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Glenveagh

Locals old and new share what life has to offer in Donabate

Two, three, and four-bedroom homes are available in Semple Woods, Donabate.

“I THINK FOR a lot of people here, Covid highlighted how brilliant it is to have the beach and be beside the sea,” says Greg Bauer, who was born and bred in the welcoming community of Donabate. 

A village with its own character, history, and unique identity, Donabate prides itself on the welcoming atmosphere and stunning location right on the coast. 

Located in north county Dublin, with easy access on the M1 to the centre of Dublin, the commuter-friendly Donabate also boasts a superbly located train station in the centre of the village that can take passengers to the city centre or north to Drogheda.

The village is also served by a number of bus routes that make nearby towns such as Malahide and Swords accessible, as well as being one stop by train from a DART station. 

Whilst the transport to other towns is useful, Greg enjoys staying in Donabate and enjoying the proximity of various amenities too. “Everywhere is so close compared to other towns in the area. It’s so easy to walk to the schools, or the train station, or the gym.” 

If you’re curious to learn more about Donabate, or indeed have an interest in settling in the town, we’ve talked to some locals about what makes the community special. 

By the seaside

With the rugged coastal landscape as the background to the town, it’s no surprise that many of those living in the vicinity highlight the beaches at their disposal. 

dcim100mediadji_0037-jpg Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF

“Tower Bay beach is definitely my favourite place as it is secluded and is an amazing place to go for a swim,” according to local Megan Hogan, who has called Donabate home for her whole life. “I love it here and it’s amazing being so close to the sea and still close to the city centre,” she said.

Afraid of the cold water? Fear not, as the local cliff walk is another way to enjoy the coast. The walk goes around the whole peninsula and is easily accessed from many points around the peninsula, including the Shoreline Hotel. 

The Shoreline Hotel is the home of a fantastic coffee spot, serving several baked goodies and great coffee from a small horse box out the front. If you’re visiting the beach, it’s the perfect place to begin, says Greg, who also commented on the crowds visiting the beach every weekend. 

“Since Covid, I think a lot of people are using the facilities in Donabate and maximising them. Before, people wouldn’t go down to the beach for swimming or walking, whereas now, every Saturday and Sunday it’s packed, and it creates such a good atmosphere around the place when you go down.”

No matter the weather, many locals enjoy a visit to the village’s ice-cream parlour, Scrumdiddlys, before enjoying a stroll around the coast or a visit to Newbridge Farm, which is a fantastic park with a playground for the smaller ones. You can also pay into the farm to visit the animals. 

Sporting community 

dcim100mediadji_0017-jpg Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF

With a population that is growing year-by-year, the village is reaping the benefits of a newly-installed road that eases congestion worries. Speaking on the convenience of it, Greg said, “The new road has given more access routes. Now if you’re driving down to St. Pat’s GAA club, you don’t have to go the Old Turvey Road way or through the town centre, you can go down the new road and bypass the town centre completely.” 

Locals definitely enjoy the ease-of-access to the GAA club, which is a major focal point in the town. Reflecting the growth of Donabate itself, the club is going from strength to strength at both underage and adult level with Greg adding “St. Patrick’s is growing so much in terms of the sheer numbers, the number of underage teams coming through the whole time.” Highlighting this, the club recently won the ‘Juvenile Club Of The Year’ award from Friends of Dublin Hurling. 

Local football team St. Ita’s are also a part of the fabric of the community, with teams for adults and children. The astroturf located outside Donabate’s community centre is used frequently by all the local sports clubs. “The local teams can train throughout the year, so St. Patrick’s the GAA team and St. Ita’s the football team have an astro now,“ says Greg. 

For those into fitness more generally, the local gym in the community and leisure centre has a large membership, and is excellently located in the village. “In the scout den they’ve recently set up a kickboxing club, Bridge Combat Fitness, and it’s gotten really popular,” adds Greg. 

If golf is your sport, you’ll be spoiled for choice with Beaverstown, Balcarrick, Corballis Links, The Island, and Donabate golf clubs all located in the area.

Local eateries 

Donabate-Print-1 Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF Mark Newport; LRPS; LIPF

When it comes to food in Donabate, the locals rave about firm favourite Keelings Pub, alongside several takeaways, including Chinese, Indian, pizza, and a chipper. 

Megan explains her weekends usually include the local carvery, “Sunday afternoon is often not complete without a trip to Keelings Pub for a carvery and then to Scrumdiddly’s.” 

Another resident Lucy O’Connor concurs, “After building up an appetite in the sea air, we love to grab a bite to eat in Keelings Pub,” she said. “The wings with hot sauce are a firm family favourite.” The O’Connor family sometimes diversifies with a takeaway from Chung’s, but they’re equally loyal to their frozen treats, “My kids might vote for Scrumdiddlys ice cream shop as their favourite eatery!”

With a friendly community, and plenty of activities to enjoy, Donabate is ideally suited for those looking for a place to call home.

Considering making Donabate your new home? Homes at Semple Woods are coming soon – register your interest here.

At Glenveagh Homes, our vision is that everyone should have the opportunity to access great-value, high-quality homes in flourishing communities across Ireland. We understand that buying a home is possibly the biggest decision you will ever make in your life – but we want to make it your easiest. Click here to find out more about Glenveagh developments.

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    Mute Marg murphy
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:21 AM

    Apple makes products the whole world wants to buy. What does Malawi make? Not being facetious but African countries need to up their game.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:26 AM

    Apples technology is perfect for pacifying us and addressing the trivia of life.

    Apple is becoming the opiate of the masses, the supposed must have, the have to have, the “I want”, the gimme, the mugger’s preference, the shiny and glitzy toys, the trinkets of life.

    Consume or die.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:32 AM

    I worship the power of the brand! It gives my life meaning.

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:49 AM

    @Fiona deFreyne,
    You don’t have one then?

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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:51 AM

    Aye comrade, away with your western decadencies and their corrupting influence. A day of hard labour and a bowl of borscht brings meaning to my life and glory to the mother country…

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Apr 27th 2016, 10:15 AM

    Go off and join the Amish if you’re that unhappy with the modern world, it would spare us the sanctimonious scorn you heap on the rest of via The Journal.

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Apr 27th 2016, 12:23 PM

    @Marg. Many of the metals and natural resources needed in technology are mined in Africa by multinationals and it is hugely exploitative. Taxes are paid off shore and the workers are paid an absolute pittance.

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    Mute Paul Quinlan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 4:02 PM

    I have to, begrudgingly, agree. Seeing everyone on the dart, bus and street with their phones reminds me of the ketheads upstairs in button factory

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    Mute Marg murphy
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    Apr 27th 2016, 10:14 PM

    @annemarie. True, it’s a governance issue. That’s why I said African countries need to up their game.

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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:11 AM

    Isn’t it great GDP 10 times bigger than a country and probably pays less tax than a county….

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 9:05 AM

    @LITTLEONE,
    It is up to governments to make them pay tax, no one voluntarily pays it.

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    Mute prouesse f
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    Apr 27th 2016, 11:57 AM

    Eamon, no body is forcing those companies to hire teams who work on the best way to avoid taxes or to practice lobbying or to threat governments of closing such factory for example in case they’re not left alone. Fight the right enemy.

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    Mute Shane C.
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:13 AM

    They need to get a refresh, almost cut & paste products lately and their product line is now huge and daunting with lots of very similar products for any new comers looking to make a purchase

    46
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    Mute Daimhín De Naois
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    Apr 27th 2016, 9:02 AM

    The past number of years they’ve just been tinkering with the ios, jacks, colour, size and weight while battery life is still crap and water residue can still wreck it. If the sales continue to cool it might inspire them to actually innovate again

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    Mute Enda Ireland
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    Apr 27th 2016, 10:41 AM

    ios up dates are killing apple, Forced to buy a new phone to use an App is crazy.

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    Mute Charles Bliss
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    Apr 27th 2016, 9:07 AM

    Malawi’s culture still holds voodoo priests and Ju-Ju in high regard. Apple does not.

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:48 AM

    Why shouldn’t Apple make more money than Malawi?
    These people are so backward they are still murdering “witches” and albinos.
    http://latesttori.com/in-malawi-mob-set-couple-ablaze-on-allegations-of-witchcraft/

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:31 AM

    I aspire to own an Apple for truly Apple is the way and the truth, the path to meaning, the recorder of verities, the staff of daily existence, our crutch and our strength. Know this. If it is a 2016 version, it is truly blessed but if it is an earlier model it means that you are not worthy. Hear the words and tunes of Apple. Bow down and worship the great White little things which are even more beautiful in Rose gold, for we are truly blessed.

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    Mute Brian
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    Apr 27th 2016, 9:16 AM

    Genuinely the weirdest comments from one person I read on here .

    “Sent from my iPhone “

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:55 AM

    The people of Apple make technological marvels that the people of Malawi couldn’t make if they tried to do so for a billion years.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybgQJlYRrZs&ab_channel=GuyCockcroft

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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 11:09 AM

    Calm down Eamon. We got it, you love Apple! Well done, your special

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    Mute Tadgh Smith
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    Apr 27th 2016, 11:50 AM

    I think if they gave it a billion years the people of Malawi could indeed make an iPhone or even something better. But the results from the first quarter of 2016 aren’t looking promising. Malawi is “off track”.

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    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
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    Apr 27th 2016, 8:45 PM

    @Rúairí O’ Sullivan,
    No, I couldn’t care less about Apple and I don’t own one either. I’m just sick and tired of hearing about these African hell holes.

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    Mute Can't Think of One
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    Apr 27th 2016, 11:34 AM

    Maybe Malawi and Africa in general should get its act together then. Wait..no. It’s all our fault.

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    Mute Patrick O Shea
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    Apr 27th 2016, 2:41 PM

    APPLE rotten to the core

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Apr 27th 2016, 4:40 PM

    I Apple, therefore I am.

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Apr 27th 2016, 3:54 PM

    Wrong on every level

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