Wicklow Voice

wicklowvoice OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AT THE BRAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDEAVOUR AWARDS

February 1, 2019 t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

wicklowvoice OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AT THE BRAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDEAVOUR AWARDS

INSIDE: FREE

May 28, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, February 1, 2019 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

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We splurge â‚Ź527m on property sales THE recovery in the residential property market in the county has slowed, according to a study conducted by the Wicklow Voice LQWR ÂżJXUHV FRQWDLQHG LQ the Residential Property Price Register (RPPR).

Our survey shows show that there was a decrease of 83 in the number of transactions to 1583 in 2018 compared to 1666 in 2017, a fall of 4.98%.

The total spent on property was â‚Ź527,149,475, down â‚Ź25,012,459 from â‚Ź552,161,934 in 2017, which is a drop of 4.53%.

However, the average price paid per property was up slightly by 0.48% (â‚Ź1,577), from â‚Ź331,430 to â‚Ź333,007 just a year later.

The highest residential sale of the year occurred when Craignathan, South Place, The Burnaby in Greystones which sold for â‚Ź 2,400,000.

The cheapest sale of the year was 5 Tulfarris Village, Blessington Lakes which sold

Francesca and Rania Zarnescu celebrating Romania at St Kilains Multicultural Day. Âť Lots more pictures from around the county inside

for â‚Ź10,000. Curiously, one of the oddest sales of the year according to in Glenheron in Greystones, when eight homes in Cairns Home development changed hands for â‚Ź67.704 each when homes there are currently changing hands for more than â‚Ź300k.

Cairns Homes did not respond to our request for an explanation.

Between 2013, when we began our yearly analysis, and 2018, total annual sales have increased from â‚Ź241m to â‚Ź527m - a rise of 118% in just ÂżYH \HDUV $OVR LQ WKDW WLPH WKH average price of a house has rocketed from â‚Ź266,000 in 2013 to â‚Ź331,430 last year, which is an increase of 24.6%.

The price of the average threebed semi in County Wicklow is expected to rise by 4.6% in the next 12 months, according to a survey carried out by Real (VWDWH $OOLDQFH Property in numbers p11-13

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04| NEWS news in brief Fyffes Fit Squad returns ON foot of successful visits to Wicklow schools in 2018, )\྾HV ¾)LW 6TXDGœ LQLWLDWLYH LV returning to the county with an event planned for Saint Cronan’s Boys’ National School in Bray on February 13.

On the day, some 100 pupils from the school will participate in the hour-long, interactive session aimed at promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle, especially amongst young people.

Delivered by Irish health and ÂżWQHVV H[SHUW 7RP 'DOWRQ topics covered will include an active workout.

Schools and sports clubs interested in participating in the project are asked to visit www.

I\ŕľľHVÂżWVTXDG LH

Don’t forget the Texaco art comp

Wicklow teachers in primary and second level schools, whose pupils take part in the annual Texaco Children’s Art Competition, are reminded that the closing date for receipt of entries this year is Thursday, 28 February next.

Last year over 700 pupils from schools in Co Wicklow submitted entries to the Competition.

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

â‚Ź1 billion boost to see 540 new jobs created

Brooke, line and sinker ...

Alison scoops top award THERE’S no stopping Greystones businesswoman Alison Banton and her team from Brooke & Shoals Fragrances who won a top award at the The Irish Woman’s Awards 2019.

Alison was delighted to accept the award of Business Woman of the year in the category of Business with less WKDQ VWDŕľľ “It’s all about having a great team around you when you are growing a business,â€?

Alison told the Wicklow Voice. “I am very lucky that all P\ VWDŕľľ DUH KDUG ZRUNLQJ and dedicated. In my shop in Greystones and in my RŕľśFH PDQXIDFWXULQJ XQLW LQ Kilcoole, I am surrounded by enthusiastic, customer focused employees that go the

extra mile. I couldn’t have won this award without their help and loyalty.�

The awards ceremony aimed to showcase the contribution of women to various industries and professions such as Law, Medicine, Technology, Entrepreneurship, Arts, Sport, Education and many more.

Over 200 people attended WKH EODFN WLH HYHQW LQ 7KH Crowne Plaza Dublin which was hosted by Radio Broadcaster, TV Producer and Author, Aideen Hand.

Brooke & Shoals Fragrances was created

by Alison in 2010 to manufacture and wholesale, on a larger scale, all the fragrance product she already sold in her shop.

Great gigs at The Mermaid TrĂ­ona Marshall, Tim Edey, David Power & Rithim Orchestra, Feb 8, 8pm, â‚Ź16/14 $ RQFH Rŕľľ PHHWLQJ RI established and up-and-coming virtuosos. Hear some stunning guitar and harp playing from the traditional music world; music from stars of the future.

I Have a Tribe and Sun Collective Presented by Home Beat, Feb 9, 8pm, ₏16/14 I Have A Tribe is led by Patrick O’Laoghaire. Central to live performances is honesty, communication, vulnerability and strength. Recently Patrick joined various artists of the P-EO-P-L-E collective Berlin, and opened for Lisa Hannigan + Stargaze at the NCH. Rapids Presented by Talking Shop Ensemble & Shaun Dunne, Feb15, 8pm, Ÿ Exploring instances of disclosure and the presence of stigma in the lives of men and women who are HIV+ in Ireland today, Talking Shop Ensemble and Shaun Dunne present Rapids; their smash hit show that looks to playfully make the private public.

WICKLOW is to get a major jobs boost after it was announced that Echelon Data Centres Ltd is to build a new facility in Arklow.

A total of 450 temporary construction jobs and 90 operational positions in Arklow will be created in the â‚Ź1bn investment.

Clondalkin in Dublin will DOVR EHQHÂżW ZLWK FRQVWUXFtion jobs and 100 operational positions.

The Irish company will invest â‚Ź1bn in the 89,000 square metre data centres which, with a total capacity of more than 180MW, they claim is the equivalent of around 34% of all operational capacity currently available in the country. The company said that planning permission has been granted for the Clondalkin site and is imminent for Arklow.

As part of the announcement, Echelon praised and thanked Fianna Fail TD Pat Casey for KLV HŕľľRUWV LQ VHFXULQJ WKH MREV “This is the beginning of new era for Arklow and a game changer for jobs development in Arklow and indeed the South Wicklow region,â€? Mr Casey

said. “For years the old IFI site at Avoca River Park has been a metaphor for failed industrial development in Arklow. “One of my top priorities for Arklow and the South Wicklow region was locally based jobs development. “I have been working on this project with Crag Digital now Echelon for the past sixteen months. “The initial investment is over â‚Ź500m and will transform this EURZQ ÂżHOG VLWH LQWR D PDMRU data centre with 100 mega watts of capacity in phase one which will in turn attract industries in the valuable technology and software sectors.â€?

Echelon is owned by Aldgate Developments, a UK and Ireland-based property development company.

Niall Molloy, CEO of Echelon Data Centres, said: “Between our two sites in Clondalkin and Arklow, and other sites that we are in the process of identifying and acquiring in Ireland, the UK and Europe, Echelon will become one of Europe’s biggest data centre providers.�

Studio’s ₏90m boost AN Bord Pleanåla have granted planning permission for a ₏90 m extension of Ashford Studios.

The long-awaited expansion is expected to generate up to ¿OP DQG WHOHYLVLRQ MREV for County Wicklow according to the studio’s plans.

As part of the extension, four VT IRRW ÂżOP VWXGLRV will be created. In addition, a QHZ WHOHYLVLRQ VWXGLR RŕľśFHV and visitor centre form part of proposal.

Ashford Studios has been

the production location of the ‘Vikings’ series which concluded its sixth series in December. Last month a spokesperson for the studios said that the search had begun to secure fresh work.

The new plans will allow the studios to host multiple major productions at one time. ,Q WKH ÂżOP ORFDWLRQ JHQHUDWHG SURÂżWV RI Âź million, a 30% increase on the Âź PLOOLRQ SURÂżWV WKH VWXGLR UHFRUGHG LQ

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

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06 |

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

wicklow people in pictures

Operation Transformation walk begins at the bandstand with the Local Sports Partnership: Majella Quinlan, Paula Kelly, Janice Clancy and Felicity Kenny

Bray One Act Festival Patrons Reception at the Mermaid Arts Centre: Pauline Silk, Rosaleen Mullen, Ger Gilroy, Miriam McKeever, Jean Kelly from Delgany ICA Drama Group

One of the performers at the Banjo & Bovril Festival in the harbour recently

Suicide or Survive Gala Ball at the Parkview Newtown Mount Kennedy: Richie Malone rhythm guitarist with Status Quo and Jessica Fennell, organisers Karl and Kellie McKenna

Bray Institute of Further Education Open Day: Professional Cookery students Ilaria Benson, Jake Murphy, Claire Murray

Thirteen tonnes of waste dumped in mountains THIRTEEN tonnes of of waste were dumped in the Wicklow PRXQWDLQV LQ WKH ¿UVW WKUHH weeks of this year.

And this could be the worst year in more than a decade for À\ WLSSLQJ LQ WKH FRXQW\ LI LW continues at the present rate, Pure Project has warned.

In contrast, for the whole of January 2018, Pure volunteers collected 15 tonnes for the whole month.

Ian Davis, head of Pure, said: ³,I LW FRQWLQXHV ZH ZLOO EH JR LQJ EDFN WR WKH ROG GD\V ZKHQ we had up to 36 tonnes of waste a month. “We don’t know why this is KDSSHQLQJ RU ZKDW KDV FDXVHG D VXUJH WKLV \HDU EXW LW VKRZV WKDW we need to have a realistic dis FXVVLRQ DERXW LOOHJDO GXPSLQJ ´ Mattresses, furniture, toys, bed frames and domestic waste have been recovered and Mr Davis said that the number of EODFN EDJV RI KRXVHKROG UXEELVK

rose after Christmas.

The Pure Project is a partner ship funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, and has 1,000 volunteers.

There was a 60% reduction in the amount of waste dumped in the area in 2018 compared with ten years earlier.

In 2008 Pure Project removed WRQQHV RI LOOHJDOO\ ZDVWH compared with 160 tonnes in 2018. ³:H GRQ¶W ZDQW WR JR EDFN WR WKH ZD\ WKLQJV ZHUH EHFDXVH WKLV GRHVQ¶W MXVW D൵HFW WKH HQYL URQPHQW LW D൵HFWV WKH HFRQRP\ DQG WRXULVP ´ 0U 'DYLV VDLG “It’s always the most isolated, beautiful and scenic places that DUH WDUJHWHG :LFNORZ LV QRW XQLTXH LOOHJDO GXPSLQJ KDS pens all over the country and QRWKLQJ ZLOO FKDQJH LI ZH GRQ¶W ZRUN WRJHWKHU ´ The project has installed cam eras in areas where they often

¿QG ZDVWH 6R IDU WKH IRRWDJH has resulted in the prosecution of one person, who was handed D ODUJH ¿QH 2WKHU FDVHV DUH EHLQJ ORRNHG into by the county council but 3XUH LV FRQ¿GHQW WKH ORFDO DX thority will “proceed with court SURVHFXWLRQV WKLV \HDU´ Pure said it would be collabo UDWLQJ ZLWK WKH FRXQW\ FRXQFLO &RLOOWH WKH IRUHVWU\ DJHQF\ DQG the National Parks and Wildlife 6HUYLFH WR FDWFK WKRVH SHRSOH LOOHJDOO\ GXPSLQJ DQG IXUWKHU reduce what it described as an ³HQYLURQPHQWDO VFRXUJH´ The project said there has EHHQ D JHQHUDO UHGXFWLRQ LQ WKH DPRXQW RI LOOHJDO GXPSLQJ LQ these areas over the last two years, however. ³, UHPHPEHU GULYLQJ DURXQG the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands LQ DQG DQG EHLQJ DS SDOOHG DW WKH DPRXQW RI LOOHJDO GXPSLQJ WKDW , VDZ ´ VDLG 3XUH PDQDJHU ,DQ 'DYLV

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

| 07

08 | news in brief Donnelly: Say no to ticket touts FIANNA FĂĄil’s Health Spokesperson Stephen Donnelly claims it’s time to say ‘Thank You, Next’ to ticket touts.

Mr Donnelly was speaking before his Bill cracking down on ULS Rŕľľ WLFNHW SULFHV LV GLVFXVVHG RQ WKH Ă€RRU RI WKH 'iLO UHFHQWO\ He explains, “Ask any parent of a teenage girl who Ariana Grande is and they’ll know.

They’ll also know the singer is performing in Dublin in September and how much tickets are supposed to cost.

What they won’t know though is how much they’re reselling for online, because the sky appears to be the limit when it comes to ticket touting. “Imagine that kind of pressure on parents everyday? All the standard tickets are sold out.

But there they are, right there, all kids have to do is convince their mum or dad to shell out money to a tout.�

Bray Arts show The Bray Arts Show takes place in the Martello Hotel, Bray on February 4, 2019 at 8pm. All welcome, admission: â‚Ź5 & â‚Ź4 concession; Roisin O Meadhra Painter, who lives by the sea in Wicklow; Mr Sands Youth Theatre, Wicklow’s newest & fastest growing youth WKHDWUH ZLOO SUHVHQW D VKRUW ÂżOP ‘Upon The Shore’.

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

Crowning glory: Parnell’s home to get â‚Ź8m revamp HE was known as the ‘Uncrowned King of Ireland’, and now it would appear that Charles Stewart Parnell is about get a palace to match his vaunted title.

FĂĄilte Ireland and Coillte have jointly announced plans to invest â‚Ź8m into the redevelopment of Avondale House and Forest Park into a state-of-theart visitor attraction. “Preparatory work and consultation for this development plan has been taking place for VHYHUDO \HDUV ZKLFK VLJQLÂżHG the commitment that existed to establish Avondale as a site of national importance with the potential to attract many more visitors to Co. Wicklow,â€?

Minister for Forestry and Wicklow TD, Andrew Doyle, told the Wicklow Voice. “New plans include an enhanced customer experience of Avondale House and its forest history and a vision for the future of Irish forestry with a new visitor centre as well as a cafĂŠ/ restaurant.â€?

FĂĄilte Ireland will be con-

Stephen Cotter of CIE Tours International presents George McClafferty and Patricia Ross, Glendalough Visitor Centre, with an award at the CIE Tours International 29th Annual Awards of Excellence. Pic: : John T Ohle Photography. Inset, Charles Stewart Parnell tributing more than â‚Ź6.1m into the project, with the remainder coming from Coillte and Wicklow County Council. It is anticipated that the centre will be open for visitors by 2021.

Avondale House is considered the birthplace of Irish for-

many kilometres of walking and cycling trails, orienteering courses and recreation areas available at Avondale House.

Paul Kelly, Chief Executive of FĂĄilte Ireland, added: “We are FRQÂżGHQW WKDW WKH UHGHYHORSHG Avondale House and Forest Park will attract a sizeable number of overseas visitors and domestic tourists ensuring Wicklow and the entire region EHQHÂżWV )iLOWH ,UHODQG LV SURXG to partner with Coillte on developing this major attraction that will entice visitors to stay longer and explore further.

Meanwhile, two of the county’s tourist destinations, Russborough House and Glendalough Visitor Centre, were presented with Merit Awards at the CIE Tours International Annual Awards of Excellence which took place in Dublin’s City Hall recently.

estry and was once the home of Parnell. The 500-acre estate was originally built in the 1700s for Samuel Hayes, who introduced many exotic tree species into Ireland.

In 1904 the state acquired the house, until coming under own-

er ownership of Coillte following its formation in 1989.

A detailed design stage will soon commence. Until then the public can continue to explore the

Plucky Pres knocked by Blackrock

Packed line up ahead for The Whale

Blackrock College 25 Pres Bray 19 A BATTLING Pres Bray team EDWWOHG IURP DQ SRLQW GHÂżFLW to take Blackrock right to the wire in the Leinster Schools Senior &XS ÂżUVW URXQG at Donnybrook.

According to a post on their Facebook page “it (was) the best Senior Pres performance since the glory days of the 70s and 80s... The character of this Pres team has never been in doubt... A huge thanks to all who have supported this group throughout�.

S t a n d - o u t performances on the day included captain Mick O’Gara, Josh Pyper (left) and Ben Murphy (above), son of Ireland assistant coach Richie Murphy.

The Bray school knew they had to keep it tight for as long as possible and look to prey on any fallibilities late into the game DQG DOPRVW SXOOHG LW Rŕľľ XQWLO Blackrock pulled ahead by two scores late in the came.

THE next few months will see a bumper line-up come to The Whales Theatre in Greystones.

Tatler Comedian of the Year, and the star and writer of RTE’s ‘Nowhere Fast’ and ‘Culchie Club’, Alison Spittle (inset) is doing a second tour and she arrives on February 9 (8pm, 7pm tickets â‚Ź15/â‚Ź12).

This is Alison’s hilarious follow up to her smash-hit tours and multi fringe award nominated shows, Worrier Princess and Discovers Hawaii.

Meanwhile on the following day, February 10,, ‘Taste of the Baroque’ will see an afternoon of dramatic musical surprises and ornate theatricality arrive at 4pm (doors 3pm, tickets â‚Ź25/â‚Ź20).

This is a unique opportunity to hear the Degani Trio in fresh and dynamic interpretations of the Baroque masterworks in collaboration with the acclaimed Eamonn Sweeney on guitar and the stylishly eloquent Ruby

Ashley on oboe.

Then on March 21 at 8pm (doors 7pm, tickets â‚Ź24), the ever popular Christy Dignam and Joe Jewell will be performing live their intimate acoustic show “Some Songs and Storiesâ€? at Whale Theatre.

Christy is regarded as one of Irelands greatest singers and performers ever and despite Christy’s recent health scare, he is still performing and has never sounded better . www.whaletheatre.ie or FDOO WKH ERRNLQJ RྜFH RQ 2010550

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

| 09

10 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

Climate Case Ireland HOROSCOPES

I KNOW the title at the top of the column each says ‘Wildlife’ but really you should read that to include wider environmental issues not just wildlife. The biggest issue of our generation (in fact probably the biggest issue in human history) is that of climate change.

By the time you read this column, depending which paper you read (the column appears in 7 papers in 6 counties), Climate Case Ireland will either be about to start, under way or just finished.

So what is Climate Case Ireland? It is the name given to the case that FIE (Friends of the Irish Environment) are taking against the Irish government on behalf of every citizen in this country. This legal action is the first case in Ireland in which citizens are seeking to hold their government accountable for its role in knowingly contributing to dangerous levels of climate change.

FIE argue that the government’s approval of the National Mitigation Plan in 2017 was in violation of Ireland’s Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 (the Climate Act 2015), the Constitution and human rights obligations. We also claim that the Plan falls far short of the steps required by the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The case was inspired by similar actions in other countries, in particular the highly successful case in the Netherlands where the group Urgenda won their case and the follow-up appeal against the Dutch government. The Dutch court held that the State is acting unlawfully (in contravention of the duty of care under the European Convention on Human Rights) by failing to pursue a more ambitious reduction in carbon emissions.

The Irish case is asking the High Court to quash Ireland’s National Mitigation Plan and request the government to remake it in accordance with the law. This will involve making an ambitious emissions reduction plan which will help avert dangerous climate change.

The case starts on 22nd January and is scheduled to last 4 days. To find out more and sign up your support to the case please visit www. climatecaseireland.ie

MIND, BODY, SOUL JOURNAL

by Andrea Hayes

WONDERS OF LIFE BBC4, Thursdays 8pm

GLASS ROI rating: 15A

Have you ever been in the position where you want to make changes in your life? Do you feel you are missing your calling? When you try to start to make positive changes in your life, do you find yourself too exhausted to even think about it? Or maybe you just don’t know what to focus on first? Well, Andrea Hayes’ new book Mind Body Soul journal is exactly what you need as we start reading this year. The Mind Body Soul Journal is a timeless book, beautifully illustrated with pages for journaling - an indispensable companion if you want to live a more focused, positive life.

Available now in all good book stores.

Documentary series presented by physicist Brian Cox. Professor Brian Cox travels around Australia to explore how the size of a creature is connected to the forces acting on its environment. From the safety of a steel cage, he faces a great white shark and explains how the streamlined contours of this massive predator have been shaped by the physics of water. In Queensland’s rainforests, he explains how insects and other smaller creatures can appear to defy gravity, using electrostatic force to scale vertical windows.

From Unbreakable, Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn as does Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, known also by his pseudonym Mr. Glass. Joining from Split are James McAvoy, reprising his role as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Casey Cooke, the only captive to survive an encounter with The Beast. Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

FESTIVAL of the week

EVENT of the week

PLAY of the week

ARIES - Plan and coordinate carefully. Consider longterm goals, aspirations and dreams. Quiet moments prove productive. Articulate what you want.

TAURUS - Talk about big picture ambitions with your team. Align your action to a shared dream. It’s emotion YHUVXV UHDVRQ ¿QG DQ inspiring connection.

GEMINI- <RXU LQÀXHQFH LV growing. Discuss long-term career goals with trusted advisors and friends. An amazing development rests upon your disciplined practice.

CANCER- Expand your horizons. Make a longdistance connection.

Travel and studies produce illuminating fresh understanding.

LEO- Collaborate to PD[LPL]H FDVK ÀRZ WR shared accounts. Consider long-term goals, and budget for what you want to create.

Back up talk with action.

BRAY COMEDY FESTIVAL Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th February Various locations in Bray, Co Wicklow

WORLD WETLANDS DAY Sunday 3rd February 11am-1pm Free Outdoor Event

AN EVENING WITH AONGHUS MCANALLY Friday 15th February at The Whale Theatre Theatre Lane, Greystones, Co Wicklow

The Now Famous Bray Comedy Festival is back this year and this time it’s bigger and better than ever. Join in the laughs and have a great week of shows with the creme of Irish Comedy.

Tommy Tiernan, Bingo Loco, Enya Martin, Kevin McGahern, Paul Currie, Karl Spain, Adam Burke, Barry Murphy, John Colleary, Tony Cantwell, Zenjiro, Farmer Michael and Kathleen to name but a few of the acts that will side split the crowds. Delighted with the success of last year’s festival, we are bringing another load of laughs to The Harbour Bar, The Porterhouse and The Esplanade Hotel. February. Booking through eventbrite.ie

World Wetlands Day & Bridget’s Cross Making - an excellent event for young and old alike, families, school groups or those with an interest in the natural world.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Birdwatch Ireland’s East Coast Nature Reserve. After a short walk, attendees will have a chance to make a St. Bridget’s Cross. Meet at the main entrance to the reserved, Sea Road, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. No need to book.

Dress appropriate to the weather. For more information email info@birdwatchireland.ie

Written and performed by Comedian Sharon Mannion (Bridget and Eamon - RTE) who pens a hilarious show based on her worries, fears and adventures growing up in a Roscommon village. Will she live up to the expectations of her ex-showband star father and her Midwest FM radio-loving mother? On receiving a shiny button accordion, Sharon is thrust into the local limelight. But things soon turn sour, when she starts to wonder if ‘Frank the Accordion’ might have her cursed.

This eventful coming of age tale explores the calamitous consequences of forging deep, complex feelings for an inanimate object.

CLASS of the week

TRIBUTE of the week

GIG of the week

VIRGO- Make future plans with your partner. Imagine how you’d love things to be.

Share secret confessions and dreams. Find ways to help each other.

LIBRA- Focus on your physical actions. The practices you maintain build long-term health, strength and endurance.

Keep monitoring your performance.

SCORPIO- Someone makes \RXU KHDUW ÀLS )LQG ZD\V WR take your relationship to the next level. Talk about your interests and passions.

SAGITTARIUS- Family comes ¿UVW 0DNH ORQJ ODVWLQJ domestic improvements. Get the highest quality you can D൵RUG *R IRU VLPSOLFLW\ DQG functionality. Less is more.

CAPRICORN- Research and write your ideas, thoughts and vision. Artistic and PXVLFDO H[SUHVVLRQ ÀRZHUV Decisions made now can have lasting results.

KILA – THE REAL DEAL Saturday 2nd February 2019 @ 8:00 pm The Hotspot, Victoria Rd, Greystones.

Dublin trad legends & Wicklow locals, Kila return to the Hot Spot on Feb 2nd. Kila is one of those bands whose unique sounds stops a person and demands their attention. They’ve travelled worldwide with their music and retained their individual Irish tone since the 1980s. Kila are one of the only Irish bands to switch up their style as often as every year, however you can still hear elements of Irish Trad in everything we’re going to show you.

LIMITED SEATING. Tickets available online, or

by Ph 087 291 7519.

MASTERING FISH AND SAUCES 2nd February 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Ballyknocken Cookery School, Ashford

THE SONGS & STORIES OF JONI MITCHELL Friday 8th February at The Whale Theatre Theatre Lane, Greystones, Co Wicklow

In this interactive masterclass, the skills of making the perfect sauces to match your perfectly cooked fish will be shown and your tutor will demystify various methods of cooking fish. Covering Italian Haddock Parcels with Chilli Red Pepper Sauce; Spaghetti alla Vongole; Chargrilled Tuna with Ginger Mango Salsa and Whole Baked Sea Bream with Sesame Coriander Butter and you’ll learn how to pin, skin and fillet your fish! All recipes are subject to seasonal ingredients. Priced at €140 Booking available www.ballyknocken.ie/

Three piece group Shadows and Light bring their captivating show on the iconic singer songwriter Joni Mitchell. Stunning interpretations of her music are played by vocalist Maura Vambeck, Dave Mulligan on guitar and Paul Enright on keyboard. The show features songs from the huge Joni repertoire.

Their hypnotic performance of the lyrics and life of Joni is truly special, bringing you Joan Anderson, the poet, artist and mother. If you are a Joni Mitchell fan, you will love Shadows and Light, but if you don’t know much about Mitchell, you will soon be a fan.

AQUARIUS-Your ideas attract attention. Business booms, along with expenses.

Keep a positive balance sheet. Find safe places to stash your treasure.

PISCES- Take action that forwards a personal dream.

Long-term plans get realized step by step. Imagine your future goal completed, and the ensuing celebration.

| 11

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

Property 2019: Special report

Prices set to rise 4.6% in 2019 THE price of the average threebed semi in County Wicklow is expected to rise by 4.6% in the next 12 months, according to a survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance.

Prices in the county rose by 8.3% to â&#x201A;Ź291,000 in 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with no change between September and December.

The REA Average House Price Survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been solid activity, with vendors buying into adjusted price levels,â&#x20AC;? said Simon Murphy of REA Murphy in Baltinglass and Blessington. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong location is supporting demand, and we expect an increasing gap between better located properties, and others, as new-build supply increases in preferred locations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A negative Brexit may see a stagnation or fall in values. Âł7KHUH KDYH EHHQ RŕľľHUV withdrawn when decisions are slow or when preferred

Barretstown CEO Dee Ahearn with Barretstown Ambassadors actors Aidan Gillen and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as they launched Barretstownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Press Playâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign in celebration of its 25th anniversary. Pic: Brian McEvoy Photography locations at adjusted prices come to market.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quarter four of 2018 improved on quarter three in Wicklow Town,â&#x20AC;? said Matt Forkin of REA Forkin in Wicklow Town and Bray. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More property is selling, but

there is less multiple bidding.

The stock shortages seen in quarter three and quarter four, 2018, will hopefully ease with a number of upcoming new developments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Bray, quarter four was sluggish, but there was good

GHPDQG IURP ÂżUVW WLPH EX\HUV ´ The average semi-detached house nationally now costs â&#x201A;Ź236,287, the Q4 REA Average House Price Survey has found â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a rise of 0.6% on the Q3 2018 ÂżJXUH RI Âź Overall, the average house

price across the country rose by 4.6% in 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a decrease on the 5.4% recorded to September and indicating that the market is continuing to steady after an 11.3% overall rise in 2017.

Growth in the commuter counties also slowed to 0.38%

in the last three months â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an annual rise of 4.18% â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with the average house now selling for â&#x201A;Ź249,472.

This is an annual rise of â&#x201A;Ź10,000 and growth of â&#x201A;Ź2,000 in the last three months.

The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major cities outside Dublin recorded the biggest rise of the quarter at 1.25%, an annual increase of 5.81%, with an average threebed semi costing â&#x201A;Ź252,500.

The biggest urban rise was seen in Galway City, where selling prices rose by 2.7% in the quarter to â&#x201A;Ź282,500 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a yearly increase of 9.7%.

The highest annual increases (7.7%) were once again seen in the rest of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s towns which rose in selling price by an average of â&#x201A;Ź10,000 in 2018 and which experienced a 0.85% rise in Q4 to an average of â&#x201A;Ź157,717. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In these areas, you largely have the perfect storm of DŕľľRUGDELOLW\ ZLWKLQ WKH deposit range, and no new homes as it is still uneconomical to build in many places,â&#x20AC;? said REA Spokesperson Barry McDonald.

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

Property 2019: Special report

THE WICKLOW MA

wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

RKET IN NUMBERS

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

SPRINGWEDDINGS2019

In God we trust

Church still tops as religion plays role in 63% of marriages WHEN it comes to weddings in Ireland, we still believe in holding religious ceremonies while brides and grooms are also getting older, according to new ¿JXUHV Religious marriage ceremonies remain popular in Ireland, accounting for 63% of all marULDJHV LQ Just over a half of all opposite sex marriages were Catholic FHUHPRQLHV DW In 2017, the average age of ERWK EULGH DQG JURRP

ZDV XS RQ FRUUHVSRQGLQJ ¿JXUHV RI DQG In the past 50 years the average age of grooms in Ireland GURSSHG IURP \HDUV LQ WR D ORZ RI \HDUV LQ 1977 and increased to a high of \HDUV LQ A similar trend is evident for brides, with the average age deFUHDVLQJ IURP LQ WR LQ DQG LQFUHDVLQJ WR D KLJK RI LQ

Where same-sex couples were concerned, the average age of the male partners in marriages UHPDLQHG VLPLODU DW LQ WR LQ ZKLOH IRU female partners it went down slightly to LQ IURP LQ

Over a q u a r t e r,

of opposite sex couples chose a civil marriage ceremony in 2017, XS IURP LQ

Altogether, there were 21,262 opposite sex marriages in 2017, down slightly from 21,570 in

Where same-sex marriages were concerned, there were

759 in 2017, down from 1,056 LQ 2I WKRVH VDPH sex marriages, 424 were male XQLRQV DQG IHPDOH XQLRQV As same-sex marriage is neither conducted nor recognised by the major religions, civil marriage ceremonies accounted for RI the 2017 samesex marriages in ,UHODQG The Humanist Association of Ireland FRQGXFWHG RU the Spiritualist Union of Ireland conducted 76 or 10%, with the UHPDLQLQJ FRQGXFWHG E\ RWKHU UHOLJLRXV JURXSLQJV The largest number by location of same-sex marriages

THE AVERAGE AGE OF BRIDES IS 34.1 AND GROOMS IS 36.1

LQ WRRN SODFH LQ WKH 'XEOLQ FLW\ DUHD 2YHUDOO WKH average Irish marriage rate for DW SHU GURSSHG VOLJKWO\ IURP LQ SODFing Ireland 13th among the (8¶V FRXQWULHV In 2017, the average age of ERWK EULGH DQG JURRP

ZDV XS RQ FRUUHVSRQGLQJ ¿JXUHV RI DQG In the past 50 years the average age of grooms in Ireland GURSSHG IURP \HDUV LQ WR D ORZ RI \HDUV LQ 1977 and increased to a high of \HDUV LQ A similar trend is evident for brides, with the average age deFUHDVLQJ IURP LQ WR LQ DQG LQFUHDVLQJ WR D KLJK RI LQ Where same-sex couples were concerned, the average age of the male partners in marriages UHPDLQHG VLPLODU DW LQ WR LQ ZKLOH IRU female partners it went down

VOLJKWO\ WR LQ IURP LQ

In 2017 there ZHUH % Catholic marriage ceremonies in Ireland, 379

&KXUFK of Ireland FHUHPRQLHV The Spiritualist Union of Ireland performed 1,159

FHUHPRnies and 1,120

FRXSOHV opted for other religious ceremoQLHV In 2017, August was the most popular month for opposite sex marriages, with September the most popular for same-sex PDUULDJHV

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

Education 2019

How cold is too c AS temperatures across the county are set to plummet to -5C, it's worth noting just how cold it needs to be to consider not going to school or work.

The extreme weather could result in dangerous conditions D൵HFWLQJ EXVLQHVV DOO RYHU the country - so here's all the factors that need to be taken into account.

For schools it's not simply how cold it is outside - it's more about the heating inside.

According to the Irish National Teachers Organisation, classrooms need to be heated to minimum of 16C by 10AM. So no heating on a cold day then classes should not go ahead.

Of course we should expect VFKRROV WR KDYH DGHTXDWH heating systems, but if for some reason it breaks or pipes get IUR]HQ RYHU WKH SULQFLSDO WKHQ ZLOO KDYH WR HLWKHU DUUDQJH D GL൵HUHQW DUHD WR OHDUQ RU FDQFHO classes.

If this happens after school has already started students who go home for lunch should be told not to return while kids ZKR GRQ W KDYH WKDW RSWLRQ VKRXOG EH VXSHUYLVHG DQG VHQW

home when it's safe to do so.

If they can't guarantee heat the following day children should be told not to return until it's ¿[HG 2I FRXUVH WKDW V QRW WKH only factor taken into account.

In the majority of cases where schools close due to weather it's more about safety getting to and from the class.

According to Winterready.ie,

ZKLFK LV WKH TXRWHG JXLGHOLQH in the Education Department's Weather Document, these are the factors that need to be taken into account.

If the pipes are frozen and KHDWLQJ DERYH & FDQ W EH SURYLGHG WKHQ WKH VFKRRO would not be deemed in a safe condition and classes should be cancelled.

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

cold for schools?

New report claims ‘sex ed’ out of date

Voices of Bray Community Choir presented a cheque for €2,620, to Lakers, the proceeds of their fourth Annual Christmas Concert which took place in St Fergal’s Church, Killarney, Bray on December 9.

Pictured are Mary Butler, Fionnuala and Cian Downes and John Ivory

A REPORT published by the Oireachtas Education Committee says the Relationships and Sexuality Education taught in our schools is outdated, needs an overhaul, and that schools’ HWKRV VKRXOG QRW LQÀXHQFH what is taught.

The report found that the current curriculum, introduced in 1999, needs to be changed “to give considerDWLRQ WR WKH VLJQL¿FDQW ZHOcome changes that have taken place in Ireland”.

It expresses particular concern about the impact of shortcomings in current delivery on LGBTQI+ students, as well as those with intellectual disabilities.

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is currently reviewing the programme on behalf of the Department of Education.

All schools are obliged to teach Relationships and

Sexuality Education, but legislation allows the ethos of D VFKRRO WR LQÀXHQFH KRZ WKH programme is delivered.

A large majority of schools in Ireland are run by the Catholic Church.

The Education Committee recommends that outside groups that are brought in to schools to deliver Relationships and Sexuality Education, which will be regulated by the Department of Education or the Health Service Executive to ensure that accurate information is being given to students.

Groups, such as the Catholic bishops’ marriage agency Accord, are regularly brought in to both primary and second level schools to teach the subject.

It recommends that the issue of consent should become an integral and fundamental part of all discussions on and reforms of the programme.

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Find out more: 01 282 9643 bray@nln.ie www.nln.ie facebook.com/ NLNWicklow If you need extra support to learn, then we can help.

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

FODVVLÀHGV

NOTICE GLENDALOUGH VISITOR CENTRE With effect from Saturday February 02nd 2019, parking charges will apply at the Glendalough Visitor Centre carpark. This is designed to cover the costs of new security and carpark management measures at the site.

Public carparks near Glendalough Visitor Centre will be in operation in 2019 at the following locations: OPW Visitor Centre

Glendalough

1. Pay – Carpark - Saturday/ Sunday, Bank Holidays, Holy Days and Easter Week (02/02/19-28/04/19 inclusive) 2. Pay – Carpark – Daily (01/05/19 – 29/09/19 inclusive) 3. Pay – Carpark - Saturday/ Sunday & Bank Holidays (05/10/19 - 26/01/20 inclusive) 4. The Car park is free on all other days.

For further breakdown, see below.

Wicklow Co. Council Carpark

Upper Lake, Glendalough

Pay car-parking at all times.

The charge at Glendalough Visitor Centre carpark will be €4 per day, per car. Charges for Buses will be €25 (€15 for Minibuses with less than 20 seating capacity and Camper Vans).

Visitors to the Glendalough Visitor Centre will be refunded this charge on their Admission fee.

These arrangements will apply to Cars and Buses as follows: Cars: Sat/Sun, Bank Holidays, Holy Days and Easter Week from 02nd February to 28th April 2019, Daily from (01st May to 29th September 2019) Weekends and Bank Holidays from 05th October to 26th January 2020 inclusive.

Buses: Sat/Sun, Bank Holidays, Holy Days and Easter Week from 02nd February to 28th April 2019, Daily from (01st May to 29th September 2019) Weekends and Bank Holidays from 05th October to 26th January 2020 inclusive.

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT US TODAY

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT US TODAY

t: 01 901 5565

t: 01 901 5565

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

Find out how something this small

can change your life.

Visit Amplifon for a FREE trial of new hearing aid technology.

Book your FREE hearing test and hearing aid trial 1800 44 11 55

(Quoting DV19)

34 Lower Abbey Street * Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid until 30th April 2018 on Diamond or Diamond Plus Package.

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wicklowvoice.ie February 1, 2019

insideback

Brian Quigley

Lowry gets perfect start to year

S

hane Lowryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship a couple of weeks back got the 2ŕľľDO\ JROIHUÂśV \HDU Rŕľľ WR WKH

perfect start.

In winning with an 18 underSDU WRWDO KH KHOG Rŕľľ WKH FKDOlenge of South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richard Sterne, who pushed Lowry DOO WKH ZD\ DQG ÂżQLVKHG MXVW D single shot back.

Lowry also hit 11 birdie twos on par three holes during the WRXUQDPHQW WKH ÂżUVW JROIHU HYHU to achieve this in a European Tour event.

Lowry had led by three strokes JRLQJ LQWR WKH ÂżQDO GD\ EXW IDOtered on the front nine, allowing Sterne to storm into a four-shot lead after 11 holes.

By the 18th tee though the pair were level again and Lowryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nerves were steadier as he shot a birdie whereas Sterne could only manage a par.

The win took Lowry to the top of the European Tour Race to Dubai list, and saw his World Ranking take a massive leap

Members of the Greystones U12 team who took to the field in the RDS recently at half time for a Leinster match. Also pictured are Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney in the back ground from 75 to 41 (it is set to rise even more after he followed up this win with a tie for twelfth in the following European Tour event, the Dubai Desert Classic,

which was won by World numEHU ÂżYH %U\VRQ 'H &KDPEHDX of the US).

Lowry is undisputedly the Republicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top golfer now, with

our only other resident in the top 200 being Greystones man Paul Dunne (his ranking is currently a respectable 126).

Lowry and Dunne of course

both came to prominence due to their heroics as amateurs.

Dunne led the British Open after three rounds in 2015 while still an amateur, and Lowry

won the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur, becoming only the third amateur to win on the European Tour.

Lowry has gone on to build a VXFFHVVIXO JROÂżQJ FDUHHU VLQFH turning professional in the aftermath of his 2009 Irish Open heroics.

He won 2012 Portugal Masters, the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (on the US Tour) and has now added the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

He also has form in WKH Âľ0DMRUVÂś ÂżQishing in the top 10 in the 2014 British Open and as runner-up in the 2016 US Open.

Barely into his 30s, there is a lot more to come from Lowry.

Hopefully this will include an appearance at a future Ryder Cup; it would certainly be DPD]LQJ VWXŕľľ LI KH FRXOG PDNH it onto Padraig Harringtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team for the next one.

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