Collecting autumn leaves for leaf mould cages - (3.) Cleaning up local bridges to reveal the beautiful stonework - (4.) Cutting back overgrown hedges along busy footpaths - (5.) _ Planting new flower beds at key locations around the town, There is also a great sense of community comradeship amongst their volunteers and coffee and cake is always a welcome treat, after all the hard work is done! Check out their weekly social media posts on Love Lusk Facebook and Instagram for their latest news and community events. Anyone can volunteer, no commitment is required, just help out when you can in whatever capacity you can. They can provide free litter picking kits to all of the volunteers and also a have a variety of garden tools available on loan. If you would like to help keep your community looking it’s best, contact Willie on 087 637 9199.
If any residents have ideas or suggestions, for future projects for Lusk Community Cleaning Group, please let us know by emailing info@lovelusk.ie
Cllr Rob O’Donoghue wishes to apologise for his factually inaccurate statement in the November issue of Lusk Local magazine. He said, “It has been brought to my attention that information provided by me regarding the handover of the Rush and Lusk Educate Together School, which was included in the November issue of the Lusk Local magazine is factually inaccurate. This was entirely my error, it was no fault whatsoever of the Lusk Local publication, and I apologise for any confusion that this information may have caused to parents, staff and the management of the RALET. Works are continuing on the new school premises which in time will provide a great new facility for the area.”
A number of weeks ago, we in Lusk Action Group submitted comprehensive letters of complaint to the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus and Go Ahead regarding the many ongoing service and capacity issues. Since then, the issue has been brought up in Dáil discussion by Louise O’Reilly TD and we have been on Newstalk radio talking about the issues and with the support of Minister Joe O’Brien, we have met with NTA and with Dublin Bus in recent weeks to discuss these issues and how resolution is planned. Issues can be complex, from heavy city traffic to lack of drivers and lack of mechanics, which keeps vehicles off the road. What is most needed is accurate information and an accessible complaints system. For Dublin Bus issues (33, 33X), including late arrivals, non-arrivals, ghost buses, buses passing passengers, and driver issues, please keep a note of the date, the time and the issue and email both Dublin Bus and Lusk Action Group. Once we have more detailed information, it gives us much more weight is any discussions with the operator.complaints@dublinbus.ie and copy us at luskactiongroup@gmail.com We await our meeting with GoAhead.
On our Facebook and Instagram pages ILoveLusk, we put up quick posts in relation to available grants and then point you back to our main website – www.lovelusk.ie. Even within the ‘Community Grants’ page, we provide a summary of the grants and a link to the full information. While our web page lovelusk.ie/home/community-grants/ may only give a brief description of the grant, don’t be put off by the wording. Click on the link supplied by us, bringing you to the relevant section of the grant providers’ website. If you need examples of how this grant was used by other groups, most websites provide a list of recipients in prior years and give brief descriptions about their projects. These descriptions are brilliant as you now have examples of accepted projects. You can decide if any of these projects would or could apply to your organisation. If you feel you need extra clarity, most groups have either a website or a Facebook page and so if you need to, you can contact them and from our own experience, they are more than happy to talk. On our Facebook and Instagram page, we have also posted about the Community Water Development Fund, which is currently open. Examples of previous local recipients were provided – Balbriggan Tidy Towns, OWLS (Children’s Nature Charity) and Swords Tidy Towns, as well as the possibility of applying for this grant for a feasibility study into rain water harvesting systems, showing how St. Maur’s GAA received funding from LEADER to help with harvesting rain water from the roof of their clubhouse. In other words, this grant could be a stepping stone for further available grants. It would be very easy to miss this wide-ranging grant. So, get into a habit of looking at the grants page on our website, clinking into the links provided and reading the extra information that is contained there. Don’t be put off by the wording and, with the examples provided of prior approved projects, think within and outside the box. Then don’t forget to apply!
Following a question to the Council management from Cllr Rob O’Donoghue there was welcome news on the progress on the development of the sports hub in Lusk. Following environmental screening of aspects of the proposed Recreational Hub on Rathmore Road in Lusk it is necessary to undertake a survey and impact assessment work over the winter months. Once these works are complete, it is the Councils plan to submit proposals for approval to An Bord Pleanála in quarter two of 2024. The Question: posed by Cllr O’Donoghue asked: ““To ask the Chief Executive to provide an update on the environmental assessments taking place at the Lusk Sports Hub, when do the Council expect to have the assessments completed and if feasible, inform the Committee of which planning application route will be pursued next in order to deliver the proposed sporting amenities at Lusk Sports Hub?” In their reply the Council said, “Further to environmental screening of aspects of the proposed Rathmore Recreational Hub in Lusk it is necessary to undertake further survey and impact assessment work over the winter months. The Council is now planning to submit the proposals for the Recreational Hub for approval to An Bord Pleanála in Q2 of 2024.” Councillor O’Donoghue stated ‘following many years of hard work by the clubs and community stakeholders on the recreational hub project, we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. The provision of the much-needed facilities for the people of Lusk at the Hub has moved forward with a timeline given for the seeking of planning permission. I am happy to continue to champion this project and keep the pressure on at Council level.’ In other Council news following several questions and motions over the last year requesting that the R127, from New Haggard to Blakes Cross to be resurfaced to aid cyclists and motorists, the section of the road has been assessed and will be considered for inclusion in the Regional Roads Capital Programme in 2024. The actual Question asked by Councillor R. O’Donoghue was “ To ask the Chief Executive if consideration can be given to evaluating the road from Blake’s Cross to Newhaggard, Lusk for resurfacing in the forthcoming Programme of Works?” The Reply from the Council Engineer was, “This section of road in question has been assessed and will be considered for inclusion in the Regional Roads Capital Programme 2024.”
What better way to train than indoors in these winter months, while still reaching your fitness goals, learning a new skill, learning to possibly become an Olympic champion and become disciplined than at Junsa Taekwondo. We have been busy taking on new students all the while our older students are honing their skills for tournaments and the upcoming club grading. We have also had a visitor form Brazil who brought loads of knowledge to the club.
It’s been that part of the year when the lead up to the autumn marathons meets the start of the Cross - Country season so most of our club athletes have been in action of some kind. Well done to all our juveniles who have taken part in the first two cross country leagues and to all our adult members who have completed a marathon or other race recently.
The club Christmas party and awards night takes place on Friday 8th December so don’t forget to buy your tickets. Have you listened to our podcasts ? There are ten episodes available so far and they are full of excellent interviews with club members and well-known personalities from the world of athletics.
The TAP BAR is open to Christmas Reservations – Reserve Tables/Section in our Tap Bar! Get in touch now!! Nursery, LGFA, AMFC, GAA Boys and Girls – The Club would like to invite new members to play GAA – Please Get in Touch! September Round Towers U11 Boys took to the field and thanks to Good Counsel Liffey Gaels for the game on a sun soaked TAP2. Before our League game, some of our 2011 boys presented Gerry Butterly of Airport View and Secret Spa,Blakes Cross, with an O’Neills top. Airport View have kindly sponsored the squad. With a great menu at Winters Restaurant and Spa in one location, you can truly relax. October Round Towers U13 boys were delighted with the support at their hurling match in Round Towers on the day of the official opening of the new Astro pitch. They had an impressive league match win against St Anne’s. September Round Towers Adult Men’s Football Committee (AMFC): What an amazing night we had at our monthly retired members and friends evening on Tuesday (28th September) night in the club. We had some very special guests in attendance. Sam Maguire, Brendan Martin, Liam McCarthy and the Fr Larry Murray cups were accompanied by men’s and ladies Dublin senior players Carla Rowe, Caoimhe O’Connor and Lorcan O’Dell. If anyone would like an original copy of the photos taken at the event please contact Ciara Smyth directly on 087 6152958. The Traditional Music Night on the last Tuesday of the months has been a huge success Entertainment – The TAP Bar in GAA club in Lusk has got some fantastic events coming over the month and would be delighted to see you there and enjoy some Live music: (A) Cliché – 4th November – (B) Poker Classic – 10th November (C ) Odd Couple – 18th November. More to be confirmed check our TAP Bar Facebook page! Enjoy sporting events on the big screen in the TAP on the Big Screen. TRAD Night – Last Tuesday every month great music night session in the TAP Bar Stay posted on Facebook on upcoming events..Enjoy GAA matches and other sports event with light refreshment on large screen in TAP BAR. Outdoor seating area available.
Lusk ICA recently held a Coffee Morning in the Top Shop, which was a great success, and we want to extend a big thank you to everyone who baked and donated all the lovely gifts for the raffle. The figure raised was a wonderful €3,230. We also want to extend our congratulations to Dublin Federation ICA on coming 2nd in the National Pitch & Putt Competition in the Seapoint Pitch & Putt Club. Returning to the activities of Lusk ICA, 10 Of our ICA ladies recently enjoyed a wonderful overnight stay in TV chef Nevin Maguire’s McNean House & Restaurant in Blacklion County Cavan. The ladies said the food was exceptional with every course perfectly presented and the tastes were unique and amazing. We also want to remind all our members that some of our Ladies meet to go sea swimming in Rush every Saturday morning at 11.00 and all members are welcome to join them.
