PENINSULATHE NEWSLETTER OF THE DONABATE PORTRANE COMMUNITY COUNCIL NEWS www.donabateportranecommunity.com

Donabate makes it all the way to the G-Team final The man who dragged Donabate to the finals of the biggest competition in history took on the job because he thought it would take just a few days out of his busy life.

But Fiachra Ó hEochaidh soon discovered that his attempt to "big up Donabate" for TG4’s reality show ‘G-Team’ was set to become a year-long afair. "But it was an enjoyable if somewhat SUMMER 2012 manic year," he soon adds, looking back on the huge success he and his committee had turning the area into a mini Gaeltacht. Camera crews became regular visitors to Donabate as slowly the village made its way from an original entry of 120 towns to the final of the G-Team series, Fiachra and local resident Joe Brady where a prize of €40,000 was up for grabs. The Tipperary village of Lisvarrinane ended up winning the title and the cash, but for over a year the eforts of the Donabate G-Team instilled pride in the community as well as getting many who have not spoken much Irish to utter a cúpla focail on TV.

A teacher of Irish and history in the Ratoath Community School in Co Meath, Fiachra lives in Carr’s Mill. He is from Swords originally, but his mother Bláithín Delargey grew up in a house just inside the gates of St Ita’s Hospital.

Fiachra’s Trojan G-team eforts were ably assisted by Fergal Power, Trish Carey, Joe English and Áine Bhrolcháin. Indeed, it was Áine who encouraged Fiachra to step into the role as leader of the local G-Team. She is a teacher in Donabate Community College, but previously held the Irish teacher position in Ratoath that Fiachra now holds.

"She asked me to big it up for Donabate and I agreed as I am in favour of anything that promotes Irish in the area," said Fiachra. Fiachra was also very keen to stress that although he was the face of Donabate’s campaign it was the people of the parish and their positive attitude towards the language that got Donabate to the final. Fiachra continued “This is not the end, this is just the beginning for Gaeilge in Donabate. We are currently working on our website gaeilgedb.com that will provide free learning resources for both young and old. The conversation group is going from strength to strength and takes place in Keeling’s every Tuesday at 9pm” he continued. A man who obviously likes a challenge, his next big role will see him walking down the aisle in June when he is due to marry primary school teacher and Donabate native Orflaith Ni Mhaicín.

Guíonn muintir an pharóiste gach rath ar an leanúin sa todhcaí.

From the Editor These past six months have been typically bustling in the Donabate Portrane community: two schools have nearly completed a full academic year in their new buildings, a youth café has been established and runs weekly at the community centre, the Saturday farmers’ market is up and running again and those who regularly travel on the Portrane Road are getting to know their local mechanic increasingly well. Perhaps the highlight of the year so far has been Donabate’s run all the way to the final of TG4’s G-Team competition. It is hoped that the sense of enthusiasm the G-Team competition produced not only encourages greater use of the cúpla focal but inspires us all to take an active involvement in fostering a vibrant and meaningful community spirit. Help us to make Donabate a better place in which to live, work and play! 1 Replacement trees sought Getting replacements for the trees that were cut down along the Portrane Road is a priority for Donabate Portrane Community Council. There is an urgent need to protect the natural beauty of the area and trees form a key part of that, chairman of the community council Gareth Lee has stated. Some 50 mature poplar trees were removed outside the sea scouts’ den, the Donabate Credit Union building, in front of St Michael’s House and the front of the Community Centre. The council has maintained the trees posed a series risk to road users, and stated that it is hoping to replace the 50 trees it had taken down. Now Donabate Portrane Community Council is to prioritise having replacement trees planted. The county council has said this most suitable time to plant new trees is the autumn, but the stumps of the cut-down trees will have to be removed first. The most likely replacement species will be beech trees. Mr Lee said it was most regrettable the trees had to be cut down. They were there for around 50 years. He said the key thing now was to ensure they were replaced with suitable trees. Pressure would be brought to bear on Fingal County Council to ensure planting of replacement trees happens in the autumn.The community council will seek to protect trees in any other part of the peninsula where they are threatened, Mr Lee added.

Donabate Youth Café is up and running

In July 2011 a group of motivated parents got together to see what could be done to help the growing number of teenagers in Donabate and Portrane. It was agreed at that meeting that they would explore different ideas to give the teenagers in the village social activity options.

They arranged a meeting with one of the representatives from the youth group Foróige. As a result of the partnership and many hours of training and meetings the Donabate Portrane Youth Café was born. This would not have been possible without a venue and they are very happy to say that with the kind co-operation of the management and staff at the Donabate Portrane Community Centre they have the facilities to be in a position to hold the Youth Café every Friday from 19.30 to 21.00. They have been pleased with the start they have had with 24 paid up members.

The concept of Foróige is to allow the teenagers themselves run the club the way that they want to (with guidance and help of course) and to also get involved in the many events and activities that Foróige run themselves all year round. Below is a piece written by the PRO Conor who was elected by the other teenagers recently along with their very own Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. Now they will get to work on their weekly activities and run the Café in a way that all will enjoy for many years to come.

Donabate and Portrane Youth Club started on the 24th of February 2012 in Donabate Community Centre. It invites secondary level students to have a bit of fun with friends in their very own Youth Club. It takes place every Friday night from 7:30pm to 9:00pm in the Community Centre. I myself really enjoy it and find it great fun to be a part of. Part of running a Youth Club is having representatives. This means that the students that take part elect their own representatives who organise trips and venues and look after snacks at the club as well. Every night €2 is paid by the students as an entrance fee. Insurance is €15 and that covers your insurance and membership fee for the year. It is a great thing to get involved in and plenty of fun as well.

Donabate Portrane Community Council encourages everyone on the peninsula to buy local if possible – we think it’s vital to support local businesses for a sustainable future and a healthy community.

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Portrane road a massive concern The appalling mess of the Portrane Road has been repeatedly raised by Donabate Portrane Community Council with the local authority and public representatives. The road has been in a hazardous condition for months after trenches were dug into and then refilled as part of the construction of a new wastewater sewage treatment plant in the grounds of St Ita’s Hospital. The road has been pock-marked with pot holes for longer than most motorists feel is fair. Secretary of the community council David Moore told county manager David O’Connor in a recent letter: “The state of many parts of the road is simply dangerous and is amplified by the extended length of the digging done beside a school. A traffic management plan was requested some months ago but nothing has been received."The people of Donabate and Portrane have been very Some of the many patient, the local authority was told, but these works go beyond reasonability potholes on the and is contrary to the aspirations of Fingal County Council. Portrane Rd. The policy of the Transportation Department in Fingal County Council is to bring the road network to a reasonable standard through construction, improvement and timely maintenance. County manager David O’Connor has apologised for the length of time the road has been in a very poor condition, and has promised work will begin soon to repair it properly. ”Please convey our appreciation for the collective patience of everybody concerned and, if we could have progressed this work in any other way without such disruption, we would have. I trust that this brings you up to date," Mr O’Connor told the community council in a letter.

Donabate Portrane Senior Citizens

The Donabate and Portrane Senior Citizens have been very active in recent months. During the past six months This year Blaithin O’Donnell who has co-ordinated the Tidy Towns activities in Donabate for the past 5 they have experienced a lot of happiness and sociability years has taken a break from the Tidy Towns team and, yet, also sadness as they mourned the passing of and the Community Council for some more some of their long-serving members. Fundraising activities “...family time.” The search is now on for someone include: lottery runs, bag-packing at Super Valu and who is willing to take on coordination of Tidy Dunne’s, an annual raffle and general donations. Trips this Towns activities. year included an overnight stay in Claremorris; there’s The past 5 years have seen a great increase in the another one planned to Cobh followed by a trip to the points awarded to Donabate in the National Titanic Exhibition in Befast later in the year. They also competition and the fruits of the local Tidy Towns attended Ted Courtney’s presentation of La Cenerentola by team can be seen in Donabate. The motto of the Rossini by invitation of the Swords Seniors. A very Donabate Tidy Towns group is “helping to make enjoyable Burns’ night happened in January which kept the Donabate a better place in which to live, work and spirits of the group high during the middle of winter. A trip to play”. If you think you would like to take on the Laughter Yoga in Baldoyle was another highlight of the past volunteer co-ordinator role and continue the quest month’s excursions. to improve Donabate’s visual appearance please The new initiative Vantastic, which ferries over 70s for free call Blaithin on 085 1264660 or email to hospital appointments, is being used more and more. [email protected] and Blaithin can tell you more about what is involved.

BRIAN ANDREWS INSURANCES UNIT 3, PORTRANE RD., DONABATE. TEL: 01 843 6148 FAX: 01 843 6148 EMAIL: [email protected] Domestic & Commercial Property Maintenance Web: www.bainsurances.ie ADDITIONAL 15% OFF AVIVA HOME INSURANCE Painting, Plumbing, Electrical, To Do Lists, (SUBJECT TO NO CLAIMS FOR PREVIOUS 5 YEARS) Plastering, Damp Proofing, Carpentry, Building. Contact us today and let us turn your house into a home. *PERMANENT HEALTH INSURANCE VAT Registered Insured *HOUSE, MOTOR, SHOPS, ETC. INSURANCE *LIFE ASSURANCE *MORTGAGE PROTECTION Ph: 086 175 1670 Email:[email protected] *PENSIONS Donabate www.housetohomeimprovements.ie Co. . Brian Andrews Insurances Ltd. is a Tied Agent to Aviva Insurance Co. for General Insurance Brian Andrews Insurances Ltd. is Regulated by The Central Bank Of Ireland 3 National Schools’ News Scoil Phadraic Cailíní – Quizzes, Football & Gardening!

Principal Margaret O’Neill writes: “A big Thank You to all parents involved in organising the Easter Fair, Easter Bonnet and colouring competition and raffle! It was a great success. All funds raised go towards the hall extension project. Well done to Hannah O’Neill and Katie Ellwood, who came 6th in the All-Ireland credit union quiz in the R.D.S. Our football team are doing really well. They have reached the semi-final, which will be played shortly. Good luck girls!” Many classes are very busy planting vegetables and fruit trees at the moment as part of the “Incredible Edibles” and “Sow and Grow” projects. Visit our school website www.scoilphadraiccailini.ie for news, photos and events taking place in our school.

Donabate Portrane Educate Together National School - Celebrating 10 years! On April 26th Donabate/Portrane Educate Together National School celebrated the official opening of the school. Paul Rowe, the CEO of Educate Together, was the guest of honour on the day. Also in attendance were local politicians, ex-pupils, former teachers and many other guests from the community and beyond it. The children of the school performed ‘From Raindrops to Rainbows’ which traced the history of the school through song and dance. All 485 students participated in the performance. Those in attendance were treated to songs, drama, music and even a Riverdance-esque Irish-dancing trio of teachers! The DPETNS community were delighted to come together to celebrate the first ten years of the school and to formally celebrate having a permanent home at last. Principal, Maeve Corish says: “It is wonderful to have a permanent home at last and we hope that in the years ahead we can give back to the community who have been so good to us through the years. We are thrilled to have a beautiful Golden Day! school building at last and hope that our facilities will be enjoyed by the Donabate/ Portrane community in the years ahead.” There was special recognition at the official opening of the new building to the work of Ms Corish over the past decade. Parents and board members spoke of the hard-working dedication of Ms.Corish in helping to take the school from a seed of an idea to a fully-grown reality since her move from Our Lady Immaculate Junior School in Darndale over ten years ago.

St. Pat’s Boys’ School – Strings project goes from strength to strength

The Strings Project (Violins Lessons for children from 3rd to 6th class) is a big part of the school’s activities. Classes take place during school day for all children. The next step will be to develop a pre-violin programme for junior classes. The debut performance will take place before the end of the school term. The people at the National Concert Hall have provided invaluable support and guidance. The Parents’ council, too, have worked tirelessly over the last year with fundraising for the Strings Project. The school is extremely grateful to everyone who supported the recent Quiz Night fundraiser in Donabate Golf Club.

The schools’ two GAA teams have done brilliantly so far this season. After winning both Junior and Senior Fingal Leagues last year both teams were promoted to play against bigger schools in Fingal but that hasn’t stopped them. Everyone at the school is proud of the achievements of both teams. Having been involved in the G-Team competition that captured the enthusiasm of Donabate, the staff continues to promote the speaking of Irish though Le Chéile trí Ghaeilge, in the school. The 3rd class were also national runners up in the 4-12 maths competition! You can learn more about the school and what’s happening there by visiting www.stpatsbns.ie

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Church service times Church of Ireland – 11am Sundays, The Square, Donabate; The Living Seed, Donabate – 11am Sundays, downstairs at Donabate Portrane Community Centre; Presbyterian Church – 10.30am Sundays upstairs at Donabate Portrane Community Centre (crèche and kids’ club each week); Catholic Church - Donabate services: 10am weekday mornings; 10am & 6pm Saturdays; 11am Sunday; Holy days 11am & 6.30pm. St.Ita’s Portrane: 9.30am Sundays; 9.30am Holy Days

St Patrick’s RC Donabate Presbyterian In Lent we had four lectures on the Eucharist in the Church is a new church that Community Centre, followed by a Seder, the Jewish meets upstairs in Donabate Passover meal which Jesus had with his disciples at the Last Portrane Community Centre The Supper. Easter Sunday saw an overflow congregation at the church family is made up of people of many backgrounds 11 o’clock Mass, celebrated by our new Parish Priest, Fr Joe Connolly. To come are First Communions and Confirmations, and a variety of nationalities and is for anyone who wants to and a special Mass on Sunday June 3rd at 5 pm in St know more about Christianity. From its beginnings of just Patrick’s for all doing exams this year. 20-30 people two years ago there are now over 100 people Fr. Joseph Connolly PP, Fr. Pat Reilly CC who come along regularly. Their summer kids’ club, Parish Office (rear of church car park) 01-8434574 “Discovery”, is taking place 13-17 August, 10.30 – 12.30, at Open Monday - Friday 9.30 to 12.30 Donabate Portrane Community Centre. The church minister, Andy Carroll, says: “we’re convinced that the message of Celebration of First Holy Communion hope, grace and love of Christianity is as relevant as it’s Saturday 19 May @ 11 am - Donabate Portrane Educate ever been and we’ve been so pleased to see all kinds of Together School people discovering this over the past year or two.” They Saturday 26 May @ 11 am - St. Patrick's Girls can be contacted at 8958833, [email protected] or SchoolCelebration of Confirmation online at www.donabatepc.org. Friday 18 May @ 11 am - St. Patrick's Boys School Friday 25 may @ 11 am - Donabate Portrane Educate Together School The Lambay Singers

Renowned local choir, the Lambay Singers are busy preparing for an early summer concert of light classical music, to be staged on Sunday May 20th at 8pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Donabate. The choir express their gratitude to Fr. Joe and all at St. Patrick’s for allowing them the use of the church for this upcoming concert.

The programme for this concert will be an eclectic mix of some well-known classical favourites, as well as some more unusual classical pieces, and should provide something to please all musical tastes. For more information and for ticket details, please contact Emer on 0863691871.

The Lambay Singers number about 25 singers, but they are always on the look-out for new members to swell their ranks. Members do not need to be able to read music; all you do need is a love of singing good music, well, and the commitment to work hard at rehearsal in search of that perfect harmony.

They meet on Thursday nights for rehearsal and have benefited greatly from the goodwill of the community for their on-going success. Emer Weston of the group says: “we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Maeve Corish and all at Donabate/Portrane Educate Together School for allowing them rehearsal space in their spectacular new building.” Under the baton of musical director George Rice, the choir work hard at rehearsal in search of that elusive harmony, but there is always time for a sociable get-together and chat afterwards. If you love to sing and would like to join the Lambay Singers, please see their website, thelambaysingers.org, or contact Emer on 0863691871.

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Transition Towns Donabate Portrane (TTDP) update Voucher Saturday* The Transition Towns group is an umbrella body of small groups in Donabate dedicated to making the Donabate peninsula a more GET sustainable place to live. The group and its sub MONEY groups are aiming to bring back traditional BACK!!! skills to the community, encourage local

Terms and conditions. businesses and food production and explore Vouc1h) onee vrou chSer aper traunsarctidon.a y is 10% cashback 2) vouchers can only be used on the 1st Saturday of every month. methods of energy self-sufficiency. They have the f3i) trhis votuc heSr ias not cuashr andd can y of only be revdeemerd ays pa rmt of condnitionts hattached. a great website www.ttdp.ie and have run on all purchases with this courses and had open forums Market runs each Saturday, 10am-3pm, St Patrick's Hall and discussions. voucher

The Market is just one of the groups under the TTDP umbrella and serves as a visual reminder of the importance of local food and craft production. As we continue to work our way through the current recession we would encourage our residents to buy local and support local small producers.

Other groups in the Transition Towns Donabate Portrane family include a cycle group, Chickenlink (yes our peninsula now has a chicken owners support group!) and there are other One of the many stalls at the market! groups being set up to encourage new skill development.

The TTDP groups are still hoping that an agreement can be reached with the HSE and Fingal County Council to locate a community supported agriculture project in the old St Ita’s gardens so that these traditional gardens could be brought back to life and used to supply local produce for local people, fulfilling one of the aims of the group to grow food locally. If you would like to set up a group of your own under the umbrella of TTDP please contact [email protected].

Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society entertaining since 1936 Last year was the 75th anniversary of the Donabate Portrane Dramatic Society (formerly Donabate Dramatic Society). In spring the Society moved to a new location in Keeling’s ‘Little Theatre’ (at the back of Keeling’s Lounge), which proved to be a great new home. In addition to the spring production (The Lonesome West) and autumn production (Last Tango in Little Grimley and Albert), the Society also staged a late summer production (The Real Inspector Hound). Last summer saw the peninsula firmly in the lens of TV cameras with Celebrity Bainisteoir and The G-Team. The Society, together with the Lambay Singers, participated in the TG4 G-day, by putting on an Irish night of sketches and music which proved to be a great success. Spring 2012 kicks off with The Odd Couple by Neil Simon in Keeling’s ‘Little Theatre’ 7th – 11th May. The Society was founded in 1936 by the late Fr. J. Moynihan and is one of the oldest dramatic societies in Ireland. The society is always on the lookout for new members. If you would like to become a patron or member, or get involved in any capacity, please contact the committee members or the Secretary on 086-0712530 or alternatively e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] Fingal Print A5 19/11/2010 16:59 Page 1 Keep up to date with the activities of the society via www.facebook.com/donabate.drama or via the website www.donabatedrama.ie

From a sketch performed 2011 Now Open Portrane & Donabate Area SusanEBrown BUSINESS CARDS LETTERHEADS • COMPLIMENT SLIPS NCR SETS • DOCKET BOOKS POSTERS • FLYERS The Old Post Office, BROCHURES • BOOKLETS Donabate MENUS • INVITATIONS LOYALTY CARDS • MEMORIAL CARDS WEDDING STATIONERY T 01-8435455 RAFFLE TICKETS For Quality Print at Recession Prices Contact www.sebca.ie Jack 086 805 8704 [email protected] Graham 087 324 6155 [email protected] The views expressed in the Peninsula News are not necessarily those of the Community Council. The Peninsula News is distributed to 3000 plus homes We Can Come To You! in the Donabate-Portrane area. If you are prepared to deliver the newsletter in your area please let us know. [email protected] Get 10% OFF 6 your first order with this flyer

Peninsula Sports

Portrane Hockey Club Portrane Hockey Club are delighted with the rapidly increasing numbers now playing hockey in their juvenile section and this year alone saw up to 180 kids, from their Junior Academy under 6's up to their under 14's playing hockey every week. The Club also continues to be fully committed to their Schools Hockey Programme now including Ballyboughal Primary School. The coming season saw the men’s first team return to Leinster Senior Hockey where they acquitted themselves quite well. They also started a men’s second team and they are looking forward to the Leinster Junior Final against Bray at the end of April. With a large number of girls now playing Hockey in the club it is planned to enter a team in the Leinster Ladies Hockey League next season. Insurers have just signed off on the repairs required to the all weather facility and work is due to get underway very shortly with re-opening planned for June 2012.

A new sports academy for the Peninsula Lambay Sports Academy (LSA) was founded in September 2011. It is a not-for-profit organisation that uses athletics as the base of a structured curriculum of youth conditioning. Focusing upon the ABCs of athleticism (Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed) they strive to develop the type of Physical Literacy that is the building block for any future physical activity and sport; “just as learning the alphabet is to reading and writing”, says Mícháel O’Dea of LSA. LSA hopes to make fitness a social event for children of all abilities, but also want to encourage parents and adult members to lead by example. They have adult Road Runners that meet at Donabate Parish Hall at 8:00 AM every Saturday morning for a lap of the peninsula (no sweat!). This is a great place to get in your weekly long run with others from the peninsula. Everyone is welcome. Under-age training takes place on Tuesday / Thursday evenings at DPETNS and Saturday afternoons in Chapelizod. For further information visit our website www.wix.com/ lambaysportsacademy/home or our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lambaysportsacademy. Mr O’Dea continues: “We are always looking for anyone who supports our philosophy and who would be able to volunteer one or two hours a week to help out as either a Coach or Committee Volunteer.” St. Pat’s GAA St Patrick's GAA Club have had a great year following on from their involvement in Celebrity Bainisteoir and An G-Team. The club is growing and strengthening with new juvenile teams togging out - boys Under 8s and girls Under 9s. They enjoyed a wonderful Easter Camp with 300 children involved. This past year has included visits from Niamh McEvoy (All-Ireland winning Dublin Midfielder) and James McCarthy (All-Ireland winning Dublin Right-Half Back) Great fun was had by all despite moving from wind-burn on the first day to sunburn on the third! They want to especially thank their many volunteers - their help is essential in running such a large camp. Preparations are now well underway for the Summer Camp. Check out their Facebook page StPatsGAA for dates and times.

The hurling team are building up their numbers and have introduced juvenile hurling to the club. Please check www.stpatsgaa.com for training times for Men’s, Ladies' & Juvenile football and Adult & Juvenile Hurling.

St. Ita’s AFC With the season coming to a close the club are hoping to bring home some silverware, congratulations to the Under 11d team on booking their cup final place in the NDSL league cup final. They wish both u9s well in their cup semi-finals along with our Under 10g, u10b, & u13c in their cup quarter final. With the leagues coming to an end they are hoping for more silverware in league titles, still in the running are our u11b, u13c & u14b. The Seniors are also still involved in pursuing silverware, the Sunday team had a disappointing end to their season but the Saturday team are still involved in their cup rounds and sitting a point behind the league leaders. Into the summer, the talk within the club is who will be on the Ireland team for the Donabate/Portrane mini-Euro 2012!

If anyone would like to get involved in Donabate Portrane Community Council please contact [email protected]

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The Coastguard Station : A History

The original coastguard station stood where Pipers takeaway now stands. It consisted of five houses which had very small awkward rooms - ‘the living rooms being ill adopted for doing any washing and the so-called scullery was a mere porch measuring five feet six inches by three feet six inches’. Following complaints, it was eventually decided to build two wash houses, one for the men and the larger one for the officers. However the development did not take place as the coastguard facilities in the area were deemed to be completely inadequate and it was agreed that new facilities would have to be provided.

The coastguard boat at this time was parked on the downward slope of the bank at the Quay which slopes to the sea, somewhere near the front of Tom Condon’s (Rechru) house, which was a half mile distant from the station. The housing facilities for the rocket stands, which were situated at the Martello tower, were also a matter of concern.

A critical report dated 1890 stated the desired improvements could not be satisfied at the coastguard station ‘as the whole foreshore was drifting and the tide had receded such a long way as to render it almost impossible to launch a boat from that place at low water.’ The suggestion that a boathouse and slipway could be built near the old pier at the Quay was discarded as the pier was then in ruins and could afford no protection to the proposed structures. The Martello tower site was also deemed unsuitable as it was 20 feet above sea level and the station officer stated it would be “rather risky running a boat out in a gale as there was so little room between the jutting spurs of rocks.”

The construction of a slipway at the Quay was again mooted and negotiations were begun with the Edwards estate, which owned the freehold, and Thomas McMahon the local farmer whose lease on the right of way to the pier had six years to run.

Negotiations with McMahon did not go smoothly as he was demanding compensation of £40, which was considered exorbitant by the Coastguard who was doubtful as to whether he had any legal right to the foreshore. It was eventually decided not to offer any money to him. Although McMahon subsequently offered free access to the pier, it was suggested that another site 60 yards to the West of the harbour could be adopted, the site being ‘still under the shelter of the old pier and accessible from the public road.’

Negotiations with the Edwards estate, of which a Miss M.E. Edwards was the principal, began and £25 offered in compensation for use of the site. However, agreement could not be reached due to the lack of communication with Edwards who had mental health problems.

Although the site had been deemed unsuitable earlier, Mr. Musters, the district captain of the Board of Works, recommended the Portrane Martello tower site as an appropriate one for coastguard houses, boat house, slipway and rocket stands, as the site was already being used as a signal station, was War Department property and accordingly there would be no difficulty regarding way leave. The admiralty agreed with the proposal in June 1892. The Commissioners of Public Works were requested by Admiralty to make provision in their estimates for 1983-4 for the proposed works. In the 1897-8 estimates+ a sum of £300 was set aside for the work. There were procrastinations.

In 1905, Robert Cochrane, architect, drew up plans for a new coastguard station stating the estimated cost to be £2,790. In 1912 John Howard Pentland, architect, drew up new plans with an estimated costing of £3,000. Two years later the new coastguard station was built, using Pentland’s drawings. The Tower site, as well as improving the comfort of the employees and their families, also had the advantage of having all the coastguard facilities situated close to each other.

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