Wicklow Voice November 13, 2014

wicklowvoice

20,000 NEWSPAPERS! 5,000 WEB VISITORS! 3,000 APP DOWNLOADS! ONLINE, OFFLINE - WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED !

.ie

November 13, 2014, t: 01 901 5556/7, e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

FREE

20,000 COPIES

FREE

Unit 8, Radio Centre , Killarney Road, Bray

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

DBURY BRA

ROAD UNIVERSITY

D ROA

AFTER

Recent revolutionary advancements in dental technology have enabled us to provide patients with simpler, more conservative treatment plans that greatly enhance cosmetics and provide a more natural and beautiful smile. Rapid tooth repositioning, whitening, and replacement of old, failing fillings transformed this smile quickly and gently.

QUEENS UNIVERSITY

LISBURN

AVENUE

STRANMILLIS

D

WELLIN

PARK

ROA

GTON

GTON

PARK

WELLIN

EGLANTINE

ROAD

METHO COLLE DIST GE

AVENUE

MALONE

TATES

the solution may be simpler than you think.

BEFORE

BELFAST

ROYAL CITY HOSPITAL

AV E

Do you dread getting photos taken?

PLA CE

Are you unhappy with your smile?

BELFAST BOTANICAL GARDENS

VER

GAN LA

RI

FrCaere

g parkinOF R TO REATICE PRAC

If you are continually covering your mouth, or worry about smiling for photographs, then book your free cosmetic consultation with our award winning experts today.

28 Wellington Park, Belfast, BT9 6DL Tel: 028 9068 7722 Email: info@blueskydentist.com

w w w . b l u e s k y d e n t i s t . c o m Blue Sky Dentistry - Cosmetic Advert Irish News 265mm x 170mm - BSD2805142.indd 1

28/05/2014 15:27

wicklowvoice

20,000 NEWSPAPERS! 5,000 WEB VISITORS! 3,000 APP DOWNLOADS! ONLINE, OFFLINE - WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED !

INSIDE: FREE

November 13, 2014, t: 01 901 5556/7, e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

.ie

20,000 COPIES

The facts behind our crime levels

FREE

THIS WEEK

FRIDAY 21ST

The Swing Cats are rat pack meets Swing and 8-Piece Soul & Funk Uptempo Jazz Music.

They have stepped away from the arrangements exhausted Rat of Pack crooning swing style and into the high energy non stop dancing vibe witnessed in ball rooms across America in the swinging era of the 1930's and 40s.

They have thrown away their sheet music and unearthed the best music of a somewhat buried era, spruced it up, and are now introducing it to audiences both young and old, with great popularity. See it for yourself Friday, Nov. 21st at The Martello

Decreases across county but robbery and theft rise

By Cianan Brennan

ROBBERY and theft are on the rise across County Wicklow.

Theft alone accounted for 33% of all crimes committed in Wicklow over the last year an investigation by the Wicklow Voice into official Garda crime figures reveals.

However the overall level of crimes committed in the county is quite static, with a reduction of 1% annually as at June 2014.

Nationally, crime levels fell by 7% last year and stand at their lowest levels in a decade.

The Garda stations in Wicklow reporting most activity are, in order, Bray (with 36% of all reported crime, three times greater than the next nearest station), Wicklow Town (12%), Arklow (12%), and Greystones (10%).

Recorded crime has however decreased in each of these

Emer and Caoimhe (6) out and about in Wicklow Town Âť Lots more pictures from around the county inside districts apart from Wicklow Town, where there has been a 9% increase.

Areas of Wicklow which have seen worrying increases in recorded crime over the last

year include Ashford (up 44%) and Avoca (68%).

Such large jumps have occurred elsewhere in previous years only to fall subsequently, suggesting certain areas are

targets for thieves who then move elsewhere once they feel a place has been exploited as much as possible.

Roundwood, Enniskerry and Carnew are three such places that saw giant leaps in criminal activity in 2013 only to fall back to normal levels in the last year.

Most of the increases seen in Wicklow involve types of crime associated with the economic downturn such as theft (6%) and robbery (10%).

All told there have been 6,717 officially recorded crimes committed in Wicklow over the past 12 months, which represents about 3% of the total reported nationally.

Theft from the person increased massively by 76% with 74 recorded offences over the last year, up from 42 the previous year.

Continued on page 4

Unit 8, Radio Centre , Killarney Road, Bray

The Martello, Strand Rd, Bray, Wicklow 01 286 8000 www.TheMartello.ie

4 | NEWS news in brief Fatality on our roads A 22-YEAR-old man has died following a car crash in Co Wicklow on November 10. The crash occurred at Milltown Lane in Ashford at about 11.50pm when the car left the road and hit a ditch.

The driver, who was was fatally injured in the incident, was named as Hayden O’Flaherty. A 26-year-old male passenger sustained minor injuries. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Wicklow Garda station on (0404) 60140, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or any Garda station.

Reynor being sued in US

WICKLOW star Jack Reynor is being sued by two women in the US who allege that he ran them over while driving in Hollywood two years ago. Loren Dehenes and Julie Shepherd have told the court that they were left badly injured and are seeking damages in excess of €20, 000.

The actor has 30 days to file a written response to the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles.

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

Great War fallen remembered

Singer Chris De Burgh with Rev Baden Stanley at Christ Church last Friday A LARGE crowd of several hundred people turned out to for the opening of Remembrance Flower Festival last week in Christ Church in Bray.

Singer Chris de Burgh opened the festival last Friday when he led the tributes to the fallen Irish soldiers who lost their lives in World War One at a special concert.

Mr De Burgh, who lives in Wicklow, told the large crowd at the Christmas 1914 Concert of Remembrance about his own family’s involvement in the war.

In an emotional speech, he spoke about his grandfather, General Eric de Burgh, and

his three grand-uncles, who battled on the frontline in the Great War. “The younger one was the first one to be killed. He was probably the first officer to be killed in the First World War,” the singer of hit song Lady in Red said.

“Tommy, he died in the autumn of 1914. The other three all survived, and my grandfather spent four years in the trenches.”

The Remembrance Flower Festival, which ended on Tuesday, was part organised

by Linda Jones of the Travel Boutique in Bray with the aim of depicting songs and poems from World War 1

LIVE LOUNGE NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER:

BEN PREVO BAND BLUES FRI 14TH THE DODGY FEW SKA/REGGAE SAT 15TH BUNOSCIONN ALTERNATIVE IRISH FOLK & TRAD SUN 16TH DERMOT BYRNE BLUES

THU 13TH

HOMEBREW AND THE BAD EXAMPLES FRI 21ST PETE PAMF FUNK SAT 22ND DEUCE RORY GALLAGHER TRIBUTE SUN 23RD THE LONGTAILS FOLK THU 20TH

BUFFOS WAKE GYPSY PUNK, HORROR FOLK FRI 28TH AMAZING APPLES IRISH FOLK ROCK SAT 29TH MOO POST-WESTERN ROCK SUN 30TH EAST COAST JAZZ BAND DIXIELAND JAZZ THU 27TH

COUNTRY, WESTERN SWING

and Christmas 1914. Christ Church have been running a remembrance exhibition for the past five years but this year was given added poignancy due to the anniversary of WW1.

Mr De Burgh , the father of former Miss World Rosanna Davison, said he feels it is important to pay tribute to and remember the 50,000 Irish people who died during World War One. “I think it is really important that they would be remembered,” the 66-yearold said. “I have two sons, 26 and 24-years-old, and both of them 100 years ago, no doubt would have joined up.”

Crime figures

Continued from previous page Robbery of establishments has also increased, with 27 such offences committed, an increase of 27%.

Burglary is down 5%, although with 887 recorded instances it still represents 13% of all Wicklow’s crime.

Figures suggest that Tiger kidnappings may be a thing of the past, with just one such crime reported in the last year, a fall of 83%.

There were three instances of carjacking while drink-driving offences have decreased by 9% with just 152 instances.

Public order offences increased by 2%.

Drug offences are down 7%, however, while offences regarding drug possession are down 9% with 480 instances, offences regarding the cultivation or manufacture of illegal substances has increased by 42%.

Homicide levels remained low with just two in each of the last two years.

Assaults have decreased by 14%, while murder-threats are down almost 20%.

Weapons offences are similarly down 25%, with firearms records down from 16 to seven instances.

Sexual assaults are down 11%, with 56 reported cases.

Councillors pass motion calling for Irish Water to be axed

By Michelle McGlynn

WICKLOW County Council have passed a motion of no confidence in Irish Water and have called for the abolition of water charges.

At a special meeting which was held on November 10, 29 councillors voted on the contentious issue.

Three councillors were not present.

The motion called on the Government to abolish Irish Water and to return the staff and financial resources to Local Authorities to upgrade the water infrastructure throughout the county.

This motion passed by 23 votes to six meaning that this is now the official policy of the Council.

The six councillors to vote against the motion were Fine Gael’s Derek Mitchell, John Ryan, Vincent Blake, Sylvester Bourke, Shay Cullen and Irene Winters.

There were calls for an immediate reversal on water charges and for the water metering process to be halted.

In addition to this, the Council called on the Government to hold a constitutional referendum to retain public ownership of water services and infrastructure.

Speaking on East Coast FM following the meeting, Cllr Derek Mitchell said, “I am not saying I have confidence in Irish Water.

“There are certain things that I would like to see changed.”

Mitchell added that he

believed the concept of having a single, national authority rather than thirty-plus looking after the country’s water was a reasonable one.

Mitchell noted works carried out in the Greystones/Delgany area by Irish Water as an example of its efficiency but independent councillor Joe Behan was quick to state that those works would have already been prepared by Wicklow County Council.

Fine Gael tabled a motion on the derogation for Arklow who have no waste water treatment which was passed.

Stephen Donnelly and the Arklow Wastewater Action Group will be holding a public meeting on this issue on November 20 at 7.30pm in the Arklow Bay Hotel.

“I have made a detailed submission to Minister Alan Kelly about the situation, asking him for a 50% reduction in their water charges for the people of Arklow on the basis of substandard waste water facilities,” Donnelly stated.

The issue of Irish Water has returned to the fore as Government officials have admitted that mistakes have been made and say that they are listening to public concerns.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has vowed that a new deal on Irish Water would be signed off next week, while Minister Brendan Howlin has emphasised the need to get it right.

Cllr John Brady and Brian Quigley on Irish Water: Page 10

County gets broadband boost

By Peter Murphy

WICKLOW is to get a major broadband boost with the announcement of a new one gigabit connectivity.

Arklow, Bray, Greystones and Wicklow town are set to benefit from this new broadband speed.

Plans are set to commence as soon as possible for Wicklow and for each community included in the plan and the project is scheduled to be completed by

December 2017. Eircom Group are the providers of this plan and will be reaching out to 66 communities across the country.

Fibre to the home technology (FTTH) will aid in supplying these superfast speeds.

As demand for this connectivity emerges, customer connections will be provided Consumers would be able to download a high definition film in less than a minute with this new speed.

NEWS |5

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

wicklow people in pictures

Graduate Jennifer O’Dea from Bray ( Accounting Technician) with her mother Margaret O’Dea at Bray Institute of Education 2014 Graduation Ceremony which was held at Powerscourt Hotel Enniskerry

Kali (7), Gavin, Raya (3) and Annique Rushe (10) from Wicklow

Tackling,running lines, positioning and plenty of mud, were all part of the girls rugby team the “Arrows” training session in Arklow. (pic Yvette O Beirne)

Graham Carton and Reuben Pouch who are taking part in Movember at the Harbour Bar in Bray

Seán Egan, Chairman of the Rehab Group Board (left), and Don Tallon, Chairman of the Adjudicating Committee for the Rehab Group Innovation Awards 2014 (far right), presented highly commended Innovation Awards to Deborah Coughlan, Area Manager in National Learning Network Bray, Claire Walsh, Programme Facilitator, RehabCare Bray, John O’Connell and Pamela Egan both from RehabCare at a recent ceremony

Davie Heerey and Laura Graham in Greystones after hiking from Bray

Pictured are Deidre Bentley and Liz Doyle at the annual all day party in Mc Mullans of Arklow (pic Yvette O Beirne)

6| NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

Wicklow wins an All Ireland in photography!

By Michelle McGlynn

WICKLOW has finally won an All Ireland - in photography.

Wiki Loves Monuments, the world’s largest photography competition, has chosen an image of Wicklow’s Rathgall Hillfort as Ireland’s top winning entry.

Simon Dowling’s photograph was the top entry from over 2, 000 submissions from around the country. This is the first year that the competition was held in Ireland and it received quite a large response.

Entrants who wished to use the Garden County as their location had a choice of 14 national monuments such as Baltinglass Abbey, Kilcoole Church and Piper’s Stones Stone Circle Athgreany.

The Wicklow image along with nine other finalists will now compete internationally against national monument im-

ages from 40 other countries.

Mr. Dowling’s photo of the hillfort was chosen by a five-person expert panel which included Monika Chmierlaz, photoeditor of Blow Photo Magazine; Ken Williams, published photographer on prehistoric monuments and megalithic art; and Kate Horgan, award-winning photojournalist and photoeditor.

The ten winning photographs were presented with their awards at an event held in the City Assembly House run by the Irish Georgian Society.

The international jury will announce the top 10 international photos and the overall best picture winner in December.

Wiki Loves Monuments is certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest photography contest and this year it saw 321, 575 photographs submitted from 41 countries. Amateur and professional photographers were invited to photograph the national monuments in their locality and then upload their photos for consideration by the panel.

Berta Canalis and Cristina Rodriguez out and about in Wicklow

news in brief Wicklow books THERE is a strong Wicklow presence in The Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2014 shortlist with books

by Cathy Kelly, Audrey Magee, Simon Fitzmaurice, PJ Cunningham and Emma Hannigan all being nominated.

Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards’ will air on RTÉ One on November 29.

Coder Dojo The Coder DoJo in Arklow

is going from strength to strength and they now require additional mentors to help with the project.

It is held every Saturday morning at Arklow CBS from 11am to 12.30pm and now caters for over 30 kids.

The scheme is free and additional assistance would be welcome.

Bray blues Local musician Dermot Byrne will be performing at the Harbour Bar on November 16.

A guitarist, harmonica player and gritty-voiced vocalist, has been a leader in the Irish Blues Scene for 30 years and his music is highly acclaimed.

Men’s day November 19 is International Men’s Day and Little Bray Family Resource Centre will be holding an event to honour this day. The event will take place in the Community Centre from 11am to 3pm, and is open to men of all ages.

Willow Grove Foods Linked Finance, Ireland’s leading peer-to-peer online lending company, have announced a loan of €16,000 to Willow Grove Foods. Based in Kilcoole, the business plan on investing the money in new equipment which will help it to expand operations.

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISEMENT |7

8 | NEWS wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

‘Educated’ crowd turn out to launch insider’s memoir

By Michelle McGlynn

THE Harbour Bar in Bray was packed to the rafters last Saturday evening when local author John Walshe launched his tell-all book about working as a special advisor to former Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

The former Irish Independent Education Editor spent threeand-a-half years working in the current coalition and has written about his experiences in the book: An Education - How an Outsider became an Insider and learned what really goes on in Irish Government.

Mr Walshe called on RTE broadcaster legend and former Fianna Fail spin doctor Sean Duignan to officially launch the book, who paid tribute to Walshe’s ‘class’ as a journalist.

Mr Walshe duly returned the compliment when he got those in attendance to sing ‘Happy birthday’ to his special guest Duignan, who was celebrating

his 78th birthday.

Ruairi Quinn also gave a short speech, stating that during his stint as Minister for Education he needed someone who knew about the education sector “from the top down”.

“Not only did John know where the bodies were buried, he knew who put them there and why they were put there,” the former Labour Party leader joked.

Mr Walshe told how he gained a unique insight into discussions and described his former boss as “a minister in a hurry, who wanted to reform the system.”

Mr Walshe kept a daily diary during his time with Quinn who encouraged him to write the book and even allowed Walshe access to his own diary while he was writing the book.

“I thought it would be useful to give people an insight into how policies are worked out. I had a bird’s-eye view of what it’s like from the inside. I wanted to share that view in the interests

of helping people understand how democracy works,” Walshe explained, who was joined on the night by his three children Bryan, John and Maria.

Mr Walshe has lived in County Wicklow since the early seventies and the town of Bray is featured throughout the book.

One Saturday morning, Mr Walshe was shopping in Bray with his then four-yearold grandson, Cian, when he bumped into the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin who was on his way to the Holy Redeemer Church on the Main Street.

“Someone once told me that children and dogs are great icebreakers and so it proved this time,” he observed.

At the time, Quinn, a committed atheist, was trying to convene a discussion with the Catholic Church over school policy and the chance encounter on the Quinsboro Road in Bray led to a meeting the following week.

news in brief Christmas musical THIS year’s Bray Musical Society’s Panto is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from November 28 to 30 and December 5 to 7. Friday shows are at 8pm, Saturday performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Sunday shows at 2.30pm in St Patricks School, Vevay Road, Bray. Admission is €10 or €5 for children, family tickets are €28, to book call 086 2663250.

Aid guidelines Pat and John Rochford with John Walshe (centre) in The Harbour Bar for the launch of An Education

The Regional Aid Guidelines will be addressed in a public meeting on November 27 from 7-8.30pm in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Independent TD Billy Timmins is hosting and will cover the old Arklow Electoral Area, stretching to Avoca, Aughrim, Carnew, Shillelagh and Tinahely.

Arklow RNLI

Rachel Lynch, Alan and Maria Healy (John’s daughter)

Arklow RNLI has launched its 2015 Fundraising Calendar and is packed full of great photography. The calendars which are priced €6 are now available to purchase from a number of outlets in the town and you can contact Press Officer Mark Corcoran on 086 8260439.

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING | 9

10 | OPINION

opinion&comment

The parties in power must listen to people

A

s the pressure on Fine Gael and Labour mounts on the issue of water charges it’s important to remember exactly who laid down the foundations for them.

Fianna Fail first proposed water charges in their National Recovery Plan 2011, that policy was implemented with gusto by Fine Gael and the Labour Party and the creation of the biggest quango in the state, Irish Water commenced.

People in Wicklow have spoken with their feet on this issue and the message is loud and clear, people can’t afford to pay a second time for water. The message that rang from the protests here in Wicklow was that we as ordinary, decent people see our right to water as one of our most basic human rights. That message forced the majority of Councillors on Wicklow County Council to support a Sinn Féin motion calling on the government to abolish water charges and to halt the water metering process and to invest the €539m loan finance from the National Pension Reserve Fund into fixing the burst and leaking water infrastructure across the state. Due to the mobilisation of ordinary people through the Right2water campaign even Fianna Fáil had to support our motion - only six Fine Gael Councillors decided to go against the people of Wicklow and vote against the motion. The motion further called on the government to hold a constitutional referendum to retain public ownership of water services and infrastructure.

Many people will remember the Labour Party’s famous advert from the 2011 General Election in which they promised to protect people from the worst of Fine Gael’s right-wing policies. The advert warned a one-party Fine Gael Government would hike car tax, increase VAT, cut child benefit, increase DIRT tax by 3%, increase levies on wine by €1 and water charges would be €238 per year. The people of Wicklow have seen through the Labour Party lies and spin and in the Local Elections in May they passed their verdict on the Labour Party, not one councillor was returned to Wicklow County Council for them.

The coalition has been on the ropes since 150,000 protesters took to the streets on November 1 to voice their disgust at paying the unjust tax, unfortunately the Government spin, bribes and threats continue.

The response to the protests from the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tanaiste Joan Burton has been absolutely mind-boggling, they have said they hear what people are saying on water charges and they will make some changes to the proposed

charges. However what this clearly shows is a government completely out of touch with its citizens. Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s response to the people was a threat that income tax would have to be hiked by 4% if the charges were binned. People won’t be bribed or accept anything less than the full abolition of water charges.

The bottom line is neither the people of Wicklow or the local economy can afford the water charges. We had been told the average yearly levy would be roughly €250 to €300. The result of this would be over €14m sucked for the local economy in Wicklow, it’s no wonder shops and businesses are struggling and continuing to close. We need to put money back in people’s pockets to help grow and lift the economy.

I had the privilege of marching and addressing the rally in Bray on November 1, many elderly people said it was the largest rally they’ve ever seen in the town.

For a lot of people it was the first time they’ve ever marched or protested on any issue. People are empowered now and this is only the beginning of the campaign that will continue to grow until water charges are totally abolished.

The Government must now stop the threats and listen to the people. The bottom line is people don’t have the money to pay a second time for water. I know for many it’s a choice of putting a meal on the table for their family of paying the water tax, so the decision has already been taken for them, they must provide for their family. I’m standing with the families who can’t pay and I’m taking a personal stand not to pay the charges also, I also ripped up my Irish Water registration pack in front of the 5,000 people at the rally in Bray. I’m conscious of the implications of my actions and I’m not asking others to follow me but to make an informed decision. We have the Government on the ropes on this issue and together we must continue to build and keep the pressure on them until they are defeated..

John Brady is a Sinn Féin Councillor on Wicklow County Council. In the 2011 General Election he was the Sinn Féin candidate and he narrowly missed out on becoming a TD for Wicklow by 112 votes. He is also a member of the Wicklow Right2water campaign

with John Brady

“W

WE PAY FOR OUR ELECTRICITY AND GAS, AND WE PAY FOR THEM ACCORDING TO USAGE. WE DEAL WITH COMPANIES LIKE ELECTRIC IRELAND AND BORD GAIS AND ACCEPT THAT THEY HAVE METERS IN OUR HOUSES AND THAT THEY BILL US EVERY TWO MONTHS

HAVE YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY? IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRITE ON THIS PAGE, THEN CONTACT US e: info@ wicklowvoice.ie w: www. wicklowvoice.ie

with Brian Quigley

Water needs to be paid for ater needs to be paid for. The best way to do that is through water charges.

And the best way to implement water charges is based

on metered usage.

The above is not what we want to hear or accept – and indeed is a big change for our society - but it has to be faced up to. Let me say at the outset that I am not a fan of Irish Water or the way this government has gone about the whole water charge issue. In fact I’m on record in this newspaper a couple of weeks ago as saying that their mis-handling of the issue could mark a defining [and declining] moment in their electoral fortunes.

Nor am I a fan of the irresponsible and populist way some opposition parties have sought to make political gain out of the issue.

Whether or not water should be charged for is a separate issue to the mis-handling of the matter by Irish Water and the Fine Gael / Labour coalition, who have blurred the real reasons why water should be metered and paid for by treating the whole thing as just another austerity measure. But it is disingenuous too of opposition parties and deputies to suggest that water charges are wrong.

They should be facing up to their duty to eduacate the public as to why the charges are needed from a conservation and environmental point of view. Some things should be above politics, as Garret Fitzgerald once said. Perhaps that is why he remains the last great statesman we have had.

We pay for our electricity and gas, and we pay for them according to usage. We deal with companies like Electric Ireland and Bord Gais and accept that they have meters in our houses and that they bill us every two months. Electricity and gas are essential utilities we need supplied to our homes and business places in a developed twenty-first century society. We do our best to limit our usage and eliminate waste. You wouldn’t leave your house for the day and leave all the lights on, because you know you would have to pay a higher bill. As far as I’m concerned water is just the same.

I said above that having to pay for water is a big change for our society. With any change in life that seems daunting there are a range of human emotions that it is natural for people to feel as they move through the change. This is a well-documented psychological phenomenon. Anger and denial are usually the early ones, and as we work through the change over time we move towards a position of eventual acceptance. It’s not easy and it’s only possible if the matter is handled correctly by our leaders, or the

ones that will follow the current ones if they mess up.

Water is a basic human right but there are many countries in the world where disease is rife and people die in their thousands because of the absence of a decent [or any] water supply and waste water removal and treatment system.

You can see the ads on TV every day.

Children having no choice but to drink dirty water that could kill them. Likewise in a lot of countries agriculture and food production is hampered by a lack of rain, resulting in regular famines.

We are lucky in this country to have a climate that affords a plentiful supply of rain. This allows us have a thriving agricultural sector and this has been important to our export-led recovery from the austerity recession. But rain doesn’t go straight into your attic tank, business place or drinking water tap. The rain has to be collected, treated and supplied.

All of these stages cost a huge amount of money and bring with them a myriad of potential engineering and chemical issues.

In Wicklow we have Vartry reservoir, a marvellous facility and a long-standing supplier of water to much of Dublin.

Vartry lower reservoir was built in 1863.

The upper reservoir was added in 1923 and between them they can hold a massive 16.9 billion litres. This facility, good as it is, is quite aged. And the population of the Dublin area is expanding. So much so that it has been suggested that excess winter water from the Shannon needs to be piped to Dublin [treated in Portarlington along the way] to augment the Vartry supply. This will take a huge amount of capital, and needs to happen by 2020.

All reservoir water has to be treated and supplied through a piping network.

The piping network has to be maintained – we’ve all heard about the leaks.

Likewise changes in weather bring occasional infestations of algae at treatment plants, which cost money to rectify and interrupt supply. Then there’s the damage to pipes in cold weather.

End users paying a water bill according to usage has to happen going forward to allow all this to run in the background.

I’ll finish by pointing out that the charges should be very reasonable and not quite of the order Irish Water was proposing initially. People shouldn’t be afraid to use water they need to use. Likewise they should be comfortable with eliminating wasteful use.

Brian Quigley is a published author and contributor to the Wicklow Voice.

He is a native of Wicklow

OPINION| 11

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

anyotherbusiness

Have you got a story?

Then email thecaptain@wicklowvoice.ie

focus on faces Phil Coulter, musician How’s life?

If I had to answer in one word it would be ‘busy’!! We’ve just kicked off our Irish tour, doing one nighters up and down the country. I’m delighted, relieved and grateful that folks still want to turn up to hear what I do. We’ll be doing three Christmas shows with the Orchestra in the Cork Opera House,14th, the National Concert Hall , 17th, and the Wexford Opera house, 18th.

You are approaching fifty years in the music industry.

How does it feel to have reached such a milestone?

The question I keep asking myself is “Where did the years go?” It certainly doesn’t FEEL as if I’ve been doing it for half a century. I know how fortunate I’ve been to have made a living from something I enjoy doing. It’s a real privilege, not to say a gift from God, to be able to turn your talent into a career. It hasn’t all been a bed of roses and it takes a lot of hard work but it’s been worth every minute.

Minster Simon Harris with members of Enniskerry Boxing Club recently. In the club’s first year, a number of their boxers succeeded in bringing home prestigious accolades, including: Keith O’Rulligan - gold medal in the Leinster First Year Novice Championship; Terry O’Toole, Tristan O’Toole, Ruirc Butler and James Cahill (James is also selected to represent Leinster in Poland), all winning gold medals in the Michael Andrews Tournament; James Cash Fell - silver medal in the Michael Andrews Tournament. In addition, Eve Carr has been selected for the Irish Girls team. She and Deana Moorhouse will compete in the Girls Michael Andrews Championships in December.

Children’s lives being put at risk in Kilcoole

I

am living in Holywell a new estate off the sea road in Kilcoole. Its a lovely place to live it’s quiet, it’s safe and the residents are friendly.

It’s a well laid out estate with a lot of green space and a river running through the middle.

There are a lot of young familyies living here - 180 dwellings altogether.

But this is all about to change if plans to open a “ Link Road” through the very heart of the estate goes ahead.

Myself and other committee members and residents are fearful of a tragedy occuring in the estate if Wicklow County Council insist on opening this through road.

This link road is totally unnecessary and makes no sense at all. It beggars belief that what is currently a quite cul de sac will be turned into a rat run for boyracers, trucks, buses, anti social behaviour etc. Even Gardai have expressed their concerns.

In Wicklow 2013, there were

Pat Hayes six fatalities and nine serious injuries on our roads.

As per the ‘County Plan’, there is provision for linking The ‘Network Enterprise Centre’ in Kilcoole, with Charlesland and Greystones via Balldonerea.

This road is part of the overall plan for Kilcoole intended to link up with other proposed roads that have not been built yet and, given the lack of funding available within Wicklow County Council, are not likely to be built in the future.

In fact, according to Cllr Tom Fortune who has been assisting, “I have worked with the residents of Holywell for some time on this matter (two years)

and fully support the residents,” he says.

“It is a reasonable position for the residents to take. There are serious health and safety issues that require been solved”.

“The rational for this road has changed significantly, with the major road, that this road, was intended to link up with, is no longer going to happen and in fact has been taken out of current plans,” Cllr Fortune adds.

In 2014, there have been six fatalities and 12 injuries on our roads, including this week’s crash that took the life of Glenealy man Hayden O’Flaherty.

My fellow and I residents are fearful of a serious accident or, worse, a fatality similar to those suffered by families seen in our estates around the country in recent years.

If this road is allowed to open there are not even any provisions for traffic calming measures to be put in place prior to opening.

This flies in the face of a document published by Wicklow County Council - The County Wicklow Road Safety Plan

2010-2014.

The objective of the plan is “to reduce the number of casualties on County Wicklow roads and to provide a focus on making Wicklow roads safer”.

Here is an obvious opportunity for Wicklow County Council to maintain this as a “Safe Road” and postpone the opening of this road.

The members of the committee have submitted a signed petition with a risk assessment to support our case for not opening this road.

We have had two meetings with Council officials to put our case but unfortunately the Council is insisting that the opening of the road will go ahead in the near future.

I am calling on the Wicklow County Council to use common sense here and allow Holywell Estate remain a safe environment for children and families to live.

Pat Hayes Committee member Holywell Residents Assocation Sea Road, Kilcoole.

Did you ever think when you were writing Ireland’s Call that it would come to hold such an important place for Irish people?

Funny enough, when I was approached by the IRFU to come up with a sporting anthem, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

Not the writing of the song, but in getting people to accept it. I reckon that it wasn’t until that famous and historic game in Croke Park that the crowds really embraced it. Since then it’s become a real part of the culture, having been adopted by lots of other sports as well. It does give me a great buzz when I hear it sung , particularly at big international games.

How do you feel about the Irish music scene at the moment?

It’s very tough for emerging talent because the record industry has been going through massive changes, because of the internet. Retail has virtually collapsed. Having said that, the internet is a great platform for new talent. Our latest international success HOZIER, who incidentally was at school with some of my kids here in Bray, has proven that. That was really the launch pad for his well deserved success.I think he’s got huge potential.

Tell us about Echoes of Home?

Believe it or not,this is my first ever solo piano record. I just thought it was time to get back to basics so I stood down the orchestra and went into the studio with just myself, a Steinway Concert Grand piano and an armful of wonderful Celtic melodies.The only luxury I allowed myself was to invite on board some of my musical pals to come and play instrumental duets with me like like Moya Brennan,Paul Brady, Billy Connolly, Finbar Furey and John Sheahan.

You will be performing with your wife, Geraldine at the upcoming show in the Mermaid Arts Centre. How do you find collaborating?

Geraldine was the star performer in this family before I started! She gave up a very successful career to raise our six kids. Now that they’re all grown up and in the four corners of the world she’s made a very welcome return to the stage. It’s very civilised having your Missus on the road with you!

What can audiences expect from the show?

It’s a very intimate show, almost like having the folks round to my own house for an evening. I do a lot of the songs I’d be associated with and tell the stories behind them. It’s all very relaxed and people love the fact that it’s ‘up close and personal’. With Geraldine and Paul Byrom as my special guests there is a great mix of music and song.

Echoes of Home: The Solo Piano of Phil Coulter will be at the Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray on November 13 and November 21 at 8pm. Tickets are €25 or €22 concession, available from the box office or www.mermaidartscentre.ie.

1 2 3 4 5

topten

12 | WHAT’S HOT

with Michelle McGlynn info@wicklowvoice.ie

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

EVENT of the week LA TOUCHE WINES CHRISTMAS WINE FAIR Greystones Rugby Club, Mill Road, Greystones, Friday, November 21, 4.30pm-9pm As Christmas approaches, La Touche Wines are holding their 5th annual Christmas Wine Fair where there will be over 80 wines as well as some Sheridan’s Cheeses to compliment them. The fair is in aid of Greystones Cancer Support and Wicklow Hospice. There will be lots of Christmas offers on the night to help you stock up on the finest wines for the festive season without breaking the bank. If you are looking for some customised hampers, gift boxes or baskets then look no further. Or you can purchase some vouchers. You can be in with a chance to win a hamper of wine to the value of €200.

Second Chance will be belting out some tunes in the Rugby Club Bar after the event with no cover charge. Tickets for the event are €15 and are limited to 300 so be sure to get yours soon. They are available from La Touche Wines, La Touche Place, Greystones.

CHRISTMAS PARTY IDEA of the week THE PORT HOUSE DUORO Strand Road, Bray, throughout November and December The Port House Duoro is an ideal location for your Christmas party, no matter if it’s big or small. The Port House want to make all your Christmas wishes come true, without breaking the bank. This Christmas they are offering set menus from €23. This includes five delicious courses and a glass of Sangria. Or you can take advantage of their new Early Bird offer where you can treat yourself to two Tapas and tea/coffee for just €10. So get in touch soon to book your festive night of food and fun. The Port House Duoro offers tapas along with an eclectic list of wines, ports and a fantastic selection of gin and tonics. Enjoy your food as you look out on one of the best views the seafront has to offer. Now you can get 10% off your total bill with the voucher found on p19.

BOOK of the week THE HEART OF WINTER Emma Hannigan We first met the Craigs in the Irish Top Ten bestseller Driving Home for Christmas and now it’s time to return to glorious Huntersbrook and soak up the atmosphere.

Holly Craig’s family have lived happily in Huntersbrook for generations but when times grow hard, she must admit defeat and sell off their once successful stables.

The three Craig children, Lainey, Joey and Pippa find themselves locked in a fight to keep their beloved Huntersbrook; dare they transform it into one of Ireland’s most sought after countryside venues? Renovation work is well underway when life rears its ugly head and everything stops in its tracks. The Craig family is forced to reassess what matters and although they no longer live at Huntersbrook, can the house work its magic once more? The Heart of Winter is another stellar novel from Bray’s own, Emma Hannigan. Perfect to curl up with on a winter evening.

TV SHOW of the week RIPPER STREET

Amazon Prime Instant Video, Fridays, 9pm Period crime drama Ripper Street’s third season will launch with a double bill on November 14. Amazon invested in the series which centres around the Jack the Ripper murders and the aftermath after BBC cancelled it. Episodes will be scheduled like traditional tv in a regular weekly slot rather than the Netflix model. The

EXHIBITION of the week GILL MAC - LANDSCAPES OF HOME Kilcroney Furniture, Exit 7 off N11, Bray, currently on display Local artist Gill Mac will be displaying a selection of local Wicklow landscapes in ink and wash, as well as more abstract works of beach pebbles in print. The theme of her works, Landscapes of Home, will take you through County Wicklow and the Western Cape of South Africa where the artist was born. Gill recently graduated from Bray Institute of Further Education with a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fine Arts.

Head along to her exhibition and you might find these paintings a unique and affordable gift for Christmas as prices range from €75 to €245.

third series will air on BBC in a few months time. Series creator and writer has promised fans that this series is their most ambitious yet. The new season takes place four years after season two. It is being sold as “an ever more vivid and sensual descent into the lives of the men and women who must live on the violent streets of late-Victorian Whitechapel”. All three seasons were filmed in Ireland and are available to watch on Amazon Prime Instant Video.

6 7 8 9 10

WHAT’S HOT| 13

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

MOVIE of the week THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 Gaiety Cinema, Arklow The Games are over and now the revolution is beginning. But is Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) strong enough to become its ‘mockingjay’? Plutarch Heavensbee (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) recognises that the young heroine has become a symbol of hope for the beleaguered people of Panem. She is the only one who can unite the rebels in overthrowing tyrannical President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Katniss’ confidant throughout the deadly competition, has been captured by the Capitol and has lost his mind after being tortured.

Katniss must fight the Capitol and President Snow in order to save him.

Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) also has a big role to play in this instalment. Katniss’ best friend from District 12, he is now a soldier in District 13. Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Elizabeth Banks all reprise their roles as the Hunger Games story builds to its stunning climax.

HOROSCOPES with Siobhan Moore Whelan

SHOPPING IDEA of the week SHEOIFE’S POP UP SHOP Upstairs in Florence Fortunes Antique Shop, Florence Road, Bray, November 13-15, 10am6pm Sheoife’s Pop Up Shop is an upmarket sale of much-loved vintage clothes and second hand items. They will be selling ladies’ clothes and more shoes and handbags than any girl could possibly need. There will also be household items, jewellery,

furniture, leather goods, craft items and much more. You will find all sorts of interesting items for sale in the children’s section. The shop will be open for three days only so don’t be the one to miss out on all these amazing bargains.

You will receive a complementary hot festive drink to sip while you browse through the fabulous range of items. Bring along some friends and make an afternoon of it and maybe pick up some Christmas presents as well.

FAIR of the week What better way to start the Christmas festivities than a visit to the highly anticipated St David’s Christmas Fair. This is more than your run of the mill fair but a day out for all the family, both young and old. Situated in a breathtaking setting, overlooking the sea, the St. David’s fair is now in its seventh year and one of the largest in the county boasting over 80 stalls including: original handcrafted children’s toys, fashion and original designed clothing and accessories, antiques and collectables, books for all ages and festive homemade delectables. For the kids there’s art & craft activities, carol singing and musical entertainment which will make this a wonderful day for all the family. Of course the fair wouldn’t be complete without the guest of honour, Santa. A visit to Santa, to include a small gift at only €3 per child or €5 for two it must be the best value Santa around.

Adults €3 or €5 for two, children free. All proceeds in aid of the school. There are still a small number of stalls available email stdavidscraftfair@gmail.com for details

FUNDRAISER of the week STRICTLY COME DANCING Arklow Bay Hotel, Sea Road, Arklow, November 15, 7.30pm Wicklow native, Catriona Doran is getting her dancing shoes on for Suicide or Survive, the Irish charity focused on raising awareness of mental health. The Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser is being organised by the Avonmore Musical Society. Catriona, who has never before danced has spent the past number of weeks in training. Admission to the event is €10 and the funds raised will go to the charity Suicide or Survive. Catriona is delighted to be able to do something for such a worthy organisation. “It’s an organisation that is very close to my heart, as I lost my best friend Rosie to suicide when we were both 18. I hope that by raising money for SOS it will make a difference to the life of someone who is need of help,” Catriona said. If you would like to make a donation and show your support to Catriona please log on to www.mycharity.ie/event/caitriona_dorans_event/

GEMINI- 1,12,19,24,29,37 Intense feelings should not be ignored. Your own common sense it about to really surprise you.

CANCER-11,13,23,27,33,39 Decent people will renew your faith in humanity and this month will just keep getting better for you.

VIRGO-5,15,28,35,38,41 Compromise is the key word this month. Be prepared to take a step back and long-term, rewards are bountiful.

LIBRA-2,10,16,28,30,40 Confidence gets a boost in your love life. Be more observant and ignore anyone who tries to unsettle you.

GIG of the week

Limerick man Jon Kenny will be known to many as one half of the famous comedic duo D’Unbelievables. He brings to the Courthouse his hilarious critique of contemporary Ireland as a solo stand-up performance. Hot Press said, “Kenny has an uncanny eye for the most absurd elements of life as we know it while at the same time lampooning

TAURUS-5,18,23,28,36,39 A total change is sometimes alarming however, this is a very fortunate stage of your life - go with it.

LEO-8,12,16,18,35,39 You are the person who reassures everyone but who reassures you? Support arrives from an unexpected source.

ST DAVID’S CHRISTMAS FAIR St David’s Secondary School, Greystones, November 29-30, 11am-5pm

JON KENNY The Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, November 14, 8.30pm

ARIES-3,7,14,21,33,42 A time of change - boost your confidence by doing outrageous gestures and have fun with your life.

the idiocies spawned by recently discovered (and just as quickly lost) affluence.”

This hilarious show is on for one night only so be sure to get your ticket soon. Tickets are €22 or €20 concession.

Please note that the date for this show has changed and will take place on November 14, not 15 as previously advertised. Audiences should also note that the performance contains strong language and adult content. See www. courthousearts.ie for more.

SCORPIO-4,6,13,17,23,41 Temptation could trip you upyour passion for life needs to be pointed in a different direction!

Adventure.

SAGITTARIUS-7,13,19,30,37,42 This month will put a spring back in your step and boost your mind, body and spirit. Key word-transformation.

CAPRICORN-6,19,21,30,32,35 Be positive about your own beliefs, aims and ambitions.

Believe in yourself and wait for a celebration.

AQUARIUS-9,11,14,20,28,34 Events and contacts over the next few weeks will help you work out what it is you truly desire out of life.

PISCES-4,6,26,29,36,37 An exciting event will bring a smile to your face and a chance to meet up with old friends reliving your youth Horoscopes with Siobhan Moore Whelan - Live Psychic & Medium ring 1580997207.

Over 18’s with bill payers permission - entertainment purposes. Calls cost €2.44 per minute and may vary on other networks.

14 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

Film studio calls on State to help create 5,000 jobs

news in brief Healthy eating

IF you’re looking for inspiration and tips on making delicious healthy lunches, snacks and dinners, you may be interested in a free fiveweek Cook Eat Share course starting in Bray on November 14. The course, by Bray Area Partnership, will be led by Nutritional Therapist Aisling Maher on Friday mornings in Bray from 10.30am-1.30pm.

Call 01 2868266 or see www. brayareapartnership.ie.

By Michelle McGlynn

Procurement course LOCAL Enterprise Office Wicklow are holding a free Seminar on November, 27 from 2-4pm, in the Parkview Hotel, N e w t o w n m o u n t k e n n e d y.

Those wishing to attend must book in advance, online at www.localenterprise.ie or call on 0404 30800 or email enterprise@leo.wicklowcoco. ie.

Aoibh (4) and Deirdre Geoghegan out and about in Greystones

Film award WICKLOW Educate Together National School has received an award in film making at the 10th annual FÍS Film Festival in Dublin’s The Helix. Dexter, a short film by the students, came away with an award for Best Social Issues Film.

Delores O’Driscoll and Grainne Burns enjoy a stroll in Greystones

Emelia Tynan (6), Sean Denver (6) and Gillian Tynan with dog Murphy on Bray Seafront

FUELS .ie Self Collect Fuel Depot, Farrankelly, Delgany

KILN DRIED HARDWOOD LOGS

Vikings pack up longboats and head for home

By Cianan Brennan 1.8 m3 Kiln Dried Logs €300 1.8 m3 crate

Bulk Bag

1m3 bag

Kiln Dried Logs €160 1 m3 bag

40 Litre Bag Kiln Dried Logs €5.50 40 Litre bag

Kiln Dried Logs €120 Bulk Bag

Advantages of Kiln Dried Logs • Hot burning • Low ash content

• Nice flame • Very little spark

• Less then 20% moisture

Some logs may be subject to delivery €20 charge

Kiln Dried Logs burn BETTER, LONGER & HOTTER then softwood logs All bags of coal include €2.12 in government carbon tax

1 Bag

3 Bags

Calco Flame Smokeless Coal

€19.50

€57

Magiglo Smokeless Coal

€20.50

€60

Supacite Smokeless Coal

€22

€64

Tel: 01 287 5016 Mob: 087 262 5428

sales@millbrookpaving.ie www.millbrookfuels.ie

ARDMORE Studios have called on the Government to support the growing audiovisual industry or risk losing out on thousands of jobs in the country.

Ireland’s film and television production industry has enormous potential for growth but is hindered by the lack of sufficient studio space and facilities, the studio claims.

Chief Executive of Ardmore Studios, Siún Ní Raghallaigh has stated that Government support is vital to enable the industry to reach its potential.

According to the Creative Capital - Building Ireland’s Audio Visual Economy (2011) report the industry has the potential to create 5, 000 new high-skilled jobs and increase annual revenues to €1bn by 2016.

“We are asking the Government to establish a fund of €15m to enable the sector take best advantage of the film credit scheme

(Section 481) and create sustainable growth,” Ms Ní Raghallaigh explained.

“We ourselves have had to turn away business in the past year because we simply do not have the required capacity.”

Ireland is currently turning away interested international projects each generating €30m to €50m per year in local expenditure and each created 350 to 500 jobs.

Northern Ireland, who are currently host to the phenomenally popular Game of Thrones series, has created more studio space in the last six years than this country has in total and they have announced plans to double their current capacity.

Ardmore Studios has been home to hundreds of films and TV productions over the years including Braveheart; My Left Foot; Excalibur and in more recent times The Tudors; Moone Boy and Penny Dreadful, which is now shooting its second season at Ardmore (see below).

THE Vikings have packed up their longboats and are going home ... but hopefully they will return at some stage in 2015.

The hit TV series ‘Vikings’ last week completed filming its third series on location in County Wicklow with high hopes it will return for a fourth in 2015.

“It was kind of more challenging this year when compared to other years - everything was bigger in terms of scale and size,” says producer Morgan O’Sullivan.

“We had to construct a huge build of Paris as the Vikings attack Paris is this season and that was tough work.

“But every year we are trying to get bigger and better to compete with what’s out there and this shoot went exceedingly well! We are all very chuffed

Ghostly goings on on Bray Head

YOU could be forgiven recently for thinking that Bray Head was being haunted as a series of strange lights appeared in the night sky near to its iconic cross.

It turns out however that hit TV show Penny Dreadful was filming scenes from the second season over the

Halloween period. The Harbour Bar in Bray was also commandeered this week for filming as the cast and crew took over the famous watering hole to shoot.

Season two of the gothichorror Penny Dreadful will air on Sky Atlantic next Spring.

with it - bring on season four!”

Season three started filming last June and will now enter post-production in Toronto before it is screened on the History Channel next Spring.

The three series of Vikings have been shot in Wicklow with production in Luggala and Ashford Studios, employing approximately 400 Irish people, many of them local to Wicklow.

The series’ focus is on Ragnar

Lothbrok, played by Travis Fimmel, a fearless warrior and a family man who is hungry for war and eager to conquer new lands.

The series also stars Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, Katheryn Winnick and George Blagden, while Gabriel Byrne starred in the first season.

The second series of Vikings is currently showing on RTÉ 2 on Mondays at 9pm.

PROPERTY/NEWS| 15

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

SPACE - THE FINAL FRONTIER! Homes

with Clodagh Doyle (info@wicklowvoice.ie)

THE next time you are passing through your front door, pause for a moment and carefully observe. What is your first impression of this space?

Regardless of the size of your hallway this is the gateway to the rest of your home. This is where the first internal impression is made giving visitors an insight into how you and your family live and gives them an idea of what the rest of the may be like.

Hallways are renowned for being a dumping ground for everyone’s bits and pieces.

Revamping your hallway into an uplifting welcoming zone begins with removing the clutter. Be creative when it comes to storage by providing a place for the usual clutter culprits. A customised boot room style unit may be ideal

Ben Parker (9), Christelle Cuq and Luca Dowling (9) on their way to Sea Scouts at Bray Harbour and will look great. Consider an ottoman base with ample storage for shoes along with plenty of decorative vintage hooks for coats and some overhead shelving with weaved baskets. Placing a key box on to this unit would be highly practical. If you have provision for under stairs storage, consider this area for bulky items like schoolbags and shopping bags etc.

When it comes to your hall flooring pay close attention to your practical needs. Thick

luxurious carpets may sound appealing but will it stand the test of time? While hard durable surfaces are suitable for heavy traffic and are easier to clean they can be somewhat cold, stark and noisy. A simple solution to soften and warm up hard flooring is to add a runner or rug.

With the high volume of traffic passing through this area it is important to select a heavy-duty durable paint so that it can be easily cleaned and is chip resistant. Aim to lighten

and brighten by choosing fresh warm washable neutral tones.

Consider panelling your hall to give it some character and charm. Take the bare look off your radiator by fitting a decorative cover. Pay attention to the interior of your front door and if wood consider priming and painting. Do the same with other wooden areas like your banisters and hand rails – it will make all the difference!

Carefully choose your lighting and if space allows, make a dramatic light fitting the

centrepiece of your hallway. If you are limited for space downlighters are the best option. To inject some additional natural light from another room look at the possibility of replacing with a full or half length glass door. A decorative mirror in your hallway will not only look the part but will reflect much needed light back into this area.

Your hallway can be the perfect place to express your personality by adding some well-chosen artwork and pictures. If you can conjure up some space, fresh flowers are a simple but welcome addition.

So remember regardless of your hallway type or size, you have plenty of scope to transform this into a welcoming and inviting space – somewhere you will be proud to come home to after a long hard day’s work!

Selling? Letting? Moving?

Improving?

Let the Professional House Doctors take care of it! Get in touch on 086 8159531, 01 2548070 or e-mail us at info@placelift.ie

news in brief Drug awareness BRAY Drugs Awareness Month 2014 was officially launched on November 5 in the Barracuda Restaurant, Strand Road, Bray by Rachel Grendon, Chairperson of the Bray Drugs Awareness Forum.

An upcoming Community Conference will take place Nonvember 26 in the Barracuda Restaurant in Bray. For further information go to braydrugsawarenessforum@ gmail.com.

Christmas market BRAY Beach Christmas Market returns to The Harbour Bar, Bray for an exciting weekend of festive fun on December 13 and 14, from noon to 5pm. Ramble around the boutique stalls and mosey into Tom’s Beer Grotto in the lounge to enjoy a tasty tipple, complementing your food from Big Dog’s Galley.

AsIAm quiz TWO table quizzes will be held in Bray aid of the Autism support website, AsIAm, on November 19 in The Hibernia Inn and November 21 in The Florentine Bar. Both quizzes begin at 8.30pm and teams of four will be €40.

16 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

Jonathan’s memory lives on

Winners clean up as Tidy Town gongs presented

Annemarie and David Kelly from Delgany

By Michelle McGlynn THOUSANDS of balloons were released in Athlone on November 1 with each one dedicated to the memory of a son or daughter who has passed away.

Annemarie and David Kelly from Delgany were among the 75 families who gathered at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone.

The Kellys released a special balloon in memory of their son Jonathan (26) who tragically took his own

life in March this year. The pink and blue balloons were released as The Vard Sisters gave a beautiful performance to mark the moment. The event is now in its seventh year and the support group say that they have seen a 15% increase in attendance each year.

The event provides families with an opportunity to remember their loved one in a special way alongside other families who understand the unique grief that follows the death of a child.

“The impact of the death of a child, of any age, brings with it an intense grief that lasts far longer than society recognises.

“Anam Cara understands this unique grief and those parents a little further on their bereavement journey can reach a hand back to help newly bereaved parents,” a spokesperson for Anam Cara said.

Any family who has been affected by the death of child can contact Anam Cara on 01 4045378/085 2888 888.

By Peter Murphy AUGHRIM Tidy Towns hosted the annual Wicklow County Tidy Towns/Tidy Estates and Special Environmental Awards last Saturday, November 8.

Avoca and Hollywood were presented with first prizes in the Best Presented Main Streets for larger and smaller towns respectively.

Aughrim took the prize for best performance in the national competition and topped the leader board.

Representatives from towns across County Wicklow gathered in Aughrim for the annual event with prizes presented by Caithaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Christopher Fox and Chief Executive Officer Eddie Sheehy.

Blessington took first place for the Endeavour award with a substantial increase in marks of 13 in the national competition.

Dunlavin residents association

won the Tidy Estates competition in recognition for works done in 2014 on landscaping the estate.

They were also awarded for their organisation of a waste electrical collection for the town of Dunlavin.

A number of special awards were presented for environmental projects.

Tearmann Community garden received a waste minimisation award in recognition for their promotion of composting and rainwater harvesting and reuse activities with local schools.

Roundwood Tidy Towns received a Wildlife and Natural Amenities award for their work with local children including making bug and bird boxes, tree planting and a Wild Child Walk.

Avoca Tidy Towns received a Sustainable Tourism and Recreation award for the work done on the Red Kite Walk and its promotion.

Arklow Coastcare won a Coastcare award for their work

on developing the duck pond as a wildlife amenity for the town.

Wicklow Tidy Towns received an award for their promotion of Green Dog Walkers a campaign to encourage responsible dog walking.

Bray Lions Club were recognised for their work on promoting the gum litter campaign.

Aughrim was a big draw for other towns and the local group went to great lengths to give a warm welcome to all.

The day also featured another aspect as Aughrim was hosting a Repair Café to promote repairing items including electrical goods or furniture.

The visitors also had a chance to see the local market and Aughrim Tidy Towns charity shop. During the awards Aughrim Tidy Towns took the opportunity to recognise one of their longest serving members.

A special presentation was made to Kevin McManus for his contribution to Aughrim Tidy Towns.

Dublin Bus announce new 145 schedule

By Michelle McGlynn

DUBLIN Bus have announced that a new 145 schedule will be introduced and the hope is that it will be implemented in January 2015.

The new schedule is an attempt to enhance the reliability of the service. However, the route change means that the 145 will

cease to serve Kilmacanogue in Ballywaltrim.

The 45a which currently stops in Ballywaltrim will be extended to Kilmacanogue.

The 145 will now terminate on the slip road between the Killarney Road and the Southern Cross. This is the latest change made to the busy 145 route in recent times as frustrat-

ed commuters complained of delays and overcrowding.

In October, Dublin Bus decided to introduce three additional buses during the autumn and winter period from the city centre between 5pm and 5.45pm.

Many UCD students opt to use the 145 which increases the demand on the service during the college terms.

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING | 17

18 | LIFESTYLE

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

my favourite things Pea Coat €45, Jumper €12, Beanie €3 Penneys

Khaki Waxed Gilet €80, Navy Check Shirt €50, - Dunnes

WHAT’S HOT

with Michelle McGlynn info@wicklowvoice.ie

Lace dress, Next, €75

Belted kilt, Penneys, €7

Jumper, Dunnes, €45

Polo €40, Jeans €49 - Next

Henley top €45, Joggers €60, Canvas plimsolls €82.50 Debenhams

Crop top, Miss Selfridge, €24.99

Boots, Office, €150

Kimono, New Look, €29.99

LIFESTYLE| 19

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

recipes

Peter Byrne

CIDER BRAISED PORK CHEEKS

wine choice MALBEC 2013, ALTA COLECCIÓN Bodega Piedra Negra, Mendoza - Wicklow Arms, Delgany, €15.99 Another great effort from the prodigious Lurton family .A medium-bodied, supple wine with soft tannins.

Typically generous, concentrated black berry fruit, fat and spicy with a long lingering finish.

Brilliant for roasts and barbecues.

Concentrated dusky skinned and ripe berry fruits. Firm and drying meat-taming tannins.

INGREDIENTS

For four people • 2kg pork cheeks • 1 Carrots • 1 leeks • 1 onions • 1 sticks celery • 1 head garlic • 1 bunch thyme • 1 bunch rosemary • 1 bay leaves • 2 star anise • 5 crushed black peppercorns • 100ml soy sauce • 500 mls cider vinegar • 3 litres chicken stock • 1 litres cider • 2 grated granny smith apples Seal off the pork cheeks in a little oil until evenly golden to dark brown.

Sweat down all the veg and spices until it just starts to caramelise.

Add the cider vinegar and reduce right down.

Add the soy sauce and reduce

by half. Add the cider and apples and reduce by half again then add the stocks.

While stock is just warm add the pork cheeks and bring to the boil.

Cover with a lid and braise in the oven for two-and-a-half hours.

Leave to cool in the stock.

Serve with some creamy mashed potato and roasted vegetables

Head Chef at Sika Restaurant in The Powerscourt Hotel

All the leaves are brown

into colourless compounds.

This reveals the yellow and orange pigments, carotenes and xanthophylls, that have been there all along but were masked by the green pigment.

It is these that give leaves there wonderful autumn colours.

Further chemical changes lead to additional colours through the development of red anthocyanin pigments.

So that’s the science of leaf fall and colour change. As fascinating as the science is, we musn’t let it get in the way of our simple appreciation of this phenomenal spectacle that can be so inspiring. The poet, William Cullen Bryant said “Autumn – the year’s last, loveliest smile”.

Wildlife

with Justin Ivory

(info@wicklowvoice.ie) AUTUMN is the time of the year that is famed for the leaves falling from the trees. The prequel to this annual event is the spectacular arboreal display of yellow, red, orange and brown. But why do leaves change to these magnificent colours before falling?

In the spring and summer, when the leaves are green, they are living, working organs manufacturing most of the foods necessary for the tree’s growth. The leaves are full of cells containing chlorophyll.

It is this chlorophyll that gives leaves their green colour. It is also the chlorophyll that absorbs from sunlight the energy needed to transform carbon dioxide and water to carbohydrates, such as sugar and starch, which in turn fuel the tree’s growth.

Of course after the autumn comes the winter when there is very little sunlight and the chlorophyll is redundant. So leaves go through a process known as abscission, that means that they shed their leaves but not before they have

An American children’s song from the 1880s goes:

taken out all of the valuable material that they possibly can and it’s this that leads to the spectacular change in colour.

The green pigment in the leaf, chlorophyll, is broken down

“Come said the wind to the leaves one day, Come Over the meadows and we will play, Put on your dresses and scarves of gold, Summer’s gone and now the day grows cold” So before the last of the leaves falls in this mildest of autumns, go out and get some inspiration of your own!

Ladies - are you ready for a great night in Greystones?

LADIES Night Out, Greystones is returning again this year to take the town by storm.

There are no men allowed as the ladies enjoy this exclusive evening, on December 4 from 5pm.

The event will be filled with fun, frolics and of course there will be shopping as women take some well deserved time out from their hectic schedule ahead of the festive season.

First class fashion, exquisite gifts, discerning home interiors, glamorous hair and beauty salons and more await you in Greystones so there is no shortage of places to peruse.

To keep your energy levels up during your mammoth shopping session, you can enjoy a scrumptious lunch beforehand with menus available especially for the ladies.

All participating businesses will have a special treat for the ladies from discounts to bubbly, samples to competitions and much more.

Each retail outlet will remain open until 10pm allowing plenty of time to browse at your leisure before you finish the

Christmas set MenuS from€23 includes 5 courses and a glass of Sangria

New early Bird €10 2 Tapas and tea/coffee

Offer from 12pm till 6pm Wednesday - Friday

10% off

your total bill Redeem this Voucher for 10% off of your total Bill.

(This voucher can be redeemed Wednesday till Sunday with the Dinner menu only).

Judy Stringer and Margaret Davis in Mount Usher night with a delectable dinner. demonstrations and in-store Set to the backdrop of promotions to boot. live music, Greystones Grab your best girlfriends and will be transformed into a take advantage of this fun-filled shopping Mecca with lots of evening because this is an event entertainment, fashion shows, you would be a fool to miss.

We are located on the sea front above The Porterhouse Bar Our opening times are 12pm till late from Wednesday till Sunday. email: douro@porthouse.ie tel. 086 783 3280 www.porthouse.ie

20 | SERVICES

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

classifieds

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAY

e: info@wicklowvoice.ie w: www.wicklowvoice.ie

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT ONE OF OUR TEAM TODAY

e: info@ wicklowvoice.ie w: www. wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5556 or 01 901 5557

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING| 21

22 | SPORT

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014

Battling Village miss out on spot in semi-finals Moorefield 0-17 Rathnew 2-7 Leinster Club SFC

BATTLING Rathnew were denied by a strong Moorefield team at Aughrim on Sunday.

Moorefield captain Ronan Sweeney was not impressed by the overwhelming favourites tag the Kildare champions carried into the fixture at Aughrim and so it proved as Rathnew ran them close in a tense affair.

Sweeney knew his team would have to pull out all the stops to book a place in the Leinster semi-finals and added pressure could only make the task more difficult against the Wicklow champions. As events transpired, Moorefield had enough in the tank to book a repeat of the 2006 Leinster club final against Rhode on November 23.

The Village snatched a goal in each half just when they looked like being submerged on the soggy, slippery pitch made

sport in brief Greystones RFC IF anybody still thinks that Women’s Rugby is less skillful or tough than the gentlemen’s game you really need to go and see Greystones Women’s Rugby Team in action.

The Seabirds had a spectacular game against the Royal College of Surgeons and the home team left with a 41-0 victory.

It was not an easy game though as despite the score difference, Surgeons refused to give up but the Greystones team were well organised and determined.

Wicklow Garden County Academy

THE U14 & U15 squads played an inhouse game on November 8 in Ballinakill with the U15’s finishing clear winners as expected.

However many of the U14 squad caught the eye in a mature performance against their older opponents.

The U15’s continue to show great improvements in their S&C work under Gary Jameson Meanwhile, the U16 squad

all the more difficult by heavy showers during the match.

But when the final whistle blew on a highly competitive match, Moorefield were in the clear with a four-point margin of safety.

“There was a lot of talk about the bookies and the odds. It was crazy and that could seep into players’ minds a little bit.

Thankfully it didn’t for us,” said Sweeney. The skipper was relieved that two Rathnew blows did not derail his side.

First came a 19th-minute goal

by Philly Murphy against the run of play when Rathnew were trailing 0-6 to 0-1. The second shock came in similar style on 51 minutes. The Kildare side led by 0-15 to 1-5 when Tommy Gill lobbed in a high ball which was finished to the net by Rathnew full-forward Jody Merrigan.

A minute later Eddie Doyle reduced the deficit to three points with a well-taken score.

Moorefield, responded as befits a side that could afford to have a player of Daryl Flynn’s stature on the bench for 41 minutes. Flynn coolly fired over a 55th-minute point to re-adjust the margin to four points, and over the next five minutes of intensive, hard-fought play in normal time plus two added on, each side only scored one more point. Declan Byrne’s home team were severely handicapped by Leighton Glynn’s thumb injury which kept him in the subs. When he did appear after 45 minutes, he scored a point with almost his first touch.

As expected the exchanges were tough. Ref David Gough dished out six yellow cards, three to each side, and one black card was awarded in the final minute to Eddie Doyle of Rathnew, but he kept a good handle on a day when difficult conditions added to the collision factor.

are working hard with the S&C coaches and will soon complete the current training block at the end of this month.

They look forward to a visit to DCU campus on November 29.

Bray Emmets GAA

Slí Cualann Athletics Club

SLÍ Cualann Athletics Club won men’s Intermediate team silver at the Leinster Cross Country in Adamstown recently.

Damian Lawless spearheaded the silver medal winning Slí Cualann team, finishing in 5th place. Not far behind were, Mick Byrne (9th), Tom Moore (18th) and Tim Grummell (19th). That led to a total score of 51 points, just 7 behind the gold medal winners, who had their fourth finisher come in 17th.

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol

THE annual Allianz Tráth na gCeist will take place on November 20 at 7.30pm in Lynhams, Laragh.

Please note change of venue.

Please email Sean Stakelum at seanstakelum1@hotmail.com if you wish to enter a team.

Entry is free but all schools are asked to bring a prize.

PLEASE note that our Jackpot now stands at a whopping €10, 400.

Bray Emmets GAA Club will be holding the 2014 Annual General Meeting on November 28 at 7.30pm in the clubhouse.

The Fundraising Family Quiz night, which took place November 7 was a great success.

Thanks to the support of so many people, we raised over €1, 000. Míle buíochas le gach duine a bhí páirteach ann.

The Junior football team put in a tremendous performance against Blessington in the Swan Cup final, November 7 in Greystones, losing by just two points to the Junior A Champions.

We would like to wish Ross Masterson a speedy recovery from an injury he received to his arm during this game.

Ross had an operation on Saturday morning, but was on the side line on Sunday morning, supporting the Junior team to a Division 3 league victory against Ashford in Old Conna.

Our final Division 3 league game is away to Laragh, on November 15.

WANT TO GIVE YOUR CLUB A VOICE? EMAIL YOUR NOTES TO INFO@WICKLOWVOICE.IE

SPORT| 23

November 13 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

insideback

with Brian Quigley

McGuinness sweeps up at awards night TEENAGE Bray Wanderers goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness was the big winner at the Bray Wanderers Supporters Club awards night held in the Barracuda on Saturday last November 8.

He claimed the award for Young Player of the Year, Youth Team Player of the Year [Stephen had started the season on the U19 side] as well as the main Player of the Year award. Oh, and there were two Player of the Month awards as well! Quite a haul for the youngster who only sat his Leaving Certificate this year.

Legendary Bray Wanderers goalkeeper Josh Moran [who was on the 1990 FAI Cupwinning Bray side] is back at the club as goalkeeping coach and is helping with Stephen’s development.

Jake Kelly received the award for Top Scorer and Colm Tresson won the inaugural Hall of Fame award for former players who have made huge contributions to the club.

urged the town to get behind the team to allow them to get to the next level.

Jake Kelly It was a hugely enjoyable night attended by players, coaches, supporters, directors and family members. Manager Alan Matthews gave a very positive speech looking forward to the club pushing on in the season ahead and leaving behind the financial trouble that has bothered the club in recent months.

Long-serving Chairman Ed Cox announced he will step down as Chairman in the close season [he will continue to be involved on the board] and was hopeful the club’s recent troubles would reach a satisfactory resolution. He

Greystones bounce back After losing their last two fixtures [against Highfield and Armagh] in Division 2B of the All Ireland Rugby League, Greystones bounced back on Saturday last November 8 with a 27-20 victory over Midleton at Dr Hickey Park.

They play Ards this Saturday November 15 at Hamilton Park and we wish them the best of luck. It is still very early in the season and Stones have every chance of being in the shake-up for promotion still.

Wicklow Triathlon Club The Wicklow Voice sends its best regards to Wicklow Triathlon Club who recently celebrated their tenth birthday.

The club is hugely successful and have so far achieved top ten National Series status in both female and male club championships.

Stephen McGuinness presented with his U-19 Player of the Year trophy by Conor and Michael Caulfield

24| ADVERTISING

wicklowvoice.ie November 13 2014