Wicklow Voice October 30 2014

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wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

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The battle for Wicklow’s TDs

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New ‘groups’ scramble to secure our Independents

By Cianan Brennan

WICKLOW’S Independent TDs are at the centre of a political battle that could have a significant effect on the outcome of the next general election.

Stephen Donnelly and Billy Timmins are being sounded out with a view to joining one of the new political alliances that are likely to appear in Dáil Eireann.

High-profile Independent TDs Shane Ross and Lucinda Creighton are locked in a race to sign up Donnelly along with other Independents from the Dáil, the Seanad and councils around the country.

Former Fine Gael TD Creighton has long been expected to set up an alliance of Independents in order to focus their goals to government.

However, it has emerged that Fine Gael are preparing to outflank their rebel TD by

Sinn Fein Councillor John Brady shows off his medal after completing the Dublin City Marathon to help raise funds for Merryn Lacey who is fighting cancer. To donate log onto www.idonate.ie/johnbradysf » Lots more pictures from around the county inside way of a pact with Ross and like-minded Independents in exchange for a ministerial seat.

With Independents running at 25% in opinions polls, Ross has stated that his preferred option

would not be a political party, but a group of Independents “uniting behind a common platform”.

This could potentially sideline not only the influence

of Creighton but also that of Timmins, who set-up the Reform Allaince (RA) with Creighton after the two of them were booted out of the Fine Gael Parliamentary party in July 2013 for refusing to vote for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill.

Baltinglass-native Timmins, first elected to the Dáil in 1997, has served on the Fine Gael front bench before being demoted after the heave against Enda Kenny in June 2010 and his experience at the coalface of Irish politics would prove a major boon for either side.

Rumours were rife earlier this year that Donnelly was poised to throw his hat in with one of the major parties, with Fianna Fáil being strongly linked with the Greystones resident, a point that Donnelly flatly denied.

Continued on page 4

PHOTO FEAT LAST WEEKS BAND: LAZYHORSE

4 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

news in brief Fare hikes THE National Transport Authority have approved public transport fare increases of between 1% and 28%. Bus Éireann, Iarnrod Éireann and Luas customers will see monthly fares will increase from November 1. Cash tickets on Dublin Bus fares will increase from December 1. The NTA stated that a Leap card fare in 2015 will be the same or lower than cash fares were in 2012.

Right2Water rallies A RALLY against Water Charges has been organised in Bray on November 1 meeting at 1.45pm at the following locations: Lidl on Dublin Road, Dell on Boghall Road and St. Fergal’s Church, Ballywaltrim. The march will begin at 2pm and end at the Civic Plaza on Bray Main Street. Campaigners and community organisers in Greystones have also organised a march from 2pm beginning at the Civic Offices and ending at Greystones Harbour. The rally in Arklow will meet at the Fr. Murphy monument at 1.45pm. In Wicklow Town, participants should meet at the County Council buildings at 12.30pm.

Tyshun Blake (6), Max O’Neill (5) and Conor O’Hanlon (6) at the Masters Temple Little Dragons belt grading in Bray last Saturday. Masters Temple are holding the Ultimate Kickboxing challenge fight night this Sunday, November 2 in the Royal Hotel in aid of Ataxia Ireland. Tickets are €14.00 on the door or €12.00 bought in advance and doors open at 2.30pm

Hozier streamed 70 million times

By Michelle McGlynn

HOZIER continues to dominate the music scene as his debut album is streamed 70 million times.

The Bray musician is averaging approximately 10 million plays a week online according to manager, Caroline Downey.

The self-titled album denied rock veterans U2 the number one spot and has debuted at number two in the US Billboard charts.

Meanwhile, his biggest hit to date Take Me To Church continues to mesmerise and reach new listeners.

The song, which has been playing on Irish airwaves for the past year, was recently used in the new Brad Pitt film, Fury and in an ad for Beats by Dre headphones which also features basketball superstar, LeBron James.

The Wicklow artist’s hit is also up for an MTV Award when the ceremony is held in Glasgow in November.

LIVE LOUNGE NOVEMBER

The award is for the ‘Best Song with a Message’ and is a new award. Hozier will be up against some of music’s best artists including Beyonce, Arcade Fire and Alicia Keys.

The new socially focused award will “recognise songs that have an empowering impact on young people”.

Hozier has explained that the hit is about sexuality and way Catholicism seeks to suffocate it while the music video explicitly identifies with gayrights activists in Russia.

The battle for Independents

Continued from previous page

NOVEMBER: SAT 1ST SUN 2ND THUR 6TH FRI 7TH SAT 8TH SUN 9TH THU 13TH FRI 14TH SAT 15TH SUN 16TH

THE VIKING PROJECT FOLK ROCK THE LOST BROTHERS AMERICANA/FOLK THE HOT SPROCKETS COUNTRY DIRT HEROES IN HIDING FOLK ROCK ODDSOCKS RHYTHM AND GROOVE LEE MEHAN & HUGH BUCKLEY JAZZ/SOUL BEN PREVO BAND BLUES THE DODGY FEW SKA/REGGAE BUNOSCIONN ALTERNATIVE IRISH FOLK & TRAD DERMOT BYRNE BLUES

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

THU 27TH FRI 28TH SAT 29TH SUN 30TH

BUFFOS WAKE GYPSY PUNK, HORROR FOLK AMAZING APPLES IRISH FOLK ROCK MOO POST-WESTERN ROCK EAST COAST JAZZ BAND DIXIELAND JAZZ

COUNTRY, WESTERN SWING

Given his profile as an outspoken commentator on financial matters and his status as one of the most popular TDs, Donnelly’s acquisition would stand as a major coup for either of the two prospective alliances.

However, after making most of the running, the RA has become increasingly peripheral to the debate of late. “The Reforms are in a bit of trouble. When it comes to Stephen Donnelly they have singularly failed to land their fish,” a source said.

Ross has emailed 193 Independent councillors and says that about 100 responded.

Wicklow Independent councillors are Miriam Murphy, Tommy Cullen, James Ruttle, Joe Behan, Christopher Fox, Brendan Thornhill, Tom Fortune, Jennifer Whitmore, Pat Kavanagh and Daire Nolan.

Other high-profile figures that are being sounded out by Ross and Creighton include David Hall, Senator Seán Barrett, and Senator Mary-Ann O’Brien.

Creighton and her husband Senator Paul Bradford hosted a lunch in July which was attended by Timmins, Hall, Barrett and O’Brien. Tellingly, Ross and Donnelly were invited to the lunch but did not attend.

O’Driscoll tells of pain after pal’s body discovered

By Peter Murphy

IRISH rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll has revealed his heartache following the death of his best friend in 2008, former East Coast FM presenter Barry Twomey.

Barry’s body was discovered in an Enniskerry woods in May of that year after being missing for a couple of days and it was later discovered that he had taken his own life.

Socialite Barry interviewed his close friend and former leinster star O’Driscoll on East Coast FM just three days before his body was found in an isolated wood on the outskirts of Enniskerry.

The newly-engaged Clontarf man, aged 29, had been working for five months on the Saturday show alongside presenter Wendy Grace, who is now a presenter with Spirit FM. Barry had met then East Coast station manager Joe Harrington through a course in the Dublin Media Centre the previous year, when he expressed a huge interest in working in radio.

“I thought he had a bright future ahead of him,” said Joe

at the time. O’Driscoll revealed recently in his autobiography, The Test, that he and Barry had been pals since college and shared a house together in Dublin.

O’Driscoll was deeply affected by the tragedy and descended into a dark place at the time after Barry’s unexpected death, he said in the book.

“The shock hits straight away, like nothing I’ve ever known,” he writes. “The legs go from underneath me. I completely break down and lose all control of my emotions.”

The Irish rugby star goes on to say of how he could not deal with such a tragic event and how he was in a hysterical state trying to crawl up the stairs.

Barry’s funeral was also given extensive coverage from the press due to the his association with O’Driscoll.

“There are photographers waiting as Amy and I arrive, and reporters in the pews,” he writes.

Barry was described at the funeral service as “easy company, who loved his family and his friends and who deeply loved his fiancée Barbara”.

Keep an eye on children garda patrol

With Garda Declan Lynch AS Halloween approaches we would like to urge parents to keep an eye on younger children and to ensure that they are safe while they enjoy the fun of trick or treating.

We would also ask that parents make sure that older children are fully aware of the dangers involved with any type of explosives or fireworks.

Our team have been around to the schools and talked to them about the potential risks involved with such explosives.

Aside from the dangers

involved it is a public order offence to ignite or throw a firework.

Above all, we would like everybody to have a safe and fun Halloween.

As we know, the clocks have gone back an hour so as the evenings are getting darker we would ask that people take due care on the roads.

On November 1, there will be three marches in the Bray area in protest of the water charges.

Marches begin at 2pm and end at the Civic Plaza on Bray Main Street.

Road users can expect delays for approximately two hours and we would advise that people avoid the area, including the Main Street, wherever possible.

NEWS |5

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

wicklow people in pictures

It was all spooks in Arklow as Count Dracula (Fiona Redmond) and Frankenstein`s Bride (Deborah O’Gorman) met at the Lifeboat Station for some tricks and treats. (pic: Yvette O

To celebrate International Credit Union day, Bray Credit Union held an extra car draw on October 16. Pictured are Derek Bradshaw, Castle Street Garage, Teresa Pielow, the proud owner of a 2014 Honda Jazz, and Henry King, President Bray Credit Union Ltd

Uinseann (6) and Vincent Pippet out and about in Mount Usher

Halloween at Wicklow Historical Gaol

Keith, Olivia (8), Olwyn and Conor (5) McEvoy enjoy a stroll in Wicklow Town

Cian (2) Michael and Sean (7) McLaughlin in Greysto nes

Ashleigh Lee at the centenary celebrations of The Glenview Hotel

6| NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

Kim hoping for Eurovision

Gardai hunt for art heist gang as paintings stolen

Leanne Moore, Michele McGrath and Wicklow’s Kim Hayden

By Michelle McGlynn WICKLOW singer Kim Hayden is one third of Ireland’s hottest new girl band, Liir.

Kim will be joined by You’re a Star winner Leanne Moore and also model and presenter, Michele McGrath.

Bray native, Kim is best known for appearing on The Voice of Ireland in 2012.

As a member of Sharon Corr’s team, Kim lasted an impressive five weeks on the reality talent show.

Since exiting the show she has continued to work on her music.

During her stint on the RTE show, Kim happened to catch the attention of singer/songwriter Paddy Casey.

Paddy contacted her to show his appreciation for her performance and a friendship grew from there.

The friendship eventually spawned a collaboration when they released the song Out of Control earlier this year.

Kim is excited to unveil the new band, although they have

been working together for several months already.

Liir are hoping to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

The group have recorded a song by Wicklow songwriter Alan Earls as part of their Eurovision bid.

They will be competing against X Factor star Mary Byrne who has recorded a song written by Karl Broderick.

This year the Eurosong competition will compete using a similar formula to RTE talent show, The Hit.

From left: Portrait of a Lady, by John Lavery Hayden, Landscape with Cottage, by Paul Henry, and The Fern in the Area by Jack B Yeats

By Cianan Brennan GARDAÍ are appealing to the public for information after three valuable paintings by Sir John Lavery, Paul Henry and Jack B Yeats were stolen from a house in Donard on Wednesday, October 22.

“In an incident such as this timing is very important and for operational reasons the details were not released to the public until now,” said Garda Declan Lynch. “It was a neighbour that noticed the burglary on October 22 and the owner returned home the following day.”

“Nothing else in the house was taken except for the paintings which were taken for their monetary value.

The Managing Director of Adams Auctioneers says he does not believe there will be much of a market for three paintings stolen from the house which is situated between Baltinglass and Blessington.

The paintings stolen were: Portrait of a Lady, by John Lavery, measuring about 65cm x 30cm; Landscape with Cottage,

by Paul Henry, measuring about 40cm x 50cm; and The Fern in

the Area by Jack B Yeats, which is approximately 40cm x 50cm.

Auctioneers estimate the three stolen paintings could be worth between €150,000 and €200,000.

James O’Halloran said there had been a lot of publicity surrounding the theft, and the Art Loss Register would have been informed of it.

He said anybody being offered them for sale could easily check up and find out about their provenance. “I really can’t see any sense in stealing pictures really of any calibre, but particularly ones of this sort of calibre, because they will be instantly recognised.

“Normally somebody buying a picture, and certainly a picture of any sort of reasonable value, would inquire as to their provenance.

“If we put through pictures in our auctions we get them checked by the Art Loss Register in London,” Mr O’Halloran said.

The scene of the burglary was preserved at the time the authorities were notified and a technical examination was completed.

The investigation is ongoing

and there have been no arrests to date.

Gardai in Baltinglass have appealed for information and can be reached on 059-6482610, but witnesses can also call the Garda Confidential Telephone Line on 1800 666 111.

It’s not the first time that Wicklow has been at the centre of high profile art heists.

Russborough House has been associated with a number of art thefts since Sir Alfred Beit brought his art collection to Wicklow in the 1950’s.

In 1974 some 12 paintings were stolen during a robbery when Sir Alfred and Lady Beit were assaulted.

In 1986 there was a further burglary involving Dublin based criminals organised by Martin Cahill ‘The General’.

Some 18 paintings in total were stolen and all but two smaller paintings were recovered over the years from places as far afield as Ireland, Holland, England and Turkey.

In 2001 and in 2002 there were two further art thefts involving fewer and less valuable paintings. All of these paintings have now been recovered.

Teen wins bravery award

By Cianan Brennan

A LOCAL teenager was honoured at Farmleigh last week for his efforts in to save a father and his children in Wicklow Town Harbour.

Brian O’Sullivan (16) was among 21 people recognised at the National Bravery Awards for their outstanding acts of courage for their life-saving efforts.

Brian from Wicklow Town was awarded the top award of the day – a silver medal – and

a certificate.

During the school summer holidays in July of 2013, Brian and his friends were cooling down at Wicklow pier.

“I saw a man in the water struggling and I could see his two small children panicking.

I thought ‘he needs help’ and to get in there as quickly as possible.”

He held the man’s head above the water as Katie O’Neill, the lifeguard on duty at the time, came to the rescue with a kayak.

The man was brought to

Tallaght Hospital but he died the following day, although the children survived.

Ms O’Neill was awarded a certificate for her lifesaving efforts.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett, who presented the awards on behalf of Comhairle na Mire Gaile – the Deeds of Bravery Council – said it was important to recognise those who risked their lives for others.

“These people could have sat back and let somebody else do it, but they didn’t,” he said.

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISEMENT |7

8 | NEWS wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014 news in brief Car boot sale THE last Glendalough car boot sale of the year will be held on November 2 at Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh. It will be open to car holders from 8am and to the public from 11am until 4pm.

Free parking.

Funding scheme THE Simon Cumbers Student Scheme is open to third-level students and is designed to give students a greater understanding of development issues. Three winning students will travel to a developing country of their choosing. The deadline for applications is February 13, 2015. See www. simoncumbersmediafund.ie

Cancer superdraw THERE are only a few days left to enter the Greystones Cancer Support 20th anniversary superdraw.

Tickets are available from SuperValu, Greystones and Dunnes Stores, N e w t o w n m o u n t k e n n e d y.

There are lots of prizes to be won including an iPad mini, €1, 000 SuperValu voucher and dinner and bed and breakfast for two at the Glenview Hotel.

Goodbye Gavin - hundreds turn out as superhero is laid to rest

By Michelle McGlynn

HUNDREDS of mourners lined the streets in Greystones last Friday as they came to pay their respects and say goodbye to Gavin Glynn.

St. Patrick’s Church was surrounded by people all with yellow ribbons to signify their solidarity with cancer sufferers and many of them held red and blue balloons - Superman’s colours.

The white coffin - which was adorned with the word SuperGavin - was carried into the church to the sound of the Superman theme.

Five Garda musicians performed the song and as Gavin was made an honorary Garda, his own Garda hat rested on the coffin.

It was little surprise that so many people gathered to pay their respects and to support Gavin’s family as the young superhero had inspired and touched the lives of countless people during his short life.

Gavin’s devastated father, John, spoke beautifully about his son as photos from Gavin’s life were displayed on a screen

Jayne and John Glynn with their children Lucy and Conor outside St Patrick’s Church in Greystones at the funeral of Gavin last Friday throughout. “There is so much to say about Gavin, he was an absolute inspiration.

“His strength and courage were out of this world. He battled every day but he smiled and laughed,” John told the large

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

congregation. John paid tribute to Gavin’s brother and sister, Conor and Lucy, who “have stood by his side whenever he needed them” and gave him strength.

No superhero is complete

without their sidekick and lucky Gavin had two in his siblings who flew over to the US earlier this year to be with their beloved brother as he received specialist treatment.

The bereft father said that he

intends to continue Gavin’s legacy of love, happiness and to help the sick.

“That’s my job now, that’s Gavin’s legacy.”

Gavin’s mother, Jayne, read a heartbreaking poem which began, “If before you were born, I could have gone to heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you.”

The funeral cortège stopped at Greystones Fire Station where members of the brigade provided a guard of honour and hugged the grieving family.

“Remember Gavin as we saw him; happy and smiling,” John told the heartbroken congregation.

Gavin’s memory, along with his smile and unyielding spirit, will be with the people of Wicklow and beyond for a long time to come.

Gavin made national headlines earlier this year as the Glynn family launched the #myboy fundraiser to raise money for specialist treatment in the US. The campaign managed to reach their €350, 000 target in only one week as Gavin’s story touched the hearts of the nation.

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING | 9

10 | OPINION

opinion&comment

Greystones is just too small for commercial fishing set-up

I

n recent weeks there has been some controversy about whether professional fishermen can use Greystones Harbour. There is no space available for a separate fishing port as the harbour has been designed and rebuilt as a town leisure harbour. It was rebuilt as a PPP using €70m of private money and permission to build homes.

No state funding was given and the marina is a private facility for 30 years.

The harbour is small, a fifth the size of Wicklow or Arklow, and facilities are much more closely packed than other ports which were Government funded.

There is little quay space because the waves off Greystones are large and to reduce the wave height within the harbour it was necessary to have a beach and many sloping rock surfaces.

These absorb the waves but take up the space where older harbours have vertical walls for quays.

All ports that have separate fishing and leisure areas were funded by the Government.

The areas are separated by a considerable distance because of the different usage and noise patterns (24-hour traffic) as well as the smell (bait and waste products) which can be strong if not handled properly.

In no other harbours will 400 people be living in apartments next to a fishing port area.

The only part of the harbour with vertical walls, which could be used to unload catches, is the North Outer wall surrounding the marina berths.

The water space there is the minimum distance needed for boats to safely enter and leave the marina and parking fishing boats there would block access.

Also this pier, which has been designed as an attractive town promenade with a polished stone surface, would require a fence down the length to separate fishermen’s van traffic from pedestrians.

This has had to be installed on the fishing pier in Dun Laoghaire, leaving a narrow fenced path for pedestrians which is much less attractive.

Over a 1,000 local people, of all income groups, now use boats in our harbour.

A much smaller number used the old harbour.

At least another 1,000 regularly walk around it.

The youth sea training facilities for rowing, sailing and Sea Scouts are much im-

proved and heavily used.

The harbour/marina is the focal point of the waterfront for local people and tourists, as is the case in Dun Laoghaire and other more exotic ports in Spain or France.

It is the activity of the marina and Community Clubs that gives the waterfront its character.

Visitors produce trade and jobs in pubs, restaurants and other businesses in the town as well as those directly employed at the harbour.

The overall benefit to the 18,000 people in Greystones is for it to be a leisure harbour and visitor destination not a fishing port.

The only person fishing full time from the old Harbour before it closed has been significantly disadvantaged and efforts are being made to accommodate him but progress is too slow.

A number of other people may claim to be local fishermen but until two months ago none are listed as having a fishing licence (a Certificate of Registry for Sea Fishing Boat).

This is required to land and sell fish so they were not commercial fishermen and have not been disadvantaged.

Anybody is free to land fish on the harbour beach or improved slipways as anglers do, but not to sell the catch.

Commercial fishing off Wicklow is mostly for whelks which are caught in pots using bait.

Most are exported to Japan, Korea and France.

There is one person who used to commercially fish some decades ago, but his solicitor informed the Council that he was working far away and wanted monetary compensation which cost the Council €140,000 including fees.

I do not think he has a right to special fishing facilities in the harbour now.

The recent news that the clubhouses for the Sea Scouts, rowers, sailors, anglers and divers will be completed in 2015 is wonderful news; no other town has provided such a level of free facilities to Community Groups.

It is also a major step towards completion of the overall project.

Cllr Derek Mitchell has spent 15 years working on the design and implementation of the Harbour project. Prior to that he spent 22 years campaigning to get the DART to Greystones. He is trying to convince the ‘system’ to improve the traffic situation at the N11/M50 merge.

“H

YOU WILL FIND, FOR INSTANCE, THE WEB SITE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD, AN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS GROUP WHICH CALLS HALLOWEEN “A CELEBRATION OF EVIL” AND CAUTIONS AGAINST ITS “BIZARRE PRACTICES” WHICH “EMPHASISE THE MORBID AND MACABRE.”

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

with Derek Mitchell with Michael Wolsey

The scary things people can say about Halloween alloween is Ireland’s greatest export, after Guinness and James Joyce. We gave it to America and Americans gave it to the world. For children, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year, second only to Christmas. For adults who haven’t forgotten how to be children, it’s the best fun you can have with your clothes on. Or, at least, with a witch’s clothes on. Or maybe a goblin suit.

Even if you can’t get out to a fancy dress party this Halloween, you can buy a set of Dracula teeth or borrow a broomstick and accompany your kids as they go trick-or-treating.

You’re being a responsible parent, right, making sure they come to no harm? And that’s the great thing about Halloween for grown-ups. You can throw a warlock’s cloak of virtue over all kinds of childish capers and get away with it.

I mean, when else can you call at all your neighbours’ houses, looking like an extra from Night of the Living Dead, and expect a welcome? You might even make new friends. At worst you’ll get a free packet of nuts to munch since there’s no chance your offspring will eat them.

When else can you parade the streets with a pumpkin carved like a gargoyle and not be taken into custody for your own safety? When else can you gather to watch men ignite explosives and not be arrested for paramilitary activity?

It’s educational isn’t it? Passing on the old Celtic traditions of Samhain, the festival which ushered in the winter, when time stood still and the door between the spirit world and humanity was briefly left ajar.

Of course, it’s not that you really enjoy ducking for apples or forecasting the future with a turn of the cards. Baking a ring and a coin into an apple tart is probably a health and safety misdemeanour and predicting the marital fortunes of single women must surely be against some equality act.

But for this one time a year we can get away with it. It is good fun for young and old and everyone in between.

And that, I would have thought, was a pretty uncontentious opinion. But a couple of years back, when I wrote something of the sort for a daily newspaper, I was surprised by the amount of criticism, and, indeed, downright abuse, I attracted from readers from several countries - internet reaction being one of the perils of modern journalism.

The criticism came not from people who objected, in general, to trick-ortreating, or dressing up, but from peo-

ple who believed there was something intrinsically evil about Halloween itself.

One reader accused me of encouraging satanic practices, another said adults who celebrated Halloween were leading children down the path of devil worship.

Now don’t get me wrong, this was far from a flood of letters; maybe halfa-dozen emails in all. But the fact that there was anyone out there with these views surprised me.

However, try Googling ‘Halloween’ and a few other appropriate words and you will discover that such beliefs are not at all uncommon.

You will find, for instance, the web site of the Church of God, an American religious group which calls Halloween “a celebration of evil” and cautions against its “bizarre practices” which “emphasise the morbid and macabre.”

And you will meet one of its followers, a Mr Jerold Aust, who believes that “frankly, Halloween is anything but harmless.”

He warns: “When parents not only allow but also encourage their children to celebrate witches and goblins, they are teaching them that it’s acceptable to deal in demonism.”

You will also find a website called Let God be True which reminds us that “when God wrote the laws for Israel, all witches and any related persons were to be put to death”.

It stops short of recommending that fate for trick-or-treating children and their parents but warns: “Halloween is an evil day originating with unbelievers and infidels, based on blackness, darkness, night, unrighteousness, and infidelity, which Christians should separate from and not even touch.”

And there’s more where that came from. So what do you think? Should you risk your immortal soul and accompany your children on the Halloween round?

I hope so.

There’s a dark side to Halloween, of course.

There are witches and demons, goblins and ghouls, cats that prowl and dogs that howl.

If you believe in all that you may have cause to worry. If I believed in all that, I’d be worried too.

But for those of us who live in the real world and not on the set of an old Hammer film, Halloween is a time of great fun. Enjoy the treat, that’s the trick.

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.

OPINION| 11

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

anyotherbusiness

Have you got a story?

Then email thecaptain@wicklowvoice.ie

By Captain Louis

Laura misses the county final The Captain is a big fan of the lovely Laura Whitmore but feels she may have forgotten her Wickla’ roots. Despite being a Bray girl through-and-through, Laura failed to make it home for the the recent Bray Emmets versus Glenealy County Hurling Final, which saw her hometown clinch the title for the first time in 64 years. However, Laura did manage to find time to attend the Detroit Lions versus Atlanta Falcons in an American Football game at Wembley Stadium last week. Are you suggesting Laura that the bright lights of London are preferable to lovely Aughrim on match day? As The Captain’s dear old nanny would say: I remember her when she had holes in her knickers ...

When Jimi met Seanie ...

Michael Noble (Noble Education), Andrew Doyle TD, Sheelagh Daly (Local Enterprise Office Wicklow), Eddie Sheehy (Wicklow County Manager), Shane Byrne from ‘Showoff’ pictured at the regional finals of the inaugural ‘Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur’ competition. Noble Education based in Enniskerry won the Regional Best Start up Award and will be representing Wicklow in the Best Start Up category at the national final in Dublin this December, having already won €20,000 in investment from the Local Enterprise Office in the County Wicklow competition. Shane Byrne and Philip Kirwan from Show Off based in Wicklow Town won the Regional Best Established Business Award and will be representing the region in this category at the national finals, having already won €20,000 in investment. PIC: Joe Keogh

Irish Water debacle has finally jumped the shark

J

umping the shark is an idiom created by Jon Hein that was used to describe the moment in the evolution of a television show when it begins a decline in quality, signalled by a particular scene, episode, or aspect of a show in which the writers use some type of ‘’gimmick’’ in an attempt to keep viewers’ interest.

The phrase is based on a scene from a fifth-season episode of the 1970s US sitcom Happy Days where the character The Fonz jumps over a shark while on water-skis.

The usage of the phrase has over the years broadened out beyond television, indicating the moment when a brand, design, franchise or creative effort’s evolution declines.

It has even been used about politicians (including President Obama) and governments alike.

It could be argued that the current government has ‘jumped the shark’ over its handling of the setting up of Irish Water and introduction of water charges.

For a government that had to be brave and strong in order to

Brian Quigley steer the country through a bad recession and the austerity measures needed to pay back the country’s bail-out, they played a blinder and hardly put a foot wrong between 2011 and 2014.

They managed to contain public anger and disquiet while pursuing the necessary fiscal corrections.

So much so that things have been picking up in the economy recently, ahead of schedule.

Enter Irish Water, water charges and the growing public anger at the whole thing.

The bonuses and fat salaries, the cronies appointed to cushy jobs that will be paid for by hard-pressed taxpayers.

The unfairness of the allowances where families have a

number of grown-up children.

A give-away budget fooled nobody or did nothing to quell the anger.

Protest against the water charges and the Irish Water salaries and bonuses is growing a head of steam, including the one planned for this Saturday throghout County Wicklow.

Just have a look on your social media feeds.

One reason this issue is hurting the government more than anything else in its lifetime is that it can’t be expalined away by blaming it on the previous Fianna Fail-led administrations.

Irish Water is a monster of Enda’s creation, not Bertie’s or Biffo’s. Enda’s Frankenstein.

Enda put the country to the sword with the austerity measures and he could die by the sword if he doesn’t do something drastic and fast to sort out the water mess.

Personally I’m not advocating protest or any kind of harnessed public anger on the issue, but I do remember the tax marches of the 1980’s and in any society where hardship has been endured by people there is a time when an administration has a

choice of easing off or pushing ahead with something that can act as the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

It can be hard for a government in this situation to turn things back around and restore confidence. They become like a football manager who has ‘lost the dressing room’.

There’s a related phrase to ‘jumping the shark’ known as ‘nuking the fridge’.

Again it has a celluloid origin, having being coined after a scene in the fourth Indiana Jones film (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crsytal Skull) shows the erstwhile hero survive a nuclear bomb by hiding in a lead-lined fridge Incredulous, but the makers of the franchise had obviously reached a point of arrogance where they thought they could get away with anything. Perhaps politicians are the same.

They called Bertie the Teflon Taoiseach because nothing seemed to stick to him, but he eventually came undone.

The same fate could await Enda if the water debacle continues to go nuclear. There’ll be no lead-lined fridge to hide in.

You wouldn’t immediately put Jimi Hendrix and Sean ‘Seanie’ Fitzpatrick in the same sentence, but two movies with Wickla’ connections which feature both of them have just been released. Rapper Andre 3000 of Outkast stars in the Hendrix bio-pic, All is By My Side, which was shot in Wickla’ last year. The Bray Head Hotel and other locations in the town as well as Ardmore Studios were all used.

Meanwhile, Morgan Jones will play Greystones’ Seanie in The Guarantee, a new film from TV3 which will hit cinemas this weekend, and recreates the drama surrounding the decision by the government to guarantee the entire domestic banking system in September 2008. It’ll also star Peter Coonan, who plays gangster Fran in Love/Hate, as former Anglo Chief David Drumm. Be careful you don’t get stereotyped there Peter ...

Peadar keeps an eye on the fort While Sinn Fein’s John ‘Marathon Man’ Brady was busy raising funds for Merryn Lacey (see front page), The Captain spotted someone who looks suspiciously like Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín taking a stroll on the seafront in Bray on the recent Bank Holiday. SF have their eye on a seat in the Wicklow area at the next election, so expect to see a lot more of Peadar and the rest of the gang around this part of the country ...

Maclean tackles the bullies

Greystones’ Maclean Burke has teamed up with fellow Fair City star Gemma Doorley on a one-man play ‘Joe Prop’ which profiles the effects of schoolyard bullying. The play centres on a 12-year-old named Joe Kavanagh, who has big dreams about being a front prop for Ireland, but a childhood illness has left him overweight and he is frequently chided by nasty school bullies. Maclean takes on the titular role, in the story inspired by his own experiences of childhood bullying. Maclean made his Carrigstown debut as Damien Halpin in 1998 and his acting career has seen him feature in Jim Sheridan’s ‘In The Name of The Father’ and in ‘Saving Private Ryan’, as well as many Irish titles. Joe Prop, directed by Karl Shiels, opened in Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin on October 27 and runs until November 1, with two subsequent shows from December 10-12 at the Axis Ballymun. Tickets cost €15, with 10% of all sales donated to Barnardos. You have The Captain’s full support for this one Maclean ...

1 2 3 4 5

12 | WHAT’S HOT

Top 10 YARN Events

THE SUN AND THE MOON FAMILY STORYTELLING Sat 15 Nov @ 2pm Suitable for ages 2 to 4 years and older Free Killruddery Farm Market THE ROSE LAWLESS CABARET Sat 15 Nov @ 8pm €10 Limited Capacity, Early booking advised The Harbour Bar (Upstairs)

THE FAIRYTALES OF OSCAR WILDE Philip Byrne Sun 16 Nov @ 4pm Age Suitability: 4+ Free Admission The Strand THEO DORGAN – STAY IN THE BOAT: TALES FROM THE SEA Thurs 20 Nov @ 8pm €5 payable at the door in aid of RNLI Dun Laoghaire The Harbour Bar (Upstairs) GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS PRESENTED

BY MIRIAM LAMBERT Sat 22 Nov @3pm €8 / Family of four for €30 Mermaid Arts Centre Suitable for ages 4+ TALK THE WALK - CLIFF WALK STORIES WITH PHILIP BYRNE Sun 23 Nov @ 2pm Free Cliff Walk (Meet Raheen CarPark) WILD WOMEN & WITCHES - AN EVENING OF STORYTELLING & SONG Sun 23 Nov @ 4pm €5 (Includes Tea & Scone) The Martello (Function Room) A FEAST OF FOLK TALES Sat 22 Nov @ 8pm €10 Mermaid Arts Centre OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH JACK LYNCH Mon 17 Nov @ 8pm Admission Free Holland’s Lounge MEDICATED MILK – BY DANCER AINE STAPLETON Sat 15 & Sun 16 @ 6pm Mermaid Arts Centre Age suitability 16+ €12/10.

The YARN Storytelling Festival, Bray is a non-profit festival run by the Mermaid Arts Centre. The focus is on creating a platform for the art of storytelling and bringing communities together to listen to the tales.

Full details can be found at www.mermaidartscentre.ie

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

FAMILY FUN of the fortnight GREYSTONES EDUCATE TOGETHER N.S. CRAFT FAIR Blacklion, Greystones, November 16, 11am-5pm Join Greystones Educate Together N.S. for their 3rd annual craft fair. There will be live music, a craft area, face painting and the return of archery - fun for all the family.

The cafe will be stocked with lovely cakes, cookies and savouries. The organisers have put together an event that will be flush with unique stalls offering a variety of vendors selling handcrafted toys, fine art, fashion, home decor, beauty products, jewellery and artisan food. Don’t miss the music of house band, Huegrass and the buskers for GETNS who will be singing throughout the day.

The ‘Make-and-Do Room’ will host face painting and a fabulous all ages craft area. For the kids, they have added a pocket-money priced toy and game sale that is sure to please every pint sized patron. .

FESTIVAL of the fortnight WILD AND SLOW 2014 Macreddin Village, Wicklow, November 8 and 9 Slow Food Ireland presents Wild and Slow 2014, a unique festival that celebrates everything that is good about Irish food: fresh, local, traditional and wild. The festival will be a chance to enjoy a European Winter-fest style market with rows of wooden stalls and homemade foods on display.

In addition to this there will be wild food workshops, tastings, talks and demonstrations. Darina Allen, one of Ireland’s top chefs, will conduct a preserving lesson. Meanwhile, Michelin star chef Derry Clarke will be doing a furred-game tasting masterclass and you can take a Sip on the Wild Side cocktail workshop with highly acclaimed mixologist OisinDavis.

The full schedule of workshops and masterclasses can be found on www. wildandslow.com. The festival will take place each day from 11am until 8pm at The Brooklodge and Macreddin Village. Entry is free.

BOOK of the fortnight OPEN DOORS Stephen Griffiths By his own definition, Stephen Griffiths is someone who needs to see, before he is willing to believe. But in 2006, the author experienced an event that would change his life for ever and resulted in his tireless pursuit to understand the true meaning of happiness. Belonging to the self-help genre, his book Open Doors takes a refreshing approach to the subject of happiness & success as it not only offers the authors personal experience of turning his life around but also offers an insight and perspective that can be shared by anyone. There are no ‘quick tips’ or ‘secret keys’ on offer but instead a practical and logical approach that makes sense. A must read for anyone starting out in life or perhaps someone searching for something more.

TV SHOW of the fortnight THE FALL

RTE 1, Sunday, 10pm It has been reported that the hotly anticipated second season of crime thriller The Fall begins on RTE 1 following the finale of Love Hate and four days before it is broadcast in the UK. Jamie Dornan and Gillian Anderson will return as serial killer Paul Spector and DSI Stella Gibson in the six part series. The BBC have remained tight-lipped regarding

THEATRE of the fortnight THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, November 4-8, 8pm Paul Flynn directs Square One Theatre Group in Martin McDonagh’s classic comedy set on the island of Inishmaan. McDonagh is well known for his black comedies having written the popular films In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. This play is populated by wonderful characters whose lives are interrupted by “the yanks” who have come to make a film on a neighbouring island. The dullness of daily life is replaced by idle gossip and dreams of Hollywood as the locals clamor for their once-in-alifetime chance at stardom. The Cripple of Inishmaan has been lauded by critics and is a must-see. Tickets are €16 or €14 concession.

what will be coming up on the drama which is filmed entirely in Belfast.

Teaser trailers have shown a more obsessive relationship between Spector and Detective Gibson. Despite making for difficult viewing The Fall was BBC2’s most popular drama in 20 years. Writer Allan Cubitt has said that he has not toned down the show despite complaints about the onscreen violence against women. The second season is set ten days after the last episode of season one.

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING | 9

14 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

GET THE PERFECT BATHROOM

news in brief The Half Originals OUT of hundreds of acts shortlisted Wicklow band The Half Originals and their song Don’t Follow Me have been nominated for a Young Artist Development Award. Sarah Sullivan, Katie Sullivan and Laura Foster from St. Kevin’s CC in Dunlavin are competing for the chance to record their work and €25, 000. The awards will take place in The Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on November 1.

Homes

with Clodagh Doyle (info@wicklowvoice.ie)

FOR years, the bathroom was the room we paid the least attention to, this hard working space for all our grooming and personal hygiene needs could easily be described as cramped, clinical and bland. With our hectic busy lifestyles, we are now turning to our bathrooms as the perfect escape, a warm inviting sanctuary: somewhere pleasant we want to spend time to relax and unwind.

When designing a bathroom, be as generous with space as you can, think of a hotel you may have savoured the pampering quality of a large bathroom. Allowing some space between the necessary fixtures for other pieces of furniture will give it more of a homely feel. You may consider taking a little bit of extra space from an adjoining room or

Celebration week SCOUTING Ireland have launched Community Celebration Week 2014, an initiative to help communities in Wicklow to benefit from the positive activities of Wicklow’s 2, 280 scouting members. Scout Groups will select a local community project that will range from building play areas to tidying.

Bray exhibition Bray Camera Club will open their photographs of contemporary Bray exhibition in The Harbour Bar on November 4 at 7.30pm.

The exhibition will be opened

by Daragh Muldowney and runs until January 4, 2015.

Aaron (4), Eoghan and Nathan Byrne (6) out and about in Greystones simply reversing the direction of your entry door, making all the difference.

With design in mind, using a combination of stone, mosaic, ceramics, glass, metal will work well on a practical and functional level but will make this a more attractive space.

Decent quality and size of white ‘sanitary ware’ is a must but for a more aesthetically option look at sculptured designs or consider glass or metal sinks or decorative freestanding baths.

Ensure your bathroom is

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types of lighting is required, bright task lighting: shavers light and an illuminated mirror and then a softer background lighting to create a more relaxing atmosphere.

Your toiletries should be housed out of sight, so consider slim-line freestanding units with ample storage space. If your bathroom is tight for space items that can double up for example, a cabinet with mirrored doors, a solid wood laundry/linen box with a luxious padded seat or your

Docile Dotterel drops in

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well ventilated as excessive moisture can damage paint and cause damp and mould patches. Water flow is vital for that perfect bath or shower so if your water pressure is a little of the low side then perhaps a water pump may be the answer.

Wet rooms are very much on trend with many opting to forego their bath in the process.

You may wish to think twice especially if you have children and remember the joys a relaxing bath can offer.

A combination of different

sink housed within a storage unit.

For added comfort, heated towel rails are available either plumbed in or electric.

Generous thick colourful towels and mats are a must to soak up the moisture and are a vital part of bathroom comfort.

Your bathroom will also benefit from some carefully selected stylish accessories. Hang some artwork on empty wall spaces, a lush green plant will add some life along with some wicker baskets filled with folded hand towels and candles instantly adding complimentary pops of colour.

Now for the best bit – escape the stresses and strains of everyday life by visiting your spa-like bathroom retreat to unwind and relax in the comfort of your own home!

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(info@wicklowvoice.ie) SEPTEMBER and October are busy months in the lives of birds and birdwatchers as the autumn migration is in full swing. Many species of birds are on the move from their summer breeding grounds to their favourite winter haunts.

Ireland gets it fair share of scarce and rare migrants at this time of year, particularly the headlands and islands of our Atlantic coastal counties.

Whether stopping off for a rest and to refuel, or blown of course and sheltering from inclement weather, it is possible to see a wonderful wealth of bird species at this time of year. I guess the motto for birdwatchers and nature lovers is, expect the unexpected!

Wicklow was lucky enough to play host to one of these rare passage migrants when a juvenile Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus) took up residence near the summit of Maulin mountain from the 2nd to the 8th of October. This delightful little bird is a member of the plover family, more familiar members of which are the

Juvenile Dotterel on Maulin Mountain last week (Picture courtesy of Rachel Hynes) Lapwing and Ringed Plover.

This is only the 4th record of a Dotterel in Co. Wicklow since 2008.

Dotterels breed in the Arctic tundra of northern Europe, from Norway to Siberia, and a small number of pairs in Scotland.

The species is migratory, wintering in North Africa and eastwards towards Iran.

The Dotterel is one of few bird species with reversed sexual roles. The female is bigger and more brightly coloured than the male in summer, and takes the lead in courtship. The responsibility of incubation and

looking after the chicks usually falls to the males.

Dotterels, and juveniles in particular, are very tame, docile and approachable, mainly due to the fact they have very little experience of humans. They are brilliantly camouflaged, but once you have picked them out in the landscape it is easy to get close enough to get excellent photos. Unfortunately by the time I made the trip up Maulin on the 10th of October the bird had moved on, so many thanks to Rachel Hynes for providing the excellent photo of the recent Maulin bird.

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING| 15

16 | NEWS news in brief MACE fundraising THE MACE store in Baltinglass is taking part in an exciting new initiative to raise much needed funds for The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF). They will be selling MACE Halloween Smile chocolate lollipops for €1, with proceeds going to the IHF. For more information on the Irish Hospice Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.hospicefoundation.ie

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

Seven Wicklow mansions change hands for over €1m

Adult learning BALTINGLASS Adult Learning Centre are running a free course on Food and Nutrition, starting November 4 until December 16 from 9.30 to noon. For more information contact Annette or Maeve 059-6482642 or 086-8462771 or baltinglass@ wicklowlearners.ie

Garda Station PLANS to refurbish the former Garda station in Wicklow are on track and due to be completed by the end of summer 2015. The refurbishment work will ease accommodation pressure for An Garda Síochána and will see a historic building brought back to life.

Lucy (4) and Mags McDonagh at the Bray Halloween parade last Saturday

Joan and Leah Smyth (9) SEVEN houses in Wicklow have sold for more than €1m in the first 10 months of the year.

This puts the county in second place behind Dublin for the number of mansions which have changed in 2014.

However, this number marks a decrease from the same period in 2013 when 12 houses were sold for more than €1m in Wicklow. In all, 21 houses were sold for a million plus in 2013 in the county.

Boystown House in Blessignton (pictured) sold for €4.925m in January of this year, making it the most expensive in the county sold so far.

Described as an idyllic lakeside Georgian mansion set on beautiful grounds with panoramic park and mountain views, it was designed by the architect Frederick Darley Junior circa 1833.

South facing, the mansion has formal gardens as well as 100 acres of parkland and woodland.

Boystown was formerly owned by Elizabeth McClory, widow of 1960s film producer Kevin McClory and daughter of racehorse trainer Vincent O’Brien.

The seven houses in Wicklow which have sold for more than €1m are: • Boystown House, Boystown.

Sold on January 24 for €4.925m • Main House, Blackditch,

Suzie and Benjamin Napier (1)

Newcastle. Sold on July 4 for €1.5m • 6 Eagle Valley, Enniskerry.

Sold on June 25 for €1.2m • Broadlough House, Tinakilly, Rathnew. Sold on March 21 for €1.1m • Burnaby Lodge, St Vincent Road, Greystones. Sold on February 20 for €1.075m • 5 Straun Hill, Priory Road, Delgany. Sold on August 28 for €1.02m • Barnacullia House, Bohilla Lane, Kilmacanogue. Sold on February 10 for €1.01m.

Despite the decrease in €1mplus homes in Wicklow compared to 2013, nationally, sales have surged in the first 10 months of the year, with the number sold up by more than 60pc. Some 288 €1m-plus properties, ranging from country estates to apartments in upmarket parts of Dublin city, have changed hands between January and October.

This compares with 175 in the same period of 2013 - a 64pc rise.

Overall house sales have also sharply risen as the property market begins to return to normality. But prices continue to

creep up due to a shortage of new homes coming on to the market.

An analysis of transactions gleaned from the Property Price Register shows that between January and October, some 26,714 homes changed hands.

This compares with 20,081 in the first 10 months of 2013.

Property experts said that most million-euro buyers were expats living abroad who planned to return to Ireland over the coming years. The expectation is that upper-end homes will see double-digit growth next year, before tapering off to annual increases of 5pc or 6pc.

The most expensive property sold so far this year is Deepwell on Rock Hill in Blackrock, Co Dublin. The property includes a three-acre walled garden, and was sold in May for almost €8m. A penthouse apartment in Ballsbridge Wood on the Shelbourne Road in Dublin 4 sold for €1.52m.

Just 17 of the 288 €1m-plus properties - or a paltry 6pc - are outside Dublin. Of these, seven are in Wicklow and four in Cork with the remainder in Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Waterford and Meath.

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

ADVERTISING | 17

18 | LIFESTYLE

wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

my favourite things Looking for some mid-season purchases but low on funds? The savvy shopper knows the simplest and most cost effective way to update your basic wardrobe, is with a healthy dose of seasonal accessories. Whether you want to make a bold fashion statement or prefer to keep it classic, prepare to amp up your basic Winter style with a selection of versatile new pieces, and all without breaking the bank.

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WHAT’S HOT

with Mairead Vickers info@wicklowvoice.ie

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all-in-one CC clear & correct cream. With an SPF 30, oil and fragrance free formula, this tinted lotion takes to the skin like a light serum and wears incredibly well as a full coverage foundation.

Visible corrective effects, a light fresh scent and a good balance between matte and moisturised, for the princely sum of €4, it would be rude not to!

Essence all-in-one CC cream €4.99 Pharmacies nationwide

FASHION SENSE

Keep hands warm and cosy in a pair of classic leather gloves. As an alternative to basic black or brown, why not choose a cheerful shade to brighten your look and mood, on those dull and dreary days? This soft and stylish pair from Next come in a rich teal green tone and fit the bill perfectly.

Leather gloves Next €23

Usher in the new season in style with a chic cape. As easy as throwing on a scarf, the cape is the ideal item to create a luxe layered look.

Floating around for the last few seasons, this year it’s back with a bang. Wear yours with a fine knit top on milder days, or layer it over your jacket when it gets chilly. Choose soft styles in neutral colours for maximum versatility.

Cape New Look €59.99

Channel this season’s love of all things bright and beautiful with a statement bag. The perfect piece comes in the form of this chic clutch from Heatons. Ticking the trend for vibrant colours and with the added bonus of a snappy chain-link shoulder strap; this neat number will elevate your evening style right now, through the party season and beyond.

Red velvet clutch bag Heatons €13

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Equally as important for your overall look, it’s essential to adapt your beauty regime accordingly. Introducing a product that delivers immediate results; cult cosmetic brand Essence has come up trumps with a multi-tasking,

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Keeping your dressing area clean and well organized is essential. There’s little point investing time, money and effort into your purchases if you can’t find them on a particularly hectic morning.

Storing off-season clothing away will protect your items from dust as well as giving you the space to see which items you have to work with on a daily basis.

GARNITYR Clothes tidy, IKEA €17

PARTY TIME AT BARRACUDA

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A week of storytelling, fireside sessions, workshops and performances MERMAID ARTS CENTRE PRESENTS

15 – 23 NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MERMAIDARTSCENTRE.IE

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GET the festive season off to a great start with Barracuda steak and seafood restaurant.

Have your Christmas party overlooking Bray seafront, with views from Bray Head to Howth.

Barracuda have Christmas party nights all wrapped up with a mulled wine reception, festive 4 course choice menu and live music for just €35 per person.

Plus you can take part in their photo competition for your chance to win some great prizes.

Santa Claus himself knows that there is no better place for some festive fun.

That’s why he will be visiting the Barracuda restaurant every Sunday in December before Christmas.

Enjoy a hearty Sunday lunch and treat the little ones to a free visit with Santa.

With the most fabulous surf and turf dishes, you simply cannot go wrong.

Whatever the occasion, Barracuda always delivers excellent food and top quality service.

The tasteful interior and spacious layout makes for a relaxed dining experience and a desirable location for events and occasions.

The restaurant is conveniently located a short stroll from Bray

Okey doke ... pictured at Barracuda Restaurant is RTE broadcasting legend Bill O’Herlihy who was the guest speaker at the Wicklow Voice-sponsored Presentation College Bray Past Pupils Union dinner recently. A total of 140 former pupils and guests of the school attended including speakers President of Wicklow County and Bray Chamber of Commerce, Rory Benville and Ireland Rugby Skills Coach Richie Murphy, who was named Pres Man Of The Year following his efforst in helping Ireland win this year’s Six Nations title. Pic: Joe Keogh DART station and offers ample parking, ensuring that guests will have no problem making their way home.

If you are interested in having

a Christmas party at Barracuda or you would like to bring the children along for Santa Sunday, contact the team at Barracuda now on 01 2765686 or visit www.barracuda.ie.

LIFESTYLE| 19

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

recipes

Peter Byrne

IRISH LOBSTER, ALMOND PUREE, FRESH PEACH, CUCUMBER AND CORIANDER

wine choice CHATEAU ROUMIEU SAUTERNES 2010 Bordeaux, France, 375ml - €14, Supervalu Top end Sauternes and Barsac dessert wines are not cheap but are still under-priced given the tiny quantities produced.

This is actually a Barsac (either name can be used) and is my pick of the SuperValu dessert wine at this price with delicious acacia flower aromas and honeyed fruit balanced by just enough acidity.

INGREDIENTS

For four people

• Two lobsters • Take the claws off the lobster tail.

• Cook the tail in boiling salted water for approx. 3 minutes • Then cook the claws for approx. 4-5 minutes depending on size • Remove from the shell and cut the tail in half.

ALMOND PUREE:

• 100 grams whole skinned almonds • Half clove garlic • 50 grams white breadcrumbs • 250 mls cold water

• 1 teaspoon sea salt • 150 mls rapeseed oil • 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar Put all the ingredients in a bowl and let soak for a few minutes.

Blitz in a blender and check for seasoning.

TO SERVE

Place the almond puree in the centre of the plate and arrange the lobster on top.

Cut the peach and cucumber into a dice and arrange around the lobster. Chop five leaves of coriander and sprinkle on top.

Season with some sea salt and a drizzle of Wicklow rapeseed oil.

Donal Moore

Head Chef at Sika Restaurant in The Powerscourt Hotel

Head Chef at Barracuda Restaurant

VENISON OSSO BUCCO Venison is at it’s best this time of year and nowhere better than County Wicklow for wild venison. In fact Wild Irish Game Ltd is Ireland’s longest established EU approved wild game processing establishment and is based in Rathdrum.

While in Barracuda we use lots of game this time of the year. Our braised Venison Shin is by for our most popular and here it is.

Braised Venison Shin, truffle mash, sprouts and wild mushroom. (2 portions)

• Chicken stock (homemade or bought)

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

• 8 slices of venison shin (osso bucco – available in good butchers) • 1 carrot (sliced) • half celery (sliced) • 2 gloves garlic (sliced thinly) • 1 onion (diced) • 1 glass of red wine • 100 g fresh wild mushrooms (available in local veg shop) • 4 large potatoes (roosters) • 8 Brussel sprouts • 8 g fresh truffle (truffle Carpaccio or shavings)

Heat a large pan, add a drop of olive oil and place the venison in season and brown on both sides.

Add the carrot, celery, onion and garlic to a deep casserole dish and place the venison on top.

Meanwhile when the pan is still hot, add the glass of wine to deglaze the pan (make sure to free up all the crispy bits).

Pour into the casserole tin and add the chicken stock (enough

to cover the venison). Place baking parchment on top and then tinfoil. Seal around the sides and place in oven at 180 for 2 hours or until falling off the bone.

Meanwhile cook and mash your potatoes, if you want some luxury add half the amount of butter to potato and fold in, season taste and then add in the truffle, taste again. Blanch the sprouts in boiling water and cool straight away in iced water so to keep their colour. Brush the wild mushrooms using a small pastry brush to remove soil and grit. Never wash them.

Halve the sprouts and add to a hot pan with a drop of olive oil. You want them to slightly caramelise, add the mushrooms for the final 10 -15 seconds then remove from pan onto kitchen paper.

Now get ready to plate.

Add a nice spoon of mash to the plate, place four pieces of venison on top and a little of the cooking liquor, put sprouts and mushrooms to the side and enjoy.

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wicklowvoice.ie October 30 2014

Magical Merrigan hits goal as Village advance Rathnew 1-13 Rathvilly 1-9 Leinster Club SFC

COUNTY Champions Rathnew are through to the quarter-finals of the Leinster championship on November 9 after digging deep to beat Rathvilly on Sunday.

The 32-times Wicklow champions trailed by two points with four minutes remaining, despite playing into a strong wind and missing key players Leighton Glynn, Nicky Mernagh and and Mark Doyle.

But 1-3 without reply in the closing stages, including a decisive 57th minute Jody Merrigan goal secured them a November

9 Leinster club quarter-final clash with Moorefield back in Aughrim.

Rathnew profited from the 43rd minute red card dismissal of Rathvilly centre-back Brendan Murphy. Rathvilly led 1-9 to 0-10 with 56 minutes on the clock, and will kick themselves for allowing victory to slip away.

Rathnew looked like they might pay for wasteful play early on. They had the strong wind advantage in the first-half but kicked eight wides and led by just 0-7 to 1-2 at the break.

It was a tight contest and scores were at a premium.

Rathnew managed just two first-half points from open play and Rathvilly didn’t manage any. But Ken Doyle’s expertly taken 11th minute goal for Rathvilly after Ed Finnegan’s precise diagonal ball kept them in it. The Carlow champions took full advantage of the wind after the restart with four points in a row to move 1-6 to 0-7 up.

JJ Smith, Gary Dempsey, Brian Murphy and Alan Kelly all split the posts at the town end to put them in a commanding position.

Brendan Murphy was dismissed in the 43rd minute. He picked up his second yellow

WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL

card for a strong frontal challenge on the hard-working Merrigan.

Rathvilly retained a two-point advantage after 56 minutes thanks to important scores from Smith and Dempsey. But Eddie Doyle’s fourth converted free for Rathnew was followed by Merrigan’s goal and the game swung decisively in their favour. Merrigan pulled on a loose ball from close range for the goal after Philly Murphy’s high ball in broke kindly.

Rathnew held onto possession cleverly throughout injurytime and picked off points from Tommy Gill and James Stafford.

WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL

COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN

COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN

IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: BONFIRES AT HALLOWEEN

Household Hazardous Waste Collections 2014

Wicklow County Council wish to remind householders and individuals who hand over their waste for bonfire purposes at Halloween that they will be liable for prosecution under the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009.

Much of what we throw in our bins is actually hazardous waste. Please do not throw out any of the following wastes and safely store them until the next hazardous waste collection.

Waste includes household domestic rubbish, beds & mattresses, tyres, tables & chairs, carpets, washing machines, prams, garden waste, aerosol cans, televisions etc. The burning of these items causes toxic and dangerous pollutants to be created and emitted into the air we breathe which can have profound long-term health implications.

Please note: Wicklow Local Authorities will not carry out clean ups before or after bonfires and will not be responsible for the cost of any clean ups after bonfires.

PAINTS AND SOLVENTS; BATTERIES; FLUORESCENT TUBES; FERTILISERS; PESTICIDES & POISONS; WASTE MEDICINES; ADHESIVES, INKS AND RESINS; CAUSTIC SODA AND WASTE OILS, DRAIN CLEANERS, CLEANING AGENTS AND DETERGENTS, PHOTOGRAPHIC CHEMICALS, OVEN CLEANERS, SHOE POLISHES HOUSEHOLD BATTERIES MAY ALSO BE LEFT TO ANY WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL RECYCLING CENTRES DATE

VENUE

TIME

REMEMBER – FIREWORKS SCARE & SHOULD BE LICENCED!!

8th November

9.30am - 1.30pm

IF YOU HAVE A PET – PLEASE KEEP YOUR PET IN AT HALLOWEEN.

The Murrough Recycling Centre Wicklow

15th November

Avoca Recycling Centre, Avoca

9.30am –1.30pm

22nd November

Rampere Recycling Centre, Baltinglass

9.30am - 12 noon

22nd November

Blessington, Council Yard, Naas Rd

2pm-5pm

Wicklow County Fire Service wish to advise • Bonfires can get out of control and threaten surrounding buildings • The smoke from bonfires can drive people from their homes • Bonfires can attract anti-social activity into your neighbourhood causing distress to all especially older residents.

• Firefighters who witness the horrific injuries that can occur at bonfires or as a result of fireworks believe it is just not worth it.

Wicklow County Council wishes everyone a “Happy and Bonfire Free Halloween” !!

HELENA DENNEHY A/SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Cumann na mBunscol Goal jersey day Goal Jersey Day was held in Scoil Chualann recently where pupils wore their local club colours.

The school raised €420 on the day.

Members of the victorious Bray Emmets team and past pupils of the school visited students with the Senior Hurling Club Championship Cup. Baltinglass win cup Baltinglass N.S. won the West Wicklow Allianz Coughlan Cup in Blessington after a great final with Dunlavin N.S. Two periods of extra time were needed to separate the teams and they both played extremely well.

The Game Based conditions of the Cup this year was that there would be no goalkeepers and scores would be points only.

Ardmore Rovers Future Football finals Ardmore Rovers U9’s were among 250 boys and girls from 30 local football teams to play at McDonald’s FAI Future Football finals day at the Aviva Stadium.

The teams were invited to stay on and cheer on the boys in green as the Republic of Ireland beat Gibralter 7-0 in the first home game of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Bray Emmets Lotto Next weeks jackpot will reach €10, 200 and is breaking records. Congratulations to David Munro who won the €25 Lucky Dip. U14 county champions Bray Emmets were crowned U14 champions in Arklow recently following a win over St. Pats. It was a close match but the team went up the field and scored a couple of brilliant points to seal the win.

The game finishes Bray Emmets 4-11 St. Pats 4-6.

Garden County U13s The final training session will take place November 1 at 2pm and all parents are asked to attend. Feedback will be given to parents on their child’s performance during the year and there will be a number of guest speakers to talk to parents and players on the day.

U14s Training will continue and this week will see the reintegration of the remainder of the squad post club activities.

U16s A much improved performance from the U16s saw them draw against the county minors. Gary Jameson has issued a new strength and conditioning programme and the players will be focusing on this aspect of their development over the coming weeks.

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

PLEASE NOTE These collections are for householders only The collection carried out by a private contractor on behalf of Wicklow County Council under Hazardous Waste Licensing Legislation.

It is not always possible to predict amount of hazardous waste materials which will be delivered to the collections. As materials must be kept separately, stored and sealed in protective containers in the truck and because they are hazardous, there is a limit to the space available for each type of item.

MATERIALS MAY NOT BE LEFT AT THE LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF COLLECTION TIMES. FINES FOR LITTERING WILL BE ISSUED The Environment – Too Good to Waste Wicklow Co Co Waste Management Section 0404 20127

sport in brief

COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN

NOTICE PUBLISHING COMMENCEMENT OF AUDIT FOR THE FORMER BRAY TOWN COUNCIL Notice is hereby given that the audit of the accounts of the former Bray Town Council for the financial year ended on the 31st day of December, 2013 will be commenced by Mr. Daragh McMahon, Local Government Auditor, on the 3rd day of November 2014.

In accordance with article 17 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, objections to any matter or matters contained in the said several accounts will be considered by the Local Government Auditor during the audit.

Written notice of any proposed objection, setting out the relevant particulars and grounds on which it is to be made, should be sent to the above Local Government Auditor at Civic Offices, Main Street, Bray Co Wicklow within ten days of the commencement of the audit. The annual financial statement will be available during office hours for the inspection of all persons for a period of seven days before the commencement of the audit.

Dated this 29th day of October 2014.

Chief Executive Edward Sheehy

SPORT| 23

October 30 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

insideback

with Brian Quigley

Negative coverage of Wanderers unfair BRAY Wanderers have secured their top tier status following their battling performances on the pitch over the last few months but still face a financial fight to secure their existence.

The Seagulls have also had to contend with some negative press in the last week or two with some national newspapers claiming that Bray owe St Joseph’s Boys €41,000 and that the matter has been referred to the FAI. According to the reports, Bray face a threat to their future existence as St Joseph’s Boys has requested the FAI to deny them a licence for next season.

The prominent schoolboys’ club is a long-standing partner of the Seagulls and among the 61 players Joeys have supplied to their senior neighbours over a 15-year period are Éamon Zayed, Jay O’Shea and Kieran Marty Waters.

St Joseph’s Boys insist that mediation hosted by League Director Fran Gavin has so far failed to resolve their issues,

leading to this week’s formal request that could result in Bray failing to receive a licence.

Licences are only issued when creditors are paid or an arrangement exists to settle the debt.

The alleged debt comprises of €21,000 from UEFA’s solidarity compensation fund, along with €20,000 relating to a fundraising game between Bray Wanderers and a Manchester United XI at the Carlisle Grounds July 20.

“This game formed part of the compensation package negotiated by St Josephs Boys with Manchester United for the transfer of Sam Byrne in 2011,” read a statement issued by St Joseph’s Boys. “Bray have yet to come back with a concrete proposal as to how they propose to address the situation.”

The patience of their current squad has been tested due to delays in payment of wages, according to the reports.

However, this newspaper investigated these claims and believe them to have been found

unfairly reported.

Bray are in mediation with St Joseph’s in regard to a settlement of debts, and with regard to the players, the manner in which they fought for the club’s survival in the last few weeks of the season says it all.

Meanwhile, the omens were not good before kick-off at the Carlisle Grounds on October 17 when Bray secured their safety.

It was a horrendous night weather-wise, with gale-force winds and pelting rain but backed by an impressive and vociferous home support they scored in the first minute thanks to man-of-the-match David Cassidy’s goal. Dundalk started to play better after the break and got a deserved equaliser, but it was Bray who finished the game stronger and they could have won it when the ball fell kindly for Jake Kelly three minutes from time.

It wasn’t to be but the final whistle came and Bray’s point ensured survival and sent UCD

Free Team Strength & Conditioning at Bodyworx For the month of November only, Shoreline Leisure Bray is offering a limited number of complimentary Strength & Conditioning sessions in the new Bodyworx facility.

This unique offer is open to all sports clubs and teams in the locality. Experienced Strength & Conditioning Coach, Kevin Foley will design and deliver a sport and season specific session that will cater for athlete’s of all levels and experience.

For more information contact Shoreline Leisure Bray on 01 - 2765660 or contact Kevin Foley directly at bodyworx@shorelineleisure.ie

and Athlone into the final week to settle the matter of who went down automatically and who had to settle for the playoff spot.On October 24, Bray earned a point in their visit to Athlone Town (thanks to a Dean Zambra second half equaliser) which sent the hosts down, as UCD won at home on the same night.

Dundalk claimed the league title with a 2-0 victory over Cork at Oriel Park.

Now it’s time for the supporters of Bray Wanderers in the town and county to bask in the pride of the club’s achievement.

Next year will be the 11th straight season in the top flight, a record bettered only

by St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians, two Dublin giants.

Finally, drum-roll please, but it is time to reveal the Wicklow Voice Bray Wanderers Player of the Year. Step forward Dean Zambra, ever-present in the league, versatile and reliable.

He’d be first on my team-sheet too

Brian Holland and Richie Murphy joke around at the Wicklow Voice-sponsored Presentation College Bray Past Pupils Union dinner in the Barracuda Restaurant. Richie is the Leinster and Ireland Skills Coach and was named Pres Man Of The Year following his contribution to Ireland’s Six Nations victory earlier this year. Pic: Joe Keogh

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