Donabate Local V8I6-JUL 2024 by Irish Media Group

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Summer is here… Well, sort of but when the sun shines in Ireland there’s not many places in the world that will rival its natural beauty. Naturally we all yearn for those balmy, carefree summer evenings that seem to go on forever, but we mostly find ourselves trying to cram everything into the rare few days of endless sunshine!

There are so many plans we make on the run up to summer and naturally enough most of them rely heavily on good weather, so when those rare days come along, we all get a little stir crazy flying from here to there on trips, day outings, sports etc, and while we are, there’s so many things that go under appreciated in the area’s we live in.

The endless hours of hard work put by local people in making their towns and villages look beautiful, not only for summer but all year round, can fly under our radar somewhat when we have the blinkers on in getting to where we’re going. We should take the time to appreciate these things that we take for granted.

We are constantly amazed by the sheer volume of volunteers in the many areas of Fingal that give their time and energy so selflessly to make their area’s look as beautiful and welcoming as possible. Tidy Towns groups, Men Sheds, scouting troops and so many other groups made up of local people should all be given huge praise for their work and the best praise they can be given is by their fellow residents with a simple thank you.

We can also show our gratitude in getting involved ourselves with these groups who are always happy to welcome new members. We simply wouldn’t have such beauty in our areas if it wasn’t for volunteers so if you have some hours to spare get in touch a local volunteer group and ask if they need help. And if you can’t give your time at least give your thanks to them when you see them on the street and show them their work is appreciated.

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The Locals Team

Broadmeadow Way to Provide new link between Malahide and Donabate

The foundation stone for the highly anticipated Broadmeadow Greenway between Malahide and Donabate was laid recently with plans for the new pedestrian and cycling route to be completed by 2026.

The granting of the foreshore license for the project has been signed and will see the 6km coastal walking and cycling route providing beautiful views of the Malahide Estuary.

As part of Fingal’s planned network of greenways and cycle routes, the Broadmeadow Way will also connect with the proposed Sutton to Malahide Greenway and the Fingal Coastal Way and will be an important link in developing the network of sustainable transport routes in Fingal.

The greenway will be comprised of new and existing sections of pathways and roads in both Malahide and Donabate, with new infrastructure also extending across agricultural lands to link with the Donabate Distributor Road and Corballis East lands to the south.

The Estuary itself will be bridged alongside the existing rail line by a new 180m long, 12-span bridge constructed on piers which were placed by Fingal County Council to facilitate future development following the rail line reconstruction after its 2009 collapse.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said: “The laying of the foundation stone here in Malahide marks an important milestone in the construction of the Broadmeadow Greenway. This key piece of strategic infrastructure will benefit tourists, day trippers and locals alike, providing a welcome connection between Donabate and Malahide and giving people of all ages a great opportunity to explore the Fingal coastline.”

Construction of the Broadmeadow estuary bridge section will take place during the summer months of 2024, and the contractor, Jons Civil Ltd, has now commenced work on this part of the project. The greenway sections on the Northern and Southern causeways is planned to take place during Summer 2025 and Summer 2026 alongside landward works on both sides.

Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, AnnMarie Farrelly added, “The Broadmeadow Greenway is a significant investment that will see us deliver a high-quality amenity that will be a key part of the Fingal Coastal Way. Once completed, it will not only be transformative for Malahide and Donabate, but it will also open up greater access to the region and bring many health and wellbeing benefits.”

Johnston Thanks Electorate for Resounding Mandate in Local Elections

Dear Resident,

I wish to take this initial opportunity of sincerely thanking each and every person and particularly the people of Donabate and Portrane for voting for me in such huge numbers on Friday 7th June last. As an unelected Local Area Representative for Donabate over the past 5 Years I received many comments to the effect that “I Had No Mandate”. I have received your mandate which I will always respect and have regard to. I wish to thank the public for the courtesy shown to me and my canvassers during the campaign. I am extremely humbled and overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages of support received over the last few days. I want to thank my good friends Duncan Smith TD & Cllr Robert O’Donoghue for their support & assistance over the last 5 years, Sean, Francis and Brendan Ryan, Tony McDermott, Tommie O’Sullivan, my family, friends and many neighbours who encouraged and supported me

every step of the way. I want to also remember the late Cllr Gerry McGuire who I have no doubt would be so pleased with this result. It has been said to me that I am the first woman from the peninsula ever elected to FCC since it was established in 1994 which if true makes this such an important milestone for me personally and for our community.

I wish to congratulate Cllrs Rob O’Donoghue, Paul Mulville, Cathal Boland and Eoghan Dockrell on their election. I look forward to working with you all. My Commiserations to all defeated candidates as I am aware of what you must be feeling as I went through this process 5 years ago.

As Your Councillor you can be assured that I will endeavour to implement policies that are in the best interest of our expanding communities. I intend to pursue a number of issues including the provision of a much-needed multifunctional Arts Youth and Cultural centre for our growing community. I look forward to working on your

behalf as your elected Cllr. Please feel free to contact me on any issue.

Councillor Corina Johnston

Labour Party

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD; local Councillors, CEO of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly; along with senior representatives from Iarnród Éireann and the National Transport Authority pictured at the foundation stone of the Broadmeadow Greenway

Knowing Your Rights When Goods Are Faulty

By Dave Kavanagh

How often have you reported, for example, a faulty washing machine, dryer or fridge to a store after having it for about 18 months, only to be told “it’s out of warranty”? As a starting point, know your rights and be aware of shop psychology.

Under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, as a consumer, you have the right that anything you buy should be of “merchantable quality”, that is, suitable for the purpose for which it was designed. So for example, if you buy a fridge and 18 months later it stops working properly, you have the right to have it rectified, by repair, replace or refund (usually in that order). If a shop tries to tell you that the warranty was only for one year, you should point out that the warranty is a manufacturer’s extra and that your contract is with the store, it does not affect your rights under the act. The Retailer is responsible for providing these remedies within a reasonable time.

Keeping your receipt as proof of purchase is important. From the Retailer’s perspective, if a large portion of complainants, simply accept the fob off, they may just buy a new appliance or else pay for a repair. Both good news for the store as they either get an additional sale, or they are relieved of their obligation to provide a repair or

replacement.

When you know your legal entitlements and communicate this firmly, it will usually result in a more favourable and correct response. Some retailers, for example Currys, try to refer you to their “Out Of Warranty” team, based in the UK. If you are not willing to hire your own appliance technician to do a report on the fault (as they appear to have none in Ireland) they then try to refer you to a UK arbitration scheme!? Remember, even if a manufacturer’s warranty has expired, the retailer remains responsible for addressing the issue. If a retailer fails to honour these obligations, consumers can seek assistance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) or pursue legal action to enforce their rights.

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.

Peninsula Pacers walk the Wall

Saturday 25th May dawned clear and bright as a group from Peninsula Pacers set off from Donabate to do the Sandymount to Poolbeg walk. Sandymount village was looking pretty and bustling as we popped into Crudos for some delicious coffee and croissants to fortify us for the 11.4km walk.

En route a large information board enlightened us to the history of the South Wall, originally known as ‘The Piles’, and as we walked along it we marvelled at the construction of this wall by manual labour, no heavy machinery back then ! It was the longest seawall in the world when it was completed in 1731, and is still one of the longest in Europe. At the end of the wall

is the Poolbeg Lighthouse, original built in 1767, one of the most distinctive landmarks in Dublin, its red colour serving as a navigation aid at the entrance to Dublin port.

After admiring the views of Dublin Bay, watching a few ships coming into harbour and encouraging the hopeful fishermen on the wall, we retraced our steps to Sandymount and some welcome refreshments in the Chophouse pub before training it back to Donabate after another enjoyable, and educational, walk done.

If you are interested in joining the Peninsula Pacers please call Breda on 086 8693243, or Carolyn on 087-9284307.

Gaelscoil Thrilled with Support of Recent Fundraiser

Bhí ard oíche i gCumann Gailf Baile an Bhéibhearaigh, le déanaí ag Tráth na gCeist bliantúil Gaelscoil na Mara. Eagraithe ag coiste tuistí, Cairde na Scoile, chun airgead a bháiliú ar son na scoile. Ba mhaith leis an gCoiste buíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a thug tacaíocht don feachtas báiliú airgid, a cheannaigh ticéidí don chrannchur, a tháinig go dtí an tráth na gceist agus dos na gnó aitúil a rinne urraíocht ar duaiseanna álainn don chrannchur. Buíochas le Cumann Gailf Baile an Bhéibhearaigh freisin as an bhfáiltiú a thugadar dúinn.

Is pobal beag bríomhar sinn i nGaelscoil na Mara agus táimid ag dul ó neart go neart. Tá tacaíocht phobail an leithinis an-tábhachtach dúinn agus muid ag fás, ár mbuíochas libh.

The parents association of Gaelscoil na Mara, Donabate would like to thank the local community for their support in hosting a hugely successful Fundraiser Table Quiz held in Beaverstown Golf Club on May 10th. Gaelscoil na Mara has a small but thriving school community, with dedicated, enthusiastic teachers and parents who strive to support and encourage their children’s education through the Irish Medium.

It’s important to have these annual fundraisers to help the school and bring the school and local community together. Maith sibh, to all the table

quiz participants.

We hope that the Table Quiz will become an annual event and we look forward to welcoming you again.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the various local businesses who sponsored prizes for our raffle, including: Lynders Mobile Home Park; Supervalu Donabate; Tesco Distribution Centre, Turvey; Stephen Hand; Páirc an Chrócaigh; Triangle Coffee Co; Life Pharmacy; Country Crest Farm Shop;; Jones Garden Centre; Newbridge House & Farm; The Sea Sauna; Good Vibrations Yoga & Sound; Beaverstown Golf Club; Moss Actuarial Ltd.

The volunteers of the Donabate Meals on Wheels group enjoyed a very pleasant dinner in Pasta Castellos restaurant in Donabate on Tuesday 28th May. The dinner was very generously sponsored by Thomas Ennis Retail Ltd - many thanks from all of us, it was really appreciated.

The Meals on Wheels service is a vital component of care services that enable people to continue to live in their homes and remain part of their community for longer. It can also be of significant help for people who have been ill, and maybe been in hospital, to aid them in their convalescence. If you would be interested in volunteering and can spare a couple of hours once a week, fortnight or month please contact Deborah on 086-8276555

Councillor Henchy thanks the people of Fingal

Firstly I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out and voted for me in the local elections, while my overall vote was down on 2014 and 2019, I am still truly humbled that over 900 people gave me your Number One vote. Serving my local community as an elected member on Fingal County Council for the past ten years has been the honour of my life.

As always I really appreciate all the messages of support over the last few weeks, and, even more, so the many, many kind messages since the result and losing of my seat on Fingal County Council. I know from the messages, so many of you appreciate the work that I have carried out in our area both before my time as a County Councillor and since my first election in 2014. Although I have not secured a seat this term, I know I have given my all, gained a huge amount of experience and I have really enjoyed the honour and privilege of being your Councillor for the last ten years. While making progress on so many matters can be frustratingly slow, I am proud of advancing so many projects and indeed look forward to seeing many of the projects I have been working on in more recent months and years as they continue to filter through. This year 2024 saw the 3 year Fingal County Council Capital programme of works adopted and contained within that plan are a number of multi-million Euro projects specifically for Donabate Portrane that I worked on very hard over the last 10 years to get into the plan.

When first elected in 2014 the local and central government investment into the Donabate Portrane peninsula was paltry, however I take real pride in more recent years that this investment has risen well into the millions and I earnestly hope this level of deserved investment into our local community will continue into the future. For me, some of my own personal highlights over the 10 years include seeing the return of the Blue Flag and Green Coast award to Balcarrick beach, Donabate, the opening of the Donabate Distributor Road, the establishment of the Fingal Coastal Liaison Committee,the first of its kind in the country to address coastal erosion and the success of both the Flavours of Fingal and our own local Donabate Portrane Summer Festival are real highlights, that I fought and worked hard on and was glad to see make real and substantial progress over my 10 years.

Going forward, I also am well aware from the years of preparatory work of so many new and upcoming projects including the Broadmeadow Greenway connecting Donabate to Malahide,the upgrade of the Hearse Road, Donabate from the Lissenhall Interchange, ongoing major investment and improvements at Newbridge House and Park and the delivery of the world class Sporting and Recreational Campus at Ballymastone which I have worked so closely on with our 3 local anchor clubs, St. Pats GAA, St. Ita’s AFC and LSA Athletics club since 2014. A segregated Greenway connecting Portrane Village to Donabate village should also be delivered by the Council’s Active Travel team. A new Library including a major expansion at Ballisk House Donabate is also imminent which will also allow for significant additional space at our fantastic local Donabate Portrane Community Centre. While I absolutely would have preferred quicker progress on these projects, it is still reassuring to know these projects have certainty of delivery and will be delivered for Donabate in the upcoming years.

I am also proud to have worked on increasing permeability and accessibility throughout Donabate, with two new pedestrian entrances to Newbridge House and Farm, the improved footpath works at Turvey Avenue, the recently introduced increasing hours of opening at Ballisk Gate and the vastly new upgraded footpaths at Corballis with further improvements to come. Without doubt the project I worked hardest on in collaboration with both Scoil Phadraic Cailini, St. Patrick’s Boys National School, local residents and businesses is the long overdue proposed new footpaths and safety improvements on the approaches to both schools along the Portrane Road. Progress has been painfully slow but I have carefully monitored this and the coming months should finally see these works get underway. My thanks to both Schools especially Ms. Greene and Mr. Horan for their perseverance and patience in awaiting these much needed infrastructural improvements. My gratitude to local residents also for your cooperation and understanding.

As a public representative, I worked extremely hard to build relationships and alliances across the County, to represent and fight hard on so many issues on behalf of my local community and to build proper plan-led frameworks such as the Fingal County Development Plan, the Donabate

Local Area Plan and the recently adopted following many years of work and consultation, Donabate Urban Framework Plan which are now in place to ensure the ongoing phased and sustainable development of Donabate. For me, it is essential that these Plans acknowledge the unique contribution the Peninsula makes to the wider Fingal area and that all future development on Donabate Portrane greatly adds to our beautiful peninsula while taking nothing away. I am very proud to now have these plans and frameworks in place to underpin future development across Donabate and Portrane. I also want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my family, friends and team, my supporters, and the Fianna Fáil Party members who spared no effort, and left no stone unturned in my reelection bid, and ran a really positive campaign. While losing my seat is very disappointing on a personal level, I fully respect it as a strong supporter of democracy and local government. Donabate Portrane is an incredible place, full of incredible people and has an incredibly bright future.

Fingal County Council faces a challenging five years balancing the need for growth alongside the social, environmental and climate issues that exist. I wish our incoming elected members, Cllr. Boland, Cllr. Dockrell, Cllr. Johnston, Cllr. Mulville and Cllr. O Donoghue every success and goodwill during their term. I hope that they can work constructively together to ensure that Donabate Portrane remains an incredible place to live and secure the delivery of the new levels of physical and social infrastructure that will be needed in tandem with the new housing and developments that are on the way.

Ireland's leading home builders have three and four bed homes available now for private sale under Fingal County Council's aﬀordable homes scheme at eleven locations across the county.

These high quality new homes are available to eligible buyers at prices below full market rates.

For information on Aﬀordable Housing and to see full details of each scheme as it becomes available, scan our QR code below:

or visit: www.ﬁngal.ie/AﬀordableHousing

Well the summer time is in full swing and so also is the Parish Hall!

If you have not already booked a space on one of the Summer Camps in August please check them out NOW!

Designer Minds - is coming to Donabate for the first time. Their camps specialise in following the STEAM Program and are highly regarded - they are educational & enjoyable.We also have the return of the very successful and popular Lego Camp.

Booking for camps through the websites designerminds.ie & bricks4kidz.ie

We have an additional NEW afternoon camp in “Art” running for a week in August.

For further details on the NEW Art Camp or If you wish to enquire about running an afternoon camp in August for one week (there is one slot available) please contact the Parish Office immediately!

There is also a scheduled maintenance week in August where for eg the floor is sanded & revarnished to keep the hall in tip top order. Some activities wind up for the summer and some keep going eg the Senior Citizens are there every Wednesday & Friday morning except when camps and maintenance are taking place.

The Parish Hall Programme runs from 1st September - 31st August. Expressions of interest in using the Parish Hall take place in late May & early June - based on this information a Programme is put together to satisfy requests as best as possible. A balance of weekly activities & special events are timetabled - many are of a cultural & creative nature and some casual recreation.

So weekly activities for this year so far include eg Senior Citizens, Cards, Bridge, Pilates, Drama,

Irish Dancing, Leithinis Slow Sessions and Councillors Clinics! This year we hope to add in the NEW Music Makers on some Friday nights also!

Special events & blocked events also taking place are the Men’s Shed - “Gerry & the Plonkers” for one Wednesday 12- 2pm in October, November & December. It is hoped that a Photography & Art exhibition will take place in November followed by the Drama Production. Then the Annual Christmas Craft Fair! At the end of January it is hoped to have more “Tradfest Fingal” coming to the Parish Hall and in May yet another great Drama Production. If you have any queries re the Parish Hall and or wish to check availability please contact the Parish Office 9 30am - 12 30pm on 01 8434574

When our doors were open and welcome on the mat

By Jon Kavanagh

These days it’s all too easy for our homes to become a twentieth century fortress; surrounded by a digital moat, rendering it necessary to make an appointment –preferably by text, when we wish to visit family or friends. The times when people walked in, using the password “Anyone at home?”, belong in the annuals of social history.

Yesteryear, the door was on the latch and the kettle on the hob. Scarcely a day would pass without someone dropping in for a cup of tea and a chat. Now, we drive SUV vehicles along the motorways at speeds that would scare Jeremy Clarkson, as we rush from one crisis to the next. Then, we leisurely travelled along the byroads of Fingal on high nelly bicycles, stopping off to socialise along the way. On seeing a familiar, if unexpected figure approaching, my mother would issue her call to arms, “Run to the shop and get a pound of cooked ham, a loaf and a fruit cake”.

Those delivering goods played an important role in more ways than one. The

coalman, milkman, and postman/woman doubled jobbed as town criers; bringing news of births, deaths and marriages. And yes, the odd bit of gossip and scandal (guess who had one too many and lost his dentures on the way home from the pub on Sunday night) were exchanged. The coalman once took on the additional role of peace envoy, carrying messages of reconciliation between my mother and my aunt who were on nonspeaking terms. Wielding the iconic case the local GP made house calls.

Lest I paint a picture of Utopia, visitors were not always awarded the fatted calf. I recall my father speaking a language I can’t repeat in a family magazine, on hearing the incoming footsteps of a local resident, who held a master’s degree in the art of making a nuisance of themselves. But by in large, those crossing our threshold were a welcome distraction to our day. Life has changed, we can’t, nor would necessarily we want to go back. But at a time when people can pass away, and not be discovered for months or even years, perhaps we all should be just a little more vigilant in our neighbourhoods.

Men’s Shed Still Busy over the Summer

As many members were away, Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed took a break in June from its Thursday get-togethers and the weekly exercise classes. Nevertheless, it was still a busy month for them. Tuesday mornings saw continued interest in croquet at Newbridge and of course the plots at Turvey Allotments still needed work. There were also a few special events.

As part of International Men’s Health Week, the Fingal branches of the Irish Men’s Sheds

Association, including Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed, organised a walking get-together in Newbridge Demesne on Wednesday 12th June. This was well-attended and enjoyable, with participants taking on different length walks to suit their different fitness levels.

In early June, members of Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed had a guided tour of 14 Henrietta Street, learning about Dublin social history as told through the lives of the house’s past residents

from some of Dublin’s wealthiest families to people living in one of Europe’s most deprived slums – a fascinating story of contrasting lives.

Gerry & the Plonkers, the Men’s Shed music group, was busy last month with a concert for residents in St. Ita’s Hospital in early June and being delighted to help out with Donabate Sea Scouts fund-raising event later in the month.

To join us, please contact our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.

CommunityLocals.ie

Polytunnel

DPMS at 14 Henrietta Street

DPMS Walk in Newbridge

G&P at St Itas

Fingal’s Finest Beaches Recognised

The annual Blue Flag and Green Coasts awards were announced recently with sandy stretches in both Portmarnock and in Donabate being recognised this year.

Balcarrick Beach in Donabate, with its 3.4km stretch of sand, vibrant rockpools, and healthy sand dunes, has received both a Blue Flag and a Green Coast Award for the third consecutive year, making it one of the few locations in Ireland to achieve this distinction. Only 10 such beaches have been given double recognition.

Further south in Fingal, Velvet Strand in Portmarnock has once again been honoured with a Blue Flag, having first received one in 2014 and maintaining it ever since. Across Ireland there were 94 Blue Flag and 65 Green Coast award sites that have met the stringent criteria set by An Taisce.

The Blue Flag scheme, now in its 37th year in Ireland, is an esteemed international award assuring beachgoers that a beach meets high standards in water quality, facilities, safety, environmental education, and overall management. To earn a Blue Flag, Irish beaches must satisfy these rigorous standards.

The Green Coast Awards highlight beaches with excellent water quality and management practices that protect the natural environment, emphasizing community involvement. These beaches must be managed by local authorities in cooperation with local clean coast groups.

Director for Operations at Fingal County Council, Mary T Daly said: “The Blue Flag and Green Coast recognition we received this year showcase our ongoing efforts to maintain all our natural assets along the 88km of Fingal coastline.

Now, as we come into the busy summer months, we hope that everyone who visits a beach this year will play their part in helping to keep them beautiful by bringing their rubbish home or using the bins provided. Litter left on beaches poses a risk to the environment and wildlife and can have a negative impact on water quality.”

Presenting the 2024 awards, Minister Hildegarde Naughton TD said: “We all know just how lucky we are to have such beautiful water quality and natural beauty across our shores and this year’s recipients are testament to just how exceptional and rich in diversity that our beaches are. Congratulations to everyone involved and I want to wish a very happy and safe bathing and swimming season to everyone for 2024.”

For more information about Fingal’s beaches go to: https://www.fingal.ie/visitor/trips/find-beach.

Boules Court No 2 for Newbridge “Recreation Hub”

Proud Day as The Lark chosen for prestigious Award!

It was a very proud day for Balbriggan, North Co. Dublin and the Arts in general as The Lark Concert Hall at The Irish Institute of Music & Song was voted as Ireland’s Favourite New Building in the RIAI People’s Choice Award.

“We could not have won this award without the support of everyone who voted for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” reads a statement from The Lark.

Due to increasing demand for space in our magazine could all contributors please note OUR STRICT DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES AND PICS IS THE 16TH OF THE MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION ** Thank you.

Summer is here.....hopefully!!

Summer is here, though, calling it summer is a stretch with so much rain! Luckily, there are fab movies, like IF and Inside Out 2 in cinemas. Kids clubs are great value for money and www. ArcCinema.ie has excellent deals for families too!

Painting stones or seashells to decorate your garden is a cheap and fun way to keep kids busy. You can also let them help plant flowers – it’s lovely when they see what they planted growing. Pyjama days are cosy for watching movies when its rainy outside. Back to the Future, Guardians of the Galaxy and anything Pixar are favourites in our house.

Newbridge Farm is ideal for getting kids outdoors. See the animals and birds on the farm, visit the playground and grab snacks and ice-cream, at the café. Lookout for the peacocks,

they’re magnificent!

Follow the Fairy Trail, explore the Butterfly House and enjoy the beautiful Botanic Gardens at Malahide Castle & Gardens. Pack a picnic or stop at Avoca café. From daytime exploring to nighttime concerts, this has become a very popular place to visit.

Love trains? The Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide is fascinating. From steam trains to locomotives to diesel trains, find out everything about the history of trains! Ideally located close to Malahide train station, you can also get there by train! Very cool!

Titanic Belfast is a wonderful experience if you haven’t been. Full of interesting facts, it’s a really enjoyable day out for the whole family and Belfast is a lovely city to explore too.

If your children love music and singing, The National Concert Hall has choir and song school summer camps during July, find out more at www. nch.ie

For budget friendly family dining, Shake Dog Diner is brill. Irish, affordable with a great menu from breakfasts to burgers. My favourite combo is onion rings, club sandwich and milkshake! We are blessed with beautiful beaches in North Dublin but please, be careful, especially when swimming with children. Don’t swim out far and always go to beaches with lifeguards. When leaving, please take your rubbish with you. With a little more effort, we can keep our beaches cleaner and safer for everyone.

For more ideas on places to go and things to do this summer, visit www.mams.ie

TRAINSPOTTING: Still Amazing After All These Years

By Jack Shanley

With Danny Boyle’s 90s classic ‘Trainspotting’ hitting cinemas once again for a stunning new 4k release, it was the fantastic opportunity to watch the Scottish masterpiece once again. While it dives headfirst into the Edinburgh heroin scene with shocking visuals and dark humour, it doesn’t glorify addiction nor drugs.

Instead, it pulsates with a chaotic energy, capturing the highs and the rock-bottom lows of a group of friends entangled in a destructive cycle. It’s this look into the world of drugs and addiction, the reliability of it and it essentially how it completely changes your perspective of life, that just never fails to intrigue me.

Ewan McGregor shines as Mark Renton, our unreliable narrator. He’s a charismatic addict who, despite the encouragement of his equally messed-up friends (hilariously portrayed by Ewen Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle), struggles to choose life over heroin.

Trainspotting doesn’t shy away from the grotesque. The infamous toilet scene is a brutal reminder of the physical toll addiction takes. Yet, Boyle masterfully weaves dark humour throughout. Renton’s internal monologue delivers witty social commentary, and the film’s surreal moments. A scene that just

completely captures the essence of the film is when Renton takes his injection of heroin leading him to be dragged down the stairs into a taxi and further on to the hospital. Its just the lack of care and the thought of it being a regular occurrence that just grapples with you and makes you sympathise with him from a non-addict perspective.

The soundtrack throbs with Britpop energy, perfectly complementing the film’s frenetic pace. From Iggy Pop to Underworld, the music becomes another character, driving the narrative forward.

Trainspotting isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a raw and unflinching portrayal of addiction, but it’s also a darkly funny and strangely hopeful film. Boyle’s direction is electric, the performances are phenomenal, the film’s message on choosing life over oblivion is undeniably powerful and the new 4k restoration looks phenomenal. In all truth I’d recommend checking out “Trainspotting” and see what you think of it, I shall give it a score of Five Stars. You can watch it at your local cinema today. Director: Danny Boyle– Rating: R – Genre: Crime/Drama– Run Time: 1h 34m Language: English. For more film content please follow @ movies4fanatics

LSA members enjoy a successful start to summer

LSA proudly hosted the third edition of our Four Mile Peninsula Road Race on the 26th May. Over 400 adults took on the scenic route along the Broadmeadow estuary, Corballis and Balcarrick to the finish line on the Donabate Distributor Road. Our shorter kids races attracted over 100 young people. A course record was set in the Men’s race. Local Donabate resident David Rooney finished in a time of 20 mins 15 seconds, taking a huge 34 seconds off the previous men’s record.

Sincere thanks to our fantastic club members who volunteered to organise and help out on the day. Thanks to our main sponsor Glenveagh Homes and also Diesel Clothing for their invaluable support. Fingal County Council

provided great support and help as always.

In other club news, we were very excited to see athlete Sineád Farrell don the green vest to join the Irish team in the European Off-Road Running Championships in Annecy, France. Sinead competed in two challenging Under 20 off-road races, with impressive performances in heavy rain and difficult terrain in the French Alps.

Sineád now joins Anna Gavigan (Discus) as the second LSA Under 20 athlete to have been selected for International representation at a European Championship.

Meanwhile closer to home, we had a great day at the graduation of our latest Couch to 5k group. Some of our graduates then went straight on to run the Women’s Mini Marathon and even take

on Hell and Back!

Our Juvenile athletes have been taking part in the Dublin Championships in May and June. We’ve been delighted to see first-time participants taking on the challenge and many athletes achieving Personal Bests. It was our most successful Dublin Championships with a host of medals, a total of nine athletes qualifying for National finals and two athletes, Sinead Farrell (U19 3000m) and Cara Davison (U14 Discus) crowned Dublin Champion.

We look forward to seeing many of our young athletes at our summer camp in July. For everyone else training resumes at the end of the summer.

2024 Mens Race winner

Dublin Championships all athletes Day 1

Debbie C25k and WMM 2024 Couch to 5k 2024

2024 Womens race winner

Ballymun AC and Dara Carr

Sam and Robyn U13 Dublin Championships

Sinead European Championships Annecy

Discus Cara and Holly National Qualifiers 2024 Discus

Cara Dublin U14 Discus Champion

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