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Unite against Covid and shop locally!

Unfortunately with the recent sharp rise in corona virus cases and deaths from the disease, our Government has emphasised again that there is a very real possibility of a resurgence of Covid 19 nationally. Therefore we must continue to practise constant handwashing, using the hand sanitiser, wearing masks in public, and practising social distancing especially when shopping locally in order to keep ourselves and others safe. We need to unite further as a community and support those who have supported us over the past few months. This means shopping locally so that our local businness need not only survive but our local employment is secured. Many of us appreciate local shops and enterprises going above and beyond their remit to help all of us especially those with health problems and the elderly and now it time to give back and support those same outlets. No one wants to go back into lockdown but it is our responsibility to ensure that does not happen. We must protect ourselves, our loved ones and everyone in our community by abiding by the regulations recommended by experts. We at Local magazines really value the essence of community, and the loyalty of you, our readership, our contributors and our advertisers without whom it would not have been possible to publish the magazine online and now once again in print during this crisis. The days and months ahead will be crucial to the survival of each and every one of us. Crucial to all of us workers and business owners and the survival of those of us who have health problems and those children who have their whole lives ahead of them. In other words all of you our readership. We must not let a second phase take hold and we all must continue to grasp this new era and continue to pull together. This means supporting our local businesses, supporting our carers and HSE frontline staff and supporting each other and all in our locality who need our help. Let us all stay safe, obey the regulations and remember please shop local!

The Locals Team.

Donabate & Portrane Local Disclaimer

Every effort is made by Donabate & Portrane Local Magazine to ensure that the information is correct and will not be held responsible for any advertisement or editorial errors. Donabate & Portrane Local reserves the right to decline, suspend or omit any advertisement or article submitted. No liability can be accepted by Donabate & Portrane Local for any printing errors in advertisements or otherwise.

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Local News

Active Age - ‘x’ marked the spot in indoor classes

Our Yoga class underway

Here at Active Age for All in August we were dipping our toes further into the waters of the ‘new normal’ and we were trying out returning to classes that are normally held indoors. It would be fair to say that it has been most challenging. The Covid Response Team (7 members of the Committee) met to get to grips with the logistics of this venture and were aware of the responsibility that they were about to take on. We had voices of caution and these were important to listen to. It helped us challenge every decision and to be as prepared as we could be.The DPCC Sports Hall was available.

It was a wonderful test ground.

Lots of space and many doors and windows allowed plenty of air to circulate. The Covid Response Team arrived early in the planning to make sure that ‘x’ marked the spot for returning members. The Management Team at DPCC were keen to have our members back and gave us great assistance. The classes that were trialled were those that really did not require any shared equipment (sanitising for that is a whole different ballgame!) After much work we had the following classes available - Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga with Magda, Stronger for Longer, Art and Sit and Get Fit. So how are we moving forward? As we move to making the plans for late September a few things have become clear. The new Gael Scoil, 4

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for the next few months, will be using the Studios in DPCC each day until early afternoon. This space will not be no longer available to us at our usual times. Some of the spaces we used for languages and music are too small for social distancing and they will need to use a bigger area. We cannot fit everything into the afternoons that are available. We may have to trim our offering. We are working closely with DPCC to see if we can come up with a possible solution. These are all questions that are in a state of flux!So, if you want to keep on exercising? Our classes came to an end when the Community College re-opened and we know that many will be wanting to continue to stay active. There are possible on-line resources such as Siel Bleu Ireland you can follow. Siel Bleu are a not for profit organisation who provide life enhancing exercise programmes to older adults. Have a look at their YouTube material. There are continuous articles available too on the following link - https:// agefriendlyireland.ie/news/ Good for exercising the mind but also some for the body.Finally - we would like to wish Wayne and his team at Café Natural continuing best wishes on their re-opening. If it is a nice day, go along and have a cuppa and a cake and invite a friend to join you. Some of us will also want a breakfast before our language class!

Our participlants finishing their Yoga Class

Magda our Yoga Instructor

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Local News

FCC urges caution following storm damage in Portrane Fingal County Council is urging members of the public to stay away from the old public toilets and anchor foundation stone in Portrane and to avoid the dunes on Burrow Beach following further coastal erosion in the area this week due to Storm Ellen.Storm force winds and strong tidal surges undermined the ground around the disused toilets and foundation stone on which RMS Tayleur commemorative monument was located until it was moved to safer location.

Arrangements to secure the two sites are being made by the Council’s Operations Department and both structures will be removed as soon as possible.Sections of the dunes along Burrow Beach were also eroded and are potentially unstable and at risk of collapse so members of the public are advised to stay away from them while visiting the beach. Warning signs outlining the danger are also being erected at the entrances to the beach. Both the toilets and the dunes are considered to be dangerous in the context of the Sanitary Services Act.Fingal County Council will continue to monitor the ongoing situation, as well as engaging with members of the Fingal Coastal Liaison group and local stakeholders in the area. As an interim measure, over 800m of Seabee’ concrete units, designed to reduce and delay coastal erosion, have been installed in two

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The cordoned off area due to coastal erosion

phases along Burrow Beach until a feasible and effective long-term solution is implemented.

Expert engineers have prepared a plan outlining the options for addressing Coastal Flood Risk Management in the Rogerstown Estuary in response to the significant concerns regarding coastal erosion and coastal flooding in the Burrow Peninsula, Portrane and some of the coastal areas around Rush.In recent weeks over 800

invitations have been issued to property owners in the Portrane and Rush area inviting them to presentations of the report which will commence in September in accordance with public health guidelines.Arrangements to secure the public toilets and anchor foundation stone are being made by the Council’s Operations Department and both structures will be removed as soon as possible.

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Local News

Chinkwell Writer wins national storytelling Competition

St Brigids Cloak

Young storykeepers illustration

Chinkwell Writer pic 1 Chinkwell Writer Anita

Donabate resident and member of The Chinkwell Writers, Anita Foley - Quish, has had her entry for a national storytelling competition, selected as one of the winning entries.The competition ‘Stories from the Waterside’ / ‘Scéalta Ó Thaobh An Uisce’ was run by the Local Authority Waters Programme, in conjunction with Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Heritage Council and the Heritage Officers Programme and received almost 500 hundred entries from across the Island of Ireland.

Anita’s wonderfully lyrical story, “An Ode to Boro” is based on her childhood memories of the River Boro in Co. Wexford.The winning stories will be published in a booklet for Heritage Week 15-23rd August.Anita is also an incredibly talented artist. She illustrated the last book of short stories

by The Chinkwell Writers and has also illustrated a children’s book on St. Brigid called “St. Brigid’s Cloak”. The book was written by fellow primary school teacher Gabrielle McDonald and the accompanying disc is narrated

by Maureen O Hara and Eanna Ni Lamhna.Anita is also a volunteer illustrator for ‘Fighting Words’ (Roddy Doyle’s creative writing workshop for children and young adults). They have recently teamed up with the National Lighthouse of Ireland to create a booklet of children’s stories, some of which have been illustrated by Anita.The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival’s banner and logo for International Women’s Day (Mná na Leithinse) was designed and painted by Anita. It represents the Women of the Peninsulatheir strength and creativity.

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DONABATE LOCAL-SEPTEMBER 2020

Anita with Women’s Day Poster

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Open for yo u busin r ess Here at Robertson Estate Agents we hope you all have been keeping well and safe during these difficult times. Like most we have been operating remotely but there is only so much that can be done. We are happy to answer any queries you may have remotely but as and from June 8th we hope to resume viewings. All viewings will be carried out in accordance within the strict guidelines laid down by the H.S.E. and the Government. In order to comply with current regulations all viewings will be carried out strictly on an appointment only basis. We will have sanitising stations at the front door which we would encourage you to use plus all our viewing properties will be fully ventilated.. All internal doors will remain open and each property will be thoroughly sanitised before and after each viewing.

All paperwork can be handled remotely and we will ensure that all negotiations carried out on your behalf will be conducted to our usual very high standards.

Our aim is to make the transition to your new home as streamlined as possible. We have adapted all our internal procedures to meet the demands of this very difficult time. By doing this we can ensure you receive the service and professionalism you would expect from our company.

If you require sales, rental, probate or valuations for legal purposes you can email me on doug@robertsonestates.ie or contact the office on 01 8085540.

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Local News

The Tower Singing Circle continuing on Zoom

The Tower Singing Circle meets in Keelings of Donabate on the

but now living in Canada, Sean Buckley.There was a great selection of

secondand fourth Monday of the month. Of course with COVID19

songs – humourous, romantic, songs about war, strifes, modern and not so

lockdown and restrictions the meet up in Keelings had to stop. But the

modern.We are all very grateful to Margaret for organising the sessions and

song must go on and Margaret Godwin organised Zoom sessions on each

her commitment to the Singing Circle. We were challenged to find and

Monday for members of the Singing Circle. These sessions were very

learn new songs and Margaret has kept a record of these songs.We took a

successful. Local members were joined by singers from Swords, Rathfarnham

break for the month of August but we hope to be back on Zoom in mid

and Bray. On several occasions we were joined by former Portrane resident,

September.

Watch your step and save the birds!

Top tips for saving on Back to school costs!

The Following tips may be of use to you to help alleviate the back to school costs which are ever increasing after each summer holiday and may surely increase after this extended lockdown period.

The Little Tern project is in full swing at the north end of Portrane beach thanks to our hard working volunteers and we currently have 4 pairs sitting on eggs. These rare birds have flown all the way from Africa to nest at Portrane, Dublin, Ireland. By helping protect the Terns other birds such as Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Ringed Plover also benefit. The plovers nest both inside and outside the cordoned off area and we have 13 chicks and counting. The eggs and chicks are really well camouflaged so please mind your step and keep dogs on their leads in this area. You would hate to see one of these cute fluffy lollipops getting accidentally trod on or scoffed by your dog.

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DONABATE LOCAL-SEPTEMBER 2020

1 - Label Everything- MyNameTags.ie has labels for uniforms, books and schoolbags etc. Label it so they won’t lose it!

2 - Buy Irish for PE/Sports -Earn reward points at o’neills.ie on their Irish made sportswear, remember points earned equals money off future orders! Excellent quality and value.

3 – Shop Irish for books- Educate.ie schoolbooks are produced in Co Kerry and are affordable too.

4 -Look for bargains- The Works stores in Ilac and Pavilions are excellent value for stationary and arts supplies.

5 – Tech support and service – For good value and great support on Technology buy at Compupacit.ie - ask for Brian he is extremely helpful and very knowledgeable.

6 – Stagger school fees- stagger school fees where possible, if you are struggling ask the school about your options. This year they should be especially flexible.

7 - Enter competitions and find out about discounts on items at www. mams.ie Helping you save on Back to School costs.

8 - Shop Smart- Penneys has wintercoats and schoolbags in stock now, good for socks, shoes and acccessories too. 9 - Be Covid 19 aware-talk to your children about safety and make sure they have tissues, hand sanitisers and wet wipes in their schoolbags every day.

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Finance

Important financial aspects to consider when making a Will

By Dave Kavanagh One of the most “put on the long finger” exercises in Ireland is making a will. A recent survey by Irish Life showed that 3 in 4 people say it’s important to have a will but 2 in 3 people in Ireland have no will. 1 in 3 people say they haven’t made a will because they “haven’t gotten around to it”!Avoid Capital Acquisition Tax - One of the financial aspects to consider (and a good reason to make a will) is that good planning can reduce or completely eliminate a potential tax liability in the event of a fatality. This is because without a will, it is the Succession Rights Act that determines how someone’s estate gets distributed and this may not be the most tax efficient, as there is a limit to how much someone can receive either as a gift or an inheritance, depending on their re-lationship to the person leaving the estate behind. There is no limit between spouses or registered civil partners. After that, there are three thresholds - In the current tax year, children can receive €335,000, other close relatives (such as grandchildren, parents, siblings etc.) can receive €32,500 and all others (classed as strangers, including cohabiting couples) can receive

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DONABATE LOCAL-SEPTEMBER 2020

€16,250. After these thresholds, all balances are taxed at 33%. So planning the right distribution of an estate can mas-sively reduce tax liabilities.

Any other way to minimise tax? - When it is clear that a substantial CAT bill will become liable, a person can commence a Section 72 life plan. The proceeds of this plan can be used to pay the tax liability without increasing the value of the estate.

These can be arranged through your financial advisor or broker and are the most efficient way to pay the tax liability.

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 phone 0876414570. 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 and TV3.

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Feature

MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL WITH OSTEOPATHY

Tony O’Brien Osteopath now open again for treatments!

We are finally open for business again at The Swords Treatment Clinic in GymPlus Applewood Village Swords. For years we have been serving the Fingal community with the highest quality Osteopathic and Physical therapy treatments and we are delighted to be ready to do so again. We have prided ourselves on our cleanliness and sanitation in the past, but now we have taken even more steps to ensure your safety. We have actually surpassed HSE recommendations, with the use of air purifiers and air filters which ensure 99% of particles are removed from the air. Overnight the rooms are totally sanitized to guarantee all particles are removed.

Your treatment room and plinth will be sanitized /disinfected after every visit ensuring it is contagion free for your treatment.Therapists will

have full PPE to hand at all times.

We do request however that you take pains to sanitize yourself before you arrive and bring a mask with you. Your therapist will greet you at the front door at reception and escort you to the treatment room as waiting rooms are off limits. There is hand sanitizing stations throughout . If you have any doubt regarding your health please inform your therapist at the time of booking your appointment, you will be asked if you have any covid 19 symptoms, if you have come in contact with anyone who has Covid19 symptoms or if you suspect you may have been at risk. Honesty and transparency are very important at this point. So, to all our clients old and new we look forward to welcoming you to The Swords Treatment Clinic at Gymplus in Applewood Village.

Bulging or ProlaPsed discs MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL do not always need surgery.

WITH OSTEOPATHY

a 53 year old lady who presented to my clinic complaining of severe pain in low back,hip The human body works at itswith best bulging when it isdiscs in a state balance nd foot. She had been diagnosed at of L4/5 andbetween muscles, and had ligaments been sent A+Esoft bytissues, her GP to theskeletal severity of her andtoother anddue the boney system.

Combined with a healthy on. She was prescribed Lyrica for nerve pain, antiinflammatories diet, exercise and frame of mind, this will lead to the best potential for health and fitness. n patches. as told she had no choice but to have surgery. hobby of woodturning involved a lot of heavy lifting, and this Classical Osteopathic treatment approaches the body with a view to balance and with some earlier falls and accidents were big factors in her harmony, encouraging eachact component to be at its best so theisbody as a unit can condition.The joints of your body as shockabsorbers, this do not always need surgery. irene is is a 53 year old lady who presented to my clinic complaining of severe pain in low back,hips, e so than work in the column.

When there inadequate shock to spinal its maximum potential.

This imbalance isThehad generally old human body workscaused at itswith best bulging whenby it isdiscs inmistreated a state balance ankle and foot. She been diagnosed at of L4/5 andbetween muscles, L5/S1, and had on been sent to A+E by her GP to theskeletal severity of her ancy at one or more joint, some other part takes that force. ligaments and other soft tissues, anddue the boney system.

Combined with a healthy condition. was prescribed Lyrica for nerve further pain, antiinflammatories injuries, so or Osteopathic treatment willShe minimise the risk injury. diet, exercise and framethe of mind,of this will lead to the best potential for health and fitness. and pain patches. n sections of the spine pelvis have restrictions in them irene was told she had no choice but to have surgery.

Irenes hobby of woodturning involvedand a lot of heavy lifting, and this tebral discs take on the extra force, causing them to bulge Classical Osteopathic treatment approaches the body with a view to balance and along with some earlier falls and accidents were big factors in her harmony, encouraging eachact component to be at its best so theisbody as a unit can present condition.The joints of your body as shockabsorbers, this ally prolapse. no more so than work in the column. there is inadequate shock So if you are only beginning a fitness programme orjoint, are aWhen professional athlete, to spinal its maximum potential.

This imbalance is generally caused by mistreated old absorbancy at one or more some other part takes on that force. al osteopathic treatment, aims at improving the quality ofso or these injuries, Osteopathic treatment will minimise the the risk of further injury.

So when sections of the spine pelvis have restrictions in them treatment willwhole help you operate at the level.

Osteopathic treatment is intervertebral discshighest take on for the extra causing them to bulge and parts, in Osteopathic conjunction with the body.

This makes a force, more eventually prolapse.

So if you are only beginning a fitness programme or are a professional athlete, classical osteopathic treatment, aims at improving the quality of these ed skeletal systemindividually which absorbs Disc problems always occur over so developed for eachshock person,better. tailored their specific and needs.

It treatment is time, Osteopathic treatment willwhole helpsituation you operate at the highest Osteopathic is injured parts, into conjunction with the body.

This makes forlevel. a more balanced skeletal systemlifestyle which absorbs problems always occur over developed individually for eachshock person,better. tailoredDisc to their specific situation and needs.

It is time, so it me to change the pattern which caused them.

Some changes may be necessary takes time to change the pattern which caused them. Some lifestyle changes may be necessary to a physical treatment but nothelp painful and is suitable forbuteveryone. a physical treatment not painful and is suitable for everyone. with the management.After six months of weekly treatments, Irene went back to her Orthopae h the management.After six months of weekly treatments, Irene went back to her Orthop Surgeon with a new MRI scan.He told her he was discharging her as the bulge had decreased by 85%. She has no pain in her back or legs but management treatment is still required. n with a new MRI scan.He told her he was discharging her as the bulge had decreased b he has no pain in her back or legs but managementOsteOpath treatment is still required. tony O’Brien D.O., M.O.C.I., M.I.C.O

Bulging or ProlaPsed discs

OsteOpath tony O’Brien D.O., M.O.C.I., M.I.C.O

Based in Swords - Tel:087 2992899

Email:osteo@eircom.net or Visit Website: tonyobrienosteopath.com

Based in Swords - Tel:087 2992899 Tony O'Brien Osteopath-Full Page-25-07-20.indd 1

25/07/2020 10:19:19

Email:osteo@eircom.net or Visit Website: tonyobrienosteopath.com Tony O'Brien Osteopath-Full Page-25-07-20.indd 1

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25/07/2020 10:19:19

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11

Local News

Leithinis D/P Blessed with an Exceptional Team of Music Teachers

Eamonn Galldubh

Sinead Cahill

Rory Thornburgh

Leithinis (the Irish for Peninsula), established last year, is the newest branch in Fingal of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the world-wide organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Irish traditional music. The branch is blessed with an exceptional team of renowned music teachers here is a short biography of each of them and you will see the fantastic teaching quality of each of them. Éamonn Galldubh, the Musical Director and teacher of tin whistle and bodhrán with Leithinis, is an internationally renowned uilleann piper, but also plays and can teach flute, guitar and saxophone. He holds a first class honours Masters degree from DIT Conservatory of Music, is currently completing a PhD in DkIT and lectures for the Music and Folklore Departments in UCD. Éamonn has performed with such illustrious artists as Riverdance, Moya Brennan, Clannad, Kila, Jiggy, Druid Theatre, Cara Dillon, Hazel O’Connor, Damien Dempsey, Zoe Conway and the National Symphony Orchestra in over 35 countries across five continents in exotic locations such as Moscow’s Kremlin Palace Theatre and a

stage set up at the pyramids at Giza. Éamonn has appeared as a soloist on TG4 and RTE and given international masterclasses at Lorient Interceltic Festival and Celticimes Festival in France, Cacares Festival (Spain) and Goderich Celtic College in Canada.

Sinéad Cahill, a Roscommon native and primary school teacher in Fingal, teaches tin whistle with Leithinis but will also be available to teach flute. She began learning traditional Irish music on the tin whistle in primary school and continued on to learn the flute. She studied music for the Leaving Certificate and did Comhaltas exams along with competing in Scór competitions and the Fleadh Ceoil. She played with various trad groups and has taught adults and children tin whistle at beginner and intermediate level as well as beginner flute, in one-to-one and in group settings. Sinéad recalls her first music teacher saying, “No matter where you go in life, with a tin whistle in your back pocket you’ll never be stuck”.

“This is something I’ve learned to be very true!”, she says.

Rory Thornburgh, the latest addition to the

Leithinis team, will teach button accordion.

Originally from Mayo but now living in Donabate, Rory comes from a musical family with an American father steeped in Irish music and a piano-tuner by trade. Rory’s been playing Irish music for as long as he can remember and has won a number of medals in different competitions from county up to all-Ireland level.

“Music is a massive part of my life”, Rory says “and I’ve been lucky enough to get to travel a lot and perform in some great venues across Ireland and abroad but it’s the lifelong friends that I’ve made through it that really mean the most to me.”

For more information about Leithinis, its teachers, classes and other activities, see the website www.leithinis.com. If you are interested in learning traditional Irish music or have a musical instrument you’d like to donate, please email leithinis@comhaltas.net. Classes will resume at the end of September adhering to all NPHET Covid-19 guidelines and there will be several instruments which can be rented to newcomers signing up for classes.

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DONABATE LOCAL-SEPTEMBER 2020

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Immediate Actions to Counter the Rising Rate of COVID-19

What is happening with the disease?

The disease is increasing and the profile is changing.

In recent weeks, there have been multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, households and resulting from social events including sporting activities.

1

What everyone should do:

Adhere strictly to the basic hygiene guidelines.

Government has decided to put new measures in place to try to change this trajectory, protect the vulnerable, enable schools to reopen and health services to resume.

These measures will be in effect until 13th September.

If we can get this right, we can avoid going back.

2

Cultural, Sporting and Social Activities

3

Avoid places and situations which are crowded.

Keep visitors to your home or garden limited to six from no more than three households.

Work and Transport

Over 70s and Medically Vulnerable

Restaurants and cafes, including pubs that serve food:

Sporting events and matches continue but behind closed doors.

Work from home unless workplace attendance is essential.

Limit interactions to a small network for short periods of time.

—All close by 11.30 pm.

Classes and training sessions limited to six indoor and 15 outdoor.

Avoid using public transport where possible.

Maintain 2 metre distance when exercising outdoors and wash hands on returning home.

—Customers wear face coverings until seated and again on departure.

For full details see gov.ie

—Table Table service only — no bar seating and no more than six at a table.

Avoid sharing cars with people from another household. Wear face coverings if this is not possible.

There will be an enhanced level of enforcement to ensure that workplaces, venues and organisers of activities adhere to the guidelines.

Public Health Advice

Wash your hands regularly

For more information go to gov.ie

Maintain a 2 metre distance from others

Avoid public transport.

Shop during designated hours and wear a face covering.

Special measures for Kildare, Laois and Offaly will remain in place until 23rd August.

Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette

Wear face coverings in accordance with public health advice

Limit your social contacts

Local News

The Arts in a Time of Coronavirus David Scott

Laura Shields

Robert Shaw

Eamonn Galldubh

The Bleeding Pig Cultural Festival became a victim of COVID19 when the decision was made to postpone the 2020 Festival. The committee had the sad job of contacting the performers who had been engaged for the Festival. It was done with a heavy heart as we knew that these artistes were now facing into a time of uncertainty and unpredictability.One of the aims of the Bleeding Pig Festival is to promote local amateur and professional performers. We have followed up on four of our regular, local and professional performers to see how COVID has affected them.Donabate resident, Laura Shields, is a mezzo soprano. This summer she was due to tour Northern Italy and Germany but these tours were cancelled.The Christmas season now is looking increasingly uncertain.Laura teaches music to local children from home but this had to discontinue as both Laura’s parents are frontline nurses.Recently Laura travelled to Belfast to film, sing and record for the upcoming BBC Proms.

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Laura faces an uncertain future in her chosen career however it grateful to currently be kept busy studying her Masters of Primary Education and is grateful for the COVID payment but worries about when it will be withdrawn. She is “lucky” as she lives at home. Uilleann Piper Éamonn Galldubh has toured and recorded with many artists including Clannad, Riverdance, and more.He would usually be difficult to catch at this time of the year. This year it is scéal eile.

Venues are closed, concerts cancelled and the tourists haven’t come. Government support for the Arts has been haphazard. He was due to tour the UK but that has now been cancelled. Éamonn is a tutor with the local Comhaltas Group Comhaltas Leithinis Donabate Portrane.

David Scott is an opera singer from Donabate and is a singing teacher in Clongowes Wood College. In March he went from a busy schedule of juggling rehearsals, performances and singing lessons to considering online courses in coding

or web design. His opera Carmen was cancelled, his weddings were all postponed and his usual busy Christmas period is in doubt. The latest restrictions have also put his expected return to teaching in jeopardy. In eight years as a selfemployed musician, this is the most difficult period he has encountered. Robert Shaw is a well known local artist. Robert’s paintings are held in corporate and private collections including Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Ryan Tubridy, and others. Robert describes himself as having been in lockdown for the last twenty years! He works in his studio in Donabate and en”” plein air” on the peninsula.

He is one of the artists who exhibits on Merrion Square but this was closed until recently. During the lockdown someone suggested that he might do some zoom art sessions for children. These proved so popular that he is considering doing zoom art sessions for children and adults in the community. You can visit him on his website robertshaw.ie Contact us: communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Local News

Swords 5-year old is ireland’s ‘best junior baker’ Cáit Flood, a 5-years old Junior Infants class pupil at St. Colmcille’s Girls National School, Swords is one of Ireland’s best banana bread bakers.

One of three children, Cáit secured the ‘Best Junior Baker under 10 years’ category award in a recent nationwide search to find Ireland’s Best Banana Bread recipes conducted by celebrity chef and RTE presenter, Donal Skehan with the support of banana distributors, Fyffes. From Balheary, Cáit’s proud parents Sean and Edel Flood were joined by her older sister and younger brother in expressing their pride and delight at her success – baking having been one of Cáit’s interests from an early age.“Her winning recipe submitted was a particular favourite and one she was accustomed to making. In preparing her recipe for the competition, she made a number of improvements, adding some extra ingredients such as white chocolate chips together with some attractive decorative touches,” her mother Edel said. Encouraged by her mother, a teacher in home economics at Loreto College in Swords, Cáit has been baking since she was just 3-years old. Ever since,

she has been busy developing her interest through cooking classes for children hosted by her mother on her Instagram page. Commenting, her mother added: “like many families throughout Ireland, ours has looked to home baking as one way to relieve the stress of being locked down over recent months.As she gets older, we hope that her success will lead Cáit to take an even greater interest in home baking and food preparation generally and look upon it for the pleasure and enjoyment that it gives,” she said.

The overall Best Banana Bread recipe award was won by Gillian Carney from Cobh, who also topped the category for Best Ingredients.

Reflecting on what he called “the amazing volume and quality of entries”, Donal Skehan praised Cáit for her “imagination and creativity” – qualities he said he was “delighted to see in someone so young”Speaking about the entries as a whole, he said: “Ireland has some exceedingly creative and talented home bakers. It was refreshing to see such imaginative ideas, ingredients and methods being shared, particularly amongst junior and dietary-restricted entrants”.

Colouring Fingal’s Heritage launched during Heritage Week Fingal County Council Heritage Office have

launched a fabulous colouring book Colouring

Fingal’s Heritage during heritage week. The book

which depicts wonderful illustrations that capture the essence of Fingal’s exceptional heritage,

was launched by Deputy Mayor of Fingal Cllr

Rob O’Donoghue in Swords Castle along with Fingal County Architect Fionnuala May and

Heritage Officer Christine Baker.By matching

cultural heritage with creativity this publication aims to introduce these sites and stories to new and varied audiences, both young and old(er)!

Drawings are of varied detail to encourage all

levels of colouring enjoyment. The majority of

the sites included are open to the public and are

there to be enjoyed by all the family.Commenting on the publication Deputy Mayor O’Donoghue said “Fingal Heritage Office have produced a

fantastic programme for Heritage Week 2020 and I am delighted with the opportunity to launch

this Colouring Fingal’s Heritage publication as

part of it. The book contains images from across the county including Skerries Mills, Balbriggan

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County Architect Fionnuala May, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien. Chief Executive Heritage Council Virginia Teehan, Fingal County Architect, Deputy Mayor of Fingal Rob O’Donoghue and Fingal Heritage Officer Christine Baker.

Harbour, Clonsilla Church, The Royal Canal,

in an accessible way”.While celebrating Heritage

will definitely have wide ranging appeal. Heritage

Minister for Housing, Local Government and

Mulhuddart Holy Well and Baldoyle Vikings!. It is for everyone’ said Fingal Heritage Officer,

Christine Baker ‘And it is important to share the stories of Fingal’s past with our younger citizens

Week 2020 with a visit to Swords Castle, the

Heritage Darragh O’Brien T.D. and Virginia

Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council

were presented with a copy of the colouring book.

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Healt

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Home Cook Recipes

Niamh’s snack attack cereal bars!

Some of us are getting back to work, school and some sort of routine; and along with that comes preparing lunches again!Food preparation can form a very valuable part of routine but it may have subsided in the last few months.These cereal bars are very simple to make in advance and you probably already have most of the ingredients at home.Store them in a greaseproof paper lined container in the freezer and take out in the morning or a few hours before eating.

Ingredients:

Makes 12 squares • • •

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300g dates (soak in about 100mls water overnight to help make a sticky date paste!)

200g rice cereal (eg.Rice Krispies or brown rice cereal) 70g almond butter (if you don’t have almond butter, substitute for another nut butter such as peanut butter

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50g dark chocolate chips. Optional: 50g seeds ( I used pumpkin, sunflower seeds and coconut chips as pictured in the image) If you are not adding any other ingredients such as these then use a totalof 250g rice cereal.

Tip: The size of the lunchbox you use determines the thickness of the bark.

I used a 12cm lunchbox for the yogurt bark in these images which made the yogurt bark 1cm thick. If the yogurt bark is too thick, it will be difficult to bite into it!

Method: 1.Line a container or lunchbox with greaseproof paper.

2.Mash the dates in a blender/food processor or simply using a fork and some muscle! This

forms a sticky date paste which helps to bind the rest of the ingredients.

3.Place all of the ingredients except the almond butter into a mixing bowl and mix well together.

4.Add the almond butter to this mixture and combine well.

5.Place the well combined mixture into the prelined container and use the back of a spoon to smooth the surface.

6.Place into a freezer for 2-3hours. Then cut into squares or the shape that takes your fancy.

Store in the freezer and remove 1-2hours before eating.

For school, workplace, sports or community group nutrition talks/workshops please email: niamh@biabites.net See my ‘Fun food’ and ‘Recipes’ albums on ‘Biabites’Facebook for other food ideas.

Niamh Arthurs BSc, MSc Registered Dietitian

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Local Sports

Super children’s summer camp at St Pats!

Camp coaches ladies Molly Laforgue, Aisling Read, Niamh Walsh, Josie O’Reilly, Ella Culleton, Katie Wood, Laoise Wood & Clara Foley

A fantastic few days were had at St Pats Summer Camp 10-12 August. The numbers were capped at 150 with the Club’s Covid Protocols. These spaces were nabbed up almost immediately due to demand – everyone’s been missing their football & hurling.The organisation load for the camp was huge with the children split into two time slots. The Club are extremely grateful to the parents & mentors who pulled such a great camp together while abiding to the protocols. The kids cared nothing for these additional requirements and took to the pitches with gusto! Hearing their howls of laughter as they ran around Ballymastone raised everyone’s spirits. St Pats have asked that we pass on their thanks to the wonderful cinnirí involved in the Camp. The young people on their TY Cinnire Programme really came into their own during the

2020 camp cinniri Katie Wood, Laoise Wood, Kim Finnegan, Katie Bell, Gavin Matthews, Adam Reynolds, Oisin McGillicuddy & coaches Stephen Dempsey, Daniel Read

3 days. They have completed their Bronze Gaisce Award through the Club having completed the Foundation Coaching Course. Many have chosen to further their knowledge and are awaiting places on the Level One Course and Referring Courses.

Kudos to Katie Bell, Dylan Carr, Ella Culleton, Kim Finnegan, Rachel Herlihy, Ellen Kirwan, Gavin Matthews, Oisin McGillicuddy, Adam Reynolds & Katie Wood for their hard work.

The presence of adult players added to the sense of community. The children enjoyed interacting with them and the players enjoyed the flash-back to their own camp experiences varying amounts of years ago! Thanks to Stephen, Tom, Killian & Evan from the GAA teams and to Aisling, Clara, Ella, Ellen, Josie, Katie B, Katie W, Laoise, Molly & Niamh from the LGFA team. Seeing these young people giving back to their club, paying

back the renowned GAA ‘debt of gratitude’ makes everyone in the club #ProudToBePats.When asked their three favourite parts of the camp, the children replied “the fun, chasing the coaches with dodgeball on the last day & the ice-cream”. It was genuinely heartening to hear such fun being had again at Ballymastone. Perhaps we all took our summers of Gaelic Games for granted - but we certainly don’t any more!The Club’s Academy for girls and boys born 2013, 2014 & 2015 has recommenced on Saturday mornings 11h00 at Ballymastone. The 2016 section will start up in September. To be added to the comms list or for any queries, just contact info@stpatsgaa.comNext up on the Club’s Juvenile calendar are the Mini All Irelands for Hurling & Football. Keep an eye on their Facebook page StPatsGAA for further info.

Portrane Hockey Club super summer camp 2020

Image by: Kevin Morris Photography

On the final day of their recent Summer Camps Portrane Hockey Club participants enjoyed not only their hockey skills but scrumptious ice cream!

The club thanked everyone who joined them and said it was great to see their young members back on the pitch. As already stated fun, ice cream and water canons were the order of the day. The Club expressed a big thanks also to their Senior players who helped out over the three days Conor ,Emma, Contact us:communitylocalseditor@gmail.com

Eva, Lara,Mieke and Nadine.

The club also wish to announce that Junior Hockey returns from Friday the 4th of September. A start of Season notice will be issued in the coming weeks. In the meantime enjoy the last of your Summer Holidays and stay safe.

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WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!! WIN €50 !!!

This is easy… we are offering you the chance to win €50. All you have to do is correctly fill in the crossword and discover the name of an area in Fingal spelt out in the coloured squares. Then send the completed crossword and your answer by email, with your name, address and telephone number to communitylocals@ gmail.com before 5pm on September 16. The first correct entry to be drawnwill win €50..Good luck

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Down

1. Accurate, correct, right. (6) 5. Bring back to mind. (6) 10. Springy and flexible. (7) 11. Reveals more than one but not many. (7) 12. Work laboriously or incessantly.

(4) 13. Make a mess of, destroy, ruin. (5) 15. A German Mr. (4) 17. A major division of geological time. (3) 19. Give it where it is due. (6) 21. Traded quickly from place to place. (6) 22. The elected local administration.

(7) 23. Happening without warning. (6) 25. Able to cause serious fatal injury or serious damage. (6) 28. Was in command of. (3) 30. The invention of Mr. Otis. (4) 31. Household containers for flowers.

(5) 32. Wear away by biting. (4) 35. Make a reference to. (7) 36. Gain with effort. (7) 37. A section of something that is long and narrow. (6) 38. Disclose to view as by removing a cover. (6)

2. Understand clearly. (7)

3. Spot the kitchenware. (4)

4. Directions for making a meal. (6) 5. Country of the Tsars. (6)

6. A large hollow in the side of a cliff or hill. (4)

7. Greatest in size. (7)

8. Busy and confused. (6)

9. Looked at with a fierce, fixed gaze.

(6)

14. The fruits with rhymes. (7)

16. More pleasing or agreeable. (5) 18. Meals cannot have babies. (5) 20. 2,240 pounds. (3)

21. Performed an action. (3)

23. Lemons are dignified and sober in manner. (6)

24. Military action to prevent invasion. (7)

26. Stubborn beasts of burden. (7)

27. Gaped wide open as if tired. (6)

28. A motorboat with an open deck or a half deck. (6)

29. A period of ten years. (6)

33. A circular metallic band for the finger. (4)

34. A jockey’s aid. (4)

SUDOKU ANSWERS

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