Lucan News 17.12.20 by Newsgroup

17th December 2020

92% OF COMPLAINTS MADE BY Tallaght Stone Centre headstones crafted for all cemeteries PARENTS ABOUT ASSESSMENT Tel: (01) 462 6200 Fax: (01) 462 6209 OF NEEDS WERE UPHELD email: info@tallaghtstonecentre.ie web: tallaghtstonecentre.ie

TD for Dublin Mid West, Mark Ward has called on urgent measures to be put in place to allow children access and assessment of needs in a timely manner.

Teachta Ward who is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Children, Disability. Equality and Integration is responding to a parliamentary question that of the 691 investigations into complaints 634 were upheld this year. Teachta Ward said “Over the last two

weeks we have heard witness testimonies at the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Children, Disability. Equality and Integration how children are being left behind by the state in trying to get an assessment of needs. “An assessment of needs is a gateway to determine what other services or supports a child will need to assist with their development. According to the Disability Act 2005 a child must have an assessment of needs

commenced within 3 months and completed within 6 months of applying. “This is not happening, with many children waiting years. The Children’s Ombudsman at the Committee said that this is just an old fashioned three card trick, with children being moved from list to list without getting the services they need. “I asked the Minister for Health the number of parents that have put in a complaint that their child did not

receive an assessment of needs in a timely manner; the number upheld in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the response was a damning indictment of the system. “Since 2016 there have been 1000s of complaints made by parents with the vast majority upheld. This year to date there has been 691 investigations into complaints with 634 of these upheld this year “That figure equates to 92% of complaints made by parents were upheld. In a modern society this is unacceptable and needs to be addressed immediately. “Significant delays in the Assessment of Need process and that this places significant strain on families and ultimately leads to lost opportunities for children.

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IRISH CANCER SOCIETY COMMEMORATES 9000 LIVES LOST This Christmas, the Irish Cancer Society is urging people to remember and pay tribute to those affected by cancer in 2020, including the 9,000 people who lost their lives. Recently, the Society lit up 9,000 lights on its Christmas tree to commemorate all those who passed away, and to show support for the 44,000* people who received a cancer diagnosis in 2020. In a moving closed ceremony, the lights were turned on by the Kinsella family from Walkinstown in Dublin whose beloved Robert (father/husband/ grandfather) died from

oesophageal cancer in August. Sandra Kinsella spoke of the incredible support her family received from the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service during her father’s final days.“When Annemarie, our Night Nurse, knocked on the front door of our family home that dark night, everything quickly changed for the better. After almost four months of caring for our Dad at home, both day and night, my mam, sister and I were pretty much burnt out,” she said. “What Annemarie created – despite the sadness – was a special and reassuring place, somewhere you knew

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everything would be okay and it made us so incredibly happy to watch Annemarie treat our Dad with so much dignity. “When our beautiful, charming dad passed away, it was a truly heart-breaking experience. But it was something that brought a lot of comfort too, because he died peacefully, in his own bed, surrounded by 11 members of his adoring family. His dying wish was to spend his final days in his beloved home of 80 years. A wish that came true, thanks to the support of the Irish Cancer Society Night Nursing service.” Conor King, Irish Cancer Society’s Acting CEO said “As 2020 draws to a close, we reflect on what has been an extremely difficult year for cancer patients and their families. It has been a year where cancer patients were forced to stay apart from friends and family when they badly needed emotional support, where treatment plans were changed and patients attended appointments alone. “We remember

the 9,000 people, that’s 25 people every day, who died from cancer, and pay tribute to all those who heard the words ‘you have cancer’ this year. “Although this has been an unprecedented year for the cancer community in Ireland, with thanks to the

continued generosity of the Irish public, we have been able to continue to provide vital services to cancer patients, when they need it most. Ensuring that nobody in Ireland has to face cancer alone.” The Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line is available

to help anyone affected by or with a concern about cancer. Contact on Freephone 1800 200 700 or email supportline@ irishcancer.ie. To learn more about how you can support cancer patients across Ireland, visit www.cancer.ie.

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CLONDALKIN LEISURE CENTRE TO RECEIVE FUNDING BOOST Sport Ireland recently announced €2.5 million funding package for swimming pool operators across the country and over €13,000 for Clondalkin Leisure Centre. The changing environment of restrictions has resulted in uncertainty and difficulty in planning for swimming pool operators. The Government has responded by providing new funds to support them through these changes. “This new funding will provide relief for swimming

pool operators nationwide who have been severely hit by the pandemic, including our own local pool here in Clondalkin. I’m glad that our Clondalkin Leisure Centre will receive over €13,000 in extra support,” said Kenneth Egan , Fine Gael Councillor for Clondalkin. “It is important that we keep people active and provide them with a safe outlet for exercise. Local people of all ages regularly use the pool in Clondalkin , and for many swimming is vital for their physical

and mental wellbeing,” continued Egan.

Local T.D. Emer Higgins said: “Cllr. Egan and I worked hard together during the summer to ensure that Clondalkin swimming pool was reopened despite their economic situation. These much needed government

funds will go a long way to helping the team at Clondalkin Leisure Centre continue to provide safe and essential services during this tough period and will help them prepare for a return to swimming classes once the restrictions reduce. Construction works are continuing at the Lucan

Swimming Pool site, and we’re all looking forward to seeing it open next year.”

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy, said: “The 2019 Irish Sports Monitor highlighted that swimming is the secondhighest participation sport among adults in Ireland

with almost 300,000 adults swimming each week in the country’s 400 swimming pools and leisure centres. Swimming pools provide a vital resource for clubs and communities across the country. This investment will help to sustain swimming and maintain high physical activity levels.”

DUBLINER RAISING FUNDS

75 year old Joe O’Reilly is raising funds for three charities. The Dublin native has always loved art and has been painting and sketching for many years. Joe is selling prints of his work with 50% of the proceeds going to three charities Alone, Aware and Aoibheann’s Pink Tie. Joe commented “ I have always love art

and sketching. Recently I decided I wanted to raise funds for some of the charities that are close to my heart.” To date Joe has raised over €2000. Prints are €18 each or three for €40, you can choose your preferred charity when purchasing. To purchase or for more information see facebook. com/joesartforcharity

The Big all-inclusive wedding sale offer for selected dates in 2021 & 2022 contact Eimear today on 0402 26200 l www.arklowbay.com l email: weddingsandevents@arklowbay.com

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RATHCOOLE EDUCATE TOGETHER RECEIVES AMAZON DONATION A recently opened primary school in South Dublin has received a donation of €10,000 from the team at Amazon’s new delivery station in Rathcoole. Rathcoole Educate Together National School (ETNS) is a state-funded primary school with an ethos based on equality and democracy. Open to children of all backgrounds, the school is co-educational and takes a child-centred approach to teaching. The school is temporarily based in Saggart whilst it awaits its new building in Rathcoole village. The school received

the donation as part of the “Amazon in the Community” programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations. Rathcoole ETNS opened its doors in September with an aim to create a learning environment that is safe, inclusive, engaging and holistic for its pupils.

The staff see the benefit of children being outdoors as much as possible and have created a beautiful garden area for the pupils to play and learn. The donation from Amazon has been used to purchase

construction material for the school’s garden area and two coding robots, which will help the pupils learn early STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills.

supporting communities during COVID-19. Amazon’s recently opened delivery station in Dublin has created more than 20 permanent jobs at the 6,500 square metre site in Rathcoole.

Commenting on the donation, Sarah Jane Heffernan, Delivery Station Manager at Amazon in Rathcoole, said: “We are delighted to have opened our first delivery station in Dublin where Amazon’s 20+ years of operational expertise, technology advancements and investment in transportation infrastructure is enabling faster delivery for customers than ever before, seven days a week. We are pleased to make this donation to our new neighbours at Rathcoole ETNS and support their wholesome approach to learning. It’s a fantastic school that offers the best possible start in life for young boys and girls in South Dublin.”

Amazon in Dublin is working with ten independent delivery companies to provide the fast and reliable delivery Amazon customers love and trust. They have hired more than 150 drivers who will collect parcels from the delivery station and deliver them to Amazon customers in Dublin and the surrounding area.

Gemma Maher, Principal of Rathcoole ETNS, added: “We are excited to receive this donation and would like to extend a huge thank you to Sarah Jane and the rest of the Amazon team. The donation will help us to implement our hands-on curriculum and to source new learning and play materials for our pupils.” Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is

Earlier this year, Amazon announced it was creating another 1,000 permanent jobs in Ireland over the next two years. The new, highly skilled roles will be based in locations across the company’s Cork and Dublin sites in Blanchardstown, Tallaght, the city centre, and north County Dublin, and will bring Amazon’s total permanent workforce in the country to 5,000 people over the next two years. This will help to support Ireland’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. Rathcoole ETNS is an equality-based, coeducational, child-centred and democratically run national school. To find out more about Educate Together and its unique model of education, visit www.educatetogether.ie

Cllr. Charlie O’Connor PC Living in Tallaght ...Working for Tallaght

Wishing all my Constituents Health, Happiness and Peace for Christmas & the New Year email charlie.oconnorff@gmail.com mobile 087 2982079 The Fianna Fail Team is Barry Andrews M.E.P, John Lahart TD, Cllrs Yvonne Collins, Teresa Costello, Emma Murphy, Charlie O’Connor & Deirdre O’Donovan

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HINDSIGHT IS 2020 AT RUA RED

From the 11th December to the 24th of January Hindsight is 2020 comes to Rua Red in Tallaght. 2020 was a year like no other. It took away freedom of movement but provided time to stop and reflect, it curbed emotions and touch but made every human interaction valued. It created fear and anxiety but brought consideration and care. It quietened voices through masks but made demonstrations stronger. Not only was 2020 the year of the pandemic, it was also the year when

George Floyd was brutally murdered and people turned out on mass to fight for justice and equality. It was the year when forest fires ravaged land and lives and Greta Thunberg echoed her generation’s anger on future devastation unless ways are changed. 2020 was also the year that Donald Trump fell, a toxic time of corruption, injustice and racism ended.

Hindsight is 2020 is an exploration of the events and impact of 2020 through the work of 36 artists selected from

an open call out. The title ‘Hindsight is 2020’ is taken from a phrase which is used to describe how clarity of a situation is gained from looking back on it from a vantage point. The selection panel for this year’s exhibition is Ella Bertilsson (Artist, Rua Red Studio), Donal Maguire (Curator, National Gallery of Ireland), Sophie Spisser (Erasmus + Intern), Maolíosa Boyle (Executive Director, Rua Red) and Hugh Mc Carthy (Senior Technician, Rua Red)

At a recent South Dublin County Council meeting local Councillor Charlie O’Connor asked the following question “To ask the Chief Executive for an update in relation to the Voids Stimulus Programme which was the subject of significant funding from the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government; will he give details in respect of each electoral areas?” The reply detailed the following “Final claims have now been submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) by this Council in respect of the Government’s July 2020 Voids Stimulus Programme in the total sum of €2,416,386 in respect of 219 vacant homes that have been refurbished and are allocated. These properties are located by electoral area

Augustine O’Donoghue, Stand up, fight back, 2020

Your Clon Green V d o Sagg alkin, R ice in athc art a oo nd N ewca le, stle

Cllr. Peter Kavanagh Wishes You and Yours a Peaceful and Happy Christmas Nollaig mhór mhaith dhaoibh go léir agus athbhliain faoi mhaise!

PETER

KAVANAGH People, Planet, Prosperity

email: pkavanagh@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie

VOIDS STIMULUS PROGRAMME UPDATE

twitter: @TheKavOfficial

as follows: Clondalkin 25, Palmerstown/ Fonthill 49, Lucan 11, Tallaght South 98, Tallaght Central 22, Rathfarnham / Templeogue 10 and Firhouse / Bohernabreena 4. Twenty-one additional properties provisionally included in the July Stimulus Voids programme approval that are not in the final claim are being covered through alternative funding mechanisms (e.g. 11 units of Traveller accommodation) or could not be completed/ allocated within the specified deadline (18 homes for which it was not possible to procure and/or complete the works during the period required). The July Stimulus voids funding supplements additional claims due in the sum of approximately €413k for refurbishment works to other vacant properties in the County this year.”

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CHRISTMAS CHEER AT PEAMOUNT HEALTHCARE Peamount facilities and maintenance team bring some Christmas cheer to the Newcastle facility. The sleigh was built using some obsolete equipment and materials at very little cost by Peamount Facilities & Maintenance staff. This dedicated team has given much of their own time to bring Christmas joy to the residents, patients and staff. The sleigh will be on show on campus and will be part of Peamount’s Christmas Wonderland & Light up Peamount. Peamount

Campus and grounds are very conducive to bring Christmas cheer in a safe manner. They look forward to bringing a smile back onto the faces of resident’s, patients and staff.

Shona Schneemann CEO of Peamount commented “Given the ageing demographic and the vulnerability of residents, keeping the campus COVID-19 free and protecting residents from the adverse outcomes associated with this pandemic has been a priority. To date we have

managed to do this, with very few outbreaks on the campus and low mortality. This has been achieved by strict adherence to public health guidelines and the efforts and resilience of residents, staff and families. National restrictions resulted in the necessary closure of Day Services for extended periods, restrictions on family visits and curtailment of other important social support networks. At Peamount Healthcare, we are very mindful of the fact that social isolation comes with its own health risks, including loneliness, depression and anxiety and efforts have been made to provide contact with family and friends through patio visits and using iPad and other technologies. The festive season has provided the opportunity to look at innovative ways to support Patients and Residents in Peamount to celebrate and make this a season of joy and happiness”. “Christmas will be “tough” this year and is unlikely

to be a traditional family type celebration that service users at Peamount Healthcare have known in past years. The Christmas Wonderland has created a sense of hope, has given service users, and staff something to look forward to. Peamount Healthcare has transformed the

campus into a Christmas wonderland to help lighten the mood and create a sense of tradition using festive lighting and various Christmas scenes. Service users will be supported by staff to continue to experience the wonders of Christmas, with planned walks and

visits to the various pop up Christmas scenes on campus and within the Health & Wellness Centre (Hub) keeping the traditions of community togetherness alive, while maintaining social distancing, and bringing some holiday magic to everyone” concluded Shona Schneemann.

COUNCILLOR BLASTS COUNCIL ON TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION A local councillor has blasted South Dublin County Council on the lack of progress of traveller accommodation in the county. Cllr Madeleine

Johansson (People Before Profit) made the comments following revelations that the council had not drawn down any funding for

traveller accommodation in 2020 by October. The figures which were released in October by the Department of Housing showed that several local authorities had drawn down zero funding this year. Cllr Johansson commented: “The constant underspend on traveller specific accommodation shows the complete lack of will on behalf of council management and the ruling group in the council. “We were presented with a Traveller Accommodation Programme in July 2019 which was more or less the exact same programme as the one 5 years prior. When challenging it at the meeting, and requesting that the issue was deferred to allow for further discussion, I was told by the Fine Gale Mayor that we were not allowed to make amendments or defer the issue. “It is very clear that the ruling group of Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party have no interest in providing decent, safe accommodation for traveller families in South Dublin. The new figures for 2020 spending confirm this. I’m calling on South Dublin County Council and councillors to revise the Traveller Accommodation Plan and to fast-track all current proposals.”

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WOODLANDS GROUP ARE DISAPPOINTED AT AN BORD PLEANALA APPROVAL

The Four Districts Woodlands Group are disappointed at An Bord Pleanala approval of Romeville Development adjacent to Woodlands in Rathcoole. As per statement on the Four Districts Woodlands Group facebook the group says “An Bord Pleanala (ABP) granted permission for 204 residential units on a site adjacent to the Woodland. The ABP Inspector’s

report acknowledged a submission noting an area of the woodland habitat corresponding to ‘Priority Annex 1 Habitat to 91EO Alluvial Forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior as listed under the EU Habitats Directive.

However, it was noted that the Woodland is not in a Special Area of Conservation, and therefore an Appropriate Assessment

is not required. South Dublin County Council also listed the submission and made no further comment”. The statement continued “We hope that the development of this site adjoining the Woodland will not adversely affect its integrity. Despite referring to submissions noting discrepancies in the identification of streams, referencing springs, and

noting that most of the rainfall flows overland with little going to groundwater, no connection was made to the Alluvial habitat. Alluvial habitat is water dependent and occurs where there is periodic flooding or wet conditions”. The Decision date is 12/11/2020 and can

be the subject of a judicial review within 8 weeks of the decision. Pleanála: 307698: Site located to the east of Stoney Hill Road and comprising an existing undeveloped portion of the Peyton Residential Estate located to the west of the existing roundabout

north of Stoney Hill Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. For more information see http://www.pleanala.ie/ documents/directions/307/ S307698.pdf To follow the campaign see facebook.com/ FourDistrictsWoodland

TWENTY2ZERO CAMPAIGN IS LAUNCHED

ARTISTS ALLOWED TO PRACTICE IN PODS

Dancers and performing artists are now allowed to practice in pods of one under Level 3 restrictions, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins received confirmation in the Dáil recently that while dance studios are closed at Level 3, they can provide facilities for use in individual dance practice or dance training at a safe distance of at least two metres.

Deputy Higgins said: “I am delighted that children and adults who dance will now be treated equally to those who play sport. “Dancers up and down the country deserve the right to practice too, they are also athletes. “Not every child or adult is sporty; a kick dance is as important as a karate kick and speech and drama is as important as soccer and drills. “Before this important clarification, this Government was sending the message

that the hobbies of children who dance or perform simply weren’t as important as children who play sport. “That couldn’t be further from the values or the truth that this Government holds dear. “We now have equality and fairness. We need to give dancers back the feeling of the rhythm of our national Irish dance in their feet, feeling the buzz of modern dance and the elegance of ballet in their spirit. Deputy Higgins concluded: “This was a huge issue for dancers, especially those preparing for dance, music and drama exams. “They need this outlet now more than ever. Studios and facilities around the country will ensure the highest levels of sanitization, mask wearing and strictest adherence to protocols such as staggered arrivals so that people can get back to dancing and performing in pods of one.”

Angeline Collins Driver, Founder of Ohana ZERO suicide with Sports and TV personalities Bernard Jackman, Sarah Torrans, Tania Rosser, Brendan Maher, Lauren Magee, Alan Quinlan and Peter Finn, pictured at the launch of Ohana ZERO suicide’s Twenty2Zero campaign. Ohana Zero suicide is an Irish suicide prevention initiative with a goal to reduce the suicide rate in the country by promoting, protecting and preserving life. Picture: Dan Sheridan.

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SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL’S SHOPFRONT GRANT SCHEME

South Dublin County Council’s Shopfront Grant Scheme is intended to improve the appearance of local shops by providing funding for a facelift or overhaul of a shopfront. This could include something as simple as painting the front of a shop, to replacing the entire shopfront. These improvements can make a streetscape a more attractive and inviting place in which to shop and do business. The scheme is open to independently owned shops fronting onto public streets within South Dublin County Council’s administrative area. The now annual scheme offers grants up to a maximum of 50% of overall approved costs for improvement works and over 45 shops within the county have availed of this funding to improve the look of their premises since the scheme was launched a number of years ago. The Temple Hair & Beauty Lounge in Templeogue Village applied to the scheme in 2019. “The salon underwent a revamp including a facelift to the exterior of the premises”, said Gerri Corrigan, Creative Director and owner of the salon. “This was possible with the generous Shopfront grant scheme offered by South Dublin County Council. The staff at SDCC were most helpful and always available to answer any of our questions. The team at the salon were all involved in the decision-making process and many brainstorming sessions were held to develop ideas, new logos and overall brand strategy. Once we had agreed our design, we invited various companies to quote for the work. We would encourage

people to shop around as quotes can vary. Once the work was completed, we submitted the requested paperwork, designs, before and after photographs to SDCC. It was very straightforward and simple process with decisions made in a very timely manner and our grant payment was received without delay.”

canopies which are complementary to the shopfront and building, or the provision of accessibility features such as ramps or an automated door. Whatever works are being planned, there are some basic principles of good design that can be applied and we can provide a free design guide to help shopkeepers navigate through this process.”

“Grants are available for many different types of jobs”, said Ralph McGarry of South Dublin County Council. “We’ll consider applications for painting the shopfront in carefully selected colours, replacing an existing shopfront with a traditional or contemporary design, to replacing signage. Funding is also available for the provision of awnings or

The scheme also encourages applications from a parade of shops and funding is available for the painting of each shop. The parade of shops at Rathcoole Shopping Centre successfully completed their transformation works recently with support funding through the grant. In order to be considered for a Shopfront Grant business owners/operators of independently owned shops fronting public streets must complete an application form, take colour photographs of the shop before renovations have started, and e-mail both to econdev@sdublincoco.ie or post to the County Promotion Unit, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24. A copy of the terms and conditions is also available online or on request. If an application is deemed appropriate the applicant will be informed and work may start. Payment of grant is made upon completion of works and final inspection by South Dublin County Council. “We would encourage all business owners to get involved in this initiative,” said Gerri, “as an improved streetscape encourages more footfall through all our doors.”

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ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL FOR HOUSING AND CHILD AND FAMILY CENTRE

Sinn Féin Councillors on South Dublin County Council supported a proposal to defer a decision on the proposed housing development at LindisfarneMelrose in Clondalkin for four weeks at the recent December Council meeting. Cllr William Carey said that the “Managers proposal was not the best use of this land.” The Clondalkin Councillor called on other Councillors to ‘support the alternative proposal.” Cllr Carey said: “On Monday December 14th, South Dublin County Council considered the Housing Managers report on the proposed housing development on land between Lindisfarne and Melrose. This proposal runs in parallel with the proposed Child and Family Centre on the same land.” According to Cllr Carey “The Managers proposal was to reduce the number of homes from 29 to 20. The decision on the location of the Child and Family Centre was not discussed and no decision on this has

been made to date. ‘The local Councillors were not satisfied with the Managers report and supported a four week deferral of a decision on this matter to secure further changes. The Councillor continued “We believe that the 29 homes and the Child and Family Centre should be moved across the road to Canal Park. We also feel that the land between Lindisfarne and Melrose could take up to 15 dormer bungalows for local older people who want to downsize, freeing up a further 15 larger family homes for those on the housing list”. “Our proposal would see a significant increase in the total number of new social homes while maintaining a significant portion of the green space between Lindisfarne and Melrose. We will meet with Council management this week to discuss our views. We are urging other Councillors to support our alternative proposal” concluded Cllr William Carey.

CLOVERHILL CHRISTMAS WREATH PROJECT

The students of the Cloverhill Education Centre have spent four weeks making over 100 Christmas Wreaths as a donation to three local nursing homes in Lucan. The project is a collaboration with the community of Lucan and Lucan Garda Station. A community appeal was launched for donations for the residents of 3 local nursing homes. After a very sad and lonely year for many residents a local project emerged to try bring some joy to their Christmas. The students of Cloverhill Education Centre were informed and more than willing to help. From one residential institution to another, the students can relate to many feelings that have occurred over the last year. Limited

visits, limited access and video calls have become the norm for nursing homes and prisons. Noelle O’Neill, Teacher, suggested making Christmas wreaths and the project was born. One student, Sean, led the project as part of his Gaisce Bronze award. Many students made a Christmas wreath over the weeks. Each wreath is different and individually wrapped. The project was supported by Head Teacher Michael Roddy and Governor Harris. Lucan Community Garda Noreen Barrett came to collect the donation on Friday 11th December and they delivered the donation over the next few days.

Pictured Teachers Noelle O’Neill and Caitríona McGrath, Governor Tony Harris, Lucan Community Gardaí, Chief Officer Dave Mulligan and School Officer Ian Durnin.

MACARI'S TAKE AWAY

Old Bawn Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin24

Christmas & New Year Opening Hours ● Sun. 20th Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm ● Mon. 21st Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm ● Tues. 22nd Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm ● Wed. 23rd Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm ● Thurs. 24th Dec. 12.00pm to 9.00pm ● Fri. 25th Dec. CLOSED ● Sat. 26th Dec. CLOSED Merry Christm as ● Sun. 27th Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm & A Happy N ● Mon. 28th Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm ew ● Tues. 29th Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm Year To All O f ● Wed. 30th Dec. 3.00pm to 11.00pm Our Customer ● Thurs. 31st Dec. 12.00pm to 9.00pm s ● Fri. 1st Jan. 4.00pm to 11.00pm ● Sat. 2nd Jan. 4.00pm to 12.00am ● Sun. 3rd Jan. NORMAL OPEN HOURS RESUME

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CELINES FLOWERS & GIFTS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS In December 1990 Celine Keane opened her flower business in Village Green in Tallaght. Celine commented “I opened my doors in Village green on the 15th of December 1990 the same year The Square opened their doors and all the hype locally was about The Square. They were challenging times! I was determined to make my business work. I worked long hours and always paid attention to excellent customer service and a quality product which I think attributes for my flower business surviving in Village Green for the past three decades”.

In the last 30 years, the running of the business has changed, Celine added “I have seen a lot of changes in how I have run my business. In the 90s there was no internet and social media so you relied on footfall and word of mouth. Then in the dot com era I set up my first website www. irishflowershops.com I would say it is only in the past 10 years there has been a steady growth with online sales and especially in 2020 when internet sales have really grown. Earlier this year I launched www.weddingflowers.ie and with the wedding business virtually nonexistent, hopefully 2021 will see couples celebrating their weddings again.” Celine continued “2020 has probably been my most challenging year of the 30 years of Celines Flowers & Gifts in Village Green

I was forced to close my doors in March. At first we all thought Covid-19 would blow over in a few weeks and unfortunately this was not the case. With a heavy heart I have made the decision not to reopen my doors this Christmas.

I worry about bringing the virus home to more vulnerable members of my family and one thing 2020 has taught me is ‘Never take anything for granted and appreciate in life is life its self’ Hopefully when we all get the vaccine sometime very soon I can come back to retail as I miss the interaction and banter with customers. Since March 2020 I have been working from my studio at home and customers can call me or order online for our delivery service. To receive a flower gift by delivery is special when they are least expecting it. I will continue to offer a delivery only service over Christmas and hopefully 2021 I will be back in retail enjoying the chats with customers and full service can return.” “Every Friday for the past 2 months I have been gifting 5 random people a bouquet in Tallaght and the only catch is you have to regift the bouquet to someone. The reaction has been phenomenal. Joe Duffy live line interviewed me when he heard what I was doing and asked me why? To that I said “people need a lift in these dark times and it is my little way to make 10

people smile each week”. To date I have gifted for free 50 bouquets so that should be 100 people who have smiled and spread a pandemic of kindness around Tallaght. I would like to thank all my customers for their continued custom and wish everyone a safe Christmas. And to all those families who lost loved ones in 2020 my thoughts and prayers are with you”, Celine concluded.

For more info rmation visit www.irishflow er shops.com or www.weddingflowers.ie

To order you ca n call 01 452 or whatsapp 00 72 353868934893 72 .

IRISH FLOWER SHOPS

Order Your Christmas Flowers Today ! We Are Delivering

ur We Would Like To Wish O as And Customers A Happy Christm A Peaceful New Year Call 01 452 72 72 www.irishflowershops.com

Celines Flowers & Gifts, Unit 1/2, Block One Village Green Shopping Centre, Old Bawn Road, Dublin 24 D24 EC83

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CLONDALKIN & LUCAN ARTWORKS ARE TEXACO CALENDAR CHOICE

Two prizewinning artworks, entered by Dublin students Siìobhra O’Reardon Farrell and Sara Jagodzinska, are amongst 13 artworks selected from the archives to illustrate the 2021 Texaco Children’s Art Competition Calendar just published. Amongst artworks drawn from the past 16 years of the Competition, Siìobhra won third prize in the 12-13 years age category

for her portrait of Blur frontman ‘Damon Albarn’ in the 60th year of the Competition, held in 2014, as a pupil at Colaìiste Briìde, Clondalkin.

Siìobhra went on to achieve further success the following year, winning a special merit award for her portrait of Noel Gallagher, again in the 12-13 years age category of the Competition. Having fostered an interest in

art from a young age, Síobhra completed her Leaving Certificate last year and is now continuing to develop her artistic skills as a student of Costume and Design at Inchicore College of Further Education. Sara won third prize in the 9-11 years age category for her work entitled ‘Midnight Swim!’ in the 64th year of the Competition, held in 2018, as a pupil at Scoil Mhuire National School, Lucan. Appearing in the Calendar during the months of February and December respectively, Siìobhra and Sara’s works will be seen in thousands of homes

throughout Ireland during the coming year.

Commenting, a Competition adjudicator said that the artworks “perfectly reflect the artistic talent and creativity that many young people in Ireland possess and the essential role schools play by encouraging and inspiring their students through art education”. Calendars are currently available through a select number of Texaco service stations and Texaco branded distributors countrywide and through Texoil, Valero’s own home heating oil division.

TWO ENTREPRENEURIAL LUCAN STUDENTS MAKE THE MOST OF A COVID CHRISTMAS Two fifth year students Hannah O’Reilly and Kaytlyn Monaghan from Lucan Community College lost their part time jobs due to Covid. Looking for an opportunity to earn some income, they have joined together to market beautiful and affordable wooden snowmen, reindeer food treats and marshmallows. Kaytlyn’s Dad is a woodturner and he shapes the snowmen and the girls do decoration and sales and marketing. The snowmen are available in two styles – wood turned and wood sliced versions. The snowmen can be personalised with names or messages. Two other products that the girls are

promoting are sweet treats, Reindeer food and Reindeer hot chocolate with marshmallows. For more information visit their facebook page ‘A Covid Christmas’ or Instagram ‘A Covid Christmas’.

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WIN A CORPORATE VIDEO PACKAGE WORTH €5K

Arc Studios, an awardwinning visual advertising agency, is offering all businesses (local and national), charities, organisations and small firms etc. the chance to win an award-winning corporate video package worth €5,000. Entry, by donation of €200, will give businesses the opportunity to win this incredible package whilst raising much-needed funds for BUMBLEance, The Children’s National Ambulance Service. ARC studios, established by husband and wife team Aisling and Colm Kerr, are famed for their portfolio of photography and commercial videos with high profile clients including Centre Parcs Ireland, 5 star resorts such as K Club, Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle, United Airlines, food and

fashion brand photography, construction and much more. With over 30+ years’ experience, Creative Director Colm is an awardwinning videographer with the IPPVA and has won many awards for his architecture, fine art and commercial photography. Aisling Kerr, CEO of ARC Studios, says: “At ARC Studios we are mindful of the Covid-19 pandemic and the affect and toll this has taken on many businesses across Ireland. We appreciate marketing your business can be costly, be it for a charity, local café, restaurant or bar, perhaps a hairdressers or barber shop, retail, a financial institution or a start-up etc. In turn, we are also wholly committed to our community and fundraising to support the valuable work BUMBLEance does for

children and families across Ireland. As business owners ourselves and as parents to two young children, we are delighted to be in a position to use our services to give back to businesses in these uncertain times, whilst also helping families of sick children by donating 100% of the proceeds of this fundraiser. With the year that is in it, and with many businesses forced to forgo the annual Christmas party and corporate gifts, perhaps it’s time to invest in your own business.” BUMBLEance is the official Children’s National Ambulance Service of Ireland, providing safe and comfortable transportation for Ireland’s youngest patients as they travel between their homes and hospitals, hospices, treatment centres and respite centres nationwide.

Chris McCarthy (bumbleance driver), Veronica (mum), Shaye (4), Jayce (5), Freya (11), Carly (12)

BRADY’S FIELD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT UPDATE At the recent Tallaght area committee meeting, local rep Charlie O’Connor requested an update on the approved housing development at Brady’s Field, Old Bawn Road in Tallaght. Cllr O Connor asked “To ask the Chief Executive to present an update on plans for the approved Housing Development at Brady’s Field, Old Bawn Road; will he confirm the schedule being followed and give assurances that he is giving consideration to views expressed by the community and also by Tymon Bawn FC ?” The local authority confirmed

he following “The Council has recently appointed an architect with a structural engineer and quantity surveyor to be appointed by the end of November. The full design team will then progress the design to tender. It is anticipated that the project will be tendered in Quarter 1. 2021. The views expressed by the community and by Tymon Bawn FC during the Part 8 consultation process will be further considered”.

BUMBLEance is with families every step of the way, with the comfort and safety of the children as its number one priority. The €5K corporate video package, sponsored by ARC Studios, includes: Video concept / storyboard and film schedule, art direction and styling, two days on location filming, post-production including licence fee for music, voice over coaching and recording, graphic overlay, access to an awardwinning videographer and much more…. Donate €200 to be entered into the raffle to win a corporate video package worth €5K. Donate through https:// www.idonate.ie/raffle/

winacorporatevideo. The raffle is now live, closing date 23rd December 2020 “Like many charities, our fundraising initiatives have been hindered by Covid-19 and we are thankful to ARC Studios for their incredible generosity to assist us with raising vital funds. A project by the Saoirse Foundation, BUMBLEance is the first of its kind in the world and has all the amenities of a regular ambulance but also includes the all-important extras to make a sick child’s journey as safe and entertaining as possible.

BUMBLEance has made over 14,000 trips since its inception with hundreds of families availing of the charity’s service –

free of charge – making positive life impacts for sick children. ARC Studios have been a great asset to BUMBLEance, assisting us with our photography and videography requirements and we are beyond thankful to them and all our supporters who allow us to continue this humbling service. We’d also like to thank the Collins Family, in particular Shaye, who was kind enough to allow the camera to follow his journey today” says, Tony Heffernan, Co-founder of BUMBLEance, Children’s National Ambulance service and The Saoirse Foundation. For more information see www.arcstudios.ie or www. bumbleance.com

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SANTA VISITS SAGGART RESIDENTS Saggart Village Residents Association and Millrace Residents Association organised Santa to be driven through the streets and estates of Saggart village in a convertible car on one special night in December. The aim was to bring Christmas cheer to the boys and girls of the village and Santa said hello to all the

boys and girls in a socially distanced way. He was accompanied by his elves and reindeer and escorted along the route by the flashing lights of our local community guards: Liam Sex, Colm Byrne and Tom Grace, Rathcoole policing. Cllr. Francis Timmons had a very special role that night and was very

close to Santa! JB Motors provided the car which drove Santa around.

for the volunteers as it was for the children. This event involved many people

within

the

community

working together to spread both Christmas and community spirit.

The event was a great success, with many positive messages of thanks coming into Saggart Village Residents Association’s Facebook page. To see the smiles on the faces of the children and parents lining the paths was as magical

DANCERS AND PERFORMING ARTISTS ALLOWED TO PRACTICE IN PODS OF ONE

Dancers and performing artists are now allowed to practice in pods of one under Level 3 restrictions, a Fine Gael TD has said. Deputy Emer Higgins received confirmation in the Dáil that while dance studios are closed at Level 3, they can provide facilities for use in individual dance practice or dance training at a safe distance of at least two metres.

Deputy Higgins said: “I am delighted that children and adults who dance will now be treated equally to those who play sport. “Dancers up and down the country deserve the right to practice too, they are also athletes “Not every child or adult is sporty; a kick dance is as important as a karate kick and speech and drama is as important as soccer and drills. “Before this important clarification, this Government was sending the message that the hobbies of children

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“That couldn’t be further from the values or the truth that this Government holds dear. “We now have equality and fairness. We need to give dancers back the feeling of the rhythm of our national Irish dance in their feet, feeling the buzz of modern dance and the elegance of ballet in their spirit. Deputy Higgins concluded: “This was a huge issue for dancers, especially those preparing for dance, music and drama exams. “They need this outlet now more than ever. Studios and facilities around the country will ensure the highest levels of sanitization, mask wearing and strictest adherence to protocols such as staggered arrivals so that people can get back to dancing and performing in pods of one.”

Cllr. Mick Duff PC, Independent

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Trustus House, Tallaght Village Saturday 1.00pm to 2.00pm St Aengus Community Centre Monday to Thursday 10.30am to 12.30pm

CLINICS WILL RESUME WHEN COVID RESTRICTIONS ALLOW

I can be contacted by phone, email, Twitter, Facebook or WhatsApp. Phone and WhatsApp: 087 286 5570 Email: mduff@cllrs.sdublincoco.ie Twitter @CllrMickDuff Facebook @cllrmickduff

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LOCAL GROUPS ALLOCATED FUNDS TO PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER PEOPLE

The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme is celebrating a momentous allocation of funding for sport and physical activity in older age-groups. The grants scheme, a combined initiative from Age & Opportunity and Sport Ireland, will distribute over €27,000 to groups in Dublin. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, said: “The Age & Opportunity Active National Grant Scheme continues to act as a valuable resource in getting older people active. The investment will help support and empower thousands of groups of older

Picture taken pre Covid-19

people to get more active. Age & Opportunity are doing a wonderful job of providing opportunities for older people to enjoy all the benefits that participation in physical activity can bring.” The National Grant Scheme provides an accessible and enjoyable means for older people in communities nationwide to reap the health rewards from doing physical activity. Karen Horgan, CEO of Age & Opportunity, said the grant funding is helping us create an Ireland where more older people are more active and more connected

and the allocation of these grants ensures clubs and groups from all walks of life can benefit from the scheme. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Sport Ireland. Age & Opportunity works to ensure equality of participation for all older people, irrespective of background, culture, identity, setting or location. We are delighted that this year 255 successful applications were from designated disadvantaged areas. There were also 80 groups who applied and

received a grant for the first time.” Of the successful funding allocations, 146 grants were awarded to Active Retirement Associations, 202 grants were awarded to Irish Countrywomen’s Associations and 20 applications were made by Local Sports Partnerships. The successful local groups included An Cosan CDP, The Shanty Education Centre, Ballyroan Bowling Club, Bohernabreena ICA, CHIME Tallaght, Clondalkin Lucan

Women’s Network, Dominics Active Men Social, Firhouse Day Activity Centre (CRC), Golden Circle Killinarden ARA, Kilnamanagh ICA, Kingswood & Kilnamanagh Active Age Mens Club, Lucan ARA, NCCWN Rowlagh Women’s Group, Ronanstown Community Development Project CDP, St. Aengus ARA, Walkinstown Greenhills Resource Centre and Women Together Tallaght Network. The Grant Scheme demonstrates the wide

scope and ambition of older people across Ireland where keeping healthy and active is concerned. Tennis, cycling, rowing, seated boxing, dancing, aqua aerobics, hoola hoop classes, online yoga and dancing and Nordic walking are just some of the activities the grant will fund. The Grant Scheme is part of Age & Opportunity’s Active programme, funded by Sport Ireland, and delivered nationwide with the support of Local Sports Partnerships and the HSE.

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A NEW SOCCER TEAM DCT UNITED LAUNCHED AT TALLAGHT’S SHAMROCK ROVERS STADIUM

DCT United was set up by a group of like-minded friends with the idea stemming from the COVID-19 lockdown, founding member Joe Lumumba explained. “Many of us were finding the lockdown tough, we didn’t see each other, and with many of us working from home, everyone was dealing with their own set of challenges, and we needed to find a way to reconnect through our love of sport,” adds Joe. The group of

friends has one main objective with the creation of the new team, and that is “to create a positive environment that harbours both positive mental, and physical benefits”, adds Joe Lumumba.

The ethos is similarly shared by DCT United sponsors Digital Construction Technologies Group Founder and CEO, Joseph Mady. “For men in their 30s and 40s meeting new friends and

staying fit can be a challenge combined with balancing a career and family life can seem daunting. We hope that with DCT United we create a positive and open environment for men from all backgrounds to meet once a week. We are delighted to be backing this initiative and are looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labor, in the shape of a trophy at some stage” adds

The Kingswood Lodge WE HAVE A NEW BIGGER & BETTER MENU

Joseph Mady, CEO of Digital Construction Technologies Group.

The over 35s league is scheduled to start in February with training kicking off in the new year. Most matches will happen on Friday evenings, a favourable time for players who may have family commitments on the weekends. The initiative is supported by South Dublin County Council sports officer, Ian Farrell and Tallaght Person of the Year, Lee Moroney who both attended the launch. “DCT United is offering a great service to our community during a time when it is needed more than ever. I wish the team the best of luck in the season ahead, I might even dust off the football boots myself”, says Moroney. “South Dublin County Sports Partnership are delighted to support this initiative. We are very keen on how inclusive they are making

the club for men to get involved in playing a sport again. We are supporting this club with the necessary equipment needed to start up a new team,” added Farrell. DCT United are registered to compete in

the over 35’s age category and the team is welcoming new players to register through the details below. Email: dctunited@gmail. com or through the DCT United Facebook page.

TELEPHONE COUNSELLING SERVICE TO OPEN EVERY DAY OVER CHRISTMAS Connect, telephone counselling and support service is to extend its hours during Christmas to open every evening from Wednesday, December 16th through until Sunday, January 3rd. Connect is a free, confidential and professional telephonebased counselling and support service for adults who were abused in childhood and will open from 6-10pm each evening. People can call Connect for free at 1800 477 477. Callers will get to speak with a trained counsellor who can listen

and provide professional counselling and support. Service Director Marie Percival said: “Christmas is a particularly sensitive period in terms of public need for the service. We want to ensure that we are there for people if they need our support.” Connect was established in 2006 following demands from groups representing survivors of institutional abuse that an independent and professional out of hours telephone-based service be established. It is funded by the HSE. More information at www. connectcounselling.ie

IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

WISHING ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A SAFE & HAPPY CHRISTMAS

NEW HEAD CHEF KEITH NUGENT

Great Ingredients Makes Great Food Pot Pies, Steaks, Curries, Sizzlers, Fresh Fish, Pasta, Burgers and Plenty of Vegetarian Options

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT DURING THE YEAR AND HERE’S TO 2021 BEEN A BETTER YEAR FOR EVERYONE

THE KINGSWOOD LODGE, KINGSWOOD HEIGHTS, TALLAGHT, DUBLIN 24 TEL: 01 4514567

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DEALZ OPENS IN BELGARD FIRST EVER VIRTUAL BT YOUNG RETAIL PARK SCIENTIST & TECHNOLOGY

EXHIBITION

BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) has unveiled the line-up for the first ever online version of the exhibition giving free access to guests, from around the world, to the very best of science and technology in a virtual setting. The public will be able to access students whose projects aim to explore diverse topics ranging from COVID-19, the prevalence of social media and technology in our daily lives, ethnicity, gender studies, domestic abuse, sexual assault, sports science, and socio-economic challenges. Free registration is open at https://portal. btyoungscientist.com/

Tallaght Store Manager Andrew O Donovan and John Emmett Wexford Store Manager

The virtual exhibition will showcase 550 qualified projects from over 1,300 entries, representing all corners of the island of Ireland from Wednesday 6th January to Friday 8th January from 9am to 5.30pm. The virtual opening ceremony will start at 1pm on Wednesday 6th January, and the awards ceremony will be held at 1pm on Friday 8th January. This year, BT has waived fees for the public to access the unique exhibition portal for the 2021 exhibition, where they can view the 550 projects, enjoy STEMfocused shows and talks, visit exhibitor stands, and watch the opening and awards ceremonies live, for free on the BTYSTE website and on Facebook live. During the three-day exhibition, guests will learn about the students’ projects, hear from some very special guests, and watch live entertainment acts including the Science of Sport, How to Become an Astronaut, ‘Our Amazing Universe: A journey of discovery’ and teachers will have access to a myriad of workshops at the dedicated Teachers’ Area.

Hugh Cunnea Area Manager & Sharon Sheridan Country Manager

Also featuring at the exhibition will be break out star Danielle Wilcox, winner of the first ever BTYSTE ‘Irish Scientists Have

Kathleen, Lisa & Nicole Malcolmson

Sales Assistants Chelsea & Eva Pic Credit: MJ Photography

Talent’ competition held by BTYSTE earlier this year. Danielle, a telescope operator, and resident astronomer at the Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, will showcase the different types of telescopes used at Blackrock Castle including “Big Bertha” a large telescope used for imaging super massive black holes. Speaking about the launch Mari Cahalane, Head of BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition said: “After months of hard work and commitment to ensuring the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition could happen in 2021 we are delighted to reveal the first look at our exciting line up which will be housed on our amazing portal. The virtual exhibition will be free to guests from all around the world, allowing attendees of all ages to immerse themselves in the inspiring work of our students and hear from an array of exciting guest speakers – all from the comfort of their home or classroom, wherever in the world that may be!”.This is a new experience for all involved and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to it when the exhibition begins in a little over three weeks’ time.” BT will host a number of fringe events in 2021, including the Connecting Women in Technology TechStarter event, to encourage more young people to pursue an education and career in technology, and Nextipedia, for businesses audiences will feature Aron Ralston, whose harrowing experience trapped in a southeast Utah canyon was made into the 2010 movie “127 Hours, a true-life story of innovating during a crisis. BT and the Young Scientist charitable trust is delighted to have many organisations supporting this 2021 exhibition, including the Department of Education & Skills, Analog Devices, Cisco, Perrigo, and RTE.

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Rounding the corner By Bronagh Lyons As 2020 comes to an end, this is a prime time to pause and reflect. This time last year we looked toward a new year, a new decade. We had plans and hopes for what would be. We took much for granted in terms of what the “norms” would be in 2020 and what we could expect. None of us could have anticipated the year that was. Insecurity, change, uncertainty, plans cancelled, fear, illness... I’m sure at one point we all felt or experienced these. 2020 brought more than that however. It brought community, it brought time, it brought change in a positive sense. It helped us grow internally. We learned, we adapted, we transformed. As this year rounds the corner, take time to reflect. Journal. Talk. Release anything that you are holding inside. Connect with yourself. How are you? Really, how are you? Reflect on it all, the bad **and** the good. What have you learned this year that you can bring into 2021 and the rest of this decade? You are stronger than you know, you are loved and you are needed. With that, I wish you all a lovely rest of 2020 and will hopefully speak to you again in the New Year!

CLONDALKIN TEACHING GRADUATE RECEIVES TOP AWARD Enrico Modonesi, a post-primary teacher at Collinstown Park Community College, Clondalkin, had double cause for celebration when he received an award for being amongst the top students in his class at this year’s conferring of degrees in Post-Primary teaching by Hibernia College.

In addition to receiving his Masters qualification, Enrico was honoured with the prize for Best Research Project – awarded to the student in each cohort who achieves the highest grade in research on the College’s Post-Primary programme. This year, Enrico was amongst 840 graduates from all 26 counties to graduate with Primary or Post-Primary teaching qualifications at

a virtual online ceremony recently that coincided with celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the College’s foundation.

Addressing them and other graduates, Dr Mary Kelly, Head of the School of Education at Hibernia College, reminded graduates of their unique position as teachers to shape the future through each and every one of their students. Recognising the impact that COVID-19 has had, and the obligation it has imposed on the College to confer its degrees online, Dr Kelly expressed gratitude to “the many graduates who worked on the frontline during that time, in hospitals, nursing homes, supermarkets and caring for elderly”.

VISITING RESTRICTIONS We would like to remind you that visits to patients have been suspended. This is in the interest of patients safety to protect your loved ones from exposure to COVID-19. There is no visiting allowed, with the exception by prior arrangement with a patient’s medical team in the circumstances of end of life or critical illness. This includes no visiting anywhere on the Hospital campus i.e inside or outside the Hospital/Car Park etc. This is to protect you, your family and healthcare staff. Visitors that attempt to visit will be turned away by security. Thank you for your co-operation.

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NOVENAS FOR LAURA LYNN MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. E.C MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. R&P MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. P.D MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. H.B MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have

asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. H.B

TALLAGHT DISTRICT HEATING NETWORK

MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. M.M MIRACLE PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked for many favours. This time I ask you for a very special one. Take it, dear Heart of Jesus, and place it within your own broken heart where your Father sees it. Then in His merciful eyes it will become your favour and not mine. Amen. Say this prayer for three days. Promise publication and favour will be granted no matter how impossible. Never known to fail. Special mention to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary for great favour witness received. Thank You to St. Theresa, St. Martin & St. Padre Pio. R, S & P. Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity. (Mention your request here) There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (say three times).Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (say three times). Amen. M.M

If you would like a Novena published please send a postal order or cheque (Minimum of €10 per prayer) made out to Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, along with your Novena to: NEWSGROUP, Unit 3 Floor 2 St Dominics Shopping Centre, St Dominics Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. If you require any further information please call 01 45 19 000 or email: info@newsgroup.ie.

Pictured Mike Beary, Amazon Web Services, with Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council and Eddie Conroy, County Architect. South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has established Ireland’s first publicly owned, not-for-profit energy company, to provide low carbon heat to local community buildings. Trading as Heatworks, the company will deliver the Tallaght District Heating Network, estimated when completed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the South Dublin County area by nearly 1,500 tonnes per year. The network will use excess heat from a customisation to Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) recently completed data centre to provide low carbon heat to public sector, residential and commercial customers. AWS will provide recycled heat free of charge to the scheme as part of its broader sustainability activities, and its continued assistance to Ireland in meeting its EU 2030 national heating and carbon-reduction targets. The district-heating company has contracted Fortum, a large Finnish energy supply company with extensive district-heating experience throughout Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, to carry out the design, installation, and operation of the Tallaght network. The system will initially heat 47,000 m2 of public sector buildings, 3,000m2 of commercial space, and 135 affordable rental apartments. The supply of lowcost, low-carbon heat is expected to increase commercial competitiveness, attracting more innovative businesses and development to Tallaght town centre, facilitate educational programmes and start-up opportunities in renewable energy solutions, as well as helping to mitigate fuel poverty as

the heat network expands over time. The Tallaght District Heating Network is partly funded by the European Union’s Inter-Reg NWE programme (Heatnet), a multi-million euro fund promoting carbon reduction through districtheating in Europe’s north-west, by a further €4.5 million from the Project Ireland 2040 Climate Action Fund and through direct funding from SDCC. The collaboration between SDCC, AWS engineering teams, Fortum eNext, and the City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CODEMA) has resulted in a low-carbon solution optimising the potential of recyclable heat combined with additional heat-pump technology – the first example of its kind in Ireland. The project will begin supplying heat before the end of 2021, with initial customers being SDCC and the nearby Tallaght campus of the Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). The council buildings heated by this project in the short term will include SDCC’s County Hall and Tallaght County Library followed by the Rua Red arts-hub and Civic Theatre. By 2024, the heat will also be supplied to nearby developments recently approved with planning permission, including affordable housing units, residential properties and student accommodation. Daniel McLoughlin, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said, “The Tallaght district heating network shows how public-private collaboration using well-established

district-heating technology can construct a system to recycle heat from an Amazon Web Services data centre to meaningfully contribute to helping Ireland achieve its 2030 sustainability targets. We believe the work we have done with Fortum eNext and Amazon Web Services to create this scheme can become a template for other districts across Ireland. We look forward to future collaborations as South Dublin County moves towards a low-carbon future.” “We’re thrilled to be supporting Ireland’s first district heating scheme, which will see the excess heat from our data centre being used to reduce carbon emissions in Tallaght over time,” said Mike Beary, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Ireland country manager. “Our support for the district heating scheme demonstrates our continued commitment to building a more sustainable future for Ireland. We are pleased to participate in this unique project that will help the country meet its 2030 renewable energy targets.” “We are extremely proud that we were chosen to provide this low-carbon heat solution as part of an innovative project in a strongly competitive market,” said General Manager Kari Lahti from Fortum eNext, “Our knowhow has been developed and tested during our 25-year-long presence in Ireland and the UK, where we have delivered power plants and long-term operation and maintenance services for different kinds of power plants and customers.”

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LIVESTREAM CONCERT SERIES GIVING INDEPENDENT ARTISTS LIFELINE This has been a difficult year for the arts and entertainment industry as arenas and concert halls remain closed and silent. However, 2020 has been especially tough on independent artists who usually rely on small gigs such as playing in pubs or at small events to grow their fan base. One new Irish company, Spectrum Audio, are trying their best to bring back live music in these trying times, all whilst complying with Covid-19 government guidelines to allow artists to perform and fans to watch their performance in an innovative and safe way. As concerts cannot take place for the time being, Spectrum Audio presents Lockdown Livestream, a concert series spread over 9 weekends, with 24 very talented artists performing their own original songs. All

gigs will be broadcast live from Beechpark Studio in Rathcoole Co. Dublin where the artists will perform a live set and the performance will be broadcast to the viewers at home anywhere in the world.

The first Lockdown Livestream event kicked off online on December 5th. Tickets to view the live streams come in the form of a streaming pass for €20, one ticket will allow you access to view all 9 streams across December to February. When you buy your ticket an account will be created, all you have to do to view the live stream is log in to your account on the time of the gig, sit back, relax and enjoy the music. Included in the line-up are some of Ireland’s leading independent artists from the likes of Gerald Ahern, Kevin Casey and Catalpa to some of the best up and

coming artists you need to hear like Sam Ali, JuliaMaria and DALY. There is a bit of every genre in the lineup so no matter your taste in music there will

be a show for you. From hip-hop and dance music, to rock and trad it’s a great example of just how much talent we have in our small island. Spectrum

Audio provides complete Audio Visual Solutions for musicians, bands and events in Ireland along with installations, event production, promotion, live

streaming and AV rental. Support local businesses and original up and coming artists by getting a ticket today at www. spectrumaudio.ie

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MOTORING LIFE WITH New Mercedes-Benz GLA – A Premium Adventure Seeker The original MercedesBenz GLA compact SUV was launched in 2014 in response to growing demand for a sporty, lifestyle-oriented SUV that had a similar footprint to a compact family hatchback. The GLA went on to become a huge worldwide success for the premium German brand, and underwent a mid-life facelift in 2017. A New Dimension; The all-new, secondgeneration GLA is now here, and brings with it added character, added space and added safety. The new design on the GLA is not only sportier, but also brings a higher and broader appearance. Key characteristics of the new GLA include the dominant shoulders of the bodywork and the coupé-like lines of the side windows. This contoured side profile gives the car it’s vigorously stylish look and offers an interesting play of light and shadows. In appearance, the new GLA has a self-assured and dynamic exterior with short overhangs front and rear. As in their other SUVs, its single louvre radiator grille and central positioned star give it an unmistakable Mercedes-Benz appearance.

More Spacious; The new GLA is more than 100mm taller than the car it replaces, as designers have given it added interior headroom for the driver and front passenger, and considerably greater rear legroom for back seat passengers. Track width has been increased by four centimetres while ground clearance has been raised, albeit marginally. Boot volume has been increased to a generous 495-litres, helped by rear seats that can slide by up to 140mm. There’s a variable-height boot floor as standard and the option to fit adjustable rear seating (in terms of backrest angle and sliding them fore and aft), while split-fold rear seat backs are standard for extra practicality. Other design features include details carried over from the larger 7-seat GLB and the GLC. With a contemporary interior design the GLA provides an instrument panel, available in 3 variant sizes. The round ventilation outlets, five of them in all, feature a highquality transformer look with precisely designed air guidance vanes. The door centre panel flows seamlessly over into the

By Breda Corrigan armrest., while the grab and assist handle has a tubular profile and runs horizontally like a railing. Big on Technology;

Safety

Also included as standard in the new GLA is the intuitively operated MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). MBUX can be individually configured with the aid of a range of options. The powerful computer, brilliant screens and graphics, customisable presentation, full-colour head-up display, navigation with augmented reality, learning software, and voice control activated with the prompt “Hey Mercedes” are the key advantages of the system. Mercedes-Benz engineers have gone big on safety technology for the GLA too, with various standard and optional subsystems including Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steer Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Land Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist, Pre-Safe Plus and more. One intriguing feature of the new GLA is a ‘car wash function’ whereby, with a

single command, exterior mirrors fold inwards, side windows and sliding roof close, the rain sensor is suppressed and other settings disabled – all of which can be automatically deactivated when the driver exits the carwash. Trim & Engine Options; The new GLA is available here in a choice of two design lines – Progressive and a high-performance AMG version, while a myriad of optional pack and individual extras can be specified for ultimate personalisation. A hugelyimpressive level of safety, comfort, convenience and infotainment features come as standard across the range, thereby enhancing the premium look and feel of the GLA. Powertrains in the new GLA comprise of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines which were completely modernised for the new edition of the compact model series. In comparison to the previous generation, they are characterised by significantly increased specific outputs and by improved efficiency and emissions. Engines options consist of four petrol and three diesel versions. Petrol models are a 1.3-litre, 136bhp (GLA

180), 1.3-litre, 163bhp (GLA 200), a 2-litre, 224bhp (GLA 250) and GLA 250 4MATIC All-Wheel-Drive. A fullyfledged Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 4MATIC with a whopping 306bhp is also available. Diesel versions consist of a 116bhp (GLA 180d), a 150bhp (GLA 200d), a GLA 200d 4-MATIC with 150bhp, a 190bhp (GLA 220d) and GLA 220d 4MATIC. While the GLA 180d is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, all other diesel variants have a capacity of 1950cc. In the pipeline is a plug-in petrol-electric variant (PHEV). All models in the new GLA range come with a slick-shifting automatic transmission as standard. Test Car; My test car was a new GLA 200d AMG Line and was finished in elegant Mountain Grey metallic paint for maximum visual impact. The AMG Line pack adds a dynamic sporty look to the GLA and consists of 19” AMG twin spoke alloy wheels, AMG chrome-plated waistline and window line strips, AMG brushed stainless steel sports pedals with black rubber studs, AMG floor mats, AMG diamond radiator grille with chrome pins, AMG multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather, AMG front

apron with front splitter in chrome, and an AMG rear apron in a diffuser look with trim element in chrome. Producing 150bhp and a hefty 320Nm of torque, the GLA 200d can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 8.6-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 208km/h (where permitted). Combined fuel consumption as low as 4.6l/100km is achieveable, while annual road tax is just €270. On the road, the GLA handles superbly, with a well controlled ride quality, sharp steering, strong acceleration and excellent overall driving dynamics. The interior of the new GLA feels truly special, with high quality luxurious materials used throughout the cabin, while it is extremely easy to get comfortable behind the wheel due to the availability of multiple steering wheel and driver seat adjustments. Verdict & Pricing; Overall, the new GLA is a huge leap forward from its predecessor in every crucial area, it is very well equipped, classy, comfortable and is an utterly desirable compact SUV that can wear its Mercedes-Benz badge with pride. Pricing for the new GLA starts at €40,285 and is on sale now.

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