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A Season of Change and Halloween Spirit There is something special about autumn in Fingal. As the evenings draw in and the first hints of winter appear, the landscape takes on a character all of its own. Hedgerows turn golden, leaves gather along country lanes, and the crisp air carries the unmistakable feeling that the year is entering its final chapter. For many communities across Fingal, autumn is also a time of preparation. Schools, families, community groups and local businesses are beginning to look towards Halloween, an occasion that has become deeply woven into the fabric of Irish life. Across towns and villages, preparations are already beginning. Costumes are being chosen, pumpkins are appearing in shops and homes, and children are eagerly discussing what they might dress up as this year. For parents, meanwhile, Halloween brings the familiar tasks of finding costumes, planning parties and making sure decorations are both enjoyable

and safe. There is also an opportunity to remember the traditions behind the celebration. Halloween has strong roots in the ancient Irish festival of Samhain, marking the transition from summer to winter. In Fingal, where historic landscapes, old villages and rural traditions remain such an important part of local identity, that connection with the past can add an extra dimension to the festivities. Autumn gives Fingal a chance to pause and appreciate what makes the area distinctive: its countryside, coastline, villages and close-knit communities. Halloween adds colour, imagination and a little bit of harmless fright to the season. So, as the leaves fall and October nights grow darker, Fingal can embrace Halloween in the best possible spirit — with creativity, community, tradition and, of course, plenty of pumpkins.

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Local News

Reliability of 33B bus service called into question Cllr Corina Johnston continues to receive a high volume of complaints regarding the reliability of the 33B bus service, with repeated reports of buses not showing up particularly from residents in The Burrow, Portrane, which is served by just one bus per hour. “In recent weeks I again contacted the National Transport Authority to highlight the continuous cancellations on this route and the serious impact on commuters, especially those in The Burrow, Portrane, who are left without any alternative transport when a service fails to operate. While the NTA has outlined the issues facing the operator, the reality for commuters in Portrane and Donabate remains unchanged.” Cllr Johnston continued: “The Burrow is served only once per hour, and any missed service leaves passengers stranded for a minimum of two hours. Despite assurances that fleet related issues have ‘broadly stabilised’, I continue to receive regular reports of cancellations. These incidents are not isolated, they represent a persistent pattern of

unreliability that is disproportionately impacting communities with limited alternative transport options.” “The NTA has stated that construction works and traffic management arrangements make timetable adjustments difficult. However, this does not address the core issue commuters are repeatedly left without any service at all. I welcome ongoing engagement between the NTA and Go Ahead Ireland but the lived experience of passengers continues to fall far short of what a public transport network should deliver. Communities in Portrane and Donabate deserve a reliable, dependable service not recurring disruption and prolonged waiting times.” Cllr Johnston concluded: “I will continue to press both the NTA and the Department of Transport for immediate and sustained action to restore reliability on the 33B route. The current situation is not acceptable, and meaningful improvements must be prioritised.

DP Crossroads Launches Revamped Website DP Crossroads has launched a newly revamped website, providing residents with a clearer and more accessible picture of the campaign’s work over the past three years and the continuing challenge of ensuring that community infrastructure keeps pace with the rapid growth of Donabate and Portrane. Established in late 2023, DP Crossroads began with a campaign for the delivery of a dedicated Youth, Arts & Cultural Centre for the peninsula. Since then, its work has developed into a broader campaign for balanced and sustainable growth, with a consistent message: new housing and the infrastructure needed to support it must be delivered together. The redesigned website brings that story together through a new visual “Our Journey 2023–2026” section, highlighting key moments from three years of community action. These include community surveys, the development of a business case, public information events and meetings, more than 2,000 petition signatures, engagement with Fingal County Council and elected representatives, national media coverage, planning submissions and appeals, and continued scrutiny of major development and infrastructure proposals. The site also puts the scale of change taking place across the peninsula into sharper focus. Donabate and Portrane had a population of approximately 5,000 at the beginning of the century. Today, with thousands of additional homes built, under construction or planned, the population is expected to continue growing substantially to top 20,000 residents by 2029. “The houses are being delivered. The question we continue to ask is: where is the community infrastructure?” said a Ann Hogan, Chair of DP Crossroads.

Young people remain at the heart of the campaign. DP Crossroads’ community research found that 31% of the local population was under 19, while 84% of respondents supported a dedicated Youth Centre and **83% said there were insufficient safe places locally for young people to spend time. The revamped website also explains the wider need for appropriate spaces for arts, culture and community activity; places where local organisations can rehearse, perform, create, meet and bring people together. DP Crossroads said the redesign was also an opportunity to make its position particularly clear. “We are a voluntary, independent and non-politically affiliated group of residents. We are not opposed to housing or development. We support investment in schools, sports, transport and other essential infrastructure. What we have consistently challenged is the idea that communities should have to choose between them.” The group said that while much has happened since the campaign began, its central objective remains unresolved. “Three years on, Donabate and Portrane still do not have the dedicated Youth, Arts & Cultural Centre that our growing community was promised by FCC. In fact, we now have LESS indoor infrastructure per capita than ever before. We will continue to research, question, engage and campaign for infrastructure appropriate to the population our peninsula is becoming.” The new website brings together campaign updates, research, publications, planning information and the story of DP Crossroads’ activities since 2023, providing residents with an accessible record of both what has happened and what remains to be delivered.

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Local News

Parish Hall in Full Swing Setting Up Equipment - 1st Culture Night

Musical Talent getting ready to Play!

In the last month The Parish Hall regular activities have got back into full swing, includes Drama & Yoga Classes, Bridge & Cards, Senior Citizens & Youth Services. There are a number of cultural & music groups that use the Parish Hall - Leithinis CCÉ have a Traditional Irish Music Session two Fridays a month, while The Peninsula Voices local community choir have performed there in a

charity fundraiser every year. The Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society are celebrating their 90th year in existence with a number of performances in the Parish Hall over two weekends Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th November & then Thursday 19th - Saturday 21st November. This will be followed by an exhibition of photographs by local group ‘Through the Lens’ over the weekend of Friday 27th November -

Sunday 29th November. A highlight of the year in the Parish Hall is the Christmas Craft Fair & Turning on of the Lights held on the first Saturday of December. If you need any more information on what is taking place in the Parish Hall or wish to enquire about booking a time for a class in the Parish Hall contact the Parish Office on 01- 8434574.

fast my father hatched a cunning plan to give Billy a taste of Ghost stories and superstitions Thinking his own medicine. Out of the blue he pretended to see someone and By Jon Kavanagh One of my earliest memories sees my mother lighting the paraffin oil lamp in the gate lodge where we lived in Oldtown, North County Dublin. Outside, darkness covered the surrounding woodlands; creating a fertile atmosphere for the imagination, folklore, superstition and things that go bump in the night. As the nights grew darker, family, friends and neighbors gathered around the open fire to catch up on the local gossip, exchange notes on their medical complaints, and tell ghost stories. Uncle Patsy who lived near the Four Knocks Burial Tomb (situated at Naul with a lager interior than Newgrange) was never short of material. With his renowned opening line “Do yous know what I’m going to tell yous?”, he would regale and scare us with stories about the large unearthly black dog with red eyes roaming the neighborhood, the man who walked through a closed gate, and the long-bearded druid like figure he uncounted sitting in an armchair in his parlor, to mention just a few. Certain mischievous people found fun in dressing up as ghosts. One night whilst cycling home my father found himself in the unwanted company of Billy; one such prankster known to wrap himself in a white sheet to put the heart crossways in those of a nervous disposition.

DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

loudly said “Hello there, a nice night”. “Who did you speak to?”, Billy nervously quivered. “The old man sitting on the bank”. my father replied. Thinking that my father had actually seen a genuine apparition, Billy beelined for the safety of home at a speed that would merit the yellow jersey in the Tour De France. There were no further reports of him ever again donning the white sheet. Superstitions and pisoges played a part in everyday life. Land owners wouldn’t dare cut down a tree on a Fairy Fort, lest they be dogged with bad luck for the rest of their days. Taking a short cut through the fields (once a common practice) was problematic: If you had the misfortunate to step on a ‘stray sod’ you would lose all sense of direction and find yourself wandering aimlessly in circles for hours on end. Correlation between those who stepped on the ‘stray sod’ and those on their way home from the local remains unknown. Many including my mother believed the shrill sound often penetrating the silence of the night was the Banshee foretelling the imminent passing of someone in the locality. Skeptics said the hair-raising racket was no more than of a fox calling for a mate. Rural electrification and television brought tremendous progress, but took a away an era of mystique when we made our entertainment. Happy Halloween!

CAR REVIEW

Nissan Micra Returns as an EV By Declan Glynn

After a noticeable absence from showrooms, the Nissan Micra is back – reborn as a fullyelectric urban hatchback for a new generation. The Micra Electric takes things to a new level, combining the car’s long-standing reputation for practicality and affordability with intuitive technology to make it the smart choice for everyday drivers making the switch to electric driving.

Design-Conscious Appeal The new Micra’s subtle SUV-inspired proportions provide it with a robust stance and a modern-retro look. Featuring eye-catching LED headlamps within circular LED daytime running lights, an iconic rear lighting signature, and sporty 18-inch wheels, it is a design that successfully balances form and function.

Trim & Battery Options There are three trim grades to choose from: Engage, Advance and Evolve. The entry-level Engage model has a 40kWh battery with a WLTP range of up to 317km on a combined

driving cycle. Mid-spec Advance trim comes with the option of a 40kWh or 52kWh battery, while the top-spec Evolve model is only available with the 52kWh battery, which increases the achievable range to 416km. Both variants support DC fast charging up to 80kW and 110kW respectively, enabling a 15% to 80% charge to be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Alternatively, a 10% to 80% charge via an 11kW domestic wallbox charger can be achieved in as little as 3.45 hours. With NissanConnect powered by Google built-in occupants can enjoy services like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play.

Car on Review My review car was a Micra Electric (52kWh) in Evolve trim, and it looked terrific in its Authentic Blue metallic paintwork with a contrasting Mystery Black metallic roof. The cabin features a clean, uncluttered layout centred around a dual 10.1-inch screen setup with built-in Google services. The Micra’s slightly elevated driving position gives a clear, crossover-like view of the road ahead, and overall cabin comfort is excellent, with soft-touch finishes, padded

fabrics, and distinctively patterned seat upholstery providing an upmarket look and feel. On the road, the new Micra is a genuinely enjoyable companion, and the driving experience can be summed up in three words: Nimble, Fun, and Refined. The electric motor is located on the front axle, and it produces 150hp (148bhp) and 245Nm of instant torque, resulting in a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.0-seconds. The car feels responsive and agile at all times, and it feels planted and secure too, inspiring confidence whether navigating challenging urban streets, enjoying a spirited drive on country roads, or cruising on a motorway. One-pedal driving can be selected via paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, with multiple regenerative braking levels available, and this is perfectly suited to stop-start city driving.

Conclusion & Price The all-new Nissan Micra Electric is highlycommendable in every way – from its striking exterior design to its refined driving manners, and everything in between. Pricing starts from just €25,995 (ex-delivery), with my test car specification priced from €32,995 (ex-delivery).

Local News

Deadly Tour of St. Michan’s for Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed

Attendees at Fingal Men’s Shed Networking

DPMS Visit to St. Michan’s

Cllr. Tony Murphy at Fingal Men’s Sheds Networking

Early last month, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed had a fascinating tour of St. Michan’s Church in Dublin, built in the late 17th century. Led by our knowledgeable and chatty guide, John, a local man from the Liberties, we started in the church itself. John explained that, although a new organ was installed in the 1940s, the original one, on which it is reputed Handel composed, or at least practiced, his Messiah, and the original wooden organ gallery depicting 17 different musical instruments, have been preserved. However, the most unusual aspect of St. Michan’s is in the crypt underneath the church. Here the mummified remains of the great and good (and not-so-good) of 17th, 18th and 19th century 8

DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

DPMS Visit to Crypt in St. Michan’s

Dublin are interred. Thanks to Ray for organising this visit. Two members of our shed, Gerry and Paul, represented us at the recent networking event for all 17 of the Men’s Sheds in Fingal. As one of the main topics was the availability of grants, the meeting was attended by Cllr. Tony Murphy, Mayor of Fingal and by Rafe Costigan, Senior Community Officer. It was also an opportunity for the various sheds to share their experiences, but probably the most unusual aspect was the attendance of a delegation from South Korea on a fact finding mission as they are starting up sheds in South Korea. Many thanks to Balbriggan

Men’s Shed for hosting this event and for their warm welcome and much appreciated catering. Gerry and the Plonkers, our music group, were delighted to play in Donabate Portrane Community Centre at September’s Memory Café, a monthly event for people with dementia and their carers. As The Plonkers will be providing part of the entertainment, our shed has been involved in the planning for the forthcoming Men’s Health Week event in Newbridge Park in November. We hope to have more information about this for next month’s issue. If you, or someone you know, wishes to join us, please call Jim, our PRO, on 086-3694316. Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

Lambay Cinema Club October Screening

At the recent first screening of out Autumn/ Winter season we revealed something new for December – The Lambay Cinema Club Audience Choice. You get to choose what film you want to see at our December screening. We have hand picked four films to choose from. Reflecting the range of movies we show, these range from “exhilarating and funny” to “profoundly tender”. See Lambaycinemaclub.com for more details. Meanwhile we continue our Autumn/Winter season with Blue Heron, a festival award winner set in the 1990s. It introduces us to Sasha – an 8-year-old girl who has recently moved, along with her family, from their native Hungary to Vancouver Island. While Sasha and her other siblings get used

to their new environment, their parents become increasingly concerned about the unpredictable behaviour of their eldest son, Jeremy. As the parents keep attempting to help Jeremy, Sasha struggles to understand what is happening around her. This uncertainty will return to her as an adult when she works on a deeply personal filmmaking project. This autobiographical film from first time director, Sophy Romvari, opened this Summer and has been described as “One of the best of the year.” Other critics have called the film “A bold and intimate stunner”, “An extraordinary debut feature”, “An unexpected triumph” and “Surprising

Peninsula Pacers on the Move!

and tremendously moving” Blue Heron will be shown at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland church in The Square, Donabate (K36 Y521) on Thursday Oct 15th at 8:00pm. Tickets go on sale on Thursday Oct 8th at 9:00am 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. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you on the 15th.

In September the Peninsula Pacers celebrated National Walking Day - they went to Skerries by train - visited the Mill & Markets - then went on a long circular route towards the beach, went left along the sea up to Red Island & back by the Harbour for food - a good walk! The next two walks are on: Saturday 31st October Halloween! The Clontarf Greenway a 7/8km walk up & down to the Port - then

food after in the Yacht. Travel by train to and from Donabate Station. Saturday 21st November - City Walk! The Dodder Way is a 8/10km walk along the River Dodder - with food along the way. Travel by bus & train to and from Donabate Station. For further information please contact Margaret O’Brien on - 086 1956058 Jim O’Donohoe on 086 3694316 DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

Local News

Get together as Gaeilge! For anyone interested in practicing or improving their Irish language skills there is a group that meet at Cate’s Cafe (beside Supervalu), Donabate each Saturday at 14.00 There is no cost involved. The group is an informal get-together to let participants improve their Irish in a supportive environment. All levels are welcome. Bíonn fáilte mhór roimh cairde nua i gcónaí. There is always a big welcome for new friends. Tuilleadh eolais / Further info: Liam @ 086 3814422

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yous know what I’m going to tell yous?”, Ghost stories and “Do he would regale and scare us with stories about the large unearthly black dog with red eyes roaming the neighborhood, the man who superstitions walked through a closed gate, and the long-

By Jon Kavanagh

One of my earliest memories sees my mother lighting the paraffin oil lamp in the gate lodge where we lived in Oldtown, North County Dublin. Outside, darkness covered the surrounding woodlands; creating a fertile atmosphere for the imagination, folklore, superstition and things that go bump in the night. As the nights grew darker, family, friends and neighbors gathered around the open fire to catch up on the local gossip, exchange notes on their medical complaints, and tell ghost stories. Uncle Patsy who lived near the Four Knocks Burial Tomb (situated at Naul with a lager interior than Newgrange) was never short of material. With his renowned opening line

bearded druid like figure he uncounted sitting in an armchair in his parlor, to mention just a few. Certain mischievous people found fun in dressing up as ghosts. One night whilst cycling home my father found himself in the unwanted company of Billy; one such prankster known to wrap himself in a white sheet to put the heart crossways in those of a nervous disposition. Thinking fast my father hatched a cunning plan to give Billy a taste of his own medicine. Out of the blue he pretended to see someone and loudly said “Hello there, a nice night”. “Who did you speak to?”, Billy nervously quivered. “The old man sitting on the bank”. my father replied. Thinking that my father had actually seen a genuine apparition, Billy beelined for the safety of home at a speed that would merit the yellow jersey in the Tour De France. There

were no further reports of him ever again donning the white sheet. Superstitions and pisoges played a part in everyday life. Land owners wouldn’t dare cut down a tree on a Fairy Fort, lest they be dogged with bad luck for the rest of their days. Taking a short cut through the fields (once a common practice) was problematic: If you had the misfortunate to step on a ‘stray sod’ you would lose all sense of direction and find yourself wandering aimlessly in circles for hours on end. Correlation between those who stepped on the ‘stray sod’ and those on their way home from the local remains unknown. Many including my mother believed the shrill sound often penetrating the silence of the night was the Banshee foretelling the imminent passing of someone in the locality. Skeptics said the hair-raising racket was no more than of a fox calling for a mate. Rural electrification and television brought tremendous progress, but took a away an era of mystique when we made our entertainment. Happy Halloween!

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DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

History

Ireland and its relationship with the Sea

As an island Ireland has a continuous relationship with the sea; any settlers coming here had first to cross it, and it is this sea connection that has shaped our nation, bringing new ideas, technologies and different cultures to our shores. This same sea has not isolated us from international developments be it the spread of coastal trading in the Bronze Age, to the formation of our port cities

by the Vikings, piracy in the plantation period, or the infamous triangular trade in the 18th centuary. Early mail services across the Irish Sea were set up in Tudor times. Queen Elizabeth 1 set up a weekly postal route from London to Holyhead and on to Ireland relying on couriers and sailing packet boats. These boats relied on speed because they faced great risks from storms and pirates. We

also have to remember that even today 80% of the goods here on our shop shelves are imported and that 90% of that volume comes in by sea, so we are still very dependent on our surrounding seas. If you would like to learn more about this topic do come along to St Patricks CoI at 8pm on Wednesday 13th October where Brian Scott will be giving a presentation on behalf of the Donabate Historical Society.

ALL CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE** Due to increasing demand for space in our magazine could all contributors please note OUR STRICT DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES AND PICS IS THE 14TH OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION ** Thank you.

DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

Feature

Getting ready for spooks and festivities!

Thinking about a family mini break this October? Farnham Estate Cavan has great Autumnal offers; enjoy Woodland walks, delicious dining, spacious rooms, spa & the spectacular indoor/outdoor pool – we love it here. Like a fright at Halloween? Farmaphobia is a fun (aka terrifying) experience. Perfect for horror fans! Pillo Hotel Ashbourne; close to Emerald Park, Bounce & Beyond Ballyboughal and Dublin Zoo is a firm favourite of ours. Generously sized rooms, swimming pool, fab food and a sensory room, makes Pillo ideal for family breaks. Pumpkins After Dark is back at Newbridge House & Farm and is a no frights family friendly experience. The Haunted Trail at Malahide Castle is another spooktacular, family friendly Halloween event. Bracken Court Hotel Balbriggan has spacious family rooms, lovely atmosphere, yummy food. A 5-minute walk to the train station and then, only 30 mins into Dublin City. National Concert Hall, The National Wax Museum Plus, Dublinia and EPIC museum are excellent for Autumnal days out in Dublin. For family friendly dining, we love Shake Dog Diners. Their food is affordable, tasty and they have a great menu! There are lots of great movies running atm and many cinemas, like Arc Cinemas, have special offers for families. Kids clubs on weekend 12

DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

mornings are especially good value. If you are planning a Santa visit, it’s a good idea to book early as they tend to sell out fast. Here are some of our favourites for 2026….. ElfTown Dublin at the RDS is an interactive, immersive experience, with two magical ways for families to experience the wonder of Christmas. Choose from the full 75-minute Elf Town Immersive Experience or the shorter 30 minute Santa’s Magical Visit. Book here: https://elftowndublin.ie/ Elf Town Dublin Airfield Estate Dundrum is stunning at Christmas, blending timeless traditions and a funfilled visit with Santa. Explore the breathtaking grounds, visit the Jersey cows, playground, café and garden centre. The elves can’t wait to welcome you! Book at: https:// www.airfield.ie/events/the-magicof-christmas-santa-airfield/ Christmas Island is a stunning experience. Take a journey on Sata’s houseboat to meet Santa, the Elves & Mrs. Claus. Enjoy Indoor mini golf, tubing, crafts, face painting, cinema & lots more! You can even book in overnight! Book here: www. ChristmasIsland.ie We are giving away Christmas experiences family passes at www.mams.ie https://www.facebook.com/ mams.ireland/ https://www.instagram.com/ mams.ie

Film Review

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The Pulp Documentary Delivers the Magic

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By Jack Shanley For this month I decided to review the new ‘Pulp’ documentary. Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore? Directed by Garth Jennings and narrated by the endlessly charming Jarvis Cocker, this film captures the legendary Britpop band on their triumphant 2025 tour while taking a wonderfully nostalgic look back at their long, strange journey. At roughly 100 minutes, it strikes the perfect balance between a fiery concert film and a heartfelt history lesson. Rather than being a dry band bio, Cocker describes the movie as a bit like a jumble sale—and that’s what makes it so fun to watch. The absolute highlight of the documentary is its goldmine of archive footage. Jennings dives deep into the history of ‘Pulp’ spanning over four decades, pulling back the curtain on Pulp long before they were famous. We get to see brilliant personal photos, quirky old TV appearances, and even a teenage Jarvis’s school exercise book where he mapped out his dream band’s strict dress code. There is even a peak at a wooden Dalek his grandfather built for him to climb inside. It’s a endearing, hilarious window into a group of eccentric Sheffield outsiders who slowly clawed their way to pop royalty. Equally thrilling is the concert footage, recorded during their massive shows at London’s O2 Arena. Jarvis Cocker remains one of the greatest frontmen in rock history. Even with his signature “Vegas-meets-Sheffield” dance moves looking slightly creakier these days, his showmanship is completely magnetic. Backed by a full string section and a massive neon backdrop, the live performances feel enormous. Seeing tens of thousands of fans from different generations screaming along to classics like “Disco 2000” and “Babies” will give you instant goosebumps. What makes the film really shine, though, is its emotional heart. Between the high-energy arena hits, there are deeply tender moments—including a stripped-back performance honoring the late bassist, Steve Mackey. Easy to follow, visual, and wildly entertaining, Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore? isn’t just for die-hard fans. It’s a joyful, witty celebration of growing older without ever losing your spark. Whether you want to relive the 90s or just watch a brilliant performer at the top of his game, this is a must-watch. In all truth I’d recommend checking out ‘Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?’ and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Four stars. You can watch it on Mubi today. Director: Gareth Jennings – Rating: 12A – Genre: Music/Documentary – Run Time: 1h 30m- Language: English. For more film content, please follow @screen_.addicts on Instagram. DONABATE LOCAL-OCTOBER 2026

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Across

1. Someone who gets money by deceiving people. (9) 6. This town hides a carport monk! (11) 12. Double-reed woodwind instruments/ (5) 13. Addictive drugs, especially illegal ones. (9) 14. A male relative. (5) 15. Bram Stoker’s undead creation. (7) 16. Short-legged scent hound. (7) 18. Gets money in exchange for labour. (5) 19. Spoken or performed without previous preparation. (2-3) 21. Erect a tent on the playing field. (5) 23. It demands to be scratched. (4) 25. Running while out of control in a dangerous manner. (4) 27. River crossed by Julius Caesar in 48 BC. (7) 29. Bend or hang downwards limply. (5) 30. Items sold cheaply because of minor flaws. (7) 32. A mournful song, especially one forming part of a funeral rite. (5) 33. Noise made when clearing the throat, typically to attract attention or express disapproval. (4) 34. Not new. (4) 35. Avoid someone or something by a sudden quick movement. (5) 38. Distilled alcoholic drink deriving its flavour from juniper berries. (7) 39. The centre of Dublin, postally. (3) 40. I simpered at the outer layer of skin. (9) 42. The official currency of Thailand. (4) 43. Make rude and mocking remarks. (4) 45. Small amounts of food eaten between meals. (5) 47. Become less intense, like a storm. (5) 49. Large, powerfully built bird of prey. (5) 51. A partial or total loss of memory. (7) 54. Sweet citrus fruit. (7) 57. Showing no skill, clumsy. (5) 58. Fictional European country used by Anthony Hope as the setting for The Prisoner of Zenda. (9) 59. A wooden frame for holding an artist’s work. (5) 60. Unwelcome party guest. (11) 61. The ability to know what is in someone else’s mind. (9)

Down

1. Submerge an area with water. (5) 2. Hawaiian word of greeting and parting. (5) 3. Interrupt the rest, peace or order. (7) 4. The only kingdom in the Pacific. (5) 5. A dish of melted cheese on toast, often Welsh. (7) 6. Devoutly religious. (5) 7. An increase in salary. (5) 8. Facial coverings worn to disguise or amuse. (5) 9. Ways to get from a starting point to a destination. (6) 10. The man for a film award. (5) 11. Small items kept in memory of the person who gave them. (9) 17. A small drink for the child. (3) 19. Opened windows to ventilate an area. (5) 20. Elaborate maze in Greek mythology. (9) 21. Is it mightier than the sword? (3) 22. Circular band used in making barrels. (4) 23. A situation in which no progress is possible. (7) 24. Made someone with an illness healthy again. (5) 26. Am I a cad, Ma? Nutty question! (9) 28. Obtainable at a low price. (5) 29. A boat designed to keep harbours clear. (7) 31. The person in charge of a trial in a court. (5) 33. Concur, have the same opinion about something. (5) 36. Happen afterwards or as a result. (5) 37. Cuts off a branch from the main body of a tree. (4) 38. Talking in a rapid, excited, and incomprehensible way. (9) 41. Irritate, annoy. (3) 44. Tree susceptible to a Dutch disease. (3) 46. In opposition to. (7) 47. Major port on the River Scheldt. (7) 48. Full of incessant or frantic activity. (6) 50. A person entertained in one’s house. (5) 51. The main artery of the body. (5) 52. The direction in which a compass needle normally points. (5) 53. A god in Greek mythology who is half man and half goat. (5) 54. Piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head. (5) 55. Knock something over, often an apple cart. (5) 56. A narrow passageway between or behind buildings. (5)

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