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Harris to bounce back
TD tipped for ministerial role following Euro battle By Cianan Brennan SPECULATION is mounting that Simon Harris will land a junior ministry role in the pending government reshuffle following his strong performance in the European Parliament elections. Harris, current TD for the Wicklow – East Carlow constituency, came agonisingly close to sealing the final MEP seat in the Ireland South jurisdiction, but lost out on the twelfth and final count to party running mate Deirdre Clune. Local party activists suggests that Harris, one of the Fine Gael’s youngest and brightest, will be handed one of the junior briefs in the aftermath of the local and European elections. A reshuffle is imminent given the government’s chastening performance in the elections, with Labour in particular having its local representation
election breakdown Pages 20 -21
decimated with the rise of Sinn Féin and Independent candidates. A junior ministry role is generally seen as a stepping stone to the cabinet proper, and marks a politician out from the backbench TD ranks. His margin of loss was less than 3,000 votes, with both Fine Gael candidates having moved clear of Fianna Fáil backmarker Kieran Hartley. Harris, the youngest deputy in the current Dáil at just 27, was magnaminous in defeat, and congratulated both Clune and outgoing MEP Seán Kelly. “I really enjoyed the campaign, I was humbled by the support I received and I look forward to returning to Dáil
Eireann and giving voice to the many issues raised with me,” he said. Clune could nevertheless sympathise with Harris. “I’m disappointed for Simon. Obviously there can only be one winner but we’ve spoken and I’ve thanked him for putting in such a strong campaign because it definitely contributed to my election,” she said. Despite Harris’ loss Fine Gael’s performance in Ireland South was satisfactory with two of the four seats available returned, while Fianna Fáil’s Brian Crowley and Sinn Féin’s Liadh ní Riada took the remaing two spots. The last Wicklow TD to hold a cabinet post was Fianna Fail’s Dick Roche who was Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and then Minister of State for European Affairs until he lost his seat in 2011.
ROY RUNS RULE OVER WANDERERS : Assistant Ireland manager Roy Keane made a surprise appearance at Bray’s Carlisle Grounds to watch his native Cork City defeat Bray Wanderers 2-0. Future’s bright for Bray, page 27. » Lots more pictures from around the county inside
4 | NEWS news in brief Oddsocks at the Harbour Oddsocks are a Dublin based four-piece who aspire to remember the importance of the elements that make for great music: melody, harmony and groove. They have developed their sound over the past 4 years to create a music style that is rich in vocal harmonies which they describe as rhythm and groove. Oddsocks will be performing at the Harbour Bar on June 6, a gig not to be missed.
Sean releases charity album S i nge r / s o ngw r i te r Sean Olohan has released a double album, A Love For the Music, featuring a range of songs from contemporary Irish folk to rock and roll. All proceeds from the album will go to Wicklow Hospice and Wicklow Cancer Support, causes close to Sean’s heart. The cd is available from Sean’s store Track One in Wicklow Town as well as online and from cancer support and hospice shops throughout the county.
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
Hozier hot in the States By Peter Murphy
Wicklow singer Hozier took the US by storm this month after he appeared on two talk shows. The Bray man performed his hit single ‘Take me to Church’ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last week following his US TV debut on David letterman the previous week. He received an exciting introduction by Ellen who was enthusiastic about the up and coming star, who described Hozier as the ‘Irish singer-writer who I love so much’. Hozier, whose real name is Andrew Hozier Byrne, is from Bray and a former Trinity College Student. He posted a photograph on social media site Instagram when he arrived at the entrance to Warner Bros Studios with the caption, “At the Ellen artist entrance earlier today. Justice League, son.” The Ellen Show averages around three million viewers per episode in the US, with millions more worldwide. Hozier rose to fame last year when the video for his debut single ‘Take Me to Church’
By Cianan Brennan
went viral, getting over three million views on YouTube. The singer will return to perform at Dublin’s Longitude festival in July and Cork’s Independence festival in August. Meanwhile, Wicklow based band El grey have been
LIVE LOUNGE JUNE Sun 1 Mon 2 Thurs 5 Fri 6 sat 7 Sun 8 Thur 12 Fri 13 Sat 14 Sun 15 Thur 19 Fri 20th sat 21st sun 22 Thur 26 Fri 27 sat 28 sun 29
JUNE UFO [Amy winehouse] DAILY HOWL [Indie pop rock] THE BURNING EFFIGIES [Funk] ODDSOCKS [Rhythm & Groove] LIQUID LEE AND THE SOUL FOOLISHNESS [Blues] DERMOT BYRNE [Delta/country blues] YOUBLOOM NIGHT [Bands Tbc] THE FURIOUS HAZE [Rock & roll] TBC [Tbc] ANNMARIE O’GRADY [Folk singer/songwriter] COLUMBIA MILLS [Electronic rock] HARDY JHAR COMEDY CLUB 21OUTS [Rock] REGGULATORS [Reggae] WOODSY [Acoustic covers] DEUCE [Rory Gallagher tribute] PINK FLOYD [Tribute] THE ROCKETS [Vintage 50’s rock — skiffle] SAMUEL VAS-Y [Acoustic Folk]
Garda named by Ming was stationed in Bray
progressing with their music after reaching the final of the Big Break competition, run in association with ALCATEL ONE T OUCH. There are five acts in the final and the winner will have a chance to appear on the cover of Hot Press magazine.
Premiership soccer star marries in Wicklow By Michelle McGlynn
WICKLOw recently played host to another Premier ship wedding, as West Ham United’s Joey O’Brien wed Irish model Joanne Martin at the Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry. The lavish ceremony included 200 guests and attracted many famous faces from both the football and fashion world, including O’Brien’s team-mates Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan.. The ceremony and reception were guarded heavily by security who kept onlookers and photographers at a distance to ensure the couple’s privacy. The bride looked stunning in a custom-made Vera Wang white satin gown with mermaid detail. The new Mrs. O’Brien kept the groom waiting, pulling up in a Rolls Royce 15 minutes late. The couple spared no expense when it came to their big day with St. Augustine’s Church on Thomas Street, Dublin adorned with floral displays and a white carpet. Robbie Keane married Claudine Palmer in Powerscourt in 2008.
The Garda whistleblower at the centre of the latest controversy to hit the force was based at Bray Garda Station. Garda Nicky Keogh, now working in Athlone, has handed a dossier of evidence over to retired judge Patrick McMahon who is charged with overseeing whistleblower allegations. The latest revelations, first voiced publicly by newly elected MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, suggest that highranking Gardaí were involved in attempting to coerce members of the public to buy illegal drugs in an effort to boost crimesolving figures. Other allegations include Gardaí cover-ups, the stealing of official files, manufacturing evidence, and the failure of ranking officers to comply with court orders to hand over records. While the Garda press office was unwilling to confirm to the Wicklow Voice that Keogh had been based in Wicklow, it is a matter of public record that he operated from Bray until at least late 2012. In November of that year Keogh was mentioned in a sitting of Bray District Court as having been present during a fracas outside a nightclub in the town. According to Flanagan, the drug-related offences contained in the new dossier specifically involve members of the public being coerced into buying heroin. The new allegations further assert that on top of the coercion mentioned, a significant drug dealer well known to the Garda drugs squad in Bray was excluded from the list of persons to be targeted by the operation. Speaking in the Dáil in his previous role as TD for Roscommon-South Leitrim, Flanagan asserted his admiration for Garda Keogh whilst calling for heightened protection for whistleblowers.
“Nicky Keogh is a hero. He’s done the Gardaí proud and I hope they shake his hand rather than tie a knot in a rat’s tail and put it on his door,” he said. In 2007 Garda Keogh was directly involved in the conviction and imprisonment of Philip O’Toole for Garda obstruction at Bray seafront. O’Toole was murdered and his body dumped in the Wicklow mountains in 2011 after becoming heavily embroiled in the drug trade and gang fighting between Arklow and Bray. At the time of his death he had accumulated over 40 criminal convictions for drugrelated offences. The new whistleblowing allegations have come just as the dust was settling on the previous Garda controversies which have contributed to a series of highprofile resignations, including that of former Commissioner Martin Callinan and, most significantly, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter. The scandals, which have seriously undermined confidence in the force across the nation, detail inappropriate behaviour on behalf of Gardaí, together with the revelation of both the bugging of the Garda Ombudman Commission (GSOC), and the taping of phone calls at Garda stations across the country. April’s Wicklow Voice exclusively revealed that Bray Station was one of the 26 Garda Divisional Headquarters which had been recording telephone calls over the past 30 years. This shocking news raised questions about possible legal implications regarding certain crimes and prosecutions processed at Wicklow’s largest and main urban Garda station. Former Commissioner Callinan resigned from his post on March 25th of this year, the same day the Taoiseach briefed the Dáil regarding the tapping of phones at Garda stations.
NEWS |5
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
wicklow people in pictures
Julia Ratajczak and Halina Fusek Outside the Trim Bin in Bray
Amanda and Saul Sweeney (8), who just made his communion, outside Shoreline Greystones
It was a great day for the 10k and 5k Walk/Run which started and finished at the Coral Leisure Centre in Arklow recently in aid of Sunbeam House Services. (pic Yvette O Beirne)
Ella Wedderburn and Mandy Hall outside The CrĂŞpe Box stand at the Wicklow Arts Festival
Paul Curran and Gary Bennett from Dublin out and about after cycling to Mount Usher
Pictured at The Delgany first birthday celebration were Martina Fox and Steven Jackson. Photo: Keogh Photography
6| NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
Greystones marina saves farmer Ryan
Shades of fame as teen set for Dragon’s Den
By Cianan Brennan
by Cianan Brennan
TOm Hanks stormed the beaches at Curracloe whilst attempting to rescue Private Ryan in Steven Spielberg’s classic war movie. This month Greystones Marina is upping the ante as it attempts to save a different Ryan, Wicklow farmer David Ryan. Ryan is commissioning and entering a 70 foot Volvo class racing yacht in the Round Ireland Yacht Race which takes place on the 28th June. The boat in question is too large for Wicklow Town’s marina, and so will be putting to sea from Greystones, a watershed moment for the town’s marina which only came into being in April last year. Greystones Marina manager Alan Corr sees Ryan’s adventure as a watershed moment for the town. “This is great news for Greystones, we’re trying to put the marina on the sailing map
ThE future is so bright we’ll have to wear shades. connect Shades that is. That is what 14-year-old Bray schoolboy Joshua Dargan Hayes will be hoping on Sunday June 1st when he steps into the firing line on the latest series of Junior Dragons Den on R TE. The young aspiring businessman will take his invention, the connect Shade, onto the famous entrepreneurial reality show hoping to impress the various dragons and earn himself a mentor plus a €2,000 commission. Joshua’s idea comprises a sun lounger with built in solar panels which will allow the average tech-savvy sun worshiper to charge mobile devices whilst sunbathing. The student at St. Gerard’s School Bray got the idea while on holidays in Italy with his parents.
Alan Corr at the Greystones Marina office and this can only help,” he says. “We’re definitely heading in the right direction, people are really impressed with the depth of water and the sheltered nature of our marina.”
Ryan has handpicked 11 of his crew while an open competition will decide three further places on his boat for the race itself. His aim is to achieve line honours (first boat back to Wicklow
Town harbour) in the race, with proceeds going to the charity Care For Shane, set up to fund care for his nephew who suffered a severe brain injury in 2012.
news in brief Family day on seafront BrAY Vintage car club are holding their annual rally and family day on Sunday, June 1from 12 to 4pm. The proceeds from this fun filled day will go towards providing support services for people with cancer. Come along and enjoy cars, music, face painting and even a teddy bear picnic.
Calling all Lego enthusiasts Wicklow Triple A Alliance hope to begin a Lego group for members who are 6 plus. The group will provide an opportunity to socialise and make friends while playing with Lego. An introductory meeting for parents will take place Monday, May 26 in the Wilton Hotel, Southern cross Road, Bray. Triple A Alliance is a support group for families affected by Autism, Asperger Syndrome or ADHD. For more info go to www.triplea.ie
Volunteer bag packers needed ThE
Irish
Institute
of
Naturopathic Medicine Suicide Prevention need volunteers for a bagpack in Dunnes Stores, Newtownmountkennedy on 12-14 of June from 10.30am6pm. If you would like to volunteer your time for this great cause contact the IINM Suicide Prevention on 045 404445 or 087 366 9547.
An evening of high drama croi Rath Naoi Voluntary Advisory committee presents a drama festival evening in St. Brigid’s Hall on Saturday June 14th at 8pm. The fundraising event features the Kilmant Players’ production of cooing by Gaynor Highcock and the Ashford IcA production of Mother’s Day Out by Jack Popplewell.
Students to perform at Mermaid
composEr Elaine Agnew will collaborate with 2nd and 3rd class students in St. Laurence O’Toole NS, Newtownmountkennedy NS and St. Bridget’s NS to develop a new work. The collaboration will be performed at Mermaid Arts centre on June 8. The students will no doubt give a
“I thought it would be a great idea to make a sun lounger with a solar panel along the side meaning people could charge their phones at the beach. I couldn’t believe the product didn’t already exist,” says Joshua. After checking the product didn’t already exist Joshua went to the Irish Patents Office to have a contract drawn up, giving him copyright over the idea in Ireland. He even consulted international manufacturers to see what sort of materials he would need in order to construct his invention. “I was vague enough about the product in the emails because I didn’t want anyone stealing the idea,” he says. Other inventions that Joshua will be competing against include a mobile mathematics app for students, and a company that designs coffins for pets. performance not to be missed.
New youth café opening
ThE Stage is an exciting new facility for young people is opening at the Parochial Hall, Wicklow Town. The young people in the area have been hard at work getting the café ready for opening. The space will be for young people but their opening weekend is open to everyone. The weekend takes place on Friday, May 30 from 6-10pm and Saturday, May 31 from 2-6pm.
Wicklow girl takes on Brussels SEvEn year-old Amelia McDermott from Bray represented the voice of Ireland’s premature babies at the EU Parliament in Brussels recently as premature children from across the EU presented a call to Action to Vice President of the EU Parliament, Mr. Rainer Wieland. The call to Action calls for improved standards of care for preterm infants. Amelia was born at the end of week 25 of her mother’s pregnancy in 2006. Preterm infants can suffer the consequences of their early arrival for the remainder of their lives.
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
NEWS |7
8| NEWS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
That’s blooming marvellous for Powerscourt By Cianan Brennan
WICKLOw’S famous Powerscourt Gardens have been selected as third best in the world in a National Geographic list of the world’s top gardens. The list forms part of the renowned nature journal’s series concerning the best trips, adventures and places to visit in the world. Powerscourt was the only Irish beauty spot included, although our neighbours were well represented with seven of the top 10 places coming from European countries. The list was topped by the stunning Chateau de Versailles, home to the last kings of France, outside Paris, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in Surrey, England. General Manager of Powerscourt Estate Sarah Slazenger was delighted at the gardens’ inclusion on the list
and remarked that such a high placing can do nothing but enhance the reputation of the estate and attract more visitors from across the globe. “Everyone should see the great sights of the world and the National Geographic has done the traveller a great service by including Powerscourt in the top ten gardens worldwide,” she said. The landscaped gardens, part of the larger Powerscourt Estate situated in Enniskerry, occupy 47 acres on the estate. The spectacular Powerscourt Waterfall, Ireland’s largest, is also owned by the estate, though it is no longer directly connected by land. Powerscourt House itself dates from the 13th century so the estate proper was not established until the 1700’s. The house and estate has been owned by the Slazenger family since 1961.
Family fun at the Wicklow Arts Festival
In 1974 the house was famously destroyed in a fire not long after its refurbishment as part of an initial plan to open it as a tourist attraction. In 1996 the house was reroofed and it was opened to the public by President Mary Robinson in 1997. This is not the first award for the estate, which was recently included in the Top Ten Houses in the World list by the preserve of the backpacker Lonely Planet. It was also named the Best Parkland Venue in Ireland for 2014 by Golfer’s Guide to Ireland and it received the 2014 Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor. Upcoming events in Powerscourt Gardens include the Annual Rose festival and an outdoor performance of ‘The Jungle Book.’ Gardens feature: Pages 18-19
Rob, Zoe (2), Sean (4) and Kate Massey from Kilcoole out and about at the Wicklow Arts Festival
news in brief Wicklow honoured at food awards Wicklow man Mick Healy was among five producers of exotic farm and dairy products honoured at the EirGrid Euro-Toques Food Awards 2014. Healy, of Wild Irish Game Ltd., was selected by 160 of
Ireland’s top chefs for what they called “rare gems in the Irish culinary scene.”
Multi platinum Irish priest for Tramway
Fr. Liam Lawton is an awardwinning, multi platinum Irish singer-songwriter. Liam’s composition Beyond Belief for a special retrospective of film classics such as Cinderella and Snow White to be released
later this year. Liam will perform at Tramway Theatre, Blessington on Friday, June 6 at 8pm. Ticket are €20 from the Blessington Parish Office.
Can you take the heat?
Do you think you have what it takes to walk on hot coals? Rett Syndrome and CDKL5 Ireland are looking for volunteers to take on the ultimate firewalking experience and raise funds and awareness for this rare neurodevelopmental disorder. The walk will take place at the Martello on June 27. Register now by contacting Alan on 087 269 6699 or atconnolly@eircom.net
Hop along to Frog Walk
If you would like to learn a little bit more about amphibians in Ireland then come along to the Native Woodland Trust frog walk at the Blessington Reserve on June 7. The meeting point for this event will be at 1p.m. at the ESB car park off the N81 just south of the reserve. There is a suggested donation of €4 for non-members. For more details please contact Rebecca at rebecca.doyle@ nativewoodlandtrust.ie or on 087 9619083.
NEWS|9
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Who dares to speak of ‘98? History comes alive at Gaol
For rent: Ireland’s most easterly lighthouse down the decades
By Cianan Brennan
HISTORY has come alive in Wicklow Town with the revamp of the town’s famous Gaol. The jail has undergone a €240,000 overhaul which sees it reinvented as a high-tech tourist attraction for history buffs and curious tourists alike. The ancient prison has long been one of the Garden County’s most iconic tourist attractions. Now it stands as a historical experience to rival that seen anywhere else in the country. The project has been funded by Fáilte Ireland and Wicklow Enterprise Park and is designed to engage the senses and bring to life two of the most turbulent centuries of Irish history. Holographic projections of cruel prison guards, lifelike mannequins of major historic figures and state of the art audiovisual systems serve to recreate the sounds of the defiant cries of the 1798 rebels, the misery of the famine years, and the War of Independence and Civil War. The renowned replica twodeck transportation ship now features holographic interaction
Iconic historical figures featured include Robert Erskine Childers. with the ship’s Captain as visitors climb aboard to recreate the torturous 200-day journey undertaken by 19th Century prisoners bound for Van Diemen’s land (now Tasmania), Australia. Wexford-based multimedia company MMID are behind the project which opened for
visitors on May 20. Iconic historical figures featured include Robert Erskine Childers (father of President Childers), Wicklow United Irishman Billy Byrne, the tragic female transportee Eliza Davis, and Fr. Eoin McPhee - the first ever prisoner listed in the Gaol.
Each have an entire cell dedicated to telling their story, with imposing life-size figures and captivating audio-visual interpretations. For further information, please visit www.wicklowshistoricgaol.com or call 0404 61599.
WIcKLOw Head Lighthouse represents the most easterly point on the landmass of the Irish Republic. Architect, John Trail, was given the task in 1781 of constructing two lighthouses at this location to eliminate the confusion for mariners between Hook Head and Howth Head. They were originally lit by lanterns containing tallow candles rendered form of beef and mutton fat. It was discovered, however, that both lighthouses stood too far back from the sea and were often obscured by fog. A new light, the one in use today, was built down-slope, closer to the sea. One of the old lights was torn down while the other is still standing on Long Hill. This in time fell into complete disrepair. Its lanterns rusted, its reflectors tarnished and its useful life as a light came to an end. During a great storm in October, 1836, the building was struck by lightening and in the ensuing fire completely destroyed the interior.
In more recent times The Irish Landmark Trust, has restored this unique, 100 foot high octagonal-shaped lighthouse and today it can be rented as a selfcatering retreat. It has six octagonal rooms carefully constructed in the void that existed within the tower when the Trust first took it on. But before rushing off for that magical weekend retreat would be guests should note that there are 109 steps from the front door to the kitchen, which is located on the top floor. 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.
10 | OPINION
opinion&comment
Now it’s time for SF to walk the walk
T
HE more things change, the more they stay the same. The local elections have seen a wipeout for Government parties with Sinn Féin’s modern-day soldiers of destiny and Independents dominating tallies across
the country. In Wicklow, as things stand Independents have claimed 30% of the seats available, up 17% from the old council, with Sinn Féin on 17%, an increase of 9%. Fine Gael have seen a modest reversal of fortunes in the county (Mick Glynn losing his seat in Bray being a shock in particular), with Fianna Fáil boasting a reasonably respectable haul of 23% of the seats available. The big losers, as they are across the country, are Labour who have been completely wiped out without a single seat on the new 32 seat Wicklow County Council. Even those who resigned from the party such as outgoing Cathaoirleach Jimmy O’Shaughnessy have found the taint by association too much to overcome. The question now stands – what does all this mean for the bigger picture? Local Elections stand as politics in microcosm, a mid-term slap on the wrist from an electorate rendered sullen and uncooperative from years of austerity and stagnancy following the crash. However, once the whooping and backslapping has subsided, the fact remains that local politics remains local. Councillors’ powers are extremely limited, regardless of campaign promises to the contrary. Councillors, as a collective, can affect planning, housing, sanitation, and roads policy, and that’s all. Individually they have no powers at all. So while the independents will dominate local politics in Wicklow for the next five years at least, it’s hard to say, at this juncture, what differences they will make. The common train of thought is that the locals always serve as a warning, with government parties often given a dressingdown in protest at their overall performance at the mid-term. Voters are seen to be less likely to trust the smaller parties and independents with the greater power and responsibility that comes with Dáil Eireann. When it comes to Irish politics one is minded of an old Far Side cartoon. Soldiers tend to the crushed, yolk-sodden body of Humpty Dumpty while a collection of horses stand in the background, rubbing their hooves expectantly. “C’mon, c’mon,” yells an arbiter. “You guys had your shot. The horses want an-
other crack at it.” Labour are the soldiers obviously, but what can Sinn Féin’s horses do differently lest the seismic shift of the locals be simply reversed in five years time? For whatever is said, either at local or national level, in protest at the current bugbears of water charges and property tax, those particular inconveniences aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. The talk from Labour is of renegotiating the programme for Government. As exGreens supremo John Gormley tweeted over the weekend “where have we heard that before?” Labour have lost their core, the working classes looking for a fairer deal for the less well off in society. Further splits within the government are inevitable following such a shellacking for the junior coalition partner. Sinn Féin are no flash in the pan - a party with rigid discipline, theirs is a grand plan. It is hard to see the party’s resounding victories at the locals not being replicated to a greater or lesser extent when the country goes to the polls for the real deal. The real challenge for Gerry Adams’ horses is to get into government and perform to their supporters’ expectations. As Labour have been telling anyone who will listen, being in government means hard decisions and resultant unpopularity. There is more chance of Adams’ forces invading Kiev and telling Putin to mind his own business than there is of the water charges being reversed. It is more likely that Gerry’s Heroes will sail to Thailand and restore democracy Game of Thrones-style than that his party will stop the property tax in its tracks. Sinn Féin reason that the electorate have told the government that it’s time to go. It is impossible to argue that the results of the local elections don’t send a resounding message to the coalition that the Irish people are disgruntled in the extreme. But as Labour lick their wounds they can take heart from knowing that what goes around comes around. Particularly when it comes to Irish politics. Fianna Fáil’s mild recovery and consolidation at the polls, unthinkable in February 2011, is proof positive of that fact. The real challenge for Sinn Féin remains. It’s one thing getting into the big chair, staying there is another matter.
Cianan Brennan is contributing journalist for the Wicklow Voice and a former risk analyst with Irish Bank Resolution Corporation
“T
He told one election rally, for instance, that if the deadly Ebola disease spread faster through Africa it would be a very good thing which would end Europe’s immigration problems.
with Cianan Brennan with Michael Wolsey
Voters serve up revenge at the polls he people of the EU united in common cause last week. That’s something pro-European politicians have long desired. But be careful what you wish for. The cause that united them was opposition to the establishment everywhere - to big parties, old money, bad bankers, heartless brokers and all their fat-cat mates who do deals behind closed doors. Some have interpreted the European election results as a vote against the Union itself but I don’t think it was anything so fine-tuned. What drove the electorate of Europe was simply anger. Anger at the recession which voters felt was no fault of theirs. Anger at austerity measures they never asked for and certainly didn’t want. Anger at how so many boardroom barons managed to escape scot free while the ordinary folk went down. From Barcelona to Bray, from Athens to Arklow, the same wave of anger carried people to the polls where they proceeded to give the establishment a kicking. In France they voted for Jean-Marie and Marine Le Pen’s National Front. In England they turned to UKIP. Here we contented ourselves with hammering the Labour Party and returning a slew of independents of all shades and none. But whatever the vote, the motive was the same - revenge for recessionary times. That may surprise a few people in Ireland who sometimes speak as if we are the only country to have suffered. It’s relative, of course. On the recessionary scale, Germany fared better than Ireland, Spain a little worse and Greece a whole lot worse. But if you’re a Latvian who lost her job, or a Swede who had his pay cut, there’s not much consolation to be had from knowing things were worse elsewhere. Anyway, electoral protest is a healthy phenomenon. Better a revolt at the ballot box than riots in the streets. European elections provide the perfect platform for protest. The European parliament is an unusual body, dominated by large power blocs held together by alliances that cross many parties and national boundaries. Their members work by achieving consensus when it often seems impossible. If the election result has dented their complacency, so much the better. It won’t stop them functioning and that’s a good thing too because the parliament has an important democratic role to play and it’s hard to see how it can do it any other way. It would be a more serious matter if voters in so many countries were to
carry their protest through to national elections. UKIP may seem a comical bunch but it is a nasty party, riddled with racism and xenophobia. We need not worry unduly about it having a few MEPs wandering friendless through the corridors of Strasbourg. It would be a very different matter if it were to hold the balance of power at Westminster. Le Pen’s National Front is an even less pleasant and more dangerous outfit with Jean-Marie, though he has handed nominal control to his daughter, still spitting venom of a sort that would make Hitler happy. He told one election rally, for instance, that if the deadly Ebola disease spread faster through Africa it would be a very good thing which would end Europe’s immigration problems. This evil man and his cohorts may be absorbed in Europe’s parliament but it would be tragic to give them any hand in the governance of France or let them near the Elysee Palace. Compared to the swing to the right in Greece, Portugal, France and even the UK, Ireland’s protest was a mild affair. But we should be wary, nevertheless, of returning so many independents in a national election. There is a place and a role for independents in local government. Indeed it can be argued that local authorities would be better if parties stayed out of the council chamber altogether., since there is no real ideological divide on the issues over which councils have control. There is no reason why Fine Gael should have a different view from Fianna Fail on, say, parking charges or one-way traffic systems. No reason why Sinn Fein and Labour should cross swords on the frequency of street cleaning or bye-laws to curb rowdy behaviour. Let the councillors speak for themselves on such matters and we’ll judge them as we find them. But the Dáil is a different matter for it necessary to form a government from the TDs who sit there and one that can sometimes take tough decisions. That will be almost impossible in a chamber dominated by independents. Those we already have range from the patrician Shane Ross, with his background as a stock broker and financial journalist, through Mick Wallace, failed developer and onetime tax cheat, to a handful of leftwing deputies and others whose only interest is their own constituencies. If we add to their numbers next time out we can kiss good by to stable government. And we don’t want that. Do we? Michael Wolsey is a former deputy editor of the Irish Independent, and sits on the judging panel for the National Newspaper of Ireland Journalism Awards.
OPINION | 11
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
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‘At Mermaid we believe in creativity for everyone’ How are things? Things are great! … I could say busy but then aren’t we all!
********
******** ‘Genial’ Geoff Kane is not normally a man to take umbrage, but umbrage he has taken. Geoff, along with his fragrant wife Eliza, is one of the organisers of the Wicklow Arts Festival and he was more than miffed that the Wicklow People newspaper ran a feature on the Golden Shears World Championships in Gorey in the run up to WAF. With little or no mention of his event, Geoff felt that the People was drawing Wickla’ folk away from the county. The People, however, would seem to be, ahem, the black sheep of the Wickla’ media family, as most outlets, including the Wicklow Voice, gave extensive coverage to one of the county’s best festivals. Baa humbug Geoff …
How long have you been in Wicklow? I’ve been in Mermaid six months and love it. I worked in Project Arts Centre for the past 13 years and thought I would miss the city but I’ve not looked back. I take a walk each day to the seafront and I make sure to take all our visiting artists along the promenade as well as for a mountain drive to show off the phenomenal beauty of Bray and Wicklow. I have become a proud Wickla woman in a very short space of time really!
What plans do you have? I want to build on the success of the centre. Mermaid already has a great reputation so I want to focus not just being a place where work is presented but also a place of creation – where work is made. A place where audiences and artists meet, where connections are made.
Fianna Fail appear to have it down Pat in Wicklow. The Soldiers of Destiny returned no fewer than five councillors in the county all named Pat – Casey (Wicklow Town), Vance (Bray), Doran (Baltinglass), Fitzgerald and Kennedy (both Arklow). Rumours that Tommy Annesley and Gerry Walsh were facing expulsion from the party unless they changed their names by deed poll could not be confirmed at the time of going to press…
rejoice, rejoice - the recession is over! Fianna Fail had its Galway races tent and it now appears that Fine Gael has lobster sandwiches. Following the recent launch by Taoiseach Enda Kenny of the Local Enterprise Office in rathnew, TD Simon Harris tweeted “compliments to chef Paul Smith for the tasty lobster sandwiches”. This no doubt had half the country choking on their cold can of beans following five years of austerity. In fairness to Simon, the menu was prepared by Smith of the Mystic Celt in Wicklow Town who proudly informed The captain that said lobster was caught off the coast of the Garden county at 4am that morning by local fisherman Anthony Rice. Whatever about eaten bread being soon forgotten, one wonders if lobster sandwiches were on the nation’s minds when giving FG a drubbing at the polling booths …
What exactly is it that you do? I’m Artistic Director of Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre. What that means is I’m responsible for selecting an extensive arts and culture programme of gallery, music, drama, dance and film (with Jane Horner) as well as literature, comedy AND workshops, outreach and educational initiatives too. It is hectic actually – with over 325 events each year – myself and the Mermaid team (who are great too by the way) are very busy!
What is Mermaid? Mermaid is an arts centre for Wicklow. We are a space for entertainment and fun. We are a centre for making and enjoying art, life and each other. We’re located in Bray but the whole county is within our remit. We have a 242 seat theatre and cinema, a café called Betelnut and we have a gallery and workshop for outreach events.
By Captain Louis
******** With one bound he was free … so Sean ‘Seanie’ FitzPatrick will exit the bankruptcy process in June, released early for good behaviour no less. Seanie was bankrupted in 2010 and would have expected to remain a bankrupt for 12 years but under new laws from last year, the duration has been reduced to three. The captain also hears that the former Anglo chief is to apply for the State to pay his legal fees from his recent criminal trial, when he was acquitted of engaging in an illegal share support scheme. Insert joke here about the State picking up another Anglo tab … ********
Fiona Carey, Dermot Marrey, Siobhan Gallagher, Niamh O’Donnell, Eoin Fegan, Rachel Sweeney, Emma Dwyer, Sadhbh Deane , Jane Horner, Hannah Golden, Fionnuala Downes, Stephanie Casey and Aoife Demel
focus on faces
Niamh O’Donnell, Artistic Director, Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre
Are the Arts Eeitist? No, at least not here. At Mermaid we believe in creativity for everyone. We believe everyone has the right to enjoy and participate in the arts. Where everyone has a voice. What we do is support,
present and promote a culture of creativity in County Wicklow. We are an arts centre but we are also a centre of community because without an audience Mermaid is incomplete. What are you excited about? What I am particularly excited about is a number of performance residencies called Mermaid SPACE. What I love about the selected artists work is, it is current. It comments on issues that are relevant to all of us today. It won’t depress it will entertain. It will look at what it
is to live and I hope it will help people to find meaning. I am confident it will inspire. What are you grateful for? I am grateful to our partners and collaborators. I am thankful for the continued support of Wicklow County Council and Bray Town Council and the Arts Council without which we would not be open. I am beyond grateful for the Friends and supporters of Mermaid and to the artists who make and present with us and the audiences who make our work worthwhile.
There’s been a lot of hooha on Joe Duffy’s Whineline that landlords are increasingly refusing tenants who are in receipt of rent allowance. Step forward Eugene O’Connor. The property developer owns a spectacular suite at the Powerscourt Hotel in Enniskerry and is prepared to accept social welfare allowances when he leases out the five-star accommodation. You can rent the suite for just €900-a-month and the €30-a-day rate is way short of the €262 being quoted by the hotel for a similar suite on its website. Eugene’s move is the latest saga in a dispute with Brehon Capital Partners, who bought the then Ritz-Carlton for pocket change when Treasury Holdings was wound up in 2011. That’s The Captain off to sign on for his holidays … ******** The captain was delighted to see one of his favourite watering holes, Duffs on Bray’s Main Street, getting a rave review in the Sunday World recently. The World’s widelyread Pub Spy column declared that it was “up there with the best we have encountered so far in 2014”. However, methinks painter and decorator to the stars, Tom Byrne, may be getting a call from Ken Duff after the writer declared “coat of paint would go a long way”. Don’t mind them, ken, The captain thinks the colour-scheme, particularly the Black Stuff, is great …
12 | FOOD
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
recipes
Peter Byrne
Head Chef at Sika Restaurant in The Powerscourt Hotel wine choice • Viña Albali Gran Reserva, 2006 Spain The nose is intense, with dark fruit, spice, and vanilla aromas. The palate is powerful and rich followed by a long finish of ripe fruit and polished tannins. RRP €8.50 Stockists: SuperValu branches countywide .
Watercress Veloute Ingredients • 2 Onions • 2 large potatoes • 600 grams Watercress • 2 litres White chicken Stock • 50g Butter • 250 grams Litre Double cream • Salt
preparation
• Put the white chicken Stock
on to boil. • Sweat down the onions, then potatoes, until fully cooked. • Add the watercress and quickly cook for 1 minute. • Add the boiling Chicken Stock, season and take off the heat. • Puree and pass through a sieve • Serve with sliced fennel and crème fraiche
Paul Smith
The Mystic Chef
seafood chowder
Ingredients • • 24 portions
• 6 med carrot 8 sticks of celery • 1 small fennel 2 leeks • 1 lg onion 1 bay leave • 1/2 cup of pernod 1 gal fish stock • 1 cup of heavy cream 2 cups of milk • 2oz carrageen moss (roux can be used)
• 1lb whiting 1lb cockles • 1lb mussels 1lb shrimp • 8oz salmon
Method: • Sweat veg and flambe with
pernod • Add stock and bay leave and bring to gentle simmer • Cook fish separately in baskets lowered into stock
• Mussel/cockle 3.5 min... shrimp 3 min.....salmon/whiting 5 min • Reduce by 1/5 and add carrageen in basket and simmer for 1/2 hour • Remove carrageen; ensure to remove all jelly • Add fish in (flake sal/ whitting), simmer for 1/2 hour, season and add cream. • Garnish with fried cabbage, mussel in shell, parsley and toasted fennel seed.
DART-fari – why not take a commute on the wild side Wildlife
with Justin Ivory
(info@wicklowvoice.ie) IN the last few weeks I have found myself, like many of my fellow Garden County residents do all year round, making the daily commute by DART into Dublin. It was a prospect that did not particularly fill me with joy! Little did I know about the treasure trove of nature’s delights that would be opened to me every day. The stretch of line from Greystones to Dalkey is just choc-a-block with magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife. As the train makes its way from Greystones to Bray we are treated to the dramatic cliffs of Bray Head teeming with seabird colonies. Kittiwakes, Cormorants and Fulmars are almost within touching distance as we trundle along. The sea below is peppered with the bobbing corks that are Razorbills, Guillemots and Black Guillemots. Look closely and you might even see a Grey Seal poke his
A seal off Bray Head head up from among them or if you are really paying attention you could be rewarded with the brief glimpse of a Harbour Porpoise . It is even possible to see the odd Hare bounding along beside the railway line. Beyond Bray we come to Ireland’s own mini Amalfi coastline at Killiney Bay. Hardly a day goes by that I have not seen anywhere from
one to four Harbour Porpoises here. Gannets and Terns can be seen plummeting into the sea after fish. There is so much more I could mention but have run out of space. So, I challenge you my fellow commuters, to take your heads out of those smartphones, tablets, laptops and kindles and you just might see sights better than anything in the cyberworld!
FASHION | 13
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
my favourite things
WHAT’s HOT • with Michelle McGlynn • info@wicklowvoice.ie
Eye for fashion? Then take a look at Sallynoggin COLLEGE iT is a well-known fact that the Fashion business is one of the biggest employers in ireland, with jobs ranging from retailers, managers to merchandisers, buyers, stylists, designers and manufacturers; 21,039 people working in clothing retailing alone, according to the central Statistic Office figures of 2011 and on the increase. • So who do the big Fashion retailers employ for these positions? • In many cases they take on graduates from the reputable Fashion industry Practice course at Sallynoggin college of Further Education. This course produces and styles an annual Fashion Event working with major brand names. Their students also learn how to sell, merchandise, style for photo shoots, how to write about fashion and how to buy for fashion ranges. • There are so many advantages to completing this course, the main one being that upon graduation this course sends out graduates who having completed Fetac level 5 and Fetac level 6 Fashion industry Practice courses, are armed with the knowledge and skills to get noticed, thereby having a major advantage when applying for positions to get their foot in the door of fashion industry businesses. • Another advantage is that the teachers have worked in the Fashion business themselves, so they have hands on fashion industry knowledge to pass on. The college also has links with a broad range of industry Professionals who can often lay out a red carpet to students, offering work experience days and terms. Before you know it the student has an entry level job in
Camisole, Oasis, €31
Dress, Star by Julien MacDonald, €83 •
Skirt, Red Herring, €53
Shoes, Office, €85
Bag, River Island, €40
Styled by 1st year students, Photograph by Margaret Brown the fashion business. • The other advantage is that graduates from Sallynoggin’s Fashion industry Practice course are also armed with academic qualifications which enable them to progress directly into third level merchandising, retail, marketing and fashion business courses both in ireland and the Uk. Sometimes leaving cert students do not get the points needed for a third level course they wish to pursue, a Fetac award in a way gives you a ‘second chance’. With this course, you can build up to 400 points over the 8 subjects which are all related to your chosen career. • In fact many of
Sallynoggin’s Fashion graduates have gone on to study at internationally recognized colleges such as the london college of Fashion , which is no mean feat, and a move that would not have been possible without first gaining the fashion skills, knowledge and confidence on the Fashion industry Practice course. • Whether you are a schoolleaver, mature student or are thinking about a career change, this versatile course will help make a Fashion career work for you. To find out how to make that dream career a reality, contact Sallynoggin college of Further Education: Web: www.scfe.ie Tel: 01-2852997 E-mail: reception@scfe.ie
for him
Necklace, Coast, €45
Dress, New Look, €24.99 •
Shoes, ShoeZone, €9.99
Hat, Jack & Jones, €14.95 Shoes, Office, €72
Shirt, River Island, €55
Jack & Jones, €49.95
1 2 3 4 5
topten
14 | WHAT’S HOT
with Michelle McGlynn info@wicklowvoice.ie
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
EVENT of the fortnight Wilde at the Strand Strand Hotel, Bray, Tuesday, June 10, 8pm Wilde at the Strand returns for its third year this June following two years of great success. The Strand hotel was built by Sir William Wilde and was once the family’s summer home. The event will take a look at the Wilde family who produced one of Ireland’s greatest writers. The life and works of Oscar Wilde are world renowned and he remains as popular as ever. Gerard Hanberry, award winning poet, writer and lecturer will reveal the fascinating story of the remarkable Wilde family. From the brilliant Sir William and flamboyant Lady Jane to Oscar’s wife Constance there is much to learn about the people who shaped Oscar’s life. All are welcome and admission is free.
Exercise idea of the fortnight Pilates and Yoga Shoreline Greystones, every Monday, Tuesday & Thursday, 7pm If you are looking for a way to exercise that combines strengthening, relaxation and more then pilates and yoga is just for you. Pilates and yoga share many basic principles which means that they work in unison. A fusion of Easter and Western ideas, they give your muscles a work out while also
relieving stress. Pilates and yoga can lead to a total body transformation and can help to lose weight. You will gain an awareness of your body as you increase flexibility and strengthen your core. As you shape and tone your body you will build endurance. Classes cost €12 for a drop in or €40 a month. For more information contact Lina on 083 442 0000 or email perfecttheatre@gmail.com
Book of the fortnight Donal’s Mountain: How one son inspired a nation Fionnbar Walsh Sixteen year old Donal Walsh touched the lives of people all over the country and continues to do so following his passing just over one year ago. At the age of twelve Donal was diagnosed with Osteo Sarcoma (bone cancer) and so began a tireless battle for the inspirational young man. Donal turned
to writing while trying to cope with the illness and expressed his anger about teenage suicide while he was battling daily to live his life. He urged teenagers who were feeling suicidal to seek help. Donal is credited with helping to reduce youth suicide rates significantly. In the months since his passing, his father, Fionnbar, has written a book about his heroic son who remains in the minds of those whose lives he touched.
TV SHOW of the fortnight Orange is the New Black
Netflix, Friday, June 6
The inmates of Litchfield prison will finally be returning to our screens. This season will no longer focus on Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) although she will remain an important character. Fans will be treated to stories of Piper’s fellow inmates. Fans will learn the back stories of the characters.
BUSINESS IDEA of the fortnight Network of Entrepreneurial Women Parkview hotel, Newtownmountkennedy, Wednesday, June 4, 7pm Business women in Wicklow are invited to attend the June meeting of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NEW). The NEW is open to all women who are owner/managers of businesses based in Wicklow, including sole traders and part time businesses. This topic of
this meeting is business books: should you spend your time reading them and what are the key learning points to be gained from them. The guest speaker for this event, which is supported by Local Enterprise Office Wicklow, is Rob Healy (right), founder of croftontraining.com. Rob promises to share Top 5 Tips from business books. Tickets are €10. Please RSVP for this event by emailing womeninbusiness@ leo.wicklowcoco.ie or calling 0404 30800.
Meanwhile in Litchfield, conflict will arise from the prison’s racially divided cliques. Beth Fowler, who plays Sister Ingall, has hinted that a lot of revelations will occur in this season. New characters will be introduced to shake things up including an inmate who is suffering from dementia. This season is sure to be just as fantastic as the first with the series already renewed for a third season.
6 7 8 9 10
WHAT’S HOT| 15
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
MOVIE of the fortnight 22 Jump Street Gaiety Cinema, Arklow Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill reprise their roles in the sequel to the hugely popular, 21 Jump Street. Undercover buddy cops Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt (Hill) are back on duty following their escapades in the first movie. This time they have been assigned to investigate a college drugs ring, much to the disappointment of Deputy Chief Hardy played by the hilarious Nick Offerman. The assignment causes problems between the duo and they question whether their partnership will last. Jenko meets his kindred spirit on the football team and Schmidt joins the bohemian art major scene. Will college be the best thing that ever happened to them or the thing that ends their friendship?
HOROSCOPES with Siobhan Moore Whelan
Aries 2,4,16,26,36,37 New interests, projects, and learning endeavors are featured in June. Look for opportunities to expand your income.
FUNdRAISER of the fortnight Grand Summer Concert Church of Our Lady, Blessington, Wednesday, June 4, 8pm. The Grand Summer Concert promises an evening of musical delight for one and all. The concert features the Long Island University Post Chorus and String Ensemble from New York. They will be joined by the Blessington Youth Theatre. Together they will perform a programme of choral
classics, folk songs, spirituals, Irish music and show tunes. There is definitely going to be something to suit everyone’s tastes. The concert will raise money for the new day care centre facility in the Coimin Centre. West Wicklow Day Care has worked tirelessly to provide limited nursing and social services out of St. Joseph’s Hall which has inadequate infrastructure. Admission is free and there will be collections on the night.
Bloom’s Day takes place on Monday, June 16 this year. To celebrate, the Mermaid Arts Centre are putting on a play inspired by Joyce. Dubliner’s Dilemma is adapted and performed by Declan Gorman. The play follows London publisher Grant Richards as he rereads the manuscripts of Joyce’s Dubliners eight
years after he rejected it for fear of breaking obscenity laws. Richards relives his frustrating correspondence with the petulant writer as he debates launching the volatile genius on the world. The performance is accompanied by an evocative audio-visual presentation, The Life of Joyce. Tickets are €16 or €14 concession. Get your tickets from mermaidartscentre.ie or by calling 01 272 4030.
Libra 7,9,11,22,33,37 You will feel pulled in many different directions with less time to pursue your own personal goals. Tame restlessness and tend to your happiness.
Sarah McQuaid The Hot Spot, Mill Road, Greystones, Friday, June 6, 9pm Rising folk star Sarah McQuaid will be paying Greystones a visit while on her European tour. McQuaid has just completed her fourth studio album which she recorded in New York. Previous album, The Plum Tree and the Rose, has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. The singer/songwriter/guitarist’s music reflects her eclectic
background. She was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship and now lives in England. She spans genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down through the centuries. A captivating performer, her voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and honey poured into wine. For tickets go to thehotspot. ie or call 01 201 6888.
Scorpio 1,12,19,32,35,41 Your schedule may be hectic, particularly socially, and there can be some challenges organizing your finances. Avoid jumping into new endeavors. Sagittarius 10,18,20,22,36,38 Resume relationships with friends you haven’t seen for a long time! The ruler of Sagittarius’ house of work, Venus, will bring in good fortune. Capricorn 5,8,10,19,27,31 Work tends to be available to you, and possibly too available at times, so that you may have to choose between alternatives. Pick wisely.
‘Pullquote here– In the Mafia, those who go against the wishes of the Dons can have a short life’
ACTIVITY of the fortnight
Wicklow Nordic Walking group are going on a day tour of West Wicklow and you’re invited to join them. A bus will pick you up at Kilmacanogue and bring you to Russborough House for a guided tour including the new exhibition in the basement. The group will
Cancer 14,16,1`,23,38,40 You are beginning a year-long trend that brings great benefits from helping others and other forms of service. Spirituality and compassion is strong.
Virgo 8,12,13,26,35,42 Business-related travel or the reaching of a wider audience is possible during this month. Your status is set to change for the better.
GIG of the fortnight
A Trip to West Wicklow Russborough House, Ballyknockan, Blessington, Saturday, June 21
Gemini 1,5,11,19,25,38 This month, you begin a fabulous year-long trend that boosts your self-confidence and brings personal opportunities to advance your life.
Leo 2,16,18,26,29,31 Wonderful opportunities arise for new friendships and some of you may find romance through friends, groups, and associates.
PLAY of the fortnight Dubliner’s Dilemma Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Wednesday, June 18, 8pm
Taurus 2,9,22,31,33,39 A significant gift or bonus may come your way. This is a good time to work with financial institutions, go for a raise, or apply for a loan.
then travel to Ballyknockan famed for its granite quarries. The group will make their way up the hills behind the village where spectacular views of the lakes and the Wicklow mountains. Refreshments and finger food will be provided in the Ballyknockan Inn. The trip costs €35 and includes the transport, tour and refreshments. Contact Dairine for information at dnuttall@eircom.net or on 086 193 6861
Aquarius 4,12,20,30,34,37 You are beginning a trend that brings wonderful opportunities to boost your social life, creativity, and find new avenues for selfexpression. Pisces 1,7,10,16,26,39 You may be working from home, with family and domestic fields during this month. Idealism may cloud your judgment. Look before you leap. Live Psychic Angel-Tarot-Medium Siobhan Tel 1580997207- 18+ Bill payers permission-Calls cost €2.44 per minute; calls from other networks may vary. Calls are for entertainment purposes and may be recorded.
16 | TRAVEL/SERVICES
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
Brazilliant
as the world cup approaches without ireland, the Wicklow voice recalls a trip to rio ... and beyond
YoU will never, ever be ready for Brazil. Mad and bad in equal measure, the host of this year’s World cup is an assault on the senses. My wife and i honeymooned there a few years and kicking off in rio, we boogied with the best of them at carnaval, where we got drunk, got fleeced but still managed to get out alive. locals call rio the marvellous city and it’s easy to understand why – built on Atlantic beaches and surrounded by lush forests and mountains, it is one of the most beautiful urban settings i’ve ever witnessed.
Sankay, the most remote hotel on the island, will set you back about €200 with all meals included, and a day’s diving and snorkelling about €100. A two-hour flight north is Salvador, a Unesco protected colonial city built on slavery where drums puncture the air continuously and dancing is likely to break out on every street corner. The food here is a joy, flavoured with exotic flavours and spices more at home in Africa than anywhere else. From here we flew five hours to Manuas (where England play italy on June 14) , where the rivers Negro
But be warned, it’s a wild, wild place with tourists regularly robbed – bring nothing of value and carry the equivalent of €20 to pay off any would-be mugger. Expect to pay between from €800 and up for a fournight package in a decent hotel or many thousands for a room in the world-famous copacabana during the World cup. After that, grab the backpack and head for ilha Grande, a stunning tropical island about four hours from rio by bus and boat. it used to be a federal prison until 10 years ago. A two-day stay in Pousada
and Solimoes become the Amazon. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer size and majesty of the area and it was by far the highlight of the whole trip. After travelling 100 miles by speed boat into the jungle proper, we stayed for three nights at the Amazon Eco lodge with all food and excursions into the jungle included will cost €500 per person with any profit going towards protecting what remains of the rain forest. After visiting iguacu Falls (better than Niagara) on the border with Argentina, we headed to Sao Paul – a sprawling metropolis of 22
million people and a very dangerous place. While it reminds you of New York, it is a third-world city dressed in first-world clothes – one night is enough but still worth a look. From there it was off to Santos, where Pele played his football, to the beach resort of Guaruja and the Hotel Delpin (€100 per night) – a boutique-style hotel which appears to take its lead for ambience from costes in Paris. We flew with Iberia from Dublin to Madrid and then to Sao Paulo, and then internally with Brazil’s TAM.
Buying? Selling? Contact one of our team today e: info@ wicklowvoice.ie w: www. wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5556
PROPERTY/OUTDOORS| 17
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Executor Duties - Honour or Burden? Homes
with Clodagh Doyle (info@wicklowvoice.ie)
WITH the tight supply of available properties extending from Dublin to parts of Wicklow it seems that executor sales are accounting for a high proportion of transactions in the market. An executor sale is the disposal of a property due to the death of its owner. Recent figures from Lisney, reported that executor sales accounted for as much as 40 per cent of homes coming to market last year. While this figure may not accurately represent all counties it follows that a high proportion of all properties are as a result of executor sales. The main reason for the high proportion of executor sales you will be glad to hear is not due to a sudden increase in the death rate but mainly due to the fact that less people are selling
for traditional reasons. While many people might postpone selling until they witness strong signs of property recovery, executor sales seem to run their course and go to market regardless of market conditions. Although you may have absolutely no interest or reason what-so-ever to sell your home, you could find yourself in the position of selling someone else’s. If a close family member, friend or even a neighbour has appointed you as an executor to their estate in their will you may be responsible for selling their home when they have passed. As an executor you have a number of duties clearly outlined in legislation but the biggest challenge, will perhaps be dealing with the beneficiaries. Selling any property can be extremely stressful, especially if it belonged to someone close to you who has passed on. Needless to say, for all involved this will be an emotionally charged affair and often with these properties there can be a huge amount of sentiment attached to them. For those who possess an interest in the property, difficulties can arise when it comes to clearing and sorting the property.
this, offers received and indeed sale agreed prior to probate being granted. Any delays should not make any difference to the vendor considering the current rising market. In fact some agents in Dublin have recently commented on the lengths some people are going to in order to clinch their dream home - with a keen interest in executor sales. Agents have reported receiving cold calls and e-mails to enquire about properties where a person has just died or on addresses which have been the subject of death notices. If these antics continue there is little doubt that the executor properties will be snapped up on hitting the market!
New negotiator Peter Keaveney (left) shakes hands on his new appointment BSc (Hons) MIPAV as Residential Property Consultant and Sales Negotiator with Robert Downey (right) Managing Director of Downey Property. Peter’s role will encompass the negotiation and sale of residential property in the South Dublin and North Wicklow area. Disagreements can surface party in the form of a Solicitor some guidance on some of the surrounding the value they to guide you through the situations that may arise. place on the property or on process taking care of the stacks As an executor you will be what level (if any) renovations of paperwork that is often kept busy in pursuit of obtaining might be carried out on the associated with this procedure. a death certificate and grant of property. The Solicitor acting on this probate before a sale can be At this time, while not client’s behalf will provide completed (closed). In saying completely necessary, it is you will all the information this, the property can actually always wise to engage a third you need to know and give you be placed on the market prior to
hothouse Willow Lodge, Drummin Lane, Delgany DoolEYS Auctioneers are delighted to bring this wonderful “Potten” Style 4 Bedroomed House to the Market. The house is beautifully set in an idyllic cul de Sac on 1.3 Arces of manicured gardens in Drummin East on the periphery of Delgany Village, the beautiful “Potten “ Style timber frame construction provides old world charm to a modern family home. The property has a secluded feel but is situated just off the N11 providing easy access to Southside Dublin, it is also just minutes away from the picturesque village of Delgany and the thriving town of Greystones with all the sports facilities and amenities it has to offer including Dart access. The House itself consists of a large kitchen & Dining room, Sitting room, Large Office/ Sunroom, Downstairs Wc, 4 Bedrooms; 1 of which is 1 E –Suite and a Family Bathroom. The country Style kitchen has everything one would expect from a modern family home, large six ring gas hob with electric oven,
dishwasher, marble counter tops and splash back and fully equipped separate utility area constructed in the same style as the rest of kitchen. The classic Dining area is a bright space in a traditional style with windows on both sides overlooking the beautiful garden, the beams which feature throughout the house especially on the ground floor are a fantastic feature in this room providing a real traditional feel. The main living room is dominated by a traditional brick fireplace and currently features its very own bar area, again the Tudor Style beams provide a great addition to the room and the style of the house is in
complete contrast to most modern builds. The position of the property in the middle of the site means that you are overlooking the beautiful garden from every room. There is a second living area on the ground floor, this room is a more modern addition to the property with a pitched glass roof bathing the area in natural light. The garden and both patios can be accessed from this room, the current owners use this as a working office but it would also make a wonderful family For further information contact Dooley Auctioneers Beaumont, Delgany, co Wicklow, 01 2010300.
19 Rocky Valley
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
18 | GARDENS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
How does your garden grow? our guide Nurseries & Garden Centre
Rochestown Avenue • Dun Laoghaire
Email: www.windyridgegardencentre.ie Tel: 012852796
World of flowers comes to Powerscourt Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, 01 204 6000
Earthworks Wicklow Town, Wicklow, 01 2722383/087 6383417
Celebrate the World Flower Show 2014 at Powerscourt Estate, featuring one of Ireland’s most beautiful gardens. Join Floral Artist Camelia Austen at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion on June 11 at 10.30am for a morning of floral culture. Start the journey with a Venetian masquerade mask. Hop across to Australia to see a stunning floral wave inspired by the Australian surfing paradise. Then move swiftly to Africa where Camelia will create a stylish floral accessory. Then back to Ireland, the 2014 host of the WAFA, where Camelia will design a green umbrella. Tickets cost €5 and can be booked online at www. powerscourtgardenpavilion. com/events.
Earthworks brings a breathtaking approach to landscaping in Ireland. Run by Darragh Connolly and Gavin Martin, they have combined their experience in every aspect of the landscaping business to provide you with the highest quality service. Earthworks specialises in garden design, project management, construction and maintenance. This includes timber decking, natural stone patios, paving, water features and garden lighting. They can design a garden for you, construct it using their quality team of tradesmen and offer a comprehensive maintenance plan to keep your garden looking its best in all seasons. Earthworks have received two awards from the ALCI for their stunning work.
Come Visit Us Free Geranium
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Anto’s Trees 8 Lower Kindlestown Cottages, Delgany, 087 6109128 With a wealth of experience Anto’s Trees specialise in the removal of dead, dying diseased or hazard trees. Expert tree surgeons use the most advanced equipment to carry out these procedures in a safe and effective manner. They use the most advanced tree stump grinding equipment to eliminate any unwanted tree stumps from your property. if you are looking to remove dead branches or develop growth in your tree, they will prune your tree to keep it looking its best. All services are fully insured and all work is guaranteed to be carried out in a safe and well-organised manner.
Chop and Top Delgany Park, Greystones, 087 7531411 chop and Top is a family run business based in the Greystones area. For over eight years they have been proudly serving both private and public customers in the care and maintenance of trees. Throughout this time they have established a reputation for providing safe, highly professional, cost effective services to their large and varied client base. They tailor their service to meet each client’s individual needs. chop and Top provide all aboricultural services ranging from small private projects to large commercial ones with every client is treated to the same standard of care and attention.
All Seasons Dublin Road, Bray, 01 2040697 The All Seasons garden centre in Bray recently celebrated their first anniversary as part of the community. This past year has seen them become a one-stop shop for gardeners in the know. Their staff is fully qualified and are happy to help with whatever garden needs you may have. They stock a wide and varied range of plants, shrubs, fruit trees, and fruit bushes. As the weather improves and we see some signs of summer, they will have some beautiful hanging baskets for you to choose from. Or if you prefer, you can bring in your own basket and they will be happy to refill it for you. Windyridge Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, 01 2852796 Windyridge Nurseries and Garden centre is one of Dublin’s largest and oldest Garden centres established by the current owners Gran Aunt Sheilia Harvey in 1962. The garden centre is nothing short of a gardener’s delight. Now under the third generation of family management Paul, a qualified accountant and Justin a landscape designer. The helpful and knowledgable staff at Windyridge will make sure that you make the right choice for your individual garden. They are renowned for making hanging baskets and containers to customer specifications. in 2013 Windyridge Garden centre Won the Bord Bia Plant centre of the year. call in today and see why? open seven days a week Sugarloaf Concrete Kilmurray, Kilmacanogue, 01 2868483 Sugarloaf Concrete specialise in concrete products to best suit your building needs. Years of experience means that they will provide you with the best quality products and services. They offer a range of precast products such as sills, lintels and kerbing among others. Their large range of paving products can be seen in the display area of the Kilmacanogue-based business. Staff are always on hand to provide you with expert advice. They stock a range of water features, statues, patio furniture, stepping stones, vases and benches to help you to get the most out of your garden.
Jameson Tree Surgery 64 Saunders Lane, Rathnew, 085 1598855 Jameson Tree Surgery has five generations of experience in timber services behind it. During their fifty years in the business, they have established a reputation built around tailored services. These services include saw milling, tree felling, tree thinning, grass cutting and supplying oak beams. Jameson Tree Surgery guarantee a safe and highly professional service for domestic and commercial clients at an affordable price. Jameson Tree Surgery believe safety is of the highest importance. All members of staff are qualified according to city and Guilds standards. This family business is dedicated to providing clients with high quality, tailored services. Rockland Gardening Anywhere in the Leinster area, 086 2079466 Rockland Gardens is a small, proud, family owned business. It has been run by father and son for over 15 years. They have a wide selection for customers to choose from, with something to suit every garden. Not only do they guarantee quality products but they are also extremely competitive in prices.
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Gardens| 19
to best suppliers for the great outdoors
all things gardening
Botanical Garden Flowers. OisĂn McFarland Smith. facebook.com/ OisinPhotography
20 | ELECTIONS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
Labour pains as By Cianan Brennan
THERE was carnage on the hustings as Wicklow’s local election results showcased the might of a disillusioned electorate. Enormous swings in favour of Sinn Féin and Independent candidates reduced Labour’s council representation to ashes. Labour’s six-seat (25%) showing at the last round of voting in 2009 was completely wiped out as Sinn Féin and, particularly, Independents dominated, winning exactly half of the 32 seats available between them. In total, Sinn Féin won six seats (up four from 2009), while Independents claimed a massive 10, or 31% of all those available. Fine Gael held reasonably steady with eight seats secured, only one less than on the old council, albeit in its new guise Wicklow Council boasts eight more seats than in its previous incarnation.
Quietly, Fianna Fáil staged a recovery of sorts, with seven seats secured, an increase of three from 2009. For this they largely had the people of Arklow to thank, with three of their seats coming from the southernmost town in the county. There was even room for a green shoot of recovery, as the Green Party, wiped from the face of the Irish political planet at the last general election, claimed a solitary council seat through Steven Matthews’ efforts in Bray. Shocks included outgoing Fine Gael councillor Mick Glynn of Bray losing the seat he first gained five years ago, while outgoing Council Cathaoirleach and Independent Jimmy O’Shaughnessy, formerly of Labour, lost out in Wicklow Town. The other incumbent councillors to miss the cut were Labour’s Nicky Kelly (Arklow) and Independent Barry Nevin (Bray).
Margaret Heavey and Robyn Ferris at the count centre in Shoreline Greystones during the recent Local and European elections Both the Cathaoirleach (Tracy O’Brien, Labour) and Leas-
Cathaoirleach (Sarah Wray, Fine Gael) of Bray’s last town
council were also eliminated after running for a county seat. The greatest drama was to be found in Arklow where the race for the final two seats became a dogfight between Independents Miriam Murphy and Tom Curran and Sinn Féin candidate Mary McDonald. Following a full recount request from Curran on Monday, three days after the country went to the polls, the returning officer deemed that the recount wasn’t sufficiently benefiting Curran’s cause and the final two seats went to McDonald and Murphy on the tenth count. Big winners included incumbent John Snell of Wicklow Town who topped the poll in the county town, while Independent Jennifer Whitmore, protégé of local TD Stephen Donnelly, trampled all-comers in winning in Greystones by a street. Sinn Féin’s John Brady and Independent Christy Fox led the charge in Bray, while incumbent Independents Tommy Cullen
and Jim Ruttle topped the poll in the Baltinglass area. Fianna Fáil ruled the roost in Arklow with Pat Fitzgerald and Pat Kennedy dominating the vote. In terms of geographical supremacy, Wicklow Town, Baltinglass, and Greystones each voted two seats apiece to Fine Gael and Independents, with one seat each going to Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin. In Bray, Independents claimed three seats, Sinn Féin two, and the remaining three places were split between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Greens as mentioned. With Fianna Fáil gaining three seats in Arklow, the remaining three were split between Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, and Independent Miriam Murphy. Wicklow’s results broadly reflect what has happened across the country as a whole, with Labour losing fully half its council seats nationwide to the charge of Independents and Sinn Féin.
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May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Sinn Féin gains What can councillors actually do in office? By Michelle McGlynn
Ruth Kennedy of East Coast FM with the radio station’s new outside broadcast unit at the count centre in Greystones.
THE recent elections saw candidates using letter boxes, lamp posts and doorsteps as a means of informing voters of what they stand for, or more often against, and what they would do for the voter if elected. But when it comes down to it does it matter if your councillor is against water charges, one of the big talking points in this election, or that they want to see the rate of unemployment reduced in your area? Well, to put it simply, no. it may be nice to know that your councillor is on the same page as you on the larger is-
sues, perhaps this means you will be in agreement on many local issues also. But local councillors have very limited powers which makes many of the talking points of the local election campaigns moot. That is not to say that they cannot make a difference to the lives of people in their constituency. They certainly can. Now that the votes are in, what can your newly elected or re-elected councillors do for you? councillors will achieve things only when they are working together. An individual councillor on their own holds little power.
Mostly, they are involved in setting policy in the following areas: planning, environment, sanitation, roads and housing. There are seats reserved on VEc boards for local representatives but this does not equate to having power in the education sector. if you have any issues regarding policy in any of the areas listed above, then go ahead and put your new councillors to work. if you have issues involving anything beyond this, then i’m afraid you will have to seek assistance elsewhere. No matter what the election literature may claim, that’s all the power they have.
22 | ELECTIONS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
085 1340181
SUMMER CAMPS| 23
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
busy Kids
your guide to keeping them occupied this summer ... and where to send them in the Autumn Sheevawn Bray, Wicklow, 086 8639961/087 6155918 Sheevawn Musical Youth Theatre, which is run by Siobhan Gallagher and Yvonne Prendergast, will be staging West Side Story with their Seniors (13-20yrs) in the Mermaid Arts Centre 30th July2nd August 2014 and Annie (Juniors 4-12years) February
Paul, Michael (8) and Emma Prendergast (10) at Shoreline Greystones recently.
2015, enrolment August 30th 2014. From July 7th-11th they are hosting their 10th Annual Summer Camp in Colaiste Raithin , Florence Road, Bray. Participants will work on scenes, songs and dances from some of the best-loved modern musicals. Cost €69 (€99 for 2 children from same family). Book before June 20th to get €10 discount.
Smiley Sunflowers St. Patrick’s NS, Church road, Greystones, 086 8494529 The highly qualified and caring team at Smiley Sunflowers aim to provide a safe, warm and calm environment where all children feel valued, included and are able to develop to their full potential by learning through play.
The learning programme focuses on the holistic development of each child’s social, emotional, physical, language and learning needs and is underpinned by Aistear, the national curriculum framework. Their unique outdoor education programme also makes use of the amazing outdoor facilities in the sensory garden.
24 | SUMMER CAMPS
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
Florence (2), Herve and Alice Hamard (5) enjoy the Wicklow Arts festival
The ULTIMATE Greystones Summer Camp Magnificent grounds perfect for Sports and Adventure
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International School Windgates, Greystones
Football/Tennis/ Basketball Rounders Assault Course/ Forest Treasure Hunts / Zumba Option for Spanish/ French speaking Team Leaders Make new friends along the way. 3 weeks. Running for 11th, h Dates; 7t to d 21st an th 18 to 14th LY JU to 25th
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Starcamp Bray, Greystones, Wicklow Town, Blessington, 021 437 7900
environment. This year one child from every camp will again be randomly chosen to sing on a charity single.
A year on from their incredible Dragons’ Den success, STARCAMP Summer Camps are back with a bang. With 4 Wicklow camps and 120 nationwide camps, 4-13 year olds everywhere cannot wait to be part of this amazing experience again this year. With Disney’s Frozen as its main theme, children will sing, dance and act to different movie scenes, the latest charts and hip hop moves, they will play games, have fun with audition technique, do some stage design, arts and crafts and feel terrific about themselves in this positive, non-competitive
Little Poppets 99 Woodstock, Kilcoole, 01 2011986 little Poppets crèche & Montessori has been in service for the last 8 years. little Poppets like to create a home from home atmosphere and offer a fun and safe environment for the children to play, learn and develop into individuals. They strongly believe in the importance of a good relationship between the parents and staff. This is why their open door policy is so important. From September
they will be offering an Afterschool service, which will include school drop offs and pickups. They are running a summer camp for the months of July & August with many exciting activities. Bookings being taken now. Honeycomb Montessori 53 Beachdale, Kilcoole, 083 3408480 Honeycomb Montessori, owned and managed by Samantha Byrne opens its doors on the 28th of August 2014. Situated in Kilcoole, in a newly converted Seomra with a large garden for the children to play in, this is a wonderful new Montessori for your little ones aged between two and half and six years to attend. Samantha
SUMMER CAMPS| 25
May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
Asia (11) and Joanna Zlotowiscz at the Wicklow Arts festival has years of experience and understands the importance of choosing the right setting for your child. If you are looking for one on one care with the comfort of a home environment, then this is the place. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm with full and part-time places available. Limited ECCE places. Multisports Greystones, Wicklow, 086 3157750/086 3603966 craig Ashton and Sonya o Gorman team up together to run the ultimate Greystones Summer camp located on the grounds of the exclusive SEk international school in
Windgates, Greystones for 3 weeks in July. it will be a mix of Sports, Adventure and cultural experiences using the state of the art facilities and grounds of this magnificent international school. There is an option to plug into the language element of the camp where one can request a French/Spanish speaking team leader. Places are limited so it is advisable to book early. Charlesland Montessori 184 Charlesland Park, Greystones, 01 2870719 Charlesland Montessori provide an educational environment
that follows the curriculum and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. This philosophy respects the unique individuality of each child and believes in the worthiness, value and importance of children. The dedicated staff strive to guide each child to attain fulfillment in education, community, imagination and beyond. There is a great sense of community fostered by teachers, parents and children alike. Charlesland seek to provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for your child to develop. The safety, well-being and happiness of your child is
win Samba SOCCEr
SUMMER CAMP place 5 days of great fun! 10am - 2pm every day with Brazilian & Irish Coaches Bray or Arklow 2 places on offer Plus Reversible Shirt (Brazil/Ireland), shorts, socks & bag! Value â‚Ź85
Answer this simple question - Where is the World Cup 2014 being held? Please send your answer & contact details to comps@wicklowvoice.ie Competition closes midnight 11th June 2014 Locations: Bray, Presentation College, Putland Road, June 30th - 4th July Arklow, Arklow CBS, Coolgreaney Road July 14th - 18th, T&C’s applicable Located on wicklowvoice.ie
26 | SUMMER CAMPS/SPORT
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014
WHY Keeping kids fit is so important WE all know that it is important for children to get exercise but it is extremely important to ensure that our children are getting the right kind of exercise. Playball Bray provide a way for children to get the necessary exercise while having fun and socialising with others. All of their Coaching Systems are outcome based. This means that they are defined by what children require at specific stages of development. Programmes for younger children are focused on movement development while programs for older children focus more on sport skills. Movement is considered a child’s first “language” and the more proficient they become in this, the better they will develop other powers of expression,
explorationa and development. Educators around the world agree that sport benefits the development of social skills and that it is an important component of a child’s overall academic development. Physical activity in a child’s life has some obvious health benefits such as diabetes prevention and control, maintaining a healthy weight and injury prevention and control. But did you know that it will promote positive mental health as well? Throughout the Playball programs children are exposed to challenges, which are not only relevant to their developmental needs but are also in line with the latest educational principles of motor development. Playball is taught all over
the world. Their approach is a positive one, believing that positive encouragement and providing the opportunity to achieve success results in improved self-confidence. Playball instill healthy values such as treating others with respect, co-operation, taking turns and being a good sport. Class numbers are kept small and children will be taught well within the boundaries of their age profile. Playball Bray offer six different sport and movement programs for boys and girls between the ages of two and eight. For more information about Playball in your area including Easter and summer camps, kids parties and various classes please visit their website www.playballbray.ie
Bray Hockey Club announce plans
Greystones Women’s Cricket off to a flyer
Bra Y Hockey club are pleased to announce Teen Summer Hockey which begins May 27 at loreto school, Bray. Teen hockey will take place on Tuesdays from 6.30-7.30pm and is open to boys and girls from 6th class and up. Beginners are welcome and classes cost €2 per session. Meanwhile, Senior Summer Hockey will also take place on Tuesdays at loreto school from 7.30-9pm. Senior hockey is open to players, beginners and experienced, aged 16 and over. cost is €5 per session or €30 for the summer.
AN excited Greystones Women’s cricket team played their first match against Trinity and achieved an exceptional result, winning by 44 runs with Annalena Morris stealing the show with an impressive final score of 80. They went on to concede defeat at the hands of an experienced Pembroke team after putting up a good fight. The team welcomes new members of all ages, see www. greystonescricket.com or contact priscilla-pegman@ greystonescricket.com for details.
St. Patricks National School, Greystones 30th June – 4th July 7th July – 11th July 28th July – 1st August Aravon School, Rathmichael 14th July – 18th July 21st – 25th July Bray School Project, Bray 5th Aug – 8th Aug (4-day camp) Time: 9.30 – 2.30 (early drop off 8.30) Cost: €90 (early drop off €10) 4 day camp €75 Contact: Carl de Chenu; Ph 0863259254; Email. carl@playball.ie; www.playballbray.ie
The winning Bearna Chlé team
sport in brief Bearna Chlé claim Allianz Camogie Blitz oN Wednesday, May 21, Bray Emmet’s played host to the annual Allianz cumann na mBunscol camogie Blitz. Five teams took part in the blitz: kilcoole Primary School, St. Patrick’s Bearna chlé, Newtownmountkennedy Primary School, St. Brigid’s Greystones and kilmacanogue Primary School. A strong Bearna chlé side topped the tables with a total of 8 points and a determined kilcoole team came in second place.
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May 29 2014 wicklowvoice.ie
insideback
with Cianan Brennan
The future’s bright, the future’s Bray THE future’s bright, the future’s Bray. That’s the message from Bray Wanderers, Ireland’s first community owned football club. At a recent presentation given to Bray Tourism the newly formed Bray Wanderers Community Football Club (BWCFC) outlined their imminent plans for an integrated tourism and business-based approach involving the wider Bray community. In their presentation at the meeting the club specifically echoed their inspiration, Spanish giants Barcelona, with the quote “more than just a football club”. The Spanish side’s famous motto is ‘Mes que un club’, translated as ‘more than a club’. The Seagulls’ ambition knows no bounds it seems. Speaking to the Wicklow Voice, Wanderers’ Public Relations spokesman Richard Burke was effusive in his enthusiasm for the project.
“We invited Bray Tourism to the presentation to showcase to them the opportunities that we feel are being missed at present,” says Burke. “We’re there to work with business in the wider community, to benefit Bray on an ongoing basis. Every year we have 16 home league games in the Carlisle Grounds, not counting cup games. “Our concept is simple: if you approach us with an offer we will promote it to fans and get the message out, both via social media and through all relevant mediums.” “As a test, we have put up an information guide on rival clubs’ websites and social media prior to them coming to Bray.” “We employed this recently before the visit of Cork City. Their supporters stayed in the town for the weekend and have written testimonials on what a wonderful time they had, from the proximity of facilities to the ground to the great atmosphere in the town in general.
“They have assured us the next time they visit they’ll bring more supporters and stay for longer. “The crux of our argument is that the football club is an untapped resource for the Bray community at large. Our experience with the Cork fans is the proof in the pudding.” Wanderers’ stated aim upon announcing their plans to become community-owned was to ensure the club’s longterm future in a move that would provide a blueprint for
“
Bray’s Tourism Pat O’Suilleabhain is full of praise for the club
Summer Membership Includes:
Fully Equipped Gym 25 meter and Learner Swim Pools Fitness Classes For All Sauna & Steam Rooms Personalised Assessments and Gym Programmes
sustainable football in Ireland into the future. Director of Bray Tourism Pat O’Suilleabhain is full of praise for what the club is trying to achieve. “It really is excellent, the club has been part of the woodwork here for so long, but until now the potential there has been under-utilised really,” he says. “The Carlisle Grounds have obviously been designed as a football ground but it has so much more potential. With away fans there are clear opportunities to get them to stay longer, with tour providers working in tandem with the club the potential is massive. “The fact that the club is looking to fire this and encourage it is so laudable, it really is to be applauded. “The experience with the Cork City fans shows that this is just the beginning. We can provide a whole experience with football just being part of it. “Coming to Bray can become an event, more than just a game
of football, with partners and family members, even those not overly keen on football, coming to our town and seeing the best of what it has to offer. “It’s untapped but it has real potential. Now we just need to find partners from the community looking to do something new and to step out of their comfort zone. “The whole idea is so positive, it really bodes well for the future for Bray.” So far the club have received huge support for their radical new plan. Supporters and business leaders have hailed the initiative as “revolutionary” and a “massive boost” for the whole community – while Bray manager Alan Mathews has said he believes the move will help make the Seagulls a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. The new club is operated by volunteers drawn from the community, while a majority of shareholders have agreed to transfer their stakes in the club to the new company once
existing debts are paid off. Wanderers’ radical new direction is being driven by President and prominent Bray businessmen Philip Hannigan together with a think tank of individuals with a proven track record in developing strong businesses. The club is forming closer ties with schools and football clubs in their 250,000-strong target area of Wicklow and South County Dublin. The club is also pursuing a naming sponsor for the Carlisle Grounds, which is prominently placed next to Bray Dart station near the seafront, and are seeking planning permission for a gym, meeting rooms and an all-weather training pitch at the stadium. “We’re a community owned entity now, with stakeholders from both the community itself and businesses across Bray on our board,” says Burke. “We’re in a position to give something back now to Bray, the opportunity is there, we just need to grasp it.”
28| ADVERTISING
wicklowvoice.ie May 29 2014