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wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
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Our billion euro property mogul
Wicklow tycoon snaps up La Touche Hotel By Cianan Brennan
A 29-YEAR-old from Wicklow has emerged as the buyer of Greystones’ iconic La Touche Hotel. Arklow-native Greg Kavanagh has spent €300m building up an enormous property portfolio since 2011 through his company New Generation Homes that is now believed to be worth close to a billion euro. Kavanagh has also dismissed the proposed Central Bank changes to Irish mortgage rules, describing them as “madness”. The La Touche has been idle for the past decade and has been the subject of considerable controversy in the town. In 2005 planning permission was previously granted on the site for 85 apartments as well as a refurbishment of the hotel with 818 square metres of retail and office use, but it is unknown
Ashley Hayden, Orlagh and Caoimhe Hosey at the Senior Football final between Rathnew and St.Patrick’s in Aughrim. Pic: Yvette O’Beirne. Match report: P30 » Lots more pictures from around the county inside if Kavanagh will proceed with these plans. The property was ultimately transferred to NAMA, after AIB appointed a receiver in 2008 and in 2010 Wicklow County
Council decided to retain the former hotel’s ‘protected’ status. The site was plagued by a series of fires and break-ins since its closure in 2004, and an application was made in 2008
to put the former hotel on the derelict sites notice. Kavanagh, who still lives at home in Arklow with his mother, is a private figure and little known face on the national scene. “It’s clear to me that the Central Bank has a lack of understanding on how a proper functioning property market should work,” he said. “They didn’t understand it during the boom and they don’t understand it now.” The new rules are designed to put a curb on the enormous growth in property prices. Investors in New Generation’s deals include US private equity firms Starwood and Pacific Investments, M&G Global Investments, a subsidiary of UK giant Prudential Insurance Group and software tycoon Pat McDonagh. Continued on page 4
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4 | NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
Who’s that beside our Terry?
news in brief
By Michelle McGlynn
Budget reaction The President of County Wicklow Chamber of Commerce Rory Benville has reacted to to Budget 2015 saying “The Government is clearly constrained by the ongoing budgetary difficulty but none the less could and should have used the opportunity to introduce measures to stimulate the domestic economy.” He has welcomed the retention of the 9% VAT rate for hospitality and the extension of the Home Improvement Incentive to rental properties. He also described the Budget as disappointing and that it suffered from hype. He noted cost neutral measures which were not introduced but hopes that the upcoming Finance Bill may rectify missed opportunities.
Circus Gerbola Killruddery House and Gardens are unable to host the Circus Gerbola. It will now take place in Leopardstown. A complimentary shuttle bus will run at 7pm Tuesday and Wed, 4.30pm and 7pm Thursday and Fri, 2pm and 5pm Saturday and Sun.
JUST when we thought that Sinead O’Connor was going to spill the sexual beans on her former lovers, the singer has denied she will reveal what went on between the sheets. Wicklow-resident Sinead, who dropped in to the Beach House in Greystones recently (right), has signed a deal with Penguin to publish her memoirs. For her part O’Connor immediately stated that she will “dish the sexual dirt on everyone I’ve ever slept with.” However, within 24 hours the singer stated on sineadoconnor.com in a piece headlined Dear Everyone I Ever Slept With: “I’ve no intention, nor ever had I of dishing the sexual dirt (it mostly wasn’t that interesting). I merely had to come up with a funny quote to attach with the press release for the book.” Blue Rider Press, the Penguin group imprint who will publish the memoirs in the US have stated that the story will follow O’Connor’s “turbulent upbringing in Ireland, her breakout as an artist and her nine subsequent albums, her contro-
Sinead O’Connor with Terry Cullen of the Beach House in Greystones versial opinions and actions and her personal and musical struggles.” This will be O’Connor’s first book and it is certain to cause quite a stir and generate numerous headlines when it comes out, regardless of what’s in it. The book will cover her entire life up until the release of her most recent album which was released earlier this year, I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss. The album reached number
one in the Irish charts and received critical praise. It was O’Connor’s first release since undergoing a serious and public breakdown in 2012. O’Connor has documented this and numerous other personal struggles on her confessional blog but readers will be privy to a deeper look into her world in the memoirs. The book has no title as of yet and is currently slated for release in March 2016.
Billion euro property deals Continued from previous page
OCTOBER Band Listings Thur 16 Lucky Bones [Rock/Americana] Fri 17 Rackhouse Pilfer [Bluegrass] Sat 18 After the Ibis [Roots reggae] Sun 19 Square Pegs [Goodtime Blues] Thur 23 Love Minus Zero [Bob Dylan Tribute] Fri 24 Stoney Brokes [Rock and roll] Sat 25 The Eskies [Sea Soaked Gypsy Folk] Sun 26 Scott Maher [Blues rock] Thur hur 30 Pavement Kings [Rockabilly] Fri 31 Kammerpop [Chamber Pop] Sat 1 Sun 2
The Viking Project [Folk Rock] The Lost Brothers [Americana/Folk]
Plus Trad music in the bar Wednesday to Saturday
Greg Kavanagh Other properties acquired by Kavanagh include lands at the former St. Clare’s Convent in Harold’s Cross; a former nursing home in Sutton; CIE lands in Cabra; and a garden centre and nursery in Cabinteely, all in County Dublin. With buyer sentiment improving in recent times the value of property has skyrocketed and Kavanagh’s lands are now valued at close to €1 billion if homes are ultimately built on the land banks. Kavanagh is the most prominent developer to emerge from Ireland’s recession and it is believed he was stock trading online at 14 and had built his first house at 19, before leaving college after six months to focus on his career. “I didn’t care for school. I knew it wasn’t for me. Soccer players play soccer, pianists are good on the piano – business is me.”
Conman Breifne swindled me out of €3.6m By Michelle McGlynn
A WICKLOW businessman has told how conman Breifne O’Brien stole €3.6m from him and branded the convicted fraudster “a crook”. David O’Reilly said he hoped the seven-year sentence given to his childhood friend O’Brien would deter other potential swindler. But Mr O’Reilly, who lives in Bray, is now trying to put the whole saga behind him. “It’s good that some sense of justice has been seen to be done. Hopefully it will act as some sort of deterrent to other crooks out there,” said O’Reilly, who first met O’Brien in school. “I absolutely believe that anyone – no matter the crime – must be punished for their actions. “It is appropriate that he is put away for a few years.” He also described the personal toll the multi-million theft had on him and his family. “It changed everything, and not in a good way. The impact was far greater than just – even though it’s a huge amount of money – the €3.6m,” he said. “It became a cash crisis for me, and many of my other investments that couldn’t be afforded did go out of business.” It emerged during O’Brien’s trial that the that the wooded surroundings of the Forest Health Care Centre in Wicklow, played a key role in the case against him. The health centre, now closed, used to be known as “celebrity rehab” - Ireland’s answer to the Priory - and O’Brien fled there for several months after his scam was exposed in 2008. Following a raid, Garda discovered notes that he wrote there and then formed part of the investigation file, including an odd list he had drawn up of 10 persons in order of which of them he believed would be most angry towards him. It was previously hoped that
Breifne O’Brien those O’Brien had duped could share the proceeds of some €2m from the realisation of some of the financier’s assets. But Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard recently that in fact just €420,000 had been recovered so far. O’Brien was sent to prison for seven years after pleading guilty to a sample 14 of 45 counts of theft and deception. O’Brien convinced family business associates and longstanding friends from his days in Trinity College Dublin that he was linked to property deals in Paris, Manchester and Hamburg and a shipping insurance scheme. The deals created by the man described as “Ireland’s Bernie Madoff” were all bogus. He used fake letters and invented connections to international businessmen and lawyers. Some of the cash obtained from friends was used to pay for an extension to his house, a new car for his wife and the stamp duty on new properties. O’Brien (52), who is now destitute, last week began a new life as prisoner number 94046 in Mountjoy Prison – in what will be one of the longest stints behind bars for white-collar crime in Ireland.
NEWS |5
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
wicklow people in pictures
Ryan (4), Paul and Hannah Mahon (6) out and about in Wicklow Town.
Damian Kerins presents Aoife and Harry Clifford (2) with a â‚Ź1,000 voucher for Flanagan Kerins after she won our recent competition. Thanks to everyone who entered on behalf of Flanagan Kerins and the Wicklow Voice.
Jody Connaughton of The Creation Room in Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy, which opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sundays and bank holidays from noon to 5pm. The room comprises of 15-20 local artists, crafters, photographers that change every 28 days
Emer (10) and Maeve Kennedy enjoy the sunshine in Wicklow Town
Chris Doyle and Ava Burch-Doyle (2) on Bray Seafront
Jack Moriarty (4) and Doreen Kelly from Kilcoole
David Webster and Avila Lipsett at the Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa first birthday celebrations
6| NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
Harry Potter star in ‘Emily’
New TV show about St Patrick may be shot here By Michelle McGlynn
Actors Evanna Lynch (right) and George Webster (2nd from right) with (l-r) Kathryn Kennedy (Producer); Vibeke Delahunt (Film Commissioner with The County Wicklow Film Commission), Simon Fitzmaurice (Director); Chris Fox (Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council); Lesley McKimm (Producer). Pic: Joe Keogh By Michelle McGlynn GREYSTONES film maker Simon Fitzmaurice has been filming his debut feature, My Name Is Emily at various Wicklow locations over the past month. Filming has taken place at four Wicklow beaches, in the Wicklow mountains and Wicklow County Campus, Rathnew doubled as a psychiatric hospital. One of the scenes filmed on Greystones beach saw 100 extras bare all and run into
the icy waters. Those who volunteered to strip down for the scene raised over €2, 500 for Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association in what was nicknamed The Ice Bum Challenge. The film stars Evanna Lynch - who is best known as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter franchise - in the title role. Emily goes on a road trip with a boy from school across Ireland to free her visionary writer father from a psychiat-
ric institution. Fitzmaurice, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease and given just four more years to live in 2008. Determined to continue working Fitzmaurice recently told The Irish Times, “To spend this precious time I have doing something that fulfils me at the deepest level, that echoes in my soul. “I’ve been dreaming this project all my life, and now it’s here.”
SPECULATION is mounting that a multi-million mini-series on the life of St Patrick will be shot in Wicklow. Fox Networks have announced that the show will consist of 10 one-hour instalments and has been described as a historical epic in the vein of Braveheart which was also filmed in Wicklow. Ardmore Studios and Ashford Studios, which are currently the homes to Penny Dreadful and The Vikings respectively, are both being touted by sources in the Irish movie business. Admore Studios has home to several successful productions such as Braveheart, Tudors and Vikings and many other famous films down through the years. Dan Frey, who has scripted the miniseries along with Russell Sommer, was giving nothing away regarding the location but
said, “It’s a beautiful country, and we’d love to bring as much authenticity to the project as possible.” Frey spoke of his interest in the human stories behind wellknown saints and says that it began during his time as a student in a Catholic secondary school in America. “Saint Patrick is an exciting subject because everyone has heard of him, he’s celebrated around the world but almost no one knows the truth about his life,” he continued. “All most people know about him is that he ‘drove the snakes out of Ireland’, which is a myth. “Nine out of 10 people will tell you St. Patrick was Irish, but he was actually born in England.” The series will be based on the recorded facts of his life rather than the legends. It will explore Patrick’s dramatic transformation from a rebellious teenager into a legend-
ary peacemaker and chronicles his story as a slave who becomes a priest, a priest who becomes a warrior and ultimately a warrior who becomes a saint. Following a vision from god, he returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary. Underworld director Len Wiseman, who is married to English actress Kate Beckinsale, will be overseeing the project and is already working with Fox on the critically acclaimed Sleepy Hollow series - currently in its second season. Wiseman previously worked with Irish actor Colin Farrell on the 2012 reboot of the Schwarzenegger sci-fi classic Total Recall. In other television news, an estimated €31m has been invested in Penny Dreadful by Irish tax break investors. The horror series is filmed in Ardmore Studios and is produced for Showtime and Sky.
Wicklow school up for award By Michelle McGlynn
WICKLOW Educate Together National School have been nominated for an award at the upcoming FÍS Film Festival for their film, Dexter. The school has been chosen from over 100 entries received from all over the country. The festival, a Department of Education initiative, encourages children to explore the medium of film in the primary classroom developing skills in visual arts and moving-image literacy. A total of 24 awards will be
news in brief Extra 84X Services DUBLIN Bus has announced that a further two 84Xs will now run every day at 6.10pm from the City Centre and 5pm from Donnybrook Church. Independent TD Stephen Donnelly has welcomed the news. These extra buses started running on October 13 and will hopefully help Wicklow commuters over the winter months.
Historical Record The Old Bray Society is
handed out at the event when it takes place in The Helix, DCU on November 4. Awards will be made in categories including comedy, acting, storytelling, adaptation, animation, special effects, costumes, production, cinematography, best junior class production and historical adaptation. As the standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, Highly Commended awards will be handed out for the first time. These films were too good not to receive some
acknowledgement. Carysfort National School, Arklow is among those being presented with a Highly Commended award. The event will be hosted by RTÉ’s Sinead Kennedy and Eoghan McDermott. “The FÍS Film Festival is such an inspiring and heartwarming event which every year showcases the amazing creativity of Irish school children,” said Kennedy. Congratulations to both schools and good luck to Wicklow Educate Together N.S.
preparing a special edition of its journal, The Bray Historical Record. This book is scheduled for publication in early December 2014. The Old Bray Society is dedicated to the publication of material pertinent to the history of Bray and its environs.
Inspirational comedy
Car winner
Pub quiz
Bray Credit Union has announced that Michael and Catherine Burke are the September winners in the Bray Credit Union Ltd Monthly Car Draw. Application forms are available in the office of Bray Credit Union or downloaded from www.braycu.ie
The Great Bray Pub Quiz kicks off on October 23 at O’Driscoll’s Bar on Bray Seafront with a second quiz taking place on October 24 at the Strand Hotel. Run in 16 Bray pubs between October and March, the Great Bray Pub Quiz will raise funds for ASIAM Autism Awareness.
Wicklow writer Shane Craddock is delighted to announce that the his new play is coming to Bray. The Waiting Room is on in the Mermaid Arts Centre on October 16 and 17.
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
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8 | NEWS wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
Sinead just Misses out on title By Michelle McGlynn
WICKLOW model, Sinead Duffy has been named first runner up in the Miss Universe Ireland beauty pageant. The decision was made after judges held private interviews with the 12 contestants at the Beacon Hotel, Sandyford. The judges on the panel were pageant organiser Andrea Roche, Debbie McQuillan of Vanity X Make Up Academy, former Miss World Rosanna Davison and Miss Universe Ireland 2012 Adrienne Murphy. Sinead, who is from Bray, has named Davison as one of her role models and was overjoyed when she had the opportunity to meet her idol. She has described modelling as a dream come true. Sinead’s star has risen rapidly since Andrea Roche approached her in 2012 and is among the top Irish models. Modelling isn’t the 24 year old’s only ambition though. She is currently doing her H Dip for secondary school teaching after graduating from an international arts degree in UCD last year. Sinead was always a model student which is why her former school St. Gerard’s,
MONDAY Bray The Wilton Hotel, Southern Cross, Bray 7.30pm Call Rob 086 0251100 TUESDAY Greystones Greystones Lawn Tennis Club, Mill Road (Beside Aldi) 9.30am; 5.30 & 7.30pm Call Lesley 086 2337984 WEDNESDAY Bray The Wilton Hotel Southern Cross, Bray 9.30am; 3.30; 5.30 & 7.30pm Call Gráinne 086 4661566 THURSDAY Bray, Marino School, Church Road, Bray 5.30 & 7.30pm Call Lesley 086 2337984
Sinead (left) with former Miss World Rosanna Davison at the final Bray were more than happy to welcome her back. A dedicated athlete, Sinead did a level one coaching course the summer she graduated from St. Gerard’s and returned to the school to coach the students.
She has said that the school have been extremely supportive of her modelling career. As she adds this latest coup to her already impressive CV, you are sure to see a lot more from Sinead Duffy in the coming months.
for many years and raised his family there, says what drove him to write his account, which will be published next month, was a fascination with how personalities drive policies, and the various constraints placed on ministers. “A minister can’t just say ‘I want this’ and it will happen, likewise there’s a balance to be struck to make sure they aren’t ‘captured’ by their department,” he said. “I hope (the book) gives everyone an insight into the relationship between all advisers and ministers, not just me and Ruairi.” Among the issues dealt with in An Education will be the setting up of Solas (the state agency which replaced the scandalrocked FAS); encouraging the Catholic church to divest schools; and the reform of the Junior Certificate examinations and syllabus.
The news of Walshe’s book comes just three months after political veteran Quinn left office, although the ex-minister insists the memoir has his full approval. “I encouraged John to write the book,” said Quinn, who published his own account of his life in politics in 2005. “I have always been of the view that people would understand democratic politics better if they knew how and why decisions were made by office holders.” “There haven’t been enough recordings or commentaries by retired office holders about how government works and why decisions are made,” he added. Walshe, who worked as Education Editor of the Irish Independent for 19 years before being approached by Quinn, was involved in all the key decisions that the minister was party to during his term of office.
Adviser to lift the lid on life inside Coalition By Cianan Brennan
THE ruling coalition is braced for impact with the news that one of former education minister Ruairi Quinn’s most senior advisers, Wicklow’s John Walshe, is set to publish an insider’s account of his time working with the coalition government. The memoir, titled ‘An Education’ is lauded by its publishers Penguin Ireland as “a gripping description of the ferocious day-to-day territorial battles and face-offs between the coalition parties and their backroom staff”. Walshe, a former journalist, kept a diary of daily life in the Department of Education from his appointment in March 2011 until his exit earlier this year, and has also been able to draw on Quinn’s personal journal from his time in office. Walshe, who has lived in Bray
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
ADVERTISING | 9
10 | OPINION
opinion&comment
Budget offers little to carers and families
B
udget day has arrived again. It’s like waiting for Christmas but in the last series of budgets it was Christmas in reverse. Instead of the excitement of opening the presents it was a case of checking to see what had gone missing. To give this collation its due they were faced with a difficult task. People, including carers and the disabled, has become accustomed to give away budgets designed to provide a feel good factor and win votes. Then our current Government were faced with the situation of massive debts and as they kept telling us austerity budgets. Then suddenly when an election in in sight comes the end of the austerity budgets and the innocent public are expected to believe its just coincidence. Enough of my cynicism. Life in my home was very different the time of the last budget but within weeks of its announcement my world changed dramatically. From a dependence on disability and carers allowance to nothing. This came about because full time carers such as myself are regarded as unemployed and as the caring role continues over many years we become long term unemployed. The consequence of this is that when our caring role finishes, often very suddenly, all income stops and our entitlements are zero. For people who have given up their careers to provide care to a loved one and taking on the responsibility which would otherwise fall on the state this is a shocking and cruel way to say thanks. Considering that each full time carer, and there are over 40,000 of them, save the state over €500,000 each year they provide care in their home it make no sense to treat them in this way. Back to this budget. As it was approaching the give-away budgets that we had become used to there are certainly some aspects to be welcomed. While I am no longer a carer there are still close to 200,000 family cares in Ireland most of whom depend on the partnership of the state in the form of allowances, home care packages, home help etc. The extension of the €100 water allowance to family carers is certainly welcome but I would contend that as family carers provide the same level of care in their family home as nursing homes provide their homes should be treated the same and be exempt fro property tax and water charges. I know from my oun experience that while the accepted norm for showering is once a day taking about seven minutes,
with Marie each shower took about 25 minutes and due to the other symptoms of Marie’s MS would ofter be necessary more than once a day. The announcement of 17,00 additional education posts including teachers, resource teachers and SNA’s and particularly the 365 Special Need Assistants is a very welcome announcement. Also the additional €25m to deal with delayed discharge. Three million to support older people and the disabled services are steps in the right direction but will only be effective is the concept of the home as a primary centre of care is embraced and the necessary family carer supports are also put in place. Ireland close to 200,000 family carers contribute €77m per week, providing 900,000 hours of care daily to the ill, the elderly and people with disabilities. If this contribution to the state was being made by a private company the state would bend over backwards to keep the in Ireland and would certainly not regard them a unemployed. With the declaration that this budget marked the end of the austerity measures and the start of the restoration of the cuts made in successive budgets indicated by the increase in children’s allowance it is disappointing that carers were ignored, despite their enormous contribution. It is very disappointing that when restoration of cuts were considered that the 19% cut to the respite grant was not reinstated. The additional cost to the state would be minimal but the but the benefit to carers would be immensurable. Overall the budget offered little to family carers who willingly take on the role of providing care to their loved ones and relieving the start of their obligation. All we ask to to do this in partnership with the state. Please do not ignore us and take us for granted as we and our families also have votes.!
Tom Curran is a Project Manager and ex. Family Carer, Voluntary Board Member of the Carers Association and Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Carers Association. Tom currently lives in Arklow.
“B
INSTEAD OF CLOSING THE DEFICIT, THIS BUDGET ADDS A BILLION EURO WORTH OF MEASURES THAT WILL INCREASE IT, AND SO THE NATIONAL DEBT CONTINUES TO RISE
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with Tom Curran with Stephen Donnelly
Politically cute, but economically it’s quite foolish udget 2015 was politically cute, but economically foolish. It is a pre-election budget straight out of the Fianna Fáil handbook. It gives a little to a lot of people via lower income tax and USC. Most people have suffered the effects of economic collapse for years now, and a little breathing space is very welcome. However, the tax reductions are offset entirely by the water charge. The result is that total taxes paid remains the same, but the amount paid by different income groups is changed, with money taken out of lower income households and given to higher income households. Cutting unnecessary spending seems to have been abandoned. To tackle the deficit, spending was meant to fall by €1.4bn. Instead, it is increasing by €2.2bn. This is in spite of very real opportunities to save money. For example, in my budget submission I showed how the HSE’s spend on pharmaceuticals could be reduced by €1bn a year (available on www.stephendonnelly.ie). This budget feels very like Fianna Fáil pre-election budgets during the bubble, with one important difference – this one is being financed with borrowed money. The result? Instead of closing the deficit, this budget adds a billion euro worth of measures that will increase it, and so the national debt continues to rise. About half of all income tax collected is required just to service that debt – that’s every euro in income tax we all pay from January to the end of June. Who are the winners? Land owners do very well out of the budget, which contains 11 separate policies for them. High earners do marginally better too. Their tax bills will fall by about €600 €700, which will more than offset the water charges. Though they lose out generally too, as taxpayers and parents (see below). Who are the losers? Middle-income households (say earning around €40k) won’t see much different, as their lower tax bills will more or less match their new water tax. Lower-income households will be worse off, as their water tax will be higher than any reduction in income-related taxes. The self-employed have taken a hit, with a new 11% USC charged on higher earnings. The negative equity generation has been completely ignored, with no changes to LPT or help with mortgage diffi-
culties. No changes have been made to childcare costs, which are the second highest on earth, and mean that many parents cannot afford to return to work. Lone parents have seen a marginal policy change, but nothing to reverse recent policies that have led to one in every two lone parents, and their children, now experiencing deprivation. Taxpayers generally have not been well served, as further efficiency gains seem to have been abandoned. Students at primary, secondary and third-level lose out. The high pupilteacher ratio is not being reduced, schools are having their capitation grants cut and the on-going cuts to higher education are continuing. No measures have been introduced to make third level education affordable. Pensioners and anyone with a private pension still has to pay the 0.15% pension levy - something this Government promised to get rid of, but has kept in this budget. The reduction to the telephone allowance, which means many pensioners could no longer afford panic buttons, have not been reversed. What should have happened? The Irish people have put up with a lot to cut the budget deficit – this effort should not have been abandoned just because there might be an election next year. Efficiency savings, like the cost of buying pharmaceuticals, should have been identified. Education should have been invested in, including reducing class sizes and strengthening our colleges and universities. The costs of childcare should have been addressed. The negative equity generation should have been supported through fairer Local Property Tax. Entrepreneurs and the self-employed should have received the same protections as PAYE workers, not been penalised with higher tax rates and lower tax credits. In short, the budget should have maintained financial discipline, targeted support where it was most needed, boosted entrepreneurship, and invested in education. Rather than looking to the next election, this budget should have looked to the next decade and the next generation.
Stephen Donnelly is the Independent TD for Wicklow and East Carlow, and a member of the Dáil Technical Group. He quit the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry, saying the Taoiseach had subverted the will of the Oireachtas by ensuring a Government majority on it.
OPINION| 11
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
anyotherbusiness
Have you got a story? Then email thecaptain@wicklowvoice.ie By Captain Louis
Double trouble from our man Frank
Special Olympics raised €3,796 from the Cops and Donuts event which was held in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre. Marianne Rowan, Regional Fundraising Coordinator said “A huge thank you to everyone who helped with Cops on Donuts in the Bridgewater Shopping Centre. Special thanks to the LETR and Gardaí in Arklow, Vikings Special Olympics Club, Audi Enniscorthy for sponsoring the event and all the lovely volunteers who helped to sell Kelly’s Bakery yummy donuts. Thank you also to the Bridgewater Centre.”
The sports supporters who make me see red
T
he referee was in trouble. He was surrounded by players from both teams and several angry supporters were also on the pitch. Some of the language directed at him was pretty foul and physical assault did not seem out of the question. The scene of this outrage was not Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. It was a municipal park here at home and the players were about 10 years old. The angry supporters were parents and the man they were abusing had given his time freely to assist their ungrateful offspring. I came upon this unpleasant vignette by accident but parents with children of sports-playing age tell me there is nothing uncommon about it. One man, who does a bit of refereeing himself, tells me he is regularly insulted in four-letter words by children still at primary school. It happened recently when he cautioned one young player for kicking another. When the boy swore at him he ordered him off. But the child refused to leave the pitch and his father then ran on, not to assist the referee but to threaten him, which he did with a volley of f-words and c-words. The trouble only ceased when the referee made it clear he was about to abandon the match. The code in question was soccer. But Gaelic sports suffers from much the same problems. Scarcely a weekend goes by without reports of trouble on and/or off the pitch at some
Michael Wolsey GAA venue, often at minor level, junior matches or small club games. Abuse of referees is extremely common and physical violence is hardly a rare thing - for instance, the attack on Paul Galvin at a Kerry hurling final between Lixnaw and Kilmoyley . If you doubt me try Googling a few words such ‘GAA, referees, violence and supporters’ and you will get many examples. Prime among them is a junior match between Tyrone champions Derrytresk and a Kerry club, Dromid Pearses which turned into a brawl when supporters and subs climbed over a fence and joined players in a pitch(ed) battle, causing the referee to flee. Another Tyrone club match, between Carrickmore and Dromore, ended in a brawl on the field and violence in the stand where one supporter had part of his ear bitten off. That’s at the extreme end of supporter trouble but lesser incidents, and abuse of referees in particular, is common at many clubs, even at games where the players are
still of school-going age. I am convinced that a lot of this indiscipline – at GAA as well as soccer matches – springs from the bad example shown on television every week by teams in England’s Premier League. This is the glamour end of the game and youngsters look to it, regardless of what sport they play themselves. It is common to see a referee, during or after a Premier League match, surrounded by angry, gesticulating players, protesting about one decision or another. The referee may be confronted by a manager as he leaves the pitch and may have his decisions challenged and ridiculed by the same manager on television. I regularly hear complaints that the standard of refereeing is falling. That’s nonsense. With coaching, and lessons, and exams to pass, the senior standard is higher than ever. But it has not kept pace with the advance of television technology or with the insatiable appetite of TV channels for sport to broadcast. Games are shown and shown again. Controversial incidents are replayed in slow motion, from various angles. So we can all see that the disallowed goal wasn’t off-side at all, that the hand-ball penalty should never have been awarded and the tackle that got a defender sent off involved no contact at all but, rather, an Oscar-winning piece of acting by a forward who would be in line for Olympic gold if he practised his diving in a pool and not on the pitch.
This trial by camera has undermined the authority of referees while the men who run soccer have refused to allow them the help of the same technology. The value of touchline cameras has been proven in rugby for years and it is hard to understand why soccer’s only concession to it is a Hawkeye-type device which shows whether the ball has actually crossed the line. Rugby, which takes full advantage of modern camera technology, suffers very little from player or crowd indiscipline at any level, from schools to international. It helps greatly that in rugby only the team captain is permitted to make a direct approach to the referee. If soccer (or GAA) players could appeal to the camera they could then be banned from all other direct approaches to the referee. Argument with the ref should be punished with a red card and managers who wish to complain after a game should only be allowed to do so in writing to an appeals panel. There won’t, of course, be television cameras on the playing fields of Wicklow - not that we needed them during the recent county finals (see page 30). But if a better example were set at the highest level, we might not need them Michael Wolsey is a former deputy editor of the Irish Independent, and sat on the judging panel for the National Newspaper of Ireland Journalism Awards.
‘Fearless’ Frank Connolly has gone after Wickla’ again ... on the double this time. The Captain has reported on several occasions over the last few months how Fearless has reported on a series of allegations surrounding the Garden County in The Village magazine. Given that the circulation of said publication can be counted in the thousands, he got a much wider audience when he decided to accept The Queen’s shilling and break his latest story about a Wicklow file going missing from Environment Minister’s Alan Kelly’s office in the Irish Mail On Sunday. Former Wicklow County Councillor Barry Nevin said that he personally delivered the envelope - containing confidential information surrounding alleged irregularities within his local authorities - to the offices on September 1, and has refuted claims from the department that it was “mislaid”. Barry claims that it is the second such file in relation to the Co Wicklow local authorities to go missing there in recent years. As Oscar Wilde would say, to lose one file is misfortune, but to lose two looks like carelessness ... Meanwhile, Fearless then followed this up in the latest Village with a piece about how allegations over illegal dumping in Wickla’ were handled by Kelly’s predecessor, newly installed European Commissioner Phil Hogan, led to questions over the suitability of the latter to his new post. Under the headline ‘Wicklow Council Consultant sought tender for clean-up of illegal waste’ goes on to rehash a series of allegations going back to 1998. Whatever about the whiff of rotting rubbish, one suspects a whiff of sulphur will emerge soon ...
Soldier of Destiny steals a march
Fianna Fail’s Cllr Pat Casey has stolen a march on his rivals by announcing his intention to contest the next General Election. The Soldier of Destiny has been a member of Wicklow County Council for the past 10 years and is the first sitting Wicklow County Councillor to formally announce he plans to run in the General Election set to take place in early 2016. “I feel Fianna Fail in Wicklow is in a very low position because we have no deputy or senator. It weakens the position of the party in Wicklow. For this reason I feel it is fitting to announce that I am going to contest the convention and seek a nomination for Fianna Fail,” he said recently. While The Captain wishes Pat all the best, if the recent by-elections are anything to go by, Pat could easily be contesting a leadership race given the love for Micheal Martin right now ...
TB or not TB?
While The Captain is very sympathetic to the plight of Wickla’ farmers and their struggle against combating TB, he couldn’t help but raise a chuckle at a quote in the Irish Independent Farming. Wicklow ICMSA chairman Shane O’Loughlin claimed “There is a savage population of deer in the county at the moment” and The Captain couldn’t help but think on first reading that marauding gangs of crazed Rudolphs savagely attacking poor helpless humans as they go about their business. What Shane meant of course was there was a large population of deer wandering the highlands leading to a spread of the disease. “Even in Aughrim where I am from there is a big increase in deer numbers, and we wouldn’t have been in deer country years ago,” he added. A major wildlife cull is now being sought in the county after figures compiled by the Department of Agriculture showed TB levels in some areas running at three times the national average at 5.03 animals per 1,000. Whatever about turkeys voting for Christmas, The Captain feels obliged to warn Santa about flying too close to the Garden County on Christmas Eve ...
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October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Glorious Glenview marks 100 years with new book By Michelle McGlynn
THE Glenview Hotel has published a book detailing over a century of memories and celebrating its heritage. The hotel teamed up with IMAGE magazine’s Tina Koumarianos, who lives in Wicklow, to publish The Glenview Hotel: 100 Years of Memories. “We are delighted with how well the book has turned out and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed and helped to make it so special,” said Vivienne Nyhan, Sales and Marketing Manager of Glenview Hotel. “Of course, we would also like to thank Tina Koumarianos who wrote it and Richard O’Connell from ROC Design who designed it, without them the book would not have been possible. “Anyone who is interested in getting their own copy can contact the hotel on 01 2877511,” concluded Vivienne. The book covers various aspects of the hotel’s legacy such
as the history of the location, the famous Glen of the Downs families and the notable guests that have frequented the hotel. Due to its close proximity to Ardmore Studios, the beautiful Glenview Hotel has been home to numerous film stars over the years. Elizabeth Taylor accompanied then-husband Richard Burton to Wicklow as he filmed The Spy Who Came in from the Cold with his former lover, Claire Bloom. The high-profile couple were often seen sitting at Burton’s favourite table in the hotel’s dining room - number 10. It is not just film stars who have stayed and dined at the four-star hotel. They have welcomed authors, musicians, sporting heroes, former Taoisigh and even the Kennedy family stopped in for lunch during their 1968 visit. The book also features personal stories from some of their guests from down through the years. From fond childhood memo-
ries and reminiscing about blossoming romance, to birthdays and weddings, to a mischievous recollection about flirting with the one and only Ms. Taylor, it seems that there are no shortage of happy memories associated with the Glenview Hotel. The book also includes stories from former staff members and finds out where they are today. There are lots of happy memories from their days working at the hotel and gratitude from those who got their first job with the hotel. Former chef Billy Burke recalls a hilarious incident involving Lobster Thermidor, a bit of a misunderstanding and a woman fleeing the hotel, shrieking at the top of her lungs. Of course, the book would not be complete without photographs of the majestic hotel and its stunning surroundings of the Glen of the Downs from throughout the decades. The Glenview Hotel: 100 Years of Memories is available now and it has certainly been worth the wait.
Vivienne Nyhan, Sales and Marketing Manager of Glenview Hotel, with the new book
Big boost for tourism in Wicklow By Michelle McGlynn
WICKLOW received a huge tourism boost when local firm Vagabond Tours Ireland were involved in the Adventure Travel World Summit 2014 in Killarney recently. Speaking about what Wicklow has to offer in terms of adventure travel, Rob Rankin of Vagabond Tours said, “Wicklow is Ireland’s largest single area of upland wilderness, with excellent walking, superb scenery and plenty of activity options.” And Vagabond Tours impressed two of the most popular travel magazines in the world - National Geographic Traveler and Outside magazine - which are set to feature Vagabond Tours and Wicklow by extension. “I think the word adventure can be misleading for people, it creates an idea of bungee jumping and other extreme sports,” Rob’s wife Amy told the Wicklow Voice. “Adventure tours are about activities, enjoying nature and combining that with the history and heritage of your surroundings,” Amy continued.
14 | NEWS down the decades The treacherous waters off Wicklow THE railway came to Bray in 1854 and pushed southwards. By 1859 plans had been submitted for the Gorey extension to be completed in three sections: Wicklow to Woodenbridge; Woodenbridge to Arklow and Arklow to Gorey. By 1861 the railway was only a mile north of Rathdrum but a very deep cutting (still in use today) was needed that slowed work getting the railway into Rathdrum. The importance of a station at Rathdrum was the transporting of ore from Glendalough for smelting at Ballycorus near Shankill just north of Bray In times past Woodenbridge was the junction for the beginning of the Woodenbridge – Shillelagh Railway. This section of track ran for a distance of over 16 miles and plans for its development were drawn up in 1862. The Earl of Fitzwilliam gave land for 12 of the miles and donated £1,000 towards the preliminary expenses of the line. The estimated cost of the line was £4,000 per mile. Construction began in March 1864 under the main contractor Mr Thomas Edwards. By the following June it was at
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014 Aughrim and at Ballinglen three months later. On May 22, 1865 the line to Shillelagh was opened with a service of two trains per day. The Aughrim band turned out and performed at the opening and the Earl of Fitzwilliam addressed the crowd. The station at Shillelagh was only a temporary one and the station proper was not completed until 1873. Mr.Ponsonby negotiated a private waiting room at the new Shillelagh station for the exclusive use of the Earl by contributing £105 towards the cost of the station. However heating, lighting and cleaning of this room were to be at the Earl’s expense. A timetable for the route had the train leave Shillelagh at 8.40am and travel with stops at Tinahely, Balinglen, Aughrim and arrive in Woodenbridge at 10.20. Two-hours, 40 minutes for a 16 mile journey (with stops). The economics of the line were not profitable. It continued to operate until April 24, 1944. A lifetime of 79 years. Today traces of the old line can still be seen, reminders of the great days of steam when the railway was king. Philip Byrne is a Storyteller who under the title of Positive Outcomes is available for storytelling events for children and adults including special needs groups. He can be contacted on 087 2627806.
The Happy Pair - twins storm book sales chart By Michelle McGlynn
WICKLOW twins, David and Stephen Flynn, have been taking the nation by storm with their new cookbook, The Happy Pear. The press tour for the cookbook has included an appearance on Brendan O’Connor’s Saturday Night Show, speaking on Today FM’s The Ray D’Arcy Show and they appeared in Dubray Books on Grafton Street for a talk and tasting. In the first week of sales, The Happy Pear outsold popular celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s latest offering, Comfort Food. The Happy Pear is all about eating healthy but that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice taste, or even chocolate. This cookbook is packed full of mouthwatering recipes like Indonesian aubergine satay and samphire, cider and veg chowder. For the chocolate-lovers among you there’s gooey chocolate mousse cake. In 2004, the Greystones lads
news in brief Home insulation HOMEOWNERS on a low income living in the greater Bray area, or elsewhere in Co. Wicklow can benefit from free home insulation. To qualify you must be an owner-occupier and in receipt of either Fuel Allowance, Family Income Supplement, or Job Seekers Allowance for more than six months with a child aged under seven. To find out more call 01 286 6080 or log onto www. brayareapartnership.com.
Wilde at the Strand Martin Davidson will recreate Oscar Wilde’s 1883 lecture to the art students of the Royal Academy of London. A panel will respond to the lecture before the topic will be opened to the floor. The event will take place in the Strand Hotel, Bray on October 21. Admission is free. David and Stephen Flynn outside The Happy Pear
Avoca playground
opened The Happy Pear as a greengrocers. A decade later and The Happy Pear has a wholefood café alongside the greengrocers and health shop and they are also in a
Avoca Community Playgroup will be holding a cake sale in the Community Hall, Avoca on October 26 at 11.30am. Come along and get a delicious home made cake for the bank holiday weekend.
second location in Shoreline Greystones. They have cultivated quite a reputation for themselves over the past 10 years. Who knows where it will take them from here?
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topten
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with Michelle McGlynn info@wicklowvoice.ie
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
TREAT of the fortnight AUNTY NELLIE’S SWEET SHOP Main Street, South Point, Church Street, Greystones Running from now until Halloween, October 31, Aunty Nellie’s will be hiding 20 golden tickets in their lucky bags in store. With fantastic prizes of €5, €10 and €20 vouchers, hampers, sweet trees, piñatas, party bags, clipper jars and one 3kg display jar which you fill with your choice of sweets. But wait, there’s more! The lucky ticket number one will be in with a chance along with the rest of the Aunty Nellie’s stores to win sweets for a whole year. That is a €10 voucher for every week of the year. Fifty-two €10 vouchers, that’s better than a trip to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Also on Halloween, Alan from Aunty Nellie’s says that anyone dressed up will get a Halloween gift and a chance to win a €20 voucher for best Halloween costume. See you there.
WEDDING IDEA of the fortnight POWERSCOURT ADORES…WEDDINGS Powerscourt Hotel, Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, October 19, 11am-1pm Ireland’s leading five star hotel and the ultimate wedding venue, the Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, would like you to join them for the ultimate Powerscourt Adores…Weddings showcase. Powerscourt have chosen Ireland’s most elite wedding professionals for a range of master classes including model Pippa O’Connor and Tara Fay of Xena Productions. Broadcaster and designer, Brendan Courtney will MC an exclusive fashion show. The French Touch and Floral Events and The Sweet Treat Company’s treat buffet will be there. Powerscourt Hotel is inviting couples to submit the questions they would like to have answered by the experts via the hotel’s social media channels ahead of the showcase. For those couples who book their wedding date on the day, a 10% discount will be applied to their chosen package.
BOOK of the fortnight BRIDE WITHOUT A GROOM Amy Lynch Bride Without a Groom is the debut novel from Wicklow author Amy Lynch. The story follows Rebecca who has chosen the most luscious, five tiered wedding cake - as featured in Hello! Magazine. The engagement ring that she has selected is celebrity inspired. She has fallen for an ivory lace couture gown that is to die for. The down payment may require her to sell her left kidney but it will be worth it. Isn’t that why you have two? There is just one teeny problem. It’s just that Barry has yet to propose. There’s only so much wedding talk that one man can take. Now he’s heading off for a business conference in Bangkok and as the Tiger beer flows and the tie loosens his colleague Shelley is providing more than just a shoulder to cry on.
TV SHOW of the fortnight OUTLANDER
RTE 2, Tuesdays, 11pm Outlander is based on Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling books and stars Irish actress Caitriona Balfe. The series tells the story of Claire Randall (Balfe), a married combat nurse who is mysteriously transported from 1945 back to 1743 where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie
CAR IDEA of the fortnight RYAN & BRIEN LTD. 5 Pinewood Close, Boghall Road, Bray, 01 2829183 Ryan and Brien Ltd. pride themselves on high quality service for their clients. Located behind Aldi and Power City, this family run business has specialist equipment for BMW, VW, Audi, Seat, Suzuki, Renault, Peugeot and Citreon. The garage caters for all vehicles. They have a rolling road brake, suspension tester and an engine decarboniser available. Air conditioning servicing - top up or complete service - is available along with NCT repairs. There are seven different diagnostic units on site so they can communicate with almost every car. You can avail of tyre and wheel alignment while having your diesel/petrol emissions tested. For anything your car needs, Ryan & Brien can take care of it.
Fraser (Sam Heughan), a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives. The series has been met with rave reviews in the US. Buzzfeed dubbed it “the feminist Game of Thrones”. The series combines science fiction, romance, history and adventure into one epic tale. This is going to be one of the new must-watch series.
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MOVIE of the fortnight THE JUDGE Gaiety Cinema, Arklow Slick lawyer Hank Palmer (Robert Downey Jr) is deeply shocked when his mother dies and faces a journey into his past as he travels home for her funeral. This means coming face to face with his estranged, stubborn father - formidable former judge Joseph (Robert Duvall). To say the two don’t get along would be an understatement. But then Joseph finds himself in the dock of the court he presided over for 42 years, charged with first-degree murder. Hank sets out to uncover the truth and prove his father’s innocence. Downey Jr and Duvall are outstanding in this emotionally charged tale. Billy Bob Thornton as prosecuting lawyer Dwight Dickham and Vera Farmiga as Hank’s ex-girlfriend, Samantha join them to make up an impressive, talented cast.
HOROSCOPES with Siobhan Moore Whelan
BUSINESS of the fortnight OLIVE 3 STUDIO & OLIVE BRANCH Brighton Hall, Ground Floor, Parnell Road, Bray Are you feeling tired, stressed or just wanting to get in shape in a safe space? Olive 3 studio offers yoga, zumba, dance, massage and other courses and services. The aim is to create a centre of wellbeing, creativity and fitness. They offer courses for children in yoga, zumba and dance. Find yourself a little
piece of peace with Olive 3 studio. Olive Branch - Holistic Dispute Resolution offers conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution to anyone going through separation or divorce. Lisa Temple is experienced in the development of programs for specific needs such as fertility, stress, depression, PTS, pregnancy, cancer recovery and weight loss clinics. There are also outreach programmes to schools, corporations and organisations such as Festina Lente.
HEALTH IDEA of the fortnight
ARIES-1,6,18,29,34,42 The area of your chart in charge of trust is helps your romantic and financial relationships to improve. TAURUS-4,10,14,28,30,36 The on-again/off-again battles you have been dealing with at work are finally coming to an end at last. GEMINI- 2,6,18,22,36,40 Schedule events involving social, team, community, and/or partnership oriented events. CANCER-2,4,16,29,36,37 The month for professional progress and brings a positive impact on your home, family and love life. LEO-9,11,19,22,33,35 Broaden your horizon; travel, learn about new cultures, political views, etc., sign up for a new hobby.
BRAY CHIROPODY AND PODIATRY The Mews, rear of 1 Prince of Wales Terrace, Wyndham Park, Bray Your feet are often the most neglected part of the body when it comes to health matters. Bray Chiropody and Podiatry offer a wide range of services including simple treatments for verrucae, corns and callous, to more in depth treatments such as nail surgery for the removal of ingrowing or problematic toenails. Have you ever considered acupuncture for your feet? Bray Chiropody and Podiatry can offer this ancient Chinese method of treatment for a number of lower limb conditions. The results may surprise you. Why not spend a little time thinking about your feet and what they do for you? And it’s good to know that you also give a little back to your community when you visit Bray Chiropody and Podiatry as we donate one days takings each month to a recognised local charity.
VIRGO-8,20,28,32,36,42 You and a romantic, social, or business partner really enjoy delightful date nights, fun & games. LIBRA-5,8,11,18,20,39 Fed up with bickering? Someone in your social circle plays mediator and helps find common ground.
GIG of the fortnight THE JONI MITCHELL PROJECT Hot Spot Music Club, above the Beach House, Greystones Harbour, Oct 25, 8pm Few artists have shaped the landscape of popular music as much as Joni Mitchell. Her poetry, insight and originality have influenced so many that contemporary songwriting without her is unimaginable. Award-winning singer, Edel Meade, and the legendary Dick Farrelly, on guitar, pay tribute to the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, performing
an eclectic blend of Mitchell’s back catalogue including songs from Blue, The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Court and Spark. Dick Farrelly has performed, recorded and toured worldwide with some of the biggest names in the business such as Van Morrison, Sinéad O’Connor and Mary Coughlan. Tickets for this gig can be purchased from Vintage La Touche, La Touche Place. Tickets are €8 pre-pay or €10 at the door.
SCORPIO-1,12,16,28,29,37 Your month to shine: jumpstart on your holiday shopping, an expert bargain hunter and negotiator. SAGITTARIUS-1,7,14,19,24,37 Laughter, play, dance, goof off, fall in love, spend time with children, pets, lovers, hobbies! CAPRICORN-16,18,23,30,34,39 Positive energy flows into your home and private life. Happy energy surrounds you; relax. AQUARIUS-4,12,20,27,34,40 Everyone is loving, supportive, happy to hang out with you; to do business with you-busy month.
‘PULLQUOTE HERE– IN THE MAFIA, SCARY IDEA of the fortnight THOSE WHO GO AGAINST THE WISHES OF THE DONS CAN HAVE A SHORT LIFE’ GHOST STORY NIGHT IN IRISH Wicklow’s Historic Gaol, Kilmantin Hill, Wicklow Town, October 29, 7.30pm
Glór na nGael is organising a ghost story night for Irish speaking families in Wicklow’s Historic Gaol at Halloween. Many of the stories will draw on the history of Wicklow Gaol and the unfortunate people who were confined inside its walls. Gather together as a family and enjoy the spooky stories and atmosphere of the Gaol. Parents should be aware that some younger children may not enjoy the stories. Any families wishing to attend with younger children should contact Glór na nGael so that appropriate entertainment can be provided while the older children are enjoying the stories. Glór na nGael is also organising a weekend of events at the Kippure Adventure Centre in Wicklow during the Halloween weekend.
PISCES-2,4,7,10,16,36 Finally, everything clicks into place.This is your month for private, professional and financial growth.
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.
18 | PROPERTY news in brief Seed planting day NATIVE Woodland Trust are holding a volunteer day on October 18 from 11am to 1pm at Laragh nursery, meeting at the Brockagh Centre car park. For more information see the NWT Facebook page.
Christmas shoebox Team Hope Christmas Shoebox appeal calls on Wicklow school children to ‘get wrapping’. Anyone who wants to get involved can leave their presents at any of the drop off points across the county before November 10. To find your nearest drop off point visit www.teamhope.ie
Turn on, drop up! John Power’s Live Lounge will broadcast from the Hot Spot Music Club, Greystones every Sunday from 3.30pm. The Eskies will be dropping by on October 19 to sing a few songs. Tune in to Garden County Radio from 3-6pm.
Camera Club Greystones Camera Club’s third Annual Photographic Exhibition will be held in Evangelical Church Hall from Oct 17-19. Free admission.
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
WHEN THE ONLY WAY IS UP Homes
with Clodagh Doyle (info@wicklowvoice.ie)
SOMETIMES when we are looking for something, we find that it can be staring back at us - just under our nose, however in this case it’s just above our head. Creating some much needed extra space via your attic may be just the answer to your space and storage woes. If it is just some additional storage space you are longing for, you can simply look at flooring out your existing attic space and perhaps fitting an attic stairs like a stira. Ensure your attic is properly insulated and make provision for additional lighting if necessary. In order to convert your attic space into a habitable area such as a bedroom, office or playroom you must meet all current building and fire regulations. The main reason for these strict guidelines is to
Pascal Burke and Ms. Mary White, retiring Principal of the Dominican College Wicklow, present Daniela Pop Buia with the 2014 Burke Oil Bursary Award for €1,000. Daniela completed her Leaving Certificate studies in June. firstly protect your family so that they can use this new living space safely and secondly when you go to sell this property to avoid any problems. There are generally two types of loft conversations – a “roofline” conversion and a “dormer” conversion. With roofline conversions a room/ rooms are created within the existing shape of the present roof with the use of velux windows
for light and ventilation. Planning permission is not normally required for this type of conversion, however in order to justify all current building regulations you may require a full set of Architects plans along with designs of a Structural Engineer to satisfy designs. Dormer loft conversions are when an existing roof space is extended in order to produce
a more habitable room. The design, shape and design of dormers can vary greatly. This type of conversion may also not require planning permission but advice should be sought from the professionals as the criteria can vary from property to property. Take care when choosing your windows as light will be a crucial part of this project. Pay attention to the staircase function but also aim
at creating a feature of it while being mindful of it blending and working with the rest of the house. Converting your attic is an ideal way of adding value to your property. With current property conditions it may be more viable to improve and renovate rather than move to a larger property. Try taking a peek at your family, friends or neighbours attic conversions to establish clearly what you are hoping to achieve. For further information about loft conversions, the Department of the Environment have a very useful and informative guide called “Loft Conversion” – Protect your Family!” which is available to download from their site www. environ.ie. 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
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20 | NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
news in brief Adult Learning BALTINGLASS Adult Learning Centre are running a course on Food and Nutrition, for two hours weekly, on Tuesday mornings. There will be an Information Session on October 21 at Baltinglass Adult Learning Centre at 10am. For more information contact Annette or Maeve 059-6482642 or 0868462771.
Price of Citizen Kane plush pile slashed by €400,0000
Russborough stand Russborough House is to feature at The Heritage Island stand at the Over 50’s Show this week, which takes place at the RDS from October 17 and 19. For more information on Ireland’s Premier Attractions visit www.heritageisland.com or call 01-775 3870 or 086 – 011 1221.
Cancer support Greystones Cancer support are having a super draw and is one of their two annual fundraisers. Don’t miss out on your chance to win a fabulous prize and help support a worthy cause. Tickets will be on sale at Tesco Greystones next weekend. For further information call 01 2871601
Orson Welles as Charles Foster Kane in the iconic movie By Peter Murphy
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JUST when it seemed that the only way was up for the property market, the price of a fairytale estate inspired by the classic movie Citizen Kane has been slashed by €400,000. The plush pile, known as Heathers and located five miles from Enniskerry village, is now available for €1.45m down from €1.85m in May of this year when it was advertised in the Irish Times. Set behind two sets of electric gates lies Heathers, a Swedishstyle country lodge nestled into the side of a mountain with panoramic vistas over Glencree Valley. Originally built by the Collen family, the house was purchased nine years ago by the late Brendan McGonnell, who was inspired during a visit to
media mogul William Randolph Hearst’s castle La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill). Hearst was the thinly-veiled subject of Orson Welles’ 1941 classic and his home in the film was know as Xanadu. McGonnell decided to develop the grounds at Heathers to create his own captivating gardens at the age of 62 and also built an enormous 12-car, thermostatically-controlled garage to keep his collection of rare and vintage cars. Welles himself was no stranger to the area after he made his stage debut in the Gate Theatre in 1931 before starring at the Abbey Theatre the following year. He then returned to the States to make his name with Citizen Kane. The new owners of Heathers will obtain 5,500 sq ft of de-
tached Scandinavian-style house on 27 acres. The Collen Construction family built the premises over 30 years ago for their own use. But it doesn’t stop there, as the new owners will also get a separate cottage, two large garages and a top of the line security system. In a picturesque setting in evergreen woodlands, this house was built to a Swedish design, applying warm wood floors and paneling throughout. McGonnell converted an old stone cottage - the original house on the site - into a separate party room, with adjacent patio area for barbecues. Last but not least, Heathers comes with a back garden “children’s village” - an array of a dozen individual Wendy houses linked by wooden stepping-stones.
Top tips for your fire in winter
Suitable Fuel: MAKE sure you are using suitable fuel for your fire. Wet or damp fuel can be the biggest cause of a fire not lighting correctly and unnecessary smoke in your home. You should only purchase dry firewood and smokeless coal and store it correctly in your home or in a weather proof bunker. Millbrook Fuels stock three
types of smokeless coal, each with different burning properties and uses. Stove manufacturers recommend only using Kiln Dried Firewood, as it has a high heat output and it prolongs the lifespan of the stove.
have your chimney cleaned once at the beginning of the cold weather and once again in the New Year. Do not rely on chemical cleaners; there is no substitute for a sweep’s brush. You should also clean out your fire place regularly
For Fire Safety: It is highly recommended to have your chimney cleaned at least twice a year. You should
Drop by Millbrook Fuels in Farrankelly, Delgany to speak to our friendly staff or call today on 01 287 5016.
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
ADVERTISING | 21
22 | NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
BRAY WANDERERS COMMUNITY FOOTBALL CLUB
SPECIAL APPEAL
TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE COMMUNITY
THANKS TO ALL THOSE
WHO HAVE RESPONDED
TO OUR APPEAL TO DATE
TICKET PRICES:
Adult (€15)
|
WE CONTINUE TO
NEED THE SUPPORT
OF EVERYBODY AT THIS CRUCIAL TIME FOR BRAY WANDERERS. We need you down at the Carlisle Grounds for our final home match of the 2014 Season, a very attractive match and a potential title-winning game for Dundalk who we play in our final fixture.
Bray Wanderers versus
Dundalk
Friday, 17th Oct. K.O.: 7.45p m
Student (€10)
|
Schools/OAP (€5)
This match is crucial to our future as a Premier League Club. You can really make a difference by coming down and supporting our family-friendly club.
Together we can make it work - Let’s do it! OUR COMMUNITY
OUR TEAM For further details contact: Frank Slevin on 087 257 1899
+
OUR CLUB
+
= SUCCESS
BRAY YOUR TOWN | BRAY YOUR TEAM HARD METAL
NEWS| 23
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Cast aside the Winter Blues and head down to the Travel Boutique Advertorial
THE Travel Boutique was established five years ago by Linda Jones and relocated to Bray two years ago. Their office is located at 2 Killarney Villas, at the Town Hall. They are currently the only travel agency in Bray and offer a comfortable and inviting atmosphere when you visit their office. The Travel Boutique is Wicklow’s Premier Travel Agency and offers a full range of travel services. Flights to all worldwide destinations, summer and winter package holidays, ski holidays, city breaks including Christmas markets, ocean and river cruise holidays and activity holidays, including walking and photography holidays and of course honeymoons. They are Australia and New Zealand Specialists and can tailor-make the perfect trip for you. Whether it is trip to celebrate a special occasion
or a last minute deal The Travel Boutique can source any worldwide and European holiday at very competitive prices backed up by their extensive expertise and knowledge and the latest technology to ensure they get the best value for their clients. The Travel Boutique deliver an excellent and personal service to all its clients. The staff of The Travel Boutique each have over 20 years experience in the travel industry so you will always find a knowledgeable team to find solutions to your travel queries. Backed by the latest travel booking systems, they have access to the latest availabilities and prices for all Worldwide airlines, including low-cost carriers, fantastic deals for hotels, instant booking for any cruise company, airline or tour operator so for the best advice, price and service call The Travel Boutique today. They offer afterhours appointments by prior arrangement and are also open
on Saturdays from 10 am to 1pm for your convenience. They are fully government licensed and bonded, so you are completely secure in booking any travel service with them. They offer a 24 hour emergency contact number in the unlikely event that you may need to contact them. They have developed a strong online presence with four distinct websites, offering many suggestions and ideas when it comes to their holidays, city breaks, trip of a lifetime and much much more. The sites are being constantly updated with new and exciting offers to all worldwide destinations. Check out our latest offers on thetravelboutique.ie / theitaliantravelboutique.ie / the cruisetravelboutique.ie / theaustraliatravelboutique.ie They can be contacted on 01 2768114 or travel@thetravelboutique.ie or by calling to their office for a free consultation over a cup of coffee.
24 | LIFESTYLE
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
my favourite things WINTER TRENDS UNCOVERED
Looking ahead to the beginning of a new season and a fresh, new fashion phase; changes in weather conditions demand an updated, fully functional new look. However, just because it’s grim outside doesn’t mean your style should suffer! On the contrary, the colder spell can mean you have even more wardrobe options to work with. Explore next season’s must-have trends and get set to look smart, snug and stylish all season long.
NEW WAVE KNITS
Heralding the reinvention of the cosy Winter staple with a fresh take on knitwear styling; the look for next season is all enveloping. Drawing inspiration from catwalk collections, there is one certainty across the board; knitwear rules and more is more! Embrace the trend in head-to-toe knitted separates or go for a mix and match look with clashing fabrics and textures. CORA Chunky Crop Jumper €335, LILA
Brocade Knit Mini Skirt €190, MINA Chunky Hand-Knit Hat €85
swinging 60’s with a modern twist. High shine loafers Next €37
FAUX FUR FEATURES
SOFT TAILORING
Soft, fluffy and super versatile, faux fur details evoke a laid back look that’s hard to resist. Play around with fuzzy textures, jewel tones and oversized shapes for a contemporary vibe. Necklace Feather Jumper €15 Feather Skirt, €12 Fur Snood worn as Headpiece €7, Circle Statement Cuff worn as headpiece €4, Fur Bag €15
RETRO CHIC
Each season fashion trends from a particular decade are remodelled with a modern spin. This time around 1960’s style is set to shine. Bright, short and shining; hemlines go mini and colourful. Pointed loafers and mini box shaped handbags are also having a moment. It’s the
WHAT’S HOT
with Mairead Vickers info@wicklowvoice.ie
Breathe new life into professional wear in a tailored outfit with a cutting edge silhouette. Sophisticated separates convey an upscale mood, and when combined with soft, loose and luxe fabrics, it’s clear that smart tailored dressing can still be fantastically feminine. Connie sleeveless jumper €57, Bloom wide leg cropped trousers €44, Layla mules €60, Riley fur bag € 57
WINTER BLOOMS
Not just a spring thing! The trend for winter florals has grown to become a fixed, firm favourite in fashion terms. This year sees an edgier more brooding style coming through.
Choose from a minimal selection of items, being careful not to overdo your look. Stick to individual pieces with a dark background, offset with multicoloured blooms and metallic accents. Floral print tunic dress with black skirt €198 Caroline Kilkenny www.carolinekilkenny.com
LINE UP
Chic, classic and timeless; another nifty look for next season features a contemporary twist on the humble check design. Keep the look bang up to date with grid style designs in contemporary colour combinations and soft fabrics. Go full on with coordinating separates or make a statement with one standout piece. Cropped check jumper Warehouse €55
Women in Wicklow Name: Amy Lynch, author of women’s fiction
Your favourite book? After a busy day, I enjoy a good women’s fiction such as Claudia Carroll. I’m also a fan of Khaled Hosseini
Tell us about your debut novel! ‘Bride without a groom’ is now available to download on Amazon. It’s a light and funny read, the type of thing you can curl up on the couch with after a long day and just have a good laugh. Claudia Carroll described it as “Terrific! Punchy, to the point and full of energy. Exactly the kind of book I’d take on holiday.” And I’m delighted that it’s rated 5* on Amazon. Plans for the future? My literary agent, Frank Fahy is currently editing my second book ‘Does my bump look big in this’, which is another fun fiction. It will be launched in a few months. This time, the main character Rebecca is starting a new adventure into motherhood, and the hormones are driving her, as well as everyone around her, bonkers. What inspired you to be a writer? As a chatterbox in school, I loved telling stories. My hus-
band encouraged me to write, and I completed several creative writing courses in Bray / Greystones. Soon, my confidence grew. Downtime - what do you do to switch off? I have two young children, and my weekends are spent ferrying them about to various parties and playdates, they have a better social life than I do! I can be spotted around Greystones walking my dogs also.
Tips for any budding writers out there? Persistence pays! It took me years to improve my writing, learn from constructive criticism and eventually get published. It’s a great idea to write every single day, even if it’s only for a few minutes, to flex that writing muscle. Believe me, that is easier said than done when you’re juggling kids, work, laundry and dogs who stare at you for a walk! If writing is something you enjoy, make time for it. How did it feel to complete & publish your first book? Seeing my name in print when I published fiction in magazines was a huge thrill, and quite addictive! To see the book on sale on Amazon feels like my hard work is paying off! You can follow Amy on Twitter @AmyLynchauthor or check out www.amylynchauthor.com
LIFESTYLE| 25
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Peter Byrne
recipes
Head Chef at Sika Restaurant in The Powerscourt Hotel
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
INGREDIENTS
3kg butternut squash 700grms onion 20grms garlic 150grms celery 250grms red pepper 120grms tomato puree 2 whole star anise 1 cinammon stick 2ltrs chicken stock 200mls cream
Cook the onions, garlic, celery with the star anise and cinnamon in a knob of butter until the vegetables are soft. Add the pepper and tomato puree and cook out for 1 minute. Add the pumpkin and
chicken stock and cook until soft. Blitz in a blender till smooth and season with salt and pepper.
SAGE CREAM:
100 grams crème fraiche 1 lemon 5 sage leaves Salt and pepper
Chop the sage leaves and mix with the crème fraiche. Add the juice of half the lemon and season. Bring the soup up to a boil and pour into a bowl. Spoon some of the crème fraiche on top of the soup and enjoy.
wine choice CHATEAU MUSAR GASTON HOCHAR €32.49, Holland’s Bray and O’Brien’s off licences Château Musar is the name of a Lebanese winery in Ghazir, Lebanon, 15 miles north of Beirut, famous for being a ‘warzone’ estate, grown in the Beqaa Valley. Very savoury on both the nose and palate and under this are layers of preserved fruit, fig, and spice. This is a truly unique wine that has many fans worldwide.
1403020_Irish_Independent_255x170mm_Layout 1 10/03/2014 13:46 Page 1
UP THERE WITH THE BEST restaurant review CHAKRA By Jaipur in Greystones is not just a very good Indian restaurant, it is a very good restaurant without the need for ethnic classification. We never say that such-andsuch is a great Irish restaurant and, at this stage, it should the same for Chakra By Jaipur. It is possible to eat at Chakra and completely avoid the usual suspects and the menu owes as much to Wicklow, and Ireland as a whole, as it does India. The starters are particularly inventive and there is no need to ingest half a litre of cooking oil with your onion bhaji or lamb samosa. The Boss and I tend to share everything so the Wicklow Lamb Tasting Plate of Seekh kebab, Masala meat ball, clove smoked Shammi kebab, mint Chimichuri, pomegranate relish (€11.00) and Jal Tarang Pan seared Kilkee scallops, Clonakilty black pudding, tomato rougail, celeriac puree (€13.00) were perfect for that. Washed down with two glasses of Esperanza Verdejo Viura (€7.00 each), this was a match made in heaven. The Irish palate, tuned to the takeaway repertoire, is
The staff at the excellent Chakra By Jaipur being exposed to all manner of exciting new experiences thanks to restaurants like Chakra and Kinara in Clontarf and anyone who loves Irish lamb like we do is the real winner. In Chakra, the Saunfiyani Tandoori rack, creamed fennel rub, goats cheese, heirloom tomatoes and dressed garden leaves (€24.00) is like eating velvet. Perfectly pink, these tender pieces of Wicklow-reared heaven should be classed as a national treasure. The Tawa Jhinga pan-griddled jumbo tiger prawns with carom seeds, peppers and caramelized
onion sauce (€24.00) were just as delicious and it was all rounded off by Tadka Daal Yellow lentils with garlic and toasted spices (€5.50) and Basmati Rice (€3.00). Given the spicy nature of our food, we opted for a Bodegas Muriel Reserva 2008 (€34.00) which was full of robust sunshine and flavour. We are blessed with some fine eateries in Wicklow and Chakra is up there amongst the best. Chakra By Jaipur, Meridian Point Centre, Greystones, Tel: 01 2017222. CLR
When There’s
Something Special Happening...
To make an appointment to view the venue, please contact our Events Team
“We understand that every wedding and every couple is unique. Our team prides themselves on excellent service & will really go the extra mile to tailor make your day." Elisabet Diaz, General Manager.
Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Tel: +353 1 801 3500 Fax: +353 1 436 6801 Email: events@dunboynecastlehotel.com Follow us: /DunboyneCastle or /dunboyne www.dunboynecastlehotel.com
26 | SERVICES
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 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
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
LOCAL
Times
Tuesday 30th September 2014
WICKLOW
ADVERTISING| 27
19
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Go Further
28 | SPECIAL REPORT
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
A pension is a great way of reducing your tax bill also be made via a Personal Retirement Savings Account.
Advertorial
Tax Savings Target Pensions IT’S that time of year when tax returns for 2013 are due to be filed. For paper Returns the deadline is the end of October and for online Returns the deadline is extended until the 13th November. What tax is due? Since 2002 the tax year has coincided with the calendar year. Final assessment of Income Tax, PRSI & USC for the previous year (ending 31st Dec 2013) must be calculated and paid. Can tax liability be reduced? Yes there is a way of reducing tax bills. You are entitled to claim tax relief in respect of your income tax on contributions made to a personal pension plan or a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) The percentage relief is related to age and the current limits are:
How much tax relief is available? Subject to certain limits tax relief is available at your marginal rate i.e. 20% or 41%
David Ryder Under 30 15% 30-39 20% 40-49 25% 50-54 30% 55-59 35% 60 + 40% Additional Voluntary Contributions If you are employed (PAYE) and a member of a superannuation scheme you also have the option to top up your contribution with an additional voluntary contribution. These may
Start saving for your pension early The important issue to remember is to start saving for your pension early. Delay can be expensive and the longer you save, the larger your retirement fund giving you more freedom to do what you want. It clearly makes a lot more sense to pay contributions for as long as possible. The following table shows the difference delay can have. Pension produced by 10% contribution:* 30 18.56% 40 12.26% 45 6.91% *Assumptions: Retirement age of 65: current salary of €50,000; salary escalation
of 3% p.a;(the final salary in the first example is €140693). investment return 6% p.a; annual contributions; 95%net allocation from year 2 after commission of 25% paid in year 1./ .75% Annual Management Charge. The annuity rate used assumes a postretirement investment return of 3.6%, a 5 year guarantee period and 2% escalation p.a .and 100% spouse’s pension. The above figures assume the continuation of current expense charges. The investment term, in years, is 65 ½ minus age next birthday (35 ½ years in the first example) and the number of premiums paid is the investment term, in years, minus age next birthday rounded upwards to the next whole year (eg. 428 monthly premiums in the first example) David Ryder QFA Abingdon Insurances Ltd, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow. Ph: 01 2016111 Mobile: 087 2569217 Email: david@abingdon.ie Web: www.abingdon.ie
New networking group for Wicklow WICKLOW businesses are inviting like minded local entrepreneurs to visit their weekly meeting to avail of opportunities to promote and build their businesses. The new BNI networking group Great Eastern which was founded just eight weeks ago meet each Wednesday morning in Tinakilly House from 7am to 8.30am. The group is now inviting visitors to witness for themselves how BNI can transform their business. BNI is the most successful business referral organisation in Ireland with members generating over €200million worth of business since 2009. Members of BNI work together by promoting fellow businesses to their contacts on a daily basis. Speaking of the newly formed group, Alan Hegarty, (Membership Committee) and owner of The Fishman on The Quays said “Being a member of BNI has transformed the businesses of countless members throughout Ireland so we are very fortunate to have a local Chapter in the area.
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day then a BNI breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the week for members who leave the meeting feeling motivated and with new business in their back pocket. With the wide variety of businesses in the area this group has the potential to be one of the most successful networking groups in the country and that’s why we are inviting local business people to attend as a visitor to see the benefits of becoming a BNI member. Being a member of BNI also offers you the opportunity to avail of professional training to allow you to successfully pitch your business in 60 seconds to anyone you meet! We look forward to welcoming business owners who want to focus on building their business to any of our weekly meetings.” Local business people interested in attending can contact Sinéad Nulty on 086 3477050 or email sinead@bni. ie Further information about BNI can be found at www. bni.ie
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
NEWS| 29
30 | SPORT sport in brief Wicklow GAA Garden County THERE are two sessions left in this years calender for the U13 Academy Squad - October 18 and November 1. All players born in 2001 are asked and encouraged to make a big effort to attend the final sessions. The U14’s are currently on a short break due to club championship activity. Training will resume on 18th Oct in Ballinakill. Stay tuned for further details. U15 and U16 squads are continuing S&C work under Gary Jameson & his coaches on Thursday evenings in Ballinakill. Another great week of results for Bray Hockey Club. The Men’s first team were back on track with a 4-0 win over Trinity (Sean Brennan x 2, Cian Hussey, Stuart Collier). The Men’s second team battled against Corinthians but the final score of 3-2 didn’t reflect the effort put in (Jason Collins, Adam Brennan). The Ladies first team had an exciting game against Trinity with a well deserved 1-0 win (Helen Kingston). The Ladies seconds came back to win 2-1 against a strong Railway Union side (Rachael Hohn, Aoife Kenna).
wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
Doyle the hero for Rathnew By Cianan Brennan
RATHNEW put back-to-back titles on the board in sunny Aughrim on Sunday last as a late goal from substitute Mark Doyle on the break finally killed off the resistance of a brave St. Patricks. The challengers from Wicklow Town had held on grimly throughout, and must have been scratching their heads as to how they went in at half time trailing by three points, 0-6 to 0-3, having missed a penalty with the scores level coming towards the break. The game in truth was not of the highest standard, while new county manager, ex-Dublin great Johnny Magee, may reflect that he has his work cut out as he looks to turn around Wicklow’s fortunes on the basis of the county’s showpiece fixture. The weather and conditions for the final were perfect, with glowing autumnal sunshine accompanied by a slight breeze favouring Rathnew in the opening half. The village team began the game at full steam, threatening to blow St. Patricks away with their first attack. County legend and team captain James Stafford
James, Jamie, Chelsea and Yvonne Snell celebrate Rathew winning the County football Championship in Aughrim . (Pic Yvette O Beirne) won the ball from the throw-in and seconds later the challengers’ had their crossbar to thank for saving them, with the rebound recycled for the opening point. The game then settled into a gritty battle, with scores at a premium. St. Patricks looked the livelier in attack, with dangermen Paul Earls and Brian Coen looking to combine
at every opportunity, but the Rathnew defence showed the experience of repeat champions and held firm. When they were finally breached, they had goalkeeper Peter Dignam to thank for a fantastic save from Coen midway through the half, with Pat’s failing to capitalise on the rebound. The game’s turning point ar-
A D V E R T I S I N G
F E A T U R E
rived with five minutes of the opening half remaining, when Rathnew full back Damien Power was given a black card for hauling Earls to the ground – penalty. The kick was delayed somewhat as Power received his marching orders, and the wait may have unnerved Earls, who’s weak kick was again saved by the mercurial Dignam.
The smile you have always wanted in just one day
Blue Sky Dentistry are leading the way in improvements in dental implant treatments. Below we talk to Dr Rory McEnhill about their teeth in a day treatment option
M
issing teeth can have a negative impact on your confidence. In fact, one patient of Dr Rory McEnhill of Blue Sky Dentistry described his teeth as “so disgusting that I never smiled…my confidence to talk to people was gone. So I made the decision that something had to be done. I came to see Rory. Now I have beautiful teeth and have my confidence back”. Rory advised dental implants – a state-of-the-art treatment which creates excellent results in replacing missing teeth. “There are several
BEFORE
advantages to implants,”says Rory. “Firstly, they are far more comfortable and natural looking than dentures. Secondly, unlike the old-style bridgework that people would be familiar with, implants can provide tooth replacement without cutting down adjacent teeth. They also have the great advantage of preserving the bone in the area around the implant and they look great.” So what options are available to people considering implants? “Implants can be used to replace single or multiple teeth,” says Rory. “There are a number of options available, and
AFTER
these will really depend on the individual patient.” For those that are having trouble chewing the foods that they enjoy, Rory recommends Blue Sky Dentistry’s implant dentures. Anchored rigidly in the bone, these implants enable you to eat a range of foods, including steak, without any problems. If you are worried about your teeth not looking natural choose the advanced implant options. These are the closest thing you will get to your own teeth – in some instances they will look even better.
Teeth in a day There are even options available to those who have always wanted to make improvements to their teeth, but never had the time. Blue Sky Dentistry offer a fantastic Teeth in a Day option, which allows you to come in and have your remaining teeth gently removed, four or more dental implants placed and a fixed, permanent bridge screwed in immediately. There are many benefits to choosing this option including being able to go from total tooth loss or having badly compromised teeth removed to having new teeth in one
Salt was poured on St. Pats’ wounds as Rathnew finished the half strongly with three points on the bounce, veterans Tommy Gill and Leighton Glynn among the scorers. Gill popped up again with a free just after the restart to put four between them, and at that point it looked like being a long way back for the challengers. That was Rathnew’s cue to press the self-destruct button once more, with half back Graham Merrigan receiving the red-and-greens’ second black card of the contest for a high tackle. Slowly, St. Pats began to reel the champions in, and as the match entered overtime (six minutes was signalled after a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Rathnew forward Nicky Mernagh), there was but a point between the teams with Pats on the charge for an equaliser only to be felled at the last by Doyle’s sucker-punch. 1-8 to 0-7 was the final score, and while Pats came close, they lost to a team that better understands how to seal a win in a war of attrition. That is the hallmark of Rathnew as they celebrate their 32nd title, and the standard to which the rest of the county must aspire.
Shortlisted PRoGentle in the UK Facial Private Rory is constantly Dentistry diversifying Awards for to offer new techniques, • Most including the attractive PRoGentle Facial practice The PRoGentle Facial involves taking blood from the patient’s arm, putting it in a centrifuge and taking the blood fraction that contains plasma high in growth factors. The PRGF is then injected into the patient’s face, neck or hands. The procedure greatly improves the quality of the skin by increasing the concentration of collagen and elastin in the skin. That said PRGF is not only used at Blue Sky Dentistry to give you younger looking skin. “I initially introduced the technique to the practice because it aids more effective implant dentistry,” says Rory. “In fact, it can be used in dental implants and bone grafting to promote more efficient healing, less swelling, pain and bruising.”
• Best new practice treatment session, there’s no need for bone grafts which reduces the risks involved and the cost and you are able to chew food right away.
Why choose Blue Sky Dentistry? Having invested heavily in training and education you can be confident that Blue Sky Dentistry will provide you with a top-quality service. The practice provides high class
treatments ranging from the simplest to the most advanced dental techniques. Stepping inside, you will find an ultramodern purpose built practice that looks like a boutique hotel. Blue Sky Dentistry also offer in-house payment plan, complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments and even in-surgery apple TVs so that you can sit back and watch recent movie releases while your treatment is being carried out.
For more information visit www.blueskydentist.com or call 0044 28 9068 7722
• Best practice • Best implant practice
SPORT| 31
October 16 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
insideback
with Brian Quigley
When I’m 64! Victory comes eventually Senior Hurling
OCTOBER 5 was a memorable day for Bray Emmets GAA Club - they lifted the County Championships in both Junior and Senior hurling! Glenealy were defeated by one point in the senior final to avenge defeat for Bray in 2013. In the process Glenealy were denied the coveted five-in-arow. Having led by 2-4 to 0-4 at half-time, Bray let Glenealy back in to put up 1-3 without reply and level the game, but eventually managed to nudge ahead and hold on for a 2-9 to 1-11 victory. The game was all the more memorable for the superb goal Bray and County star Christy Moorehouse scored, easily the goal of the championship to give Bray their first title in 64 years. In the Junior decider Bray beat Carnew by 2-5 to 1-1. Rugby AFTER two wins to open their campaign Greystones RFC suffered their first defeat of the
sport in brief Greystones host Wilmslow GREYSTONES RFC Under 10 and Under 11 teams were delighted to host their old friends from Wilmslow, Manchester on October 12. Wilmslow have been making the trip for the last 15 years and continued the tradition by bringing 50 kids to Dr Hickey Park. The matches were keenly contested on the main pitch at the club.
Bray Emmets Lotto We have hit the €10,000 mark.....There was no Match 4 winner of the Club Lotto on Friday, 10th October when the numbers drawn were 4, 6, 15 and 20 so next week, the jackpot goes up to €10,000. If you’re not already signed up please do so as not only are you in with a chance to win a serious Jackpot but you are also helping support your local club. It is €2 per week but goes a long way
season when they went down by 40 points to 26 against Highfield at Dr Hickey Park on Saturday October 4. Greystones have now lost ground at the top of Division 2B of the Ulster Bank All Ireland Rugby League, and have to wait until Saturday November 1 for their next game, which will be away to Armagh at the Palace Grounds. Soccer IT looks like it will go down to the wire for Bray Wanderers in their battle to stay in the top flight of Irish soccer. Friday 10 October saw Bray and relegation rivals UCD and Athlone Town all lose. Wanderers put in the best performance of the trio, losing narrowly away to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium by the only goal of the game. UCD lost by four goals to Cork and Athlone by three against Dundalk. Bray face Dundalk next in the Carlisle Grounds on Friday 17 October. They have the edge on their fellow strugglers, being
towards running all the facilities that we have. Brenda Maloney was the name drawn in the Lucky Dip. Further details are available at www.brayemmets. com. Ladies Minor Football Bray Emmets 5-10 AGB 4-8 Bray composed themselves well and fought for every ball. AGB came out in the second half and within 5 minutes had clawed back 2 goals with just a point between the teams. Bray was unfortunate to find themselves down to fourteen girls 10 minutes from the end. The Bray girls dug in deep, found their composure, and produced some skilful moves to bring the game to within 2 points. They then closed out the game with a 5 point gap.They have played and trained all year with the seniors and today it showed that combining the group training sessions has been successful. Ladies U-14 Girls Football Bray Emmets 9-09 Blessington 3-02 U14 Bray Emmets Ladies played Blessington on Saturday in the A Shield Final.
safe. If they draw they will be safe bar a mathematical nearimpossibilty, and if they lose the whole show will go down to the Friday October 24 final round of games. We wish Bray the best of luck as they fight for survival.
Peter Kiely, past pupil and current member of staff of Presentation College Bray, with the Wicklow Senior Hurling Championship trophy which was won by Bray Emmets when they defeated Glenealy to end a 64-year wait for victory five points ahead of UCD and six points ahead of Athlone going into the October 17 Eve Murphy was responsible for five goals and a few points for Bray Emmets. Emily Devenney was unlucky to get a hand injury but prior to that did a great job in the full back line and came back on to play in the forwards and scored 2 goals. Eleanor Carroll Hayes and Laura Butler did plenty of damage in the full forward line for Bray Emmets ensuring a constant supply of ball to Rachel Rice in the centre and managing a couple of scores themselves as well.
Bray Hockey Club THE Men’s first team were back on track with a 4-0 win over Trinity (Sean Brennan x 2, Cian Hussey, Stuart Collier). The Men’s second team battled against Corinthians but the final score of 3-2 didn’t reflect the effort put in (Jason Collins, Adam Brennan). The Ladies first team had an exciting game against Trinity with a well deserved 1-0 win (Helen Kingston). The Ladies seconds came back to win 2-1 against a strong Railway Union side (Rachael Hohn, Aoife Kenna).
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penultimate round of games. Should Bray claim victory over Dundalk they would be
Why does there have to be losers in sport?! THIS would be a brave question to put to Roy Keane and may seem an unusual idea but I am doing some research at the moment into a sports book and the idea that sport should have a winner and a loser is only a relatively recent phenomenon. Historically sports were almost entirely seen as demonstrations – gymnastics drills for example were hugely popular and common in mainland Europe in the 19th century. Sport was seen as a chance for people with skill and training in whatever discipline to entertain the public with displays, in times when there was no television or radio. The old Bray Regatta
in the early twentieth century followed the same principle. The fact that there are still exhibition matches in sports like snooker are a hang-over from this time also. In England there is a soccer team called Corinthian Casuals. When I was growing up they regularly finished bottom of the lowest non-league division at that time [The Isthmian League]. The club was run on entirely amateur principles and they existed just to take part, not to worry about winning or losing. This kind of idea is making a come-back, especially in coaching of young children at athletics. The emphasis is on getting the kids used to the techniques involved in the sport and to have fun participating, rather than winning. Taking part in sport, whether you win or lose, is for the betterment of one’s health and so in this respect all who take part are winners.
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wicklowvoice.ie October 16 2014
For Sale by Best Bid on or before 24th October 2014
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Guide Price â‚Ź1.8 Million For Sale by Best Bid on or before 24th October 2014
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Bray Delgany Greystones 01 201 0300 info@dooley.ie www.dooley.ie