carlowpeople highest, most frequent readership in carlow
.ie .ie t: 059 914 1877
November 19, 2019 October 12, 2020
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October 12, 2020
carlowpeople highest, most frequent readership in carlow
.ie .ie t: 059 914 1877
November 19, 2019 October 12, 2020
FREE
12,000 copies
€175,000: that’s the average house price
The time taken to sell the average house in Carlow has fallen by three weeks in the past quarter, a national property survey has found. The REA Average House Price Survey found that the average time taken to sell across the county fell over the past three months from ten weeks to seven. As people move away from urban hubs and incorporate new working-from-home lifestyles, the price of the average three-bed semi-detached house
in the county rose this quarter by 2.3% to €175,000. “The market is better than it was pre-Covid,” said Harry Sothern of REA Sothern, Carlow Town. “On average, one in five purchases are from people cashing in on their houses in Dublin and getting larger houses down the country. People are making life changing decisions to be based down the country.” Prices in Carlow Town rose by 4.5% to €185,000 this quarter, and time to sell fell by five
weeks this quarter and now stands at six weeks. It has been a busy summer with good demand for all types of residential properties according to John Dawson of REA Dawson, Tullow. “We have sold a number of houses to clients moving from Dublin who now can work from home,” said Mr Dawson. “The market will likely get quieter for the winter months with the state of the economy, Brexit and Covid-19 the principal risks to the market for 2020.
We are seeing that lack of supply is still an issue in the area.” Tullow prices are annually unchanged at €165,000, with time to sell falling by a fortnight this quarter to seven weeks. The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. Continued on page 14
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Former Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh at the launch of the L’Oreal Paris Recycled Material Elvive range of shampoo and conditioner. Pic Brian McEvoy
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COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
October 12, 2020
One third would not take new Covid-19 vaccine
Schools can get snap happpy
THE COUNTY’S primary school teachers and their pupils are being invited to take part in the prestigious National School Photography Awards [INSPA]. This year’s theme, ‘Accessible Places - Safer Spaces’, is run in association with the Children’s Rights Alliance and is looking for images that focus on giving a
voice to children in their new and changing environments. Teachers in primary level education are invited to get creative and integrate the camera into their school day. To begin your Positive Primaries Journey and participate in the awards you must register your school at www.inspa.ie Once you activate your
school account, you will be able to upload your school activities, share ideas and engage with other ‘Positive Primaries’ as they prepare to enter the awards. You will also be able to access the free and easy-to-follow Creative Wellbeing Activities. These will help you integrate the camera into your school-day and allow the children to lead the way.
Assisted suicide bill concerns
Representatives of Christian Churches have expressed concern over the recent Dáil vote which has led to the Dying with Dignity Bill progressing to the committee stage. In a statement, the Irish Catholic Bishops conference has said assisted suicide is often presented as something that would be rare and exceptional. However, it said that once assisted suicide is accepted in principle, it becomes very difficult to draw a line. It also said that many countries, which began by legalising assisted suicide on a very limited basis, have moved on to widen significantly the scope of that legislation. The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Dr David Bruce, said that the debate addresses matters of the deepest sensitivity. “We are deeply disappointed and gravely concerned by last night’s vote. “This Bill of course raises fundamental questions about the value that is placed on human life in Ireland, something that we firmly believe to be a gift from God.
Almost a third of people (32%) would not take the first publicly available EU approved Covid-19 vaccine, according to a new national poll. The survey examined how people across the country have adapted since the start of the coronavirus crisis. It asked people aged 12 and over about their outlook in areas such as mental and physical health, the economy, finances, family and going back to work and school. A total of 1,345 people took part in the RTÉ survey, undertaken by Behaviours and Attitudes. A focus on mental health and a desire for change in our lives were strong themes in the results. A third of people (33%) said their mental health has suffered in the last six months. Over half (57%) of respondents said they are “re-evaluating what they are doing with their lives” since the pandemic took hold in March. The results also showed that some positives came out of the lockdown with 90% of teenag-
ers saying they value their family life more now. Looking to the future, the survey asked people would they take the first publicly available EU approved vaccine for Covid-19. While 56% said it was likely they would take the vaccine, 32% said they would be unlikely to take the vaccine and 12% said they didn’t know. The Managing Director of Behaviour and Attitudes said the survey revealed that three out of four people are still concerned about catching Covid-19 and the virus is still viewed as a personal priority for people. Luke Reaper added that 41% of parents with children aged 12 to 17 felt their children’s health has suffered as a result of the pandemic. Speaking on RTÉ, Mr Reaper said that the pandemic has delivered a social experiment that we have never witnessed the like of before, and has been a hugely daunting task for governments. The survey included over 260 individuals in Northern Ireland, he explained.
Restore PUP for U25s, Youth Council calls
The National Youth Council of Ireland has called for the Government to restore the higher rate of Pandemic Unemployment Payment for all under-25s. The council says that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the employment prospects of young people hard, with over a third of under-25s in the labour force (36.5%) currently out of work. It says that while this age group comprises just 11% of the workforce, it accounts for 21% of PUP recipients, and that the situation is made worse because emigration is largely closed off. Responding to a Parliamentary Question from
Labour Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection confirmed that as of last week, 45,461 under25s were claiming the PUP, with 18,104 of those based in Dublin. The comparable national figure for those aged 25-30 was 26,052. “With 36.5% youth unemployment, young people comprising 21% of those on the PUP (despite only making up 11% of the workforce), and a further 28,777 young people on the live register, the pandemic has hit the employment prospects of young people hard,” said NYCI Deputy Director James Doorley.
October 12, 2020
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Home stay parents are worth more
THE monetary value of a stayat-home parent is being underestimated by close to €30,000 a year, according to a survey conducted for an insurance company. It found that men underestimate the value more than women and that people here in Leinster put just €29,000 on the role. Royal London calculated the value of a stay-home parent at €47, 933 a year, based on on the cost of childcare, teaching assistance, cleaning. cookling, gardening, house repairs and taxi driving. But 80% of those surveyed by iReach put the value at approximately €28,000 per year. Women, on average, estimated the value of a stay-home partner to be €4,000 higher than the estimate of their male counterparts - €29,000 againast €25,000. Those in Connacht gave the highest estimate (€30,000), followed by Dublin (€29,000), the rest of Leinster (€29,000), and Ulster (€27,000). Respondents in Munster estimated the lowest value for the role at just €26,000.
October 12, 2020
Landlords urged Box clever: Clubs can to show restraint score €130,000 funds with businesses landlords Commercial have been asked to go easy on businesses if they are struggling to pay rent during the pandemic. The Government published a new voluntary code of conduct on commercial rents that has been agreed between landlords and business representatives. The code sets out principles of engagement which both landlord and tenants should commit to abide by in order to prevent disputes arising during the pandemic. It suggests that full or partial rent-free periods, a split in the cost of the rent between landlord and tenant and rent reductions to a current market rate and/or a proportion of turnover should be considered where tenants cannot pay in full. “Nobody wants to see vacant premises in our towns and villages or our shopping centres,” said Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar. “Landlords should be willing to do what they can to help their tenants to continue to operate
rather than facing the risk of a vacant premises and inability to obtain new tenants. “Equally, tenants should pay what they can and speak with their landlord when difficulties arise.” The code will remain in place until July 31. It comes as many businesses are unable to pay their rent due to the financial pressures they find themselves under arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. In some cases, landlords have initiated legal action against their tenants seeking to have rents paid. The code was promised by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party in the Programme for Government. It has since been developed through a process of consultation with stakeholders, including Ibec, Chambers Ireland, Retail Excellence Ireland and Irish Institutional Property which represents more than a dozen large real estate companies, who together manage over €14bn in Irish property assets.
Donncha O’Callaghan at the launch of the new iniative
Sports clubs of all kind within the county and beyond are the focus of a new club funding initiative just launched under the title Texaco Support for Sport for which a fund of €130,000 has been set aside for distribution on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis, with successful clubs receiving an equal amount of €5,000 in each case. Aimed at all clubs
irrespective of sporting discipline, size, membership, age, cultural appeal or gender, it is expected to attract all whose activities, goals and ambitions can, in the view of adjudicators, be materially advanced through the receipt and proper use of funding in each case. Launched by Irish rugby international Donncha O’Callaghan, independent ambassador to the
Texaco Support for Sport programme and the one who will lead the adjudication process, the initiative has been introduced by Valero Energy (Ireland), the company that markets fuels under the Texaco brand. Open for entries until end-December, winners will be announced early next year. Full details can be viewed online at www. TexacoSupportforSport.com
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October 12, 2020
Stay and Spend scheme can save you €125
The Stay and Spend Scheme aimed at boosting local tourism came into effect on October 1. Stay and Spend is a tax scheme will help drive sales in the hospitality sector during the off-season which has been negatively impacted as a result of Covid-19. The scheme will provide a maximum of €125 in income tax credits to tax-payers who spend up to €625 in restaurants, pubs, hotels, B&Bs and other qualifying businesses, from Autumn 2020 through to Spring 2021, including over the Christmas period. Where a taxpayer has insufficient income tax liability to fully benefit from the measure, they may still avail of the relief against their USC contributions. The taxpayer can submit receipts via the newly updated and easy-to-use Revenue
Receipts Tracker mobile app. To find out more, and view the list of participating businesses visit www.revenue.ie. You can download the new Revenue Receipts Tracker App in the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Registration to participate in the scheme is now open for tourism accommodation and food and beverage businesses through Revenue’s Online Service, ROS. No alcoholic drinks or drinks ordered with food qualify for the credit and take-away orders are also not included. You will then have to log the name of the business that provided the service and how much you spent. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can make the claim to revenue either online or by post. You must make a claim for the
Stay and Spend tax credit when completing your annual tax returns. Spend after December 31 can be claimed back in the 2021 tax year. In order to qualify, businesses will need to be registered for VAT and have a current tax clearance certificate. They must also be registered with the relevant official bodies as appropriate, such as Fáilte Ireland and the HSE Environmental Health Service. Revenue is constantly updating the list of registered businesses on its website. You can filter this list and search by service type, premises type and county. Currently 1,600 businesses are registered right across the country. Firms that have registered will also receive marketing and promotional material for their premises.
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October 12, 2020
opinion&comment
We all must combat Covid
S
elfish students whooping it up in Galway, Cork and Belfast did not cause the leap in the Covid infection rate. But they contributed
to it. Thoughtless politicians and an arrogant judge attending a golf society dinner did not give the virus a new lease of life. But they helped it on its way. GAA fans celebrating club triumphs were not responsible for pushing the country onto Level Three. But they did their bit. What all these people have in common is that they either knowingly broke the Covid rules or were remarkably ignorant about the intention behind those rules. Most of us have probably broken the rules at some point. We popped out to the shop and forgot to bring a mask, we failed to keep a social distance, we invited the legal gathering in our garden back into the house, where it became an illegal gathering. These are careless slip-ups
Abigail McDonnell at the launch of the Annual Green Ribbon Campaign in association with See Change, Ireland’s organisation dedicated to ending mental health stigma. Pic: Andres Poveda
Michael Wolsey and we need to do better. But they were accidents whereas the three groups listed above either didn’t know the rules, didn’t care about the rules or thought the rules didn’t really apply to them. Since we entered the new partial lockdown I have heard many calls for regulations to be made law and for the Garda to be given greater powers to enforce those laws. There would be no need for either step if we all took responsibility for our actions. I am talking of personal responsibility and also collective responsibility. A friend recently attended a wedding at which the rules were being broken as flagrantly
as they were at that infamous golfing dinner. There was dancing and singing, people were ordering drinks from the bar and plates of food were placed on tables for guests to help themselves. My friend tutted about it, but she did not leave, nor did she complain to the hotel management either at the event or afterwards. She shirked her personal
responsibility and the hotel shirked its collective responsibility, since it must have known full well that the rules were being broken. Gardaí can’t be everywhere but there are many other people whom we employ to keep law and order in a general sort of way, and they don’t seem to be doing their jobs. When the edict was first is-
sued that masks had to be worn in shopping centres, I saw a security guard approach a gaggle of teenagers in a mall and ask them to put on theirs. When some of them said they didn’t have masks, he politely told them to leave. That was two months ago and I have never seen this action repeated even once, although almost every day I see huddles of kids, and a few adults, without masks in shopping centres. When I asked a security man to intervene he told me it wasn’t his job. Maybe so. But if one of the teenagers had lit a cigarette he would have been over to them in an instant. So, in similar circumstances, would any barman, bus driver or taxi owner. But I have heard all these people say that it is not their job to enforce the rules on masks. They are shirking their collec-
tive responsibility as surely as the maskless teens are shirking their personal responsibility, refusing to make the small individual contribution that will help keep our whole society safe. I’m no great example. Yes, I raised the mask issue with a security official in a shopping centre. But just the once, and I didn’t press the issue when he declined to take action. I could have approached the young offenders myself but that idea never even crossed my mind. So I, too, shirked my personal responsibility. My lack of action didn’t send the Covid figures soaring. But it helped. I don’t want to catch Covid. I don’t want anyone I love to catch it. and I don’t want the country moved to Level Five. So from now on, I intend to take personal responsibility and a more active approach. I will let you know how I get on. If this column is missing from the next edition, it may be because I have been beaten up in a shopping mall. At least I’ll be able to identify my attackers. They won’t have been wearing masks.
October 12, 2020
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October 12, 2020
We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by
Freemans Journal 14/09/1865
Irish Press 17/09/1964
Freemans Journal 12/09/1870
Evening Herald 20/09/1938
Irish Press 30/09/1972
Irish Ind 28/09/1950
Irish Press 24/09/1964
October 12, 2020
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October 12, 2020
opinion&comment
Plenty to admire under Kenny
A
lthough our Euro 2021 chances ended on October 8 with the 4-2 penalties defeat in Slovakia, there were some positives to take from the game. Yes, it would have been nice to have made the Finals given that we will be one of the host countries. Yes, it would have been a dream play-off final against Northern Ireland, who overcame Bosnia (also on penalties) on the same night. Yes, we were the better team and had the chances to win it, both in regulation time and in extra time. There was no disgrace in the defeat though, and we acquitted ourselves in a way that would entitle fans to be quietly confident for the future. Stephen Kenny’s side played some nice football. The ball was kept on the ground a lot, and there was plenty of patient build up and composure in and around the box. We imposed a high line at times with good effect. Our defence looked solid, as did the spine of the team. What we lack at the moment more
than anything else is an out-anout goal scorer in the Robbie Keane mould. Robbie would have surely put away one or two of the chances we spurned. There’s no point in dwelling on what might have been. There are Nations League games coming up, and the draw for the 2022 World Cup will be held in December. We need to stay positive for what’s ahead. The qualifying process for Qatar 2022 will be more compressed in comparison to our qualification campaigns for previous World Cups. Depending on whether December sees us land in a five-team or six-team group, we will have eight or ten games to play between March and November next year (the March and September international windows will be expanded to take in three games, with two in October and two in November for the ten-team groups). The only way of guaranteeing a spot in Qatar will be by winning our group. This will be highly unlikely but not impossible. A runner-up spot or getting lucky in the Nations League would see us land in a pool of 12 teams (10 runners-up and two qualifiers from the Nations
Broadcaster Anna Daly with her three boys Euan (7), Rhys (4) and James (9) at the launch of this year’s Temple Street Foundation’s ‘Trick or Treat for Temple Street’ campaign, supported by MiWadi. Pic: Andres Poveda
League) which will be broken into three groups of four for play-off semi-finals and finals in each, with the three winning sides booking their places in Qatar. I don’t agree with the assessment that if Stephen Kenny had been in charge all the way through we would have qualified. Mick did a good job
getting us to the play-offs. The past is a closed book now; it’s time to start scripting the next chapter. ******* The decisions at various times over the last few months to push for the wearing of masks on public transport, in shops and other places where
social distancing is difficult or impossible to enforce have been correct, given the deadliness of the virus. These decisions followed the science and gave the fight against COVID-19 spread an extra edge once we knew that the virus can be airborne. An unwanted side-effect of this new modus operandi though has been the rise in mask litter. Dog mess used to be the item of litter that irked me the most. Then plastic bottles made their way to the top of my annoyance list. Now masks are number one in my littering charts. Litter is unsightly at the best of times. It is even worse when there is a health risk attached to what is presenting itself before your eyes. Who was wearing that mask I’ve just walked by, or that has just flown within an inch of my face? Someone with COVID? Someone who has been exposed to a person with COVID? Am I now in the club? I’m not suggesting that every mask we see blowing in the wind has been jettisoned deliberately by its one-time wearer. In fact I’d say very, very few have been deliberately ‘littered’.
It’s more the case that people have suddenly had to start carrying an extra item that they never did before, and they are falling out of pockets, getting pulled out of bags by mistake or blowing of cars or back out of nearly-full bins. If we all had to suddenly start wearing a flat cap you would soon start to see a rise in flat cap litter for the same reasons. When the pandemic first rocked our world you couldn’t buy a mask for love nor money. Those who stocked them ripped us off. Now they seem to be as cheap as chips. C heap means people don’t treat them as preciously as if they cost a huge amount. They don’t set out to lose them deliberately, but they don’t guard them with their lives. Wearing masks is going to be a feature of our lives for the rest of this year, possibly for a decent chunk of next year too. The government need to weigh in with a campaign of awareness specifically relating to the dangers of carelessly discarded masks. Just as the wearing of these items can protect ourselves and others, so too can the safe and proper disposing of them. - Brian Quigley
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October 12, 2020
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Puppy Patrol
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
Fat, healthy Grey Seal pup (Photo Justin Ivory) We are now right in the thick of Grey Seal pupping season. Grey Seals and their breeding colonies are highly sensitive to disturbance from humans. This can be walkers, dogs and families, swimmers, paddle boarders, kayakers, snorkelers, and people flying drones getting far too close. Each year in Ireland we have a serious issue with seal pups being abandoned (and subsequently dying) or needing rescuing due to some form of altercation or encounter with humans. So, if you do come across a seal colony or seal pups in the next few months please follow the guidelines below: • Stay downwind, silent and hidden from a distance (minimum of 100m). They have really good eyesight, hearing, and sense of smell. If you can see them, they can see you. This can cause an adult female not to come ashore and feed her pup, a pup to take to the water before it, should or resting seals to leave the beach expending precious energy needlessly. • Never ever touch a seal pup. Leaving any trace of human scent can cause a mother to abandon a pup. Also, these are wild animals and can bite – a bite that can lead to a nasty infection known as ‘seal finger’. • Do not put a seal in the water. Injured, sick and newborn pups are on land for a reason. Grey seal pups have white fur (lanugo) for the first 3 weeks of life and tend to stay on land until they moult to their spotted coat, as the lanugo coat is not waterproof. During this time, the mother will leave them for hours at a time alone on the beach. This does not mean they are necessarily abandoned! If a pup is on its own with no mum in sight; obviously injured; or if unsure, please ring Seal Rescue Ireland on 087 1955 393.
Mother and pup (Photo Justin Ivory)
tv show of the week
A Light that Never Goes Out by Keelin Shanley
The apprentice: the best bits BBC1, 9.00pm, Thursdays from October 1
Written in the months leading up to her death in February, Keelin Shanley’s memoir follows her career in RTÉ and her battle with cancer. In December, last year, Keelin got in touch with commissioning editor at Gill, Deirdre Nolan and she was introduced to writer Alison Walsh. Together they wrote a most extraordinary memoir, giving a poignant and heartfelt insight into what someone who is facing death is thinking and feeling. But despite the gravity of the situation she was facing, through her writing Keelin managed to capture the beauty of her life in way that is still awe-inspiring.
Alan Sugar has said that he would be open to appearing in The Apprentice for at least four more years, as fans prepare to look back at some of the show’s best moments. The businessman, 73, admitted he’d like to do at least 20 years of the BBC show as it’s a ‘nice round figure,’ after this year’s series was cancelled. The Apprentice: Best Bits will air over six weeks, and will look back at some of the most explosive and ridiculous moments — sure to feature some of our very own. Pictured is Dubliner Pamela Laird, who came in the final three last year.
wine of the week
festival of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
Matthew Bourne’s the red shoes Legendary choreographer Matthew Bourne’s take on the film classic comes to cinemas for the first time. Winner of two Olivier Awards, The Red Shoes is a tale of obsession, possession and one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world. This magical adaptation of the classic was filmed live at Sadler’s Wells in London, especially for cinemas and is a dazzling audio-visual treat. It has just been released in Irish cinemas nationwide.
family film of the week
AriesMake a bargain, or promise. Push for a long-term dream and vision. Use your charm and creativity. Make a move leading to lasting benefit. TaurusReplenish your reserves. Compute expenses to find painless twigs to prune. Align on solutions for longterm growth. GeminiFocus energy for a personal project for long-lasting gain. Research and consider expert financial opinions. Explore and innovate. CancerReview options for the way of least friction. Gentle, steady pressure works better than force. Determine the best direction. LeoA community effort gains momentum. Long-term goals seem within reach. Work together to exceed expectations. Recruit friends to help.
wicklow way wines/strawberry wine www.wicklowwaywines.ie
maths week mathsweek.ie
Dennis the Menace Netflix
This Irish winemaker’s flagship Strawberry Wine is created from hand-picked Irish strawberries, with around one hundred and fifty small strawberries in each bottle. They are gently pressed then carefully fermented over a number of weeks, and aged to a golden-red hue. It is low in sulphites, suitable for vegans and has an ABV of 11%. It is available to buy online, or for stockists in Waterford, try: Ardkeen Quality Food Store, Dunmore Road or The Wine Buff, 17 Grattan Square, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
The annual festival of maths returns from the 10th to 18th October with a range of largely virtual/online events and is set to attract participation by schools and people all over Ireland. Over the last 15 years, Maths Week Ireland has grown and is now replicated in Scotland and England. A fun, all-inclusive celebration, Maths Week promotes and develops a positive attitude towards maths in young people. The scavenger hunt takes place on October 10 and events run to October 18th.
This comedy from the early 90s based on the Beano cartoon is one to share with young kids to give them an idea of how real bold children behaved. New to Netflix, the film was directed by the great John Hughes and concerns the misadventures of a mischievous child (Mason Gamble) who wreaks havoc on his next door neighbour George Wilson (Walter Matthau). It is likely you will spend much of the movie explaing things to your kids — like why children in the 90s could have a life without mobiles and tablets and just a slingshot . . . good luck!
album of the week
cause of the week
event of the week
VirgoPlay the game you’ve been practicing to win. Forge ahead, and anticipate changes. Stay light on your feet, and have fun.. LibraSet into place structures to support your next adventure. Balance and weigh your options. Make long-term decisions and preparations. ScorpioGo for big financial goals with a partner’s support. Teamwork goes the distance. Clarify your vision to inspire greater gain. Sagittarius-
Collaborate to determine next steps with your partner. Discuss possibilities, and align upon which to greenlight. Compromise and negotiate terms. CapricornPick up the pace as demand for your work rises. The moves you make now can have lasting personal benefits. You have an extra advantage.
william shatner The Blues, out 2nd October
coca cola thank you fund www.coca-cola.ie/thankyou
vhi Virtual women’s mini-marathon vhiwomensminimarathon.ie
Comes a time in every successful actor’s life when they feel incomplete without a jazz/ blues album under the blet. And despite having traversed the universe, William Shatner, aka Captain Kirk is unable to resist that need; although this is not his first foray into the musical world: over the past few years, Shatner has tackled everything from prog rock and country to classic rock and even Christmas songs. Here, Shatner is collaborating with a bevy of guests, including Canned Heat, Brad Paisley, Sonny Landreth, Pat Travers and more.
Coca-Cola has announced it is increasing the funding available through the 2020 Coca-Cola Thank You Fund to €100,000. The deadline for applications has also been extended until October 19th. This year the fund is focused on supporting youthorientated, non-profit groups across the island of Ireland most impacted by Covid-19. The Coca-Cola Thank You Fund launched in August with a commitment of investing €50,000 to support community groups.
The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, an annual 10K charity road race, occurs each June bank holiday weekend in Dublin and is the largest Women’s event of its kind in the world. This year’s event is going virtual and will take place from the 1st-10th October. You can sign up for just €10, which includes an exclusive t-shirt and finishers medal. You can run the 0k your way: with friends, in your garden, in one go, or spread the distance over a few days.
AquariusCollaboration flowers. Pull together for common gain. Have fun with family, friends and someone you love. Share your heart. PiscesWork together for home and family. Work out who will do what, and get going. Handle household routines, and make a long-desired improvement.
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€175,000: that’s the average house price in county Continued from front page
The average three bed semi nationally is now reaching sale agreed after seven weeks across the country – a significant fall from the ten-week average in June. Despite fears of a downturn in the market during the Covid-19 crisis, the price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house across the country rose by 0.6% over the past three months to €236,046, an annual increase of 0.4%. Reflecting the beginnings of a flight to rural locations, prices in the rest of the country’s towns rose by almost 1% in 12 weeks to €163,345. The price of a three-bedroomed semi-detached house in Dublin City rose by 0.5% to €429,333 during the past three months, an annual increase of 0.2%. Commuter counties fared less well than Dublin, with three bed semis averaging €247,667, a 0.3% rise on the Q2 figure of €246,944.
carlowpeople.ie October 12, 2020
SVP to transfer its hostel to another homeless charity The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) has announced that it is planning to transfer the management of hostels, including its Monastery Hostel in Carlow, to other homeless charities with specialist expertise in the sector. The Society says that it believes that the move will benefit those who use the services of its hostels as managing homeless hostels is moving beyond the capacity of a volunteer-led organisation such as SVP As most of the funding for the hostels comes from the state SVP is in discussion with the respective Local Authorities and the HSE to facilitate the transfer of its services. There are 9 hostels involved which between them have almost 300 beds per night for homeless people. In addition to Monastery Hostel in Carlow these are in, Cork (2), Ennis, Limerick, Longford (2), Waterford and Wexford. Monastery Hostel provides 16 places for homeless men. SVP National Secretary Andy Heffernan says that as a
Junk Kouture finalist Cian Newman models his design made from old roller blinds. The sustainability and design contest is celebrating 10 years by launching in five international cities in 2021 and 13 cities spanning seven continents by 2023. Pic: Brian McEvoy
volunteer-led organisation, the SVP structure is not suitable to fully adhere to statutory governance and management protocols in the sector and to the increased specialisation, which now exceed the capacity of SVP volunteers. The transfer to new management at the hostels is scheduled to take place before the end of September 2021. “Our
funders, staff, service users and their families where appropriate are being fully briefed with a view to organising smooth transfer of services.” said Mr Heffernan. In tandem with these briefings SVP has been in discussions with fellow Vincentian organisation Depaul which has extensive experience in the sector.
ground floor extension to rear of public house to house ESB substation; Construction of a balcony and installation of windows along North Elevation; Non-installation of window at first floor to rear along east elevation; Installation of smaller windows than granted, at second floor level to rear along east elevation; Variation to window design and size to rear of pub, at second floor level; Variation to opes along ground floor level from rear of pub, 1no. window not installed; Plant installed along rear elevation; Works associated with Block A; Non-installation of 3no. windows at basement level on the west elevation; Reduced balconies and railings along west elevation; Variation of roof design and additional roof added to; Installation of 6no. windows along North elevation and 2no. dormer roofs; Revised entrance design and non-installation of window above entrance ridge line; Variation to roof design and ridge heights; Non- installation of ground floor balcony; Installation of roof light; Installation of post structure for supporting balconies; Works associated with Block B; Installation of an external fire escape stairs to end of block; Change of roof and window breakup and design to end of block on west elevation n; Variation of 3no. door opes into
end of block B to accommodate escape from apartments to external fire escape stairs; Works associated with Block C; Non-installation of 4no. windows at basement level on the west elevation; Non- installation of windows above ground floor level entrance; Reduced balconies and railings along west elevations; Installation of post structure for supporting balconies; Variation to window design and size into stair core along west elevation; All as described and noted on accompanying drawings; 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 during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.
Dunia Hutchinson SVP National Manager of Homeless Services said “ We are very mindful of the potential impact of this decision on services and are committed to managing the process collaboratively with all the stakeholders at local and national level, and with our service users and staff interests at heart. “We are determined to ensure that the eventual outcome will be a positive one for our services which have demonstrated, this year especially, how impactful they can be in the sector and how important the work is to the community.”
Just 40% of hotels booked
The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) reveals a collapse in hotel bookings on foot additional Government restrictions due to Covid-19. Hotel room occupancy rates across the South East are at 60% for September, 40% for October and 21% for November based on business currently booked. Colm Neville, Chair of the IHF South East Branch said: “It is now ‘make or break’ time. “Urgent and unprecedented intervention from the Government is required to support tourism businesses and safeguard thousands of jobs throughout the sector. “This must form a central plank of the Budget due to be announced next month.”
Planning notices CARLOW COUNTY COUNCIL RETENTION PERMISSION We, Celtic Social Housing Capital Limited, intend to apply for Retention Permission for development at this site, Property formerly known as The Manor House, Market Square, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow; For the following, based on amendments made at construction stage to the planning drawings granted under Reg. Ref. no. 04/723, which include; Works associated with the Manor House; Variation to the
Shopfront design and addition of windows on the west and south elevations; Variation to the roof design and construction on the south and west elevations; Additional door entrances installed along west elevation; Roof lights installed on west elevation; Installation of railings along west elevation at ground level; Variation to window break up and design along west elevation; Construction of a roof structure over and enclosure of existing smoking area associated with public house; Construction of a HEALTH SERVICE EXECUTIVE
Expressions of Interest are invited from General Practitioners interested in providing a GP service/ medical care (2 sessions per week) to St. Gabriel’s Unit, St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny. St. Gabriel’s Unit is a 20 Bedded Approved Centre under the Mental Health Commission for Psychiatry of Later Life. Informal Enquiries: Dr. Mia McLaughlin, Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychiatry of Later Life and Clinical Director (056) 7784008. To note your interest please e-mail: recruit.carlowkilkennyMHS@hse.ie Closing date for Expressions of Interest is Friday, 30th October 2020.
Carlow Co Council We Brian and Pamela Kinsella wish to apply for retention of existing domestic garage to rear, existing family room to side and conversion of attic to shower room, study and playroom to our existing dwelling at ‘Highfield’, Tomard Upper, Milford, Co Carlow. The plan-
GS ning 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 Rd., Carlow, during 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 euro, within the period
GM of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning 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.ie October 12, 2020
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