In Wicklow Magazine

October 2010 | Issue 5

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Whether it’s trick or treat or costumes galore, we have the very best Wicklow has to offer for the spooky season

+ Great Restaurants Sporting News Home Heating Options Book Reviews Family Time Fashion Kids’ Halloween party on Sunday 31st October is perfect for under 10’s Time: 4 – 6pm and cost is €7

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Fancy Dress “Bowl” planned for Friday the 29th for adults For further details see page 2

Diamond Bowl & KidZone, Dublin Road, Co. Wicklow Tel: 0404 65222 | Fax: 0404 69376 Email: info@wicklowbowl.ie Web: www.wicklowbowl.ie wicklow inWICKLOW April 2010

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EN PM P O 2-6 N SU

ON THE COVER Wicklow Gaol

For a list of spooky events happening this October at Wicklow’s Historical Gaol, check out our Events and Family Time sections www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com

Welcome to InWicklow Magazine Halloween is nearly upon us which means – not only ghosts and ghouls and spooky tales – but a bank holiday weekend for us all to enjoy – and don’t we need it! There are plenty of activities and fun-filled family events to enjoy this Halloween in Wicklow, make sure you get out to experience a couple! We’ve plenty to keep you entertained throughout the month of October in this issue, including fashion for both guys and girls, local bargains, trick or treating and much more. The office team spent the month of September scouring the restaurants of Wicklow Town and County to find our absolute favourite places to eat and drink; we’ve narrowed it down to just 10 – turn to pg 11 to see if you agree with us!

Written by locals for locals, InWicklow magazine is distributed to homes and businesses in the greater Wicklow area each month.

Published in Ireland by: Coffey Media Editor: Aisling Donnelly M: 086 8749121 E: aislingdonnelly@live. com Features Writer: Aengus Cox Sales and Advertising: Coffey Media T: 0404 66990 M: 086 844 8459 E: darren@coffeymedia.ie Design: Design Mill T: 0404 64224 E: info@designmill.ie W: www.designmill.ie Print: Conway Media T: 0404 67333 E: info@conwaymedia.ie Find us on Views expressed in inWICKLOW do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors or publishers. No responsibility is accepted by inWICKLOW for the accuracy of the advertisements or information within the publication.

All material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly marked ‘Not for Publication’.

Reproduction in whole or in part without expressed permission of the publisher is prohibited.

inWICKLOW ©2010

CONTENTS 2 News and Events

Pg11

Wicklow’s Top Ten

Local news for local people

Pg6

6 Trick or Treat Everything you could ever need to create the perfect Halloween party, event or costume

Halloween

11 Wicklow’s Top Ten We’ve scoured the County to bring our readers our absolute favourite Wicklow eateries 18 Cooking with Catherine Recipes for October from Catherine Fulvio at Ballyknocken House

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Interiors Quirky pieces for your home that express your personality

Pg32

Sporting News

22 Take it to the Max

How to wear and accessorize the maxi dress to perfection!

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Fashion News Local fashion must-haves and bargains on your doorstep

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Local, Affordable, Luxury Get yourself an appointment for the ultimate in luxury treatments at Anna Schu

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Men Only Easy-to-create looks for the autumn / winter seasons

32 Sport in October

National and international sporting news and fixtures

44 Pretty as a Picture

If you’ve any spare time this bank holiday weekend – and the weather is wet! – why not try making some fab decorations that the kids will adore putting together

Pg26

Affordable Luxury inWICKLOW October 2010 1

s t n e v E yourtown

Footfalls’ Wicklow Walking Festival

The 2010 Footfalls’ Wicklow Walking Festival takes place over the Bank Holiday Weekend in October (Friday 22nd – Monday 25th). Co. Wicklow is renowned worldwide for its scenic beauty, offering a variety of walking challenges - from woodlands and rolling hills to wild craggy mountain climbs. Wicklow is home to the largest area of unbroken high raised ground in Ireland, covering almost the same area as that of Mont Blanc, approximately 2,000 square kilometres.

The Festival will be based in the Brockagh Resource Centre situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains on the road between the villages of Laragh and Glendalough. The weekend offers a selection of both day and night walks with varying degrees of difficulty. All walks are led by experienced walking leaders who will enhance the experience with information on local history flora and fauna.

Other features of the festival include a photography workshop, a Yoga walk, a céilí on the Saturday evening and traditional music and song at the end of each day in local pubs. Most of the walks will take you through the National Park. The Park covers approximately 90,000ha in the central uplands of Wicklow. The park manages and protects some of Europe’s oldest peat boglands, heather covered mountains, broad-leafed and coniferous woodlands. It also plays host to most of Ireland’s native mammal species; large herds of silka and red/silka hybrid deer, foxes, badgers, hares and birds of prey. For further information and booking information contact: Telephone: (0404) 45152, Email: info@walkinghikingireland.com..

Halloween Festival - Diamond Bowl Wicklow Halloween party games for kids, fancy dress and spooky cocktails for adults, pumpkins and monkeynuts, spot prizes and lots more are all on the menu at Diamond Bowl and Kidzone in Wicklow town this Halloween weekend. The Kids’ Halloween party on Sunday 31st October is perfect for the under 10s. Little witches and wizards, fairies and elves will take over Kidzone from 4-6pm. For just €7 a head the little ones can delight in traditional Halloween games, have full use of the Kidzone maze, enjoy nibbles and drinks and even get a party bag to take home. There will be plenty of spot prizes on the day, including a prize for the best costume.But as we know, Halloween is not just for kids and Diamond Bowl has a spectacular “Halloween Fancy Dress Bowl” planned for Friday 29th October for adults. The ghoulish bartender will greet all participants with a complimentary spooky cocktail on arrival. All participants then play two games of Halloweenthemed bowling with spot prizes throughout the evening for the best costume and the top players. The Halloween Bowl kicks off at 7.30pm sharp and costs just €10 per person. For further information and booking details visit www.wicklowbowl.ie, call 0404 65222 or email ellen@wicklowbowl.ie.

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Halloween in Ireland’s most haunted capital Wicklow is set to become the Halloween capital this Halloween with action centring around the famous haunted Wicklow Gaol.

Ghost hunters, national and international psychics, mediums and all with an interest in the paranormal are set to flock to Wicklow Gaol for Halloween Week. The programme of activity kicks off on the 22nd of October with a screening of the Paranormal Channel’s Ghost Hunters International investigation in the Gaol. Later that week the public can try and make contact with spirits past through “Ireland’s John Edwards” at the live “An Audience with Angie”. Both Friday and Saturday night will feature overnight paranormal investigations that will be led by qualified psychic mediums.

Much activity is expected over the Halloween weekend. For further details and booking information visit www.wicklowshistoricgaol. com, call 0404 61599 or email tara@wicklowshistoricgaol.com.

yourtown The Gin Mill, Arklow

The Gin Mill, main street in Arklow offers a host of live music on a weekly basis. Every Saturday night from 10pm until close there is a fresh new rock band playing and every Sunday from 7pm until 10pm there is also regular live music from bands and individuals.

Furthermore, Friday is Karaoke night in the Gin Mill where locals can take over the microphone and attempt to wow the crowds. On Thursdays there is also a gameshow evening where audiences can interact with the host and win prizes playing a variety of wellknown games including Deal or No Deal and Play Your Cards Right. For further information call 0402 39565.

The October Saturday-night schedule is as follows (all bands start at 10pm):

Live music in Wicklow The Leitrim Lounge, Wicklow town

The family-owned and run Leitrim Lounge in Wicklow town will be offering live music no fewer than three nights a week for the entire month of October. The mix includes traditional Irish folk music, country and western and ballads.

Proceedings kick off at 9:30pm on Monday and Saturday evenings and 6:30pm on Sundays. The Leitrim Lounge is located right on the seafront in the heart of the town.

Musicians are comprised of locals as well as guest acts.

To find out more see www.leitrimlounge.com/music or call 0404 67443.

Harbour Bar, Bray

Harbour Bar situated on the seafront in Bray offers traditional live Irish music every Thursday and Saturday evening from 10pm in the bar. Additionally, every Thursday evening from 10pm there is an open mic night in the lounge where visitors are welcome to impress the audience with their vocal and/or instrumental skills. Aside from the traditional music and open mic sessions, Harbour Bar also regularly has a full programme of live music and entertainment.

Performers include punk rock and jazz blues musicians as well as comedy performances. For further information call 01 286 2274. Here is the schedule for October: 8th October

Mighty Overdrive, 10pm

9th October

live music, 10pm

9th October

Feedback

16th October

Hush

23rd October

Flatline

30th October

Elevator

Hilltop Treks

Walking tours of Ireland The Wickow Mountains are the ideal location for spending a few hours walking and taking in all the fine scenery that “the garden of Ireland” has to offer. Enjoy walking in the Wicklow Mountains exploring some of it’s wonderful valleys, waterfalls and forest trails with Hilltop Treks

15th October Four in Hand, 10pm 16th October Stagefright, 10pm 22nd October The Cold 100, 10pm 23rd October Hardy Har Comedy Club, 9:30pm

tel: 087 7849599 email: info@hilltoptreks.ie

web: www.hilltoptreks.ie inWICKLOW

October 2010

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MermaidArtsCentre

n r a Y

f o l a v i t s e F s Bray’ g n o S & y r o St 0 ovember 201 11th – 22nd N

Legends, tales, stories, narratives and anecdotes, we all love to spin a good YARN. This November, Mermaid Arts Centre will present a brand new eleven day festival. YARN - Bray’s Festival of Story and Song, will celebrate songs and stories in all their forms theatre, opera, storytelling, music and children’s events. Hear tell of the story of Caruso and the great San Francisco earthquake, the shipwrecked Spanish Armada, a saga from the wonderful Flann O’Brien and top it all off with a performance by The Chieftains. Here are some highlights that you can look forward to!

OPERA THEATRE

Told Inside a Real Caravan

MUSIC

Caruso and the Quake

Step inside a real travelling caravan and transport yourself into a world of magical tale and twisted yarns from moon fairies to coconut crabs. Come sit in the Storytelling Caravan and be enthralled with twisted yarns and tall tales!

Cran

Thu 11th Nov @ 8pm €16/€14 Conc.

Beautiful storytelling and live opera singing combine to reveal the heart behind a legend. The famous tenor Caruso was trapped in the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. In order to return home to the family he loved, he had to escape his collapsing hotel room, cross a city swept by fire and fight his way past the military on to the only ferry out of town.

CHILDRENS Story Telling Caravan Fri 12th - Sat 13th Nov €2 Roll Up, Roll Up...Magical Stories

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MUSICAL THEATRE The Adventures of the Wet Senor A Benbo Production with live music from Kíla

Sun 14th Nov @ 8pm €16/€14 Conc.

Cran brings together celebrated singer and bouzouki player Seán Corcoran, the sublime flute of Desi Wilkinson and superb uilleann piper, Ronan Browne. Cran’s concert performances are a dazzling display of technical virtuosity combined with fun and humour, banter and stories.

Sat 13th Nov @ 8pm

THEATRE

€20/€18 Conc.

Slattery’s Sago Saga by Flann O’Brien and Arthur O’Riordan

The musical passion of Kíla live fuses with the incredible storytelling power of Donal O’Kelly to recreate this remarkable story. After a terrible storm in 1588, Captain Francisco De Cuellar of the Spanish Armada is washed ashore on Streedagh beach in Sligo. This is the true story of his incredible Irish Odyssey. Live music

by Kila, stunning visuals and a text in four languages combine to create this great untold story of European History.

The Performance Corporation Tue 16th & Wed 17th Nov @ 8pm €18/€16 Conc.

The sell-out comic hit of the summer returns in the shape of Slattery’s Sago Saga! Flann O’Brien’s comic masterpiece is brought roaring to life

by Arthur Riordan.

Hilarity and utter confusion abound in the shape of a politically-correct

MermaidArtsCentre

Leprechaun, a beautiful typist and a tycoon T.D. bent on bankrupting the country.

Part carnival and part surreal satire on modern Ireland, Slattery’s Sago Saga is another unforgettable theatrical adventure from The Performance Corporation.

and the courage to sing gloriously on or off-key. A fabulous family story beautifully told!

COMEDY Snatch Comedy Sat 20th Nov @ 8pm €16/€14 Conc.

THEATRE: CHILDREN The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly The Ark in association with Theatre Lovett Fri 19th 10am & 12pm Sat 20th Nov @ 11.30am

Here is a show where the audience are in control. Snatch Comedy perform an ImprovPlay inspired by the audience’s suggestions at the start of the evening - everything is made up on the spot.

Their famous improv show combines quick thinking, colourful characters and a sprinkling of the unexpected.

€10 Sometimes it takes a girl sized human to solve an adult sized problem.

Ingenious performer Louis Lovett leads the audience on an untamed adventure that crosses snowy lands and wild seas. As Peggy desperately tries to save the day, we learn about love, loss, the reassurance of goats,

MUSIC The Chieftains Sun 22nd Nov @ 8pm €55 Get up close and personal with six time Grammy winners, and legendary

performers The Chieftains. For over 40 years Paddy Maloney and The Chieftains have been bringing Traditional Irish music to the world’s attention. Now they are coming home for a special performance. Bringing a local twist to this performance is Wicklow’s very own Redmond O’Toole. Here is your chance to see a rare performance by the best known Irish band in the world, in the small and intimate surrounds of Mermaid’s 240 seat auditorium. This intimate space will fill up fast so early booking is definitely advised.

Tickets for the festival are available from Mermaid Arts Centre’s box office on 01 272 4030 or can be booked online at www.mermaidartscentre.ie Along with these headline acts there will be smaller performances at venues throughout Bray, including cafes, bars, libraries and more.

inWICKLOW

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Halloween

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is big business these days with most shops and department stores hosting a seasonal display from early September right up to the 31st. Get into the mood with some top tips for enjoying the most ghostly of celebrations!

Costumes, Great and Small Long gone are the days of mum making the costumes just in time for dad to drag a gang of kids round the streets, chanting ‘help the Halloween party’ to any neighbour game enough to answer their front door. Now, costumes are more often bought – and why not? With an average price of €10 for a child’s costume and €20 for an adult, you might as well take the headache out of the job and concentrate on enjoying the party.

Costumes are available to rent and buy all over Wicklow, try Party Tricks in Arklow for one of the widest selections on offer (www.partytricks.ie) With some of the funniest – and scariest – costumes around, you’ll be spoilt for choice. We’ve also seen some cool costumes for toddlers and babies from Tescos, and Marks & Spencer at Dundrum TC also have some excellent adult costumes. For that all important goodie bag, the Euro Saver shops have a huge range that will impress all ages.

Parties and Entertaining Sweets and novelties are big business these days with everything available from chocolate treats in the shape of eyeballs (!) to pumpkin piñatas that go down a treat when you’ve a bunch of kids to entertain. To create the absolutely best ghoulish party atmosphere pick up some cobweb bunting, a paper ghost or two, and some ceiling hanging howlers that will do just the trick in frightening the living daylights out of your guests! Scary door covers are also a great way of letting everyone know you’re hosting the party to beat all parties. Marks & Spencer have a huge selection of

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branded napkins and paper plates that the kids will really get a kick out of. However, there’s also really fun stuff to be found at most Euro Savers shops and Penneys, too. To really set the mood, line the windowsills in the front of the house with novelty tealights and turn down the main lights…and switch on Michael Jackson’s Thriller! We guarantee your guests - both young and old - will soon be up an dancing, or hiding behind the curtains!

Face Painting If you’re having a big event and really have a million and one things to remember then it might be a good idea to call in the professionals for the really stressful jobs. Face painters are a great way of keeping the kiddies entertained and if you pick a good one, they’ll be occupied for hours either getting their own faces painted, or watching who ever is next in line! Top tip however, when picking a face painter go for one with a bit of experience and can turn the job around in 5 or so minutes – it’s all well and good to have an ‘artist’ on the job but if they take too long, and the queue continues to grow – you’ll have a mutiny on your hands before long.

Check out www.facepaintingireland.com for more info.

Masks and Masquerades The mask will never go out of fashion! No matter how far out and extravagant costumes get, both adults and kids will always get a kick out of donning a mask and pretending they’re someone else. There’s some really good quality masks available to buy right now, check out Party Tricks in Arklow, Tescos and Marks & Spencers, and all the Euro Saver/Pound Shops you can find!

Halloween However, for masks that truly can’t be beaten, you’ve absolutely got to check out Stan and Tony’s in Wicklow Town. Quite possibly the most famous Halloween shop in Wicklow - if not in Ireland! - Stan and Tony’s now have everything imaginable in stock for Halloween 2010. Located across from Bank of Ireland in Wicklow Town, Stan and Tony’s have quite simply 100’s of costumes for you to browse through; costumes for babies, toddlers, kiddies and adults. They even have a costume or two for your pet pooch!

You can pick up the bloodiest, the scariest, the prettiest, the most horrifying masks - and all at Stan and Tony’s - don’t forget to tell them that we sent you!

Who Should You Be? Like the rest of us, are you stuck for ideas for dressing up? It can be difficult deciding in fairness, everyone wants to be unique, everyone wants to do

something ‘different’ and everyone wants to scare the living daylights out of their friends and family! How about Superman, Batman, Spiderman, any of the Disney princesses or characters, High School Musical (very popular, right now!), the characters from the much-loved Narnia books, witches and warlocks, Dracula, angels, devils, the infamous Stars Wars characters, pirates and skeletons....

Just for Grown-Ups Have you heard about the inflatable

suit craze yet?

Basically, you get into the suit and spend all night rolling around or having mock sumo wrestling fights with your best mates... great fun to be had for all! Stan and Tony’s have a wide range of inflatable fun suits that should guarantee you first prize at any Halloween party as well as nuns, priests, witches, ‘glamour’, cowgirl, pirates and costumes from every memorable era, right through from the 1950’s to the 1980’s.

You could be anyone from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna or Captain Jack Sparrow to Jack Charlton! Give it some thought, do you want to be drop dead gorgeous and unmistakably a siren, or do you

Stan & Tony’s, Main Street, Wicklow Town, Tel: 0404 61282

inWICKLOW October 2010 7

Halloween want to go for the original, ‘scare’ look? Costumes along the lines of the Scream franchise movies are always shockingly scary, no matter how many times you see one - you still jump out of your skin with the fright!

Jazz Up Your Look You might have the costume organised but as anyone worth their salt knows, it’s all in the accessories, dahling. Why not take a look through the extensive accessories section in Stan and Tony’s in order to find the absolute perfect match for your costume. With a range that includes wings and wigs, jewelry and hats, hair colours and make-up, you won’t be long finding exactly what you’re after. They also have a range of ball and chains (!), cloaks, brooms and scars and blood that could add that little special something....

No costume is complete without an accessory, think not just of fangs if you’re Dracula, but fangs dripping

Stan & Tony’s, Main Street, Wicklow Town

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blood, or the obligatory stake through your heart....don’t let your imagination let you down - make sure your costume stands out from all the others with the best accessories in town!

One Step Further Halloween parties are fast overtaking Christmas as the best time of year to hold a knock-out party. The idea is that you ‘dress’ the house from top to bottom, with creaky noises, cobwebs, coffins, jugs of ‘blood’...the list is endless!

If you’re going all-out on the household decorations or maybe you have a pub, club or restaurant to decorate for the spooky season, then take a look at the decorating range at Stan and Tony’s. Catering for both inside and outside the home or business, you’ll find lights, silhouettes, ceiling decorations, cobwebs and coffins, gel stickers, balloons of every type and description, candles, ghouls

Halloween and spooky CDs. We thoroughly recommend you consider investing in outdoor lights, they’ll make your home or business completely stand out from the crowd, they’ll light the way for the party revelers and they’ll be a talking point all night if your lights are skull, pumpkin or similarly shaped! They’ll also look truly amazing in the photos someone will hopefully take.

fantastic range of plastic, foil and paper plates, cups, cutlery, platters and glasses etc - if you’re planning a big do at home. They’ve also a fab selection of spooky sweets, snacks and drinks which should all make the party go with a bang!

You only have to step inside the magical world at Stan and Tony’s to see that they’ve the best range in town and they’re always the cheapest!

Tel: 0404 61282 (Laser and Credit Cards welcome)

Stan & Tony’s, Main Street, Wicklow Town

Stan and Tony’s also have a fab selection of spooky sweets, snacks and drinks; pretty much everything you’ll need to keep your ghostly guests munching all night. Why not consider individual party bags for the guests as they’re leaving? It might take a little extra effort but they’ll be worth it in the long run. For your party bags, add a couple of Halloween treats, a fake spider or two and maybe a little vial of ‘blood’....you’ll be guaranteed a party no one will forget in a hurry!

PS. Stan and Tony’s also have a

Stan & Tony’s, Main Street, Wicklow Town

inWICKLOW October 2010 9

Musteat

Calendar of Events this Festive Period..

Christmas Party Nights in The Glenview Suite & Woodlands Restaurant The Glenview Suite

“Back to the Future with your host’s Tommy Greene & Ryan O’ Neill” 27th November, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 17th, 18th December €49.00 per person to include 4 Course Dinner, Entertainment & Bar Extension

The Woodlands Restaurant

Phil and Pat are the Jazzy Dads - an entertaining swinging combo who create a unique new twist on jazz standards and classic pop tunes alike 4 Course dinner & entertainment €49.00 per person Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Friday 17th & Saturday 18th December Christmas Lunches in the Woodlands Restaurant throughout the month of December €27.00 per person for a 4 course menu

2 & 3 Day Christmas Residential Packages

€450.00 per person for 2 day package & €570.00 per person for 3 day package Christmas Day Lunch in Glenview Suite - €95.00 per adult, €45.00 per child. Sparkling wine & canape reception followed by a 5 course lunch.

New Years Eve 2 Day Residential Package

€199.00 per person sharing 2 nights Bed & Breakfast & Dinner in The Woodlands Restaurant on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Cocktail Ball in The Glenview Suite Pre dinner drinks & canape reception, 6 Course dinner & entertainment by Mile High. €85.00 per person.

New Years Eve in the Woodlands Restaurant Pre dinner drinks reception, 6 Course dinner & entertainment by 50 50 €65.00 per person

Private Suites available for parties up to 80 people throughout the month

Glenview Gift Vouchers, the ideal gift for all occasions The Glenview Hotel & Leisure Club, Glen of the Downs, Delgany, Co. Wicklow.

Phone 01 2873399 • Email sales@glenviewhotel.com Web www.glenviewhotel.com

Musteat

wicklow’s

must

Eat places This month we have a culinary treat for you as we bring you the best eateries that we believe county Wicklow has to offer. There is a fantastic gastronomic mix of Chinese, Mediterranean, modern and of course traditional Irish cooking styles. All of the restaurants featured make every effort to source as many of their ingredients as possible from local producers which reflects in the freshness, taste and quality of their dishes.

In each case we painstakingly visited each individual establishment and tried and tested their respective dishes down to the most minute of details in order to give you the official verdict. So sit back and enjoy some of the finest dining around the county!

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Musteat

roundwood inn roundwood

T

he iconic Roundwood Inn is situated right in the heart of Roundwood, one of the highest villages in Ireland. The unique building constructed in 1622 was originally a coaching inn and today has both spacious bar and restaurant areas. Jürgen and Áine Schwalm have owned and run the inn for over 30 years and pride themselves on their good value home-produced dishes.

There is a strong emphasis on seasonal food on the á la carte restaurant menu and, depending on the season, any of the following are available to experience: venison, pheasant, Hungarian goulash, lobster or oysters.

All produce is sourced in Ireland with the lamb and beef being bought locally in Terry Kavanagh Village Butchers in Roundwood village.

In addition to the restaurant there is also a full award-winning bar menu available to enjoy in the atmospheric seventeenth century pub that include a traditional log fire that is constantly on the go. The Roundwood Inn Pub is open seven days a week from 12pm to 8.45pm.

The main restaurant is open for dinner Friday and Saturday night from 7:30pm-9pm and the ever popular Sunday lunch from 1pm with traditional roast lamb and suckling pig dishes on the menu. All dishes are extremely popular with visitors but there is also a strong local trade that Jürgen and Áine are particularly proud of.

For further information and to book call 01 281 8107.

Vino Pasta Greystones

V

ino Pasta located on Church Road., Greystones has been offering the finest in Mediterranean cuisine for many years and when David and Jeffrey Behan took over the establishment just over four years ago they were delighted to be able to continue this fine tradition. The trademarks on the varied menu are the varied spectacular fresh fish specials of which there are generally 3-4.

All fish is sourced from either Dalkey Island or Dunmore East resulting in a strong local emphasis on these dishes. Depending on the season the fish selections can be anything from turbot, monkfish and salmon to lobster, brill and the especially popular pan-fried monkfish.

Vino Pasta offers an ‘early bird’ menu between 5pm and 7pm at weekends where two courses – including the fish special – are

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available for €17.95. The restaurant is open from 12pm for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday and from 5pm-10pm for dinner and is also open on Sunday between 12pm and 9pm where there is a full Sunday-lunch menu on offer.

In addition to the varied menu itself (which has been recommended

by Paul Tulio among others) Vino Pasta’s location is a strong selling point as it is situated right in the heart of the bustling town of Greystones. There is ample outdoor space where patrons can enjoy their dishes or drinks in the relaxing atmosphere outside should the weather be amenable. This, together with a strong local trade, helps to maintain Vino Pasta as one of the culinary gems of Greystones.

For further details and booking information visit www.vinopasta.ie or call 01 287 4807.

Musteat

McGills Irish Pub The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt

M

cGills Pub, located at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt is the perfect place to enjoy music, a fine selection of food and beverages and great Irish ‘craic’. This hospitable, authentic Irish Bar is furnished with pieces from some of the finest old hostelries in the country and plays host to regular live music sessions.

McGills serves classic Irish fare such as Kilmore Quay Seafood Chowder, Guinness Beef Pie and Beer Battered Fish & Chips along with a new Family-Style Dining Menu. Food is served all day. All major sporting events are shown on the large flat-screen TVs and regular live music by the Albaquirky Turkeys guarantees a fantastic atmosphere for all.

McGills is also the perfect stopover for groups and individuals who enjoy The Great Outdoors. Walkers or ramblers exploring the Wicklow Way or the other wonderful routes and trails surrounding Powerscourt can drop into the pub for a casual pint or a bite to eat.

The pub can be accessed directly from the hotel car park which enables visitors to take some time out with ease. McGills is also an ideal location for exclusive events such as Christmas parties, charity events or quiz nights and can become your own ‘Personal Pub’ for the night. The pub is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm and Thursday – Sunday from 2pm.

For more information please call 01 274 8888 www.ritzcarlton.com/powerscourt

The Meetings Pub & Restaurant Meeting of the Waters, Avoca

P

eter Moore has been running the Meetings Pub & Restaurant – set in the scenic backdrop of The famous Meeting of the Waters landmark in Avoca – for over twenty years. The establishment offers traditional homecooked meals to its patrons seven days a week.

Whatever the time of day if you are peckish you can be sure that you can go into The Meetings and be able to get something wholesome to eat.

Of the dishes on the menu the steak continues to be, by far, the most popular choice with both locals and tourists alike. All recipe ingredients are sourced locally with all fresh meat being purchased from Sinnott’s Butchers, located just a stone’s throw away in Rathdrum. The Meetings is open from 10:30am until 8:30pm for food Monday through to Saturday and from 12pm on Sunday. The restaurant building has been there for over 200 years and one can capture a sense of this history from just entering.

Coupled with the beautiful natural scenery, the pub and restaurant offer an excellent ambient atmosphere in which to enjoy a good traditional meal or drink, or both!

For further information visit www.themeetingsavoca.com or call 0402 35226.

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Musteat

il Lago Restaurant Blessington

L

ocated right on Blessington Lake is the picturesque il Lago Restaurant which forms part of the Avon Rí Resort. With a mix of Irish and European cuisine il Lago can cater for up to 95 people at any one time. Specialities include varied dishes such as the Avon Rí Seafood Chowder, the Honey Roast Duck and the Grilled Fillet of Seabass. Both restaurant manager Eric Walkericuz and the head chef Mark Kendrick pride themselves on providing diners with a simply executed gourmet experience based on the best of ingredients (sourced in Wicklow and throughout Ireland). Indeed, il Lago is directed by a very talented team of chefs who have gained a wealth of culinary knowledge and experience from various hotels and restaurants across Europe.

The setting of the restaurant is stylish yet relaxed, with large floor-toceiling windows looking out onto Blessington Lake and the Wicklow Countryside, and a classical Mediterranean decor. Avon Rí is open Thursday – Saturday from 6pm-9:30pm and from 12pm-6pm on Sunday.

The accompanying Library Bar opens from 8am-11am for breakfast daily and operates a full bar menu until 9pm. Thursday and Friday current special offers include: three-course choice dinner menu plus bottle of wine, €60.00 for two people; Friday, three-course choice dinner menu plus bottle of wine €70.00 for two persons.

For further information visit www.avonri.com Tel: 045 900 670

pizzas ‘n’ cream albert walk, bray

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ocated on Albert Walk, Bray – less than a minute’s stroll from Bray dart station – is Pizzas ‘n’ Cream, a cosy familystyle restaurant that has become easily recognisable as an integral part of the urban landscape in Bray. Opened in 1986, the establishment is run by its three directors; Andy Holman, Ann Nolan and Mary Nolan. They have been successfully operating the business for the best part of a quarter of a century. Pizzas ‘n’ Cream offer the best pizzas in town, which are all homemade from scratch, and definitely worth waiting for! They can be ordered directly from the menu or, if desired, pizzas can also be made to order. Also featured on the menu are savoury and dessert crepes as well as a delectable range of ice creams, which prove popular with customers young and old!

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In addition to the eat-in menu, Pizzas ‘n’ Cream also offers a full take-away and delivery service for customers. The delivery service runs from 5pm-10pm daily. The restaurant itself is open seven days a week from 12pm till late. There’s a really good special offer for customers between 12pm-4pm, Monday – Friday, where you can avail of a 30% discount. The owners also have a second Pizzas ‘n’ Cream restaurant in the Eden Gate Centre, Delgany, that’s proving just as popular as the restaurant in Bray. It is open six days a week (closed on Mondays – except Bank Holidays). Both restaurants are popular with locals and tourists alike and when the sun is shining there’s always a high demand for a homemade icecream from the delicious Pizzas ‘n’ Cream menu!

Pizzas ‘n’ Cream Bray 01 2861606. Eden Gate, Delgany: 01 287 8276

Musteat

Campo de Fiori, Bray

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ampo de Fiori is a traditional Italian restaurant located right near the seafront on Albert Avenue in Bray town. Of the dishes on the varied menu the Spaghetti Mareviglia is particularly popular with the majority of the ingredients for the dishes being sourced locally. The fish, much of the fresh meat and vegetables are all bought from within a tight radius around County Wicklow. Of course, all authentic ingredients (Italian cheeses and meats) are sourced directly from Italy.

Campo de Fiori was opened in the summer of 2004 by Marco Roccasalvo who is originally from Rome. Marco is also the head chef at the restaurant and relies heavily on his Italian culinary heritage for

inspiration with regard to the dishes. The establishment is open from 5pm – Late during the week and from 12pm at weekends for lunch.

In addition, customers can avail of a special lunch menu on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, where between 12pm and 5pm a starter, main course and coffee can be ordered for just €15.

The restaurant can cater for up to fifty patrons at any one time and attracts many ‘local tourists’ from surrounding towns, particularly in fine weather. Campo de Fiori’s excellence has also been recognised professionally as it was recently announced as the ‘Best Restaurant in Ireland 2010’ by the readers of Food and Wine magazine.

For further detail and booking information call 01 276 4257.

pebbles café GREYSTONES

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e’re delighted to see that the newly opened Pebbles Café in the coastal town of Greystones already appears to have a loyal following. Everything is cooked onsite, from the freshly baked hams and turkeys to an array of salads and our own breads.

Pebbles has a cosmopolitan and elegant vibe to it, painted in beautiful green hues with wooden tables. “Breakfast is already drawing a crowd,” Gaye tells me, “and while the full Irish will always be a big hit, French toast and homemade pancakes are also proving to be really popular.” Probably due to the relaxed vibe inside, the café is also getting busy with the weekend brunch crowd, and for coffee and cake, mid mornings.

There’s a full patisserie range at Pebbles, with homemade scones and French macaroons to name just two. As well as the waited service inside, there is a full deli selection available. Pretty much anyone who visits Pebbles to eat comes away with some keenly priced jams and chutneys, cold meats, salads or bakery goods.

Pebbles has a great team of staff and offers an extensive retail section for the holiday season, with handmade cakes, puddings and mince pies. Christmas cakes can now be ordered, and there are diabetic and gluten free options, too. With a terrace and wine menu planned for the near future, we’ve no doubt that Pebbles is going to be a huge success for Wicklow.

Tel: 01 2016594

inWICKLOW

October 2010

15

Musteat

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he Royal Park Chinese Restaurant has been operating on Church Road in Greystones for eighteen years. The owners are strongly versed in the culinary arts and this has a massive influence on the nature of the dishes produced and hints of Hong Kong and Cantonese styles can be experienced in many of the traditional recipes. Most of the dishes on the menu are age-old homemade recipes with the Royal Park’s own unique Crispy Duck and Steamed Fish proving to be particularly popular choices. Interestingly, when ordering you will be guided through the menu by your waiter in order to ensure that you find the dish that is right for you!

Royal Park Greystones

The Royal Park is open from 5pm-11:30pm Monday – Thursday and until 12:30am on Fridays. In addition, the restaurant is open for Sunday lunch from 12:30pm and remains open until 11:30pm.

Current special offers include €21.50 for four courses before 9pm between Sunday and Thursday, before 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday. On top of that a two-course meal for two including a bottle of house wine is available for €60. The Royal Park is also looking to the future and will be opening a brand new cocktail bar in the restaurant from November next with a huge variety available to order.

For further information: 01 287 4041/67.

LYNHAMS of LARAGH

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estled in the heart of Wicklow Mountain National Park, in the pictureseque village of Laragh, Lynhams of Laragh draws crowds from far and near by its tempting traditional Irish menu and friendly, attentive staff. Located only 1km from the 6th century Monastic city of Glendalough, Lynham’s is the ideal location for exploring the most attractive of Ireland’s National Parks. Why not consider taking in the rolling hills and forests in the Park before making your way back to Lynhams for some very special, home-cooked food?

Lynhams is a family owned business and has been around for 31 years; with the entire family involved in the business in one way or another, there’s a level of professionalism at Lynhams that isn’t found too often.

From the full and varied menu we can personally recommend Chef Biddy’s Own Guinness Beef Stew – although there’s also a great selection of beef and chicken burgers, along with vegetarian options and pastas.

The starters are really impressive, with Wild Wicklow Venison Sausage proving a hit with practically everyone, as well as a fine selection of soups including tomato and basil, vegetable and potato and leek. There’s also garlic mushrooms and Atlantic smoked salmon to be found on the starter menu as well as a mouth-watering selection of desserts, so there really is something to suit all tastes.

Lynhams ofter a carvery menu 7 days, from 12pm-3pm on MondayFriday and 12pm-6pm, Saturdays and Sundays. There’s also a snack menu from 3pm-6pm and the evening bar menu starts at 6pm. With mid-week drink specials and a live band in the bar every Saturday night, it isn’t difficult to understand why Lynhams is worthy of an extra special mention. Tel: 0404 45345

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October 2010

0404 62222

Wicklow (Beside the Post Office)

ia n a M i n o z iz M n e e w o l l Super Ha Special Offer 1 BUY ANY €12 9.5’ PIZZA WITH 2 TOPPINGS, CHICKEN DIPPERS & GARLIC BREAD

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ballyknockenhouse

flavours of

Wicklow The art of turning local produce into fine international dining

A word from catherine

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hese two recipes are from my new book (Catherine’s Italian Kitchen) which is out in all bookshops at the moment to coincide with the series on RTE on Friday evenings, Catherine’s Roman Holiday. There was such a buzz at our cookery school here in Glenealy while we were filming in March and April. The entire kitchen was filled with lights, cameramen, cabling and of course food.

The recipes here are specially selected to fit the season.

As winter is now approaching, ultimate, warming foods are top of our lists. There are some essentials elements that are very important for any winter – like walking on a path of fallen leaves, a picnic thermos filled with a delicious soup or hot chocolate, an evening with good friends around a log fire sipping port!

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October 2010

ballyknockenhouse Meatballs in Spicy Tomato Sauce

For the spicy tomato sauce:

Traditionally, meatballs are not served with pasta but it works so well and has become really popular with families. To prevent the meat from sticking to your fingers when forming the balls, dip your hands into a bowl of cold water.

> 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Serves 6

> 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

For the meatballs:

> 175ml vegetable stock

> 50g fresh breadcrumbs

> 500g canned chopped tomatoes

> 1 onion, finely chopped

> 2 tbsp tomato purée

> 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

> Salt and freshly ground black pepper

> 225g minced pork

> Freshly grated parmesan, to serve

> 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped > 1 onion, finely chopped

> 225g lean minced beef > 1 tsp dried oregano > 1 tsp salt > ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper > 1 egg, beaten > Extra virgin olive oil

Tuscan Bean Soup with Toasted Garlic The Tuscans are famous for their wholesome, rustic soups and this is a great family one pot dish which will bring comfort and an easy meal solution. If you are using dried beans, eg, cannellini, borlotti or pinto or a mix of each, use ½ the quantity required in the recipe. You could even add shredded kale to this soup.

Serves 4–6 For the Tuscan bean soup: > Extra virgin olive oil

1. To make the meatballs, first toast the breadcrumbs on a baking tray in the oven at 180°C for 5–7 minutes, until golden. Allow to cool slightly.

2. Mix the chopped onion and garlic with the pork and beef.

Add the breadcrumbs, oregano, salt and pepper to the pork and beef mixture and mix well. Add in the egg and mix thoroughly and roll the mixture into small balls.

3. Heat some oil in a frying pan and add in the meatballs.

Fry for approximately 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove from the heat and set aside.

4. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the chilli and onion and cook on a low heat for 7–10 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, stock, tomatoes, tomato purée, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add the meatballs to the sauce and leave to simmer for 10 minutes to heat through.

5. Serve with your favourite pasta and sprinkle grated parmesan on top.

> 1 onion, finely chopped > 1 celery stalk, finely diced > 1 carrot, finely diced > 100g smoked pancetta, diced > 2 sprigs of rosemary > 1 tbsp tomato purée > 1 x 400g can mixed Italian beans or beans of your choice, drained and rinsed > 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes > 1 litre chicken stock > 75g macaroni > 30g freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve > Crusty bread, to serve For the toasted garlic: > 6 garlic cloves, sliced > Extra virgin olive oil

1. Heat some olive oil in a heavy-based pan. Add in the onion, celery, carrots and pancetta and cook for 10 minutes over a moderate heat. Add in the rosemary, tomato purée, beans, tomatoes and stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and leave to simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, place the garlic slices on a well-greased baking tray. Brush the garlic with olive oil and roast for 10 minutes, until golden brown.

3. Remove the rosemary sprigs from the soup and discard.

Bring the soup back to the boil and add in the pasta.

Allow to cook for 15 minutes, uncovered, or until the pasta is cooked. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the parmesan and season.

4. Ladle the soup into bowls. Place roasted garlic slices on top and garnish with grated parmesan. Serve with crusty bread.

Ballyknocken House & Cookery School Glenealy, Co Wicklow Tel: 0404 44627 www.ballyknocken.com

inWICKLOW

October 2010

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Interiors

A Touch of

1

Style

2

Oftentimes you can change the entire look of a room by adding just one piece that is both close to your heart and reflects your personality.

1. Storage boxes are fantastic for storing anything from photos to bits and pieces around the house.

These ones from TK Maxx at Bridgewater Shopping Centre come in small, (€19.99) medium, (€24.99) and large. (€39.99)

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3

5

2. You’ll never be late with a clock as bright as this.

From Next at Bridgewater Shopping centre. (€24) 3. Impress your guests over coffee and petit fours with this pewter cake stand (€59) from Monsoon at Dundrum Town Centre and Newbridge.

4. Rose flower cushion (€7) from Heatons at Meridian Point Shopping Centre.

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5. This multicoloured plate (€3.50) from Marks & Spencer at Dundrum Town Centre should brighten up any dinner party.

6. Add a quirky touch to your bedside table while saving the pennies at the same time! Bunny money box (€20) from Accessorize at Dundrum Town Centre and Newbridge.

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7. For pet lovers only! This metal sculpture (€13) is a steal from Next at Bridgewater Shopping Centre.

8. The Reactive Swirl (€47.50) from Marks & Spencer at Dundrum Town Centre would look fab on the hearth.

9. Add some chic to your bathroom with this ceramic lotion dispension (€4) from Heatons at Meridian Point Shopping Centre.

10. Treasure your photographic memories in this frame (€17) from Monsoon at Dundrum Town Centre and Newbridge.

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inWICKLOW

October 2010

Kilcroney Furniture extends showrooms

With Fabulous NeW Gautier store

our YearlY MarQuee sale stArtinG 16th october – up to 70% oFF selected items Kilcroney is open monday to saturday 10 am to 5pm & sundays 2pm - 5pm just off the n11, so why not pop by for a browse, or call Kilcroney on 01 282 9361.

fashionfix jewelry by Erickson Beamon and ivory maxi (€741) by Anoushka G, all from House of Fraser, Dundrum Town Centre

Take it to the

Max

The maxi dress is the perfect solution to the Irish summer, you’ll look good when the sun decides to shine yet not out of place if caught in the inevitable shower! It’s important to get the maxi dress right however, don’t wear it with flip flops (unless you’re 5.8” or more) and try team it with accessories that will balance the overall look you’re aiming for. Chunky necklaces or chandelier earrings all work well with the maxi dress. It’s a pretty versatile buy, you can dress down for summer evening drinks or equally, it wouldn’t look out of place at the races.

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July 20102010 October

fashionfix

Blue/grey mix (€75) from Oasis at Frill trim maxi (€54) from River Island at Bridgewater SC

and celtic green (€30)

from asos.com

Bridgewater SC

Macrami maxi dress (€40) from River Island and detailed chunky cut necklace from Oasis,both at Bridgewater SC

and silver tassel (€42) by Robert Rose at House of Fraser, Dundrum TC

Deep pink (€125) Floral maxi (€61) from Next and purple chiffon ribbon with pearls (€15) from New Look, both at Bridgewater SC

TEERED MAXI (€29) from tk maxx at Bridgewater SC

and flower chain (€43) from freedom by top shop at blackrock sc, dublin

from Oasis at Bridgewater SC

and Tutankhamen in pink (€24.90) from Accessorize at WhiteWater Shopping Centre and Dundrum TC

Floral print maxi (€39.99) from TK Maxx

and jeweled lace (€25) from Next, both at Bridgewater SC

The Cassie maxi (€205) and the Maxine necklace (€70) both from Coast at Bridgewater SC

racer back printed (€41) from next

and victoria necklace (€40) from river island, both at bridgewater sc

inWICKLOW

October 2010

23

fashionfix COAT (BANDOLERA) E376 HAT (creola) E41 TROUSERS E108 from Komoda, Main Street, Wicklow Town

DRESS (BANDOLERA) E119 LEGGINGS E41 CAMI E36 from Komoda, Main Street, Wicklow Town

TROUSERS (BANDOLERA) E133 3/4 Length top E125 CArdigan E133 from Komoda, Main Street, Wicklow Town

Autumn Arrives at A|wear in Arklow Get set for a season influenced by the swinging 60’s at A|wear if their new Autumn collection is anything to go by. Top of your shopping list should be the must-have camel coat, whether you go for a simple mac, an oversized cape or the all important duffle coat. Team it up with deep indigo skinny jeans and a leopard print pussy bow blouse to bring it to life. Leopard print makes a big appearance this autumn and is available in both a cropped style with faux fur trim or the swinging 60’s shift shape.

Add a dash of leopard print to anything to ensure absolute seasonal definition. The A|wear duffle is a bargain at just €50.

Chunky oversized alpine knit cardigans step up this season providing a welcome fashionable alternative to coats. Available in shades of grey, black and winter white, belted to add definition, they can be worn with absolutely everything and anything this autumn. www.awear.ie

The Latest Looks at Myrtle’s

Located on the Main Street in Bray, Myrtle’s is a small boutique which stocks the very latest in high fashion and accessories. Much of the stock comes from France and Denmark and is updated on a twice-weekly basis – which means there’s always something new to be found at Myrtle’s. Only small quantities are ordered of each piece so it’s actually possible to pick up something that will be ‘uniquely yours’ – fantastic if you’re looking for something special.

We love the latest autumn looks at Myrtle’s; (pictured l-r) black and grey dress (€69.99) and necklace (€25), long-sleeved multi-coloured dress (€45) and chunky loveheart necklace (€25), and purple-swirl dress (€69.99) and necklace (€25). www.myrtlesboutique.com

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October 2010

fashionfix

New SeasonNews from Dundrum Dundrum Town Centre recently presented its preview for the new season which included looks from Karen Millen to LK Bennet, Accessorize to Awear, from Penneys to Du Pareil au Meme, and from House of Fraser to Harvey Nichols. There’s everything from the perfect minimalist coat to a heavily embellished velvet evening dress. For those in need of a colour pop red is the colour of the season with shades from crimson and scarlet to coral and burgundy.

Lace continues on from summer but with a fresh emphasis on feminine pieces. Shown here is jumper (€25.95), cape (€99.95) and jeans (€49.95), all from Zara, and dress (€120) from Coast, necklace (€120) from LK Bennett and shoes (€79.95) from Zara. red & black pumps (Gabor) E89.90, BAG (PIA ROSSINI) E45, OSTRICH FEATHER E35 LEATHER GLOVES (PIA ROSSINI) E39.95 from Footloose, Main Street, Wicklow Town

The Ring Stacking Sensation!

Spinning Jewelry has arrived in Ireland and women are beating a path to their local jewelers so they too can wear multiple stacking rings on their fingers to perfectly capture their personality. The rings come in sterling silver and 9 carat gold and use semi precious stones.

Much as charm bracelets are added to, spinning jewelry rings can be bought individually to get the look each wearer is aiming for, meaning no two looks are the same. The sterling silver rings are priced from €19-€49 and the 9 carat gold rings from €89-€149.

The rings are available from a number of wellknown jewelers nationwide including Tempo at Dundrum Town Centre, O’Connor Jewelers in Dun Laoghaire, Anne Harris, Main Street, Wicklow, Concepts in Greystones and Crock of Gold Studio in Arklow.

lycra & leather black boots (left) BY KMB E205 BLACK SUEDE BOOTS (RIGHT)

BY KMB E170 from Footloose, Main Street, Wicklow Town

The Anita Ultimate

Sports Bra is available up to a H cup from Dee’s Lingerie Boutique, Arklow, www.deeslingerie.ie Tel. 0402 24279

The Fantasie Kara

from the autumn/winter range is available in white, ivory, black and mocha from Dee’s Lingerie Boutique, Arklow, www.deeslingerie.ie Tel. 0402 24279

The Fantastie Belle

gives a perfect fit and is available up to a JJ cup from Dee’s Lingerie Boutique, Arklow, www.deeslingerie.ie Tel. 0402 24279

inWICKLOW

October 2010

25

localnews health&beauty

LOCAL AFFORDABLE

Luxury

Walking into Anna Schu’s International Nail Lounge and Massage Suite – newly opened behind Bray’s Town Hall – is like walking into another world. The salon’s energy speaks volumes; this is a place you’ll want to visit regularly, not only to de-stress from life’s every day worries, but to unwind, relax, and immerse oneself in the hands of the extremely professional therapists.

E

nthusiastic, new businesswoman and salon owner, Anna Schulmeistrat is the perfect advertisement for her growing venture. The lady herself is blonde and beautiful, with startlingly green eyes that become very animated when she talks about her new salon.

“I didn’t want to open just any salon,” Anna told In Wicklow magazine one dark Thursday evening in late September last. “I’ve lived in California and also travelled the world as part of the Emirates Airlines team and stayed in some of the most luxurious hotels there are. I’ve always made it my business to visit the high-end spas in these luxury hotels, mentally noting what impressed me, what didn’t and what might possibly work back home in Ireland.

It’s always been a dream of mine to eventually come home – which I did, about 2 years ago - and possibly open up a space that had those extra special touches and impressions from some of the most expensive and luxurious spas in the world. A place that would be unparalleled in Ireland.”

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May 2010 October 2010

health&beauty Originally from Kilcoole, Anna has picked an excellent spot for her new business. The salon is located just behind the Town Hall on Bray’s Main Street. She surely must be getting tons of business from passers-by alone?

“Absolutely,” says Anna, “in fact, I’ve done no marketing so far. Word of mouth seems to be working very well for us, my appointments book is flying and if we can continue this way I’ll be delighted!” “I feel that Bray is often forgotten as a town, when in fact, it’s a beautiful, picturesque place right beside the sea – and it’s a thriving town, which means good business to someone like me.”

Anna Schu is most certainly the first of its kind in Bray, in fact, being a bit of a salon junkie personally, I can vouch for the fact that I haven’t been anywhere like Anna’s – at all, in Ireland.

The main space is backlit and cosy with the reception area in the centre.

The building is new and therefore the treatment areas are cleverly laid out, there’s plenty of space to relax and unwind. There are three luxury mani/ pedi-stations in the main space, where customers can chose from a keenly priced menu; the classic pedi is just €35.

I opted for the Footlogix Wellness Pedi (€50) which is to die for; my tired feet were immersed in a soothing, massaging water whirlpool for seven minutes, before they were treated to the Footlogix Dermal Integration Technogolgy, which is only available at Anna Schu in Bray.

The Footlogix range was set up by a doctor and chiropodist in Canada who created a range of treatments that work with your skin, allowing it to function while providing deep, moisturising nourishment to give you happy, healthy feet. The mani/pedi-chairs offer the very best in massage therapy and can be controlled completely by the customer, catering for the lower or upper back,

sending therapeutic ripples up the spine while the therapist gets to work on your feet.

I totally fell in love with the kiddie station, which is surely every little girl’s dream. I can hazard a fair guess that Anna will be booked out pretty quickly with Mums and mini-mums enjoying treatments together. With a kiddie menu that includes treatments such as Twinkle Toes, Rainbow Nails, Rock & Roll and I’m A Princess, this is sure to be a big hit!

Anna tried and tested many products before deciding on Ren Skincare, which boosts the skin’s natural ability to protect, repair and renew itself, leaving skin beautifully healthy and radiant.

There’s a full list of body treatments, from massage and serious pampering to a specific list of extra-special treatments that cater for mums to be; which offer nurturing, muscle-easing and leglightening treatments. A voucher for something from the Mama menu must surely be high up on someone’s gift list this Christmas…

The treatment room itself is one of the loveliest I’ve ever been in, with plenty of room for the therapist to move around and for my bag and coat to be stored away. I was lucky enough to be offered

the Ren Moroccon Rose Otto Body Glow (€120) – which was quite possibly the loveliest hour of my life! The extremely talented therapist gave me a full body exfoliation leaving my skin silky smooth and ultra nourished. This was followed by a full body massage using the exclusive Moroccon Rose Otto bath oil, body oil and body cream.

When the therapist realised I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders and neck muscles, she insisted on giving me an additional, deep tissue massage along with an Indian head massage. One word: heaven.

Afterwards, I sat down with Anna to drink a refreshing cup of harmonising herbal tea from the Pukka range, and I asked – jokingly – what Anna’s future plans were, was she stopping at Bray?

“Oh no,” she answered enthusiastically, “Bray is only the first part of my plan.

I’d love to do something in Cork, and possibly Galway. And California, most definitely California!” I didn’t doubt her for a moment.

www.annaschu.ie Tel: 01 282 8422 6 Market Court, Town Hall, Bray inWICKLOW

October 2010

27

health&beauty

Weight loss

How to

Now that Christmas – and the dreaded partydress season is fast approaching – it’s time to get a plan of action together for slimming down, toning up and achieving the look you know is best for you. Here’s our Top Five Tips for losing weight - and keeping it off this party season.

1. Substitute Foods Instead of eliminating favourite foods - which fills most of us with dread - try substituting them for reduced fat brands.

If you find yourself hungry between meals then try out some healthy ‘snacking’ alternatives; nuts, sunflower seeds, cherry tomatoes and fruit are all a great energy booster.

2. Never Crash Diet We all know this makes sense, so why do we do it? When you lose weight too quickly you’re actually only losing carbohydrates, not fat. Your body therefore thinks it’s starving and in turn reduces its metabolic rate, which makes it harder to burn calories.

3. Know When You’re Full Eat slowly, and chew each morsel of food individually.

Remember that it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to realise that your tummy is full, so if you still feel hungry, give your brain time to catch up. You should never feel so full you could ‘explode’. The simple answer is to stop when you’re satisified.

4. Moderate Exercise The best diet in the world won’t work if you’re not exercising at the same time. Our bodies need a minimum of 30 minutes exercise every day, in this way our exercise regime becomes a habit and part of the daily routine. Before long, you’ll find you can’t live without it! Get your runners on and start pounding the pavement, you’ll feel brighter and better afterwards, we promise. PS. Don’t forget to warm up and down with some simple stretching exercises before and after.

5. Watch What You Drink Firstly, drink tons of water – it’s beneficial for your skin also - and switch to skimmed milk. Banish soft drinks from your diet entirely, cutting soda from your diet can save an average of 360 calories or more, per day. At night-time, it’s always a clever idea to try and reduce alcohol consumption by drinking water between each alcoholic drink. When selecting your tipple, consider a mini bottle of white wine which can be topped up with sparkling water throughout the evening.

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October 2010

Weight Loss Challenges in Greystones and Wicklow achieving great success The Weight Loss Challenge is run as a 12 week programme in which participants enjoy a fun hour in a relaxed atmosphere where they are supported in reaching their weight-loss goals. Participants are each given a personalised programme to follow by their own coach who helps to motivate them to achieve these goals. Each week everyone is weighed and a talk is given on different aspects of healthy nutrition, which helps the participants to reach their targets and to maintain their new shape for the long term! For those who achieve their weekly goals a raffle is held with a prize for the winner.

The cost for the 12 weeks is only €55 with fees going towards cash prizes which are paid to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd “biggest losers” in each challenge. In previous challenges over €800 has been awarded in prizes!

The challenges have been running for over a year in both Wicklow and Greystones and have achieved fantastic results. In the last Challenge participants lost over 34 stone in total and have felt more energised, more positive and more confident.

One of the winners, Helen, who lost 2 and ½ stone in 12 weeks said “I found the girls gave me great encouragement to keep going. I am so pleased with my outlook on life now”. Grace, another winner who lost over 2 stone said “I’m so thrilled that I can fit into my forgotten skinny jeans again. I never thought I’d be able to say that!”

Current challenges are running in Shoreline Greystones on Mondays at 10.30am and on Tuesdays at 7.45pm, and in Kidzone, Wicklow on Mondays at 7.30pm and Tuesdays at 10.30am and new members are always welcome.

For further details or to register for a class please contact Margaret on 086 1258506.

What Do You Have To Lose?

COMMUNITY WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE Jump Start your weight loss... and your life!

Join the 12 Week challenge today!

BE THE BIGGEST LOSER AND WIN €300!

2nd Prize: €200, 3rd Prize: €100* • Weekly weighing - measure and watch yourself shrink!

Over OST • Coaching - so you’re never EL T S 34 OrN on your own. ious v e p in • Accelerate your success ges n e ll cha with a healthy diet!

• Your own personal consultant • Free weekly raffles

*Prizes based on 30 participants - Classes limited - Call Now!

Wicklow and Greystones- Morning and Evening classes COMMENCING WEEK OF Only €55 for full 12 weeks!

SEPT 6TH Call Ciara 087 2358388 or Call Margaret 086 1258506

bookreviews Our book reviews are supplied by Bridge Street Books, an independently owned, family run bookshop in the heart of Wicklow Town.

Teen When I was Joe

Recommends Fiction Book of the Month Room Emma Donoghue

Keren David

When Ty witnesses a stabbing, his own life is in danger from the criminals he’s named, and he and his mum have to go into police protection. Ty has a new name, a new look and a cool new image. Life as Joe is good, especially when he gets talent spotted as a potential athletics star, special training from an attractive local celebrity and a lot of female attention. But his mum can’t cope with her new life, and the gangsters will stop at nothing to flush them from hiding.

This wonderfully gripping and intelligent novel depicts Ty/Joe’s confused sense of identity in a moving and funny story. The follow-on, ‘Almost there’ is out now.

Young Sherlock Holmes – Death Cloud Andrew Lane

When 14-year-old Sherlock It’s Jack’s birthday, and he’s excited is sent to stay with his about turning five. Jack lives Book k eccentric uncle and aunt o with his Ma in Room, which has ub bo l c in their big house in a locked door and a skylight, e h t f Hampshire, a summer o and measures 11 feet by 11 h begins that leads t n Mo feet. He loves watching TV, and ) Sherlock to uncover his 2 -1 the cartoon characters he calls (age 9 first murder, a kidnap and friends, but he knows that nothing a brilliantly sinister villain. he sees on screen is truly real - only Sherlock, along with his tutor him, Ma and the things in Room are Amycus Crowe and friends Natty and real. Until the day that Ma admits that Virginia, must uncover the mystery of the pustule-covered body found in the grounds there’s a world outside.

Told in Jack’s voice, Room is the story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

Unsentimental and sometimes funny, devastating yet uplifting, Room is a novel like no other. Emma Donoghue’s writing is superb, changing innocence into horror and horror into tenderness.

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, we’re hoping this brilliant book wins.

of his uncle’s estate, before it’s too late.

With plenty of gore; clever detective work; fast paced scenes and brilliantly interesting characters, this is a fantastic book for all children who love detective stories.

Children’s Picture book Hugless Douglas

David Melling

Douglas is a brown, huggable, lovable bear, and he wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He goes to try and find one, but none of them seem quite right.

A sweet and funny book that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Our book reviews are kindly supplied by Bridge Street Books, of Wicklow Town. www.bridgestreetbooks.ie We hope you like our selection of books this month – please check out our website for more details of books we have read and enjoyed – for young and old alike. www.bridgestreetbooks.ie inWICKLOW

October 2010

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localnews fashionfix

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Men

Only Most men will agree they aren’t keen on shopping, certainly not to the extent where they’ll gather a bunch of them together and spend an entire Saturday afternoon, wandering from shop to shop, trying on various combinations.

However, most men like to look good.

Here’s some handy hints on keeping them up to date.

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From the autumn / winter range at River Island, available from Bridgewater Shopping Centre

May 2010 October 2010

localnews fashionfix Quilted jacket (074)

from Next at Bridgewater Shopping Centre

Trousers (€17.50)

from the F&F range at Tesco nationwide

Chunky knit cardigan (€80)

Red Herring jeans (€39)

from Marks & Spencer at Dundrum Town

from Debenhams at Dundrum Town Centre

Multi buckle boots (€70) from Next at Bridgewater Shopping Centre

V-NECK CARDIGAN (€19.99) from TK Maxx at

Bridgewater Shopping Centre

F&F belt (€8.50) Tan leather man bag (€135) from Marks & Spencer at Dundrum Town

from Tesco nationwide

Watch (€47) from Next at Bridgewater Shopping Centre

inWICKLOW inWICKLOW October May 2010 2010 31

wicklowsport

OCTOBER

SPORT

This month is a particularly busy one in the football world. The English Premier League is in full flow, European competitions have kicked off with the Champions League and Europa League competitions having commenced and the All-Ireland Premier Division coming to a head. This is not to mention Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign that continues with two vital matches against Russia and Slovakia. Elsewhere on the sporting scene in October Ireland hosts the 2010 World Grand Prix Darts and in Rugby Union the Irish provinces embark on their respective Heineken Cup challenges.

European Football – Champions League The latest renewal of the UEFA Champions League kicked off in the middle of September and this year’s competition promises to be an intriguing one for a variety of reasons.

The defending champions are Inter Milan, who were mightily impressive on their way to success last season under then manager José Mourinho. Mourinho’s tactical guile allowed Inter to overcome the clear favourites for the 2009 competition, Barcelona, in a nail-biting two-legged semi-final before going on to defeat Bayern Munich in the final. However, Inter Milan are without ‘the Special One’ this time around as Mourinho left the Italian League champions in favour of a move to the Santiago Bernabéu to manage Real Madrid. Mourinho’s career in Spain though has gotten off to a stuttering start with very few goals and far too many draws for the Madrid faithful, so pressure to succeed on the European stage will be particularly important. Meanwhile, Mourinho’s replacement at Inter Milan is ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who will have a lot to live up to owing to his predecessor’s success.

An important side note to consider though is that Benitez is himself a cup specialist; he won the UEFA Cup with Valencia in 2004, before capturing the Champions League trophy with Liverpool a year later.

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur are getting their first taste of Champions League football this season. Having come through a ridiculous qualifier against Young Boys of Bern, where they were 3-0 down inside the first half hour of the tie, they have been placed in the considerably tough Group A along with aforementioned Inter Milan, German side Werder Bremen and FC Twente from The Netherlands.

Spurs showed their inexperience in their opening match as they threw away a two-goal lead away to Werder Bremen

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and drawing the match 2-2. They do, however, remain a side with much potential.

The other British sides in the competition are Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Scottish champions Rangers. Chelsea and Arsenal (both former beaten finalists) hit the ground running with impressive opening-day victories; however, Manchester United were less impressive in their opening all-British encounter with Rangers and could only manage a 0-0 draw with the dogged Scotts. To add to their woes United winger Antonio Valencia broke his ankle during the match and is likely to miss the majority of the competition as a result. English sides have dominated the Champions League in recent years with at least one team competing in five of the last six finals coming from England and in 2008 it was an all-English affair as Manchester United overcame Chelsea in a penalty shootout.

The current format employed in the Champions League has been steadily criticised by many experts in recent years, with many claiming that UEFA allows too many teams to compete thereby resulting in some weaker teams getting through to the group stages of the competition where they are pitted against Europe’s elite. The effect of this is a whole host of particularly one-sided matches in the early stages which are seen by critics to undermine the competition somewhat. The flip-side argument though stresses that leagues in developing European countries should be given the opportunity to compete with the best and that their teams and leagues will benefit majorly because of this exposure. So the jury is out for the time being and maybe this year’s Champions League will settle some of these concerns, but one thing is certain; the entertainment value of the competition remains as high as ever!

Upcoming Champions League fixtures: Football - English Premier League The English Premier League has gotten off to an exciting start and only seven odd games in it is already shaping up into an intriguing contest. Champions Chelsea have made a strong start to the defence of their title, opening up a four-point lead even at this early stage.

Manchester United are in the frame despite leaking far too many goals and drawing all four of their away matches thus far.

With the departure of manager Rafael Benitez during the summer break Liverpool had hoped to banish their horrible form that plagued them towards the back end of last season but, unfortunately, the new regime under Roy Hodgson does not seem to be faring much better. With no confidence in the current owners and just one win in seven league games Liverpool are in unfamiliar territory at the bottom of the league table and are peering into the most difficult period in the club’s modern history.

Of the promoted sides Blackpool and West Brom have performed particularly well in the early stages; Blackpool came out of the blocks flying with a 4-0 opening day victory at Wigan and also recently won at Liverpool, while West Brom are comfortably holding their own (for the time being at least) in the top half of the table.

World Grand Prix Darts The 2010 World Grand Prix Darts Tournament runs from the 4th to the 10th of October. The event with a prize fund in excess of â‚Ź400,000 is taking place at the Citywest Hotel in

Tuesday, 19 October 2010 Spartak Moscow v Chelsea, Gp F, 17:30 Ajax v Auxerre, Gp G, 19:45 Arsenal v Shakhtar Donetsk, Gp H, 19:45 Bayern Munich v CFR 1907 Cluj-Napoca, Gp E, 19:45 Braga v Partizan Belgrade, Gp H, 19:45 Marseille v MSK Zilina, Gp F, 19:45 Real Madrid v AC Milan, Gp G, 19:45 Roma v Basle, Gp E, 19:45 Wednesday, 20 October 2010 Barcelona v FC Copenhagen, FC Twente v Werder Bremen, Inter Milan v Tottenham, Lyon v Benfica, Man Utd v Bursaspor, Panathinaikos v Rubin Kazan, Rangers v Valencia, Schalke 04 v Hapoel Tel-Aviv,

Gp D, 19:45 Gp A, 19:45 Gp A, 19:45 Gp B, 19:45 Gp C, 19:45 Gp D, 19:45 Gp C, 19:45 Gp B, 19:45

Tuesday, 2 November 2010 Rubin Kazan v Panathinaikos, Benfica v Lyon, Bursaspor v Man Utd, FC Copenhagen v Barcelona, Hapoel Tel-Aviv v Schalke 04, Tottenham v Inter Milan, Valencia v Rangers, Werder Bremen v FC Twente,

Gp D, 17:30 Gp B, 19:45 Gp C, 19:45 Gp D, 19:45 Gp B, 19:45 Gp A, 19:45 Gp C, 19:45 Gp A, 19:45

Wednesday, 3 November 2010 AC Milan v Real Madrid, Gp G, 19:45 Auxerre v Ajax, Gp G, 19:45 Basle v Roma, Gp E, 19:45 CFR 1907 Cluj-Napoca v Bayern Munich, Gp E, 19:45 Chelsea v Spartak Moscow, Gp F, 19:45 MSK Zilina v Marseille, Gp F, 19:45 Partizan Belgrade v Braga, Gp H, 19:45 Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal, Gp H, 19:45

Premier League fixtures October: Sat, 16 October 2010 Arsenal v Birmingham, 15:00 Bolton v Stoke, 15:00 Fulham v Tottenham, 15:00 Man Utd v West Brom, 15:00 Newcastle v Wigan, 15:00 Wolverhampton v West Ham, 15:00 Aston Villa v Chelsea, 17:30

West Brom v Fulham, 15:00 Wigan v Bolton, 15:00 West Ham v Newcastle, 17:30

Sun, 17 October 2010 Everton v Liverpool, 13:30 Blackpool v Man City, 16:00

Sat, 30 October 2010 Arsenal v West Ham, 15:00 Blackburn v Chelsea, 15:00 Everton v Stoke, 15:00 Fulham v Wigan, 15:00 Wolverhampton v Man City, 15:00 Man Utd v Tottenham, 17:30

Mon, 18 October 2010 Blackburn v Sunderland, 20:00 Sat, 23 October 2010 Tottenham v Everton, 12:45 Birmingham v Blackpool, 15:00 Chelsea v Wolverhampton, 15:00 Sunderland v Aston Villa, 15:00

Sun, 24 October 2010 Stoke v Man Utd, 13:30 Liverpool v Blackburn, 15:00 Man City v Arsenal, 16:00

Sun, 31 October 2010 Aston Villa v Birmingham, 12:00 Newcastle v Sunderland, 13:30 Bolton v Liverpool, 16:00

wicklowsport Dublin - where the competition has been held since 2001 - and is set to attract some of the biggest names in the sport. Predictably, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor is the defending champion having beaten Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld 6-3 in last year’s final.

This 32-player event is one that Taylor has dominated throughout his career; remarkably winning nine of the last twelve stagings. Interestingly, on the other three occasions he was knocked out in the first round so it will certainly be ominous should ‘The Power’ progress to round two. If Taylor is to win an unprecedented tenth World Grand Prix then he will have to overcome Fermanagh’s Brendan Dolan in a repeat of their meeting in the first round last year.

Irish Football The 2010 Airtricity League Premier Division is coming to a gripping climax and with just a handful of games remaining Shamrock Rovers look poised to pip defending champions Bohemians to the title. Elsewhere, the financial muscle of the league, newly promoted Sporting Fingal, look to be headed for a respectable mid-table finish which will no doubt be a pleasing result for connections given that it is their first season in the top flight.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table Bray Wanderers look to be in a strong position to maintain their Premier Division status for yet another season.

The Seagulls finished bottom of the

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league last season and were only spared relegation by the demise of Cork City, but they seem to be better equipped to avoid the drop under manager Eddie Gormley this time around. They have a five-point cushion over bottom side Drogheda United (whom they play in a crunch match on October 10th) going into the remaining matches and with striker 20-year-old Jake Kelly in excellent goalscoring form the signs seem more promising for Bray.

Rugby Union

Europe’s elite Rugby Union club competition, The Heineken Cup, kicks off again on the 8th of October. The three Irish provinces of Leinster, Munster and Ulster will all be vying for the trophy for 2011. Leinster start their campaign in Pool 2 on October 9th against French side Racing Métro 92 at the RDS and they will be looking to put a disappointing start to their domestic season behind them. Ulster play on the 8th when Italian side Aironi Rugby visit

Ravenhill in their Pool 4 encounter.

Munster begin a day later in Pool 3 away to London Irish where they will be hoping to add to their impressive record in the Heineken Cup. International Football Ireland’s 2012 European Championship qualifying campaign got off to an excellent start in September with two solid victories; 1-0 away to Armenia and 3-1 at home against minnows Andorra. Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has certainly made his mark on the team, making Ireland defensively very solid and difficult to break down. Also, all-time Irish top scorer Robbie Keane’s good form in the opening matches has been encouraging and we now sit atop Qualifying Group B with six points and a better goal difference that the Slovaks who also have six points from their opening two games. Group favourites Russia lie third on just three points after they surprisingly lost their second match at home to Slovakia.

Given the current Group B standings and the clear fact that – aside from Ireland – Russia and Slovakia are the two strongest teams in the group our next two matches are pivotal. On Friday the 8th of October we welcome Russia to the Aviva Stadium where Trapattoni will be hoping to maintain his 100% competitive record at the stadium.

Then four days later the Irish travel to Bratislava to take on Slovakia in what

Heineken Cup – opening fixtures 15/10/10 20:00 P3 Ospreys v London Irish 15/10/10

21:00 P1

Castres v Cardiff Blues

16/10/10

13:30 P1

Edinburg v Northampton Saints

16/10/10

14:30 P4

Aironi Rugby v Bath Rugby

16/10/10

14:30 P2

Racing Metro 92 v ASM Clermont Auvergne

16/10/10

15:30 P3

Munster v Toulon

16/10/10

17:45 P6

Newport Gwent Dragons v Toulouse

16/10/10

17:45 P2

Saracens v Leinster

17/10/10

13:00 P6

London Wasps v Glasgow Warriors

17/10/10

14:00 P5

Perpignan v Benetton Treviso

17/10/10

15:00 P5

Leinster Tigers v Scarlets

17/10/10

16:00 P4

Biarritz Olympique v Ulster Rugby

wicklowsport

will no doubt be a tight encounter.

These two matches are crucial to Ireland’s bid to make it to the European Championships in two years’ time and will certainly go a long way towards deciding if we achieve that goal or not. If Trapattoni is successful with his campaign then Euro 2012 would be Ireland’s first appearance in the competition since Euro 88 when Jack Charlton managed the side.

their way into the Europa League it is seen as a second-rate competition (at least in the early stages) and they only tend to take it seriously in the latter stages. This was clearly evident with Liverpool’s campaign last season where they reached the semi-final. We only really saw Torres and Gerrard playing regularly in later matches.

The quality of teams competing in the Europa League has been diluted further since the Champions League expanded recently, however, despite this there is some real quality in the competition.

Liverpool are there once more – this time under new manager Roy Hodgson who reached the final with Fulham last season. The start of his reign at Anfield has been turbulent to say the least and a good European run would be a welcome distraction from the Premier League so it would be no surprise to see Hodgson taking the 12-group competition seriously from the outset.

Manchester City are also among the 48 hopefuls for the Europa League. They narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season and with their strong start domestically this season it will be interesting to see how Roberto Mancini’s side approaches the tournament come the knock-out phase.

Other big European sides competing this season include: Juventus, 2010 winners Atletico Madrid and Porto.

Ireland fixtures October:

Ireland v Russia, Fri 8th Oct Slovakia v Ireland, Tues 12th Oct Europa League Football The Europa League (formerly The UEFA CUP) would not generally receive much notoriety in its own right. Traditionally, the competition – in its current and former guise – has always been a poor relation to the UEFA Champions League and as such does not command the same respect or attention. For many of the bigger European sides who for whatever reason find

Golf in Wicklow – GUI open singles fixtures for October In case you are thinking of getting a game of golf in over the next few weeks around the county we have compiled a list of what is happening where:

European Club European Club Charlesland

European Club European Club Charlesland

Arklow

European Club European Club European Club Charlesland

Singles Stableford 05/10/2010 Singles Stableford 07/10/2010 Singles 08/10/2010 Singles Stableford 12/10/2010 Singles Stableford 14/10/2010 Singles 15/10/2010 Junior Scratch Cup 16/10/2010 Singles Stableford 19/10/2010 Singles Stableford 20/10/2010 Singles Stableford 21/10/2010 Singles 22/10/2010

golfreview

A G lfer’s Dream Brian Cox, Author of Ryder Cup Ireland, rises to the challenge at Glen of the Downs Golf Club A Gem in Wicklow This is a relatively new course, having officially opened in 1998. Originally acres of exquisite undulating beauty before well known golf architect, Peter McEvoy, turned this stretch into a magnificent 18 hole parkland creation.

The designer is particularly proud of his collection of par threes, probably ‘the best I have produced.’ The course is ideally nestled between the Irish Sea and the Sugarloaf Mountains. It measures 6,443 yards from the blue tees and will certainly test all facets of your game.

The entire layout has been designed and built to USGA specifications with sandbased greens and tees.

The great thing about new golf courses is that nature and the environs are always respected in the design. The natural contours of the Glen of the Downs have been incorporated to provide golfing conditions to delight, while preserving the splendour of the

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landscape. Its natural valleys and slopes, lakes and gorse outcrops combined with fairway bunkering and undulating greens will challenge golfers of all abilities.

The Outward Nine The first hole is a par three but at 181 yards from the blue tee it requires a long, high shot into a green with a narrow opening protected by enticing bunkers left, right and back. My son, Aengus, found the back sand trap. He managed a good up and down explosion shot but narrowly missed his par putt.

I was short of the green left, avoiding sand but very fortunate to make a regulation three.

We played the next few holes sharing the spoils but at the superb uphill 186 yarder par 3 4th again protected by similar yawning bunkers, yours truly notched up a mini cricket score. It was the youngster’s turn to card a par three.

A striking feature of the course focuses on the 8th and 10th holes. They share a

five-tier double green. The pin at the 8th was a few feet on the top tier. Dare you hit a speedy putt to the hole! You need to dribble and coax it as near as possible otherwise there is the very real danger it will miss, gain speed and cascade down to the lower tier which is on the 10th green. If this happens you will be left with a serious, uphill 80 foot plus putt that can be monstrously difficult.

I played what I thought was a safe tee shot on the par 5 500 yard 9th hole to avoid the new water feature crossing the fairway but paid the ultimate price with a visit to the gorse bushes en route.

The Inward Nine There are some beautiful holes on the inward nine. The 338 yard 12th is a short but tricky par 4. Dad got a few points back here as a result of the inexperience of youth. After pleasantly negotiating the exciting par five 13th the round continued from an elevated tee on the long 206 yards par 3, 14th..

golfreview Aengus fell further behind here but managed to reduce the deficit at the interesting dog-leg 17th. He was one point ahead of el padre confronting the short but very intimidating final hole.

Teeing off first, the young player was odds on to win. This hole really does test and challenge the high handicapper like myself, and Aengus who plays off 12.

Striving with all his might he launched into the drive seeking distance but sacrificing that all important aspect, accuracy. He went out of bounds following a nasty slice. I relied on course management as the option and hit a reasonably good, safe tee shot onto the fairway. Aengus meanwhile had further woes to contend with after hitting his second drive. Finding severe rough for his next shot he hit out to the fairway for safety.

What I believed was a very acceptable second shot I saw the ball had gone through the green by about four feet.

Three feet through was the lake. I had found that watery grave by inches and after a penalty shot went on to score a six. The embarrassing spectacle had been witnessed by members and guests in the beautiful sunshine on the deck of the Lakeside Lounge & Bar. Aengus finished with a triple bogey seven. It was a tie. After a friendly handshake we headed for the Lakeside Lounge & Bar and indulged in some of the club’s very enjoyable and tasty cuisine.

The round was thoroughly enjoyable.

Wherever you are on the course you feel within touching distance of the Little Sugar Loaf Mountain. The further our game brought us, the more exquisite the vistas of the Irish Sea. The game, the weather and player interaction were all

positive therapy for the soul.

Glen of the Downs: recipient of a Fáilte Ireland National Standards Award for Quality and Service After the round InWicklow spoke with Derek Murphy, the club’s manager.

Derek has been an avid golfer from an early age and while living in America in 1992 he found himself attracted to the business side of golf and gained his experience from greenkeeping to Tournament Director of a professional golf tour. On his return to Ireland in 1998, Derek continued his career in the golf business and joined Glen of the Downs as Director of Golf and subsequently became General Manager in 2008. He is very proud to be associated with Glen of the Downs and all it has to offer to members and visitors alike.

This year the club introduced two new categories of membership; five day and seven day associate membership.

With no joining fee, this membership has proved to be very popular and has already attracted 82 new members. The club is currently accepting applications for associate membership for 2011.

The men’s and ladies’ clubs at Glen of the Downs are very active with weekly competition days, invitation competitions, social events and casual

golf times. Groups and societies love it here. The fact that they return on a regular basis speaks volumes about the course and what the club has to offer. Facilities include a fully stocked golf shop, buggies, trolleys and practice putting and chipping greens.

There is always a special welcome for everyone who plays here from the friendly and helpful staff. There are many competitions throughout the year that visitors can play in, ranging from opens to semi-opens and charity events.

Details about special offers including early bird and twilight golf are available on request or through the club website.

Also popular is the great value Golf, Steak and Pint offer at €49 which is available 7 days a week from Oct. 1st to the end of March.

After a round at Glen of the Downs, golfers can relax and unwind in the comfort of the modern club house as we did. The Lakeside Lounge & Bar and Raheen Restaurant are open to both members and the general public serving lunch 7 days a week and open late on Saturday evenings. Sunday Lunch in the Raheen Restaurant is particularly popular so it’s well worth booking ahead. Glen of the Downs is the ideal venue for Weddings, Christenings, Birthdays, Anniversaries and private parties – they are even licensed for civil marriage ceremonies!

Enquiries: Glen of the Downs Golf Club, Coolnaskeagh, Delgany, Co. Wicklow E-mail: info@glenofthedowns.com www.glenofthedowns.com Tel: +353 (0) 1 2876240 Fax: + 353 (0) 1 2870063

inWICKLOW

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yourhome

Home Heating

Options There’s no place like home - that expression certainly rings true, particularly if you live in a damp climate such as we have here in Ireland. Us Irish treasure our homes and the cosiness of indoors, probably because we spend at least 6 months of the year cooped up, trying to stay warm.

H

eating our homes is of vital importance to us all, and while there’s nothing quite like sitting in front of a warm fire on a cold evening, it is our collective duty to be aware of the ongoing burning of fossil fuels, our carbon footprint and how this issue will effect our world in years to come.

Home heating oil has increased somewhat in recent years, and with the 2007 ruling that all new homes in Ireland must achieve a BER Ratings Certificate, it’s hard to know where to start when heating your home. Now, as well as gas and oil, we can choose from wood pellet boilers, solar heating and geothermal heating - it can be confusing and daunting if you don’t know where to start.

Insulation It’s important to ensure your home is insulated correctly as a large quantity of heat can actually be lost throughout the house; for example, the walls, the floors and the roof. The home heating system that you eventually decide on should be well planned and thought out, not only to ensure that your heating requirements are met, but that

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you avoid losing unnecessary heat throughout the years to come.

Building Energy Rating According to the EU, buildings are a huge user of energy with 40% being lost through energy consumption.

The BER initiative aims to reduce demands on fossil fuels by ensuring EU standards are met and adhered to.

While there is currently no obligation on existing home-owners to upgrade their homes to the BER standard, it is worth noting that canny buyers and investors are aware that a home without a BER certificate is somewhat lacking in today’s market.

Natural Gas Gas is an efficient and economical way to heat your home and in Ireland, we are lucky in that we have a huge source of gas on our doorstep (the Kildare gas plant, which is off the coast of Cork).

However, gas is not always available in smaller, rural areas, where oil is still the more popular method of heating the home.

Oil While natural gas is fast outstripping oil heating in urban areas, heating oil is still delivered by tank to residential homes throughout Ireland. Green diesel -

which is used in domestic boilers - is easily distinguishable from road diesel, which obviously attracts a higher rate of taxes and duties. While there is no doubt that oil is the fastest and efficient method of heating domestic homes for producing quick and controllable heat, today’s budget conscious homeowners have serious concerns with both fluctuating costs and supply and demand issues.

Solar Panels Sustainable Energy Ireland was established by the government in 2002 to promote and develop Irish renewable energy, with solar power for homes playing a huge part in the plan.

SEI operate a number of programmes that provide financial assistance to homeowners in the form of grants when they choose to convert to solar power.

yourhome Ultima Oil Ultima Oil Distributors have operated from Kilpedder in County Wicklow for 20 years. With over 16 staff, Ultima Oil service Wexford, North Wicklow and South Dublin for all domestic and commercial oil needs.

Although the customer volume at Ultima Oil continues to grow, this family business is keen to continue to offer a high-end customer based service and value to each and every customer.

• Home Heating Oil • Commercial & Domestic • tank replacement SERVICE • BUDGET PAYMENT PLAN • COMPETITIVE PRICES • Lubricants

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‘Your local independent supplier’ If you have any problems with your boiler or tank, please call our freephone number 1800 202 377 Web: www.ultimaoil.com Email: info@ultimaoil.com BURKE OIL A Superb level of Personal Service and Lowest Heating Oil Prices. Contact Burke Oil - It will pay you to make that call!!

Your phone call will be greeted by a warm, friendly voice who really cares about meeting your heating oil requirements.

This is complemented by our highly experienced team of drivers who have an unrivalled knowledge of your area.

“Burke Oil can and does deliver a greater level of personal care and attention to each and everyone of our customers”

Pascal Burke What does this mean for you?

• Guaranteed next day delivery • Same day delivery if you have run out of oil completely and order before 10am • Personal Customer Service Manager • All telephone calls answered within 5 rings • Drivers trained to restart your oil burner • Deliveries in all areas 6 days per week Our professionally trained sales and driving staff are fully committed to ensuring that our customers always receive a superb quality service at keenly competitive prices.

Enter our online competition and win 1,000 litres of Home Heating Oil www.burkeoil.ie

inWICKLOW

October 2010

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helpingtotobring bringyour your helping home to life Glen Fuel Services – Oil for Everything! home to life helping to bring your

localnews yourhome

Glen Fuel Services Ltd is a second generation, family run business that was established in 1986. Since inception, the company has striven to provide customers with a reliable, efficient and friendly service through a solid reputation and second-to-none customer care.

home to life

As an authorised Topaz distributor, Glen Fuels both sells and delivers home heating oil, commercial and industrial heating oil, agricultural diesel and lubricants to a broad range of customers including homeowners, farmers and businesses. Glen Fuels also sell domestic storage tanks and fittings.

Operating from depots in Bray, Gorey and Rosslare, Glen Fuels supply throughout counties Wicklow and Wexford.

The Glen Fuel Guarantee:

Services Fuel Fuel Services Ltd. Ltd.

• A friendly, professional and efficient service • Family run business where customers come first • Highly competitive prices • Proven track record • Quality fuels and Shell lubricating oils • Metered deliveries

Fuel Services Ltd.

Wishing Greystones Wishing Greystones RFCRFC Glen Greystones Fuel Services is a family run Wishing RFC best of business luck this season thethe best of luck thisand season Oil Distribution is the Exclusive Topaz the best of luck this season Distributor for Wicklow and Wexford operating from our

the domestic, agricultural, commercial and marine in Glen Services Fuel Services is a family Oil Distribution business to the to domestic, agricultural, commercial and marine marketsmarkets in Glen Fuel is a family run Oilrun Distribution business and and depots inServices Kilmacanogue, Gorey Rosslare.

Since the Keyes family opened formarine business friendly, prompt and professional the Exclusive Topaz for and Wexford toathe domestic, commercial and markets in in Glen Fuel isDistributor a family Oil Wicklow Distribution business anda friendly, prompt andagricultural, professional manner.manner. is theis Exclusive Topaz Distributor for run Wicklow andand Wexford operating from our depots in Kilmacanogue, Gorey and Rosslare. a friendly, and professional manner. oil to the is January the Topaz Distributor for Wicklow and Wexford 1986, we have Gorey built a strong reputation for prompt competitively delivering operating from ourExclusive depots in Kilmacanogue, and Rosslare. operating from our depots in Kilmacanogue, Gorey andmarine Rosslare.Please Please website – www.glenfuels.com or us phone visit ourvisit – www.glenfuels.com phone on us on domestic, agricultural, commercial and markets inwebsite aour friendly, prompt and or professional Please visitthe ournumbers website –below www.glenfuels.com or phone us on your oil any of should youtowish to discuss the Keyes family opened for business in January 1986, any of the numbers below should you wish discuss your oil Since Since the manner.

Keyes family opened for business in January 1986, Please visitopened our for website –in www.glenfuels.com or phone usshould on any of the numbers any of the numbers below you wish to discuss your oil Since the Keyes family business January 1986, requirements an order. we built haveabuilt a strong reputation for competitively delivering oil requirements or placeoranplace order. we have strong reputation for competitively delivering oil

below should you wish to discuss oil requirements or place requirements or place an order. we have built a strong reputation for competitively delivering your oil

Home Heating

The minimum delivery with Glen Fuels is €200 and all quotations are inclusive of VAT. Fuel can be ordered online and there is a Budget Plan available for returning customers.

an order.

Contact Glen Fuels Contact Glen Fuels on:on:on: Contact Glen Fuels Gorey, Co.Co. Wexford.

Kilmacanogue, Co.Wicklow.

Wicklow. Rosslare, Rosslare, Co. Wexford.

Gorey, Co. Wexford.

Co. Co. Wicklow.

Co. Gorey, Wexford. Kilmacanogue, Kilmacanogue, Rosslare, Co.Wexford.

Wexford.

CallSave: 1850 502 502 CallSave: CallSave: 18501850 502 502 CallSave: 502 502 CallSave: 1850 301301 301 CallSave: CallSave: 502 502 CallSave: 18501850 502 502 CallSave: 18501850 301301 301 1850 502 502 or email email at: or us at:sales@glenfuels.com sales@glenfuels.com or email us at: us sales@glenfuels.com EXCLUSIVE TOPAZ DISTRIBUTOR

EXCLUSIVE TOPAZ DISTRIBUTOR EXCLUSIVE TOPAZ DISTRIBUTOR

Murphy Coal Merchants Wicklow Town

Now Delivering in your area, Wicklow, Rathnew, Glenealy, Ashford, Arklow, Surrounding Area’s es All pric e Polish Coal 40kg bag, Polish Coal 20kg bag d lu c in delivery Standard Anthracite 40kg bag

Briquettes 14.00 | Logs 13.50 | Kindling 12.00 VALUE PACKAGES 2 Coal 40kg + 3 Briquettes & 5 bags of firewood 158 5 Bags of 40kg Polish Coal 180.00

BREAKDOWN CALLOUT - 169

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DES LOTT STAUNTON’S SHOP Brittas Bay

We are open all year round from 8am to 6pm Our winter fuels are at keenest prices Shops now open in Bray, Wicklow & Gorey WE LY PP

SU

FREE DELIVERY COAL • BRIQUETTES • TURF • LOGS • KINDLING • GAS

Kindling €2.50 • Logs €6.00 • Coal (40kg) €16.50 Bags of Turf €7.00 • Briquettes €4.00 • Gas €30.00

PHONE 0404 47007 OR MOBILE 087 673 0211 40

inWICKLOW

May 2010 October 2010

(Includes 1 Hour Labour)

Guaranteed 24 Hour Response (Including Saturday & Sunday) GAS Boiler Upgrades

Call Shane on 087 6577249 Email shane@smgas.ie

REPAIRS AFTER EMERGENCY SHUT OFF

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Quality and value in Garden Buildings Established 1968

Kelly Barna are a family run business and Ireland’s largest manufacturer of outdoor buildings providing a fast, efficient and unrivalled service. Kelly Barna have an unbeatable range of garden sheds and other garden buildings combining excellence of construction with great value for money...Nobody gives you more choice! When you choose Kelly Barna you can rest assured that all products come with our personal Guarantee of Quality.

F

E FRLEQUOTEESRY

FRE REE E WITHSHELVIN G E SHE D OR VERY THIS DERE D MON TH

AL LIV NOW UDE DE BLY INCL ASSEM . & E FRE

Head Office and Factory, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow.

Tel: 0404 44653 Fax: 0404 44444 info@kellybarna.ie

Web: www.kellybarna.ie

inWICKLOW

May 2010

41

familytime

y k o po

S A

holiday fun

If your little ones are planning on tricking or treating this Bank Holiday, always remember to play it safe. Halloween is great fun and can be enjoyed by all once the events are organised properly. Bonfires must be organised and patrolled by a local committee authority and trick or treaters should always be accompanied by an adult - no little ghosts or ghouls should be wandering around alone!

side from trick or treating however, there’s much to see and do across the Bank Holiday weekend in Wicklow – why not start the celebrations at the wonderfully scary Kippure Estate? With a ghost walk, ghoulish stories around a bonfire, games and treats, it’s sure to satisify most families. There’s a Halloween themed dinner (lit by pumpkin light, obviously) and for the adults, a special party with dancing and a bar extension till 2am. The thrilling extravaganza takes place on the 30th, be sure to book early as capacity is limited. www.kippure.com/halloweenparty.htm Ashford House are holding a Halloween Hoolie on Saturday 30th October with music and prizes for the best dressed on the night.

With all proceeds in aid of the ISPCC, this is sure to be a fun night packed with spooky surprises, and all in aid of a great cause. www.ashfordhouse.ie The kiddies are sure to enjoy a trip on the Rathwoods Pumpkin Train which happens from Thursday 28th through to Sunday 31st, at 12pm and 2pm, daily. There’s a prize for the best costume and vistitors can pick out their pumpkin for carving at home.

Tel: 059 9156285 This one is just for the grownups, but then again, if you’ve been doling out sweets and candy to every princess, ghost, vampire or witch that’s knocked at your door all afternoon, you’ll deserve a special treat! Russborough House are holding a very special candlelit

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inWICKLOW

October 2010

meal on Saturday 30th October. Sip on mulled wine on arrival before taking a tour of Ireland’s most beautiful house by candlelight.

After the tour, guests will enjoy a 3 course meal accompanied by live classical music. We think this sounds fabulous!

Tickets are €70 per person. www.russborough.ie One of the few surviving restored walled gardens in Ireland still in use today and a highlight of the recent Wicklow Gardens Festival, Festina Lente in Bray are holding a Halloween mask making workshop for kiddies on Friday, 29th October as well as a Family Treasure Hunt which is to take place on the Satuday, at twilight.

Guaranteed fun for all the family! www.festinalente.ie Do you have what it takes to take Ireland’s spookiest photograph?

To celebrate Halloween Horror Week, Wicklow’s Historic Gaol is calling on members of the public to send in genuine photos that show paranormal activity...The competition follows on from the recent Ghost Hunters show on TV which took place at Wicklow Gaol and which declared the building ‘most haunted’! The video cameras recorded sinister growls and flashes of strange light, while invisible presences actually touched members of the investigating team.

Sceptical? Over the last 10 years, tourists and gaol staff have been baffled by the regular appearance of a young boy in the historic prison’s school room, a lady in her late 20’s dressed completely in

familytime

black who walks in and out of cell 22 on the first floor and a cold eerie mist that envelopes the walkway to the first floor cells....

Between now and 25th October, you can email or post your ‘Most Haunted’ snaps - taken at any Irish location - to Wicklow’s Historic Gaol. E: tara@wicklowshistoricalgaol.com

Halloween at Wicklow Gaol FRIDAY, 22ND Ghost and Ghoul Night - 7.30-8.30pm Weird and wonderful tales of ghosts in the dungeon, cells and workrooms. €7.30 per adult, €4.50 per child Dining with the Inmates @ 7.30pm, €50.00 per person Monday, 25th Scary Movie Night @ 8pm Rocky Horror Show €8.00

Kilcroney Furniture’s new Gautier Store and model clearance sale Interiors store Kilcroney Furniture (famous for its eclectic mix of French and European pieces) is celebrating over 30 years in business this year and to celebrate is launching a second store at Kilcroney called Gautier @ Kilcroney. The new store opens on October 16th and will feature an extensive collection of pieces from France’s top interiors contemporary brand – Gautier. The collection features bedroom, dining room and sitting room pieces. In addition, Gautier @ Kilcroney will feature superb children’s bedroom and study furniture. Kilcroney stocks a mix of styles that appeal to all tastes; ranging from classical to cutting-edge contemporary modern pieces.

October 16th will also kick start the Kilcroney two-week floor model clearance sale across the entire store, which will feature superb value with up to 70% off some pieces.

Kilcroney is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 2pm – 5pm and is located just off the N11.

For further information call Kilcroney on 01 282 9361.

Haunted History night - a dramatic production.

Special dramatic re-enactment of some of the crimes of Wicklow Gaol, 4 tours 7.00, 7.30, 8.00 and 8.30.

Price €10 per person.

An Audience with Angie Freeland @ 7pm. €30.00 pp Friday, 29th Paranormal investigation in the Gaol 9pm to 3am.

Unfortunately this event is booked out!

Saturday, 30th Angie and Keith Freeland and the Irish Ghost hunters.

Unfortunately this event is booked out!

Halloween Daytime programme – a full family programme. Normal gaol tours (€7.30 adult, €4.50 child) will take place from 11a.m to 4.30p.m but with a great Halloween atmosphere! Activities will include children’s Fancy Dress with prizes for best costumes, children’s treats and face-painting.

inWICKLOW

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Halloween DIY A collection of all things inspiring and delightful, brought to you from the creative talents at Pretty as a Picture

I

t’s been a busy summer at the Pretty as a Picture studio, we’ve been working on custom portraits and collaborating with clients on their exciting visions. Our beautiful Letterpress and digital wedding albums have arrived for all the brides-to-be out there!

We’ve also worked on a few completely unique customised jobs for those brides that wanted something extra special and personalised.

Now that summer is over, autumn is all about winter-warmers; burnt orange, chocolate brown, rich auburn and ruby cranberry. In these post-boom times it’s time to put on our collective thinking-caps and get back to our roots, back to a time when we made things ourselves for around the home, as well as for our own pleasure. Each month, Our Diary Corner will be filled with our favourite finds, freebies, visual inspiration, gift giving ideas, do-it-yourself projects and other fun stuff that makes us happy. In keeping with the new season, here are a couple of our favourite things that really caught our eye this month!

Follow these easy steps to make your own Halloween Luminaire; we’ve created some spooky images which you can download free from our Facebook page!

1

The Girls at Pretty as a Picture xx

CURRENTLY

Start by printing out your images and trimming them to size. Your little helpers might like to add some glitter or sparkles at this stage!

2

We love this spooky Halloween decoration and would be so easy to assemble!

2

Red mugs make my tea feel warmer! I bought this range from Jenny Kelly Pottery www.jennykellypottery.ie The tutorial on how to make this is Print this out and place it in your in the book‘Felt Furnishings’ by window or mirror for halloween!

The Scream by Edvard Munch Anne Quinne

3 Use old jars, glasses or containers you can find around the house, anything a tea light will fit in!

3

Fab centre-piece idea; scoop out mini pumpkins and place tea lights inside.

Vintage halloween postcard!

4

Image courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com Beautiful Pumpkin placenames by www.timelesspaper.com

Y AWA E IV G

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This is a lovely, autumn-inspired place setting with leaf-shaped bowls

by Pottery Barn www.potterybarn.com

Inspired by this beautiful Halloween mask, we’ve created a hand-painted butterfly for you to download and use however you wish!

Go to our Pretty as a Picture facebook page to find all our free downloadable templates.

inWICKLOW

October 2010

3

Fix your images to the jars or cups with double sided tape, sit back and admire your work!

We would love to see what you can do! Send photos of your Luminaires to info@prettyasapicture.ie The most creative ones will be published in the December issue of InWicklow and will win a €50 Pretty as a Picture gift voucher!

(See T&C’s on our Facebook page)

Contact us: T: 0404 64224

E: info@prettyasapicture.ie

bookreviews

Come To Our Wedding Open Day On October 31st

Talk To Our Dedicated Co-ordinators Between 1pm to 5pm

ENNISKERRY COUNTY WICKLOW • SOUTH DUBLIN AND WICKLOW PREMIER WEDDING VENUE

LET OUR EXPERIENCE BE OUR PRESENT TO YOU Offering a range of seasonal and midweek special menus as well as a selection of upgrade offers, a range of menu options and packages to suit your requirements.

Specialising in one Wedding a day our dedicated wedding coordinators offer a professional experienced service at every step ensuring your special day will be all you dreamed of and a cherished life long memory. At the Summerhill House Hotel we care that wedding is unique, special and unforgettable Having a Blessing ? Then ask us about our Blessing Package.

SUMMERHILL HOUSE HOTEL THE WEDDING SPECIALISTS Tel: +353 1 2867928 Email: weddings@summerhillhousehotel.com www.summerhillhousehotel.com inWICKLOW October 2010

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GREAT FOR WEDDINGS, CHRISTENINGS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES

Free Consultation

Hand in Painteds Oil your photo Transform painting y s a t n a f a into

a personalised gift to last a lifetime

CUSTOM ILLUSTRATIONS FOR A UNIQUE GIFT We create beautiful custom portraits, hand painted in oils from your photographs.

For a unique and thoughtful gift send a photo to us at Pretty as a Picture and we will discuss the various options with you.

Whimsical portraits are painted in your likeness by artist Ailbhe Ryan herself.

A GIFT FOR THE BRIDE A perfect gift for the bride or a stylish way to remember your wedding day and the dress you wore – forever.

Whether you’re just getting married, or you’ve been married for years, preser ve the memor y of your wedding gown now.

Working from your photographs, we will recreate your dress on canvas resulting in an elegant piece of custom artwork to cherish for years to come.

Don’t let that beautiful gown get zipped in a bag, never to be seen again!

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# PRETTY AS A PICTURE STUDIO, UNIT 2, VILLAGE MILL ENTERPRISE PARK, RATHNEW, CO. WICKLOW # MOB: 087 7559218 STUDIO: 0404 64224 E-MAIL: INFO@PRETTYASAPICTURE.IE WWW.PRETTYASAPICTURE.IE # inWICKLOW August 2010