Wexford Chronicle 17-12-2019

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thechronicle December 17, 2019 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

wexford

thechronicle December 17, 2019 t: 0539102441, www.thechronicle.ie

FREE

20,000 copies

FREE

County’s dog track Coast is facing closure

ENNISCORTHY is one of four greyhound tracks set for closure following the release of an independent report by Indecon Economic Consultants, a move that will result in job losses and create a significant impact on the local economy.

Racing takes place twice weekly on Monday and Thursday, with up to €250,000 paid in prize money annually.

The proposed closure is at odds with the Irish Greyhound Board’s spend of almost €50,000 on the kennels last summer.

Enniscorthy has been the breeding ground for many winners at home and in the UK, and local breeders had a huge influence on the sport/industry worldwide.

The local track ran its first race on August 3rd,1933, and since then the track has been very much part of the Wexford’s sporting and social culture and raised millions of euro in local charity and benefit nights for local clubs and organisations down the years.

The Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, James Browne, has condemned the decision to

Caoimhe O’Brien as Dorothy as Rathnure Pantomime Society presents ‘TOYBOX”’ in Rathnure Hall

recommend the closure of Enniscorthy Greyhound Track.

“While I welcome some aspects of the Indecon report, in particular the animal welfare aspect and the fact there will be care home facilities and a fostering programme opened, I do think it is absolutely unacceptable that Enniscorthy track would be earmarked for closure.

“Enniscorthy is a profitable track and it makes no sense to pull funding while other lossmaking tracks are left open – it should not be forced into closure and I hope that it can be avoided.

“Not only is it an important part of the town and county’s sporting heritage – dating back to the 1930s, it is also makes a significant contribution to rural employment and development, the business and services sector, tourism and the local economy as a whole,” Mr Browne said.

“I wrote to the Minister for Agriculture previously about the importance of the track and of keeping it open and I am now demanding a meeting with the Minister and chair of Bord na gCon.” See page 10

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

news in brief Victim, in 80s, of house fire is named

The elderly woman who died in a fire at her Co Wexford home has been named locally as Breda Cummins, in her 80s. The blaze happened at around 7am on Tuesday. December 10.

Emergency services attended the scene at Ballyeden, Davidstown near Enniscorthy.

A man, in his 40s, taken to Wexford General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Major funding for New Ross tourism

New Ross is to receive major funding under a new Fáilte Ireland initiative. The funding has been allocated through the Local Authorities as part of the €15.5 million ‘Destination Towns’ initiative.

Up to €500,000 per local authority will be allocated in two rounds to boost the tourism appeal of towns nationwide.

Grant for Christmas Two social enterprise projects in Wexford are set to receive government grants in time for Christmas, according to Minister Michael D’Arcy.

“Art Bank Bunclody and the Cornmarket Project are two very deserving recipients of Government grants for the hard work they do. They will receive a total of €18,750.”

Cody Hearne, Erin Lavin and Aoibhe Connor in the Kilmuckridge Panto “Adventure to Kayoss which runs December 12 to 15

E-cig firms ‘deliberately targeting’ Wexford kids E-cigarette companies are deliberately targeting Wexford children and are not telling the truth about sweet flavours such as candyfloss and bubblegum are aimed only at adults.

The claim has been made by the Irish Cancer Society and Irish Heart Foundation after they published research amongst teenagers in the country.

“The fact that the only purpose of flavours like strawberry milkshake, cherry crush, chocolate mint and

caramel is to lure a whole new generation of children into nicotine addiction has been endorsed resoundingly by the teenagers who took part in this research,” Tim Collins, CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation, said.

“The usefulness of e-cigarettes is as a harm reduction tool for long-term smokers who have been unable to quit using established methods.

“The idea that they need chocolate or bubblegum flavoured e-cigarettes to achieve that, or branding that

features cartoon characters and bright attractive packaging has been exposed as preposterous by these young people.”

The focus group research

by IPSOS MRBI among third and fourth year students showed that they do not believe that sweet e-cigarette flavours were designed for adults only.

The teenagers say that such flavours were strongly associated with snacks, treats and sweets that appeal to young people.

‘Giving the SE a helping hand...’

SOCIAL Prescribing is a way of linking people with nonmedical sources of support within their community to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

The HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) has said it welcomes the expansion of the service in Waterford and would like to see it extended to counties Wexford Carlow, Kilkenny, and South Tipperary as a means of connecting clients of its services to supports in the community.

The Waterford Social Prescribing Steering group is chaired by and includes staff from SECH and community partners. Social prescribing enables healthcare professionals to refer patients to a social prescribing co-ordinator.

The co-ordinator works with such individuals to connect them with activities and resources in the community such as relaxation, cookery, exercise, arts, gardening, education, volunteering, and debt relief.

4,313 on waiting list for primary care UP to 4,313 children and adolescents are still waiting for primary healthcare services in Wexford, including 1,396 who have been waiting for more than a year, according to Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, Malcolm Byrne.

Recently elected Byrne was commenting as information compiled by Fianna Fáil paints a shocking picture of 90,000 children waiting for primary care across the country. Wexford has one of the worst waiting lists of any county outside of Dublin.

“To make matters worse, this figure is an underestimate and does not take into account the number of Wexford children on hospital waiting lists. Many hospitals don’t report waiting lists for different age groups, so we don’t know the full extent of the problem.

“When we talk about primary care we’re talking about treatment that should be readily available, in a timely manner, in our communities. Occupational therapy, ophthalmology, psychology and physiotherapy are just some of the treatments

which children are having to wait for. “We know that early interven tion is key, research has shown that when children receive delayed interventions, it negatively affects their quality of life, and increases their risk of not making progress or a full recovery in some circumstances.

“In recent weeks, a number of families have contacted me to say that even though they cannot afford it, they are trying to source private services for their children. It is unfair that the children who need treatment do not get it, and families have the additional burden of trying to source private assessments,” he said.

Meanwhile, Wexford TD James Browne has criticised the Government’s failure to tackle the lengthy waiting list of County Wexford people awaiting home care support hours.

With 874 people awaiting home care support hours, Wexford has the second worst waiting list for home care support hours in the country and “was clearly in a state of crisis,” said the deputy.

Cover clause on suicide ‘must go’ THE Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Mental Health James Browne is to introduce a Bill which will seek to prevent insurance companies from refusing to execute and/or make a payment on an insurance policy in respect of a person who dies by suicide.

Deputy Browne said it was important that archaic ‘suicide clauses’ which were based on an outdated understanding of suicide were permanently removed from insurance. The Insurance (Life assurance and Life Insurance) (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to do that and

enshrine it in law.

“At the heart of this legislation is the need to protect the family and loved ones of a person who dies by suicide. They should not have to experience the financial instability this causes.

“While many insurance companies have adopted a policy of not applying the clause 12 months after the policy has been taken out, it is important to codify that in law so that no insurance company can reverse their decision or attempt to benefit from this outdated concept.”

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06| news in brief One in three pupils seek a place at WIT

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) continues to be the leading provider of higher education across the the south east, according to new data.

It ranks No. 1 across Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary (South Riding), and Carlow.

More than 1,600 of the 5,000 plus new students in the region in 2019, or one in three, chose WIT.

Air quality forecast

Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, James Browne, has written to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to ask whether air quality and air pollution levels can be reported in the national weather forecast.

One in three pupils

Trócaire has launched its Christmas Appeal with an urgent call from local Gorey woman Joanne McGarry for people to support families who are caught up in global conflicts.

Buying?

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

100 Women seminar hears of financial boost locally MINISTER Michael D’Arcy, Fine Gael TD for Wexford, recently attended a 100 Women in Finance event in Enniscorthy and spoke on a panel discussion about regionalisation and the future of financial services.

This is the first time that an event hosted by 100 Women in Finance has been held outside of Dublin. The event took place in the Riverside Park Hotel and was hosted by Opus Fund Services, who announced the opening of their Enniscorthy office in August of this year with 100 jobs for the area.

Founded in New York in 2001, 100 Women in Finance now has over 15,000 members worldwide.

Minister D’Arcy, welcoming this event to Wexford, said: “This is the first time an event of its kind has been held outside of Dublin, which is extremely significant. An important aspect of the Ireland for Finance strategy, jointly launched by myself and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe in April 2019, is regionalisation and diversity.

This event combined both and provided an important forum for

Pamela Scallan, Tom and Paula Dunne, and Gladys Murphy at the Faythe Harriers Hurling and Camogie Club 70th Anniversary Celebration Dinner in the Talbot Hotel Wexford

discussion, with women in the industry sharing their insights and discussing the benefits of being located in Wexford.”

Christian Pollard of Opus Fund Services made the opening remarks. The event was well attended by women working

in financial service both from the region and further afield.

Joining Minister D’Arcy on the panel were Carol Andrews, BNY Mellon, Aoife Doyle, Fenergo, Linda Doran, Baker Tilly. The panel was moderated

by Vanora Madigan of DMS

Governance. Speaking after the event, Minister D’Arcy said: “Wexford has a significant cluster of funds and insurance companies. The impact and benefit to Wexford and to the South East Region is substantial.

“Wexford is the ideal loca-

tion for financial services, with excellent accessibility to the major urban centres of Dublin and Cork, a pro-business climate and a skilled workforce.

“I hope that more events of this kind will be held here in Wexford.”

Gardai are ‘lacking resources’

Fran and Sadie Meyler at the Ballymore-Mayglass Senior Citizens party in the Coast Hotel Rosslare

Mary finds her hero man after 50 years

RTE’s Liveline has united a Wexford woman with the man who saved her mother’s life, allowing the two to speak after a search of more than 50 years.

Gorey resident Mary Thompstone rang Liveline to tell host Joe Duffy the story of her 54-year quest to find John Eldred, the man who saved her late mother from drowning on Wexford’s Ballyteigue Beach in July 1953.

Mary’s mother, Anastasia

O’Donoghue, went swimming with her two sisters and friends, and got dragged out to sea by treacherous waters after trying to come to the aid of her sister Rita, who had got into difficulty.

Seeking urgent help, Rita came across a young man, aged 17 or 18 who “jumped up like a frog, no hesitation whatsoever”, before entering the water to swim towards a crowd of circling birds beneath which Mary’s mother was struggling.

THE Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, James Browne, has raised concerns about the number of Garda vehicles in the Wexford Divisional fleet.

New figures released to Deputy Browne reveal that there were only 62 Garda vehicles in the division in 2019, down from 66 in 2018.

“Wexford is the largest county in the South East and has experienced steady population growth over the past number of years, particularly in the north of the county, with people locating to towns like Gorey and Enniscorthy and commuting in and out of Dublin. Despite this, the number of Garda vehicles on the roads actually fell this year,” said deputy Browne.

“At the moment we have 48 cars, 11 vans, one motorcycle and two 4x4s. They have to cover an area of over 2,365 km² and a population of almost 150,000. Given the geographical size of the county, the Garda fleet is an essential component in responding to emergency situations.

“We are a diverse county with urban and rural needs, and our Gardaí need the resources to effectively police and patrol the county,” he said.

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

wexfordinpictures

Elves Rita Redmond as Dusty, Aoife Doran as Star and Lisa Doran as Shine at Wells House & Gardens

All smiles as Santa Arrives to out Our Ladies Isle Christmas Fair

Clare and Olivia Smith and Katelyn Philipin at the Rathnure Pantomime Society

Alex Kenna at the Oulart Christmas Fair

John and Paula Murphy at the Enniscorthy & District Chamber Christmas Ball

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

wexfordcountycouncilround-up €9M for Wexford flood relief The CEO’s Report announced funding of €9 million approved by the OPW for the Wexford Flood Relief scheme based on the initial findings of the South Eastern CFRAM report, however, the OPW have identified a need for further analysis of wave lengths in the scheme area so that wave overtopping can be addressed as part of the scheme. The project brief for the Flood Relief Main Project is currently being drafted.

Pets are not just for Christmas Cllr Lisa McDonald put a motion to Wexford County Council at its December meeting to direct Wexford Pound (Ballycarney) to have all of the pound dogs photographed weekly and shared on social media to increase their prospects of re-homing. She suggested that the Council prepare a report as to best measures than can be taken to reduce the number of stray dogs in the Pound. She said the County Pound has one of the highest numbers of stray dogs and dogs being euthanised and claimed there is a myriad of issues concerning unlicensed breeders and backyard breeding and South East Animal Rescue were willing to help the dog warden on the matter.

Cllr Davy Hynes supported Cllr McDonald’s motion, He suggested that pets not be taken for Christmas. The motion was carried.

Exciting times ahead for Rosslare Harbour Cllr Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach of Rosslare Municipal District Council, recalled the recent meeting where the focus was on the future and planned development of Rosslare Harbour Europort and the development and improvement of the village itself.

The investment in the port itself over the next four years will amount to over €25 million. The new Rosslare Harbour access road is currently being designed and will go through public consultation and the planning process over the next two years with construction planned in 2021. The new access road will also involve an investment of over €15 million. The roundabout on the existing N11 at Roche Freight will be constructed next year. There was a further boost when the Rosslare Harbour/ Kilrane Village Development Team recently received an announcement of €191,385 funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Cllr Carty concluded; “This was a very positive meeting of minds and a valuable opportunity to set out a clear blueprint leading to the development of a vibrant port and a thriving village which will bring a huge economic boost to the entire region. Without doubt, there are exciting times ahead for the area” Pat steps down after 42 years Chief Executive Officer Tom Enright and Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Sheehan led glowing tributes to Patricia ‘Pat’ Devereux who has retired from Wexford County Council following 42 years’ dedicated service and members lined up to join in the tributes. Mr. Enright congratulated Pat and thanked her for her guidance and huge amount of support since he arrived as County Manager in 2014. “You were a great support and a great ‘gatekeeper’.

Cllr Oliver Walsh had known Pat since he first arrived in the Council 18 years ago when he was first co-opted and Cllr George Lawlor recalled meeting Pat on a daily basis she was “always in good humour, charming and smiling.” Ger Carthy acquainted Pat with so many County Managers’ during her 42 years with the Council and he recounted her good rapport with his late father, Cllr Leo Carthy.

The tributes kept coming from all sides of the chamber and in reply, Pat said she had “a lovely time working for the Council and working with the members” and she found the experience interesting and entertaining and she acknowledged the cherished friendships that brought so much pleasure to the job.

Minister Harris didn’t say much!

Minister for Health Simon Harris TD came under fire from members at the December meeting when he replied to correspondence from Pat Collins, Secretary, Wexford County Council with a ‘one line sentence’ that read; “I wish to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence concerning early intervention for mental health issues.”

Some members were appalled at the ministerial one-liner!

Cllrs Leonard Kelly and Cllr Davy Hynes described the curt reply as “scandalous” and both members queried “What can be done about it?” Cllr Hynes quipped; “They don’t seem to care about mental health.”

By Dan Walsh

Council votes to keep dogs running

Well Known international Soccor Player Paul McGrath presenting the cheque for €12,135 from his Wexford Golf Classic at Rathaspic Manor to Wexford Acquired Brain Injury and Tracy Jennings and Tom O’Donnell at there premises in Drinagh Wexford The future of the 83 years old Enniscorthy Greyhound Track is uncertain following the recent Indecon Economic Consultants report into the state of the industry, however, when the matter was discussed at Monday’s monthly meeting of Wexford County Council there was unanimous support for the track from the members and the Council is to engage with the Minister, the Irish Greyhound Board and Enniscorthy track management in an effort to ensure the continuation of the sport at the Ross Road, Enniscorthy.

The matter was raised by Cllr Aidan Browne who said the track was part of the fabric of the county for years, while

Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council, Cllr Kathleen-Codd, said her family were involved with greyhounds for three generations and closure would be a serious situation for Enniscorthy.

“The best of greyhounds raced there, and the track is of vital importance for the economic, social, cultural and tourism life of Enniscorthy.” She felt that if the track were to be let go it would have a huge impact on Enniscorthy town and district, the county and the South-East.

Cllr John O’Rourke said he lived beside the track.

“A lot of families will be affected and a life that has been there over the years since the beginning will be disintegrated.

He noted that “down the country is being targeted and emphasised that action must be taken.

Cllr Pip Breen agreed, and said it was a vital infrastructure for the town of Enniscorthy and he referred to all the party nights, charity and benefit nights that took place there over the years.

Cllr John Fleming said it would be a huge loss to Enniscorthy, Cllr John Hegarty suggested contacting the Minister on the matter, and Cllr Cathal Byrne gave some figures; 386 greyhound owners in the county and 31 people working on the track, which he described as “privately owned” and “profitable.” He concluded; “Common sense has to prevail

here.” Cllr Pat Barden rejected the idea of closure. “We should not accept this proposed action.

There is too much history there.”

He suggested a meeting with delegates and a review of what is happening.

Cllr Jim Codd said the track would be seriously missed and closure must be resisted at all costs.

Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Michael Sheehan, took a show of hands and it was unanimously agreed that the Council engage with the Minister, the Irish Greyhound Board and Enniscorthy track management to discuss the closure plans and see what can be done.

John Carley heading ‘down under’ Director of Services, John Carley, was attending his last meeting of Wexford County Council after 40 years’ service and members were delighted to see that his next project was to ‘go down under’ - a family reunion holiday in Australia.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Sheehan initiated the many tributes in simple fashion by

thanking John for all his good work for the Council and wishing him a happy retirement.

CEO Tom Enright included his good wishes and said John was “hugely respected, passionate and committed, and brought great energy to his work.”

John had worked in housing, the environment and brought the fire service up to date,

to mention just some of his achievements, and Cllr Pip Breen said he will be missed. “You took your job to heart and were an asset to the Council and we appreciate your work for the towns and the community.”

Cllr John Fleming described John as “always very helpful,” Cllr Ger Carthy admired him

for “driving an agenda”, Cllr George Lawlor said he was very proud of his Wexford town roots, Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy recalled first meeting him in the company of the French Ambassador and reenactors in Enniscorthy, and Cllr Mary Farrell enjoyed his company on the SPC committee over the past five years.

thechronicle December 17, 2019

Season’s greetings

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

thechronicle December 17, 2019

Season’s greetings

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thechronicle December 17, 2019

Season’s greetings

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,

Michael Wolsey

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

Ann Murphy greets Santa at Wells House and Gardens reciently online and they no longer need 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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thechronicle December 17, 2019

opinion&comment

The FAI is an absolute shambles

T

he publication of the FAI’s financial accounts for 2018 on December 7 sent shockwaves through the media, both news and sporting.

The organisation has been under the microscope for most of the year, since details of John Delaney’s €100k loan to them in 2017 were uncovered; amongst the revelations that came out on Friday was the uncovering of a further 50K payment from the organisation’s former CEO to his employers in December 2018.

The FAI is a shambles, and that’s being polite. Government funding has been cut off, the public and the grassroots soccer community have lost confidence and sponsors are running away.

Money trickling in from UEFA is keeping them on life support. This can’t continue.

At this stage all ties with Delaney have been cut. It took a severance package worth nearly €500k to finally offload him, not a cent of which he deserved, but at least he’s gone. Let’s start again, from scratch.

Shane Ross isn’t going to

Presentation of Cheques Proceeds of the Leo Carthy Memorial Weekend in Our Ladies Island in The Community Centre: Back row: Louise Morris, Nicky White, Rosaleen Keegan, John Hayes, CllrGer Carthy, Michael Carthy, Sarah Hyland and Wendy Moran, Paiste Beag. Front row Jean Carr, Margo Moran, Brian Breslin, Bridget Sinnott, Assumpta Carthy, Tisha Boyce, and Erin Carthy restore government funding until he sees signs of real change.

I’m hopeful that Paul Cooke, the new executive lead, can start the process of renewal.

His background at the Sunday Business Post and the Irish

Daily Star is impressive and cause for hope.

If he’s seen to be turning things around then sponsors will return, or new ones will come on board.

Personally I find the goings on at the FAI even more

appalling because, as a League of Ireland fan, I have watched our domestic league limp on year after year with negligible support from the organisation.

The phrase ‘Problem Child’ comes to mind; it showed the contempt of the Delaney regime

towards the grassroots.

Repairing this broken trust should be high on the agenda for any process of renewal.

In 2019 it is hard to imagine how such an important and influential body as the FAI could get away with being

run so badly. No proper governance, decision making or review structures. Just a guy at the top with all the power, milking the organisation for all he could get.

People afraid to blow the whistle or cry stop in case they lost their jobs, or missed out on a promotion.

It wouldn’t happen in your business, or mine, yet it was happening with the FAI and a lot of that money was our taxes.

Soccer in this country is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions.

The game already has to compete with rugby and the GAA codes to attract players, sponsors and media coverage.

The FAI should be a help and not a hindrance in this process.

Going forward, people will need and deserve to be given answers. Individuals will need to do jail time, if they are found to have acted in an illegal way.

Structures must be put in place to ensure the organisation is run like a modern professional body and not someone’s personal slush fund.

- Brian Quigley

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thechronicle December 17, 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

Fairytale of New York Thursday 19 December, RTE 1 @ 10.15pm

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.’

Fairytale of New York: The Story of a Christmas Classic - A look at the making of the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl’s classic bittersweet Christmas love song. The documentary looks back at the making of the song in the company of singer Shane MacGowan, and other Pogues sharing their memories include Spider Stacy, Cait O’Riordan and Jem Finer. With contributions from Imelda May, Bob Geldof, Paul Simon and Christy Moore.

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.

concert of the week

event of the week

gig of the week

by Bill Bryson

An Irish Christmas | Nollaig na nGael Friday, December 20, 7pm. St Iberius Church, with Craobh Loch Garman Comhaltas and friends

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.

St Iberius Church, Wexford hosts a very special candle-lit Christmas concert focusing on some of the music and poems that make Christmas in Ireland so unique. Featuring a selection of music, songs, stories and poetry that are distinctly Irish. While this is the darkest time of year it can be a quietly joyful time. With a staggering array of performers on the night expect, poetry, traditional Irish singing and musical solos. No admission charge. Voluntary donations to Arthur and Aodhán’s Fast Appeal.

special event of the week

New Year’s Day Arrow Ceremony Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at 1–2pm Hook Lighthouse Hook Head, Fethard On Sea

Pierce Turner December 23rd, 8:30 pm Wexford Arts Centre - Wexford. 053 912 3764

An age-old tradition also takes place on New Year’s Day at the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse in County Wexford as archers take part in a traditional “arrow ceremony”. At 1pm, the Dunbrody Archers will join Cllr John Fleming An Cathaoirleach to participate in the free event ceremony. The tradition dates back to 1687 when the Mayor and corporation of New Ross Town Council claimed their authority over the Tower and waters by travelling to the point of the Hook and shooting an arrow into the sea from Hook Head Lighthouse.

Pierce Turner has been awarded Ireland’s Solo Performer of the Year. Pierce Turner is a superb Pianist / singer and performer, also augmenting some songs with his high energy.

He was on the cover of New York magazine where he also lives “One of the City’s great Gems”-He is a composer of extraordinarily beautiful Film Music, and had a track in HBO’s the Wire. Liam Fay of the Sunday Times, says that he is the best Irish Songwriter “bar none”.

Rolling Stone compared his performance in Carnegie Hall to a cross between David Bowie and Joni Mitchell.

night out of the week

tribute 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.

Winter Solstice Ceremony of Light Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 7:30-8:30pm The Irish National Heritage Parkm Ferrycarrig

Bingo Loco Christmas Special Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 6:30 -11pm Clayton Whites Hotel, Abbey Street, Wexford,

Classic songs of Dylan and Young Saturday, December 21, at 8:30 pmpin Wexford Arts Centre, The Cornmarket, Wexford

The Hope Cancer Support Centre invites all those who have been touched by cancer, other illness or loss to attend a ‘Ceremony of Light and Healing’ to celebrate the Winter Solstice in the Irish National Heritage Park,Wexford on Saturday 21st December at 7.30pm. The 21st of December is the shortest day of the year. This is the day when sunlight is at a minimum and the ceremony of light is about bringing light into darkness. It signifies bringing hope into people’s lives. Darkness cannot survive where there is light.

WHAT IS BINGO LOCO? We are the runaway child of traditional bingo complete with rave rounds, lip sync battles and dance offs.

The conventional Bingo Cartel don’t like what we do. We don’t care. We are bringing bingo kicking and screaming into a full on party rave! We’ve got the ball’s... the bingo balls to make your roar so loud you’ll definitely lose your voice. Previous prizes include: Trip to Vegas & Coachella, Instax cameras, crates of cans, a bathtub!

In a stunning show JMA will pay homage to some of Bob Dylan and Neil Young’s greatest music featuring classics such as ”Like A Rolling Stone” and “Cortez the Killer” along with some brand new additions to the set list. JMA take the songs of the masters and add their own unique edge to the mix. Their sound, based around the vocals of James & Anne Meyler, richly laden with harmony, combined with superb guitar work from Michael Egan and fantastic rhythms from Keith Devereux on drums and Mick O’Brien.

CapricornFamily comes first. Expect messes, chaos or disruption at your house. Don’t divulge secrets. Keep your objective in mind.

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.

thechronicle December 17, 2019

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thechronicle December 17, 2019