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Ph: 8484843
info@fingalmemorials.ie www.fingalmemorials.ie
Local News
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Louise Hogan – 0862249299 louise@irishmediagroup.ie
Sean Maguire (Publisher) - 087 915 9052 seanmaguire@irishmediagroup.ie
Production Tim Evans communitylocalsdesigner@gmail.com
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Donabate Local Magazine www.Facebook.com/DonabateLocal Communitylocalseditor@gmail.com
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There aren’t many places in the world that will rival Ireland in the sunshine, and there aren’t many counties that shine as much as Fingal when it comes to festival season! The past few months has seen the many voluntary groups around the county preparing their areas to shine during the summer.
We in Fingal are so lucky to have so much to do on our doorstep; throughout the towns and villages in the county local people are spoiled for choice when it comes to spending their free time in their respective areas. 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.
Just this month, locals will be treated to fantastic events such as, Balbriggan Summerfest, the Fingal Proms, Lambay Regatta, while in the coming three months we will have the Lusk Summer Festival, Flavours of Fingal, the Swords Summer Concerts, Rush Harbour Festival, Donabate/Portrane Summer Festival and many more events for all the family.
So this summer season be sure to reserve some time to take in all the wonderful amenities on your doorstep, we don’t have to hop on a plane every time we want experience something new!
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STRICT DEADLINE FOR NEXT EDITION:
Submissions by the 15th for inclusion in next months edition
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The Health Service Executive has confirmed that plans are progressing on a new Primary Care Centre for Donabate with a preferred operator and site now selected.
Reacting to the HSE response, Cllr Corina Johnston said;” I refer to my ongoing representations along with other public representatives for the provision of a much needed Primary Care Centre in Donabate especially given the growing population. I am very pleased to have received the below response from the HSE to my recent representations on this matter.”
“The proposed Primary Care Centre will include accommodation for the following: Local GP Practice, Disability Day Services, Community Mental Health services, Primary Care Team services including: Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy -Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Dietician Services.”
The HSE stated that there are a number of steps that must be taken before the facility can begin construction.
“Approval to proceed is currently being sought and if approved, the preferred operator will be notified which would allow for progression through the design and planning stages in 2025. The delivery of Primary Care Centres are subject to a number of external factors which are outside of our control such as statutory approvals, for example grant of planning permission, therefore the HSE are not in a position to provide the timeframe for when works could commence on this Primary Care Centre at this early stage of the project,” the HSE stated in response to Cllr Johnston’s query.
“I hope approval for this project to proceed is granted as soon as possible. I will continue to pursue this important matter and will keep you informed of developments,” she concluded.
By Dave Kavanagh
After many years and a number of delays, “Auto Enrolment” is due to commence in September of this year and is estimated to affect about 800,000 employees in Ireland. In a drive to make sure that people are planning for their income in retirement, auto enrolment is a process that will commence to deduct a payment from salary from the employee, which will be matched by the employer and have an additional contribution from Government. Initially, this will be 1.5% from the employee, 1.5% from the employer and 0.5% from Government. In years 4-6 this will increase to 3% from employees, 3% from the employer and 1% from Government, rising in years 7-9 to 4.5% from employees, 4.5% from employers and 1.5% from Government, and from year 10 and onwards, 6% employees, 6% employers and 2% from Government.
So who will be included in auto enrolment? Presently, the criteria for inclusion is employees aged 23-60 who earn at least €20,000 per annum and who are not included in an existing pension scheme that is deducted through payroll. So if someone is already included in a company pension scheme, a company PRSA scheme (personal retirement savings account) or even a personal PRSA plan that is deducted through payroll, they will not be included. Self employed
people will also be exempt. If someone pays for their own personal pension or PRSA by direct debit from their own bank account, they can continue to do this but will also be included in auto enrolment. Of the 800,000 employees likely to be affected, it is estimated that 200,000 of these are on the higher tax rate of 40% and it is these higher rate tax payers that should consider an alternative option as the benefits to them will not be as good as the 40% tax relief on their contributions to a scheme done through their payroll.
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.
We have now finished our Active Age for All Spring term activities and classes so ‘school’s out for summer’! Having said that some of the tutors will be running extra classes for a few weeks, I’m sure all their attendees will really appreciate that. I would like to thank all our tutors very much for the dedication and enthusiasm they bring to their classes, you are a brilliant bunch.
The AAfA Camera Club have been taking
advantage of the good weather to get out and about. We explored the sights of Malahide; did a wildlife photo trip to the Dodder river in Rathfarnham where Mr Fox very kindly came out to pose for us, and enjoyed a morning in Howth harbour which included some street photography.
As the summer break is quite long we will endeavour to organise some trips and tours during it. We will also arrange one morning a week to
meet up in the community centre cafe ( which by the way we are all delighted to have open again, it was badly missed) to keep in touch with all our AAfA friends.
Keep an eye open for our information day which will be on a Friday towards the end of August, in the meantime have a lovely summer and we look forward to seeing many of you in the Cuppa Cabana cafe.
In May & June the Parish Hall will be busy with many daily activities still taking place and some special events also. These take place around the daily activities or when they are suspended to facilitate oneoff events!
May
As part of their great events, the Bleeding Pig Festival will be holding an Art Exhibition on Sunday 25th May 9am - 6pm, in the Parish Hall. Donabate & Portrane Dramatic Society will be putting on one of their great plays from Thursday 15th to Sunday 18th May in the Parish Hall, (with rehearsals starting from Saturday 10th).
June
‘Music Fest’
This grew out of a request by FCC, namely Rafe Costigan, to the Parish Hall to have a special event ‘Festival in a Van’ take place in their grounds. (Other options were fully explored but not possible this year).
‘Music Makers’ were already booked to hold a Summer Session and ‘Peninsula Voices’ had sought to hold a charity event in the Parish Hall. Also as ‘Leithinis CCÉ’ regularly hold sessions in the Parish
Hall, it made sense to combine them all together along with a few friends! These will be small, focused events & adults, if attending with children, must keep an eye on them. So, save the days!
Friday 27th June
Evening
Peninsula Voices & Friendsunder Áine & Tony, their musical directors - will organise a Charity Concert in aid of UNICEF, a most worthy cause.
Saturday 28th June
Afternoon
‘Music Makers’ will hold a special event for O/15 to play & perform under their leaders, Noel & Sean. ‘Leithinis CCÉ’ will then play a few Irish Traditional tunes. ‘Festival in a Van’ will finally take to their outdoor moving stage, with their own performers from outside the Parish & with some local guests joining them! It should be a great two days of music for a good cause & another chance to display some local talent. There can never be enough opportunities, especially for young people, to participate in Cultural events - eg music, singing, dance, drama, photography, art….!
School is over … so start the holidays with a bit of fun for all! Put the dates in your calendar now, on the phone & or at home.
More details with regards to attending & ticketing will be in the June edition.
July
Camps
1st Drama House Summer Camp from Monday 7th July - Friday 11th
July & 2nd Drama House
Summer Camp: Monday 14th
July - Friday 18th July
At present there are 2 Camps booked in for over the summer.
If you want to enquire about running a camp or workshops over the summer, please do so ASAP. If you have any queries with regard to any of the information above please contact Parish Office in the mornings 01-8434574
As included in the last month’s issue, the Parish Office will be in touch with current users in early May re their requests from Sept 2025 - Aug 2026 which must be received back by mid June so that all can be worked on & put in place before end of June.
We wish you a lovely May, as our Summer begins!
Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society is delighted to announce the upcoming performances of two short plays “Towpath” by Robert Iles and “Dead Man’s Bells” by Máebh de Brún from the 15th to the 17th of May 2025 (with two performances on the Saturday) in Donabate Parish Hall.
“Towpath” by Robert Iles is directed by Paul Keogh. This is a poignant one-act comedy about four women of mixed ages. Sitting by a canal with a fishing rod and a hip flask, a lone woman finds herself at the centre of a growing group of strangers, each with a tale to share and a problem to solve.
The cast of “Towpath”, in order of appearance, is Jill Murray as Anne, Marissa Magner as Chris, Joanne Moody as Pamela, and Emily McClenehan as Jenny.
“Dead Man’s Bells” by Máebh de Brún is directed by Aengus Gordon. This dark comedy is a gothic, rural tale of inheritance, rivalry, and misdeeds, unreliably told by three sisters. Written by Máebh de Brún, award winning Irish playwright, the play is laced with black humour and quick wit.
The cast of “Dead Man’s Bells”, is Christina Fahy as the Eldest Sister, Karen Parker as the Middle Sister, and Orlaith O’Halloran as the Youngest Sister.
Performances will be on in Donabate Parish Hall on the following dates and times: Thursday 15th May at 20:00, Friday 16th May at 20:00, Saturday 17th May matinée at 15:00 and Saturday 17th May at 20:00.
Tickets cost €12 per person and can be purchased online on TicketSource. eu or at the door.
Donabate Dramatic Society is also extending an invitation to all people in the community become a patron of the society and support the local arts. The annual fee for patronage is €60 per person and it includes two tickets for their biannual productions along with light refreshments.
If you want to become a member or a patron of DPDS do not hesitate to contact donabateportrane.drama@gmail.com.
And don’t forget to follow Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society on Facebook and Instagram!
Every year Bloomsday which celebrates - James Joyce - is held on the 16th June - this year that falls on a Monday - so the Pacers are doing a little walk around Dublin to view some of the Buildings & Places associated with the man himself!
We will take a look at his statue, then his school Belvedere College ….continue past some other places of interest then … stop by Davy Byrnes & what is now Kennedy’s. Fancy hat required for all weathers! Contact Carolyn 087 9284307 for further information or Des 087 7846813.
Donabate Portrane Men’s Shed has been very active over the past month and has plenty arranged for the coming months.
This is a busy time of year at our plots at Turvey Allotments where tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage and cucumbers need regular attention. Work parties were organised for clean-ups and rosters for daily watering.
Gerry and the Plonkers, the Men’s Shed music group, continue to play for community groups. They entertained enthusiastic audiences at two recent concerts for Memory Cafés, the first in Skerries GAA clubhouse and since then in Donabate Portrane Community Centre.
The Irish Men’s Shed Association, to which our shed is affiliated, is holding a large event in Newbridge Park in early June as part of Men’s Health Week. Our shed is honoured to have been asked to play a major role in helping to organise it and Gerry and the Plonkers will provide musical entertainment.
A course for members is being arranged on the correct use of the defibrillator that was bought with a HSE grant for the joint use of the Men’s Shed and the Sea Scouts. Hopefully, we’ll never have to use it, but if an emergency arises, it is vital that it is used properly.
All of this is alongside our regular weekly activities – exercise classes, croquet in Newbridge, music practice and not forgetting the all-important coffee mornings on Thursdays. So, if you or someone you know would like to join us, call our PRO, Jim, on 086-3694316.
TH ST
TUESDAY, 27 MAY - 8PM TH
All Welcome!
Senior Citizens Bingo
Senior Citizens Hall, High St.
WEDNESDAY, 28 MAY - 7.30PM TH Charity Football Match
Glebe North FC, Market Green
THURSDAY, 29 MAY - 8PM TH
FRIDAY, 30 MAY - FROM 7.30PM TH
Carnival and Family Entertainment
Food & Craft Stalls
Live Music - Mursheen DurkinMarvin and the Grooves
Balbriggan Roadrunners Summerfest 5k
To Register go to myrunresults.com Meet at St. Molagas National School
Fireworks - Front Beach 10.30pm Sponsored by Progressive Credit Union
Art Exhibition Running all week - Millfield Shopping Centre On the Altar of the Arts 2025 by Martin Hughes
SATURDAY, 31 MAY ST
Sandcastle Competition, Front Beach - 10am Beach and Sports activities - 11am - 5pm -
Bremore Castle from 11am Beach and All Weather
Carnival, Food, Craft Stalls & Face Painters
Carnival Sensory Hour - 11am -12pm
Castle Tours - 2pm - 5pm
Historical Society Walk and Talk - 2pm Pauls Pets - 2pm - 4pm
Kids Magician - 3pm
Blessing of the Boats - 6.30pm
(Harbour)
Junior Park Run - All Weather Pitch - 9.30am
Carnival, Food & Craft Stalls, Face Painters
Carnival Sensory Hour - 10am - 11am
Castle Tours - 2pm - 5pm
Pauls Pets - 2pm - 4pm
Kids Magician - 3pm
(Bookings made on the day)
Live Music and Entertainment on the Stage from 1pm
Balbriggan Locals Vs Gardaí (Meet at Bremore Castle)
Balbriggan Brass & Reed Band Stamullen Community Choir Scoil Rince Cualann
Other acts to be confirmed - check our Social Media for updates for
SUNDAY, 1 JUNE - Bremore Castle from 11am ST Bhailiú Homebrew The Swings The Hippaclaptics
Live Music and Entertainment on the Stage from 1pm Entertainment
Further details on all events can be found on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/balbriggan.summerfest
(All events and times subject to change)
We at Donabate Portrane Special Olympics club would like to express our sincere gratitude to The Carriage and Wayne and Eithne Hand for their generous and wonderful support they have shown our club.
They, along with their very generous customers and community raised €4,000 for our club during their Christmas Day appeal where they supplied free hot drinks with all donations going to the club.
It was lovely to stop by recently in person, to thank them and of course to enjoy their hot coffee and treats. So, if you are around Tower Bay for a cliff walk, sea swim or a hot sauna we recommend you stop by The Carriage and enjoy one of their delicious treats and hot drinks!”
It’s not every day LSA members gather at the airport to welcome home a European Athletics medallist, but that’s just what happened on St Patrick’s Day when LSA’s Anna Gavigan arrived back in Dublin from the European Throwing Cup in Nicosia, Cyprus with a Silver medal for Under 23 Women’s Discus.
Anna was in good company and it was an added bonus for LSA to meet Olympian Nicola Tuthill who took Gold in the Women’s Under 23 Hammer, and Oisin Joyce who took Bronze in the Men’s Under 23 Javelin, at the event in Cyprus
Anna won her European Silver Medal with a massive new Personal Best throw of 53.91m. She is coached by Donabate resident Gerry Ronan. Anna joined LSA as a 10-year-old and she also coaches younger athletes at our Thursday sessions.
Our Under 20 athletes have been busy competing in the Schools Cross Country and the National Indoor Championships. As the focus moves to outdoor Track and Field, our Juvenile groups are taking advantage of
the bright evenings and moving to different training venues around the peninsula.
Our club members were out on the Dublin roads at the end of March, providing valuable support for our Dublin City Half Marathon athletes, whilst other members travelled to Dundalk for a Half Marathon. Meanwhile our latest Couch to 5k group had a fun graduation. We’re very proud of their commitment and enthusiasm and looking forward to following their progress.
We will shortly announce details of the 2025 LSA Road Race, scheduled for November - follow us on social media for details.
Congratulations to all our athletes, coaches & supporters.
Socials: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lambaysportsacademyInstagram https://www.instagram.com/lsadonabateportrane/ - https:// lambaysportsathletics.ie/
Adult memberships queries: lambaysportsathletics@gmail.com - Little Athletics and Juvenile athletes (7-18): lsajuvenilereg@gmail.com
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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
1. Planet much loved by juvenile comedians. (6)
5. Large numbers gathered for events. (6)
10. Aspired to commended. (7)
11. Lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness. (7)
12. Mend like a bone. (4)
13. A living thing that doesn’t move about. (5)
15. Sound used to attract someone’s attention without alerting anyone else. (4)
17. It may have come first. (3)
19. Fingers and toes. (6)
21. Pre judge. (6)
22. Just as far as the eye can see. (7)
23. A covering that serves to conceal or shelter something. (6)
25. A formal proposal to buy at a specified price. (6)
28. Employ a tool. (3)
30. Number for a basketball team. (4)
31. Up to the time that. (5)
32. Invitation to reply to. (4)
35. Destructive wind funnel. (7)
36. Contributors to the effort. (7)
37. A craft designed for use on water. (6)
38. A refund of some fraction of the amount paid. (6)
2. Making a prolonged loud noiselike wind or water. (7)
3. American extra-terrestrial group. (4)
4. A seat for the rider of a horse. (6)
5. Uttering a cry, characteristic of crows and ravens (6)
6. Any thick, viscous matter. (4)
7. A sequence of powerful leaders in the same family. (7)
8. Interfered with someone’s drink. (6)
9. Top job on a newspaper. (6)
14. In opposition to. (7)
16. An inhalation anaesthetic. (5)
18. Narrow ways or roads. (5)
20. Close male relative. (3)
21. His wife looked back in the Bible. (3)
23. Often seen with net, pin and match. (6)
24. Go back without turning. (7)
26. The way down a mountain. (7)
27. Lie in a comfortable resting position. (6)
28. Open out like a carpet. (6)
29. One or the other. (6)
33. Armed conflicts. (4)
34. Spill the beans. (4)