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wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

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

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Frodo from My Canine Companion with Emma Leonard from Sigma Retail Partners and Ann O’Doherty from My Canine Companion at Bray Retail Park who launched sensory-friendly shopping for people with autism and other sensory difficulties » Lots more pictures from around the county inside

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04| NEWS news in brief

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

Cool Katie primed for ‘biggest fight’

Coming up at the Mermaid Theatre: The Writing Life: Liz Nugent The Writing Life returns to Mermaid on June 20. In the latest of our unmissable series of discussions about literature and life, our guest Liz Nugent talks to writer Philip St John.

Liz Nugent is a writer of awardwinning psychological suspense novels Unraveling Oliver (2014), Lying in Wait (2016) and Skin Deep (2018). Tickets cost â‚Ź12/10.

David O’Doherty: You Have To Laugh David O’Doherty is back in Mermaid on June 21 with a brand-new show made up of talking and songs played on a crappy keyboard from 1986.

Tickets cost ₏18/16 and are on VDOH QRZ IURP ER[ RྜFH RQ 01-2724030 or online at www. mermaidartscentre.ie Brothers of the Brush by Jimmy Murphy It’s 25 years since the original production of Brothers of the Brush. A new production of this classic comes to Mermaid June 22. Tickets cost ₏18/16 and are RQ VDOH QRZ IURP ER[ RྜFH RQ 01-2724030 or online at www. mermaidartscentre.ie

Katie Taylor and Delphine Persoon ahead of their fight KATIE Taylor has said that KHU WLWOH ¿JKW DJDLQVW 'HO¿QH 3HUVRRQ RQ 6DWXUGD\ QLJKW LV WKH ELJJHVW RI K HU FDUHHU ³7KH 2O\PSLFV LQ ZDV D KXJH GHDO EXW EHFRPLQJ WKH XQL¿HG FKDPSLRQ ZRXOG VXFFHHG DQ\WKLQJ , KDYH GRQH LQ P\ FDUHHU ´ WKH %UD\ ER[HU V DLG ³7KLV LV E\ IDU WKH ELJJHVW ¿JKW RI P\ FDUHHU ,W LV ZKDW HYHU\ VLQJOH ER[HU GUHDPV DERXW EXW YHU\ IHZ PDQDJH WR DFKLHYH ´ 6KH FRQIHVVHG WKDW LW PHDQV VR PXFK WR KHU VKH ZRXOG ¿JKW 3HUVRRQ IRU QRWKLQJ LI VKH NQHZ VKH ZRXOG EH

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Your new county council

Continued from previous page The Social Democrats held on to their single seat while Fianna Fail also retained their seven, although they no longer have a representative in the Bray area.

Sinn Fein secured two, down from the six they achieved in 2014, although two of three councillors expelled in 2017 were re-elected as independents.

But while it is business as usual in that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail continue to dominate local government in the county, it is a younger and more diverse council that will be convening IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH QH[W PRQWK Previously, women held just seven of the 32 seats but they now occupy 12, including four in the previously all-male Bray wards and one in the all-male Baltinglass ward.

There are also more young councillors in Grace McManus (27), Rory O’Connor (20) and Avril Cronin (29) while Ms 0F0DQXV LV DOVR WKH ¿UVW RSHQO\ gay public representative on the council. The breakdown of seats is now: FG 9, FF 7, Green 2, Lab 2, SF 2, SocDem 1, Ind 9.

See pages 10-11

It’s gold for Silver Strand as rating hits ‘excellent’

WICKLOW’S six main bathing beaches have been given a clean bill of health by the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest report into waWHU TXDOLW\ The big winner was Silver Strand outside of Wicklow Town which has improved it rating from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.

7KH RWKHU ÂżYH EHDFKHV %UD\ North and South, Brittas Bay North and South, and Arklow’s Clogga all retained their ‘excellent’ rating.

The ratings will come as a great boost to the county ahead of the important tourism season.

Just to the north of Bray, Killiney Bay and White Rock beach were rated as ‘good’.

It was also announced recently that four beaches in County Wicklow have retained their EOXH ÀDJ VWDWXV Wicklow, Brittas Bay North and South beaches, Bray South Promenade and Greystones, reWDLQHG WKHLU EOXH ÀDJ VWDWXV E\ An Tåisce for 2019.

Nationally, the country’s beaches and lakes appear to KDYH EHQH¿WHG IURP WKH VFRUFKing sunshine last summer, as reFRUG KHDW NLOOHG R྾ EDFWHULD DQG other harmful growths that can contaminate bathing waters.

The prolonged drought also helped, as heavy rainfall can

often wash polluting material IURP VWUHHWV DQG ÂżHOGV LQWR WKH sewers and onto beaches.

There were still some incidents of pollution during the 2018 season, however.

The EPA annual bathing water TXDOLW\ UHSRUW VKRZV LQFLdents were reported compared WR LQ 0RUH WKDQ D TXDUter of them related to a problem at a treatment plant, though the bathing water samples show the impact was negligible.

Other reported incidents included sewage being discharged from boats, agricultural pollution, contamination from animals and birds, growth of algae DQG UXQ Rŕľľ IURP XUEDQ DUHDV Overall, 94% of the 145 bathing sites monitored around the country passed the minimum TXDOLW\ VWDQGDUGV VHW RXW E\ (8 directive and 103 of them were FODVVLÂżHG DV H[FHOOHQW $ IXUWKHU ZHUH FODVVLÂżHG DV good and the remaining 12 were VXŕľśFLHQW )LYH ZHUH IRXQG WR EH of a poor standard.

7KUHH RI WKH ÂżYH DUHDV UDQNHG poor are in Dublin: Merrion and Sandymount Strands, close to the city centre, and Portrane in the north of the county.

Clifden Beach in Co Galway and the Lilliput area of Lough Ennell in Co Westmeath are the others.

Keep your pets cool DOG owners in Wicklow are being urged to keep their pets safe and cool during the summer months when day time temperatures traditionally soar. “June, July and August are amongst the warmest months of the year and pet parents should be aware of the steps they can take to protect the health and life of their pet during these months,â€? said Emma Fanning, Training and Livestock Manager/Brand Ambassador at Maxi Zoo Ireland. “Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting and this LQFUHDVHV WKHLU Ă€XLG UHTXLUHPHQW

in summer. It is vital to ensure that your pet has access to fresh water at all times, that they are not exerted when temperatures are high and that they have shaded areas in which to rest,� she added.

Maxi Zoo’s top tip for pet parents to determine whether or not footpaths are too hot for a walk is to press the back of their hand on the footpath.

If their skin starts to hurt, then the surface is too hot for their pet to take a walk.

Jogging and cycling with dogs is best forgotten on sunny days.

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

|05

06 | news in brief Draft Climate Adaptation Strategy WICKLOW County Council has produced a draft Climate Adaptation Strategy to addresses how Wicklow will need to respond to a changing climate and its impacts.

Records shows that weather events in the county have already KDG VLJQLÂżFDQW GLVUXSWLYH impacts on communities and public services, entailing mobilisation of resources.

The Strategy can be viewed in County Buildings, Wicklow; WKH 0XQLFLSDO 'LVWULFW 2ŕľśFHV in Bray, Greystones, Arklow and Blessington and libraries at Bray, Greystones, Arklow and Blessington. It is also online at www.wicklow.ie. Submissions can made to TOBrien@ wicklowcoco.ie between the June 7 and July 5 inclusive.

Theatre Group wins

Martello Productions, an amateur drama group, which draws its cast from North Wicklow and South County Dublin, scooped eight awards at the Manx Amateur Drama Federation festival of plays held recently in Douglas, Isle of Man for of “Portia Coughlan� by Marina Carr. The group scooped awards for best play; best female performance (Orla Malone, Wicklow); best producer/ director (Trevor Bailey, Bray); best female supporting role (Carolann Murphy, Wicklow).

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

Snakes alive! Five-foot Burmese python caught WHERE’S St Patrick when you need him? Our patron saint famously drove the snakes out of Ireland but it looks they are back.

The ISPCA is appealing for LQIRUPDWLRQ DIWHU D ÂżYH IRRW Burmese python was found abandoned in the Wicklow Mountains over the weekend.

The snake was discovered by a local farmer before a repre sentative from the ISPCA then secured the snake, which is be lieved to be female.

The snake was found to be underweight, dehydrated and injured and has been placed in the care of a reptile specialist, said the ISPCA. She has been named Sammi by rescuers, and is described as ³KDQJLQJ LQ WKHUH´ EXW LW LV VWLOO very uncertain as to whether she will pull through.

The Burmese python is one of WKH ÂżYH ODUJHVW VSHFLHV RI VQDNHV in the world.

Chief Inspector of the ISPCA Conor Dowling said that in ad dition to the potentially illegal

We might need to bring back St Patrick to battle the snakes again UHOHDVH RI D QRQ QDWLYH VSHFLHV there are numerous possible of fences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. “This snake did not make its own way up the Wicklow Mountains and we believe that it was abandoned and left in an environment not suited to an animal of this type.

to the warm weather. “It raises the question how many animals of this type are out there dying slowly af ter being discarded by ir responsible owners that no longer want them,� said Mr Dowling.

The ISPCA is calling for stronger regula tions around the breeding, keeping and selling of ex otic animals as pets.

Those who have infor mation about the python are asked to contact the ISPCA National A n i m a l C r u e l t y Helpline on 1890 515 515, report it on the ISPCA website or email helpline@ispca.ie in FRQÂżGHQFH

“We suspect that it had been abandoned some days prior to her discovery but we also have reason to be concerned about the care that it was receiving prior to its release,� he said.

Animals such as Sammi have very specialised environmental UHTXLUHPHQWV DQG ZLOO VXŕľľHU slow, lingering deaths in normal

Irish weather conditions,� he added.

During the exception al summer last year, the ISPCA rescued two snakes which were active due

Voices of Bray back for concerts

Dad Les asks for more babies to be screened

THEY’RE back!

Voices of Bray Community Choir will celebrate their sixth series of concerts in the Mermaid Arts Centre on June 6,7 and 8.

As always, the proceeds from Voices of Bray concerts are donated to charity.

This year the Shauna Kavanagh Foundation (www. theshaunakavanaghfoundation.

FRP LV WKH EHQHÂżFLDU\ This charity supports people who face long term health challenges, in particular cystic ÂżEURVLV DQ LOOQHVV HQGXUHG E\ the late Shauna Kavanagh, who lived in Bray.

This year’s programme will include songs from Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Radiohead, Rodgers and Hammerstein, ELO (and many more), and from shows such as The Greatest Showman, South 3DFL¿F DQG 0\ )DLU /DG\ There will be something for everyone in what promises to be a great evening of fun and uplifting entertainment.

Tickets for the concerts are selling fast. Contact the Mermaid Theatre at www.

PHUPDLGDUWVFHQWUH LH RU 2724030.

WICKLOW’S Les Martin is urging the Government to introduce better screening of newborns for rare diseases.

The dad of two terminally ill children had his world turned upside down when two of his three children - Cathal, ÂżYH DQG &LDUiQ WKUHH ZHUH diagnosed with MLD (manual lymphatic drainage), a rare and terminal illness for which there is no cure.

While Ciaran’s early diagnosis at 11 and a half months last February may help save his life, there is little hope for Cathal, who due to his late diagnosis, was only given the OLIH H[SHFWDQF\ RI ¿YH \HDUV Hoping to prevent other IDPLOLHV IURP VX྾HUULQJ WKH same heartache, Les is campaigning for increased screening of such illnesses from birth, before it is too late.

Les, who spent six months in Italy while his youngest son Ciaran took part in a trial gene treatment in 2017, told RTE’s Ryan Tubridy Show: “We did some charity

work with them in Italy and through those contacts they told us about their new newborn screening program. “Here in Ireland we test for eighth diseases at birth. “In Italy, last year they increased their screening from four up to 40. “The numbers go up and down across the world but we are way behind.

Les, who is also dad to sixyear-old Holly added: “It’ll take about â‚Ź3 million euros to run it here, it can be up and running very shortly but there are reasons why they can’t just up and do it and the minister has explained those and we are going to chat more about that.â€?

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

| 07

08 | news in brief Buffalo Soul BUFFALO SOUL, the freshest reggae band in town are coming to the Hot Spot Music Club in Greystones on June 14 to pay tribute to the legendary %RE 0DUOH\ WKH PRVW LQĂ€XHQtial Jamaican musician of all time, and his timeless music. %XŕľľDOR 6RXO LV D FROOHFWLYH RI PXVLFLDQV IURP DOO RYHU WKH world based in Dublin. These global musicians include: Plazi Halao: Vocals, Guitar; Andres S. Macnamara: Keyboard; Vlad Andranoche: Sax; Alberto de La Cruz: Percussion; Bruno Botica: Drums and Isra: Bass. $GYDQFH WLFNHWV Âź RU SD\ Âź RQ WKH GRRU 'RRUV RSHQ SP RQ )5, -XO\ DQG show starts at 9pm.

Classic Harmony CLASSIC +DUPRQ\ DUH D ÂżYH PHPEHU YRFDO KDUPRQ\ JURXS made up of members of the Kelly Family from Ashford.

They are performing as part of Team Ireland at the World Championships of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles in July.

They will be performing a concert in The Mermaid Theatre in Bray on May 31 with special guest Sarah Power (soprano) from Bray and the concert is being hosted by Aonghus McAnally, presenter and actor.

wicklowvoice.ie -XQH

Royals: We were first with the news Prince Charles in Glendalough during his visit to the county recently

YET again Wickl.ow’s favourite scooped its rivals with an exclusive story, this time the visit of Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla to the Garden County.

In our edition of May 17, we reported extensively the itinerary of the Royal couple before any other local or national newspapers, radio or TV stations.

During their visit, the strong links between the county and Great Britain were stressed by the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Pat Vance.

e: 01 info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

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Prince Charles and Camilla to visit here PRINCE Charles and D h f C ll C

the ill

“Your Royal Highnesses CĂŠad MĂ­le FĂĄilte: It is a great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the people of County Wicklow to the most PDJQLÂżFHQW 3RZHUVFRXUW Estate.â€?

The Royal Couple were at Powerscourt House as part of their visit which included a series of engagements where

by the Gardai while the ro l ill b

they visited the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and attended a ceremony hosted by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina, before the Duchess paid a visit to Bray Women’s Refuge.

The duo also visited the National Botanic Gardens in Kilmacurragh.

Guide claims wind gust blew Shay off Everest SEAMUS ‘Shay’ Lawless who fell after reaching the summit RI (YHUHVW ZDV WKH YLFWLP RI D ÂłIUHDN DFFLGHQW´ DIWHU XQFOLSping himself from his safety ropes, his expedition leader has said.

Mr Lawless (39) from Bray went missing after falling up to P IURP WKH EDOFRQ\ DUHD RI (YHUHVW LQ WHPSHUDWXUHV RI PLQXV & RQ 0D\ The Trinity College Dublin professor had reached the mountain’s summit hours before and was on his way down when he fell at an altitude of DERXW PHWUHV and was on his way down when he fell at an altitude of DERXW PHWUHV 1RHO +DQQD DQ H[SHULenced climber from Co Down, was leading a team of three climbers including Mr Lawless.

He said Mr Lawless unclipped himself to go to the toilet when D JXVW RI ZLQG EOHZ KLP Rŕľľ WKH mountain. Meanwhile, turned out to pay their respects at WKH PHPRULDO VHUYLFH IRU 0U /DZOHVV ZKLFK WRRN SODFH LQ 7KH +RO\ 5HGHHPHU &KXUFK

in Bray recently. The Trinity lecturer was remembered as a SURXG ,ULVK PDQ ZKR ORYHG WR OLYH OLIH WR WKH IXOO ZLWK JLIWV being brought to the alter by his daughter Emma and nieces and nephews in his memory to UHSUHVHQW KLV VHQVH RI DGYHQWXUH and the many happy memories he had shared with family and friends.

These included a photograph RI WKH VXQULVH WDNHQ RQ WKH GD\ WKH FOLPEHU DFKLHYHG KLV life goal of reaching the top of (YHUHVW DQ (YHUWRQ MHUVH\ DQG a treasure box brought to the DOWDU E\ (PPD ÂżOOHG ZLWK SKRtos of happy memories with her father.

Sky high line-up revealed for this year’s Air Display Up, up and away ...

7KH ¿QDO OLQH XS IRU WKH %UD\ $LU 'LVSOD\ RQ -XO\ DQG KDV EHHQ UHYHDOHG DQG LW ORRNV OLNH LW ZLOO EH RQH RI WKH EHVW \HW ,UHODQGœV ELJJHVW DLU IHVWLYDO will this year be headlined by The Blades, a team comprised RI IRUPHU 5HG $UURZ SLORWV including Kirsty Murphy – the ¿UVW DQG RQO\ IHPDOH IRUPHU 5HG $UURZ SLORW ZKR ÀLHV alongside her husband Ben and VSHFWDWRUV KDYH EHHQ SURPLVHG D ZHHNHQG RI WKULOOLQJ DHUREDWLF performances.

Some of the best display teams DQG LQGLYLGXDO DFWV IURP DURXQG the world will showcase their DHUREDWLF VNLOOV DQG SHUIRUP WR thousands of spectators at the IUHH ZHHNHQG RI WXUER FKDUJHG family entertainment. Highlight acts will include: ‡$ GLVSOD\ E\ D IXOO\ HOHFWULF &UL FUL DLUFUDIW WKDW ZLOO WDNH

Rŕľľ IURP RQ WRS RI D %URXVVDUG 0+ DLUFUDIW ZKLOH PLG Ă€LJKW ‡7KH VSHFWDFXODU 5R\DO Jordanian Falcons aerobatic team all the way from the West Asian Kingdom ‡-DZ GURSSLQJ GDUH GHYLO displays by Ireland’s Flying Dentist, Eddie Goggins and the 8.ÂśV 5LFKDUG *RRGZLQ ‡'URQH SDFNDJH GHOLYHU\ GLVSOD\ IURP D YHVVHO PRRUHG DW sea to the shoreline SĂŠ Pardy, Director, Bray Air Display, said, “The award-winning Bray Air Display attracts WKH YHU\ EHVW RQ WKH DLU VKRZ FLUFXLW Âą SLORWV ORYH SHUIRUPLQJ here to the wonderfully enthuVLDVWLF DQG VXSSRUWLYH FURZG against the natural amphitheater of Bray’s coastline and spectacular Bray Head. Spectators can ORRN IRUZDUG WR D WKULOOLQJ OLQH XS RI WKH YHU\ EHVW KRPHJURZQ

,ULVK DYLDWLRQ WDOHQW DV ZHOO DV VRPH RI WKH PRVW VNLOOHG SLORWV from across the UK, Europe and IXUWKHU D¿HOG ´ 7KH IUHH IDPLO\ HYHQW LV RQH of the most popular air shows in Europe and Ireland’s biggest DLU IHVWLYDO DWWUDFWLQJ SHRSOH WR PDUYHO DW DPD]LQJ DHUREDWLFV GXULQJ WKH ZHHNHQG ORQJ HYHQW ODVW -XO\ The Bray Air Display is so much more than an air show.

As well as two days of entertainment in the air there’s plenty of action on the ground; HQMR\ WKH WKULOOV DQG VSLOOV RI WKH Seafront Funfair, dine alfresco at our Food Village, treat yourself and the family to a meal at one of the many restaurants throughout the town or simply bring your own picnic. You can HYHQ H[SHULHQFH D EUHDWK WDNLQJ KHOLFRSWHU ULGH RYHU %UD\ +HDG ZKLFK DOO NLFN R྾ IURP QRRQ each day.

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

| 09

10 |

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

localelections2019

Leo’s belated concern for the environment

Member of Bray Rowing Club carry the ‘Congress’ dedicated to Tommy Tobin to the shore for it’s maiden voyage at their open day on Bray Seafront

I

heard Leo Varadkar on the radio on Saturday evening. He was commenting on the apparent surge in votes for the Green Party in the local and European elections.

His government were going to listen and do more on climate change and environmental issues he said, because that’s what the people wanted.

He must have been so concerned that he stayed up all night, because by Sunday morning some of the papers were carrying stories about VRPH IXOO\ ÀHVKHG SROLFLHV and measures that Fine Gael were going to implement.

Wow, you work fast Leo. Who does the guy think he’s kidding?

Hopefully people can see through this smug, patronising charade. The Greens do well and the next morning Leo has ditched his car for a bicycle.

Sure aren’t Fine Gael green too, look at these policies we have?

The policies (the ones I saw related to plans for replacing oil and gas boilers in homes) didn’t come out of thin air.

They were probably put together by scientists and civil servants.

Only they weren’t put together overnight on Saturday.

They have probably been sitting on Fine Gael ministerial desks for months or years.

That’s how they could be produced overnight. Not because Fine Gael want to do something, but because their intention was only to do something if they got backed into a corner, which they were after May 24.

The reality is that Fine Gael have had their chance to do something on the environment and didn’t take it. Make no mistake, that is precious time that they have wasted.

They have been too beholden to big business (especially agriculture) and the status quo.

They haven’t been brave, shown vision or had a blueprint or roadmap to get us out of the environmental quagmire we’re in. On the contrary; their ‘plan’ has been to do nothing, buy

Brian Quigley carbon credits from Europe and pass the costs to the taxpaying worker (with the agriculture sector that is so dear to them spared picking up their tab).

I’m hoping the Green vote holds up or even increases at the next General Election.

That’s where the real power is. Yes, they will have to partner with a centre-ground party but hopefully it won’t be like before with Fianna Fail. Any future coalition needs to have the Green 3DUW\ ¿UPO\ LQ WKH GULYLQJ seat, setting the agenda.

For me, it would be for the best if politics in the future will is based around a Green / Non-Green divide, rather than a Left / Right or Nationalist / Non-Nationalist one. The planet is walking a tightrope for its very survival. Traditional ruling parties (like Fine Gael) have created the mess and have shown no stomach for solving it.

Put the Greens in power though and maybe they can do something tangible to pull us out of the nosedive.

I’d trust the Green Party to be constructive on the environment and not decouple this from social justice.

Macron made the fatal mistake in France of trying to pay for environmental action by raising taxes on all, including the disadvantaged.

You can’t decouple environmental progress from social justice. If you do you get the protests seen in France, or here over water charges.

Big business has to change and has to pay the main share of the costs.

Green innovation has to be encouraged and tapped into.

A party with genuine enthusiasm for these issues needs to be let drive this change, for the good of us all.

When Green idealism meets voter hypocrisy

T

he Green wave was not quite the tsunami RTE’s exit poll had led us to expect. More of a spring tide, really.

And that, for the party, could prove a blessing in disguise. It has not been given control of any council nor put in a position where it will have to implement its policies, and so will be spared the outrage this would provoke.

People who voted Green would like to see the party achieve its aims but most of them baulk at the ways and means. They would like to see the planet saved, but they don’t want to do an awful lot to save it.

They voted Green because they don’t regard European or local government elections as terribly important and it seemed like a nice sort of gesture.

The same thinking prompted many who had voted for other parties to lie to the exit pollsters, which is why the poll overestimated the Greens’ support.

Voters are happy enough to

Michael Wolsey ZUDS WKH *UHHQ ÀDJ URXQG WKHP But Green policies ... now that’s D GL྾HUHQW PDWWHU ,Q WKH ¿UVW ÀXVK RI HOHFWRUDO success, Green leader Eamon Ryan was discussing some of those policies with a radio interviewer.

He didn’t want to build any new roads and he wanted to stop widening the ones we have: “We need to throttle back RQ WKH WUDŕľśF ´ He wanted to scrap the National Development Plan which is aimed at developing cities and larger towns outside 'XEOLQ Âł,WÂśV QRW ÂżW IRU SXUSRVH ´ He wanted to hugely reduce the amount of dairy farming in

Ireland: “We need to completely FKDQJH WKH SDWWHUQ RI ODQG XVH ´ He wanted to push ahead with the plan for directly-elected mayors, rejected by voters in two out of three plebiscites.

And he wanted to see urban cycle lanes increased at the expense of road space for cars.

Other Green policies include a carbon tax, the introduction of a congestion charge in Dublin, no PRUH GULOOLQJ IRU RŕľľVKRUH JDV D ban on the use of coal by 2030 and a tax, or total ban, on nonrecyclable plastic.

And the Green Party supports water charges. Remember them? The small parties of the Left most certainly do.

Those parties did badly in the elections and would be delighted to see a fresh attempt to introduce water charges ZKLFK JDYH WKHP WKHLU ÂżQHVW hour as they led thousands on mass protests.

I wonder how many of the water protesters voted Green last week.

And I wonder how many of them will still be Green voters if they are asked to pay up and have the courage of Mr Ryan’s convictions.

I am as ambiguous about the Greens as most voters, so I was quite pleased with their electoral success. They are decent people and it was a vote for decency.

But I’m glad they have not been handed real power and, instead, have been given the FKDQFH WR UH¿QH WKHLU SROLFLHV and align them a little more closely with the real world.

7KDW SURFHVV ZLOO EH GLŕľśFXOW for some in the party.

Saoirse McHugh, the Mayo woman who did so well in the Midlands North West constituency, declared that she would quit the Green Party if it ever went into coalition with either Fine Gael or Fianna FĂĄil.

That declaration seemed to strike a chord with party members. But FG and FF remain by far the country’s biggest parties.

Coalition with one or the other is the only way into government for the foreseeable future.

So if the party follows Ms McHugh’s advice, its policies will never be implemented.

Which is maybe just as well.

As Kermit told us, it’s not easy being Green.

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

(First preference votes listed)

| 11

12 |

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

RoadSafety&VehicleMaintenance

We’re third-best for safety in EU IRELAND was the third-best performer for road safety in 2018, according to a new report by the European Commission.

A total of 25,100 people died on EU roads in 2018, a decrease of 21pc compared to 2010, and 1pc compared to 2017.

Ireland recorded 31 deaths per million inhabitants, according WR ÂżJXUHV UHOHDVHG E\ WKH (8 With an average of 49 road deaths per one million inhabitants, European roads are now the safest in the world. +RZHYHU (XURSH LV VWLOO Rŕľľ track to reach its target of halving the number of road deaths by 2020, and having zero road deaths by 2050.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said Ireland still has work to do regarding road safety: “There is a target across the EU of halving the number of road deaths by 2020. “We must continue to do all we can in Europe and Ireland to reduce these numbers.Even one road death is unacceptable. Ireland has one of the best road safety records in Europe but we still have a lot of work to do.’ “In recent years we have seen VLJQLÂżFDQW LPSURYHPHQWV LQ road safety but there are still 500 deaths on European roads each and every week. That is

over 25,000 fatalities a year and LV VLPSO\ QRW DQ DFFHSWDEOH ÂżJure. “There is progress being made. In Ireland there were 400 deaths on our roads in 2001 compared to 149 last year. That is 149 too many however and we must keep doing what we can to make sure that number comes down. “We can and we must continue to go much further on improving road safety and I am optimistic about the potential for new lifesaving technologies to help us do that.â€?

The EU countries with the best road safety results in 2018 were the United Kingdom (28 deaths/ million inhabitants), Denmark (30/million), Ireland (31/million), and Sweden (32/million).

The countries with a higherthan-average decrease in road deaths from 2017 to 2018 were Slovenia (-13pc), Lithuania (-11pc), Bulgaria (-9pc) and Slovakia and Cyprus (both -8pc).

Only two EU Member States recorded a fatality rate higher than 80 deaths per million inhabitants, against seven in 2010.

The countries with the highest fatality rate were Romania (96/ million), Bulgaria (88/million), Latvia (78/million) and Croatia (77/million).

John Duggan, artist Niki Purcell and David Forde at the launch of No Matter the Weather the Bray Seafront Art & Photography Exhibition will be in front of the bandstand on June 23, July 14, August 25

... but road deaths rise by 30% so far this year THREE deaths this week 8 has brought the number of people who have died on Irish roads to almost 70 this year.

It was reported last month that road deaths are up by an alarming 30pc in 2019, D ÂżJXUH FDPSDLJQHUV KDYH labelled ‘very disappointing’.

Drink driving, speeding and failure to wear safety belts

DUH SURYLQJ WR EH VLJQL¿cant factors — while there KDV DOVR EHHQ D VLJQL¿FDQW increase in the number of drivers found to be using mobile phones while behind the wheel.

Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary, of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said at the time: “Initial information from fatal collisions in

2019 reveal that excessive or inappropriate speeding, intoxicated driving and lack of safety belts appear time and time again. “Safety belts are proven life savers and must be worn every journey, every time.�

7KH ODWHVW ÂżJXUHV DOVR VKRZ D VLJQLÂżFDQW LQFUHDVH LQ detections of drink-driving, speeding and other forms of

dangerous driving.

In January alone, more than 13,000 people were caught speeding, compared to over 8,000 in the same month last year.

GardaĂ­ said the upward trend must be addressed immediately and called for every road user to re-double WKHLU HŕľľRUWV DQG WR XVH WKH road as safely as they can.

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

| 13

14 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

The Cuckoo and the Butterfly

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

Cuckooflower (Photo Justin Ivory) ONE of my favourite flowers, the Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) has been in bloom for the last few weeks and will be well into June.

Bearing beautiful, delicate flowers consisting of four broad petals ranging from white to lilac or deep pink in colour, it is hard to imagine that this little beauty is a member of the cabbage (Brassicaceae) family!

This little gem is widespread and can be found in marshes and damp meadows and pastures.

It gains the name Cuckooflower from the fact that it flowers in April and May when the cuckoos arrive and are singing.

It is also known as Lady’s Smock as apparently the flower resembles the smock dresses worn by milkmaids in times past.

Male Orange Tip (Photo Justin Ivory) Not only is the Cuckooflower an exquisite little beauty it also plays a very important role as the larval foodplant of one of my favourite butterflies – the Orange Tip (Anthocaris cardamines). One of the earlier butterflies on the wing, the handsome male with its unmistakable bright orange wingtips, is a real harbinger of spring. The female lacks the orange wingtips and can be mistaken for the Small White, but both sexes have a lovely mottled green underwing which distinguishes them from other species.

Female Orange Tips lay their orange, bottle-shaped eggs on the underside of flower buds of mainly the Cuckooflower, but also other crucifers such as Honesty. On hatching the pale, blue-green caterpillars feed on the developing seedpods. After 3 to 4 weeks the caterpillar leaves the foodplant and finds a new location before forming a chrysalis (known as pupating) among dry vegetation. The chrysalis remains here for 10 months until next April when the new adult butterfly emerges.

FAT FREDDIE

by Stephen Breen

GOLDEN MONDELLO: FROM GRASS TO GLORY RTE 1, Monday June 3, 6.30pm

ROCKETMAN Released 22nd May

‘Fat’ Freddie Thompson first appeared in court in 1997 aged 17. Over the next twenty years his criminal career would be marked by mayhem, brutality and murder. In 2000 a row over a failed drugs deal ignited a murderous feud in Dublin’s south inner city. The first victim of the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud was a childhood friend of Thompson’s. Sixteen young men would lose their lives over the next 12 years. Meanwhile, another childhood friend, Daniel Kinahan, had become a senior figure in his father Christy Kinahan’s international crime cartel. Working with the Kinahan Cartel Thompson launched himself as a drugs dealer in Dublin.

Documentary celebrating 50 years of motorsport at the Mondello Park in Caragh, Co Kildare, Ireland’s only international motorsport venue. Owned by Martin Birrane, and designed by Stuart Cosgrave, the circuit is an internationally recognised facility for cars, motorcycling, karting, drifting and rallycross and has been pivotal in developing the careers of Irish talent including John Watson, Derek Daly, Kenny Acheson, David Kennedy, Eddie Jordan, Tommy Byrne and Michael Roe.

Named after John’s 1972 song, “Rocket Man� is a biographical musical film based on the life of musician Elton John. Directed by Dexter Fletcher and written by Lee Hall, it stars Taron Egerton as John, with Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film tells the story of Elton John’s life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music, through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin, as well as his struggles with depression, substance abuse, and acceptance of his sexual orientation.

CINEMA of the week

VISIT of the week

VENUE of the week

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WELLS HOUSE & GARDENS Ballyedmond, Gorey, Co. Wexford www.wellshouse.ie

MONSTERS AND MEN Mermaid Theatre, Bray Monday 3rd June â&#x201A;Ź8 Full Price â&#x201A;Ź6.50 Concession Price

BEACHES IN COUNTY WICKLOW Blue Flags retained for our beautiful Wicklow Beaches.

17th century manor house, set on a 450-acre estate, open for all things corporate! Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to host an event for 900 people or nine, Wells House is the perfect space to do it in with a choice of venues, menus and entertainment to suit all needs! Not only is Wells open for large work events but they also have facilities to host conferences, meetings and team building with plenty of break-out rooms, high-speed WiFi and creativity-inspiring woodlands and gardens. Get in touch today and start thinking outside of the city!

Monsters and Men is a powerful exploration of race, family and consequence in the aftermath of a police shooting of an unarmed black man in a tight knit Brooklyn community. Focusing on three characters, young father Manny who witnesses the shooting, conflicted NYPD officer Dennis and Zyrick, a high school athlete on the brink of a major college scholarship as they struggle to make sense of what has happened.

Questions of moral action, provocation, race and justice are all considered and while each man is very different the conflict is endemic.

County Wicklow has some of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. Brittas Bay is a long sandy sheltered beach with beautiful huge sand dunes. The beach is very popular with visitors from Dublin often coming out for a day trip. This beach has a European Union (EU) Blue Flag â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the international award for the highest quality beach areas in Europe Brittas Bay Beach in County Wicklow has a 5km stretch of golden sand itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good spot for any watersports enthusiasts and is also perfect for walking and swimming. With summer now on the way why not plan a visit?

SHOW of the week

MARKET of the week

CAFE of the week

VIRGO0DQDJH VFKHGXOHG URXWLQHV GHVSLWH GLVUXSWLRQ 0DLQWDLQ KHDOWK\ URXWLQHV DV PXFK DV \RX FDQ *HW VXSSRUW ZKHQ QHHGHG LIBRA5HOD[ DQG KDYH IXQ ZLWK EHORYHG SHRSOH DQG DFWLYLWLHV 6RPH WULFNV PD\ QRW ZRUN DV H[SHFWHG 6ORZ GRZQ WR DYRLG DFFLGHQWV SCORPIO)LQG SUDFWLFDO GRPHVWLF VROXWLRQV WKDW GRQÂśW FRVW D IRUWXQH *LYH QHZ SXUSRVH WR VRPHWKLQJ ROG 0DNH UHSDLUV HDUO\ SAGITTARIUS-

6ORZ WR DYRLG D FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW 7DNH D EUHDWK EHIRUH UHVSRQGLQJ &RQVLGHU WKH UHVXOW \RX ZDQW WR FUHDWH DQG FKRRVH ZRUGV FDUHIXOO\ CAPRICORN)RFXV RQ JHQHUDWLQJ LQFRPH $YRLG FRQWURYHUV\ RU FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW ZLWK DXWKRULW\ ÂżJXUHV 3RVWSRQH XQQHFHVVDU\ H[SHQVHV ENCORPS STAGE SCHOOL Mermaid Theatre, Bray Sunday, 9th June â&#x201A;Ź15 (Adults) Full Price â&#x201A;Ź10 (Children) Concession

KILRUDDY FARM MARKET Garden House, Kilruddery Demesne West, Bray 15th June @ 10am - 3pm

THE ORCHARD CAFE Macreddin Village, Wicklow T : 0402 36444

Encorps Stage School is delighted to hold its annual performance again this year in the Mermaid Arts Centre Students from our Blackrock and Ballinteer classes will perform a variety of routines from both musicals and the charts. This years performance includes excerpts from Mamma Mia, Peter Rabbit, The Lego Movie and songs by Ariana Grande and Sam Smith. At Encorps we want every student to feel like a star and our classes promote confidence, friendship and fun!

Killrudderyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm Market offers a weekly oasis of brightly coloured local produce, grown both in our own Victorian Walled Garden and just a few miles from our home. Local organic farm An Tairseachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fruit and vegetables; Dunlavin Dairyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s locally sourced glass bottle milk, butter & cream; scrumptious hot food served by Flipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Awesome, The Crepe Box and Love Falafel; Talented local crafters and makers such as The Birds & The Teas, Loo Vit jewellery, Tom Barry woodwork, Kilcrea Design Studio and more.

The Orchard CafĂŠ is ideally situated alongside Actons Country Pub in a glazed courtyard under eye catching grape vines. It is the perfect venue for a light lunch or a coffee with friends. With free range, organic and wild foods you can enjoy a healthy, relaxed lunch in pleasant surroundings. The Orchard CafĂŠ opens every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday all year round and opens 7 days a week in the Summer months from May 1st 12:30pm - 5:30pm Please call us to make a reservation.

AQUARIUS0DLQWDLQ \RXU DGYDQWDJH ,Q D VWDOHPDWH GRQÂśW DVN IRU IDYRXUV +ROG \RXU WHPSHU DQG SDWLHQWO\ ZDLW <RX FDWFK PRUH ZLWK KRQH\ WKDQ \RX GR ZLWK YLQHJDU PISCES$YRLG KXVWOH DQG EXVWOH )LQG D TXLHW VSRW WR UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW RQ ZKDWÂśV DKHDG 6WD\ DZD\ IURP SRWHQWLDO DUJXPHQWV 6KRZ DSSUHFLDWLRQ WR VRPHRQH ZKR KHOSHG \RX

| 15

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

The Shaking Bog writing festival Adevrtorial AN exciting new festival for County Wicklow - THE SHAKING BOG NATURE WRITING FESTIVAL - will take place in the Glencree Valley on 22nd & 23rd June, 2019 .

The festival programme ZLOO EH RŕľśFLDOO\ ODXQFKHG on Wednesday, 22nd May at 6.30pm at Enniskerry Library .

On 22nd & 23rd June something very special will be happening in the Glencree Valley, County Wicklow. A brand new midsummer festival of nature writing -The Shaking Bog - will be awakening and enlivening the valley with a GLYHUVH RŕľľHULQJ RI HYHQWV From poetry readings to conversations, workshops to nature trails, creative writing for children to musical interludes WKLV IHVWLYDO ZLOO RŕľľHU DQ immersive and enriching experience for literature and nature lovers alike .

It will be a huge privilege for the local community and all the many other visitors we hope to welcome, to present national and world renowned artists and writers at the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Fighting Words Wicklow and

Knockree Hostel .

Amongst others, names worthy of note include: Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite nature writer (and farmer) John LewisStempel, award-winning poet 3DVFDOH 3HWLW SRHW DQG RŕľśFLDO â&#x20AC;&#x153;national treasureâ&#x20AC;?

Paul Durcan, celebrated writer Carlo Gebler, Wicklow-based author and naturalist Declan Murphy,

Emmy award-winning wildlife cinematographer Theo Jebb and superstar childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s author Shane Hegarty .

There will be a feast of opportunities for children with a very special â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Young Shakersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; daylong event at Aurora House Glencree, presented in association with Fighting Words. This event includes

VRQJZULWLQJ JUDSKLF ÂżFWLRQ DQG creative workshops as well as storytelling, bird and bat box building, scavenger hunts and D VSHFLDO JUDQG ÂżQDOH HYHQW Children will also feature in their own Budding Writers Reading Event at Curtlestown School .

A special tribute is also planned for the Bray resident,

the extraordinary poet Shirley McClure who died recently, with readings and contributions by poets Jane Clarke and Katie Donovan .

7R WRS LW DOO Rŕľľ WKH IHVWLYDO ÂżQDOH ZLOO EH D FRQFHUW RI PXVLF and readings at St. Kevinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, Glencree featuring the wonderful Liam Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Maonlai with guests including Mary

Coughlan, The Square Pegs, Diarmuid Gavin; Katie Donovan; the Fugato Quartet and others .

The festival is grateful for funding from Wicklow County Council and County Wicklow Partnership Leader Programme.

It is indebted to the support of its partners; Poetry Ireland, Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Fighting Words and local festival sponsors King Tree Services and Greenking Composting .

Director Catherine Nunes who also founded the acclaimed Dublin Dance Festival - said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am extremely excited to curate a festival within my own local community.

Living here in such extraordinarily beautiful landscape has been both my sustenance and my inspiration for this event.

I wanted to do something that would reawaken our connection to the natural world in an intimate and meaningful way.

But I also hope that The 6KDNLQJ %RJ ZLOO UHĂ&#x20AC;HFW WKH serious quality and excellence of the nature writing that is being published today and for the festival events to be both thoughtful and thoughtprovoking.â&#x20AC;?

16 |

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY PUBLIC CONSULTATION Notice is hereby given that Wicklow County Council has prepared a draft Local Authority Climate Change Adaptation Strategy in accordance with the provisions of The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 and the National Adaptation Framework (NAF), 2018.

Climate change is recognised as a global challenge with policy responses required in terms of both mitigating the causes of climate change and in adapting to the inevitable consequences of our changing climate.

The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy represents a proactive step by Wicklow County Council in the process of adaptation planning to build resilience and respond effectively to the threats posed by climate change.

Purpose of the Strategy: The Climate Change Adaptation Strategy takes on the role as the primary instrument at local level to: (i)

ensure a proper comprehension of the key risks and vulnerabilities of climate change

(ii) bring forward the implementation of climate resilient actions in a planned and proactive manner and, (iii) ensure that climate adaptation considerations are mainstreamed into all plans and policies and integrated into all operations and functions of Wicklow County Council.

Environmental Reports: Accompanying the draft Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is: (i)

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report in accordance with the SEA Directive (DIR 2001/42/EC) and pursuant to European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 (SI 435 of 2004 as amended by SI 200 of 2011) and,

(ii) An Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Report in accordance with the requirements of Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC).

Display Details: A copy of the draft strategy, SEA and AA screening reports may be viewed on the Councils’ website: http://www.wicklow.ie/ or inspected during the period (4 weeks) from Friday 7th June 2019 to Friday 5th July 2019 (both dates inclusive) at the following locations during normal business hours: A 5;4:? ;02+04.9 #:(:054 "5(+ &0*125= $5=4 A ;40*06(2 09:80*: -@ *,9 04 8(? 8,?9:54,9 8125= (4+ 2,9904.:54 A 0)8(80,9 04 8125= 8(? 8,?9:54,9 (4+ 2,9904.:54 The adaptation strategy, SEA screening report and AA 9*8,,404. 8,658: 3(? (295 ), (**,99,+ 54 :/, 5<,843,4: Public Consultations Portal at https://gov.ie/consultations Making a Submission: Submissions or observations may be made: A )? , 3(02 :5 $ 80,4 =0*125=*5*5 0, or A 04 =80:04. :5 $/,8,9( 80,4 #,4058 >,*;:0<, -@ *,8 &0*125= 5;4:? 5;4*02 #:(:054 "5(+ Wicklow Town Submissions or observations should state your name, address and where relevant the organisation/body etc. represented. Please make your submission by one medium only i.e. post/hard copy or email.

Any written submissions or observations received within the timeframe will be taken into consideration before the making of the strategy. You are invited to make written submissions/ observations in respect of the draft strategy and the accompanying SEA and AA screening reports.

Data Protection: Please note that all submissions may be available for public viewing during the period of making the strategy.

Wicklow County Council will treat all personal data as *54@ +,4:0(2 (4+ =022 8,:(04 +(:( -58 45 254.,8 :/(4 09 necessary for the purpose of this Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and in accordance with the Council’s Retention Policy and relevant Data Protection legislation.

Signed: Sean Quirke Director of Services, Planning, Development and Environment Date:

3rd June 2019

| 17

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

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18 |

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

insideback

Brian Quigley

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup kicks off

S

occer fans dreading the prospect of the 2018-19 season ending after the Champions League Final this weekend need not worry. Next week the FIFA :RPHQÂśV :RUOG &XS NLFNV Rŕľľ in France, and the tournament will run until July 7.

The Republic of Ireland may QRW EH WDNLQJ SDUW KDYLQJ ÂżQished third in UEFA Group Three behind Norway and Holland, but our neighbours Scotland and England are taking part (in Scotlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case it will a debut Finals for them, as it will be for South Africa, Chile and Jamaica).

-XVW WR SXW RXU QRQ TXDOLÂżFDtion into context, Holland and Norway are ranked 8 and 12 in the world, while we are back at 31. ,I WKH TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ WRXUQDments from the various Confederations are anything to go by, France 2019 will bring plenty of goals and exciting football.

In total there were 1562 goals LQ TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ JDPHV

The Caroline Foundation Golf Classic at Powerscourt Golf Club: Neville Hodgins, Hayden Smith, Thelma Hodgins and Karen Hodgins

giving a goals-per-game ratio of 3.98. The previous Finals, which were held in Canada in 2015, delivered 146 goals in 52 games for a goals-per-game ratio of 2.81.

Canada 2015 (which was won E\ WKH 86$ ZDV WKH ÂżUVW WLPH the FIFA Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup Finals had comprised 24 teams.

7KH ÂżUVW )LQDOV KHOG LQ &KLQD in 1991 (also won by the USA),

had seen only 12 teams compete. The expansion of the tournament to 16 teams for USA 1999 (also won by, you guessed it, the USA!) and to 24 for Canada shows the global expansion

of - and interest in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer. USA may be the team to beat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with three wins from the eight Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cups held to date, and sitting on top of the FIFA rankings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but Ja-

pan will be there or thereabouts too having won the 2011 event LQ *HUPDQ\ DQG ÂżQLVKHG UXQner-up in Canada.

Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s challenge will be led by Germany, England and France, who sit at second, third and fourth respectively in the FIFA rankings. Of this trio Germany are the only ones to have lifted the trophy, with wins in 2003 and 2007. Norway, who WRSSHG RXU TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ JURXS are the only other European nation to have lifted the trophy (they beat Germany to the title in 1995 in Sweden).

Prior to 1991 there had been previous attempts at starting a Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup, including a tournament known as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mundialitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which was held in Italy in the 1980s.

They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t still use this name, but I like it!

So, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our summer soccer viewing sorted (as well as attending League of Ireland games, of course). We will be able to watch games on RTE, TG4 and BBC. UEFA will be using the tournament to qualify three teams for the 2020 Olympics.

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019

| 19

Principals Maeve Tierney and Brian Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Doherty with some of the children who will be competing with their families for the fittest school at the St Patricks ve rsus St Cronans Hell & Back on May 6 in Killruddery

20 |

wicklowvoice.ie June 1, 2019