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mONDAY 17TH maRCH

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Springing into the New Year

Spring has finally arrived after what has felt like a lifetime since we have seen some proper sunshine and some warmer conditions! Slowly but surely the seasons are changing and the time for new beginnings is upon us again. There are so many things to look forward to in Springtime. Local people throughout Fingal will be busying themselves in the first few weeks of Spring, making plans for the coming months, especially summertime and the annual summer holiday season. In Fingal we don’t have very far to travel to find something to make great memories from. We have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country; the sheer number of public parks, castle grounds and gardens accessible all year round is unrivalled; the community centres, state of the art libraries, music venues, cafés, restaurants, bars, the list goes on and on. There is so much to do in such a short distance.

There are so many wonderful voluntary organisations out there in Fingal and the work that they do is invaluable to their respective communities. From sporting groups, walking groups, youth groups, Men’s Sheds, ICA groups, Comhaltas groups and the many, many more clubs, societies and organisations – local people rely heavily on them to make a difference to their daily lives.

But these organisations can only survive with the selfless work their volunteers provide who give up their own time after work and on weekends to make our lives more fulfilled. We love seeing more for us to do in our communities and are always looking for something new and exciting; just remember there would hardly be anything to do without these voluntary organisations and their volunteers. There is always room for more people to get involved with their local voluntary organisations and the help is always appreciated.

As a community-based magazine group we really do deeply appreciate all the work done by local volunteers in their respective areas. They are the ones who make our towns and villages look so beautiful and we are so happy that they give their time so selflessly.

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VITAL WELLNESS

Step into Spring with the Men’s Shed

March promises to be a busy time for Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed. Work on our allotment plots has already started in earnest for the next growing season and our weekly HSE-sponsored Healthy Eating classes with Suzanne continue.

Our music group, Gerry and the Plonkers are set to play three gigs during March. On Wednesday 12th, they play a St. Patrick’s themed as part of their monthly FREE concert in Donabate Parish Hall, which we hope will

be be as successful as last month’s Valentine’s themed concert. Light refreshments will be provided and adults are welcome. They are also honored to be invited to play at a function in Blanchardstown for a women’s group and at this month’s Memory Café in our local Community Centre on 26th March.

At the end of February, Men’s Shed members had a fascinating guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol, covering many of the main historical events in Ireland from the late

18th century to the early 20th. A fuller report will be included in next month’s article.

Needless to say, our regular weekly activities continueexercise classes, croquet, music practice and Thursday gettogethers.

So, if you or someone close to you would like to join us, call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316 or just drop in to Donabate Sea Scouts’ Den on Portrane Road between 11am and 1pm on Thursday mornings.

What Has Changed with Capital Acquisition Tax?

By Dave Kavanagh

In Ireland, inheritance tax and gift tax are both under Capital Acquisition Tax. In 2022 in Ireland, there was over €600 million collected in Capital Acquisition Tax. It also includes estates that may have been taxed in previous generations. For example, if someone left an estate worth €1,000,000 to an only daughter, she would (in the current tax year) have a tax bill of just under €200,000. After she pays the bill and puts what’s left in the bank, any interest is taxed (DIRT). Guess what happens when she passes and leaves her estate behind? It’s taxed again! So what has changed? Spouses can leave any amount to each other tax free. After that, the three new thresholds are, a) Children - €400,000, b) Other close relatives - €40,000 and c) All others (including cohabiting partners) - €20,000. Everything received above these is taxed at 33%.

So, is there any way to prevent it? There are two main actions that can either reduce or eradicate such a tax bill. The first is to take the time to plan when making a will. Let’s say a value of €900,000 was being left to 2 adult children. (Not a big estate if you combine a house, savings and a life policy). This would create a tax bill of over €16,000. Instead, if €800,000 of it was left to the 2 children and the balance between a few

second thing that can be done is for the person leaving the estate to take out a Section 72 plan. This is a type of life policy that is allowed to pay any tax liability without adding to the value of the estate. It becomes particularly important for anybody that does not have children to plan things out, as even other relatives can only receive €40,000 before any balance is taxed. These thresholds are particularly important for anybody in the process of planning or making their will.

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.

Construction Begins on New Donabate Library

Work has commenced on the new Donabate Library which is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

The development of the new public library at Ballisk House is one of a number of projects being undertaken by Fingal County Council that will enhance the provision of community facilities in the Donabate area as envisaged under the Donabate Framework Plan and the Capital Programme agreed by the elected members of Fingal County Council last October.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, said: “I am delighted that the contractor is on site and work has begun on Donabate’s new library which, when opened, will offer so much more to the local community than just books. The move from its present location in the Community Centre will also free up significant space which can now be used by different groups on the Donabate peninsula.”

Fingal County Council acquired Ballisk House in 2022 following the decision of the Progressive Credit Union to close its Donabate branch which had been located in the premises. The land had originally been owned by the Council but was sold in 1995 to Donabate Credit Union to facilitate the building of Ballisk House.

Vision Contracting were appointed last December to carry out the refurbishment works on Ballisk House and went on site at the end of

January to commence phase one of a two phase project. It is anticipated that the new library will open to the public by the end of this year.

Phase one will deliver a contemporary library with children’s and young adult areas on the ground floor of the building. The installation of wheelchair accessible lifts will provide access to the adult lending area and a library events space

on the first floor. The new library will also be a ‘My Open Library’, which will give registered members access to the building beyond normal staffed hours.

Planning has begun for Phase Two of the project which will consider the addition of an extension to the building to further enhance library facilities.

Camera Club Thrilled with Calendar Success

Through the Lens has had another successful calendar sale with the 2025 issue. The club has produced a limited edition of 300 calendars for the past few years with the help of the local businesses who take advertising space in it. It started as a fund raiser for the club whilst also being able to sponsor a local group, it is also a good exercise for the members and a promotion for the club. All photos selected for inclusion must be related to the peninsula and may probably be an historical reference in years to come given the rapid changes afoot in the area.

This year we are proud to sponsor Foroige a local youth group based in the community centre. Foroige caters for 12- to 18-year-old teenagers and they meet every Friday from 7.30 to 9pm. There are table games as well as snooker and table tennis, and drinks and snacks are available on the night. They do trips such as to the Awesome Walls and take part in activities like the Foroige Dublin & National talent championship.

Contact for Foroige: Kevin Barnes 087-9580129 and contact for Through the Lens: Mary McKenna 087-2321852.

parÁidÍ fhine gall 2025

Commnuity News

Active Age For All Grows from Strength to Strength

Active Age for All held it’s AGM on Friday 17th January this year and we were very pleased with the attendance, many of whom stayed for a cuppa and a chat when the business was done. Active Age continues to go from strength to strength due in no small part to the vision of the first committee and the dedicated work of following committees. None of this would have been possible without these volunteers and the support and cooperation

Generation Baby Boomer

by Jon Kavanagh

Well, here we are a quarter way through the first century of the new millennium. Tempus Fugit! Reminiscing with an old school friend we marvelled at how quickly we have gone from writing lines in Swords Tech to writing application forms for our bus passes. It got me thinking about the incredible changes we baby boomers (born 1946 – 1964) have lived through. As children we were meant “to be seen and not heard”. We learned to write with nib bens and ink, our calculator was our ten fingers. The teacher’s stick wasn’t just for pointing at the map. In many homes the wooden spoon doubled jobbed as a food mixer and law and

of the community centre management and staff, a big debt of gratitude to all. Many committee members past and present represent AAfA on various organisations and groups: Valerie Henderson (Donabate/ Portrane Liaison Group), Mario Mc Cormack ( PPN), Louis Gunnigan ( Town Centre First), Carolyn Smith ( D/P Community Council), Peig McManus ( Forum for Older People), & Mary Farrell ( DPCC Board)).

order enforcer. We didn’t appreciate that living history walked amongst us: many who survived the 1916 uprising, two world wars, the war of independence, the civil war, the Spanish flu and a tuberculosis epidemic, were still active in the community, with a generous helping of ‘characters’ filling their ranks.

With hindsight, Tony, who had tales to tell about all the above, became my de factor grandfather (my actual grandfathers had both passed on before I was born). He would regularly give me a half crown coin, (a considerable sum of money back then) and advice on everyday life like “Always leave the wireless on when you are leaving the house to deter robbers”. Paddy, who had served in the British army, took his role of curmudgeon in residence very earnestly, sitting on a wall in the village giving his caustic take on life to all who passed by. He would have made a great keyboard warrior on today’s social media. And then there was Rosie, a would-be entrepreneur,

This year we are delighted to welcome on board Adriana Ganet as tutor for Spanish 2 (intermediate) on Monday mornings. We are also very pleased to have two past committee members returning to the committee, Mary Farrell and Carmel Carey; and welcome to first timer Ann O’ Hanlon.

Active Age is now entering its 10th year, and we plan to continue growing and developing with the community of the peninsula.

who used hard sales techniques to impose everything from badly knitted garments to eggs and bales of hay on reluctant locals. I recall her bursting into our gate lodge, plonking a jam jar she had crudely decorated with sea shells, on the kitchen table, whilst loudly proclaiming “Theres a nice flower vase for ten bob!” Being timid in nature my mother unwillingly shed out the said sum for the affront to the arts and crafts movement.

We remember when Swords was a small rural village and the airport (then known as Collinstown) was but a twinkle in the eye of the large international hub we see today. Fingal was as rural as any far-flung corner of Ireland. At heart we were country folks living simple lives. Don’t get me wrong, I love modernity and can wield a mobile phone and paper coffee cup with the best of them. But somehow, I’m glad I was born a baby boomer to experience a world that gave us a resilience that comes in handy during lockdowns, storms, power cuts etc.

Plans Well Underway for Donabate Darkness Into Light

Last year the Donabate Portrane Darkness Into Light walk raised over €21k to help keep the wonderful work being done through Pieta going. This year’s planning and organising is already well underway for the walk which takes place on Saturday morning 10th May at 4.15am in Newbridge House. We had a wonderful group of volunteers and participants join us to deliver what was a moving, memorable and successful

event both in terms of bringing our community out and together as well as from a fundraising perspective. We like to keep things simple so for this year’s event we are hoping to exceed the 450 participants we had last year and the amount we raised so we encourage you, your family and friends to sign-up, join us and help make the Donabate Portrane DIL walk another memorable one. The online link to register and fundraise

Concerns Raised over reliability of 33B Bus Service

Labour Councillor Corina Johnston has voiced concerns about the reliability of the 33B Bus Service for Donabate, Portrane and The Burrow. “At a recent meeting with the CEO of Go Ahead Ireland I raised my serious concerns in respect of the following: the reliability of the 33B bus service; the current and future of contract; ⁠the impact unacceptable cancellations has on commuters in Donabate and the Burrow, Portrane with every second bus servicing this area with commuters late for school, work, college, hospital appointments and having to take a taxi at a huge cost; ⁠the need for double decker buses to be utilised on the Donabate peninsula given our growing population to ensure passengers are not left behind; concerns regarding buses bypassing the town centre ; ⁠need for improved communication with commuters; ⁠need for connectivity between trains and buses.”

Johnston continued; “in response Go Ahead Ireland confirmed: recent service issues as a result of issues with recruitment of mechanics and winter flu; ⁠Recruitment

process for additional drivers underway; ⁠improvement in services over last week with further improvements and return to full services anticipated within 10 days; ⁠double decker buses used at peak with ongoing monitoring of service capacity; Go Ahead has entered into a letter of intent with the National Transport Authority (NTA) for a new contract for Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area (ODMA) North and South to commence in October 2025; anticipated Bus Connects roll out in 2026 with every bus to service the Burrow, Portrane with the 33B services operating to and from Dublin Airport, improved connectivity between trains and buses •investigation of buses bypassing Donabate town centre ; communications review underway Johnston concluded, ”I will continue to raise the ongoing issues with the 33B service with Go Ahead Ireland and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to ensure a reliable bus service is provide for commuters.”

for the walk is open and we encourage people to sign up as early as possible - https://www. darknessintolight.ie/#Signup. We will have an in person registration day in Donabate this year closer to the event for those who miss out online but as with everything the earlier you register the better. Thanks everyone!

The Donabate Portrane Darkness Into Light committee.

Good Times had at the Donabate Parish Hall

Donabate Parish Hall & The Men’s Shed have come together for a special FREE event for adults with a focus on Irish Music to celebrate Paddy’s Day on Wednesday 12th March from 12noon - 2pm. Light refreshments served. Singin & Dancin welcome from all those attending - or just come & listen! All FREE and for you!

The Plonkers & Parish Hall - had a fantastic event for Valentine’s on a Wednesday in February - it was full of fun - lots of dancin & singin!

A large crowd came from a variety of groups in the Parish and as many men as women! We are a Parish with great musical talent - Gerry & the Plonkers are beyond amateur with a number of professional musicians in their midst! Noel (Dowling) brings an added dimension - with sound & lights, like one was at a good wedding! This gives people an opportunity to dance nowadays without waiting on a wedding or a big birthday to happen!

So, let us have a great one for Paddy’s Day - we will celebrate St Brigid too - as we had no event for her! So if you do a bit of Céilí or line dancin’ great - if not, get up and dance & sing anyway. Not alone is it good for the body, but it’s also uplifting for the spirit and a bit of craic on a Wednesday afternoon! They are sometimes joined by Edel (Dempsey) whose long whistle renditions are fantastic & famous!

The Music Makers were on in

February also with a special event and it was a great success; hopefully to be repeated and further report is elsewhere in the magazine.

The Parish Office has been looking at Cultural & Educational Camps for the Parish Hall for 2025 at suitable times after successful camps last year and may have some spaces left. Also, if you have any queries re renting for daily activities & classes contact the Parish Office on 01- 8434574

Gerry & the Plonkers

Evelyn, Kathy, Mary & Martina the Tea Team! Well there is Dancin!

Pacers in Portmarnock

This Saturday 8th March - we have a change of place for our walkwe are doing the Brigid’s Walk first in Dundalk - we will honour Patrick at our next walk!

We will meet at the Parish Hall 11 30am - do a car-pool then head up to North Dundalk for our 6/8km walk - then we will head into a good cafe restaurant for food & refreshments!

Last month the Pacers went on a scenic coastal route. They took the train from Donabate to Portmarnock then walked back to Malahide. This is an easy flat

walk about 6/8km - we had to use the road as the tide was in on the Portmarnock beach, it was still a lovely walk with good sights & good toilets open in Portmarnock & in Malahide at the beaches on the way.

It is a great way to spend a few hours on a Sat afternoon - a nice walk, a good chat, finishing with great food! We also get to see new places - a bit of exploring!

Further information from Carolyn 087-284307 or Des 0877846813

No Stopping Lambay Sports Members

Saturday 8th February was a big day for Team LSA last month with four athletes competing in the National 50Km Championships at the 15th Donadea 50k. Conditions were a little bit challenging, but it did not stop Team LSA. Eimear Caulfield was LSA’s first female runner to compete in this Championship along with Dino Higgins, Stephan Bueck and Stephen Brennan. Alongside them was an unbelievable crew of supporters on the day!

We are extremely proud of all our members who were involved: from Eimear the first LSA finisher to the support crew who motivated everyone through to the finish line.

For anyone who aspires to running something a little shorter, we have just commenced a new Couch to 5k program - ideal for the complete beginner or those who are returning to running after injury or time out. This seven week program involves committing to running three days per week: Monday and Wednesday at 7pm at Donabate Portrane Community Centre and Saturdays at Donabate Park Run.

Meanwhile, our older Juveniles have had some great success at the recent Leinster Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships: Sinead Farrell progresses to AllIreland Championships. She was an impressive third scorer on the

winning Senior Girls Team. Reuben Capocci qualified for All-Ireland Championships in the Intermediate Boys event, with James Keegan and Leon Capocci both impressing in Senior and Minor Boys respectively.

We’ve had some great success at the recent Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships in Abbotstown: James Keegan and Reuben Capocci took the title of Dublin 800m Champion at Under 18 and Under 17 respectively. They now progress to the National Championships in Athlone later this month with Liam Handley (Shot Putt), Lea Hubert (High Jump). Reuben also competes in the U17 1500m after his second-place finish in Dublin.

Congratulations to all our athletes and their coaches for their hard work and dedication.

Keep up to date on all the events by following LSA on our website and social media pages!

Facebook https://www.facebook. com/lambaysportsacademy

Instagram https://www.instagram. com/lsadonabateportrane/ Twitter https://twitter.com/ LSARunning

https://lambaysportsathletics.ie/ Adult memberships queries: lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com

Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18) : lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com

Donadea 50k

Jennifer Fingal Sports Volunteer of the Year 2025

Liam, Leá

Dino’s 10th 50k

Donadea and Support Crew 2025

Eimear 50k 2025

James U18 800m Champ 2025

Leon, Sinead and Reuben Leinster XC

U17 800m Reuben

Stephen 50k

Power of Support

Leon, Reuben, James

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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 the 16th of this month. The first correct entry to be drawn will win €50..Good luck