Wicklow Voice January 2014

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January 2014

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wicklowvoice SAY HELLO TO THE GARDEN COUNTY’S FREE, POSITIVE PAPER!

.ie

FREE

January 2014

FREE

FREE

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E: wicklowvoice@gmail.com

The Year of the Dog Only 15 strays put down in Wicklow Pound during 2013 Only 15 dogs were put to sleep in Wicklow Pound during 2013, down from 33 from in 2012, figures obtained by the Wicklow Voice show,.

This is a reduction of 64 from 2011 when a shocking 79 dogs were destroyed at the facility, which is run by the ISPCA (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) on behalf of Wicklow County Council.

“While we still see this as a massive loss we also see it as a massive improvement and a trend we will work to ensure continues in 2014 and beyond,” says Alison Murphy of Chance, which was formed in 2012 over concerns about the welfare of dogs in the county.

“We can now say that Wicklow Pound is no longer a high kill pound but we feel the kill rate is still too high.”

At a time when many dogs are being dumped after being

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bought as Christmas presents, dog owners are being urged to be responsible for their pets by Barbara Bent of ISPCA. “ISPCA is more than happy to see the improved rates of rehoming at Wicklow Dog Pound and fully acknowledge the help of the general public, other Welfare Groups, Chance and especially Wicklow SPCA,” Ms Bent says.

“However, one matter that needs to be addressed is irresponsible dog owners who leave so many dogs out to wander, run free and end up as strays and rarely reclaim them.

“We need to highlight the need for responsible dog ownership more and more over the coming year. Dog stealing is also on the increase - the golden rule is when not at home with your dog, please keep it under lock and key,” Ms Bent concludes.

Anyone looking to rehome

or search for a dog, can do so at ISPCA/Wicklow County Council Dog Pound, Rathdrum or ring 0404 44873.

All owners seeking lost dogs have access to view any dogs that could possibly fit the description of their dog at the pound, while all rehomable dogs are made available for rehoming on expiry of a statutory five-day period.

Owners have been urged to keep dogs under control at all times to prevent sheep worrying and to have consideration for others. All dogs rehomed are micro chipped with their details registered on a database and a collar disc is given to new owners which indicate that the dog has been chipped.

A new owner must present a dog licence (€20) at the pound and sign a rehoming form while a fee of €25 is payable for rehomed dogs

it’s dog’s life: Suzie and John Quinn from Temple Carrig, Co Wicklow enjoy a walk with their rehomed dogs Phoenix, Darcy and Millie at the Glen Of The Downs. » Lots of pictures from around the county inside.

TBC

4 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

Opposition to pylons increases as deadline passes

news in brief Put stars in their eyes Luisne, Kilcoole have an exciting astronomy course starting on Monday, January 13 at 7pm for all budding astronomers, young scientists or people who are interested in what is in the sky.

The course is being run by Deirdre Kelleghan, Vice Chair of the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies. Deirdre is an avid and experienced astronomer, educator and artist will be sure to infuse participants, experienced and inexperienced, with an enthusiasm for everything stellar and lunar. Open to adults, parents and children (if accompanied by parent or guardian).

On any clear nights they will spend some time outside so do bear that in mind and wrap up. Ideally each person attending both children and adults should have their own clipboard, pencil and paper.

Drawing will be part of all sessions indoors or outdoors, weather permitting.

For further details please contact us on 01-201 0001 or see our website Luisne Astronomy Course 2014

Nia (7), Rowanand Saoirse Kennedy (5) from Dun Laoghaire ride through a puddle on their scooters Bray seafront.

Thank you from the Positive Paper!

The Wicklow Voice – the Positive Paper – would like to say thank to everyone for their support since we launched in September – the reaction from readers, retailers and advertisers has been phenomenal.

The Wicklow Voice is committed to highlighting all the great things that are happening in our county as our team of top quality writers cover local politics, property, fashion, fitness, gardening, food, children’s activities and much more. The Wicklow Voice will be coming through your letterbox near or available from our many distribution points.

You can contact us at wicklowvoice@gmail.com or write to us at 93 Giltspur Brook, Bray, Co Wicklow.

Calling all candidates!

Are you planning on running in next year’s local elections?

Do you want to be portrayed in a positive light by the Positive Paper?

Contact is now by emailing wicklowvoice@gmail.com with Local Elections in the subject line to register with our database for 2014 and help us to help you with your election campaign.

The proposed route of EirGrid’s GridLink projecy Opposition to Eirgrid’s proposed GridLink project is growing in the county after a new group called Wicklow Against Pylons was formed.

As part of a national campaign being organised against Eirgrid’s proposed GridLink project representatives from Carnew, Shillelagh, Coolkenna, Ballyconnell, Coolmanagh, Rathvilly and Baltinglass have come together to form Wicklow Against Pylons.

The last day for public submissions on EirGrid’s proposal to build 750 electricity pylons between Leinster and Munster was January 7.

Stephen Donnelly, Independent TD for Wicklow and East Carlow, branded EirGrid’s public consultation process for the Grid Link project “as totally inadequate” after he made a submission as part of the third round of public consultation regarding the project.

“EirGrid hasn’t given the public the information needed to examine the proposed routes for the pylons,” Donnelly says.

“The public has been treated as an inconvenience in this public consultation process.

“At the same time, public representatives are also being stonewalled. Questions that I’ve asked Minister Rabbitte about the Grid Link project were disallowed under the standing orders of the Dáil.

“My submission details these issues, and also includes the

various concerns that constituents and non-constituents have expressed to me. While I did receive one email in favour of the Gridlink Project, the majority of the correspondence expressed concerns and objections to the project,” he concludes Under the plans for Grid Link, a 250km high-voltage overhead power line would be built through counties Cork, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow, including hundreds of pylons.

The Wicklow group are part of a national alliance organised on a county-by-county basis, structured to ensure a coherent and united approach to resolve the issue, that is, Eirgrid’s proposal to blithe the countryside with 45m high pylons, carrying 400 HVA lines which will have detrimental effects on tourism, agriculture, ecological systems, property values and health.

This alliance say they are not against progress but insists it is done “in a sustainable and sympathetic way to our environment and our people”.

Wicklow Against Pylons plan to further develop the working committee have invited people to put themselves forward if they are interested and willing to represent the area on either the Co Wicklow group or the overall national campaign.

If you are interested for further details please contact Eileen Doran, Miriam Rickerby or email D2gridlinkalliance@ gmail.com as soon as possible.

NEWS |5

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

wicklow people (and dogs!) in pictures

David Munoz and Roisin Lee enjoy a walk on Kilcoole beach with with Bruce and Poppy.

Niki (5) and Olga Kcskewski out and about in Wicklow Town

Brendan and Sonoe Kenny with Majyu in Glen of The Down.

Sandra and Michael Kenny with Marty (rescued) and Gypsy on Greystones beach

Rhoda Kirwan with Mac on Bray beach

Christina Kavanagh and Jake enjoy a run on Kilcolle beach

NEWS |5

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

wicklow people (and dogs!) in pictures

David Munoz and Roisin Lee enjoy a walk on Kilcoole beach with with Bruce and Poppy.

Niki (5) and Olga Kcskewski out and about in Wicklow Town

Brendan and Sonoe Kenny with Majyu in Glen of The Down.

Sandra and Michael Kenny with Marty (rescued) and Gypsy on Greystones beach

Rhoda Kirwan with Mac on Bray beach

Christina Kavanagh and Jake enjoy a run on Kilcolle beach

6 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

Conflicting reports on house prices Two leading property websites have released conflicting figures regarding the Wicklow property market.

MyHome.ie claims that the median price for a four-bedroom semi-detached home in the county rose by 9pc in the last quarter of 2013 while Daft. ie claims that there has been minimal change in prices.

MyHome.ie claims that the Wicklow rise was the largest in the country for four-bedroom homes which they say hit €327,000 in the county for quarter four of 2013 compared to €299,950 in the previous quarter. They go on to claim that prices are 2.2% higher than they were in 2012 in the county. Prices for three-bed semidetached remain unchanged at €215,000 they say.

Meanwhile, asking prices in counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow changed by less than 1% over the course of 2013, as prices in bordering county

Dublin rose by 11%, according to the 2013 House Price Report released by Daft.ie. Dublin’s double digit growth has seen the national average asking price rise over the course of a year for the first time since 2007. The average national asking price is now €171,000, up 0.2% from the beginning of 2013 and down 55% from the peak.

Commenting on the report, Daft.ie’s spokesman, Kieran Harte said: “The report shows that the areas surrounding Dublin are seeing their prices stabilise.”

“The market has certainly changed,” says auntioneer Gabriel Dooley in Delgany.

“There’s a huge demand for all types of property including starter homes, such as three and four-bed semis, and three and four-bed detached. The volume of sales in our area have increased 2.5 times since July of last year.”

More property on 18-19

Irene Winters, Emeir O’Connell, Blaise Tracy, Frank McNamee (MMID) Enniscorthy, Marie Comerford, Patrick Casey and project Manager Grainne McLoughlin at the signing of the tender for the new interpretative Centre at Wicklow Gaol.

Wicklow Gaol to get multimedia makeover

Wicklow Gaol is to get a make-over after Failte Ireland recently approved funding to Wicklow Gaol to redevelop as an interpretative centre.

“This is a great day for the Gaol,” explained the Project Manager Gráinne McLoughlin.

“The Gaol was originally developed in 1999 and since then there has been extensive

changes to heritage centres and the way the interpretation of how a story is told.

“At this stage many of the displays are tired looking and this funding from Failte Ireland will enable MMID to re-tell the story, add additional graphics, video projection and audio guides in four languages.”

Following an e-tendering process with expressions of

news inbrief

interest from all over Ireland and the UK, the contract was awarded to MMID from Enniscorthy, a company with extensive expertise in multimedia.

The Chairman of the Enterprise Centre in Wicklow – Blaise Tracey, went on to say “Wicklow Gaol is one of the county’s most important heritage sites and I am delighted that we have the

to attract litter and detract from the visual landscape, is a growing concern.

McDonald’s planning Wicklow dad fronts decision due Greystones will find smoking campaign out later this month if the proposed McDonald’s will get the goahead in the town.

Opinion has been divided on the issue since McDonald’s made their application for planning permission.

While some locals have expressed concern that the premises will be located close to a number of schools, others have welcomed the creation of employment in Greystones.

Permission was granted in August but an appeal was made to An Bord Pleanala and that decision is now due.

Bray improves IBAL placing

Bray has improved on its 2012 showing in the Irish Business Against Litter’s, Anti-Litter League table, ending 2013 as cleaner than European norms at 16th position out of 42 towns and cities around the country.

The survey reveals that 83% of towns and cities in Ireland are as clean as or cleaner than their European counterparts.

However the number of vacant properties in Ireland’s towns, which IBAL says tend

A Wicklow man suffering from terminal lung cancer will feature on a series of TV, radio and online advertisements aimed at encouraging people not to start smoking and provoking smokers to quit.

Gerry Collins from Greystones was diagnosed with terminal cancer six months ago. He took part in a previous anti-tobacco campaign in 2011 after he had been successfully treated for throat cancer. Gerry, a married man and fatherof-three, said: “I hope this campaign adds some value in helping people along the way either not to start smoking or to stop smoking. There are no positives in smoking whatsoever. I’m the dying proof that that is the case.”

He said his decision to contact the HSE following his recent diagnosis was “one of the first things that came to mind” following the success of the publicity campaign in 2011 in which he took part.

Gerry appears in the first of a series of advertisements publicising the Quit campaign, sponsored by the HSE, which airs all this month.

opportunity to upgrade and retell the story and ensure that as a visitor attraction it will be one of the best in the country.”

“The Gaol will remain open for the duration of reinterpretation work and it is envisaged to have the work completed by the end of May just in time for the summer season 2014”, Gráinne concluded.

Town Council passes final budget

Bray Town Council passed its final annual budget with of expenditure of approximately €16 million on January 7.

The figures included: •An increase of €207,000 in the General Purpose Grant from government to Bray Town Council •Irish Water is paying Bray Town Council €960,000 in 2014 to provide water services under a Service Level Agreement •Irish Water is assuming €1.8m of water supply costs in 2014 •An increase in the Graffiti removal budget to €10,000 •Introduction of a Sports Club Fund of €80,000 •A new shop fronts refit scheme for Town Centre retailers of €80,000 “The budget process was extremely difficult this year and there are still a lot of unknown factors at play but it is great to get extra funding to cover the need to provide quality services for the people of Wicklow,” Fine Gael Cllr Mick Glynn said.

“Myself and my party colleague Rossa Murray voted against the budget because we were asked to complete the lie that all property tax money would go to provide local services,” Sinn Fein Councillor John Brady said.

6 | NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

The €30m contract killing

The contracts of two major projects in the county worth almost €30m were left dead in the water recently when work stopped abruptly.

In the south of the county, Arklow’s proposed new sewerage scheme at South Green and the Harbour Road was thrown into doubt after Conwell Contracts, stopped working on the job at short notice.

It remains unknown exactly why Cornwell Contracts downed tools on the €1m project, but unofficial reports emerged that work on pipes below the sea may have led at additional outlay for the contractor.

Meanwhile, in the north of the county, the Flood Protection works on the River Dargle flood defences were abandoned after a dispute between contractors SIAC and Bray Town Council

and the Office of Public Works was finalised.

The €28m project was supposed to include the widening and deepening of the river and the construction of walls and embankments along 3.3kms from the N11 to Bray Harbour.

At the December meeting of Bray Town Council, Cllr Mick Glynn, said: “The officials did a great jobs on extricating themselves from the contract. This company (SIAC) has treated this town deplorably by trying to bankrupt the town with ridiculous claims off the contract.

Their behaviour has been disgraceful by pricing a job so low that they could not delivered it.”

Cllr John Brady of Sinn Fein also pointed out that many subcontractors had been left out of pocket and asked if anything could be done to reimburse them.

David Brereton, owner of Brereton’s Carpets, Greystones, presents Teresa Bradshaw with her €1150 worth of carpet after she guessed that1278 pieces of carpet were in Brereton’s glass display.

There’s tourism gold in them thar hills There could be tourism gold in them thar hills, according to Stephen Donnelly, Independent TD for Wicklow and East Carlow.

Mr Donnelly recently met with members of the

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Vale of Avoca Development Association Subcommittee and local tour operators to discuss the massive potential for local tourism and job creation at the Avoca Mines site, which was recently used to

film scenes from the TV show, The Vikings. “Avoca has a unique industrial heritage.

The copper mines brought prosperity, migrant workers and dotted the landscape with chimneys and engine houses,”

he said. “Tourism is one of Wicklow’s’ greatest untapped opportunities. The Avoca mines could become a real draw, like the Arigna Mines in Roscommon or the Geevor tin mine in Cornwall.”

8| HISTORY

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

How the two Hollywoods got their names down the decades

The little village of Hollywood lies just off the busy N81 Baltinglass to Blessington road In West Wicklow. It has an interesting history combining as it does both fact and folklore.

The first mention of Hollywood, then spelt with only one ‘L’ was in 1305 in the Calendar of Ormond Deeds. It was originally known as Sanctus Menus, ‘the Holy Wood’ and that fact was recorded in the Book of Ormonde. There is a strong tradition that the name relates to a story about St.Kevin.

Tradition locates the birthplace of St.Kevin at Tipperkevin near Ballymore Eustace during the 6th century. He was educated at Kilnamanagh (Church of the Monks) near Tallaght but longed for a simple life of complete solitude. He therefore made his way into the Wicklow Mountains where he would eventually settle at Glendalough.

At that time there was a wood on the Glendalough side of Hollywood that blocked the saint’s way. It was said that Kevin prayed that he would find a way through whereupon the wood

flattened out providing a smooth path over which he could pass.

When he got passed the trees they rose up again, thus barring the path of anyone who might want to follow. This is why it was called the holy wood.

The other suggested origin of the name relates to the abundance of holly bushes in the area. The berries from the holly bushes gave the area a red hue.

This is supported by the in the meaning of the name of nearby Knockroe (Cnoc Ruadh – ‘red hill). So numerous in fact were the bushes that Holly Wood became the obvious name when a village began there Whatever the origin of the name, Hollywood was a thriving village before the Famine, with a population in1841 of 2770. Then through the ravages of starvation and emigration the population steadily declined to 366 by 1966. Today the village has a population of less than 100.

It is held locally that the famous Hollywood, California, home of the movie industry owes its origins to a native from the village. Matthew Guirke was born in Hollywood in 1826 one of the six children of John and Anne Guirke. Like many Irish families at that time they

A bad flood during the 80s hits Bray and the East Coast. (Photo: Michael Hughes courtesy of Bray Did You Know). struggled to survive. Finally in 1850 they were forced to emigrate and seek their fortune in the New World. Young Matthew was successful in business eventually settled in California near Los Angles. He called his homestead Hollywood in memory of

his roots back in Co.Wicklow.

And the rest as they say is history! A descendant of Matthew Guike, Jim Guirke (1919-2003) ran the Post Office in the village for over 60 years until his death in 2003.

The village of Hollywood has

more recent links with the world of film making. Neil Jordan’s Michael Collins (1995) was partially shot there. The infamous Béal na mBlath where Collins was killed was replicated in Corrigan’s Glen just a few hundred yards from the village.

One of the greatest characters in old Hollywood was the local curate Fr. Pat Kavanagh. A native of Rathdrum he served in the parish from 1902 until 1936 when he died at the age of 91.

It would appear that he never wanted to be a parish priest and indeed, he had no time for parish priests at all. Fr. Kavanagh was a farmer as well as a priest and his main interest passion was for the land and stock. He knew more about farming than most of his parishioners and was always encouraging them to adopt new methods.

St. Kevin’s Pilgrim Way starts at Hollywood and is a 30 kilometre / 18 mile way marked walk through the Wicklow Gap and on to GLendalough. Details of the walk can be found at www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/StKevins-Way. In general it is an easy ramble that can be done in stages. Perhaps this is something that you might plan to do when the evenings get longer and the days milder.

Philip Byrne is a Storyteller who under the title of Positive Outcomes is available for storytelling events for children, adults including special needs groups. He can be contacted on 087 2627806.

Flood pictures show strength of nature The Wicklow coast took a battering from storms over the last few weeks with floods leaving havoc in their wake.

Arklow Town, Wicklow Town and Bray all experienced serious flooding as a series of seasonal storms hit over the Christmas and New Year period.

Sections of the South Quay in Wicklow Town were flooded while Arklow Town Council closed the access roads to the South Beach and South Pier.

The Strand Road area of the town was hit by major flooding on Monday, the first time since the Bray Coastal Protection Scheme was completed in 2001.

Many homes and businesses were affected by the flooding, including facilities for the Queen of Peace Youth Club and Bray Rowing Club. The area from The National Sea Life Centre to the Bray Head Hotel was worst affected.

Bray Town Council workers and machines were deployed to help replace tonnes of shingle which was washed away along the promenade.

Neglect of coastal defences led to the flooding along the seafront, local Sinn Fein councillor John Brady said.

Crashing Waves at Arklow Pier. Pic:Yvette O Beirne

Floods on Bray seafront

NEWS |9

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

The Vikings are coming ... back

O’Sullivan confident of two more seasons as RTE screens drama filmed in Wicklow Producers of hit TV show Vikings are confident that it will be renewed for another two seasons, giving a welcomed multimillion boost to the film industry in Wicklow.

The news comes as RTE announced that it will begin screening the 10-episode season one of the drama, which stars Gabriel Byrne, at the end of January.

Speaking to the Wicklow Voice, producer Morgan O’Sullivan said that industry reaction to the second season, which was filmed in Wicklow last year and is due to air on the History Channel in February, had been very strong.

“We have delighted with the response so far,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“We are hopeful and confident that the series will be renewed for a third and fourth season at least and we can continue to film here in Wicklow.”

The first series contributed approximately €20m to the Irish economy in terms of spend on local goods and services.

The series began filming in July 2012 at Ashford Studios

and longship scenes were filmed at Luggala, in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains.

Created and written by Michael Hirst, who wrote The Tudors which was also filmed in Wicklow, Vikings is the first scripted series for the History channel and is an international co-production between Ireland and Canada.

The series was developed and produced by Irish producers O’Sullivan and James Flynn’s company Octagon Films, with MGM Television bringing the series to a global audience as it serves as the international distributor outside of Ireland and Canada.

A total of 8.3 million viewers watched the series premiere when it was broadcast on History in the US on March 3 last year, making it the number one new cable series launch of the year up to that date.

After auditioning well over 1,000 people in Wicklow Town last year, the producers hired around 5,000 further paid extras for the filming of the second season through auditions in Dublin.

news in brief Record 106 rescues

MOUNTAIN rescue teams had their busiest year on record in 2013 with figures showing that the combined Dublin-Wicklow and Glen of Imaal rescue services carried out a total of 106 rescue missions last year. Close to 200 people were assisted as the rescue teams responded to calls for help.

Dubs nick our Lotto jackpot!

A scene from Vikings, which will be aired on RTE later this month.

Excalibur documentary gets local premiere

A documentary about the making of Excalibur, which was filmed in Wicklow in 1981, was given its premiere in the Mermaid Theatre in Bray before Christmas.

Behind The Sword In The Stone charts the difficult production of Excalibur which is based on the legend of King Arthur and the film is named after the legendary sword that features prominently in Arthurian literature.

The two filmmakers behind the documentary, Mark Wright and Alec Moore of Wicklowbased Mossy Hare Productions, successfully interviewed the majority of the cast, including Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart, from the film and its director John Boorman.

“We decided to make a documentary on that particular movie of Boormans, because it was the most difficult movie he ever made and was unique in the amount of careers it launched in the film world,” Mark told the Wicklow Voice.

Shot entirely on location in Ireland and employing Irish actors and crew, the film has been acknowledged for its impor-

tance to the Irish filmmaking industry and for helping launch the film careers of Neeson, as well as Gabriel Byrne, Neil Jordan and Ciarán Hinds.

Excalibur also starred Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren as well as Patrick Stewart.

In the days before CGI, the documentary reveals how there were many injuries during shooting, with Stewart describing some of the dangers during the shoot.

“The making of this documentary took a year longer than we anticipated. It was very difficult pinning down some of the cast members, as they were all busy filming in various parts of the world,” Mark adds.

“In fact, we were In postproduction when we got a call from Helen Mirren and we had

to dash over to London’s West End, were she was playing the Queen at the Gielgud Theatre!

“We were more fortunate with Gabriel Byrne, as he was in Wicklow, shooting The Vikings and we got a great interview with him. John Boorman was great, he gave us everything we asked for and helped us to get Liam Neeson.

“We also interviewed his daughter, Katrine and son Charley Boorman who were both in Excalibur.

“Jason Foran , up at Ardmore studios was brilliant and kept us going with equipment and we raised a chunk of cash from the crowd funding, with paid for some of our legal fees.”

Behind The Sword In The Stone will be screened in New York and London later in 2014.

Two people from Dublin, who wish to remain anonymous, picked up a cheque for more than €8.1m after buying a ticket in Tesco in Wicklow Town on January 4. Feverish speculation had mounted that a local had scooped the huge win. Tesco in Wicklow is proving to be lucky as they sold a EuroMillions Match 5 + 1 Lucky Star winning ticket worth €272,629 in September.

10 | OPINION

opinion&comment N11 should serve, not block, towns

P

oor planning led by greedy developers and facilitated by local politicians is significantly to blame for the economic crash throughout Wicklow and Ireland. However it seems that this practice is still prevalent and that we have learned very little. We do have the opportunity to turn things around and seize our share of what economic growth there is, but that will greatly depend on getting our planning and environmental management right.

We need to recognise that our county has advantages that can enable a faster and more successful return to growth than many others and we need local representatives that will demonstrate this to investors.

Councillors do not create jobs but they have the ability to create the right environment for business and investors. Clear planning objectives give confidence to investors and a managed, clean environment attracts, protects and enhances their investment.

Our proximity to Dublin, good public transport links, road network and recreational amenities make Wicklow one of the choice locations to live and work in Ireland.

For tourists our county is a treasure trove of heritage sites, outdoor pursuits, arts and outstanding natural beauty. Here are two examples of how we can lose these advantages.

Wicklow County Councillors were recently reprimanded for their decision to encourage commercial development in ‘strategic land banks’ along the N11. This road is already choked with commuter traffic. It would be better to encourage business development within the towns which have ample unused commercial sites than developing on out-of-town greenfield sites, keeping the jobs and offshoot spending in the local town. The N11 should serve our towns, not blockade them.

Bray Town Council’s recent acquisition of the Florentine Centre provides an opportunity to inject some economic vibrancy in to the town and resolve the long running planning disaster. However the Bray Golf Club land which is also zoned ‘town centre’ is serving as a deterrent for investment in the town. Why would you invest in to Bray while the prospect of a huge alternative town centre exists in the development plan?

There should only be one town centre; the Main Street area and that is where the focus should be. We need to remove the ‘town centre’ zoning from the golf club lands.

It would appear, unfortunately, that planning is still unduly influenced by developers and those in possession of land banks.

Rural Wicklow can also benefit from good planning and environmental management.

The rail journey from Bray to Arklow provides outstanding scenery and every stopping point leaves the visitor within striking distance of a rural attraction. Hill walking, marked walkways, guided nature walks, cycling and mountain biking, fishing, golfing, agri-tourism and farm stays, artisan food

destinations, bird watching, rock climbing, luxury country houses and hostels; all these pursuits are in demand from tourists and the general population alike. Wicklow needs a dedicated rural development centre.

This could manage, encourage and guide recreation providers to work together to attract business, provide tailored packages, accommodation, transport, equipment hire and crucially, targeted marketing. The forestry industry also needs encouragement to prosper to full potential and provide rural employment.

Wicklow’s natural environment is a priceless asset that can, with careful, sympathetic environmental and landscape management play an important part in economic recovery.

Many people feel that it’s too late for sustainable planning solutions and that all the mistakes have already been made. However in recent times we have seen speculators circling again and talk of property price increases in the media. There are developers and lenders out there with big losses to recuperate and we could again fall into the developer led and politically-enabled planning abyss. In the past, poor planning has been the root cause of many economic and social issues that continue to affect our quality of life. Good planning and sustainable development can promote and attract investment. We need to invest, support and strengthen our existing town centres and halt out-of-town developments. Our community and environment are too valuable to be destroyed by poor planning motivated by greed.

The planning laws and guidelines in Ireland are good but we need County Councillors who will ensure they are adhered to, upheld and enforced.

Steven Matthews is a graduate of DIT Planning and Environmental Management and Green Party local election candidate for Bray, Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue.

End in sight for N11 chaos - See Page 18

This road is already choked with commuter traffic. It would be better to encourage business development within the towns

“I

“Some of our media commentators would have us believe that the suffering endured in the past five years has been unequalled since the Famine.

The facts say otherwise”

with Steven Matthews with Michael Wolsey

Our survey says ... things are not as bad as you think t is the season for surveys, when statisticians pore through the files to assess the year past and economists polish up their crystal balls to glimpse what lies ahead.

Recent weeks have seen a plethora of reports, reviews and forecasts all focusing on the health of Mother Ireland, most of them surprisingly good.

The picture they paint is of a country slowly but surely recovering from a recession which, while painful because of the short and sharp decline from boom to bust, was not, in historical terms, so very bad.

Some of our media commentators would have us believe that the suffering endured in the past five years has been unequalled since the Famine.

The facts say otherwise.

Let us start, quite literally, with the nation’s health. James Reilly’s department is criticised regularly, and rightly, for inefficiency and overspending. But it must be doing something right for we are undoubtedly getting healthier.

According to the OECD, the international body for economic and social policy development, Ireland “continues to make substantive headway in improving health’’. Deaths from cancer fell by 21% last year.

The death-rate from heart disease has been halved in the past decade, during which time life expectancy in Ireland has increased by a full four years, helped, no doubt, by falls in consumption of tobacco and alcohol and a slight decline in the rate of obesity.

Young people, in particular, are embracing healthy habits, a good omen for the nation’s future. Smoking rates amongst our teenagers are the sixth lowest of 29 industrialised countries surveyed by Unicef, the United Nations agency for child welfare. Teenage drinking has been reduced and there has also been a slight drop in teenage pregnancies. Our children, aged 11 to 15, now top the league for taking vigorous exercise.

Unicef placed Irish children’s quality of life among the 10 best in the developed world.

They live in some of the best quality and roomiest homes in Europe, said the agency, and enjoy the second best air quality of all the countries analysed.

All of which no doubt contributes to the finding of the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit that, in all the world, Ireland was the twelfth best country in which to be born in 2013, up three places since 1988.

Ireland has a low rate of child poverty and, from the 29 countries in the Unicef survey, the third highest rate of

15 to 19-year-olds in education.

Their prospects on leaving education are improving. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show that the number unemployed fell last year by some 50,000, reducing the rate from 13.6% to 12.5%, the lowest since 2009.

Employment growth here has outpaced all EU countries except Portugal, according to Eurostat, the European statistics office. Not surprisingly, then, our own Economic and Social Research Institute, records a steep drop in emigration, down by some 14% to the lowest figure since 2009.

For this happy news to continue, the economy must grow. And here the omens are also good. Two prominent bodies have estimated that the Government is being unduly pessimistic with its forecast of 2% growth in 2014. Ibec, the employers’ confederation, puts the figure at 2.8%, while the ESRI makes it 2.7%.

And so, in a year buoyed by strong tourist figures from the successful Gathering, it should come as no surprise to find that Ireland’s stock exchange was one of the best performing in Europe, up 33.5% since January 2013.

I say it should come as no surprise, but that depends on which commentators you read. Some will find a grey cloud for every silver lining.

Had I wished, I could have searched for bad news in all these statistics and highlighted that instead.

I could have shown that, despite the sharp drops, unemployment and emigration are still stubbornly high. Despite the health improvement, hospital waiting lists are long and conditions sometimes poor. And although obesity is down, the rate of infant obesity is up. I could have highlighted Unicef evidence that school bullying is on the increase.

It is right and proper for these downsides to be reported and analysed. We cannot live in Pollyanna-land, seeing everything through rose-tinted spectacles.

But neither need we wallow in misery and gloom, greeting all news as bad news. We live in a good country and have much to be thankful for. I sometimes fear we have forgotten how to smile. Maybe we can learn again in 2014.

Michael Wolsey is a former deputy editor of the Irish Independent, features editor of the Irish Press and managing director of the Drogheda Independent group. Michael sits on the judging panel for the National Newspaper of Ireland Journalism Awards.

OPINION | 11

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

focus on faces

This month we speak to John Glynn, whose son Gavin has a rare form of cancer known as Rhabdomyosarcoma

Working hard to help Gavin How’s life?

Life is very busy but it’s calming down now after Christmas. We have three children - Gavin (3), Lucy (5) and Conor (7) so it was a busy house for Santa!

Can you tell us about Gavin?

Gavin was diagnosed with a rare form cancer known as Rhabdomyosarcoma on October 19, 2011 at just 18 months old. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumour of the muscles that are attached to the bones. The tumour was surrounding Gavin’s Pelvic region and had also spread to his lungs. It was too large to remove at the time so he had five months of intensive chemotherapy before they could remove the tumour, which they did in Crumlin in March 2012. We then went to Switzerland for 28 days of Proton therapy which is a specialised radiotherapy in July 2012. Once we returned to Ireland, Gavin then continued more chemotherapy until April 2013. He then had an MRI scan as an end of treatment check

and on May 28 (the day before his third birthday), we were then told that the tumour had returned.

Since then Gavin has had multiple surgeries and more radiotherapy treatment in a hospital in Amsterdam and is currently back in Crumlin every three weeks for chemotherapy.

So how is Gavin today?

Gavin is an amazingly happy and energetic boy. Anyone that has met Gavin is amazed at how he still manages to smile and laugh. He gives us all strength to continue the fight together.

How have they coped while Gavin has been sick?

They have been amazing. We said from the start that we would not hide anything from them and try and answer any questions they may have. They have seen a lot over the last few years. Lucy and Conor really help keep Gavin’s mind occupied even on his sickest days which is great.

Are their many children in

‘There is only one ward for children with cancer ‘

Ireland with Cancer?

Every year there are about 220 new cases of Childhood cancer in Ireland so that is about four new cases a week.

There is only one ward in Ireland for children with cancer and that is St. Johns Ward in Crumlin Hospital.

You seemed to have great support in 2013 from the local community. Can you tell us about it?

Yes we did. We had 26 people run the Dublin City Marathon, a Spinathon in GOGYM in Greystones, a 50,000 KettleBells swings in Barefoot Fitness Kilcoole and then Going Gold for Gavin day in local schools and creches, and huge support from The Gemmal Appeal in Kilcoole and St. Patricks Parish in Greystones.

We are very lucky where we live to have all this support from the community and we cannot thank everyone enough for all the help and support.

levels tend to drop so we have to be very careful as he has zero immune system so even a cough or cold could mean we end up in hospital.

We hope and pray that by Gavin’s birthday in May this year he will be finished his

treatment and be cancer free.

So what is the plan for 2014 for Gavin?

Gavin’s current protocol is chemotherapy every three weeks - he has to have five days of chemotherapy. This entails Gavin having chemotherapy delivered via IV drip for sic hours a day over the five days.

Following that week his blood

the highest political office in the state after a long career as a TD and cabinet minister, Erskine Hamilton Childers was laid to rest in the county where he had spent part of his childhood. His family originally hailed from Glendalough and although he himself was born in England he was brought by his parents to live in Wicklow after the First World War. It is 40 years ago this year that Erskine Childers died. A time when Nelson Mandela was a long way from being released from Robben Island prison and becoming South African president. A time when Ireland was on the one hand entering the new Europe of the EEC, whilst on the other hand becoming engulfed in The Troubles. And a time when Erskine Childers and another man with a Wicklow connection, Cearbhall O’Dalaigh, played crucial roles in this turbulent period for Ireland and more specifically its presidency.

Childers was an unlikely pres-

ident of Ireland. He spoke with a striking British upper class accent and was a Protestant, which one would think would have gone against him at a time when Ireland’s sympathies with the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland were becoming more focused and politically charged.

He was running in the 1973 presidential race (for Fianna Fail) against Fine Gael’s Tom O’Higgins who had almost defeated Eamon de Valera in the 1966 contest.

But the charismatic Childers was an enormous success on the campaign trail and won the contest. He became, during his short time in office, a hardworking and highly respected president. Long before latterday presidents put forward the same ideas, Childers sought to make the presidency more open and hands-on.

He sought to establish a thinktank within Aras an Uachtarain that would plan the country’s future (how we could have done

with something like that when the recession hit in 2008!). He undertook a busy schedule of speeches and visits which probably contributed to the fatal heart attack he suffered in November 1974, less than 18 months into his presidency.

Childers was succeeded by Cearbhall O Dalaigh, a native of Bray and educated initially in St. Cronan’s Boys National School on Bray’s Main Street.

After further education in Synge Street and UCD, O Dalaigh went on to have an accomplished legal career, serving as Attorney General, Chief Justice and Ireland’s judge on the European Court of Justice.

He was an all-party choice to succeed Childers as president of Ireland, where his tenancy proved to be contentious and ultimately ended in his resignation. O Dalaigh, like Erskine Childers, had a strained relationship with the then Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave. Both felt Cosgrave was neglecting his constitutional duty to brief the

president monthly on matters of state, the Fine Gael leader instead making the trip to the Phoenix Park only every six months. O Dalaigh and Cosgrave clashed most famously over the 1976 Emergency Powers Bill, which O Dalaigh chose to send to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality rather than sign it straight into law.

He was perfectly entitled to do this but his was called a ‘’thundering disgrace’’ by Defence Minister Paddy Donegan for doing so. Donegan offered to resign but Cosgrave refused to accept his resignation and O Dalaigh resigned instead.

All this happened many years ago but the Wicklow connection to these tumultuous times shouldn’t be forgotten. Next time you are visiting Glendalough or Roundwood take a bit of time out to visit Derralossary and visit Erskine Childers’ grave, and pause to reflect that a quiet corner of Wicklow is resting place to one of our former leaders.

If you would like to follow Gavin’s story we have a blog website which we update with everything that happens. http://gavinsprotontherapy switzerland.blogspot.ie

Coming home after life’s great journey

N

e l s o n M a n d e l a ’s passing last month was a sad occasion but at the same time a celebration of his monumental achievement in uniting South Africa post apartheid. I found it moving that he had specifically requested to be buried in Qunu, a small rural village in the Eastern Cape Province, where he had spent his childhood.

After a long and eventful life, which had encompassed much pain, struggle and ultimately happiness - and during which he had travelled to many countries, met and been sought out by world leaders and main players – he could think of nowhere better for his final repose than the quiet countryside where he had been happy as a small boy. There’s something about a place that you spend your formative years in, something that stays with you throughout

Brian Quigley your life and helps shape you into the person you ultimately become.

Derralossary, just outside Roundwood in County Wicklow, is a bit like Qunu. In the quiet grounds of the Church of Ireland there rests a former President of Ireland. After an accomplished life, during which his own father Robert Erskine Childers (author of the excellent espionage thriller ‘The Riddle of the Sands’) was executed, and he eventually rose to

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12 | WHAT’S HOT

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

show of the month Lambert Puppet Theatre presents Cinderella Sun 19 Jan 2014 The Lambert Puppet Theatre is now widely recognised as the Premier Touring Puppet Theatre Company in Ireland and also internationally renowned for its many fine productions throughout Ireland, The UK and Europe.

Paula Lambert was the ‘Bosco’ voice on TV for seventeen years and indeed BOSCO is still a firm favourite with the younger children and will make a nostalgiac appearance in the opening part of the Show.

This production of Cinderella is a beautifully produced show with large puppets, colourful sets and exquisite lighting and is suitable for an age group up to ten years of age. Tickets €10.

fit idea of the month BOKWA with Laura & Lianne (LLB Dance Obsession) Bridgewater Shopping Centre on Monday at 6pm for L1 and 7pm for L2, and Thursdays at 7pm in Arus Lorcain, Arklow A high intense cardio workout that has proven to burn up to 1,200 callories per hour.

Participants are drawing the letters and numbers with their feet on the ground to chart music.

This is a programme especially

designed for the person with ‘two left feet’ to the ‘highly trained dancer’.

Once the basics are learned then the participant has the ability to turn these moves into Dancing.

This is a fun and easy way of exercising, comments from existing participants of these classses have been ‘I feel like I’m in a night club dancing & having fun!’, ‘You don’t even realise you’re exercising until you stop and notice the sweat’.

Contact Laura on 086-3968673 or Lianne on 083-1016868

Book of the month Dubliners James Joyce I’m sure you’re wondering why a book that is 100 years old this year is being nominated as book of the month, but given Joyce’s connections to Bray and the month that’s in it, we opted for Dubliners.

The great news is that an iPad app has just been made available of The Dead, the final story of Dubliners.

It begins with an overworked housemaid opening the door to admit guests

to a party hosted by the sisters Kate and Julia Morkan at Usher’s Island on January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany and the last night of Christmas. Among the guests are Gabriel Conroy and his wife, Greta, who enjoy the company, dancing and music. When Greta hears the folksong The Lass of Aughrim sung by another guest, she remembers a young man who sang to her on another snowy night. Her husband, meanwhile, discovers his marriage and his life are not all he imagined them to be. The Dead is available to download free from iTunes.

TV SHOW of the month operation transformation

8.30pm Tuesday and Wednesdays, RTÉ One The hit TV show presented by Kathryn Thomas is back for a seventh season and Wicklow Town is back in the action this year.

Last time out, those who took part lost the combined weight of a baby elephant. Operation Transformation Wicklow Town is possible ’free’ of

detox of the month yoga retreat Tinakilly Country House, January 10 and 11 Yoga Sacred Space studios are hosting a weekend Yoga and Detox Retreat at Tinakilly Country House.

Escape to the Countryside and immerse yourself in a weekend designed to rejuvenate and cleanse the body, mind and soul through yoga, meditation and food in a luxurious and charming

setting. You will feel light, free and joyful on leaving, ready for the new year with clear renewed energy.

Package includes two night’s accommodation at Tinakilly with a wholesome breakfast, three yoga and meditiation sessions (approx 2 hour sessions). €335 for 2 people. €225 single. Optional supplement: Nutritional talk and taster by a raw gourmet chef €25pp. Contact Tinakilly for booking on 0404 69274

charge due to the support of The Grand Hotel, Burke Oil, Conway Media and Pure Fitness Rathnew.

Just as in 2013, a weekly weigh-in at 7pm on Mondays in the Grand Hotel will be followed by a walk and, weather permitting, for a second walk on Saturday mornings for the eight weeks of Operation Transformation.

Find out more at www.facebook. com/ OperationTransformation WicklowTown or email Mick Nolan ot@ wicklowchamber.ie.

MOVIE of the month 12 Years a slave Gaiety Cinema, Arklow Based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom.

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses,

Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity.

In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.

Director Steve McQueen and screenwriter John Ridley film were largely faithful to Northup’s 1853 biography, Twelve Years a Slave, and their film is being is being talked of as a classic.

FAMILY Fun of the month Panning for Gold Vale of Avoca, Every Saturday at 10am until February 28 Now is your opportunity to travel to the Vale of Avoca, “one of Europe’s most beautiful locations” and try your hand at some river panning for Gold.

Experienced Guide, All Gold Panning Equipment, Avoca Soup and Homemade Brown Bread, Tour of the Avoca Handweaving Mill, Certificate of Gold Panning all included. Takes approximately 2-3 hours and costs €25, while a family ticket (2 adults 2 children) is €60 (€5 per additional child). Group Rates on Request. Contact: Tel: +353 (0)86 0258484.

event of the month Winter Garden Birds with Eric D Birdman January 18 Sycamore Hill, Newcastle Find out all you ever needed to know about our winter garden birds…how to identify them, what to feed them, where they come from and how they get here.

Then, after a simple

New Year lunch, join Declan Manley and Eric in the garden as they ring some of the many birds visiting Sycamore Hill. Experience garden birds like you’ve never seen them before.

Cost €65, includes indoor workshop, lunch and ringing demonstration.

To book, contact birdsireland@gmail. com or call Eric on 087 9075669.

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WHAT’S HOT | 13

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

Gigs of the month Traditonal music County wide

Temple Bar TradFest takes place later in the month but rather than venture into Dublin, why not support your neighbourhood publicans and musicians by joinging a session in your local.?

Throughout Wicklow you will find a host of pubs with a fire blazing and instruments blazing - so get out there and warm the soul on these cold winters nights. Visit www.tradconnect. com to find more information.

event of the Month HELL & BACK TROJAN SKillruddery Estate, January 26 and February 2 HELL & BACK is specifically designed and created by outdoor specialists to test your physical and mental boundaries to THE limit! This is not a multi-sport event - it is a running event through, over and under various different types of terrain, including the Little Sugar Loaf Mountain, The Pond, The River, Satan’s Pit and The Swamp.

And if that wasn’t enough, you must also scale 7 foot walls, crawl under barbed wire and run through Shock of Horrors where you will get a nice little electric shock!

‘Pullquote here– In the Mafia, those who go against the wishes of the Dons can have a short life’

14 | LIVING

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

my favourite things January Resolutions

winter recipe I’ll be trying first: ½ banana, ½ cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup apple juice, ½ cup natural yogurt and squeeze of honey. individual classes at €10 or €12 each you can also book in block for a slightly cheaper rate. Owner and yoga instructor Lisa Temple brings her 15 years of teaching and extensive training to Olive 3 and I’m hoping to try out some classes this month. Tel 01 2765676 or check the timetable at www.olive3.ie

Big Words

If the Shoe Fits

Louise Murphy, Gemma Arnold and Wendy Cheevers at the launch of ANNA SCHU in Stillorgan, Co Dublin. Kilcoole native Anna Schulmeistrat created 10 jobs, including some in her Bray salon.

I highly recommend a visit to Amphibian King in Bray on the Upper Dargle Road where a selection of shoes are hand-picked just for you based on how you walk or run. With a running track and video system in the shop the staff of Amphibian King are all experienced athletes and use technology plus their extensive product knowledge to ensure they help you find the right shoe for your chosen activity. Amazing brands and accessories to choose from and I’m planning to get in before their January sale ends. Tel 01 - 276 1525 or www.AmphibianKing.ie

Natural Delivery

Looking to get active? Then maybe it’s time to invest in good footwear.

with Audrey Vance wicklowvoice@gmail.com ‘Olive 3’. Offering a range of classes from Yoga and Zumba to Dance there seems to be something for everyone.

With the option of dropping in for

How many of you have considered your personal and professional goals this month? With these thoughts on my mind after the Christmas break I’m hoping to set some realistic goals to achieve a productive and fulfilling 2014. Like many of you I’ll be looking to start January with a health kick, it’s certainly needed after a wonderfully indulgent festive season.

Here are some of my favourite things this month, if you wish to share your ideas this year please get in touch.

With January resolutions fresh on my mind this month’s book will be Ciara Conlon’s ‘Chaos to Control’.

After hearing Ciara speak last October I was inspired to make some small yet effective changes to my work week and now it’s time for more. If you like her mantra “ With Productivity and Positivity there is little you can’t achieve” then check out her blog www.CiaraConlon.com for regular tips on goal setting for yourself or order her book.

WHAT’s HOT

You hear it time and time again that fresh fruit and vegetables are the key to a balanced diet, how do you fancy having them delivered? Wes Dempsey from Kilcoole is offering to bring it right to your front door with his mobile shop/van called Garden County Fruit & Veg as he covers

Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole, Kilquade, Newcastle, Newtown and Bray. Choosing local seasonal produce where possible, Wes also does a 6am Smithfield run to fill his van shelves with the best fruit and vegetables we have come to expect year round. Call to find out when he is passing your door for a personal service. Tel 085 -103 7748

Class Action

For those of you, like me, looking to join a new activity this month, why not take a look at the new Bray-based studio on the Parnell Road called

Fruitie Goodness

As a keen coffee drinker I’m hoping the new smoothie maker from Kenwood called Smoothie 2GO might help with the detoxing and reduce my caffeine intake this month.

Available on sale in D.I.D Electrical in the Southern Cross Retail Park in Bray reduced from €49.99 to €28.99. I like the neat style for my small kitchen counter-top area, the two travel cups included and the reduced price. This is the simple

Declutter App

Trello is the free app that might just declutter your life in 2014.

Stream-line any sort of projects you want... from running your business, to a student project to sharing a household chores with your partner.

This easy-to-use online collaborative task management tool can do it all and is easy to get the hang of. You create boards, to-do-lists, schedules, give tasks to other users and chart multiple projects in real-time from start to finish so if it sounds useful see for yourself at www.trello.com.

This is definitely on the to-do-list for my business, Wedding Dress Ink, this January!

Picture Perfect

Audrey Vance , fashion illustrator and owner of Wedding Dress Ink, has a home studio in Co. Wicklow. www.

WeddingDressInk.com

Women in Wicklow Like any other pet owner, getting someone that you can trust with your precious four-legged friend is the holy grail. I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon Patricia and over the last two years she has become an essential part of our family, walking our family dog regularly.

Name?

Patricia Byrne Type of business?

Pet Care Services stretching from Kilternan to Greystones Getting in touch?

Please call 085 105 9497 What does your business offer?

Primarily dog walking/ minding but I also care for cats, birds, rabbits and hamsters etc. I provide home visits to feed and mind all sorts of pets but mostly I collect and walk people’s dogs, choosing walks How did you come to set up your business?

Having always had a very strong love for animals I also

needed to balance my working hours with my children’s needs. My pet care service ticked so many boxes, turning a passion into a profession and I’ve loved it from the start.

getting recommendations through the Bray Veterinary Clinic and local dog groomers after they used my services and my customer base began growing systematically.

How long are you in business?

It’s been five and a half years. Having bought the dog walking business as a going concern I have steadily built up the business since then.

Word of mouth has been my best marketing tool.

Best part of your job?

Definitely seeing the dogs I care for enjoying their walks in wide open, natural spaces and exercising as they should.

They usually come from homes with small garden spaces.

Tips for any budding entrepreneurs looking to start their own business?

Tap into your passions, motivations should be heartfelt.

What has been the toughest moment so far?

Starting out was a little scary, probably like any new business owner I worried for the first six months. Thankfully I started

Interview by Audrey Vance

PARENTING/TRAVEL | 15

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

one-size fix doesn’t fit all kids

Children

Dr Katherine O’Hanlon Parenting is a hot topic these days, with new books, TV programmes (and newspaper columns!) appearing regularly.

However, despite its prominence in modern culture, this topic is so personal that discussing it openly can be difficult.

Sensitive feelings, including guilt or feeling judged for choosing to do things differently from your peers, can mean broaching the subject with others is akin to entering a minefield with the capacity to rock even the closest relationships.

Nevertheless, I have yet to come across a parent who didn’t want to do the best for their child, and given a safe,

non-judgemental opportunity most are willing to consider approaching things differently where necessary.

As there are as many ways to parent as there are parent-child combinations, every parent needs to adapt their style to meet the needs of each child, and to develop this unique relationship.

That’s where many of the “experts” fall short, often providing one-size fits all strategies (e.g. Strict routines, Naughty steps, Cry-It-Out sleep training etc.) which advocate responding to children’s behaviour with little thought to what’s driving it - or why parents find it so difficult to tolerate and manage.

Understanding your child - the holy grail of parenting! Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of parents seeking to work out what is going on for their child. While there are no easy answers, there are some ideas I’ve found useful in helping parents along this path, to the point where they are capable - and confident - to develop their own strategies for promoting positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing.

Firstly, supporting parents to explore their own experiences

Rachael Duffy (8) and Holly Eager (8) from Newtownmountkennedy helps them work out what they do, and don’t, want to bring to their parenting.

Unprocessed emotions relating to their childhood can make it

difficult for parents to tolerate their children’s distress, and to respond appropriately to challenging behaviour. This results in ineffective strategies

which leave everyone frustrated and the unwanted behaviours actually more likely to reoccur.

Helping parents tune into the underlying feelings or needs their child might be trying to communicate (rather than simply reacting to the irritating behaviour) and reflecting these back to their child often reduces parental stress as it helps parents make sense of behaviour and stay calm when faced with children communicating or “acting out” their feelings in what are often developmentally appropriate ways. Responding to children this way shows you are trying to understand, which can improve both your relationship and their behaviour, as they learn to recognise, communicate and manage these “big” feelings more effectively.

Research shows that group parenting support is particularly effective and empowering as groups provide opportunities to share ideas and to learn from each other - so I’m delighted to introduce the “Understanding Your Child” course to Ireland. This group emphasises the reciprocal parent-child relationship and is for anyone who wants to know more about parenting, children’s development and

who would like to gain a better understanding of their children’s feelings and behaviour. Parental feedback and scientific research have indicated this group leads to reduced parental stress, alongside improvements in children’s behaviour and parent-child interactions. It also improves parental selfesteem, sense of competence and knowledge of strategies and solutions for responding to children’s behaviour - enabling them to develop effective strategies which fit their own beliefs and values.

Parenting can be enjoyable and wonderfully rewarding, but can also be stressful and hard work. If you’d like to develop your confidence and knowledge in an informal, supportive environment contact me for details on this 10-week course for parents of children up to six years starting soon.

Dr Katherine O’Hanlon is a clinical psychologist at the Novara Centre in Bray and lives in Co Wicklow.

Katherine offers child and adolescent psychology and parenting support sessions on an individual and group basis. www.katherineohanlon. com

HereComesTheSun! Ignore the January blues - once you book your holiday it starts to feel like summer Travel

with Dee Evans As soon as the Festive Season ends, our minds turn to holidays and we begin to plan the family holiday.

There is so much to consider when taking our children on holidays. Will they want a Kid’s Club and entertainment?

How long should the flight be to get there?

Will it be self catering to give you plenty of freedom to eat out or is an All Inclusive package a better idea as you can budget for the whole holiday cost.

There is plenty of choice.

Falcon is offering Rhodes as a new destination this

year for lovers of all things Greek and is also featuring Ibiza. Book early to get Free Child Places, Free Grandparent Places and One Parent Family Savings.

Sunway have a great choice of destinations and good day time flights. You can secure a holiday with them for just €50 deposit per person or €150 for a family. Their most popular destinations include Turkey, Portugal and Spain.

Camping in France still remains a very popular choice with families and can be great value. Taking the car on the Ferry gives you complete freedom whilst in France and you can always stock up on cheap wine if you have space in the car. You could

fly to Italy and Spain and still have a camping holiday if you don’t fancy sailing.

Cruising has also become hugely popular with families and the Cruise Companies offer great kids facilities, Clubs, Splash Pools, special meals etc to keep them entertained.

There has never been more choice, between the low cost airlines and the regular tour Operators; you can travel all over Europe from Malta to the Canary Islands, Portugal to Turkey, Morocco to the Balearics, Italy and Spain.

As soon as you book, Summer somehow feels closer.

Dee Evans is a Wicklownative and lives in Kilcoole.

16 | FOOD & WINE wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

recipes of the month

Cep mushroom and artichoke risotto

Risotto base: 100grms shallots 1 cloves garlic 500 grams arborio rice 200mls white wine 700 mls chicken stock

Directions

Sweat off the shallots and garlic until soft and add the rice and sweat for one minute. Add the white wine and reduce. Add the stock and cook until the rice is cooked through.

Peter Byrne

Head Chef at Sika Restaurant in The Powerscourt Hotel cream and bring to a boil.

Cook in the oven at 150 for approx 1 hour and strain. Puree till smooth.

Saute the ceps in shallot and garlic. Finish the risotto with the puree and chopped parsley and tarragon.

Arrange the cep mushrooms on top of the risotto.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE PUREE: 1 kg Jerusalem artichoke 100grms shallot 1 cloves garlic Smoked bacon Thyme 500 mls milk 500 mls cream

Directions

Sweat shallots and garlic with the bacon trimmings. Add the artichoke and sweat for a minute. Add the milk and Peter Byrne is Chef de Cuisine at Sika (fomerly Gordon Ramsay) at the Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry. Previously, he worked in Chapter One, The Morrison Hotel, Roly @ The Pavilion and the Killiney Court Hotel.

wine choice Veuve Monsigny Champagne Brut Launched by Aldi before Christmas, this cracking bubbly is available for €19.99 - if you can still get it!

Awarded a silver medal at the International Wine Challenge 2013, it trumped the leading contenders including Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2004 (€169.95).

The bubbly, which is available at Aldi’s 103 Irish stores, was described as ‘classy and complex’ by the judges.

Sesame grilled jumbo prawns with ginger marinated melon

Ingredients

Serves 4

Jumbo Prawns(6/8size) -12pcs (peeled & Deveined) Watermelon - 1/2 (small size) Sesame Seeds(black & white) - 15gms Soya Sauce - 1tbsp Sea Salt - to taste Sesame Oil - 30ml Ginger - 1/2tsp (grated) Coriander -f ew sprigs Lemon - 1

Directions

1. Cut 12 cubes of watermelon and marinate

Sandeep Pandy Head Chef at Glenview Hotel

them in grated ginger for 15mins and later scrap any

large bits of ginger before serving.

2. Marinate Prawns is soya sauce, sesame seeds, chopped coriander, 1/4 lemon juice & 10mlsesame oil 3. Grill the prawns of a hot pan using sesame oil turning and grilled each side for about 3-4mins season with sea salt 4. Arrange cubes of watermelon on the plate and place prawns on top of them 5. Garnish with lemon, few coriander springs and drizzle of some soya sauce & sesame oil

OUTDOOR LIFE | 17

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

wet and windy but work to do Gardening January is the perfect time to start planning ahead for your spring garden. It may be cold, dark and frosty and there are some jobs that need to delayed but there is still lots of things you can do now if you have the time. Getting a head start can make life a lot easier come spring . The good News is that tidying up the garden is great exercise to keep you fit and Healthy.

The first job of the season is to recycle your christmas tree by shredding it for mulch. If you are tired of your garden layout now is a very good time to plan a New garden, decide what you’d like to move and, where and what you are going to plant this year. Snow warning If it snows make sure that you brush snow off your evergreen Hedges, Shrubs and Conifers, as the weight can damage their branches.

Frost warning.

When the lawn is coated in frost stay off it. If you walk on it, later you will have yellow foot prints over the grass. Check stored bulbs and

Vegetables. Make sure that nothing has rotted or dried out.

Any tree pruning that needs to be carried out can be done now, but not the cherry family.

Birds When the ground is frozen it can be difficult for native birds to access food so now is the time when they need a helping hand, provide Fresh food and water regularly during the cold winter months.

Fruit trees Now is a very good time to prune young freestanding Apple and Pear trees, to encourage branching and bushiness from the main stem.

Check tree stakes and ties they may need loosening, replacing, or removing. On trained forms of Apple and Pears tree, the side shoots that were shortened in summer can be reduced in length now to about three buds. The pruning of many deciduous trees, Shrubs and Hedges can be carried out from now throughout the dormant season. It is so much easier to see what you are doing when the branches are bare.Take a walk around the garden and see if anything needs staking to prevent the wind from doing any serious damage.

Flowers If the ground is very wet, not much can be done, but if weather is good, border flowers can be lifted and divided, if plants have become too straggly or over-grown.

Bedding flowers can be started off indoors in a heated propagator now, but it is still too early for most of the easy kinds, such as French marigolds and dahlias.

Eileen Morkan, Geralyn Power and Lucy Burke out for a brisk walk in Wicklow Town.

Trees, Shrubs and Roses If there are gales, check all trees and shrubs planted recently for signs of windrocking, whther staked or not.

If a young tree, a few years planted, has been knocked sideways, but not quite out of the ground, it is sometimes possible to straighten it up.

First dig out the soil under the

right up my street restaurant review Poor old Bray Main Street got an awful hiding recently when it was turned upside down during the recent works to lay new paving.

I must say it’s looking smashing now with freshly planted trees and fancy new paths – although I’m sure it won’t be long before they are covered in chewing gum, just like the old ones.

Why Irish people can’t spit their gum into bins instead of the ground is beyond me…

I recently found myself with the two women in life (my wife and mum) and the two men in my life (my two sons aged 4 and 5), hungry and freezing after a brisk January walk.

Remembering Holland’s on the Main Street had a brand new seven-day menu on offer, we wandered in to a lovely warm welcome and great pint of Guinness (for me).

We were so hungry, the children were almost chewing the legs of the furniture, so it was with great relief that our food arrived promptly.

Although the kids opted for pizza (€10), they practically ate the adults’ starters of seafood chowder (€5.95) and deep-fried

Head chef Simon Boland in the kitchen of Hollands prawns (€7.95.

The boss (missus) opted for a sirloin steak with house fries, salad, onion rings and pepper sauce (€19.95), which arrived perfectly medium rare, while the other boss (mum) went for fish and chips with pea and mint purée, and homemade tartar sauce (€14.95), all of which were delicious.

I opted for the gourmet beef burger with red Cheddar, little gem lettuce, beef tomato, shaved red, onion, black pepper aioli and house fries (€11.95) and boy was it good – a man’s meal if ever there was one!

We washed it all down with a

fantastic bottle of tempranillo which was great value at €21.

It’s difficult to get a good bottle of wine for less than €30 so great credit to Holland’s for being so reasonable – but then again what would you expect when they have their own off licence right next door.

They currently stock over 700 wines, 300 craft beers and a huge selection of niche spirits – many of which are available in the bar itself.

Holland’s of Bray, Main Street, Bray, Co.Wicklow, Ireland, 01-2862448.

GO’N

lifted roots to allow them to fall back into position. Then pull or push the tree back into position and anchor it with three steel wires or cables, or prop it up with three posts.

The lower branches of garden trees can be pruned up to allow light to plants underneath. Rose bushes can be pruned at any time.

Lawn When snow falls, it cushions the grass from damage but stay off when it begins to melt.

If the lawn area has had drainage pipes installed, check if the drain outlets are clear to facilitate the removal of surplus water.

Have the mower overhauled or serviced before the mowing season. Plan to mow when the weather picks up.

Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs To have early new vegetables, you can sow the seed of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce,

peas and onions now, starting them in warm conditions indoors, or in a propagator, and grown on in a greenhouse or tunnel.

Seed potatoes of early varieties can be put into trays in a greenhouse or a window sill indoors to sprout now.

Check on fruit trees to see if they have been rocked by strong winds. Most dwarfing rootstocks have small roots and the stakes will need to be solid.

Check for signs of bullfinch damage to buds and net the trees if necessary.

Lift a few rhubarb stools for forcing in a dark, warm place, or in a black plastic bag.

Greenhouse and House Plants Christmas houseplants — poinsettia, azalea, cyclamen and such like — can be made to last longer if they are given reasonable care now. They will need watering but only just enough to keep them moist, certainly do not leave them standing in water.

Clean dust off the leaves of house plants witha soft cloth and clean lukewarm water.

Water sparingly in the greenhouse for the time being.

18 | PROPERTY

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

We’re a newspaper, not a history paper

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wicklowvoice.ie December 2013

Council edges closer to deal on Florentine Centre BrAy Town Council is believed to be close to buying the proposed site of the Florentine Shopping Centre on Quinsboro road.

A multi-million euro deal is expected to be signed with receivers Grant Thornton before Christmas after it was delayed by technical reasons over the last few weeks.

The Florentine Centre was valued at €100m during the boom and was expected to open its doors its doors to the public in the autumn of 2006.

The plans for almost 100 apartments, 25 retail outlets and 600 parking spaces fell through as the country faced economic collapse.

Although Sean Mulryan’s Ballymore is a NAMA Top 10 developer, the deal is not with NAMA but with the Bank of Scotland (Ireland (BoSI)).

On January 25 of this year, BoSI had Stephen Tennent and Paul McCann of Grant Thornton appointed as receivers of certain assets owned by Florentine Properties Limited,

How the Wicklow Voice broke the story in December edition

In December, the Wicklow O’Brien, Town Manager.

Voice revealed that Bray Town “Finally we can close door Council was on the verge of on the saga the Florentine and buying the site of the proposed take control of our own Town Florentine Shopping Centre – Centre. It is a courageous move Susan Skelton (sewing teacher), Isabella O’Hagan, Layla Ziane (6) at the craft fair in Ravenswell almost two weeks before the madeby everyone School in Bray, where parents everything on display on involved the sewing stand and just deal was sealed. where Sean Mulryan (57) is a Centre shows in May 2004the but stalledcommitment Meanwhile, a numberthe of and a company owned following the threat of legal properties adjacent to the site of The Wicklowdirector, Voice is action management councillors

by Ballymore Ireland Group from a local business in and the proposed Florentine Centre Limited. relation to sewer works. became available and were committed toThe projectbreaking have regaining of was beset by At the time, in a review of the snappedthe up by heart the developers problems from the start and entire project was undertaken at the time. important storiesthethat the site hasaffect been regarded as a andthe Town.

ForHaving me settled daysthe like following feedback from threat hole in the centre of the town a number of possible tenants of legal action, Florentine for almost years. It was it was agreed by the group thatgetting Properties made the decision everyday lives of the 10citizens this make involved originally slated for opening in the scale of the project should not to proceed with the centre 2005. be as extended a to suit the needs of as had been agreed upon in the of the county – Christmas that’s why we public representative Works began on the Florentine the retailers if at all possible. planning permission. regard ourselves as a newspaper worthwhile,” said Fine Gael and not a history hothouse paper.

Cllr Mick Glynn.

The purchase, which saw BTC Delgany, “I must welcome the fact that No 10 Thornbury, €725,000 buy the site off the Main Street the Council has been proactive for €1.95m, has been warmly on this issue andSummary has purchased Asking price: €725,000 drivewaysbeen the welcomed as the saga has been the site which Twohas Fully alarmed Custom finished bathrooms rumbling on since 1991. cause of a 17 year saga which Jacuzzi bath Utility Room “This is a great day for the ripped the heart out of the Fitted Wardrobes throughout fired central heating John town,” said Cathaoirleach Cllr town,” said SinnGas Fein Cllr Wired for surround sound Ample TV, Telephone and Double Tracy O’Brien. “This project Bray. sockets throughout all levels cul-de-sac location supply six months Original hasstatements beenfor allbeset by problems “The timing Quiet ofLiving this news Main Area bank of Reception Room: 18’7” x 11’10” your accounts. start and has been is a great end toPlayroom/Study: the year and 11’11” x 7’9” Iffrom you have the any loans or Kitchen: 16’8” x 11’ credit cards you will need as fora hole in the town hopefully by thisLiving time Area: 27’next x 11’2” year sixregarded months statements No 10 Thornbury is a Utility: 8’8” x 3’6” gas fire on your right and theses as well. detached fiveFirst Floor will have to a the left is a generously Iffor you are renting currently more than 10stunning years.” new development bedroom home set over Bedroom 1: 19’5” x 12’9” proportioned office/playroom you need to make sure your three levels. Comprisingthe 8’2” x 3’7” . the Entrance Hallto brings take Ensuite: rent “I is going through your greatly welcome started shape,” said approximately 2,113 sq/ft, Bedroom 2: 11’6” x 11’1” you towards the rear of the account to your landlord so not including the converted Bedroom 3: 11’1”Grant. x 7’5” house which consists of a the bank can see and you are purchase of this site,” said Des Fianna Fail Cllr David attic space, this unique design Family Bathroom: 8’1” x 7’6” utility room, WC and very not just handing over cash each month.

These are just a couple to the areas that need to be covered. Please feel free to contact me and I will make this process as easy as possible for you.

features all the comforts one would expect from a modern built family home. As the house is set over three levels it comes with the benefits of two driveways for extra private parking. The front door brings you in to the first floor area which provides the main living accommodation for the property, as you enter this floor you have a large family sitting room with sandstone fireplace and

large open plan Kitchen/ Living area.

Thornbury is situated on the periphery of Delgany Village in a cul-de-sac development of just 12 houses. The culde-sac is a quiet and safe area and contains a secure green play area. Viewing is highly recommended of this stunning family home.

Contact Dooley Auctioneers, Delgany, 01 2010300, email: info@dooley.ie.

End of the road for N11 traffic chaos

Hard-pressed Wicklow motorists have received some good news for the New Year when it was announced that the National Roads Authority (NRA) has committed to working with Wicklow County Council to implement measures to address the traffic chaos on the N11.

Commuters have faced long traffic jams at the N11/M50 merge, dangerous queuing backing onto the N11 and the disastrous junction at Kilmacanogue for years now but these issues are one step closer to being resolved after Fine Gael councillors urged the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar to take action.

The issues were raised by Wicklow Councillors Derek Mitchell and John Ryan who met Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar in Dail Eireann before Christmas along with TD’s Andrew Doyle and Simon Harris.

Ground Floor Bedroom 4: 11’5” x 11’2” Bedroom 5: 11’5” x 10’1”

with Brian Cullen

This is a question I get asked almost every day.

There are many different things that you will need to get in order I will go through what I feel are the most important and time consuming.

If we start with your deposit you will need a minimum of 8-10% saved up.

The larger the deposit you have the lower the LTV (Loan to Value) will be and the lower the interest rate we will

be able to get you.

In relation to your employment status you will need to be out of your probationary period in your job.

If you are on a contract it will need to be a long running secure contract.

You will need to have three month’s payslips and your most recent P60 as well as having your accounts department complete a Salary Cert for you.

Your bank accounts will need to be clean with no unpaid Direct Debits or Standing Orders.

You will be required to

Both councillors spoke at length with the minister to explain the issues at play and the potential impact if the NRA continued to ignore the needs of north Wicklow.

In turn, Minister Varadkar raised this when he met the head of the NRA, CEo Fred Barry, where he encouraged him to take action to resolve the issue.

To let: seven-bed home with chaffeur driven Rolls Royce a mere snip at €20k per week

Ask the expert My husband and I are starting to look for a mortgage - what will we need to have?

Aoife Gallanagh, Dillon Nugent (3)and Maeve Gallanagh on Bray Seafront.

In a follow up letter sent from the head of the NRA to the Minister, Mr Barry said he had reactivated the process to find solutions to all the known traffic issues from the Fassaroe Interchange to Kilmacanogue exit.

A number of studies, including two reports the M11/ N11 Merging Study, March 2010, and the M11-N11 Traffic Management Measures – Killarney Road and Fassaroe Interchange Improvements, have been carried out.

In the last six months, Bray Town Council produced a review of the NRA’s 2010 proposals, however, until now, the NRA and the local authority have not successfully engaged.

The NRA will commence the study work early in 2014 and Cllrs Ryan and Mitchell said they “are pleased that Minister Varadkar has got some action within two weeks of our meeting with him”.

supply six months Original bank statements for all of your accounts.

If you have any loans or credit cards you will need six months statements for theses as well.

If you are renting currently you need to make sure your rent is going through your account to your landlord so the bank can see and you are not just handing over cash each month.

These are just a couple to the areas that need to be covered. Please feel free to contact me and I will make this process as easy as possible for you.

We all know that the demand for houses to rent in Wicklow is on the up but unless you have a spare €20k per week you won’t be renting the world-famous Luggala Lodge anytime soon.

Owned by the Guinness family, the Wicklow estate has entertained royalty, rock stars, poets and playwrights throughout the years, including The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

Its most famous tenant of recent years was Michael Jackson who stayed there for nearly 11 weeks with his children in 2006.

The 6,000-acre estate is so secluded that no one knew the world’s biggest superstar was there until after he had left.

The seven-bedroom property comes complete with a Rolls Royce chauffeur driven car and professional cooks as part of the €20,000 a week package.

You’ll even get to sleep in the very bed and room that Michael Jackson slept in while he was there. And if you have a spare €250,000 lying around, Luggala can be yours for up to a year at a time.

Luggala Lodge was built in 1787 for the La Touche family who also gave their name to the hotel in Greystones.

In 1937, Ernest Guinness bought Luggala and gave it as a wedding present to his daughter, Oonagh Guinness, on her marriage to Lord Oranmore and Browne.

Their son, Tara Browne, was killed in a car crash on December 18, 1966 and allegedly became the inspiration for The Beatles’ song A Day In The Life as he was a friend of John Lennon.

His older brothers Garech Browne is an enthusiast of traditional Irish music and helped the founding members of The Chieftains when they began their careers.

Crawfords Auctioneers is the sole agent of the property and Nick Crawford says that many high-profile people have taken up residence there since the

King of Pop stayed.

“Part of the attraction is its privacy,” explained Mr Crawford, but he wouldn’t be drawn on Luggala’s celebrity clientele.

The only thing he would say was that they were usually “internationally successful people.” He also said that the idyllic country hideaway is let out as a result of wordof-mouth among these highprofile people.

“Even though it’s not your typical holiday cottage, there’s already been lots of interest in the estate. It is out of this world,” he told the Herald.

The lodge looks on to Lough Tay and the beach was transformed to film the highly successful The Vikings.

PROPERTY | 19

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

hothouse

Summary

12 Chapel View, Greystones, Co Wicklow, €600,000

Spectacular tranquil setting located only minutes from the towns of Greystones & Delgany Spacious accommodation extends to approx 196 sq.m. (2109 sq. ft).

4 double bedrooms with master bedroom benefiting from an en-suite.

Off street parking for 3 cars.

Converted attic space currently being used as an office space with three velux windows.

An energy efficient home with a B3 BER rating.

Truly spectacular detached family home Being exceptionally well designed and has been finished to a very high standard and incorporates all modern amenities, with the additional benefit of being in a wonderful location. This private home which boasts off-street parking is approached by

a pillared entrance and has a large outside storage space. Chapel View offers spacious accommodation, which briefly consists of large kitchen/living area (with beamed and glass ceiling), television room, second dining area with conservatory extension to side and large living room with feature gas fireplace,

four bedrooms (master ensuite), Office, family bathroom, downstairs W.C, separate utility room and cloakroom. This fine property is surpassed by no other and with an exceptionally convenient location.Viewing is highly recommended. Visit mcgovernestates.ie or contact number is 01-2877088 for more information.

Ample living accommodation including 3 reception rooms and a large kitchen/dining area.

Double glazed throughout with oil fired central heating with all main services provided.

Exceptional finishes throughout including bespoke kitchen extension with vaulted ceilings.

New Year Resolutions You Can Keep

Homes

with Clodagh Doyle

(wicklowvoice@gmail.com) With the greatest intentions in mind, most of us probably made some New Year resolutions and if the truth be known are already guilty of haven broken them.

Setting newly defined goals and changes in our lives is never easy to stick to however sometimes being aware and making small changes can make all the difference. For example, like most, being frustrated by the ever rising expense of gas, oil and electricity, I ask myself - is there anything I can do to reduce our fuel bills?

By simply knowing how to use our energy efficiently and effectively, we can all help reduce our costs, improve our building energy rating (BER) and of course reduce our carbon footprint.

Ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency: • Switch lights off when leaving a room.

• Change energy saving bulbs they cost more but last up to 12 times longer.

• Switch off all power points when not in use.

• Consider switching your provider using the energy cost comparison website uswitch.ie.

• Reduce your laundry and dishwasher cycles to lowest possible temperature.

• Avoid tumble-drying.

• Avoid opening your oven door to often to check your food, as you lose 20 per cent of the accumulated heat. Likewise with your fridge or freezer door.

• Supervise your immersion by installing a timer control .

• Fitting an electricity monitor can track your usage and can provide real-time information on your consumption.

• Fitting an aerated shower head typically uses less hot water.

• Draught-proof windows and doors.

• Replace your glazing will really pay off if you have single or older double glazing.

• Ensure your curtains and blinds are closed.

• Installing thermostats radiator valves, will allow you to adjust the heat output of your individual radiators saving you money.

• Turn off or lower your heating in rooms in your home that are not often used.

• Avoid electric heaters when possible as these work out very expensive to operate.

• Install a lagging jacket. to your existing copper hot water cylinder.

• Upgrade your boiler if it is

more than 12 years old.

• Install radiator reflectors as heat can escape into the walls behind your radiators.

• Fitting a chimney damper is a good idea if you light fires.

• Insulating the attic is relatively inexpensive and simple and is by far the most effective way to increase energy efficiency.

• Increasing wall insulation will greatly reduce the amount of energy being lost.

• Installing solar panels can greatly reduce your water heating costs.

Grants are available from Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland (SEAI) for these panels.

Wicklow has a vast array of reputable companies specialising in many areas of modern effective insulation methods. Remember it is never too late to make new resolutions especially in the fight against rising energy costs – good luck!

Are you thinking about selling or letting your property?

Placelift specialise in getting property ready for the market.

Our aim is to help you sell or let you property in the fastest possible time for the most amount of money. Our one-stop range of affordable services will save you time, stress, energy and money!

Get in touch on 086 815953, 01 25480701 or e-mail us at info@placelift.ie

20 | CLASSIFIEDS

services

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

Fitness| 21

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

fitness 2014

why keeping fit is so important

with Mark Sweeney Physical fitness should be a vital part of everyone’s daily routine, but that doesn’t mean committing to a fitness programme is easy. Staying active costs time and effort.

Without the proper drive and desire, you may not be able to turn an irregular exercise into a

fitness can be challenging. The key is to start slowly and to integrate physical activity into your daily routine.

Improve Health A primary benefit to staying physically fit is improving your body systems’ function. For example, your cardiovascular health improves through a stronger heart, resilient blood vessels and decreased blood pressure. Other health benefits include improved mood and self-confidence, along with increased energy levels. A wellrounded routine that includes aerobic fitness, strength training and flexibility exercises is ideal for improving overall health.

staying active is proper weight management. As you take in calories through healthful eating, physical activity burns calories, allowing you to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. Having a proper weight and body mass index, you’ll be healthier overall and enjoy improved flexibility.

Staying physically fit allows you to burn calories and shed excess body fat. Along with burning calories and body fat, a routine exercise programme helps to boost your metabolic rate, or the speed at which your body burns calories.

As a result, your body starts to burn more calories both at rest and while at work.

Weight Management One of the most tangible and obvious benefits of

Disease Prevention By managing your weight and cholesterol levels through

exercise, you may prevent certain chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, some cancers and heart disease. Exercise helps to lower your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol – which contributes to plaque in the arteries – and raises your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol – which cleans your arteries of LDL cholesterol to improve blood flow. Since overall high blood cholesterol is an earmark for heart disease and stroke, exercise helps to lower your chances of these.

Stronger Immune System One often unknown benefit of staying physically fit is the advantage to your immune system. In short, people who are physically fit are less likely to be affected by sickness, such as the cold and flu, and they have less

severe symptoms when they do get sick.Iindividuals who exercise for at least 45 minutes five times per week are less likely to suffer from respiratory infections, and when they do become ill, they recuperate 25 to 50 per cent faster than those who are not physically active.

Better Quality of Life Your overall quality of life is vastly improved when you stay physically active. Exercise helps relieve stress, improves your self-esteem and confidence and boosts your mood – thanks to the stimulation and release of endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that are released into your system when you exercise.

Staying fit also preserves your quality of life, ensuring that you’re able to stay active and healthy into advancing years.

CLUB

Let’s get the family FIT dad...

01 274 0078 www.fitness.glenviewhotel.com

€39

PER MONTH

Exercise

daily habit.

By understanding the various benefits or advantages of staying physically fit, you may be better motivated to commit to making exercise and physical activity a part of your daily life.

Everyone goes to the gym for different reasons, ranging from strength gains to weight loss.

Whatever your fitness goals, there are additional benefits to staying physically active.

However, you must stay committed to a consistent exercise and fitness routine to maximize your fitness level.

The benefits of physical fitness extend beyond simply looking trim. Stress reduction, increased energy and improved overall health all come with regular exercise.

But moving from a sedentary lifestyle to one of physical

GLENVIEW HEALTH & LEISURE CLUB GLEN O' THE DOWNS DELGANY CO. WICKLOW IRELAND

22 | EXERCISE

wicklowvoice.ie January 2014

Get out and get some exercise

Continued from page 23

your routine wherever possible.

For example, take the stairs instead of the lift, or park farther out in the car park at the supermarket.

Maximise Performance Athletes and other competitors stay physically fit to maximise athletic performance. The sportspecific training programmess include various phases according to playing season, each with the ultimate goal of maximising an athlete’s overall fitness.

To maximise performance and fitness, each phase of the training programmes include exercises and movements that build general physical skills – cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy.

Regular Exercise A sustained regimen of strenuous physical activity is the most effective way to achieve physical fitness.

Aerobic exercise, strength training and flexibility are the three components that make up a complete exercise regimen.

Aerobic exercise improves heart and lung function and includes such activities as running, cycling and stair climbing.

Strength training increases muscle mass; more muscle mass allows the body to burn calories

Turning of the soil for the new €400k extension at Shoreline Leisure in Bray are General Manager Kevin Kelly, Cathaoirleach Tracy O’Brien and Assistant Manager Jamie Begley. Completion of the extension is expected for April 2014. more efficiently.

Stretching exercises, when done properly, safeguard against injuries caused by an aggressive workout.

Sports Individual and team sports add a competitive element to any physical fitness routine. For some people, participating in sports may be more rewarding than a solitary exercise routine like jogging.

High-speed activities provide an intense aerobic exercise.

Sports have the added benefit of focusing the mind and developing coordination between muscle groups.

It’s important, however, not to take the competitive factor too seriously. The desire to win shouldn’t exceed the fun of playing the game.

Diet Proper

nutrition

is

the

foundation of physical fitness.

A balanced diet gives your body the energy to perform exercise and the material to repair damage to muscles and tissues.

A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of adverse health effects like heart disease.

Not to mention the fact that shedding a few pounds will make the task of staying shape a bit easier. A physically fit body will use food for energy rather

storing it away.

Small Changes Don’t expect to begin a full-blown exercise routine overnight. Your body needs time to adjust to a more active lifestyle. Start exercising at a level and pace that you’re comfortable with and gradually build up. Work toward a goal of 30 minutes a day, four days a week of aerobic exercise.

Also, add physical activity to

How to keep going Don’t Break the Habit The easiest way to keep things going is simply not to stop.

Avoid long breaks in exercising or rebuilding the habit will take some effort.

ask yourself what parts you enjoyed and what parts you did not. By focusing on how you can make workouts more enjoyable, you can make sure you want to keep going to the gym.

Commit for 30 Days Make a commitment to go every day (even just for 20 minutes) for one month.

Create a Ritual Your workout routine should become so ingrained that it becomes a ritual. This means that the time of day, place or cue automatically starts you towards grabbing your bag and heading out. .

Make it Fun If you don’t enjoy yourself at the gym, it is going to be hard to keep it a habit. There are thousands of ways you can exercise, so don’t give up if you’ve decided lifting weights or doing crunches isn’t for you.

Schedule During Quiet Hours Don’t put exercise time in a place where it will easily be pushed aside by something more important. Right after work or first thing in the morning are often good places to put it. Lunch-hour workouts might be too easy to skip if work demands start mounting.

Get a Buddy Grab a friend to join you. Having a social aspect to exercising can boost your commitment to the exercise habit.

Enjoyment Before Effort After you finish any work out,

Stress Relief What do you do when you’re stressed? Chances are it isn’t running. But exercise can be a great way to relieve stress, releasing endorphin which will improve your mood. The next time you feel stressed or tired, try doing an exercise you really enjoy.

Measure Fitness Weight isn’t always the best number to track. Increase in muscle can offset decreases in fat so the scale doesn’t change even if your body is. But fitness improvements are a great way to stay motivated. Recording simple numbers such as the number of push-ups, sit-ups or speed you can run can help you see that the exercise is making you stronger and faster.

Join a Club Health club memberships are affordable and offer the use of fitness machines and workout facilities. Many clubs open early and close late, allowing members to work their routines into virtually any schedule.

Additionally, health clubs often employ personal trainers who provide one-on-one motivation and instruction.

Exercising with a group, such as a dance aerobics class, may encourage a more intense workout compared to a solo routine. Consider working out with friends as a way to bolster support.

Mark Sweeney is a qualified physical therapist and a graduate of both UCD and Trinity, holding a Masters in Exercise Physiology and a BSc in Applied Health studies from the Institute of Physical Therapy and Applied Science.

He is the managing director of FitForLife (.ie) and PlayFit (.ie). He is a native of Wicklow and played rugby for Greystones.

news in brief CrossFit under new ownership CrossFit Bray are under new ownership and will be offering a new range of fitness and weight loss programmes including: • CrossFit training • A dedicated Women’s programme • Strength & Conditioning (Endurance Athletes and Field Athletes) • Senior & Corporate Strength • Gymnastics • Olympic lifting • Yoga • Nutrition and Weight Loss The facility offers a strength and conditioning programme for all levels, beginner to advanced competitor athletes, designed to improve overall general physical fitness and strength through a mixture of weightlifting, gymnastics, plyometrics and cardio coupled with nutrition and diet advice.

All classes are capped at 12 people.

For the month of January CrossFit Bray are running a special offer where there will be no sign up fee required to join. Visit www.crossfit bray. com for more information.

Sport| 23

January 2014 wicklowvoice.ie

insideback

with Brian Quigley

Stones flying in All-Ireland League Greystones RFC finished the year in excellent form, sitting in second place in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland Rugby League Division 2B table. January will see Stones taking on Navan RFC away and Thomond away as they seek to sustain their promotion challenge. The 30-23 win at Dr Hickey Park on December 7 against Skerries built on an unbroken series of league wins through October and November over Sligo, Boyne (both at Dr Hickey Park), Suttonians, Instonians and Richmond (all away). Only an opening day reverse against Tullamore at Dr Hickey Park is keeping Stones off the top of the table.

This month will see some schools in our county kick off or finalise preparations for the Beauchamps Leinster Schools Junior and Senior Cups.

Presentation College Bray have a very tough first-round draw, against Clongowes Wood College, while St Gerard’s will face a qualifier in the first round.

These ties will take place the week beginning February 3.

At Senior Cup level none of the county’s sides are automatically in the top-ranking Beauchamps Senior Cup, but we have three sides starting in the secondtier Vinnie Murphy Cup. East Glendalough from Wicklow Town will face Tempelogue College in the first round, with CUS awaiting the victor. St Gerard’s will face CBS Naas while Presentation College Bray will face CBS Wexford with the winner facing St Columba’s.

All these ties will take place the

finals. In other soccer news in the county Greystones United exited the FAI Intermediate Cup in early December when they lost out in the third round to an excellent Mayfield team from Cork. United, who were the last remaining Wicklow side in the competition, can now focus on moving up the table in Senior Division 1A Sunday of the Leinster Senior League.

United’s neighbours Greystones AFC lead the way for Wicklow teams in the LSL, sitting second in Senior Division 1 Sunday (a division that also includes Arklow Town) while Wicklow Rovers will be looking to move up the Senior Division 1B table early in the year.

Yasmin Yau & Amy Kane celebrating a Try, Which brings the Arklow Amazons to top of the league with 27 points. They Play their final game on January 12th at home to Tullamore. Pic: Yvette O Beirne week beginning January 9. phenomena is the fastest- for a child/OAP. The new growing sporting event in the season isn’t too far away and Valiant effort by Fionnuala world and two new ParkRuns Wanderers will be hoping to Kilcoole AC’s Fionnuala have already been announced push on from the heroic end Britton produced an excellent in Leinster for Spring 2014. to the 2013 season which saw performance to finish fourth Ardgillan Castle’s ParkRun them survive relegation from a in the Senior Ladies race at will commence in Skerries in seemingly impossible situation. the European Cross Country February and will be followed This heroic effort has earned championships in Belgrade on later in the spring by one in the Wanderers Inside Back’s December 8. Sophie Durate of Naas. Hopefully it is only a Wicklow Team of the Year France won the race, ahead of matter of time before Wicklow award for 2013. Wanderers GB’s Gemma Steel and Ana hosts its own version of this will probably promote some of Felix of Portugal. Such is the event. We suggested a few their U19 squad to the first team strength of competition at this locations back in November – squad for the new campaign. level that a matter of seconds is any ideas for other possibilities? The U19’s continued their solid all that separated Fionnuala from performance this season with a medal. For her outstanding Wanderers look to future draws away to UCD and Athlone achievements throughout last Bray Wanderers season tickets in December, a month which year, Fionnuala is Inside Back’s are currently on sale for the also saw them lose narrowly Wicklow sportsperson of 2013.

2014 season and are very to high-flying Waterford in the As reported in our November reasonably priced at just €99 league and to holders Cork in edition, the ParkRun for an adult and €49 euros the Enda McGuill Cup quarter

Joyce helps Ireland to treble Ed Joyce from Bray was part of the Ireland cricket team that won the ICC Intercontinental Cup Final against Afghanistan at the ICC Academy in Dubai between December 10-13. The win followed quickly after Ireland’s win at the Qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Twenty20 Championships in the UAE and was Ireland’s 3rd trophy of the year. We are actually the only cricket nation ever to win three tournaments in one calendar year!

The Intercontinental Cup is a cricket tournament organised by the ICC as part of its cricket development programme. It allows Associate Members to play test-match cricket with a view to eventual promotion to full test-match status.

Currently only England, South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka,

Bangledesh, Pakistan, New Zealand, India, Zimbabwe and the West Indies have full test status. Test cricket is the longest form of the game (Twenty20 and one-day cricket are the other formats). Given that Ireland have now won the Intercontinental Cup more times than anyone else (four) it is surely only a matter of time before the Blarney Army are granted a seat at cricket’s top table.

Chess club make right moves If cricket can be viewed as a game of tactics and battle strategy on a full-size pitch, chess is surely a relation but on a smaller scale. Bray/ Greystones Chess Club’s first team finished the year in style with a 3-5 win at Balbriggan on December 7 to lie third in Division 1 (Armstrong Cup) of the Leinster Chess Union’s Chess League.

The club have notched up four wins from five rounds of the league with John Joyce contributing four wins from his five matches.

Bray man John is a former Ireland U19 Chess champion and was also Leinster Chess champion in 2011.

He is also the older brother of current international cricketers Isobel, Cecelia and Ed. Wicklow Town have a team in the Division 6 Bodley Cup Group B and are currently second in the table with an excellent chance of moving up to Division 5 (BEA Cup) status.

We wish all the county’s chess teams every success in 2014.

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wicklowvoice.ie January 2014