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December 10, 2019
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
carlowpeople highest, most frequent readership in carlow
.ie .ie t: 059 914 1877
November 19, 2019
December 10, 2019
FREE
12,000 copies
We waste €570,000 of Christmas food! CARLOW shoppers will waste 50% more food during Christmas week, totalling €570,000, compared to the rest of the year. The €570,000 is the equivalent of thousands of Christmas dinners. Despite shoppers reporting an increased inclination to help charities during the festive season (with 69% responding that they were more likely to give to charity at Christmas), only 21% of those surveyed by the Aldi supermarket chain donated excess food to those in need last year. The news comes as supermarket Aldi launches its Food For Good campaign with FoodCloud, whereby customers can purchase and leave food donations in their local store, so that it can be distributed to local charities. The campaign has seen Aldi stores across the country pair directly with local charities, with such charities able to visit their local Aldi store to pick up donated food daily. Some of the charities in Carlow that will feel this benefit include Carlow
Claire and Sídfra Kirwan at the switching on of Tullow’s Christmas Lights. Image by Rue Photography. Image by Rue Photography
Senior Citizens, St. Fiacc’s House and the Cairdeas Centre. Announcing the launch of the ‘Food For Good’ Christmas Campaign, co-founder of FoodCloud Aoibheann O’Brien said: “We are asking Aldi shoppers to help us in doing good for those in need across the country by donating in store. We have over 100 local charities partnered directly with Aldi stores across the country, ensuring the food donated will be going to those most in need in the community.” Aldi’s partnership withFoodCloud has ensured charities around Carlow receive regular deliveries of excess food from Aldi stores. To date charities in Carlow have received over 41,000 meals from the partnership — equating to a saving of more than €51,000 for the charity partners involved. Aldi Group Buying Director John Curtin said: “Now in its second year, Aldi’s Food for Good campaign in cooperation with FoodCloud has helped to make Christmas that little bit brighter for those most in need.
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
‘Urgent need to move’ on Holy Angels A DETAILED delivery plan for a new school at the Holy Angels day care centre in Carlow, has been demanded by Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. The senator was speaking during a commencement debate in Seanad Éireann and questioned why the new school building, which has been on the priority list for the past five years, still has not been delivered. She also questioned the minister’s commitment to staffing the centre. “The HSE has made land available at Kelvin Grove for the new centre but no delivery plan has been provided. As I understand, the site at Kelvin Grove, on the vacant property register, has also been promised as a site for a women’s refuge.
“While both are very noble causes it must be acknowledged that the children, their families, the staff and the management in Holy Angels cannot wait any longer as the current conditions in the school are simply not good enough. “There are 31 children attending the centre with a range of special needs. The staff are second to none but there is a huge programme to cater for and to provide the services required for these children with special needs they need the proper resources.” Senator Murnane O’Connor said the new centre had requested €62,000 for the year 2020 to retain its staff members in order that they could continue with what they were doing.
“This is a miniscule sum when you consider the black hole budget of the Department of Health and it is what’s necessary for the centre to retain its staff members. It’s not good enough that the centre must continually fight for such a small amount of money,” she said. “We’re talking about livelihoods here and the five staff who are on temporary contracts need to know if they are being retained or will need to seek other employment.” In other news, the latest report from the County Council has shown that 18 children presented as homeless in Carlow last month. There were 31 adults homeless, with 19 of them in emergency accommodation. There were 14 children in emergency accommodation.
Kayleigh, Edel, Sharon and Skylar Maher at Duckett’s Grove Christmas Food & Craft Fair, hosted by Carlow Tourism. Image by Rue Photography
Marble City just pips us in local enterprise awards
CARLOW Town was first runner-up in the Rising Star category at the Bank of Ireland Enterprise Town Awards at the Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny which took place last week. The winner of the Leinster award for towns with a population between 2,0005,000 was Bagenalstown while Borris claimed the top gong for the Leinster award for towns
with a population of less than 2,000. All, in all, great night for Carlow! Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor tweeted: “A great acknowledgement of collaborative working #inCarlow’” Meanwhile, Christmas has come early for Kilkenny City after it was named the overall winner at the Bank of Ireland
Government spends €780k at Ploughing GOVERNMENT departments and agencies spent more than €780,000 attending the National Ploughing Championships this year, with €2.24m having been spent in the last four years. Record numbers attended this September’s event with 297,000 descending on the venue at Fenagh, Co. Carlow for all three days of the yearly event. New figures provided by Government Ministers in response to a series of written Dáil questions by Barry Cowen TD (FF) show that a total of €783,174 was spent by Government departments and agencies attending the event this with marquee rental making up a good portion of the costs. The final figure will be even higher as a small number of Government departments including Defence and Housing were unable to provide figures while figures from agencies under the aegis of the Dept of Agriculture will be forwarded to Deputy Cowen at a later date. The ministers confirmed that
the total spend by departments and agencies under their aegis amounted to €2.24 million in the last four years. The largest spend this year was by the Department of Agriculture where the department’s outlay totalled €184,576. This included a spend of €159,495 on the design, build, fit out and dismantling of the department marquee. Minister Michael Creed stated an additional €12,868 on tickets to the National Ploughing Association (NPA) while €6,642 on broadband network costs along with €5,571 on promotion and advertising costs. In his written reply to the Dail, Minister Creed said: “The National Ploughing Championships is a very significant event in the fannual arming calendar and provide the Department of Agriculture with the opportunity to interact on a face-to-face basis with the farming community throughout the country.”
Enterprise Town Awards. There was delight at winning the the top prize but Kilkenny also claimed the regional and national awards for towns with a population over 12,000. The competition promotes enterprise by bringing business and community groups together, in towns and villages, to showcase the spirit of local enterprise.
1,735 paid the €1,700 carer’s allowance
A TOTAL of 1,735 carers in Carlow are in receipt of the Carer’s Support Grant, according to a report by the website Carlow Live . In a Parliamentary Question, Fianna Fáil’s Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for the number of persons in receipt of the respite care allowance by county. Minister Regina Doherty provided figures on Carer’s Support Grants, by county, up to the end-October of this year which showed that there are 1,735 people in Carlow in receipt of the grant. The Carer’s Support Grant is worth €1,700 and is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. The grant is paid automatically to carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance (full or half rate), Carer’s Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
news in brief Council moves to update quarries
Carlow’s local authority has completed a review of the Quarry Register to update environmental monitoring requirements at facilities in the Dolmen County. There are approximately 40 quarries on the register of which 13 are active. The council carried out the review and identified eight facilities where “enforcement action” was recommended, following an RTÉ Investigates programme.
Cllrs demand Apple pay €14b. in taxes
Calls have been made for Carlow County Council to write to the Government and demand they “take the €14 billion Apple owe in back taxes”. Cllr Adrienne Wallace has tabled a motion ahead of the full meeting of the council in December.
Big Mac gives €3.3m to local economy
McDonald’s Ireland contributed €3.3 million to the local economy in Carlow. It employs 111 people in its two restaurants in Carlow, supporting local employment and communities. The food chain saw €1 million worth of Irish produce purchased from local suppliers in the past 12 months.
Molly Campbell with Sarah and Emma Canning enjoying the entertainments at Duckett’s Grove Christmas Food & Craft Fair, hosted by Carlow Tourism. Image by Rue Photography
UAE envoy in town to forge local trade deals
HIS Excellency Sultan Al Ali, Ambassador at United Arab Emirates Embassy, was in town recently to explore current and future links for trade between companies in Carlow and Kilkenny. The visit formed part of Chamber Trade Connections, a series launched by Carlow Chamber aimed at meeting with representatives from existing and new markets to assist in growing the trade links for companies in the
region. The focus of this visit was different from some of the previous ones in that it was organised by both the County Carlow Chamber and Kilkenny Chamber, working to highlight opportunities across both Counties. The first stop on the day was to FLI Carlow, outside Ballon, where the Ambassador met with Tom Dunne, Managing Dorector. The company provides design, engineering and
manufacturing services for the off-site manufacture of specialist concrete infrastructure in Ireland and the UK. A visit to Delmec Engineering in Carlow saw the Ambassador welcomed by Jahn Kennedy, General Manager with Patrick O’Brien .and Aine Kenna. Delmec is an award-winning company who specialise in telecoms infrastructure design, supply, construction and management.
Fire dept exercise to tackle hill fires
CARLOW Fire Services will carry out training exercises in the Blackstairs Mountains to reduce the number of attendances and uncontrolled wildfires. The personnel will carry out training and a series of ‘burning exercises’ on the mountains in early spring of next year as part of land use management in association with the Blackstairs Mountain Group and local farmers. The monthly report by the chief executive of Carlow County Council, Kathleen Holohan, said that the initiative would “hopefully reduce the number of attendances and uncontrolled wildfires that occur on the Blackstairs Mountains during springtime”. The should result in a “financial saving to the local authority as well as the obvious savings to the environment and natural habitats”, she told the meeting. Blackstairs Mountain is on the main ridgeline separating Carlow from Wexford. dominated by the peak of Mount Leinster to the north.
New €1bn deal to put rail back on the right track A NEW five-year contract has been signed that will see €1bn invested in the country’s rail infrastructure. The funding, that will cover 2020 to 2024, will be used to improve service reliability and punctuality as well as improved journey times. The funding, which is approved by the Government, is being provided through the Infrastructure Manager MultiAnnual Contract (IMMAC) which will be entered into by Minister Ross and Iarnród Éireann for the years 2020 to 2024. The investment will be made in rail civil engineering programmes, including track relaying, signalling improvements and safety initiatives. The news comes a week after this paper reported that Carlow commuters, who travel to Dublin daily, had to contend with “oversubscribed train carriages”, according to Fianna Fáil Senator Jennifer Murnane O’Connor who said she was “angry” that the passengers would have to wait until the end of 2021 at the earliest before they would see any additional capacity. Senator Murnane O’Connor said: “The problem has become
so bad that last month commuters were encouraged to stagger their train journeys due to overcrowded carriages. “This infuriating initiative fails to recognise that the people commuting at those hours are doing so for work and it isn’t an option to simply take a train an hour or two later.” Senator Murnane O’Connor called for additional carriages on the Waterford to Dublin line due to trains being “dangerously overcrowded at Carlow”. Commenting on the new proposals, Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager at Iarnrod Eireann, said: “This is about renewal of essential infrastructure, such as rails, bridges, level-crossings. “The investment that is going to see more trains is funded separately under the NDP, so that is happening as well and that will mean we will be investing in facilities at Connolly, at Heuston, at Docklands to allow more trains to operate in those key hubs and that allows more trains to operate anywhere around the network.” Minister for Transport Shane Ross said the money marked an almost 40% increase on the level of funding provided between 2014 and 2018.
Fury over halting of county plan talks
THE last-minute cancellation of a meeting with consultants about the ‘My Carlow’ town plan has led to a row among local councillors. At the November meeting of Carlow Municipal District, Councillor Fintan Phelan said he was “furious” over the move and claimed that the local authority were “jeopardising” the funding application for the plan. The issue arose after a meeting scheduled to be held between local representatives, council officials and the consultants drawing up the ‘My Carlow’ plan was allegedly can-
celled at the very last minute. Cllr Phelan said: “It’s jeopardisi ng the application ahead of the next funding call next year.” He asked about the cost per day to have the consultants in Carlow as he was told that the cancellation would be a “significant cost” to the local authority. Council officials said they could not confirm the cost but they would check it out. They said that nobody knew the date for the next funding call but councillors heard they were “looking at gettng back on track” and were working to
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christmasinCarlow Harry and James HaywardBoland at Carlow Christmas Market, Old Perry’s Building on Kennedy St which returns on 20th to 22nd December. Image by Rue Photography
Mia and Marius Miemiec enjoying the festivities at Carlow Christmas Market, Old Perry’s Building on Kennedy St which returns on 20th to 22nd December. Image by Rue Photography
Bartosz Urbanczyk, Santa Claus and Ala Blaszczyk (from Art by Ala) at Duckett’s Grove Christmas Food & Craft Fair, hosted by Carlow Tourism. Image by Rue Photography
Carlow Rose 2018 Shauna Ray Lacey with Carlow Rose 2020’s first applicant Irene Ngobeni at the Rose of Tralee Meet & Greet, Woodford Dolmen Hotel. Further details can be found on Facebook Carlow Rose Centre or calling 0862505791. Image by Rue Photography
carlowpeople December 10, 2019
christmasinCarlow Mark, Jane, Linda, Conor and Emily Carpenter enjoying the festivities at the switching on of Carlow Town’s Christmas Lights 2019, Potato Market. Image by Rue Photography
Diane, Trevor, Max and Amy in the festive spirit at the switching on of Tullow’s Christmas Lights. Image by Rue Photography
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
christmasinCarlow
My Christmas SOS: Save Our Shops
T
he Christmas shopping splurge marks a new round of hostilities in a war that has been raging for a decade or more over the future of the retail industry. It has been a pretty one-sided affair, with store after store waving the
white flag while online traders occupy their territory. Well, not literally. For online traders do not have a territory, just an office somewhere and warehouses sited near motorways. So, as the big stores retreat from what the British call the high street, they are replaced
by bargain-basement shops, fast food outlets, vaping shops and hairdressers. Often they aren’t replaced at all. In Britain, the number of empty shops is at a record high. In the past year, big chains such as Toys R Us, Maplin and Poundworld closed their doors. The womenswear chain, Bonmarché, has recently gone into administration and Mothercare is shutting its shops in Britain. Monsoon, Topshop, and Debenhams are fighting for survival. The trend has been better documented in the UK than in Ireland but the impact is much the same. Many of these British retailers have shops here and our native stores are suffering from the same pressures. We really don’t need statistics to prove the point. Just take a walk through any provincial town and you will see empty shops, even in the main streets. And it is not just our stores that are vanishing. The work of travel agents, insurance brokers, record shops and even bookmakers, is being conducted online and they no longer need
Michael Wolsey
downtown premises. The bulk of domestic banking can now be conducted from a computer or a phone, and banks are abandoning their buildings. They are being replaced by nail bars and noodle shops, if they are replaced at all, and their staff are working from remote locations. There is nothing wrong with nail bars and noodle shops, or the coffee shops that have opened on every corner. But they rely for their existence on
office staff and the passing trade of shoppers. Take away the offices and the shoppers and our town centres will die. The first pressure on downtown stores came from out-of-town shopping centres but they too are now in trouble. According to Forbes magazine: “Nearly 15% (of UK shopping centres) are 10 to 40% vacant ... and 3.4% are more than 40% empty, a threshold that signals the beginning of the death spiral.” Again, you can verify this trend in Ireland just by walking around a few centres. You will see vacant premises and space that was once occupied by high-end retailers now filled by charity shops and seasonal popups. The retail business has always been subject to the whims of the consumer. But the present trend is different because it threatens to change not just the nature of our shopping but the nature of our towns. We may end up with soulless town centres ringed by halfempty shopping malls. Is that what you want? No?
Then think carefully before your next bout of online shopping. If we don’t use our real shops we will lose them. For me, it is no contest. I like shops where you can see the product, feel the material, try on the clothes. Support for this view has come from an unlikely source ParcelHero, a British company that delivers a lot of the products bought online. “Retailers with a portfolio of stores should seek to make the most of these great assets,” said its Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks . He is encouraging customers to buy online and then go to their local stores to pick up items or return them. He calls it BOPUS – Buy Online, Pick Up in Store – and hopes it “will result in increased sales for many of our still muchloved town centre stores”. I can’t see what advantage this would have for Mr Jinks’s courier service but I hope he is predicting a trend. The alternative is empty main streets and, ultimately, no main streets at all.
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
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PLANNING NOTICES. Carlow County Council Planning permission is sought by Moore-O Keeffe Self Storage from Carlow County Council for a selfstorage facility consisting of temporary container units, permanent reception and guest washroom facilities and all associated works at Barrowside Business Park, Sleaty Road, Graiguecullen, Carlow, R93 ARX0 Signed: Moore-O Keeffe Self Storage. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed
DOG TRAINING
CARLOW DOG TRAINING CLUB
have dog obedience and dog agility classes every Saturday in Garyhill, Carlow. All beginners welcome at 2 o’clock €10 per class.Any enquiries to
086-3207287 TURF & FIREWOOD
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Also loads of timber available. Call joe on 087 – 7800338 FOR SALE Ladybird Rocking Chair for a child €50 • Bric-a-Brac • Clothes • Various Toys • Various Prices Contact any evening except Thursday
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fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Carlow County Council Permission is sought by Lorna Buggy and Chris Bailey for development to include construction of new two storey house, shed, new entrance to road, onsite waste water treatment system and as-
sociated soil polishing filter, landscaping and all associated works at Cunnaberry Lane, Ballon, Co. Carlow . The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Civic Offices, Athy Road, Carlow, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.” Carlow County Council Planning permission is sought from Carlow County Council for Retention of existing house structure (in the process of construction) at Kildrenagh, Co. Carlow. Signed: Johnny Murphy The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Civic Offices, Athy Road, Carlow, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20, within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered
by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Carlow County Council I, Philip Kelly, am applying to Carlow County Council for Outline Permission to erect of a fully serviced dwellinghouse and domestic garage and all associated site development works at Clonegall, Co. Carlow. Signed Philip Kelly The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Civic Offices, Athy Road, Carlow, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission. Carlow County Council I, Michael Kelly, am applying to Carlow County Council for Outline Permission to erect of a fully serviced dwellinghouse and domestic garage and all associated site development works at Clonegall, Co. Carlow. Signed Michael Kelly The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the
reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Civic Offices, Athy Road, Carlow, during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5
weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Mamma Mia!
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
It’s December and officially winter and with it comes an influx of visitors from Scandinavia. Sporting spiky hairdos, heavy eye-makeup and some flashy outer-ware between them, these tourists could well be a raggle-taggle bunch of punks, goths and new romantics! So, who are they and why are they here? They are wild foragers and they are here to feast on our food. In this case they are wild foragers of the feathered and non-humankind, so have a perfect right to stuff themselves on mother nature’s larder. This mobile marauding club consists of a trio of members – Fieldfare, Redwing and Waxwing.
tv show of the week
film of the week
HOROSCOPES
THE BODY
The Funeral Director Wednesday 11 December 9.35pm RTE 1
knives out Released 5 December 2019
Full of extraordinary facts and astonishing stories The Body: A Guide for Occupants is a brilliant, often very funny attempt to understand the miracle of our physical and neurological make up. A wonderful successor to A Short History of Nearly Everything , this new book is an instant classic. It will have you marvelling at the form you occupy, and celebrating the genius of your existence, time and time again. ‘What I learned is that we are infinitely more complex and wondrous, and often more mysterious, than I had ever suspected. There really is no story more amazing than the story of us.’
Documentary offering a glimpse into the world of funeral directors, told from the perspective of pioneering Sligo funeral director, David McGowan. The programme follows David as he shares his personal perspective on the sombre business, and recalls some of the most difficult situations he has faced in this career. A uniquely insightful and sensitive portrayal of the work of the person responsible for the last ritual any of us will undergo – preparation for burial or cremation.
A fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death. With an allstar ensemble cast KNIVES OUT is a witty and stylish whodunit guaranteed to keep audiences guessing until the very end.
by Bill Bryson
gig of the week
laugh of the week
show of the week
Waxwing (Photo Justin Ivory) Last, but not least, is the Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulous) who get their name from the bright red tips on some of their secondary feathers that is reminiscent of wax seals used on letters in bygone times. They have a fondness for red berries, particularly those of the Rowan tree, quite a few of which can be found in urban and suburban areas.
TaurusChange is inevitable. Believe you can prosper. It’s easier to finish old projects now. Generosity looks good on you. GeminiConnect with neighbors, friends and community groups. Contribute to a team effort. A goal may seem distant or blocked. CancerKeep your wits about you to handle a mess at work. Take charge for the results you want. The action is behind the scenes. LeoYour travels and studies could include traffic, obstacles or barriers to advancement. Keep calm and carry on.
Fieldfare (Photo Justin Ivory) The Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) is a large, colourful thrush, like our Mistle Thrush in size, shape and behavior. They particularly like to feed on Hawthorn berries.
Redwing (Photo Andreas Trepte www.phot-natur.net) The Redwing (Turdus iliacus) is also a member of the thrush family. Smaller than our Song Thrush, they have a very distinctive creamy stripe above the eye (supercilium) and orange-red flank/underwing markings. They roam across the countryside feeding in fields and hedgerows and only venture into gardens in the coldest of weather.
AriesTravel could interfere with personal routines, although new views inspire. Avoid expensive missteps. Consider long-term dreams and ambitions.
Eric De Buitléir Blues Folk Soled and Heeled III, The Tower Carlow Friday, December 27, 7:30pm
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience Sleeping Beauty 12th December 7.30pm, Woodford Dolmen 11th - 15th December 7:30pm & 2:30pm. Tickets: Hotel. Tickets: €49 including 3 course meal €19/15/Family of four €65, Visual Carlow.
Beautiful music to enjoy during the Christmas Period, Eric De Buitléar is playing LIVE alongside Shane O Donovan on the drums and Derek White on the Upright Bass. Tickets are available now online at eventbrite. But get them quick as this is a fully seated gig. The third incarnation of Blues Folk Soled and Heeled takes place in the beautifully intimate, fully seated Tower at Dinn Rí. Eric, now a secondyear jazz student at DCU will be joined by Shane O Donovan on drums and Derek White on double bass for an evening of eclectic music both original and interpreted.
Officially the world’s longest running and most successful tribute to the BBC sitcom, this one-of-a-kind original has sold out shows all over the world. Basil, Manuel and Sybil are on their way, gearing up to bring a healthy dose of mayhem to your door! Fully immersive, highly interactive and completely original, this is a top-flight show where anything can happen and usually does. 70% of the show is improvised so it’s never the same twice. With two hours of comedy, three courses of food, expect chaos, laughs, and a brilliant night out!
Striking Productions returns for its 8th consecutive Christmas extravaganza! Featuring the usual local cast of both adults and children. A memory-making staple on each family’s Christmas calendar. Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, a King and Queen wished for a child. In the years that followed, a beautiful princess was born. The entire kingdom was delighted, apart from the evil fairy, who is angered she did not get an invite to the baptism. She places a curse on the Princess, aided by her two ravens, Jack and Daw.
tribute of the week
event of the week
fair of the week
VirgoRely on trusted teammates. Do the homework behind a financial decision. Consider costs and consequences. Collaborate and adapt. LibraSupport your partner and be supported. Resolve a challenge, navigate a change or overcome an obstacle together. ScorpioSlow down to avoid missteps or accidents. Resist impulsive moves and clean up messes immediately. Focus on physical health and activities. Sagittarius-
Romantic ideals and fantasies may not match the current reality. Things don’t go as planned. Prioritize love. CapricornFamily comes first. Expect messes, chaos or disruption at your house. Don’t divulge secrets. Keep your objective in mind.
Sensory Gardens Christmas Fair & Christmas Lights Display Wednesday, December 18 at 3:30 PM – 6:30
abbaesque Saturday, December 28 at 10pm, €15 The Tower, Tullow Street, Carlow.
Joy to the World Saturday, December 14, at 8pm. Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow
On Wednesday 18th December Lakers are organising a visit to the beautiful sensory gardens for a Christmas Fair, and Christmas Lights Display at the Delta Centre in Carlow, Soup and Sandwiches will be supplied and Free transport is available from Lakers at 1.30pm that day - places are limited so please provide transport where possible. Tickets are €11.50 to be paid on the day. Contact info@ lakers.ie or call 012022694 to book your place.
Mamma Mia!... Here we go again!!! AbbaEsque are coming back to The Tower on Saturday December 28th. It’s time once again to release your inner dancing queen. Tickets are €15 on the door but presale tickets are available NOW! You can get them on eventbrite. The perfect festive night out, and a ticket would make for a great stocking filler. They are followed by an 80’s disco to keep the party going all night!
Come and join us for this Christmas event, which will feature Whitbourn’s Missa Carolae, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Adam’s O Holy Night, Walking in the Air and a selection of Sing-Along Christmas Carols. Missa Carolae – an amazing arrangement of Christmas carols sung in Latin for choir, soloists, brass, organ and piccolo. Also Favourite carols such as ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, many with brass, organ accompaniment and audience SingAlong! Children Free
AquariusShare the news and clear up any miscommunications immediately. A controversy could have a silver lining. Keep your tone polite and respectful. PiscesDon’t spend your income before you get it. Look for hidden opportunities in a chaotic situation. Monitor cash flow carefully to avoid shortfalls.
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019
Mercedes-Benz 2020 New Comers ‘Most Inclusive and Ecologically Attuned Range Ever’
F
rom MercedesBenz, the pace of new model introductions planned for 2020 shows no sign of letting-up with no less than 22 model arrivals scheduled. Of these, six will be conventionally powered vehicles with a further 16 arrivals to be made-up of new PHEV plug-in electric hybrid models – a breakdown that underlines the gradual and obvious
transition by MercedesBenz into the manufacture of alternative energy vehicles. Six New Model arrivals, including electric-powered EQA SUV With launch dates to be announced during the course of the year, the six new conventionally powered model introductions are: a new GLS SUV model; a mid-size GLB SUV that includes a 7-seater version; a
GLE Coupé; a GLA Compact SUV and a much-anticipated new S-Class. Also planned is a second model from the Mercedes EQ stable in the form of a fully electric powered EQA SUV. Its introduction alongside the recently launched EQC will see Mercedes extend its presence in the all-electric sector with a model designed to compete in
the higher-volume compact segment. In terms of sequencing, first to arrive here will be the GLB, followed quickly by the GLA, GLE Coupé and GLS. The EQA and SClass will arrive later in the year, most probably towards Q4. Hybrids – a big part of 2020 story A major focus of attention next year will be the emergence of hybrids as a main plank in Mercedes’ 2020 model story. In this regard, the Mercedes EQ division is set to
introduce an impressive 16-strong line-up of hybrid vehicles – models that their Sales Manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen says “are poised to capture the growing demand amongst eco-conscious motorists for vehicles that deliver the best of all worlds”. Coming will be an A 250e, B 250e, GLA 250e and CLA 250e in Coupé and Shooting Brake versions. Also scheduled are CClass petrol and diesel powered hybrids in saloon and estate – they being a C 300e and C300de. A similarly-configured GLC hybrid range in Coupé and SUV form – a GLC 300e
and GLC 300de – will be available in petrol and diesel with 2WD and 4WD transmission. Coming also will be an E-Class diesel hybrid in E 300de Saloon and Estate versions, plus a GLE 350de with 4-Matic transmission. Describing their 2020 line-up as ‘the most inclusive and ecologically attuned range of models ever introduced by Mercedes-Benz’, their sales manager for passenger cars in Ireland, Ciaran Allen said: “it is a range perfectly configured for those socially concerned owners who seek to future-proof their motoring requirements.
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carlowpeople December 10, 2019