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The longer days are finally here, and there has also been a welcomed dash of glorious sunshine here and there over the past month! Easter always brings with it a sense of anticipation for what is to come in the warmer months, and in Fingal, local community groups and volunteers are hard at work getting their towns and villages read for summer!
Whether it’s organising Easter egg hunts in local parks, coordinating charity events, or preparing community halls for seasonal gatherings, their work often goes unseen, yet never unfelt. These are the people who ensure that no family feels left out, that children have moments of joy, and that neighbours remain connected in an increasingly busy world.
In Fingal, community is not an abstract idea—it is lived daily. Tidy Towns committees refresh public spaces after a long winter, sports clubs reopen their pitches with renewed energy, and local charities redouble efforts to support those who may be struggling. Easter becomes a focal point for these efforts, a time when the ethos of giving and renewal finds practical expression.
Equally important is family. Easter weekend offers a pause—a chance for relatives to gather around tables, to share meals, stories, and laughter. In a world often defined by digital connection, these moments of togetherness carry a deeper significance. They anchor us, reminding us of continuity, of shared history, and of the simple comfort of being present with one another.
For many in Fingal, these gatherings are intertwined with local traditions: a walk along the coast, a visit to a nearby market, or simply time spent outdoors as spring begins to take hold. The landscape itself seems to join in, with longer days and fresh blooms reinforcing the sense of new beginnings.
Easter, then, is more than a holiday. In Fingal, it is a testament—to the strength of community, the dedication of volunteers, and the enduring importance of family.
& Portrane
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The Locals Team
Broadmeadow Way Greenway delayed to early 2028
Corina Johnston, Labour Party Local Area Representative Donabate and Portrane has revealed that the opening of the anticipated Broadmeadow Way Greenway project has been delayed until 2028.
Councillor Johnston said, “Over the last few months I have received a number of queries in respect of the opening of the Broadmeadow Way Greenway. I have been raising this matter with FCC since elected and received the below reply at last week’s council meeting to my question raised on this project.”
The query from Councillor Johnston reads, “To ask the Chief Executive to provide a progress report on the Broadmeadow Way Greenway project to confirm the cost to date and if this project will be delivered on time and within budget?”
The reply from Fingal County council reads, “Progress on the detailed design phases of the other elements of this project is continuing. Engagement with Irish Rail and with the National
Transport Authority is ongoing for the causeway works.
Construction of this environmentally and technically challenging project has been divided into different works packages which will be delivered in stages:
Construction of the Broadmeadow Estuary Bridge took place in 2024. Works are complete.
The tender for the construction of the greenway along the causeway has been issued. It is expected that construction of the Northern Causeway will not be completed until 2027.
Construction of the greenway along the Southern Causeways will commence during the summer months of 2026.
Construction of the Donabate landward works and the Malahide landward works will take place during 2026 and 2027. A stage 1 Tender assessment has been completed in advance of a 2-stage tender process to establish a framework for works contractors for the various landward works contracts. The landward elements of
the Broadmeadow Way in Donabate i.e. from Newbridge Demesne, through Kilcrea lands to the east side of Corballis railway underpass will be delivered through this framework.
Due to the seasonal constraints of working within the estuary, along with the technical challenges of building on the Northern Causeway, it is expected that the opening of the Broadmeadow Way will be in early 2028.
A lot of the scheme is yet to be constructed with some tenders underway and more to follow. The tender costs for the project are not yet available. FCC will require gateway approval from the National Transport Authority prior to construction contracts being put in place.
Johnston concluded;”While recognising the many technical challenges and multiple stakeholders involved in this projected I am very disappointed that this project has been delayed further until 2028. I will continue to pursue this matter and will keep you informed of developments.”
Do These Financial Excuses Sound Familiar?
By Dave Kavanagh
“Let’s go for a drink?”, “How about a nice meal out?”, “Shall we book a nice holiday?”, “How about an afternoon shopping?”, all questions that are (usually!) met with a positive response. “Shall we have a look through our finances and plans that we have in place?”, not usually met with the same enthusiasm or joy! For many reasons, people put off or avoid having to go through an exercise such as this, despite the fact that it can lead to them spending less and having more money left over each month! So, what excuses do they present to avoid this not-sodesirable activity and what are they really saying? Let’s have a look:
“I’ll have a look at that after Christmas”. This is sometimes replaced with “after Easter”, “after the holidays”, “after the kids go back to school” and a host of others. This is a bit like the “I’ll start the diet next Monday”. What you are actually saying is “I’ll name some time in the future, so I don’t have to face up to it or think about it now”. Let’s face it, you can make time to spend 30-60 minutes even once per year to look at something this important. Every year will have Christmas, summer time, back to school time, etc. Once you do, you’ll be glad that you did. “Our bank has sorted all that out for us”. Your bank may have sorted a few things for you but in most
cases, banks are tied to one company’s products which means a fair comparison cannot be done and you may be overpaying. Dealing with an advisor who is not tied to one company and can compare other options is the only way to make sure you are getting the best value for money. “I’m busy at the moment, I’ll give you a shout in a few months”. Let’s face it, going through your finances is rarely on anyone’s favourite activity list. But the fact remains, if there is an activity you like, you can make time for it. Burying your head in the sand is rarely a successful solution to most problems!
If you have time to binge a box set, you have plenty of time for your finances.
Dave Kavanagh QFA has been advising people financially for over 25 years. For quotes or information (with no cost or obligation) he can be contacted by emailing info@financialcompanion.ie or use the contact form on www.financialcompanion. ie or @Davekav_advice on Twitter and Instagram. Combined with his previous role of gym/nutrition adviser, he regularly gives talks and workshops at seminars and events for groups, companies and government departments on financial wellbeing, positivity and motivation. As heard on RTE 2FM, LMFM and TV3.
Men’s Shed Play their Part in Donabate St. Patrick’s Festival
On Saturday 14th March, Donabate St. Patrick’s Festival Committee organised Donabate’s first St. Patrick’s parade and festival. A wonderful community day was had by all and the sun shone! Gerry & the Plonkers, the Men’s Shed music group, were honoured to be the closing act in a day full of fun and entertainment, and a few shedders volunteered to help out with stewarding the parade. Earlier last month, the Plonkers played at a celebration of International Women’s Day in Parlickstown House.
January and February’s exceptionally wet weather played havoc with preparations for this year’s growing season at our plots in Turvey Allotments and members were playing catch-up last month. So, hopefully they have managed to make up for lost time.
Recently a few members had a guided tour of Leinster House with local T.D., Duncan Smith, arranged by local councillor Corina Johnston. We’d like to thank
Duncan’s secretary, Nora, for her help in making it a wonderful day out. Now with summer approaching, and better weather we hope, the Men’s Shed will be looking at arranging more outings. A visit to the Shackleton Museum in Athy is on the cards.
Replay Instruments Project is an innovative initiative of Fingal County Council, Music Generation and Crosscare to rejuvenate older musical instruments and accessories for donation to schools and other community groups. Through the Irish Men’s Sheds Association’s Liaison, Pat Duff, the Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed is participating in this project. We have already taken in a guitar for restoration and hopefully it will be ready soon for donation to a local school.
As ever, our usual weekly exercise classes, croquet at Newbridge House, music practices and our Thursday get-togethers continue. So if you or someone you know would like to join us, please call Jim on 086-3694316.
Tina Mation ready to host Big Box Summer Camps once again
For over 30 years, artist and broadcaster Tina Mation has been inspiring children to discover the joy of drawing and creativity. Many families across North Dublin and Meath know Tina not only from her long-running television art programmes, but also from the art classes and summer camps she has been running for generations of young artists.
Tina held her very first children’s art classes in Swords more than three decades ago. What began as a small local class quickly grew as children discovered how easy and fun it was to draw using Tina’s unique step-by-step teaching method. Tina believes that every child can draw and create, in most cases, they just need to be shown not only how to draw, but more importantly, that they can draw. Over the years, she has taught thousands of children in person and as the presenter of the longestrunning television art series in the world by the same presenter, she has shown millions of children and adults just how easy it is to bring drawings to life.
Working directly with children in local communities remains one of the most rewarding parts of her career, alongside her work on RTÉ television and the publication of over 60 drawing and animation books.
Each summer Tina runs her much-loved Big Box Summer Art Camps, packed with drawing, painting, constructing miniature theatres, making games, designing T-shirts and many other creative projects. This July, the camps will take place in Lusk, Swords and Ashbourne, welcoming young artists for fivedays of hands-on creativity. Each child receives their own Big Box, which transforms during the camp into a collection of complete artworks and activities they can proudly bring home.
After more than 30 years teaching her unique method, Tina continues to inspire a new generation of children to pick up a pencil, use their imagination and discover that, with a little guidance, they can create their own magic. As Tina says “Learn to draw… Create for life!” For more information visit: tinamation.net
Gerry & the Plonkers at Parlickstown House
Gerry & the Plonkers at Donabate St. Patrick’s Festival
Members at Exercise Class
Making the most of the Easter holidays!
With the kids off school, here are some ideas for fun days out. Malahide Castle & Gardens is hosting some fab events this Easter. They got a Wicked Easter and KPop Demon Hunters events. Plenty there to keep the kids happy and while they’re singing and dancing, it gives you a little time for a walk around the gorgeous grounds and a coffee in the fab café.
April is a funny month weather-wise, fluctuating between warm and chilly making it the perfect time for transitional clothing that works in changeable weather. We came across Irish brand, Circle Edge Athleisure Wear and it is perfect for this time of year. As well as cool hoodies and leggings - ideal for busy Mammies on the go - they also have stylish half-zip tops with matching wide leg trousers. And for underneath, a cool vest which can be worn two ways. Great design, comfortable fabrics and they do offers too, so you can nab the half-zip top, vest top and wide leg pants altogether in a set. They look super stylish, breathable and comfortable.
And to make sure you are as comfy as can be while running around after the kiddies, we are championing cool underwear brand Lemonade Dolls. A
range of underwear for woman of all shapes and sizes, in soft yet supportive fabrics, in a beautiful selection of colours. Best of all, they’re underwire free. Finding a supportive bra that looks good, feels good, offers proper support and does not have underwire is not easy! An absolute hero product range in our opinion. See https://lemonadedolls.com/
As the weather changes, bugs and viruses thrive and it’s good to take nutrient packed supplements. We’re big fans of Irish brand Sentro Labs. As well as supplements for gut health, they have products to help with hormone balance and a Sleep support set, which we have been testing out and find great. See their range and value bundles here https://www.sentrolabs.com/
Skypark Carlingford is back open and is a brilliant day out for all the family. Zip wires, physical challenges and cool team building games, make it really fun to visit as a family or group of friends. I still brag about doing the biggest zip wire there – yes, I screamed the whole way through but I still did it! Enter our Skypark giveaway on mams.ie and our socials FB/Insta.
If you’re a Local and have some free time please email us on: communitylocals@gmail.com
Calling all community and voluntary groups in this area! We are here to facilitate you and help publicise your organisations. We are a community based magazine therefore there will be no charge for publicising your group, whether its a chess club or small pastime group, a support group or a big community or sporting organisation. So if you want to publicise your organisation every month just send us an email to communitylocalseditor@gmail.com..We look forward to hearing from you.
Commnuity News
Active Age for All shine at Donabate St Patrick’s Festival parade
The gods were smiling on Donabate on Saturday 14th March with blue skies and warm sun in time for the St Patricks Festival Parade, the first one in living memory I’m told. Active Age for All were delighted to take part and came equipped with a banner, placards and much enthusiasm. There was a great buzz in the village and the mood of both walkers and watchers was happy and excited to be part of a community coming together to have fun and celebrate our fabled saint.
The Active Age committee have been busy of late with some more activities to add to our programme in response to suggestions from the membership. These are:
*Give the Gym a Go: an 8 week course being held in the DPCC gym on Friday mornings from 11
to 12 with Gym instructor Ross. It is geared towards instructing participants on how to use the gym equipment safely and effectively.
*Intergenerational project, a 4 week pilot scheme with AAfA and the Transition Year students from Donabate Community School. A full report on this will be in the next issue.
*Cards, games, crafts & chat is an informal, relaxed session every Thursday from 2 to 4pm in the Portacabin in the community centre where members can play a variety of games, such as, cards, scrabble or chess while the crafters sew, knit and crochet, all whilst enjoying a tea/ coffee, biscuits and a chat.
*Computer course: a laptop housekeeping course which will be coming on stream in the near future, more news on this at a later date.
Contract signed for Ballymastone Recreational Hub
The commencement of works to construct the €10 million Ballymastone Recreational Hub, Donabate has been officially marked with a contract signing. Designed to meet the needs of the growing and diverse population, the project will provide high-quality recreational amenities, promote sports and physical activity, and serve as a lasting community asset for generations to come.
Phase two of the works at Ballymastone will consist of the construction of state-of-the-art sports pitches, dedicated athletics infrastructure and play/skatepark facilities. The Recreational Hub will form a major part of the community and follows on from the continued delivery of 1,200 homes at Balmoston on a 32-hectare site by Fingal County Council with Glenveagh as developers.
Present at the contract signing were Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly, as well as representatives from the appointed contractors, Kilwex Civil, St Patrick’s GAA Club, St.Ita’s AFC, Lambay Sports & Athletics, local councillors, and members of Fingal County Council’s Parks and Landscapes Department.
Speaking following the contract
signing, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary said: “I’m delighted to see works progressing on this €10 million recreational hub for Donabate. The Hub will provide families, young people, and residents of all ages with a space to gather, play, and thrive. I want to acknowledge the hard work and collaboration that has brought us to this point, and I look forward to seeing this new community asset take shape and serve our residents for many years to come.”
Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly said: “At Fingal County Council we recognise the importance of not just delivering housing but creating communities. The Ballymastone Recreational Hub will be a fantastic and essential community facility for the Donabate area and will greatly contribute to the lives of the new residents in the area. I want to thank our Parks and Landscapes Team, local councillors, and members of the local clubs and wider Donabate community for their contribution to the delivery of this project”. Also included in the plans for the hub is a new entrance from the Donabate Distributor Road, a car park, bleacher stands, as well as electric vehicle charging spaces and bicycle parking.
Creativity, Enterprise and Big Wins at the Fingal Student Enterprise Awards
Local Enterprise Office Fingal has announced that this year’s Junior, Intermediate and Senior Category Winners will represent the county at the National Student Enterprise Finals in Mullingar this May. The announcement follows a vibrant and competitive County Final held on 19th March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, where over 1,300 students from 21 schools showcased exceptional entrepreneurial talent through innovative products, strong branding and confident pitches, reflecting months of teamwork, creativity and resilience.
In the Junior Category, the students representing Fingal at the National Final are Sam Patton and Andrew Low from Sutton Park School, with their project Powerblocker.
In the Intermediate Category, Juliane Amelia O’Neill from Loreto Balbriggan, will showcase her enterprise, Tiny Terrariums, which focuses on Horticulture.
In the Senior Category, Daniel Strautnice, Jack Atkinson, and Jedd Umeh from Coolmine Community School secured their place with Micro Forge 3D, an innovative business centred on 3D Printing.
The winning teams will now compete against student businesses from across Ireland, presenting their ventures to a panel of judges and vying for
national recognition.
A range of special awards were also presented, recognising excellence across key enterprise areas. These included the Best Display Award, Sustainability Award, Social Media Award and Innovation Award, each honouring students who excelled in creativity, communication, design and forward-thinking business development.
The Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year Award was presented to Teacher Liz Byrne, Hartstown Community School, acknowledging outstanding commitment to enterprise education. The Enterprising School Spirit Award was awarded to Luttrellstown Community College, recognising the strong culture of creativity, teamwork and ambition fostered within the school community.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, praised the contribution and professionalism of all participating students: “The creativity and drive on display here today are outstanding. You have taken ideas from concept to reality, worked collaboratively, overcome challenges and stood confidently behind your businesses. The skills you have developed will serve you well long into the future.”
Busy Spring schedule for all at Donabate Parish Hall
Recently, the Parish Hall & its equipment were used for part of the wonderful St Patrick’s Festival in Donabate. Congratulations to the hardworking committee on a great event. The photos tell the story from the Parish Hall.
Earlier in February the Crossroads Group held their AGM; their aim being to further more
cultural, arts & youth activities and extend the amount of facilities in the community.
Training took place by over 20 people for the set up & take down of the Parish Hall’s New Riser Stage, thanks to all those volunteers. There were at least 2 people from many groups who
came to train so that their group could sign out the stage for events.
Our community is growing and we are here if you need us in the Parish Office from 9:30am - 12:30 Monday - Friday. Please phone 01 8434574.
The latest from Lambay Cinema Club
Following on from the sold out screening of Blue Road to celebrate International Women’s Day in March, we hope to see many of you at our April screening.
Our aim is to show interesting and entertaining films from around the world, and for April we will be screening Nine Queens, a classic Argentinian file from 2000 that was remastered and rereleased in 2025. In this “deliciously cynical tale of swindling and double-cross”, we see the main character Marcos, an experienced con artist, witnessing Juan, a wannabe con artist failing to pull off a minor scam. Marcos rescues Juan by pretending to be a policeman and offers to make him a partner in a few other dealsincluding one involving the sale of a sheet of counterfeit rare stamps.
From this simple set up, the deal involving the stamps becomes more complex and as extra people become involved, true motivations and plans within plans are slowly revealed.
Nine Queens will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday April 16th at 8pm. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 9th 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
‘I Swear’ is an essential watch
By Jack Shanley
It is rare for a film to make you laugh out loud and break your heart in the same scene, but I Swear manages both with remarkable grace. Directed by Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee), this biopic tells the true story of John Davidson, a Scotsman who became a famous advocate for Tourette Syndrome.
The film follows John’s journey from a confused teenager in the 1980s— played with painful vulnerability by newcomer Scott Ellis Watson—to an adult (Robert Aramayo) navigating a world that often mistakes his neurological condition for bad behaviour. Robert Aramayo, best known for The Rings of Power, delivers a career-defining performance. Playing a character with Tourette’s is a high-wire act; it can easily slip into caricature. However, Aramayo portrays the physical tics with a restless, exhausting accuracy while never losing sight of the gentle, funny man underneath.
He is supported by a stellar British cast. Maxine Peake is wonderful as Dottie, the nurse who finally gives John the acceptance he craves, while Peter Mullan provides a gruff but deeply moving performance as a community centre caretaker who treats John like a human being rather than a problem to be solved. The movie doesn’t shy away from the “pottymouthed” reality of the condition, leading to some genuinely hilarious moments of social awkwardness.
However, I Swear balances the comedy with the darker side of John’s life: the schoolyard bullying, the family tension, and the physical danger of being misunderstood by strangers. It effectively highlights that the biggest challenge isn’t the Tourette’s itself, but the public’s lack of understanding. While it follows the traditional “underdog” biopic formula, I Swear feels fresh because of its raw honesty and immense heart. It is a “feel-good” movie that earns its emotion.
In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘I Swear’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four ½ stars. You can watch it on Netflix today. Director: Kirk Jones – Rating: 15A – Genre: Narrative – Run Time: 2h 1m Language: English. For more film content please follow @screen_. addicts on Instagram.
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Across
1. Capable of learning easily. (6)
5. Pushed roughly. (6)
10. Occurs, comes to pass. (7)
11. John Lennon album was a Gemini. (7)
12. Soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired. (4)
13. Create by combining materials and parts. (5)
15. A pause for relaxation. (4)
17. Finish, conclude. (3)
19. Found in conjunction with fly, lightning and balance. (6)
21. Christian celebration of the Resurrection. (6)
22. Male accounts of the past. (7)
23. Bow and arrow user. (6)
25. In a foreign country. (6)
28. A joke to cause to retch. (3)
30. A beloved person comes with a high price. (4)
31. Food for tossing. (5)
32. Slender structure which supports a plant. (4)
35. Tensing, living like a bird. (7)
36. Searching visually. (7)
37. Slang for prison guards. (6)
38. Hospital carers. (6)
Down
2. Put something back where it belongs. (7)
3. Became larger, expanded. (4)
4. Paper used to construct lies. (6)
5. Protect, conceal from danger. (6)
6. Round like an egg. (4)
7. Clearly apparent or obvious to the mind or senses. (7)
8. Unpleasant or disappointing surprises. (6)
9. A dog trained to point out game. (6)
14. The first letter of a word. (7)
16. There goes the anaesthetic. (5)
18. Perhaps, possibly. (5)
20. Term of address for a man. (3)
21. A major division of geological time. (3)
23. Counting the cost. (6)
24. A book still read and studied after many years. (7)
26. Invitation to engage in fisticuffs in the open air. (7)
27. Harm, impair. (6)
28. Sacred river of India. (6)
29. Four quarts. (6)
33. One of two or more contesting groups. (4)
34. Division of the day. (4)
SUDOKU ANSWERS
