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Ringsend a sewage hotspot RINGSEND treament plant has been singled out as the main offender as the country fails to meet EU standards to prevent pollution. The bleak finding from the Environmental Protection Agency says raw sewage is flowing into the environment from 35 towns and cities,
including Dublin, every day. But the the main factor in Ireland’s poor compliance is the failure at the Ringsend plant, which treats almost half of the country’s urban wastewater. The problem is putting pressure on Dublin Bay, heightening pollution risk and contributing to poor quality
bathing water. During the summer, three beaches were closed following overflow at the Ringsend plant — Dollymount, Portmarnock and Sandymount. The agency, in its Urban Waste Water Treatment report, stressed that the delays in Continued on next page
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Shankill closer to build of 597 homes
upgrading treatment systems around the country pose, “prolonged risks to the environment and public health”. The study also found that the rate of treatment of 19 towns and cities, including Dublin and Cork, failed to meet standards designed to prevent pollution. Sewers should have enough capacity to collect and retain wastewater during normal local weather conditions including seasonal variations, the EPA report says. Discharges from storm drain overflows have been a recurring problem in Dublin Bay. The EPA prosecuted Irish Water in 2019 for failing to respond appropriately to an emergency overflow of untreated sewage into Malahide marina. Irish Water managing director Niall Gleeson said progress across a portfolio of projects was slower than anticipated “as we deal with an unprecedented level of statutory and planning issues”. Irish Water is spending €400m upgrading the facility which is due to be completed by 2025.
A HOUSING project which would see 597 social and affordable homes in south Dublin is one step closer to development, after the council approved to transfer part of the land at the site to the Land Development Agency. The approval from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council allows the project to move to tender preparation in order to get a contractor at the start of next year to build the homes. Planning permission for the project got the green light in July, with proposals to build 200 social homes and almost 400 affordable homes to rent or buy. The proposed site is located at Shanganagh, Shankill and the council will transfer part of its land at Shanganagh. Any proposal to transfer council land must be approved by elected council members. The DLR council recently approved the transfer of these lands to the Land Development Agency (LDA). The agency said this development is the largest
Ringsend is still a sewage hotspot
Manager Stephen Kenny at the launch of the Republic of Ireland and Aircoach announcement at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown. Pic Stephen McCarthy
social and affordable scheme with planning permission in Ireland at the moment. The scheme will see 51 terraced and semi-detached houses consisting of 21 two-beds and 30 three-beds. The development will also include 546 apartments of two
four-beds, 99 three-beds, 203 two-beds, 165 one-beds and 29 studios. Overall, it will be made up of 200 social homes, 91 homes that will be available for purchase under an affordable purchase scheme and 306 affordable cost-rental homes.
The planned site occupies nine hectares adjacent to Shanganagh Castle, Shanganagh Park and Castle Farm, and will be within 10 minutes’ walk of the proposed Dart station at Woodbrook. Details on rent levels and pricing have yet to be determined.
McVerry plans 18 houses for Dublin 4 THE Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homeless charity, has announced a major new construction programme of 18 social housing units at a new construction project on Haddington Road, Dublin 4. Peter McVerry Trust’s annual report shows that the charity was active across 21 local authorities at the end of 2019. The report also shows that the charity worked with 6,184 people across Ireland last year. Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust, said: “e.” “The single biggest barrier facing the roll-out of Housing First is the lack of available one-bedroom homes across our cities and towns. That is why we are trying to play a more active role in supplying those homes directly with funding from the local authorities and the Department of Housing.” Over the next 12 months, the charity will deliver over 210 units in locations including, Dublin, Limerick, and Kildare with over 70% one-bedroom apartments.
Early Christmas gifts at Cooleven
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien, with Amy Collins and Tuath’s Paddy Gray
HOUSING Minister Darragh O’Brien has brought early Christmas gifts for people of Cooleven, beside Milford Manor, in Clondalkin — 83, newly built family homes. The 20 apartments and sixty-three houses were built by Grandbrind Ltd under contract to Tuath Housing, the service organisation for housing people in need. Tuath acquired the scheme with the support of South Dublin County Council and will manage the development
as part of their expanding 6,000 homes portfolio across the country. Tuath Vice Chairman, Professor Paddy Gray and the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien were delighted to handover the keys to Cooleven’s first resident, Amy Collins, who is a health care attendant in St. James’s Hospital. Amy said she is thrilled to “start a new beginning, making memories” in her new home.
Mr O’Brien said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to witness families moving into these new homes and commencing a new phase in their lives. I believe this Tuath development is a great example of how our AHB’s, local authorities and our financial institutions can all work together with my Department for our collective goal of increasing social housing stock and providing homes to those who need them.”
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The Lion’s share
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Suicide bereaved walk for Zoo saved from closure as public donate over €1m support DUBLIN ZOO has managed to raise a staggering €1m after warnings it may have to close for good due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions. Dublin Zoo last week announced the launch of the ‘Save Dublin Zoo’ fundraising campaign, appealing to the public for help raising vital funds so that the Zoo does not have to make the difficult decision to permanently close its doors. Members of the public were shocked to hear the cost of care alone for the some 400 animals comes to €500,000 per month and immediately began making donations. The zoo’s director, Dr Christoph Schwitzer, said that he expects the zoo’s emergency cash reserves to last until next spring, “and not beyond, right now”. Mr Schwitzer told Morning Ireland that animal care alone costs €500,000 each month, with the zoo estimating losses of €8.2m in potential revenue so far this year. Newstalk’s Pat Kenny helped the cause by calling on the Government to hand out funds to help save Dublin Zoo. The
A child enjoys Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo in 2017 - the evnt has been cancelled this year due to Covid 19. Pic: Patrick Bolger
broadcaster, whose father Jim was one of the zoo’s best-known keepers, grew up near the Phoenix Park attraction and said it would be devastating if it were to close down. “I lived on Infirmary Road, which was a 10-minute walk
from the zoo and very handy for my father going to work and handy for us as we were constantly up at the zoo as children,” he said. “It’s a tremendous asset and is much improved since my father’s time. We’re much more
informed and enlightened in terms of the way the animals are housed.” He said that it was only fair that the Government put its hand in its pockets because the zoo has been hit badly because of the restrictions. “Someone
texted me this morning and said, ‘Every public park is jammers with people.’ Yet you can’t go into the zoo, even in controlled numbers out of doors. “So if Government decisions force the closure of the zoo, then it should put its hand in its pocket for it,” he said. Following concerns raised by the public and politicians, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the government would intervene to ensure that Dublin Zoo stays open. Speaking in the Dáil last week following the flood of public support, Mr Martin said the Government would do everything it can to ensure the zoo does not close. Mr Martin referenced the fact that it had been a while since the zoo benefitted from capital funding and spoke of his intention “to act” to ensure the zoo would remain open for “generations to come”. In a tweet, Mr Martin said: “Dublin Zoo will get the help it needs. A brilliant facility that is loved by young and old — we can all look forward to being back there when this is over.”
FRIENDS of Suicide Loss (FOSL Ireland) hosted International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (ISOSLD) on November 21, with the annual ‘Mourning has Broken’ walk and a special online event for friends and families bereaved by suicide. People took part in the walk in their own locality. Later that evening, FOSL held a virtual symposium, with keynote speaker, Clinical Psychologist Dr John R Jordan, from Rhode Island, America. Former Ireland Rugby Player, Mike Ross shared his heartbreaking story of losing his brother to suicide. : “One aspect of FOSL that attracted me was its ideas on promoting what is known as Postvention, which helps families, friends and communities after a suicide,” he said. FOSL provides support services for those affected by suicide, such as responding to a suicide death, outreach support, one-to-one counselling and support groups. For more information, go to: fosl.ie
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Pandemic ‘has made us kinder’ IF you were wondering whether the pandemic has brought out the best in people as Dubliners have had to live with draconian restrictions, then you will be pleased to hear that 66% of us have made a conscious effort to be kinder since the first lockdown in March. The #PrescribeKindness research, commissioned by Boots Ireland, has revealed that shifting priorities as a result of the pandemic has brought out the best in people and shown us a more caring society. The survey found that in Dublin, 66% of people have consciously become more caring towards others, with 83% of people are more aware of how people around them might be feeling as a result of Covid-19.
Some 38% of people believe society has actually become kinder. Reflecting on the survey, Dr Jolanta Burke, Positive Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Maynooth University said: “Doing kind things for others boosts serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter responsible for feeling satisfied. “As a society we continue to face difficult times, but the Boots Ireland research has overwhelmingly shown that kindness is prevailing which is good for our society. “Carrying out acts of kindness for each other can positively affect our own mental health and in turn inspire more people around you to carry out their own acts of kindness.”
The survey found that more than half (67%) of adults in Dublin said they felt happy when they performed an act of kindness for someone. People in Dublin have also been helping each other more, as 34% of people said they shopped for essential prescriptions or groceries for people who couldn’t visit the shops themselves. “Happiness begins with gratitude. This research has shown that if someone has been kind to you and you show gratitude to them by way of a thank you, not only does the person who receives the gratitude feel better, the person who shows gratitude can receive a bump in happiness that can last up to one month,” added Dr Burke.
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Pure go extra mile to keep uplands clean
Let there be rock with the Diplomat from Down Under
WHILE the restrictions have been hard on all of us, the irony is that the lockdown has actually enticed us outdoors more for some respite — even if it is only to explore within a few kilometres of our homes, or, more specifically the one mile. Pure Mile, an environmental initiative which aims to create a greater awareness of the countryside Dublin Uplands, saw an increase in people getting outside and improving and enhancing their local areas. The Pure Mile programme is an environmental, community, and heritage initiative, established by the Pure Project, which encourages communities and groups living in rural areas of South Dublin and DunLaoghaire, to adopt a mile of road — or miles of road — in their local area, or in the Dublin and north Wicklow Uplands, and organise litter picks, cleanups, anti-dumping campaigns, research information about their localities. Due to restrictions the annual Pure Mile Gala Evening, which would usually attract hundreds of Pure Mile Volunteers, was
MAYBE it’s his background in the mining industry, but Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Gary Gray, proves he is still an old rocker at heart. Gary turned up at the studios of Dublin’s The Rock radio station recently to launch his own show, where he will get deliver a selection of great Aussie music like AC/ DC as part of the Thunder from Down Under show , which goes out every Thursday from 6pm. The Rock launched in August 2019 with its eyes and ears on the 22-54-year demographic. The station is a huge supporter of Irish rock, playing Irish tracks ‘On the hour, every hour’ and hosts local bands in its Temple Bar studio live every Saturday. Gary Gray is just one name on a bill of top guests hosting a show from 6pm to 7pm, Mondays to Fridays. Some of the other big names include Geoff Tate, the exfrontman of Queensryche, legendary drummer Brian Tichy and Richie Malone from Status Quo. Managing Director Lloyd Barber said:
Ambassador Gary Gray
Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Design and Technology, Music, and Physical Education . Going to university and dreading the college exams? No problem, we have skilled and experienced tutors to help every student. We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered. When you work with SIE, you will get nothing but the best. All of our tutors have formal education, classroom experience and a passion for teaching. For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree. The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad. It’s a one-stop shop which spares you the need to go searching for specialists in
every field. We teach subjects from primary school all the way up to university level and we can offer both one-on-one and group tutoring sessions, to give your child a variety of learning environments. Our learning programmes are tailor-made for each student. We don’t assume that everyone learns in the same way or at the same pace. We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors. We are easy to work with. We screen tutors for you. We identify learning deficiencies and we get results . Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements. Call us today on 01 556 3553 to book a consulation. We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.
The ‘Reservoir Cogs’ group hard at work during a Pure Mile cleanup in the Dublin Mountains
cancelled this year. 2020 was the eleventh year of the Pure Mile, with the largest number of groups and volunteers involved in the project since it was established in 2009. In the first year, the Pure Mile had six miles of road, and over the years the project has grown extensively to over 100 communities who collectively improved and enhanced over
650 miles of road, mountains, woodlands, valleys, forestries and upland amenities, with the removal of tonnes of illegal dumping and litter from the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan commented on the success of Pure Mile 2020: “Now more than ever we need to protect our environment, illegal dumping has no place
in our society, I welcome the success Pure has had in reducing illegal dumping in the South Dublin and Wicklow uplands.” If any groups want to get involved in next year’s Pure Mile, they can contact info@ pureproject.ie or download an application from www. pureproject.ie/what-we-do/thepure-mile/ or call 0404 45547.
“Having recruited a full team of local presenters, the station can now truly engage listeners and the business community, adding a human element to our amazing rock playlist. “I suspect we are the only station in the world with a line-up of established artists this strong with own shows generated in-house by The Rock and not a simulcast.” The station is available on all digital platforms and via the media player from www.therock.ie
Looking for a tutor? School Is Easy is here to help you Advertorial AS we battle to cope with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 regulations, homebased learning has taken on a new importance. Many parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of one-to-one tuition are, nevertheless, nervous about having a stranger in their home or sending young students to a tuition centre. School is Easy (SIE) can solve that problem. We can offer one-to-one or group grinds for Primary, Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate school students at a time that works for you and your family. We offer the following subjects, from Primary to Secondary to Specialist Third Level courses: Irish/Gaelige, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, History,
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Bohs score as jersey goes global THE Bohs’ ‘Refugees Welcome’ message, which is emblazoned on the players’ shirts, is set to go global thanks to a gaming deal with FIFA 2021. The Dalymount-based football club is a renowned champion of social justice and inclusion and the away-game jersey features the iconic image of a family fleeing, with the words ‘Refugees Welcome’. It also features the famous ‘Love Football, Hate Racism’ slogan. Amnesty International Ireland launched its partnership with Bohemian FC in early 2020, which captured media headlines and went viral on social media. The jersey also went on to become the club’s bestseller, with people ordering it from over 40 countries around the world. Now Amnesty International branches around
The Bohs’ ‘Refugees Welcome’ jersey has gone global
the world are joining in to support the jersey’s launch in the EA Games FIFA 2021. Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, called on gamers around the world to
embrace the powerful message. “Gamers and football fans are powerful communities, with a huge reach. The response to the jersey in Ireland was incredible. We’re hoping the gaming community take it global now. “In a time when global leaders are demonising refugees, stoking fear and hatred against people fleeing for their lives, it’s up to every community to take responsibility and fight back.” In gameplay, when you select Bohemian FC as your team, the update to FIFA 2021 includes the option to choose the football club’s away-jersey which features the slogan. Daniel Lambert, Chief Operating Officer for Bohemian FC, said: “Our ethos has always been that football brings people together, brings communities together, brings nations together.”
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It’s time to stand up and speak out MICHAEL WOLSEY GOOD news is a scarce commodity so a double dose is something to celebrate. First there was Joe Biden’s victory in America then, from Britain, the resignation of Dominic Cummings, Svengali to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Americans had rejected the sinister politics of Donald Trump and, seeing the writing on the wall, Mr Johnson decided to ditch his Trumpstyle adviser before the voters had a chance to turn on him. I hope I am not cheering too soon. These are just straws in the wind but, for the first time in years, it feels like a fair wind,
one that might fill the sails of social democracy and blow the world into a better place. I have lived with this slightly left-of-centre form of democracy for 70 years and I have benefited hugely from it, as has everyone in Ireland and almost everyone in western Europe. It gave birth to the European Union and the EU gave us peace. My parents and my grandparents both lived through world wars but I was never embroiled in a conflict of that sort. Nobody conscripted me into an army or sent me to fight in trenches with my comrades dying around me. With peace came stability and
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O’Connell Bridge from Aston Quay in the 1960s. Aston Quay was originally laid out in the late 17th century, on land reclaimed from the River Liffey, and was named after Henry Aston, a Dublin merchant. This photo and many more of Dublin in decades gone by were recently donated to the Old Dublin Society by the family of the late Liam Breen. Details of the Old Dublin Society can be found at olddublinsociety.ie. If you would like a free digital copy of the photograph just send an Email to olddublinsociety@gmail.com
with stability came prosperity. All my life I have lived in a society which has grown more prosperous and where increased wealth has been shared - not always fairly or equally, but the rising tide lifted all boats. The standard of living in Ireland has improved beyond measure. Slums have been cleared. One reason for the shortage of housing now is that people would no longer tolerate living in conditions which were common in my childhood. Our health service has improved. It’s still a bit rickety, but no emergency is ever turned away from a hospital
and there is free GP care for children and a lot of adults. Education has improved. The door to second-level schooling was opened by Seán Lemass and Donogh O’Malley in 1969. Today third level education, in some form, is available to just about everyone who wants it. Social welfare has improved. People don’t have to beg for a pension any more, single parents are supported not stigmatised and, while nobody is living it up on unemployment benefit, they don’t starve either. Things that once seemed an incredible luxury - foreign holidays, a family car, good clothes - are now taken for granted. I was late into my teens
before my family could afford a telephone, now everybody has one in their pocket. Social democracy made all this possible and it did it while allowing us the right of free speech and freedom to pick and change our leaders. It built the great modern nations of Germany, Sweden and France. It took Britain, battered and torn by two world wars, and gave it good public housing, a wonderful health system and a welfare structure that was an example to the world. Americans seem allergic to the word ‘socialism’ but it was the broad concensus of social dermocray that built
their moden nation too - in particular, it put a stop to racial segregation and opened the door for Barack Obama and Kamala Harris. In recent times, we who have benefitted so much from social democracy, have not done enough to defend it. In Britain, people did not speak up for their health and welfare systems: they lost them and got Margaret Thatcher. Across Europe, we did not speak up for the great achievements of the EU; we got Brexit. And in America they did not sufficiently applaud the tolerant society passed from Kennedy to Clinton to Obama; they got Donald Trump. Western democracy is on the retreat in Turkey, Brazil and Pakistan. It is being stamped out in Hong Kong. Developing countries in Africa are looking to China as a model to follow. Social democrats everywhere need to make a stand and I am hoping the election of Joe Biden might start that process. I may be naive. Biden is an elderly man and was no radical even in his heyday. But it is not radicalism we need so much as common decency and Biden has that in spades. So I live in hope. And, hey ... more good news. Two vaccines have been developed that will crush the Covid virus. Maybe I’m just a crazy optimist, but I do think the tide is turning.
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Advertorial
Epic wins in tourism and food for Capital
Covid-19 tests land at Dublin Airport
THE Slieve Donard Resort in County Down has announced the completion of a €620,000 renovation of its spa. The investment programme, which started in January, includes the introduction of a double-treatment room, as well as a private relaxation room for small groups and a shared relaxation room. As part of the enhancements, the sauna, steam room and swimming pool have been refurbished, the changing rooms updated and the treatment rooms. The exciting refurbishments invite guests to relax, restore and rejuvenate during their stay at the hotel, whether that’s sipping champagne at the pool whilst admiring the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows, or settling down for a luxurious ESPA treatment. Michael Weston, General Manager of the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa said: “The renovation work began in January and we are confident that the enhancements will help provide our guess with an even more enjoyable experience.”
BETTER than Buckingham Palace. Better even than the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Acropolis in Athens, Dublin’s EPIC Museum has again won top spot at the World Travel Awards for Europe’s leading attraction. Thrilled with the news, Patrick Greene, Director of the EPIC Museum, said; “We are immensely proud to receive this recognition two years running, especially against the backdrop of a challenging year. “In the same spirit that more people are ‘shopping local’, we hope that Irish people will have even more reason to experience a two-time winner tourist attraction on their own doorstep and that we’ll be a must-see destination for overseas visitors again soon.” Since March, the museum has implemented all the recommended measures to protect its staff and customers, welcoming over 20,000 people in 2020, through a series of workshops, webinars, virtual tours, and history pack downloads aimed at younger Irish history enthusiasts.
DUBLIN Airport’s Covid-19 test facilities have finally arrived, with the first drive-in centre opening last week, followed by a second walk-in facility, on November 23. The testing facilities, operated by healthcare firms Randox and RocDoc, are open to the public, whether they require a test for travel or for another reason, and will have to be booked online. There is testing capacity for more than 12,000 tests per day, which will be expanded to 15,000. Randox’s walk-through facility will be located in an existing building close to the Terminal 2 multi-storey car park. RocDoc’s drive-through facility is located in the Express Green car park. Walk-in tests will cost €99, with results due back between 24 and 48 hours later. Drive-through tests will range in price from €129-€159, depending on the type of test and the speed with which the results are required. Bookings can be made on: booking.randox.ie
Slieve Donard’s €620k refurb
David Rockand and Cathal Fahey at the launch of RocDoc’s drive-thru Covid-19 testing facility at Dublin Airport, see story on right. Pic: Maxwells
EPIC is not an acronym. “We have joked it stands for Every Person Is Connected,” says museum curator Jessica Traynor. “But really it’s an acknowledgement of the epic journeys Irish emigrants have made.”
Meanwhile, two of Dublin’s top restaurants have won major accolades at the ‘World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2020’. The Irish-owned sister restaurants SOLE and FIRE were given a much-needed morale boost during a difficult time for the hospitality sector.
G R A N D C E N T R A L | BA L LYG A L LY | S L I E V E D O N A R D E V E RG L A D E S | E U RO PA | C U L LO D E N | S TO R M O N T
SOLE Seafood and Grill, on South William Street, has been recognised as ‘Best Luxury Seafood Restaurant’ in Europe for the second year running, while its sister restaurant FIRE Steakhouse, on Dawson Street, takes home the gong for ‘Global Steakhouse of the Year 2020’.
NO EXPIR Y DATE
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Let there be light
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Vote of hope for Henry St . . . but no free parking for shoppers this Christmas traders
THE beloved ‘Le Nollaig Shona’ sign has made a welcome return to Grafton Street this year, along with the Christmas lights which are so much a part of the festive season in the capital. Despite fears that Christmas had been cancelled this year, the lights were switched on by an 11-year-old girl at Temple Street Children’s Hospital, in a joint effort to raise money for the hospital, and to promote public support for Irish businesses this Christmas. The lights on Grafton Street, Henry Street, South William Street, Capel Street and others came to life last Tuesday as DublinTown, an initiative of city centre business owners who fund the lights each year. hosted a live broadcast from the balcony of Bewleys Café. Symone, an 11-year-old girl from Co Westmeath, turned the lights on this year. Dublin will be going fully festive with thrilling laser light shows as well as the traditional Christmas lights. For the month of December, colourful wintery scenes will be projected onto the city’s most recognisable buildings at 17
Lily Rose Nicholson (3), Darndale in Smithfieldat the launch of the Dublin Bus Community Spirit Awards
locations including the GPO, Trinity College, the Custom House, the Mansion House and City Hall, using eco-friendly LED lights. There will be an “enhanced display” in Smithfield, featuring photos of frontline workers
to thank them for their contribution in helping to keep the city running. In addition “heartwarming” winter scenes will be projected on to Samuel Beckett Bridge, Civic Offices at Wood Quay, City Hall and the Mater
Hospital, Dublin City Council said. However, dashing the hopes of shoppers from outside the capital, the council has decided to rule out free parking as an incentive to shoppers this Christmas.
In previous years, the council had given free or reduced fees at weekends in the Christmas shopping period. However, Chief Executive Owen Keegan said this is now “contrary to council policy”. A business group called Dublin Can Be Heaven, which had been opposed to the proposed pedestrianisation of streets in the Grafton St area being introduced before Christmas, asking that the council assist their own scheme which allows customers one hour free parking. However, Mr Keegan stated in reply: “It would be contrary to City Council policy to incentivise access to the city centre even in off peak times by private car.” A survey by DublinTown found that 50% of their members agreed with sevenday pedestrianisation of a number of streets. The council is carrying out a public consultation on the proposed pedestrianisation of South Anne Street, Dame Court, Drury Street and South William Street and a decision is expected in December.
HENRY Street traders have been thrown a lifeline following a vote by Dublin City Council. The council had faced some backlash following its decision to cancel the Henry Street/Mary Street Christmas Trading next month due to restrictions. A motion in support of allowing traders to operate some form of market this December, tabled by Labour councillor Joe Costello, passed unanimously late last week. The motion called on the Chief Executive to rescind his decision and explore all options to allow casual trading to go ahead. The Lord Mayor, Chief Executive and the Henry Street Traders Committee are expected to convene later this month to find a solution. “We hope that we will be able to resolve the matter satisfactorily. It makes no sense to stop outdoor trading while allowing shops to trade indoors,” said Mr Costello. Christmas trading usually takes place from 1 to 31 December, 10am to 9pm.
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Lockdown is no joke but Jason looks on bright side with family ONE of Dublin’s favourite comics, Balinteer’s Jason Byrne, has come out to support parents as they get through the Covid pandemic restrictions at home, adding his voice to a campaign aimed at seeing the positives for family life. “As a Dad of two, I know how difficult the last six months have been to juggle work, parenting and even home-schooling for some of it. I also know how kids are often glued to their screens and the measures you need to put in place to separate them! I am delighted to be working with the START campaign to inspire us all to find one daily win as part of family time that instils a healthier lifestyle.” Parents say spending more time together as a family has been one of the positives from Covid-19 restrictions, with recent research by Behaviour and Attitudes finding that 86% of people value their family life
Balinteer’s Jason says the last six months have been tough
more now since the pandemic began. The START campaign from safefood, the HSE and Healthy Ireland is encouraging parents to consider this increased family time as an opportunity to add a healthy habit.
Recent research found that approximately half of parents reported finding it difficult to manage screen usage, treat consumption and physical activity during the pandemic. Dr Catherine Conlon, Director, Human Health & Nutrition at Safefood, said: “The START campaign is all about introducing small changes in your family. This could include more family meals, watching portion sizes, swapping the couch for the park or indoor games, or regular sleep routines. The campaign looks at seven ways that can help: 1. Eat fewer treat foods 2. Drink water and milk 3. Give the right portion size for children 4. Eat more fruit or vegetables. 5. Be more physically active 6. Limit screen-time 7. Increase sleep www. timemakeastart.ie
Advantage Tallaght as James joins Aldi team
Children from Scoil Maelruain, Tallaght, with James Ryan
IRELAND rugby international James Ryan has lined out as ambassador for the Aldi Play Rugby Programme, joining Paul O’Connell on the team, with Paul having worked with Aldi since the programme began in 2016. James kicked off his role with a socially distant delivery of Aldi Play Rugby training equipment to Scoil Maelruain, Old Bawn, Tallaght, which
is among the primary schools participating in the programme. From the rugby pitches of St Michael’s College in Dublin, to the hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium, James has already earned 28 international caps for Ireland. James hopes, in 2021, to be able to drop into some schools across the country and help with some training drills: “I
started playing rugby at a young age and the sport has taught me the value of being a team player, of thinking of others on and off the pitch and I am sure that the values that are being instilled in children through the Aldi Play Rugby programme will stay with them for many years,” said James. For more information, go to: aldi.ie/playrugby
Other Dublin City winners – all of which won Special Merit Awards – were: Rachel (Yuxuan) Chen (age 15), a pupil at The Institute Of Education, Leeson Street; Jiayi Sun (10) from UCD Confucius Institute; Brooke Dempsey O’Connor (11) from Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire; Jack McKenna (8) from St. Mary’s National School,
Donnybrook; Lily Yang (8) from St. Peter’s National School, Phibsborough and Emily Bermingham (6) from Corpus Christi Girls’ National School, Drumcondra. With the onset of Covid-19, the competition had to be extended over a longer period this year with delays to the final adjudication process and the announcement of winners.
Dublin’s got talent as young artists win big Jack McKenna (8) from St. Mary’s National School, Donnybrook won a Special Merit award for his painting of the Dublin landscape.
SEVEN talented students from Dublin were amongst 36 young artists from the county to win top prizes in this year’s 66th Texaco Children’s Art Competition. In Category E (7-8 years), first prize was won by 8-year old Marc Long of Georgian Montessori School in Dublin City centre for his work entitled ‘Myself ’.
Dublin In The Rare Old Times 23
25.11.20
We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by
Freemans Jr 15/11/1828 Irish Press 16/11/1984
Irish Press , 06/11/1936
Freemans Jr 08/11/1844
Evening Press 26/11/1980
Irish Ind 21/11/1949
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SOUTHSIDE NEWS 25.11.20