Wicklow Voice

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

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

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Unit 5, Idea House, Killarney Road Business Park, Bray

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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

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

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Bus plan may see 30 gardens vanish THE National Transport Authority (NTA) has written to 166 homeowners along the proposed Bray to City Centre BusConnects route to tell them that they may will lose all or part of their gardens as part of the new plan. And the majority of those residents are located south of Loughlinstown, the NTA told the Wicklow Voice, with as PDQ\ DV DŕľľHFWHG EHWZHHQ north Shankill and Bray. +RXVHV ORFDWHG RQ WKH 'XEOLQ 5RDG EHWZHHQ WKH :LOIRUG 5RXQGDERXW DQG &DVWOH 6WUHHW LQ %UD\ DUH PRVW OLNHO\ WR EH hit with compulsory purchase orders for parts of their front gardens. Although the NTA could QRW VXSSO\ H[DFW ÂżJXUHV WKH Wicklow Voice EHOLHYHV WKDW XS WR KRXVHKROGHUV FRXOG EH DŕľľHFWHG EDVHG RQ PDSV VXSSOLHG to this newspaper. The time people spend commuting will continue to get

Wendy Stephenson and Bailey and Michael Austin at the recent Bray Wanderers Open Day Âť Lots more pictures from around the county inside

ZRUVH ZLWKRXW DQ ÂłLPSURYHG DQG VXVWDLQDEOH SXEOLF WUDQVSRUW systemâ€?, the NTA has said. 7KH 17$ KDV SXEOLVKHG GHWDLOV of 390 households out of a total of more than 1400 that stand to lose part of their gardens. The authority has issued OHWWHUV WR DŕľľHFWHG SURSHUW\ RZQHUV RQ WKH ÂżQDO VL[ RI WKH SURSRVHG EXV FRUULGRUV LQ recent days, which include Bray (166), Ballymun (80), UCD (67) and Ringsend (2) to the city centre, Blackrock to Merrion (51) and Finglas to 3KLEVERURXJK The planned NTA Bus Connects Corridor 12 from Rathfarnham to the city centre DUH EHLQJ PHW ZLWK VWURQJ opposition from local residents DQG EXVLQHVVHV Rathgar Road Residents *URXS KDV MRLQHG QHLJKERXUV from Rathfarnham, Templeogue DQG 7HUHQXUH E\ ODXQFKLQJ WKH ‘Rathgar Is A Community Not A Corridor’ campaign.

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Unit 5, Idea House, Killarney Road Business Park, Bray

04| NEWS news in brief Educate Together for Kilcoole PARENTS in Kilcoole and Newtownmountkennedy were celebrating recently after the Department of Education and Skills announces that Educate Together has been granted patronage of a new eightclassroom national school to serve the area. The school will enrol Junior Infants starting in 2019 this year - enrolment for subsequent years will be taken in the year prior to the child starting school. Principal recruitment will begin immediately. The Department of Education and Skills is currently sourcing accommodation for the school and further details can be found at www.educatetogether.ie.

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

It’s Drexit: TD wants to leave us as he eyes People, not climate, ‘starting fires’ up Euros!

PEOPLE are to blame for UHFHQW ¿UHV LQ WKH :LFNORZ 0RXQWDLQV DQG QRW FOLPDWH Disability group FKDQJH DFFRUGLQJ WR &RLOOWH A NEW community group of 5LVN 0DQDJHU 0LFN 3RZHU people with disabilities in the ³7KHVH ¿UHV FDQ KDSSHQ DW North Wicklow area is looking DQ\ WLPH \HV WKLV LV HDUOLHU for local people to join. WKDQ QRUPDO EXW LI YHJHWDWLRQ The group is called Disability LV GHDG DQG GU\ WKHUH ZLOO Action Together Group North DOZD\V EH ¿UHV JRLQJ RQ ´ KH Wicklow. The next meeting is VDLG on March 11 from 11.00am³7KHUHœV QR SRLQW WKLQNLQJ SP LQ WKH ,QWUHR 2ྜFHV WKLV ZDV EHFDXVH RI WKH &LYLF 2ྜFHV 0DLQ 6WUHHW %UD\ WHPSHUDWXUHV ZH GRQœW JHW and people are welcome to drop KLJK HQRXJK WHPSHUDWXUHV LQ WR ¿QG RXW PRUH RU HPDLO LQ ,UHODQG IRU ¿UHV WR VWDUW RI piercerichardson@disability- WKHLU RZQ DFFRUG WKH\ QHHG federation.ie. WR EH LJQLWHG DQ LQ WKH PDLQ

Robbie Doyle, Rebecca Carolan and John Duggan at the launch of Purple House Pancake Tuesday at the Martello on March 5 from 10-12

WKH\ DUH VWDUWHG E\ KXPDQV ³/DVW VXPPHU LQ -XQH DQG -XO\ ZH KDG VRPH ¿UHV EHFDXVH RI WKH H[WUHPH KHDW EXW LQ WKH PDLQ WKH\ ZHUH FDXVHG E\ FDPS ¿UHV VWDUWHG E\ SHRSOH ´ $LU &RUS FUHZV UHPDLQ RQ VWDQGE\ WR GHDO ZLWK DQ\ ZLOG¿UHV LQ WKH 0RXQWDLQV DIWHU WKH\ ZHUH DVNHG WR DVVLVW :LFNORZ &RXQW\ )LUH 6HUYLFH WKLV ZHHN 7KH ZRUVW ZLOG¿UH ZDV RYHU WKH ERUGHU LQ &R 'XEOLQ DERYH &UXDJK :RRG DQG 7LEUDGGHQ :RRG ZKHQ D VHFRQG KHOLFRSWHU ZDV

SURYLGHG DQG WKH $LU &RUSV EHIRUH UH IXHOOLQJ WR ÂżJKW ÂżUHV RQ .LSSXUH LQ :LFNORZ 0HDQZKLOH D ÂżUH FUHZ IURP 5DWKGUXP GHDOW ZLWK D ZLOGÂżUH LQ WKH /DUDJK DUHD ZKLOH D FUHZ IURP 'XQODYLQ WDFNOHG D JRUVH ÂżUH DW *UDQDEHJ /RZHU :LFNORZ &RXQW\ &RXQFLO VD\V WKHUH DUH VWLOO D QXPEHU RI ÂżUHV EXUQLQJ LQ SDUWLFXODU DERYH WKH 'HIHQFH )RUFHVÂś &DPS LQ .LOEULGH ,W VD\V WKHVH ÂżUHV DUH EHLQJ PRQLWRUHG E\ WKH 3DUNV DQG :LOGOLIH 6HUYLFH &RLOOWH DQG :LFNORZ &RXQW\ )LUH 6HUYLFH

We’re a county of shoppers WICKLOW shoppers are by far the biggest impulse buyers in the country. McElhinneys in Donegal recently conducted a study of RYHU P VHVVLRQV WR ÂżQG RXW the nations shopping habits. On average Wicklow shoppers click ‘Add to Cart’ a whopping 24% faster than other counties, making them the nation’s biggest impulse shoppers. Last year it was revealed the Irish are some of the biggest department store shoppers in the world (!) but who are the biggest spenders online, and is your county one of Ireland’s Biggest Shoppers? The people of Donegal are the highest spenders but also the most indecisive shoppers, taking 18% longer than other FRXQWLHV WR SLFN RXW DQ RXWÂżW Wexford likes to splash the cash on fashion, topping the polls as the biggest spenders. Wexford shoppers spend on average, an astonishing 39% more than any other county, while Leitrim shoppers are 2.5 times more likely to be up shopping as early as 8am in an HŕľľRUW WR ÂżQG D EDUJDLQ

NOW it’s Drexit! Wicklow TD Andrew Andrew Doye has announced that he will seek the Fine Gael nomination for the Ireland South constituency in this year’s elections for the European Parliament. The Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, has said that his motivation was Brexit, and how it has shown Irish people the role the European Union plays here, adding that he felt it was important that all sections of Irish society be represented in the parliament. “Over the past three years as Minister of State, I have been heavily involved in the Government’s Brexit preparations within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,â€? he said. “I have represented the Irish Government, meeting with delegations from our European SDUWQHUV DQG IXUWKHU DÂżHOG DV we attempt to open up new markets to Irish produce.â€? In a statement announcing his intentions, Minister Doyle outlined his credentials in internaWLRQDO DŕľľDLUV DQG UHODWLRQV SDUticularly in relation to climate change and food sustainability. “I delivered Ireland’s national statement to the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development and met with representatives of the World Food Programme to discuss chal-

lenges facing that organisation,â€? said Minister Doyle. He added that he had also chaired meetings at the United Nation’s conference on food and agriculture; he said that all this gives him the necessary experience for a seat in the European Parliament. “It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve in Government under taoisigh Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar, and now it would be my privilege to represent Ireland and Fine Gael in the European Parliament.â€? Fine Gael will hold its Ireland South constituency selection committee convention on March 3. The election will take place on May 24. Currently, there are four Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) for the Ireland South constituency; however, this year Ireland will gain an extra seat there, with WKH DGGLWLRQ RI /DRLV DQG 2ŕľľDO\ from the Midlands-North West constituency.

Echelon planning ECHELON Data Centres it has been granted planning permission for its planned 45,000m² facility in Arklow. The new data centre represents an investment of â‚Ź500m and will have a capacity of up to 100MW and will create 450 jobs in construction and 90 operational positions. The granting of planning allows Echelon to begin the design process and the on-site enablement works. Graeme

McWilliams, COO of Echelon Data Centres said: “We are looking forward to seeing activity on a site that has been underutilised for so many years. “We are fully committed to this substantial investment and want to start the project DV VRRQ DV SRVVLEOH 7KH HŕľľHFW of this development on the Wicklow economy will be felt not only during the construction phase but also through the 90 permanent positions.â€?

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1 2019

Great line-up of events for St Patrick’s fest

news in brief Great Irish Bake for Temple Street TEMPLE Street is calling on everyone in County Wicklow to roll up their sleeves and host your own Great Irish Bake for Temple Street, proudly supported by Gem, taking place WKLV \HDU RQ $SULO Getting involved is a ‘piece of cake’ – simply whip up some buns, cakes, pies or breads and invite your friends, family, neighbours or colleagues along to enjoy the goodies and help VXSSRUW D ZRUWK\ FDXVH Whether you bake it or fake it, you can organise whatever kind RI EDNH VDOH \RX OLNH 6PDOO or elaborate – it’s up to you! Register today for your free SDUW\ SDFN DW ZZZ WHPSOHVWUHHW LH JUHDWLULVKEDNH

Community awards COMMUNITY organisations, sports clubs and projects from &R :LFNORZ ZKR EHQHÂżWWHG from National Lottery Good Causes funding are now invited to apply for the National Lottery *RRG &DXVHV $ZDUGV The National Lottery Good Causes Awards is now in its second year and is open to organisations making an LQFUHGLEOH GLŕľľHUHQFH LQ WKHLU communities with the help of National Lottery Good &DXVHV IXQGLQJ 7KH WHOHYLVHG awards carry a prize fund RI Âź ZZZ ORWWHU\ LH JRRGFDXVHVDZDUGV

Lighting up, in a roundabout way The illuminated lightship lantern at the roundabout Junction 20 leading into Arklow AN installation on a roundabout on the way into Arklow which highlights the town’s maritime heritage, has been illuminated. The electrical works to light up the lantern from the former lightship “Alf Skua�, which was placed on the roundabout at Junction 20 onto the M11 motorway, have now been completed. The lighting will now highlight the lantern which has been extensively refurbished and restored to its former glory.

It has already become a recognisable landmark within the area for locals and visitors alike. Works based around a coastal theme are also nearing completion on the two roundabouts at Junction 21. All eight roundabouts from Junction 20 to Junction 21 leading into Arklow town have now been sponsored by local businesses under two GLŕľľHUHQW VFKHPHV Arklow Municipal District, having recognised

the importance of having well-maintained approach roads into Arklow, has been innovative with the introduction of County :LFNORZÂśV ÂżUVW 5RXQGDERXW Sponsorship Scheme three years ago. Topline Bolands and Bridgewater are both responsible for maintaining their sponsored roundabout while Arklow Municipal District is currently putting in place a summer maintenance plan for the remaining six roundabouts.

YET again, Bray has a packed line-up of events for its St 3DWULFNÂśV )HVWLYDO FHOHEUDWLRQV This year, the festival runs from Thursday, March 14 until 0RQGD\ 0DUFK 2YHU WKH 6W 3DWULFNÂśV ORQJ weekend you can enjoy plenty of events including a funfair, live music, an open-air cĂŠilĂ­, puppet shows, street theatre, walks, trails and of course the PDLQ HYHQW WKH )HVWLYDO 3DUDGH ,WÂśV ÂżYH GD\V RI JUHDW IDPLO\ IXQ “There’s only one place to be this St Patrick’s weekend and that’s Bray,â€? President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Pat Ă“ SĂşilleabhĂĄin told the Wicklow Voice “This year’s festival will be focusing on great family fun with a strong emphasis on celebrating the towns multicultural community so why not head to Bray for some incredible experiences you can’t get anywhere HOVH ´ This year’s Grand Marshal is Michael Kelleher, who recently retired as one of the most

well-known librarians in Bray /LEUDU\ 7KRXVDQGV DUH H[SHFWing thousands to line the town’s VWUHHWV IRU WKH 6W 3DWULFNœV 'D\ SDUDGH RQ 0DUFK DW SP Visitors are in for a treat from the sights and sounds of the marching bands and majorettes to local groups, clubs and much PRUH This year there are over 20 events including: ‡ %LUGœV (XUR6KRZ )XQIDLU makes a welcome return and ZLOO RSHQ IURP 0DUFK ‡ 2Q 0DUFK ZDWFK VRPH spectacular outdoor circus performances at the Civic Plaza at 2pm and then at the Bandstand IURP SP ‡ 1HZ IRU LV D JXLGHG WDON with Brian White of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, where are you can hear the story from the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer’s beginnings on 0DUFK DW SP ‡ 7KH IHVWLYDOœV PDLQ HYHQW WKH %UD\ 3DUDGH ZLOO NLFN R྾ at 3 pm on the big day from the Town Hall to the viewing stand at the northern part of the 6HDIURQW

‘Our hopes of finding missing Esra are fading’ IT’S been eight long years since Esra Uryun disappeared and while her family have no intention of giving up looking for her, her sister has admitted that hopes are fading that they ÂżQG KHU DOLYH Berna Fidan returned to Dublin and Wicklow recently in another bid to solve the mystery of her younger sister’s GLVDSSHDUDQFH Esra, a 38-year-old married mother-of-one, disappeared after leaving her home in Clondalkin on February 23, Ms Fidan (53) has campaigned tirelessly ever since, travelling here from her London home on dozens of occasions in a bid to XQFRYHU D OHDG LQWR WKH FDVH “It’s now almost eight years since Esra disappeared,â€? Berna VDLG

“That’s a long time and it’s getting harder and harder for me WR EHOLHYH WKDW VKHÂśV VWLOO DOLYH “The longer this goes on, the more I have to accept that she can’t be alive, but I won’t rule it RXW FRPSOHWHO\ “I still have a glimmer of hope that she might be alive, and I will not give up that dream of being reunited with her until ,ÂśP WROG RWKHUZLVH ´ Esra’s family believe she was abducted between WKH WLPH VKH VHW Rŕľľ IURP KHU home and the discovery of her FDU LQ %UD\ ODWHU WKDW PRUQLQJ Although the grey Renault Twingo was captured on CCTV travelling towards a car park in WKH VHDVLGH WRZQ HŕľľRUWV WR HQhance the grainy footage and identify the driver’s face - believed to be Esra’s abductor KDYH EHHQ XQVXFFHVVIXO

However, Ms Fidan is praying her four-day visit to Ireland, during which she will meet with gardai and put up posters of her PLVVLQJ VLVWHU ZLOO ÂżQDOO\ OHDG WR VRPH VRUW RI EUHDNWKURXJK Her campaign is all the more urgent as her frail mother, who is 75, is battling a serious illness and “literally holding on for QHZV RI (VUD´ “Mum has gone through hell since Esra disappeared and it’s really taken a terrible toll on her KHDOWK ´ 0V )LGDQ VDLG “She cries all the time about Esra, but she gets excited when , JR RYHU WR ,UHODQG ,W JLYHV KHU KRSH “But then when I came back it’s heartbreaking not to be able WR JLYH KHU JRRG QHZV Âł,ÂśYH JRW WR NHHS JRLQJ ,ÂśP EDྡHG DQG WKH JDUGDL DUH EDIĂ€HG WRR , NQRZ VRPHRQH RXW there knows something, and I EHJ WKHP WR FRPH IRUZDUG ´

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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08 | lettertoeditor

‘Harris is incompetent’ Dear Brian Quigley, I am writing in response to your article about Simon Harris in the Wicklow Voice. Frankly, I completely disagree with you that Simon Harris deserves another chance. He had proven himself time and time again to be incompetent and completely inadequate as Minister for Health. Eighteen women dead because of the cervical cancer disaster; a trolley crisis that is beyond control; nurses who have to, by their own admissions, work in dangerous conditions and a Children’s Hospital over budget by hundreds of millions, to name but a few things, are not setbacks. They are a national disgrace GHOLYHUHG E\ D PDQ ZKR LV QRW ¿W to do his job. Why do we, as Irish people, think it is acceptable to put up with such abysmal service from those in government. It most certainly is not. Those in the media, including you Brian Quigley, should be doing your job and calling Simon Harris to account, not cheerleading his abject failures. How about you demand better for the Irish people than we are currently receiving from Harris. Now that would be an article worth reading. Thank you. Jean Molloy, Arklow.

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

Revealed: How new Florentine will look

IT’S getting exciting now … with just over a year to it opening, it has been announced that the new Florentine Centre will KDYH D ¿YH VFUHHQ FLQHPD DQG D branch of renowned restaurant chain, Elephant & Castle. A grocery store will also open on the site, although it has not been announced whether it

will be one of the main chains such as Dunnes Stores, Tesco, SuperValu, Lidl or Aldi, all of whom are believed to have held discussions with the developers Oakmount. The retail-led scheme, which has been dogged by delays and bitter recriminations in various forms since the development

SURSRVDOV ZHUH ¿UVW PRRWHG LQ 1996, will hopefully open in Spring 2020 in what is seen as great boost for the town. Building on the project is expected to be completed on schedule by the end of this year, IROORZHG E\ ¿W RXW ZKLFK ZLOO take another few months. Although referred as the Florentine locally, it will actually be called Bray Town Centre and include three anchor stores – one of which (the grocery unit) is now reserved – and nine other retail units, restaurant and cafe space, and 250 car parking spaces. A new urban street – accessed from Bray Main Street – and a central plaza with pedestrian access from Quinsborough Road are also incorporated into the development which will be centred a new pedestrianised street that will open on to Main Street and end in a public space. The anchor units will range from 1,000-3,000sq m (10,76432,292sq ft), eight retail units will take up another 3,449sq m (37,125sq ft) and three restaurants will have a combined 545sq m (5,866sq ft). Savills, letting agents for the scheme, says that in addition to the reserved anchor, several other substantial pre-lets are now ³FRQ¿UPHG´ IRU WKH VFKHPH These include Paddy McKillen jnr’s Press Up Entertainment hospitality group which will op-

HUDWH D ¿YH VFUHHQ 6WHOOD FLQHPD complex. This upmarket cinema experience has proved successful since opening in Rathmines last year with its arty interiors and focus on comfort. Press Up operates about 30 businesses including the Dean Hotel in Dublin and the Wowburger franchise. It also operates Elephant & Castle restaurants – one of which is now set to open in Bray – after acquiring the business from the family of US restaurateur Dr George Schwarz in 2017. One of Dublin’s most popular restaurants, Elephant & Castle

opened in Temple Bar in 1989 and is well known to tourists and locals due to the popularity of its signature chicken wings. It has since spread to Rathmines and another outlet in Monkstown is just about to open. Savills is quoting indicative rents from 538-646 per sq m (50-60per sq ft) for the retail space at the new centre. This site was the subject of several planning applications from Ballymore Properties but none went beyond the planning stage. It reverted to use as a car park before Bray Town Council acquired the site in late 2013.

Credit Union’s art competition BRAY Credit Union are giving away €1,100 to local schools as part of their 55year celebrations. All primary and secondary schools in the Wicklow can enter the competition in a bid to win prizes for their schools.

The competition is for drawing a picture or writing an essay based on the following: ‘How do you see Bray Credit Union doing business in 2070?’ Entrants are asked to include name, class and

school on the back page on each piece of work. First prize is €500, second €350 and third €250, while the closing date is Monday, April 1 with all entries displayed in BCU banking hall.

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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womeninbusiness2019

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

RUTH DONNELLY ALPHA CC Units 3-4, Rosebank, Herbert Road, Bray, www.alphacc.ie 01 2861800 Ruth Donnelly is the Co-Managing Director at Alpha CC. She has been with the company for over 16 years and has been an integral part of its growth strategy in becoming one of the most successful businesses in its sector. The company maintains a focus on their clients and ensuring that they are up to date with the latest trends in technology. Their main services include IT Managed services and Cloud, Data Centre cleaning, IT Equipment cleaning and ATM Maintenance. Alpha CC have recently moved into the retail sector, providing till cleaning support services for stores throughout Ireland and the UK. Ruth is Vice President of Bray Chamber of Commerce who are launching a new Networking Event “Tea @ 10” on March 22. This event will encourage and help all business owners to network with other local businesses, maximise and grow your own business as well as working together to improve our town. Email ruth@alphacc.ie if you would like to receive information.

KATHLEEN KINSELLA KINSELLA LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Kilmuckridge, Co Wexford, 087 2646628, www.kmstraining.ie Kinsella Leadership Development was founded by Kathleen Kinsella. A Registered nurse and UCD Smurfit MBA graduate, Kathleen has over 30 years’ experience in both private and public sectors of the Healthcare industry in Ireland. She also works as Honorary Senior lecturer (School of Nursing) at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). Kathleen has a keen interest in training from both corporate and healthcare perspectives. She is a firm believer in developing the skills of leadership, resilience and team building. She works with her clients to obtain these skills through training and facilitating interventions that ensure that the clients develop into highly effective and productive individuals who can achieve excellent results in difficult times.KLD also offer Women in Leadership courses to include topics such as Power and Politics, Negotiation Skills, Using Emotional Intelligence to enhance performance, delivering effective feedback and self-Management.

DIANE DORAN ZIPYARD BRAY 3 Quinsborough Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow, A98 DV29, (01) 555 0318 We opened the doors to our store in Bray in June 2018. I always felt Bray was a great location for a store and thought the Zipyard was a perfect fit for what is one of the biggest towns in Ireland with so much to offer and even more potential . With the Zipyard brand behind us , the people of Bray and Wicklow have really supported the store. In Bray we are trying to bring a different approach to the clothing and alterations business . We have invested in a clean and modern premises where customers can have both ‘everyday’ or ‘special occasion ‘ wear altered by trained professionals they can trust in along with a dry cleaning service , all set in a warm , welcoming environment.

YVONNE LUCAS THE LOTUS LOFT The Lotus Loft Yoga & Mindfulness Studio, Kilcoole. 086 814 2293/info@thelotusloft.ie Yvonne Lucas, Clinical Psychotherapist & Play Therapist, has been running a successful Private Practice (Release Counselling Services) since 2012. A Mindfulness, Psychological & Emotional Health, and Wellbeing expert, Yvonne specializes in Stress & Anxiety management and Trauma recovery. Yvonne is also an advanced Yoga & Meditation Teacher, with specialist trainings in Mindfulness, Restorative, Yin & Hatha Yoga (reputed for their physical, mental & emotional wellbeing benefits). In August 2018 Yvonne opened The Lotus Loft Yoga & Mindfulness Studio in Kilcoole, bringing her unique blend of Psychological Services and thriving Yoga, Mindfulness and Energy therapy offerings together under one roof

LOUISA MEEHAN WOODVIEW HRM HR Director and Owner, Woodview HRM; PT Lecturer, UCD & Smurfit louisa@woodviewhrm.com Louisa is the owner of Woodview HRM, a HR consultancy firm specialising in providing expert Human Resource and Workplace Mediation Solutions to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. Woodview HRM cover all HR needs during the employee lifecycle including policies / handbooks, performance management, managerial development and disciplinary issues. In addition she lecturers in the field of HR and Organisational Behaviour in UCD / Smurfit on a part-time basis. As a strong supporter of women in business Louisa was a founding member of the Network Ireland Wicklow Branch.

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

FIONNUALA ARDEE CEO KILLRUDDERY ESTATE ENTERPRISES LTD. Southern Cross, Bray, Co. Wicklow, (0)1 2863405, www.killruddery.com At Killruddery we host exquisite Private Events; company days out, gala dinners & weddings. We run a membership for our 17th Century Garden, in which we host creative and fun family days, we host a series of Botanical Workshops and concerts and sell Killruddery farm produce at our Saturday Farm Market. For me there have been lots of hurdles to cross as CEO of Killruddery Estate Enterprises Ltd; One being perceived as entitled, as I am the wife of the future heir and owner of Killruddery, another the sheer scope of opportunity in a place as beautiful and expansive as Killruddery, another was my lack of experience in leadership and management processes, finally there is the constant tug-o-war between my duties as a boss and my duties to my growing family (we have four children).

ALANA MILEY THE LASH LOUNGE Taylors lane , Rathfarnham rd. Dublin 16 Info@thelashlounge.ie / thelashlounge.ie The Lash Lounge an award winning salon in Rathfarnham celebrates its 6th Birthday in business this month Alana owner at The Lash Lounge is absolutely delighted reaching this milestone and can not commend her dedicated team enough, they work extremely hard at keeping up their 5 star experience, And are very passionate about their work which is evident through their ever growing client list, We would like to extend a huge thank you to all our loyal clientele and local community for their continued support year in year out ..Alana & Team (Tarajean Kinsella, Orla Twomey, Taylor McGregor, Jennifer Healy and Chloe Hannah Butler)

LABOUR PARTY Seapoint Court, Bray; 086-2364780 / anneferris7@ gmail.com Anne has represented Bray as a public representative for twenty years, both at national level in Dáil Éireann and locally on the Bray Town and Wicklow Councils. She was Director of Bray Tourism and the Mermaid Arts Centre and was the PRO of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce. Anne is currently studying English and History in UCD and is a strong advocate of UCD’s Access to Lifelong Learning. She is passionate about women’s representation and equality in business, politics, and education and is contesting the Local Elections in the Bray East Area for the Labour Party.

ALISON BANTON BROOKE & SHOALS FRAGRANCES Church Road, Greystones, www.brookeandshoals.ie, 01 2874199 Brooke & Shoals is renowned for its award-winning fragrance products sold nationwide and also for its pretty gift boutique on the main street in Greystones. Owner and founder Alison Banton is passionate about creating high quality products that are made in Ireland. Alison was recently awarded a Business Woman of the Year accolade and she knows well the hard work and dedication required to drive a business. A strong team is also part of the magic formula and the Brooke & Shoals team both in the Greystones shop and in the Kilcoole office are dedicated to growing the brand. Call into Kay, Rita or Clara in Greystones to pick up a lovely candle, fragrance diffuser, or body products. They also have a range of stylish accessories, jewellery and gifts for that special occasion.

EMMA MCKERNAN MCKERNAN & CO. CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS Unit C20/C21, Wicklow Enterprise Centre, The Murrough. www.mckernanandco.ie, 0404 70122 Emma McKernan runs an independent accountancy firm based in Wicklow Town. The firm offers a wide range of services to both start-up businesses and established companies, and they pride themselves on working with clients from varying industries. Their wealth of knowledge in accounting, audit and taxation help clients make informed and productive business decisions. The firm is also experienced in specialised audits, and are happy to guide clients through this complex processes. McKernan & Co combine the efficiency and technical expertise you would expect from a large firm with the personal skills required to build close, successful client relationships.

womeninbusiness

ANNE FERRIS

The Wicklow Voice is delighted to bring you our latest profile of female entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals who work extremely hard every day to make Wicklow a thriving business location for everyone. Without the contribution these women make to our business community and local economy, the county would be a much poorer place - in more ways than one. The women profiled below are equal parts intelligent, innovative, creative, brave and inspiring. Each of them have put their all into their work and this is evident in their success stories. Despite tough times in recent years, these businesses continue to thrive and can look forward to a bright future. We congratulate these women on their success and celebrate women all around the county. If you would like to be featured in the next Women in Business feature in the Wicklow Voice, Wexford Chronicle, Waterford Today Dublin Voice, Kilkenny Today or Carlow People then contact us today on 01 9015565 or email info@wicklowvoice.ie.

12 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

Bio Blitzed NEW Horizons for Nature – Ireland’s first National Biodiversity Conference has just taken place over 2 days at Dublin Castle. We are all, or should be, familiar with the Living Planet Report that was published in 2018 with the, for many, astonishing news that we have lost 60% of the biodiversity of our planet in the last 40 years. We may think that applies to other countries and all is well here in Ireland. Well think again! This trend is being mirrored in Ireland as well. Red-list conservation assessment of 3,000 Irish species shows that 1-in-4 species is threatened with extinction. Most of our other species are also suffering huge drops in numbers, rapidly pushing them towards the danger zone. So with the above in mind the conference saw the coming together of academics, artists, businesses, community groups, conservationists, ecologists, farmers, fishers, foresters, government, landowners, local authorities, NGOs, politicians, scientists and state agencies to discuss the challenges, explore the solutions and figure out how to work together to reverse biodiversity loss. As I write the conference is still ongoing but aims to agree 20 recommendations or ‘Seeds for Nature’ to help protect our biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems. We will wait with interest what those recommendations are. The cynic in me wonders how committed government will be towards them given that recent administrations have seen fit to weaken protection for the natural environment and biodiversity in some areas. Even our so called protected areas are being chipped away at and in particular are coming under pressure from increased human recreational activities. So what should happen? We need a greater number of high biodiversity value sites along with wider tracts of the habitat/countryside protected and managed at landscape level with long term (200 years) goals. All these sites should be connected by a network of wildlife corridors. Also large sections of our inshore and offshore waters need to be designated solely as conservation areas. There is so much more to say but I’ve run out of space!

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

THE WYCH ELM by Tana French

BORDERING ON BREXIT RTE 1, Monday 4th March 22.00pm

One night changes everything for Toby. He’s always led a charmed life - until a brutal attack leaves him damaged and traumatised, unsure even of the person he used to be. He seeks refuge at his family’s ancestral home, the Ivy House, filled with memories of wildstrawberry summers and teenage parties with his cousins. But not long after Toby’s arrival, a discovery is made: a skull, tucked neatly inside the old wych elm in the garden. As detectives begin to close in, Toby is forced to examine everything he thought he knew about his family, his past, and himself.

BORDERING ON BREXIT Documentary following people living on either side of the Irish border as their fates are played out in Westminster and Brussels with Britain’s exit from the EU nearing. The approaching reality of Brexit - and its potential consequences - have crystallised in people’s minds. With the UK due to leave the EU on 29 March, whether it has agreed a deal or not, the only way to change that is to revoke Article 50, or to request a delay from the EU - which the bloc would have to approve.

ADVENTURE of the week COMEDY of the week

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY General Release: 1st March 2019 Based on a true story, FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY follows reformed gangster Ricky, wife Julia, daughter Paige and son Zak as they make a living wrestling together in tiny venues. When Paige and Zak get the opportunity to try out for WWE, the family grabs a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn their wildest dreams into a dazzling future. However, brother and sister quickly discover that to become superstars, both their talent and their relationship will be put to the test. FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY is a heartwarming and smart comedy that proves everything is worth fighting for when it comes to family.

FUN IDEA of the week

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JAWSOME SHARKS Sealife Centre Bray 11th March 2019 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

TEMPTRESS Whale Theatre, T : 01 2010550. Saturday 9th March 2019

IRISH FAIRY TRAILS Russborough House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow T: 045 865239

Take a dive into the deep at Sea Life Bray this spring and become the newest recruits of the Jawsome Rangers and fulfill the mission of finding the missing shark teeth. Guests will be tasked with helping Professor Finn locate the large Play-Doh model shark teeth in the tanks. This latest activity from Sea Life marks an exciting collaboration with Play-Doh, offering guests exclusive hands on creative play for hours of fun. Along the way, guests will discover facts about the different species of sharks and will have the chance to learn more about the Sea Life sharks and rays.

In a remote old house in Co Wicklow, two troubled men meet. Middle-aged Pete has come to rescue young Noel from his deadly obsession with a Temptress. But is Pete the rock of sense he claims to be? And does the Temptress really exist only inside Noel’s troubled mind? An audience and critical hit during its first run in 2015, this darkly comic play by international award-winning writer Philip St John is a startling and utterly compelling new take on the Irish ghost story. A play that ticks all the boxes. Starring Paul Kealyn and Matthew O’Brien

Irish Fairy Trails are a great day out in Russborough House, Wicklow with your young family – this is some of the best fun you can have and it is Free! Meet Faylinn and his fairy friends at Lady’s Island, the home of Faylinn the Fairy and his fairy friends. They have lived in their beautifully quaint homes for more than 270 years. When you visit Russborough parkland and take part in their magical fairy trail, you are able to learn the fairy language, enjoy fairy games and puzzles, and colour in Shaylee, their shyest fairy. You can also discover more about fairy flowers, fauna, and natural materials the fairies use.

SHOW of the week

DANCE of the week

CABARET of the week

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SHAMROCK ‘N’ ROLL CABARET Saturday 16th March @ 9:00 pm The Hotspot, Victoria Rd, Greystones.

WOMEN AT THE WHALE Friday 8th March at The Whale Theatre Theatre Lane, Greystones, Co Wicklow

DANCING AROUND THE WORLD Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray T : 01 2724030 . 9th & 10th March

Serpentine Rooms are back with a bang! After a successful inaugural show - a Christmas Cabaret, they’re ready to rock your world again with a medley of fabulous performances and acts on St. Paddy’s weekend. ‘Serpentine Rooms presents Shamrock ‘n’ Roll’ which will blow you away with singing, dancing, burlesque, comedy, magic and more! Fresh popcorn and candyfloss available, prizes for best dressed and photo ops with special guests! Hosted by Greystones own Ms Kitty LeRoux, with talent both local and national.

Join us at the Whale Theatre for a local celebration of International Women’s Day! We’re gathering to support local comedians, musicians, singers, poets and writers as we honour women in all their glory. International Women’s Day is a global day marking the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Half of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Bray Women’s Refuge. Bring your chosen tribe and enjoy the vaGINa, a special cocktail we’ve invented for the night!

Join the Wicklow School of Dance as they present their fabulous show: ‘Dancing Around the World’. Performing a variety of dances to the music from many different cultures and countries, in this show you will see ballet, jazz and contemporary dance performancede by students aged 3-18. The Wicklow School of Dance enjoys providing professional ballet tuition for children and adults, encouraging all our students to reach their full potential. Students take part in public performances as well as ballet examinations.

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

wicklow people in pictures

Pictured at the presentation of cheques totalling €12,000 to four local charities were (from left) John McEvoy, Bray Lions Club, Hyacinth Campbell, Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support, Karl O’Broin, President, Bray Lions Club and Dr. David Menzies, Wicklow Rapid Response

Kieran Ward, Nuala Kenny, President Pat Ó Suillebhain and Bairbre Nic Aongusa at the Bray and District Chamber President’s Dinner at the Esplenade Hotel

Children from Bray School Project 5th and 6th class action against climate change outside their school in the global school strike for climate action

John and Gail Brady at the Bray and District Chamber President’s Dinner

Ayesha Ryan, Ciara Glynn, Erika Hoffman, Maria Morrissey and Nicola Duggan

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

build, buy or renovate

Tips for finding a good builder By Jake Maxwell LOOKING for a good builder is a time-consuming task. Whatever is the type of the house you are going for, you must ensure that it is a good quality one from a reputable builder. Here are some tips to help you choose a builder. Start with a list of potential builders. Make use of the property section of your local newspapers to search for builders and projects. Check with friends and relatives for recommendations and opinions. If they recently had the same work done, ask them about the builders they were associated with and how was their experience with them. Do not be fooled by fake builders. Some builders fraudulently claim membership of trade associations, so verify if one is a ERQD ¿GH PHPEHU RU QRW

It’s time for homework! Once you have prepared a list of potential builders, now it is time to start enquiring about the potential builders and people who have bought homes from them. Visit the builders personally and ask your queries. Check with them if they are insured or not. They should have insurance to protect themselves and to deal their liability to you in the case of property damage or an injury or accident. It would also be good to visit a few recently built homes by the builder. Try to meet several home owners and collect a few random opinions. Ask them if they are happy with their homes, do they face any issues, was the builder prompt in addressing their issues, etc. This step helps you to get a genuine review in most cases. If you are meeting a number of homeowners who have bought homes from various builders, it would be wise to note down the

information you collect so that you can make an elaborate comparison later. Short list and quotation Based on your meeting with the builders and the reviews you have collected, short list the builders and ask for quotations. The quotation should cover details like clearance, site maintenance, material supplies, etc. Ask for complete details in writing. Also, enquire if any approvals or permissions are required. Choose quality and value! While making a decision based on the collected quotation, make it a point to pay attention to the quality of the construction features. Make sure about the quality of the carpeting, cabinetry, paint, etc. Do not hesitate to ask quesWLRQV DQG FRQ¿UP WKLQJV EHIRUH PDNLQJ WKH ¿QDO FRQWUDFW VR WKDW you do not have to regret later!

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

Wicklow owners spend ₏47m renovating homes WICKLOW homeowners have spent ₏47m on 2,981 renovation projects over the last four years - that’s an average of ₏15,867 per property. And homeowners throughout the country have spent a total of ₏1.23bn improving and renovating their homes. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has collated data on the number and scale of projects undertaken are part of the Government’s Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) since it was launched in 2013 and ended at the end of 2018. The incentive allows property owners a tax credit on

13.5% of qualifying expenditure on home improvements, LI FDUULHG RXW E\ D TXDOL¿HG contractor – ie one who is registered with the Revenue and tax compliDQW &,) ¿JXUHV VKRZ WKDW almost 77,000 projects have been completed under the scheme, at an average cost of ₏15,965. Dublin has accounted for almost half of all projects undertaken and more than half of the total cost. However, the highest average spend per project was in Donegal, where property owners invested an average of ₏18,596 per renovation project. Roscommon had the most modest spend, at ₏10,429 per project, just below Carlow (₏10,758) and Longford (₏11,295). The HRI scheme enables homeowners or landlords to claim tax relief on repairs, renovations or improvement work that is carried out on their main home or rental property by tax-compliant contractors and that is subject to 13.5% VAT. With H྾HFW IURP -DQXDU\ HRI has been extended to local authority tenants who have written consent from the local authority to carry out the works.

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

opinion&comment

Wicklow hotter than Barcelona!

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year ago we were shivering under the blanket of snow dumped on us by The Beast from the East, short of bread and milk and eggs and unable to go to work. This time around we are enjoying greater temperatures than Barcelona. What has caused things to heat up so much in a year? Global warming? Maybe; or maybe Brexit heating things up as it prepares to enter the endgame phase of proceedings. There were Brexit-related interviews last week with Ian Paisley Jr and Edgars Rinkevics that were trying to convince us that diametrically opposite things were about to happen. Paisley Jr (son of the late Reverend Ian), an ardent Brexiteer and DUP MP, tried to convince us that Ireland was about to be shafted by the EU in relation to the backstop so that a deal could be done. Rinkevics, Lativia’s Foreign Minister, was telling us the opposite – that the EU would

Gillian Mangan, Maeve Dunne, Grace Bermingham, Jacki Hanlon and Paula Wood at Bray Women’s Refuge 40th Anniversary and Renovation Completion

Brian Quigley FRQWLQXH WR R൵HU XV XQÀLQFKLQJ support. Both were playing politics with the situation, kicking Ireland around as if it was a football. That’s allowed; they are both politicians after all. Paisley Jr would love it if we were shafted, and his utterings were a populist play to his audience. Likewise Rinkevics was singing to his own gallery; he presumably couldn’t care less about us, but wants to lay down a marker that if Ireland gets looked after in relation to Brexit then Latvia will get looked after too in relation to Russia or whatever else is a threat to them.

By the way, neither the Paisley Jr or Rinkevics interviews were the best of the week; that honour went to former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes on the BBC’s Question Time in relation to the Liam Neeson racism row. Look it up on the internet if

you want to see what has become a rare sight these days – somebody cutting through the nonsense and getting to the heart of the matter in an intelligent, passionate and eloquent way. Perhaps we can get JB to turn his thoughts to Brexit next! I have become convinced that

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT US TODAY

BUYING? SELLING? CONTACT US TODAY

t: 01 901 5565

t: 01 901 5565

a No Deal Brexit simply won’t happen. The politicians have failed to break the impasse so I’m guessing that behind the scenes others are charting a course through the quagmire. By others I mean the people with real power – business leaders, senior civil servants

and whoever else really has their hands on the levers that navigate us. They’ll play the game though and let the politicians present it as if they came up with it. I’m sure the solution, when it breaks, will involve a shift in position by the EU and UK in relation to the backstop. Maybe the language will be softened to allow a deal pass through Westminster, but not softened enough to look as if the EU has caved in. We will, to a certain extent, be played by both sides; not in the way Paisley Jr would hope for but enough to make Rinkevics think again.

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

insideback

Brian Quigley

Healthy numbers for League

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ore than 2 0 , 0 0 0 spectators w e n t through the turnstiles at League of Ireland grounds last weekend. I know it doesn’t sound like an earth-shattering statistic, but it built on the impressive numbers the week before (for the kickR൵ RI WKH VHDVRQ DQG LV D GH¿QLWH LQFUHDVH RQ ZKHUH WKH attendances have been in recent years. There are several possible reasons for this. Perhaps people are tiring of going to England to watch overSULFHG DQG IUDQNO\ RYHU UDWHG fare when the word on the street is that the real deal is increasingly available at home. The standard of football in the league here has improved, as have the facilities and marketing (not a lot, but they are going LQ WKH ULJKW GLUHFWLRQ Clubs like Dundalk and Cork have put us on the map in Europe.

The FAI are paying a little more attention to the league and the expansion of underage setups and academies has provided talented youngsters with a clear SDWKZD\ WR ¿UVW WHDP VRFFHU No longer is going to England the only option (just as well, ZLWK %UH[LW ORRPLQJ A crowd of 4,552 for Shamrock Rovers hosting Derry City is a big, big gate, while Dalymount was sold out out for the Bohs versus Rovers game earlier this week. It was closely followed by 4,382 at Cork versus Waterford and 3,314 for Sligo Rovers against St Patrick’s Athletic. Finn Harps had 2,000 for the visit of Dundalk. Galway had more than 2,000 for the visit of Shelbourne, and that wasn’t even in the Premier Division. A bumper crowd was also at 6WUDGEURRN IRU WKH ¿UVW HYHU µ(O DARTico’ between Cabinteely and Bray Wanderers. Can the numbers be maintained? I don’t see why not. They can possibly even grow further.

Alana Ryan, Greystones & District AC, receives the Wicklow Star Award at the Athletics Ireland Juvenile Star Awards from Georgina Drumm, President Athletics Ireland, and Neil Martin, Athletics Ireland. Pic: Dan McGrath.

They need to stay healthy if the clubs are to continue to improve their squads and stadiums, so there is a lot at stake, a real Catch 22 situation. But let’s be proud of the improvement to date and be con¿GHQW WKDW ZH FDQ NHHS JRLQJ in the right direction. A meagre 346 at Athlone versus Wexford was the lowest attendance of the weekend, yet it was the one that impressed me the most. Athlone have been languishing at the bottom of the First Division for a few years and attendances on occasion haven’t even got above 100. This year there are rumblings that the club are reawakening and pulling out of the nosedive; an impressive win over Wexford on the night was the latest sign of this. This is a club that during my lifetime have won domestic silverware, given AC Milan a run for their money in Europe and hosted glamour friendlies against the likes of Manchester City. Onwards and upwards for our league!

wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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wicklowvoice.ie March 1, 2019

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