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August 3, 2021
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August 3, 2021
wicklowvoice inside: FREE
May 28,03, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, August 2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
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Take a bow, Bray
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Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
Seafront shines in litter coastal survey Bray Seafront has been highly praised in the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) coast litter survey. The judges said the famous seafront was deemed “Clean to European Norms.” The IBAL survey commented that the beach and the immediate hinterland in Bray were excellent with regard to litter. It added: “The area is exceptionally well served by anti-litter notices and litter bins and this, combined with
cleaning regime, is certainly having the desired effect. It was really a credit to the users of the facilities and those responsible for the maintenance.” The Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, expressed her delight at the results of the Coastal Litter Survey. Bray Seafront has been deemed to ‘Clean to European Norms. Cllr Flynn Kennedy stated: “This was testament to the investment by Wicklow County Council into Bray Seafront
every year. Great credit must go to the staff of Bray Municipal District who for years has made the seafront the jewel in the crown for Bray. “The past year has been a difficult time for everyone but the outdoor spaces such as Bray Seafront have been a council priority to ensure that everyone can enjoy this space in a safe and clean environment”. Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Mr Frank Curran, said: “This acknowledgement of the work
and investment by Wicklow County Council is fantastic. We have invested heavily in solar powered litter bins, new water bottle refill stations. I want to complement the staff in Bray who have been working tirelessly this past year”. Meanwhile, Brittas Bay also won praise with the Survey saying: “The beach was excellent with regard to litter and the overall impression of the beach and associated car parks was of a very well respected and managed environment.”
Isobelle Jameson-Cleary and Amelia Drake at the closing of the library at Cill Mhantáin Hill in Wicklow Town
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COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
August 3, 2021
Puppy love: Pet care experts launch free club Bea Tobin (6) and Bobby PhelanO’Mahony (7) with Milo a sevenmonth-old Cocker Spaniel
The county’s new Petmania Puppy Club, a free, online resource for new pet parents has just launched and is sharing everything new pet owners need to know. Members will access expert advice on all aspects of a puppy’s health, diet, training and grooming needs. Paul Hannigan, manager of Petmania Santry, said:
“Getting a puppy is an exciting time for any family. The Petmania Puppy Club will help guide and support you during puppy’s first year. Puppies need to understand what you want them to do and to follow your instructions in all social settings. This is vital to help you raise a happy, healthy puppy.”
Petmania Puppy Club Members will get expert advice about caring for their puppy, from its team of inhouse pet care advisors and groomers. If you wish to join the Petmania Puppy Club and get care advice and step-bystep guidance, visit: www. petmania.ie/puppy-club
Number on PUP drops to 163,400
The number of people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is just under 163,400 - the lowest level since the pandemic began. The number receiving the payment dropped almost 29,000 on last week, as people returning to work closed their claim. This week, the Department of Social Protection issued weekly payments valued at €48.4 million to 163,327 people in receipt of the PUP. The overall bill for PUP now stands at over €8.3 billion. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said, with the return of indoor hospitality, it is great to see more businesses now re-opened as we move into the busiest weeks of the summer holiday season. “The number of people in receipt of the PUP is now at the lowest level since the pandemic began and every week we are seeing more and more people getting back to work. It is also very encouraging to see many businesses actively advertising for and hiring new staff.”
Bishops in firing line for giving goahead to ceremonies
The decision by some Catholic bishops to defy public health advice by allowing First Holy Communions and Confirmations to take place in their dioceses has been criticised by a number of experts and organisations. Geneticist professor Aoife McLysaght has described the decision by various clergy to allow religious ceremonies to go ahead as “absurd”. Choices have to be made, “we can’t do everything all at once,” she said, adding that reopening is “quite delicate.” Speaking to RTÉ, she said there could not be a situation where some think the rules do not apply to them - solidarity is required. She added that First Communions and Holy Confirmations are not time-sensitive events like funerals and can happen at any time. Bishops and Archbishop are not setting a good example by stating their intention to defy public health guidelines, Prof McLysaght said. Communions and Confirmations involved unvaccinated children and could be-
come super spread events just a few weeks before the return to school. In a matter of weeks more people would be vaccinated, she added. Meanwhile, the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has also criticised the decisions while the bishops have also been accused by clerical abuse survivor Andrew Madden of placing children at risk of “reckless endangerment. Again.” Fr Tony Flannery, co-founder of the ACP, accused the bishops of “effectively lining up with the anti-vaxers” in challenging medical and State authority. He contrasted that with how the bishops themselves rigidly applied the rule of law in the church itself, “as I know”. The bishops, he said, in “defying health and official advice”, were mistaken and would be better “if they faced the reality that these events have little real religious meaning”. Fr Brendan Hoban, said that “common sense demanded that First Communions and Confirmations could be postponed indefinitely.”
Long Covid rare in young children
Children who become ill with coronavirus are unlikely to have long-term effects, with less than 2% having symptoms lasting more than eight weeks, research has shown. Illness from Covid-19 lasted no more than a week on average in people aged between five and 17, according to findings from a study led by researchers at King’s College London. The results, published in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal, involved scientists looking at daily health reports logged in the Zoe Covid Study app and focused on September 2020 through to February 2021.
Of the 1,734 children reported by parents or carers with a clear start and end point to their symptoms and a positive PCR test result, just one in 50 (1.8%) had symptoms lasting more than eight weeks. Fewer than one in 20 (4.4%) experienced symptoms for four weeks or more. In children aged five to 11 years old, the illness lasted on average for five days, while in children aged 12 to 17 it lasted around seven days, researchers said. Their study showed that the most common symptoms reported in children were headaches, tiredness, a sore throat and loss of smell.
August 3, 2021
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OF A MIND A guided audio experience along Bray’s iconic promenade 04-15 AUG at 7:30 pm Weekend matinées at 3pm Tickets €15/12 01 272 4030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
created by
Listen and Breathe
August 3, 2021
Looking for a tutor? School Is Easy is here to help you Advertorial As we battle to cope with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 regulations, home-based learning has taken on a new importance. Many parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of one-to-one tuition are, nevertheless, nervous about having a stranger in their home or sending young students to a tuition centre. School is Easy (SIE) can solve that problem. We can offer one-to-one or group grinds for Primary, Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate school students at a time that works for you and your family. We offer the following subjects, from Primary to Secondary to Specialist Third Level courses: Irish/Gaelige, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, Spanish, History, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Design and Technology, Music, and Physical Education . Going to university and dreading the college exams? No problem, we have skilled and experienced tutors to help every student.
We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered. When you work with SIE, you will get nothing but the best. All of our tutors have formal education, classroom experience and a passion for teaching. For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree. The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad. We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors. We are easy to work with. We screen tutors for you. We identify learning deficiencies and we get results . Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements. Call us today on 01 556 3553 to book a consulation. We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.
call us today
August 3, 2021
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August 3, 2021
opinion&comment
Smaller, shorter, cheaper: that’s my Olympic dream
I
AM enjoying the Olympics much more than I had expected. The lack of real audiences takes away some of the atmosphere and it must be disappointing for the contestants who have worked so hard to get to Tokyo only to find it a city under lockdown. There is no Olympic village for them to savour and, if eliminated, they can’t even stay on to cheer for their teammates in other competitions. But the lack of commercial hype and razzmatazz has focused attention on the sport, which has been good, with some Irish contestants doing exceptionally well. Covid has forced a scaling back of the Games which the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in thrall to its big business sponsors, would never
Michael Wolsey
have voluntarily accepted. Over recent decades the Games have been as much about showbusiness as sport, with more attention paid to the opening and closing ceremonies than to many of the events. They have also become outrageously expensive to stage. Cities gamble that the prestige garnered by the Games, and the global attention they attract, will outweigh the potentially ruinous costs. If they call it wrong, they are in trouble. Tokyo is getting very little out of these Games, which have been met with hostility by the Covid-cautious Japanese public. Japan can cover the loss, but less-wealthy countries struggle to clear their Olympic debts. Rio is still paying for the Games of 2016 and Athens for
the 2004 extravaganza. China’s economics are hard to measure, but the Games of 2008 left Beijing with stadiums and training centres that are rarely used and somebody has to foot the bill, estimated at $3 billion. So there are sound economic reasons for reducing the Olympic hype and, although everyone wants to see their own particular sport included, it is generally agreed that the Games, once the prerogative of elite amateur athletes, have grown into an unwieldy carnival. The IOC could make a start by eliminating sports with major tournaments of their own which contestants regard as more important than the Olympics. Golf and tennis are the prime examples and I would also include road cycling whose amazing athletes would gladly sacri-
fice an Olympic medal if it gave them the winner’s jersey in the Tour de France. Rugby Sevens seems sufficiently different from normal Rugby Union to allow its inclusion and - for the moment, but maybe not much longer - women’s football can reasonably claim the Games as its premier competition. The same cannot be said of men’s football. Its overpaid superstars do not even want to compete in the Games so competition is restricted to under-23 players with the exception of three older players in every squad. Some countries field strong teams, some field very young teams and some top soccer countries field no teams at all. Some regard it as a development tournament, a disrespectful way to treat the Olympic
Games and an insult to the other sports. As well as getting rid of these big sports, the IOC should also take a look at some of the odder events it has included. Skateboarding takes skill and courage but is surely best confined to a secure corner of the local park. Sport Climbing - rock climbing but without real rocks should be left in the gym. And softball is not really an international sport, as it is only played seriously in North America and Japan. There is nothing wrong with any of these activities but the current Games feature a total of 33 sports and 339 events and the IOC’s aim should be to cut back the number, not extend it. Faster, Higher, Stronger is the Olympic motto. Smaller, Shorter, Cheaper would be a good alternative.
August 3, 2021
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August 3, 2021
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Beautiful Butterflies
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
Last weekend half of the East Coast flocked to Bray to see the annual spectacle of the Bray Air Display. Well with the glorious weather we have had of late we are currently being treated to spectacular air displays anywhere there are a few flowers. These displays are more about beauty and grace rather than speed and power. Of course I am referring to our beautiful butterflies. Ireland has 32 resident and 3 common migrant butterfly species. Below is a selection of some that are on the wing at the moment. So take the time to go out and see these little beauties and even better report your sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Enjoy! (All photos Justin Ivory)
TV of the week
HOROSCOPES
series of the week
this eden Ed O’Loughlin
the equalizer SKY Witness
We The People (Season 1) Netflix
reminiscent of the cyber noir novels of William Gibson and the golden age of espionage fiction, This Eden is bluntly described as a ‘fast-paced literary thriller’ by the Irish-Canadian author and journalist. But O’Loughlin’s books are always difficult to pigeon hole and as one of the more unique authors writing today, readers can expect to be taken down a lot of rabbit holes as the story hurtles from Vancouver to Jordan to Paris. One to pack away for the plane — if you’re lucky enough to be getting on one — or the back garden, which is where most of us will be sitting this summer.
SKY Witness has picked up CBS drama ‘The Equalizer‘, which sees Academy Award nominee Queen Latifah star in a reboot of the classic 1980s crime drama of the same name, which starred the brilliant Edward Woodward in an equally brilliant drama. Denzel Washington made two great movies under the same franchise. To tip the scales a bit and in keeping with everything that is going on Stateside, an African American woman in the lead role seemed fitting but reviews have not been good. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, although new viewers may think differently.
FORMER US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama rang in the Fourth of July with a new animation series for Netflix aimed at educating children on United States civics lessons. The hope of course was that the sentiment would be easily understood elsewhere around the globe. Titled We the People, the 10-episode series features threeminute music videos covering a wide range of topics to enlighten “a new generation of young Americans about the power of the people.” Not sure the Irish would get this — but you can always give it a go and maybe be thankful we are where we are this side of the pond.
day out of the week
shop of the week
FAMILY DAY of the week
Peacock
TaurusReview your reserves, and determine financial priorities and strategies to keep your boat afloat. Get support from your partner. GeminiClarify details in a collaborative project. It’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. Manage practical priorities first. CancerThere’s plenty of work. Postpone what you can, and stick to practical objectives. Maintain your fitness and health practices. LeoClear communications can save you from a tangled mess. Make sure to loop in everyone involved. Keep things respectful to work out roles and responsibilities.
Red Admiral
Silver-washed Fritillary
AriesTravel and education have your attention. Focus on practical details. Avoid emotional spending. Fantasies are ephemeral.
coillte forests and parks www.coillte.ie
forever young festival Palmerstown House Estate, Kildare, Sept 10-12
school stationery Aldi.ie and www.barnardos.ie/aldi
WHAT do Jason Donovan, Paul Carrack, Wendy James (pictured), Chesney Hawkes, Heather Small, Bad Manners, Paul Young . . . do we need to go on? So what do they all have in common? Well, they will all be in a big field together in September if you fancy three days of dewey-eyed nostalgia. The usual glamping options are available — and probably necessary given the age profile of would-be attendees — but make sure you have a fat wallet: prices range from €500-€940. Still, if the eighties music scene was your thing, this is Heaven. For others, it’s pure Hell. www. foreveryoungfestival.ie (ticket prices to come)
HATE to say it. But we all know that back to school can be cripplingly expensive for families. Fear not, as Aldi has all you need at low prices once more before school starts again. Aldi’s next Amazing School Stationery Event hits 147 stores nationwide from Thursday, 5th August, meaning you can spread the cost out and stock up before they return to school. Aldi will also be kicking off a colouring competition as part of Back to School for Barnardos. To get the kids to join in, go to the website above. (50 cent from sale of colouring pencils goes to Barnardos).
LOOKING for ideas to entertain the family that don’t cost the earth? Look no further than the 260 forests spread across the country, managed and cared for by Coillte, which has just produced a map of their top 5 for families to visit over the next few weeks. Coillte was motivated to promote their forests having discovered 56% of Irish adults did not know there were 260 Coillte recreational forests, with marked trails, open to visitors. Entry to all Coillte’s forests is free for pedestrians and cyclists, with onsite carparking available for just €5 for the larger forest parks. (Pictured: Donadea Forest Park, Kildare)
album of the week
charity of the week
business of the week
VirgoGet your family to clarify the domestic improvements desired. Work out what expenses and actions to prioritize. Determine your budget, colors and style. LibraRomantic fantasies can dissipate. Share your feelings directly with the one who stirs them, rather than hoping they get your smoke signals. ScorpioThe money’s good if you prioritize profitable tasks from distractions. A mirage could lead you in the wrong direction. Sagittarius-
Focus on a personal project, and keep your feet firmly on the ground. Handle practical matters. Don’t get carried away by a fantasy.
Comma
bob dylan Springtime in New York The Small Tortoiseshell
Green-veined White
JUST when you thought the vaults had to be empty, yet another treasure trove of Dylan songs have been found and packed to join the long line of albums released in the Bootleg Series. This one is bound to please, given it comes from the years 1980-1985 when he made some awful rubbish and some real gems. Included are some classics from Infidels, with the great Mark Knopfler at the desk. So, it ain’t’ all that bad out there . . . apart from the price. At £129 for the full collection, you’d need to be a die hard die hard!
Dawn to Dusk Daily Dip www.smh.ie/fundraising/events/dawn-todusk-daily-dip-2021/ ST Michael’s House, one of Ireland’s largest providers of community-based services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, is challenging families to brave the open waters for the second annual ‘Dawn to Dusk Daily Dip’ fundraiser. Throughout August, the charity is encouraging people to take a quick dip between dawn and dusk to fundraise for vital supports. Pictured taking part in the charity event is journalist and broadcaster, Brendan O’Connor. Entry fee is €15.
SHOP local campaign www.isme.ie/supportB2B om/ NOW businesses are back in action, the Irish SME Association (ISME) has just launched its ‘Shop Local’ summer campaign for consumers and businesses. To highlight products and services from SMEs across Ireland, a new online portal has been developed to support SMEs and service providers, centred around the slogan “Shop SMALL & Send BIG LOVE”. Basically, it’s a plea to go out and support your local stores and businesses, entertainment venues and the hospitality sector. Pictured: Susan Kennedy, MD of Lensmen.
CapricornA confusing situation only gets worse until you determine what you really want. Once you choose, everything gets easier. AquariusCarefully research the methods and steps to take. Your group could get lost in distractions and pitfalls. Keep things moving. PiscesMake sure that the career opportunity you’re pursuing is solid. Get terms in writing before contributing time or money.
August 3, 2021
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August 3, 2021
backtoschool
Why it’s so important to plan ahead ... No sooner have the Summer school holidays begun than it’s time to think about all things back-to-school related. Whether it’s pre school, primary school or secondary school, there’s an emotional, and finanical element to the transition. All of this can lead to anxiety for both child and parent, and if there’s more than one child involved it can be quite a stressful time for families. There are of course things that can be done to offset any negative aspects of this time so that you can instead be fully prepared and prepare your little ones too for the next step on their educational journey. Proper planning of both your time and your finances will help to make things go seamlessly. So the obvious advice is not to leave things to the last minute. Proper Planning You will usually get a list from the
school of what your child will need in the way of books and stationary and what is expected regarding school attire. Thankfully there is a shift coming down the line away from the crested and frankly expensive jumpers and tracksuits and more towards budget friendly generic uniforms which won’t break the bank and which your little tykes may have grown out of by mid term! To this end, buy two sizes, one that fits and one a little bigger. This goes for shoes too. Be aware of the ‘voluntary’ donations most schools are forced to request from parents to keep the show going when it comes to sports, art, and other activities. Some schools have even had to ask parents for donations to upcoming maintenance of the roof or the heating system as they simply wouldn’t be able to afford these essential works otherwise.
Financial Assistance
If your finances are tight you can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. - - - -
You may qualify if: You have a child between 4 and 17 or between 18 and 22 in secondary education You are getting a qualifying payment from the Department of Social Welfare or an approved training course or employment scheme. You are getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (applies in most cases). You satisfy a means test.
Application forms are available from your Intreo Centre, local Social Welfare Branch Office and Citizens Information Centres or you can apply
online using mywelfare.ie. Be aware that certain rules apply and the closing date for applications is September 30, 2021. Most people apply from June/July onwards so don’t delay. This year the government is providing an extra €25 to each child in a scheme designed to help families cover the costs of going back to school. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear allowance, which will be paid automatically to around 110,000 families in 2019, will increase to €150 for children aged 4-11, up €25 from a €125 allowance in 2018. There’s also been a €25 increase for children aged 12 and over – a jump from €250 in 2018 to €275 in 2019. The means-tested one-off payment aims to help families with the costs of children returning to school. It is paid automatically from the week beginning 8 July.
Preparing your child Once the practical elements are out of the way you can begin to prepare your child (and yourself) emotionally if it is their very first day of school or even their first day at ‘big school.’ Talk to your child about what they can expect in the weeks leading up the school term. Be positive and try not to convey any anxiety or worry you may have yourself to the child. Explain that there will be lots of other children exactly like yours there and that it’s all new and exciting to them too. You could even drive by the school a few times so your child becomes familiar with the route you’ll be taking and the building itself, let them know you’ll be there to see them off and you (or whoever will be dropping off and picking up) will be right outside waiting when they’re finished. If you need more information you can visit www.hse.ie
August 3, 2021
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August 3, 2021
Work to begin on water plant
IRISH Water has turned the sod on a new reservoir, as part of plans to invest €5.2bn to secure drinking water supplies for the years ahead. The reservoir, at Saggart, which will hold 100 million litres of water supplied from Irish Water’s Ballymore Eustace water treatment plant, will be ready in three years’ time. An EPA audit in March on the Vartry reservoir in Wicklow, which supplies drinking water to 200,000 people in south Dublin, raised concerns about the 150-year-old reservoir. The audit was carried out in response to a significant increase in the number of detections of the germ giardia, a tiny parasite that causes the diarrhoeal disease giardiasis. The audit noted, however, that the treatment plant at the Wicklow reservoir is “at the end of its life” and a new treatment plant built alongside it is due to open this year. Earlier rains during the year mean that water supplies in Dublin and the wider eastern region are not currently at critical levels; nevertheless, average daily demand is within 6% of what the utility can supply.
‘Miracle no-one was killed’
Shock as building’s roof collapses onto Bray street “It was a miracle that nobody was injured.” That was the verdict after part of the roof of a three-storey building in the centre of Bray partially collapsed recently. The building collapse occurred on Quinsboro Road on Bank Monday, August 2, and two units of Bray fire brigade were quickly on the scene. The area was cordoned off and a number of homes on the street were evacuated while the cause of the collapse remains unknown. “The area is cordoned off now by the emergency services and the buildings have been evacuated. A lot of residents now on the street,” Sinn Féin TD Johnny Brady tweeted at the time. Bray Municipal District Council, of Wicklow County Council, said “a decorative parapet on a terrace of four buildings collapsed” on Goldsmith Terrace in the town. A parapet is a low wall along the edge of a roof. In a statement, the council said: “An Garda Síochána and Wicklow County Council Fire Service attended the scene along with council engineers.” Cherry Jhou, the manager of the Show Hair Salon which is next door to the building, said
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE at the launch of its pre-budget submission. Pic: Jason Clarke
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to form a panel from which future temporary/ permanent positions may be filled.
•
PERMANENT CARETAKER (BRAY M.D.) REF: 27/2021 Salary €691.85 – €753.66 gross per week
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PERMANENT CARETAKER (CLERMONT CAMPUS, RATHNEW) REF: 28/2021 Salary €691.85 – €753.66 gross per week
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PERMANENT FOREMAN – CRAFT (BRAY M.D.) REF: 29/2021 Salary €865.47 – €914.56 gross per week
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PERMANENT CRAFTWORKER CARPENTER (BRAY M.D.) REF: 30/2021 Salary €656.39 – €768.05 gross per week CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12 NOON ON THURSDAY, 26TH AUGUST, 2021 SHARP.
Application Forms and further details may be obtained from Enterprise & Corporate Services at 0404 20159 or by emailing recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie and on the Wicklow County Council website www.wicklow.ie Wicklow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate. Wicklow County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Lorraine Gallagher, Director of Services, Enterprise & Corporate Services, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Phone: 0404 20159 Fax: 0404 20112 Email: recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie
falling masonry damaged the sign for her hairdressers. She said it is unlikely it will be open for the forseeable future because Wicklow County Council engineers will need to assess the partially collapsed building and the ones adjacent to it. Maciek Dudcznko, who lives next door to the building collapse with his mother Anna, compared the sound of the masonry falling to an earthquake. “I heard a loud cracking and everything falling down. When I opened the window, there was a cloud of rubble. It was very frightening,” he said. Mr Dudcznko and his mother have lived on the street for 10 years. Goldsmith Terrace resident Serene Lynam said she heard a loud crashing bang after 8am. “It sounded like thunder, or a skip being dropped onto the ground. Then my husband looked out and saw all the rubble on the ground,” she said. “He said we should leave the building and then the gardaí came and asked everyone to go across the road. It was lucky it was a bank holiday because it’s usually a busy street and there would be about of people about,” she added.
Wicklow gets a new library
After 41 years service the library at Market Square, Wicklow town closed down on July 30 – but only to make away for an ultra-modern library nearby. Wicklow library has operated from a small, but effective, building at Market Square since opening there in May 1980. Mr Michael Nicholson, Deputy Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, said: “Wicklow library has had great appreciation from the people of Wicklow town. Despite its limited space, an average of 60,000 – 65,000 items have been borrowed annually in recent years. “I am confident these figures will double in the new facility, which will open its doors to the public on the last day of August. “There will be four floors from street level up, including a floor for study and research plus a community room for public use. “The top floor will be an art gallery and a location for civic receptions and launches.”
Councillors form new caucus just for women A new Wicklow Women Councillors Caucus has been formed to address to barriers to women taking part in local politics. Following the 2019 Local Elections an unprecedented number of female councillors were elected to Wicklow County Council and in recent months these councillors have come together as a group to establish the Caucus. Despite the recent success of female candidates in Wicklow, the picture nationally is that women continue to be seriously underrepresented in Local Government and make up just 25 per cent of all councillors. The barriers and challenges identified to participation by the female councillors of Wicklow County Council have mirrored those outlined in national reports such as the ‘Independent Review of the Role and Remuneration of Local Authority Elected Members’ (Dept Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and ‘Women Beyond the Dáil’ (National Women’s Council
of Ireland). The aim of the Wicklow Women Councillors Caucus is to address these barriers and to strengthen cooperation between women across political and ideological lines and strengthen their capacity to effect change. They hope that through the work of the Caucus they can help build the capacity of women councillors, through formal and informal mentoring, and to promote women’s equality in Local Government in Wicklow. The caucus is chaired by Cllr Lourda Scott aided by Cllr Avril Cronin as vice chair. The caucus was guided to this stage under the temporary chair of Cllr Anne Ferris. Commenting on the setting up of the Caucus, Cllr Scott said: “A big motivation for me in for running for election was the lack of representation of women in in local government. I see women everyday as the driving forces in their communities through volunteer work and activism but this isn’t reflected in politics.”
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August 3, 2021
We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by
Irish Ind, 02/08/1937
Freemans Jrn 21/08/1863
Irish Press 31/08/1966
Irish Press 05/08/1966
Irish Ind, 02/08/1929
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wicklowvoice.ie August 3, 2021