Wicklow Voice

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₏18bn for Harris Health Budget gives free GP and dental visits to some children as hospital waiting lists reach record levels MINISTER Simon Harris has been given almost ₏18bn to spend on the health of the nation in Budget 2020. And there’s good news for parents of young children with the announcement of the extension of free GP care to under-8s and the introduction of free dental care for under-6s. The health budget rises to a record ₏17.4bn thanks to the provision of an additional ₏1bn in funding from Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe. The extra 6.3% in funding comes despite the fact that the Department of Health has yet again this year overspent its existing budget. However some commentators questioned whether this was a case of throwing good money after bad as many aspects of the health sector remain under severe pressure. More than a million people, including children, are currently waiting for some form of healthcare such as seeing a doctor or consultant, or to get a scan.

Volunteer Anna Cloney of Bray Sailing Club at the recent 3km Neon Run which was organised by Wicklow Local Sports Partnership as part of the ‘BeActive’ night during the European Week of Sport. Âť Lots more pictures from around the county inside

In 2015, then Health Minister Leo Varadkar said that the number waiting to see a consultant for more than a yearand-a-half would come down to zero. When Mr Harris took over the EULHI LQ WKLV ÂżJXUH ZDV 13,000 and has now risen to 106,000. This year already there have been more than 110,000 men and women over 75 years old who have waiting in A&E for more than 24 hours. Meanwhile, Ireland has the lowest level of consultants anywhere in Europe while 500 SRVWV UHPDLQ XQÂżOOHG Other highlights from the health budget include: the provision of an additional â‚Ź25m; an additional 1 million home help hours; â‚Ź32m to Slaintecare to fund new investment and redesign service delivery. For the second year in a row, the prescription charge payable by medical card holders aged over 70 is being cut incrementally by 50 cents. Continued on next page

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COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTĂ IN WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL

THE CATHAOIRLEACH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND MEMBERS OF WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL WISH TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF THE TIDY TOWNS GROUPS ON THEIR RESULTS IN THE 2019 SUPERVALU TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION.

04| NEWS

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

Tidy Towns clean up mess after leaving out six entries

news in brief Bray Divers seek new members BRAY Divers/Wicklow Aquanauts are looking for new members. The diving club was founded in 1984 and has a very comfortable club house and dive centre in Greystones Harbour. Training is carried out by TXDOL¿HG LQVWUXFWRUV DQG WKH FHUWL¿FDWLRQ KDV ZRUOGZLGH recognition. For new trainees the cost of membership in €375 from now to the end of next year. Contact Albert Kerr on 0876756439.

Third annual Halloween festival ARKLOW Municipal District is making plans to run the Arklow Halloween Festival for a third time following on from the huge success of last two years events. The highlight of the Festival has been the Halloween street SDUDGH VWDJH HYHQW DQG ¿UHZRUN display on Halloween night which attracted thousands of people. It is a great event for Arklow town and something that the Municipal District is hoping to develop further in the future. However, it needs public support.

Garry loses five stone A SLIMMER from Bray has EHHQ QDPHG DV D ¿QDOLVW LQ WKH 8QLVOLP $ZDUGV DIWHU ORVLQJ DQ LQFUHGLEOH ¿YH VWRQH *DUU\ )LQDQH VD\V KH KDV WUDQVIRUPHG KLV OLIH IRUHYHU ³,¶P D ORW PRUH FRQ¿GHQW QRZ , VOHHS D ORW EHWWHU ,¶YH VR PXFK PRUH HQHUJ\´ 'XH WR KLV LQFUHGLEOH VXFFHVV *DUU\ KDV PDGH LW RQWR WKH VKRUWOLVW RI RQO\ µ8QLVOLPPHUV¶ IURP DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ 2Q 2FWREHU *DUU\ ZLOO WDNH WR WKH FDWZDON LQ WKH DQQXDO 8QLVOLP $ZDUGV LQ 'XEOLQ ZKHUH WKH ZLQQHU ZLOO ZDON DZD\ ZLWK ¼ ³, DOZD\V NHSW DFWLYH DQG ORRNHG DIWHU P\VHOI RYHU WKH \HDUV DQG ZDV QHYHU UHDOO\ RYHUZHLJKW ´ *DUU\ VD\V ³$ FKDQJH RI MRE PHDQW , ZDV

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Health budget up to €18bn Continued from previous page This age-group will also EHQH¿W IURP DQ HDVLQJ RI WKH threshold for qualifying for a medical card. The €50 a week change for a single person, and €150 for a FRXSOH LV SUHGLFWHG WR EHQH¿W an additional 56,000 over-70s. The monthly threshold for the drug payment scheme is being reduced by €10 per month, meaning no person or family should have to pay more than €114 per month for drugs and medical appliances. Other points from the budget include: ‡ $ %UH[LW SDFNDJH RI ¼ EQ ‡ 7KH FDUERQ WD[ LV XS ¼ WR ¼ per tonne ‡ 7D[ FUHGLW LQFUHDVHV IRU KRPH carers (by €100) and the selfemployed (by €150) ‡ 2YHU ¼ EQ ZLOO EH SURYLGHG to the Department of Education in 2020 ‡ ¼ P DOORFDWHG WR 'HSDUWPHQW of Children ‡ 1HDUO\ ¼ EQ DOORFDWHG WR Department of Business ‡ ,QFUHDVH RI ¼ P IRU WKH Department of Employment

TWO Wicklow Towns were omitted from the Tidy Town competition following a computer glitch. Both Bray and Greystones will now be judged outside of the main competitions in the coming weeks. Ballyorgan and Glenroe in Co Limerick, Ballinamuck, Co Longford and Mountrath, Co Laois also missed out on the 2019 competition for Ireland’s tidiest town or village. This year’s competition, sponsored by Supervalu, had a record 918 registered entries with Glaslough, Co Monaghan the overall winner. The Department of Rural DQG &RPPXQLW\ $൵DLUV ZKLFK receives the applications, said it did not receive the emailed HQWULHV RI WKH VL[ D൵HFWHG 7LG\ Towns committees. Following an investigation the department said that its IT XQLW ³KDV FRQ¿UPHG WKDW WKHVH submissions never reached the email servers of the department. Based on this advice, the department believes the issue is FRQ¿QHG WR WKH VHQGHUV¶ HPDLO´ It acknowledged that the committees had attempted to apply before the deadline and have informed them that arrangements are being made for the six locations to be visited. The six committees have welcomed the decision and the department said “the adjudicators, in formulating their reports, will be mindful of the fact that their assessments are taking place in October, rather than

GXULQJ WKH VXPPHU PRQWKV´ If there are any prizewinners among the six they will be presented at the regional awards ceremonies later this year. “If, as a result of the adjudications which are now to be undertaken, a medal is awarded to DQ\ RI WKH WRZQV D൵HFWHG LW ZLOO not displace any existing medal winners that have already been DQQRXQFHG ´ DV WKHUH DUH PXOtiple medal winners who reach the required standard. Arklow and Wicklow Town claimed gold medals in the recent 2019 SuperValu National Tidy Towns awards. Wicklow Town, which was subsequently awarded the honour of being named County Wicklow’s tidiest town, received a Category E gold medal, which is awarded to tidy settlements with a population in the 5,001-10,ooo range. 7KH JROG PHGDO LV WKH ¿UVW ever received by the county town. Arklow received its gold medal in the Category F section, which awards tidy towns containing 10,001,15,000 residents in the population. Elsewhere in the garden county, Aughrim claimed a Category C silver medal. The awards announcement brought positive news throughout the county as the areas of Glenealy, Ashford, Laragh/Glendalough, Newtownmountkennedy and Roundwood all saw increases in their points tallies from 2018.

Jailed over phone images A WICKLOW man has been jailed for the possession of child pornography on his phone. The 21-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his victim, appeared before the Athy sitting of Naas District Court on October 3. The man was convicted of Section 6(1) of the Child 7UD൶FNLQJ DQG 3RUQRJUDSK\ Act, 1998, possession of child pornography on a phone on a date unknown between October

1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. Evidence was given that the defendant, who was 18 at the time, had a picture of a 13-yearold girl with her naked breasts exposed on his phone. The court heard from the prosecuting garda that the man’s phone was seized in relation to a larger investigation. The prosecuting garda told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the defendant befriended the injured party on Snapchat.

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wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

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06 | news in brief Brittas Bay diversity meeting A PLAN to protect the unique biodiversity of Brittas Bay is under consideration by Wicklow County Council. As well as being one of the county’s most popular beaches, Brittas Bay is a jewel in the crown of Wicklow’s biodiversity being an area that is rich in plant, insect and birdlife. A public information event on the programme is being held on Tuesday, October 15, at 7pm in Wicklow Town Hall, Market Square. Project ecologist, Alan Lauder, will talk about the work and there will also be details of opportunities to participate in upcoming invasive species mapping workshops. For further details contact Deirdre Burns, +HULWDJH 2ྜFHU :LFNORZ County Council: dburns@ wicklowcoco.ie T: 0404 20100.

Historical society VISITING American historian and author Joseph E.A. Connell Jr will be the guest speaker for 8pm Thursday October 17 meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society in the Royal Hotel, Bray, at will present his lecture on ‘The shadow war: Michael Collins and the politics of violence’ based on his newly published book. All welcome admission â‚Ź5.

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

It’s puppy love: baby Ex-addict dad seal charms the locals graduates from college at 43

AND they call it puppy love ... locals in Bray appear to have fallen in love with a baby seal (above) and its mum after they took up residence on the beach. Residents of the town became concerned about the young pup after it was spotted alone on the beach after Storm Lorenzo but what is presumed to be the mum has since shown up. Seal pups do not have a waterproof coat until they are three weeks old so their mothers are resting them on the coastline all along Wicklow until then. Gardai in Wicklow have advised people to keep dogs on their leads and not

approach the pair. They wrote on Facebook: “We have been asked that the public be made aware of a seal pup resting on Bray beach, most likely left by his mother until the weather calms down. “Advice from Seal Rescue Ireland is to stay away and let nature take its course. Keep dogs on leads and do not approach.� Independent Councillor Joe Behan also urged people not to go near the pups as their mothers may abandon the creature. He said: “Please be aware that a new born seal pup and its mother are on Bray beach. “Please do not approach

them or allow your dog to go anywhere near the seal pup as its mother will abandon it. Do not put the pup back in the water as it cannot swim.â€? Seal Rescue Ireland warned people against trying to put the seals back in the water as it is dangerous and causes undue stress. They explained: “Seals are YHU\ GLŕľľHUHQW IURP GROSKLQV and whales. They spend a large part of their lives on land resting, re-oxygenating, mating, pupping and moulting! “They are not ‘stranded’ or ‘beached’ if they are on land, and they are very capable of getting themselves in and out of the water.â€?

A DAD RI ÂżYH ZKR EHFDPH D drug addict after he started using drugs as a teenager has turned his life around to graduate from university at the age of 43. Pat O’Brien from Bray started taking drugs in primary school and spent years in the depths of addiction after starting to experiment with drugs at the age of 11. But after successfully completing a personal training course, he began a Diploma in Drug and Alcohol work in UCD last September and graduated recently. With four and a half years of sobriety behind him, the qualiÂżHG WKHUDSLVW KDV ELJ SODQV IRU WKH IXWXUH DQG D GLŕľľHUHQW DSproach to recovery. He said: “My main objective for the future is to deliver a program that I’ve been working on PHUJLQJ WKH ÂżWQHVV DQG UHFRYery together. I believe it’s time to try new holistic approaches. “I also hope to show people how to use food for medicine and how having a properly bal-

anced diet can aid recovery. The minute you put down the substance, your life evolves.â€? 3DW ÂżUVW VWDUWHG JHWWLQJ KLJK on aerosols and petrol, and it wasn’t long before he started to experiment with harder drugs. “By the age of 12, I progressed to cannabis and alcohol and had P\ ÂżUVW H[SHULHQFH ZLWK KHURLQ at the age of 17,â€? he says. “I have used a wide range of substances over the years including solvents, cannabis, LSD, Ecstasy, heroin, methadone and crack cocaine.â€? Pat made several attempts to get clean and sober but after his marriage breakup, his drug use got worse.

House prices fall 2% but still cost â‚Ź284k on average THE price of the average threebed semi in County Wicklow fell by 2% over the past three months, according to a national survey carried out by Real Estate Alliance. Wicklow prices fell overall by 2.3% to â‚Ź284,200 over the past year, the REA Average House Price Survey found. The survey concentrates on the actual sale price of Ireland’s typical stock home, the threebed semi, giving an up-to-date picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide to the close of last week. “There is a noticeable decrease in viewings and prices achieved over the last quarter in Wicklow Town,â€? said Matt Forkin of REA Forkin, North Wicklow. “We feel that this is due to a high volume of new homes in the market, mortgage lending,

DQG SXUFKDVHUV KROGLQJ Rŕľľ XQWLO %UH[LW LV ÂżQDOLVHG ´ The price of the average threebed semi-detached house in Wicklow town fell this quarter by 3.1% to â‚Ź310,000, with time on the market increasing from 10 weeks to 11. Prices for the average threebed semi in North Wicklow and Bray fell by 2.8% this quarter to â‚Ź306,000 and â‚Ź340,000 respectively, with average time to reach sale agreed rising for both areas from 10 weeks to 11. Average three-bed semis in Baltinglass were static in price this quarter and are currently on the market at â‚Ź170,000, with the time taken to sell remaining at 12 weeks. The price of the average threebed semi in Blessington also remained unchanged this quarter at â‚Ź295,000, with the average time to sale standing at six weeks.

The average semi-detached house nationally now costs ₏235,009, the Q3 REA Average House Price Survey has found – a drop of 0.43% on the Q2 2019 ¿JXUH RI Ÿ The price of a three-bedroom semi in Dublin’s postal zones fell by an average of ₏4,500 in the past three months as Brexit XQFHUWDLQW\ D྾HFWV EX\HUV Three-bed semi-detached houses in Dublin city registered a third consecutive quarter fall (-1%) since the end of June and have decreased by -3.3% to ₏428,500 compared to September 2018. Prices also fell by 1% in the commuter counties in the past three months, with the average house now selling for ₏246,611 – an annual fall of 0.7%. After a year of rises to June, agents are citing an uncertainty surrounding Brexit hampering viewing numbers.

| 07

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

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08 | news in brief Bray Coastcare monthly clean-up ONCE again great work was done during the month of September by our fantastic volunteers. A quick reminder that we always (unless weather rules it out) hold a monthly clean up DORQJ %UD\ÂśV FRDVW RQ WKH 1' SATURDAY of EVERY month IURP SP DQG KDYH EHHQ GRLQJ VR IRU RYHU \HDUV QRZ Our Monthly Clean Up will be KHOG 7+,6 6$785'$< WK 2FWREHU IURP SP We will focus our attention on %UD\ +HDG &OLŕľľ :DON 1D\ORUV Cove and the old helicopter pad areas.

wicklowvoice.ie 2FWREHU

Mixed reviews for crime drama filmed in Bray

Kilmac pond WICKLOW County Council has passed a motion tabled by Councillor Rory O’Connor to conduct a feasibility study about turning the Kilmacanogue pond into an improved community asset. Speaking on the vote Councillor Rory O’Connor said, “This is a unique environmental amenity in the area, one that requires a little bit of investment to provide a lot more value to the local community in terms of access, education and recreation. Over the coming months I’ll be meeting lots of interest groups.�

Scenes from the new Virgin Media show, Darklands which was shot in Bray GIVEN that it was billed as the new Love/Hate, it came as no surprise that new crime thriller premiered, Darklands, failed to live up to the hype when it debuted on Virgin Media One at 9pm on October 7. Created by Mark O’Connor, the man behind Cardboard Gangsters which was the big-

JHVW ,ULVK ÂżOP RI WKH GUDma brings gangland and MMA scene to the small screen. Bray on the other looks nothing short of stunning with many key scenes shot in the seaside town along with stunning panoramic shots of Bray Head and the surrounding areas. However, after it aired view-

Actress Lorna Meade at the launch of Darklands at the Lighthouse Cinema ers have criticised everything from its storyline, the acting, the accents and even the show’s sponsors are facing criticism from people on social media. And many Irish viewers compared it to a mash up of Fair City and Love/Hate, which is probably not what the writers were looking for. Meanwhile, the Irish Independent newspaper gave it a positive review saying: “That said, Love/Hate took a while to really get into its stride. Darklands has enough energy, grit and quality, behind and in front of the camera, to give it the same chance.â€? The series is set amidst a gang war in a small Irish town and tells the story of Damien Dunne, D \HDU ROG ER\ VWLOO LQ VFKRRO who dreams of becoming a proIHVVLRQDO 00$ ÂżJKWHU Damien’s home life is troubled. His parents struggle to make ends meet, while his reckless older brother Wesley has turned to a life of crime to help provide for the family. When a major drug deal goes wrong, Wesley goes missing.

Actors Alisha Weir and Dane Whyte, who plays the lead character Damien at the launch. Pix: Brain McEvoy Damien begins to feel the pressure to step up as a provider for his family. B o b b y ‘Butsy’ Butler, Wesley’s best friend and a gang leader, takes Damien under his wing, promising to help KLP ÂżQG KLV EURWKHU while attempting to lure him into the gang.

Actor Damien Gildea at the launch

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wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

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10 |

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

opinion&comment

Was it a storm in a tea cup?

F

AMILIARITY breeds contempt, it is said, and that appears to be the case with storms. They seem to be a lot more frequent since we started giving them familiar, chummy names. And they treat us with utter contempt. They arrive uninvited, trash the place, and leave without a word of apology. Not that poor old Lorenzo did us much harm. But what can you expect from a storm with a name like that? Lorenzo is a superb handle for a sculptor, perfect for a painter, wonderful for a waiter and beautiful for a ballroom dancer. But for a storm? Thor would make you tremble. Zeus would make you quake. Lorenzo can only raise a smile. No wonder he made a speedy departure. Met Eireann has been accused of scaremongering about Storm Lorenzo; unfairly so, I think. They presented the forecasts in a straightforward fashion and

Conor O’Hanlon, Eabha Scully and Sophie Bae Garrahy at the launch of Eason’s Switch Off and Read Campaign. Pic: Julien Behal

Michael Wolsey issued a variety of warnings most of which were quite ORZ NH\ DQG DLPHG DW VSHFL¿F regions. The real scaremongers were RTE who elevated Met Eireann’s caution to a crisis. For 48 hours before Lorenzo’s scheduled arrival they had George Lee on a loop warning us of Armageddon. On the eve of the storm they had correspondents out all along the west coast, predicting doom and destruction and, on the morning after, they ran a special programme looking at what might have happened but never did.

And still we had George Lee on bulletin after bulletin telling us that it it was all a symptom of climate change and warning that we can expect more extreme weather events unless we mend our carbon emitting ways. RTE’s Environment Correspondent is far from alone in this contention.

The overuse of fossil fuels is causing Arctic ice to melt and the rain forests are being destroyed. Therefore, the argument goes, we have wet, wet summers and storm-tossed winters. A scan of relatively recent history tells a more complex story. For no matter how bad

the weather may be, records nearly always reveal a time when it was worse. And in many cases that time was long before Arctic ice had shown the slightest sign of melting or any problem had been detected with the rain forests. Carbon emissions may have encouraged Storm Lorenzo. But were they also to blame for Hurricane Charlie that crashed like a wrecking ball through much of the country in 1986, bringing death and destruction? Maybe they were. But what about Hurricane Debbie in 1961 which ripped up trees, knocked down walls and killed 18 people in Ireland? Nobody had even heard of global warming back then. Nor is it likely that the burning of fossil fuels contributed to Ireland’s most infamous storm on the Night of the Big Wind. That cyclone, which came blasting in on January 6, 1839, left hundreds dead and thousands homeless. It blew down the chimney of Kilkenny’s new gas works and

leveled all the buildings nearby. And it is hard to see how human activity can be blamed for the savage weather in the 1740s. It was a period when unprecedented amounts of rain were accompanied by storms and extreme frosts. In Ireland it led to a famine that is estimated to have killed almost 40% of the population, a proportionately bigger disaster than the Great Famine a century later. Don’t get me wrong. I think we should stop polluting our planet with plastic. I think we should stop poisoning the atmosphere with carbon fumes. And I think we should reduce our reliance on fossil fuels which, other considerations apart, will eventually be used up. All these actions are very desirable but I am not sure that they will reverse the course of climate change. And, despite all the earnest certainty with which they preach, I do not see how the prophets of doom can be sure of that either.

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

| 11

12 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

Season of the Witch HOROSCOPES

A LITTLE LIFE

Hanya Yanagihara

Old birds’ nests.....or are they? (Photo Justin Ivory) WITH Halloween and the season of the witch fast approaching, trees will soon be shedding their leaves. As winter arrives the denuded branches of many trees will reveal what look like old, dense birds’ nests. Closer inspection will show that these “old nests” all seem to be in Birch trees (Betula spp.). Even closer inspection reveals that these structures are not nests at all but dense clumps of living twigs! They are Witches’ Broom Galls and according to folklore are the result of witches flying over the tree. In actual fact the culprit is Taphrina betulina, a type of fungus. The fungus releases plant hormones known as cytokinins into the tree branch. These hormones stimulate cell division causing the tree to vigorously produce extra shoots resulting in a dense twiggy cluster. The fungus then proceeds to feed on these new shoots by extending threadlike hyphae into them to access the tender tissues inside. There are many different types of plant galls with a myriad of causers and hosts resulting in all sorts of shapes, sizes and structures. Why create a gall at all? Typically a gall provides its’ inhabitant with one or more of the following: - food, shelter, protection from predators. In all cases it is a parasitic relationship. In such a relationship the invader derives some benefit while the host, may or may not be harmed, but derives no benefit from the relationship. So, as winter progresses try and find which trees the witches have been flying over and see some of these nest-like galls for yourself.

Witches’ Broom Gall (Photo Justin Ivory)

An immensely powerful and heartbreaking novel of brotherly love and the limits of human endurance. When four graduates from a small Massachusetts college move to New York to make their way, they’re broke, adrift, and buoyed only by their friendship and ambition. There is kind, handsome Willem; JB, a quick-witted, sometimes cruel Brooklyn-born painter; Malcolm, a frustrated architect; and withdrawn, brilliant, enigmatic Jude, who serves as their centre of gravity. Over the decades, their relationships deepen and darken. Yet their greatest challenge, is Jude himself, an increasingly broken man.

FOODIE of the week

DUBLIN MURDERS RTE 1, Wednesdays @ 9.35pm

JOKER Released 4th October 2019

New series. Episode 1: In the summer of 2006, detectives Rob Reilly and Cassie Maddox are sent to investigate a child’s murder, and find a community caught between the old and the new Ireland. Psychological crime drama based on the Dublin Murder Squad book series by Tana French, starring Killian Scott and Sarah Greene, with Ned Dennehy, Conleth Hill and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor. Dublin Murders kicks off on RTÉ One with a double bill on Wednesday, October 16th at 9.35pm. Plus catch-up will be available on the RTÉ Player.

2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker. Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks -- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he’s part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

FUN IDEA of the week

WALK of the week

ARIESEngage in a professional challenge. Work closely with your partner now. Collaboration gets more fun and valuable. TAURUSAdventure calls. Pour HQHUJ\ LQWR ZRUN DQG ¿WQHVV Work faster to produce better results, including EHWWHU ¿QDQFLDO UHVXOWV GEMINI'LVFXVV VKDUHG ¿QDQFHV Passions awakens. Savor family, fun and games. Love DQG URPDQFH ÀRZHU ZLWK playfulness. CANCERDomestic renovation EHQH¿WV IURP SK\VLFDO H൵RUW (QHUJL]H D KRPH improvement project to nurture your family LEO3K\VLFDO H൵RUW HQHUJL]HV you. You’re intent on getting the whole story. Get multiple sources before breaking a scoop.

FABULOUS MAINS AND DESSERTS Ballyknocken Cookery School 20th October 2019 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

FROM AQUARIUM TO ASCARIUM 19th October - 3rd November Sea Life Aquarium, Strand Road Bray

FULL MOON WALK 19th October 2019 @ 6 pm – 8:30pm €25pp Hilltop Treks, Enniskerry. Info@Hilltoptreks.ie

Our impressive recipes are guaranteed to put the zest back into your dinner party! You will learn how to create dishes packed with flavours for a truly spectacular meal. Recipes that are included, Baked Hake with Potatoes & Chorizo, Cantonese-style Duck with Sautéed Greens, Mediterranean Style Platter including Lamb Koftas with Minted Tzatziki, Courgette, Haloumi, Red Pepper Skewers with Honey, Oregano and Walnuts & Greek Style Couscous followed by Sticky Guinness Puddings with Caramel Sauce, Italian Chocolate & Almond Breadcrumb Cake, Classic Lemon Tart. All recipes are subject to seasonal ingredients.

Take a step into the creepy deep at SEA LIFE Bray this Halloween and navigate the Ascarium; an immersive trail which takes you past some of the scariest sea creatures. For a limited time only, five potion ingredients will be hidden in various tanks throughout the Ascarium, and guests will need to find them before making their way to the Sea Witch’s lair. Along the way, guests will discover facts about some of the freakiest creatures of the sea, including blob fish, African tiger fish, goblin sharks and barrel eye fish.

These Full Moon Walks are an excellent opportunity to see beautiful landscape by the light of the moon. The walks will be short 2-3 hr walks and suitable for most levels of fitness. Meet at Enniskerry: Clock Tower (Center of the village). The walk will take place close to Enniskerry village, on Carrickgollogan, and take in many of the great wooded trails along the way. There are fantastic 360 degree views from the top of this small hill across the eastern coastline of Dublin and Wicklow. A fantastic walk and easily manageable by most people.

EVENT of the week

COMPETITION of the week FESTIVAL of the week

VIRGO)ROORZ \RXU KHDUW (QHUJL]H \RXU PRQH\PDNLQJ H൵RUWV over the next six weeks. You’ve got the moves to make it happen. LIBRAPour love into your home. Focus on personal GHYHORSPHQW *HW HQHUJL]HG to contribute to a bigger cause. SCORPIOReview papers, photos and possessions. Clean closets, garages and attics. Purge the past to clear space for new adventures. SAGITTARIUS-

Team projects and FRPPXQLW\ H൵RUWV JHW farther than solo work. Pull together and share resources. CAPRICORNEnjoy yourself and have fun. Advance professionally with Mars in Libra. Move forward boldly and grab passing opportunities. THE BIG CHISELLER FESTIVAL 11th October 2019 @ 6:00 pm – 13th October 2019 @ 4:00 pm Enniskerry Village

YOUNG FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR 2020 Part of The Fresh International Film Festival Apply through www.freshfilmfestival.com.

WILDERLAND FILM FESTIVAL 16th October 2019 @ 7:30 pm Mermaid Theatre, Bray. Tickets €14.50

The Big Chiseller is a Wood Sculpting Festival celebrating the magnificence and uniqueness of this masterful art form! Over this captivating 3-Day festival, Headliner Sculptors will transform salvaged deadwood trees located around Enniskerry Village, into iconic, monumental sculptures using chainsaw & chisel. In addition, Artists/Sculptors will gather under the Schoolhouse for Art canopy, and other key locations throughout the village, to demonstrate their woodcarving skills and showcase their work!

The call for entries for Ireland’s Young Filmmaker of the Year 2020, Ireland’s festival celebrating young filmmakers from Ireland and overseas is open! Fresh Film and is an advocate for young filmmakers year-round and encourages young people to make films, an opportunity to see their work on the big screen and to win €1000 towards their next film. The festival takes place in Limerick from March 23 – 28, 2020 and is open to young people from 7-18 years of age. Closing date for entries is Friday, January 24, 2020.

Wilderland is a brand new film festival bringing important, breathtaking stories from the natural world to the big screen. These ground-breaking short films will offer audiences unparalleled insight into some of the world’s most incredible wildlife. Wilderland Film Festival is the brainchild of zoologist filmmakers Dan O’Neill and Isaac Rice, who recruited some of the most acclaimed wildlife filmmakers to whittle down a shortlist of over 50 short films to the chosen 9 films.

AQUARIUSMake plans and dreams. Venture farther for six weeks with Mars in Libra. Travels, education and exploration delight you. PISCESTeam projects come WRJHWKHU 0DNH ¿QDQFLDO plans for the future with Mars in Libra. Collaborate IRU VKDUHG ¿QDQFLDO JDLQ ,W FRXOG EHFRPH SUR¿WDEOH

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wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

wicklow people in pictures

All smiles at the unveiling of a new mural celebrating the positive effect of community on mental health which was unveiled at National Learning N etwork in Bray

Staff of Supervalu Bray at the announcement by SuperValu that Bray is amongst 11 Irish towns on the journey to becoming autism-friendly.

Rosie Cooney presents Siobhan Brennan of Crazy Glazing with the Best New Business Award at the Wicklow Town and District Chamber Awards 2019 in Tinakilly House, Rathnew

Robin Bradley presents Carmel Mulligan of Laztech IT with the Best SME Award

Keiran Ward, Jane Bloomer and Stephen Donnelly at the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce ‘Tea at 10’ in The Martello Hotel

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wicklowvoice.ie October 11, 2019

New mobile library unveiled by Wicklow County Council A NEW â‚Ź230,000 mobile library launched today (Monday) by Wicklow County Council will carry over 3,000 items and have a “bounce padâ€? providing easy internet access to users. The mobile library service is used regularly by 1,500 people DV LW YLVLWV GLŕľľHUHQW SDUWV RI UXUDO Wicklow. Speaking at the launch, the &DWKDRLUOHDFK RI :LFNORZ County Council, Cllr Irene Winters, said: “The service has an emphasis on social inclusion as it reaches the most remote DUHDV RI WKH FRXQW\ RQ D UHJXODU basis. This element has been utilised by the Council to highlight services and bring them to an audience that otherwise ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ YHU\ GLŕľśFXOW to reach.â€? She added that mobile library membership automatically proYLGHV DQ DYHQXH RI DFFHVV WR other services which all 30,000 PHPEHUV RI WKH :LFNORZ /LEUDU\ 6HUYLFH FDQ DYDLO RI Members are entitled to log RQ IURP D KRPH 3& RU 6PDUW 'HYLFH WR DYDLO RI ‡ ( ERRNV ‡ 'RZQORDGDEOH DXGLR ERRNV ‡ 2QOLQH QHZVSDSHUV IURP across the world in 30 languages ‡ 2QOLQH ODQJXDJH OHDUQLQJ ‡ 2QOLQH EXVLQHVV LQIRUPDWLRQ Cllr Winters said that by investing â‚Ź230,000 in the new mobile library, Wicklow County &RXQFLO ZDV UHLQIRUFLQJ LWV commitment to its rural public. “It is my wish that, commencing tomorrow, this new vehicle will

Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Irene Winters, CEO of Wicklow County Council Frank Curran, T.D Stephen Donnelly, Head Librarian Brendan Martin with County Councillors at the launch of the new Mobile Library in Wicklow Town VHUYH WKH UXUDO DUHDV RI :LFNORZ over the next 10 to15 years as its predecessor has done�, she stated. 0U )UDQN &XUUDQ &KLHI Executive, Wicklow County Council, said it was encouraging, despite the increased use RI HOHFWURQLF GHYLFHV WKDW WKH libraries continue to grow in popularity with people borrowLQJ LQ H[FHVV RI LWHPV a year.

The Council, he said, continues to invest in the library service, with new libraries being developed in Wicklow town and in Rathdrum. These two new libraries, along with the new mobile library, represented a capital investment RI Âź P He pointed out that almost 50,000 items are borrowed each \HDU IURP WKH PRELOH OLEUDU\ ZKLFK KDV D PHPEHUVKLS RI

RYHU DQG DQQXDO YLVLWV RI IURP WKH SXEOLF LW VHUYHV Âł7KH OLEUDU\ RI WRGD\ SURYLGHV D FULWLFDO IXQFWLRQ IRU FLWL]HQV RI towns, cities and rural areasâ€?, he said adding: “Wicklow County Council is well-served with13 branch libraries through the FRXQW\ VL[ RI ZKLFK DUH IXOO times while seven are either SDUW WLPH RU VLQJOH VWDŕľľHG ´ &OOU *DLO 'XQH &KDLU RI WKH &&6' 63& VDLG :LFNORZ

&RXQW\ &RXQFLOœV ¿UVW PRELOH library took to the road in 2004. ,W KDV VHUYHG WKH SHRSOH RI Wicklow well over the past 15 years with 400,000 kilometres clocked up. He said he was particularly pleased that the new mobile library – supplied by Cahill Truck %RGLHV RI *UDLJXHQDPDQDJK Co Kilkenny – includes six solar panels which will provide WKH SULPDU\ VRXUFH RI HQHUJ\ IRU

the vehicle’s internal lights and electricity. In addition to carrying almost 3,000 items, Cllr Dune pointed out that the vehicle will have the best in modern technology, including a “bounced padâ€? providing easy internet access to the public along with an electronic notice board which will be used to showcase and promote Wicklow County Council HYHQWV DQG QRWLÂżFDWLRQV

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opinion&comment

Brian Quigley

Greta criticism makes no sense

T

he branding for the 2019 UN Climate Change Summit, which took place in New York last month, included the slogan ‘’A Race We Can Win’’. Perhaps we could if we listened to Greta Thunberg – who provided the key moment of the summit for me - and her generation, but given the response to her address by politicians and media people, I’m not too sure that ears are open, or want to open. Thunberg was emotional and angry as she laid into world leaders for bringing us to the brink of ‘a new mass extinction’. She may have been emotional and angry, but she was also right. So right that it is uncomfortable for the ruling elite and their cheering sections in the media the world over to admit that out of the mouth of a teenager comes such wisdom. Trump with his derogatory tweet about Thunberg was the

ZRUVW RŕľľHQGHU +H PDGH IXQ of her in a cruel and nasty way. Let’s take a count here. 7KH JX\ GLUHFWO\ RŕľľHQGHG IHmales, teenagers, young people, Swedish people, Europeans, VXŕľľHUHUV RI $VSHUJHUÂśV 6\Qdrome (and, by extension, any form of mental health) and climate activists. In one tweet. What a horrible man. But then, this is the guy who told his nation to ‘burn more coal’, pushing the planet into a higher gear towards oblivion. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised at Trump. We should be surprised at, and ashamed, of WKH KLJK SURÂżOH PHGLD GDUOLQJV here who talked about the footage of Thunberg being uncomfortable to watch, labelling her vulnerable and whatever else. 7R TXRWH *UHWD KHUVHOI ¾œ+RZ dare you’’. Perhaps it is the media darlings and politicians who are vulnerable. The power of politicians relies on keeping the status quo going, and the big salaries of the media darlings UHO\ RQ EHLQJ DEOH WR SDOP Rŕľľ pap on the listening masses; not

Three generations of the Harrison at Fishers on their 40th Anniversary for them having their agenda hijacked by a teenager with a grim message. The older generations have created this mess. They have raced ahead with progress in

technology and science without allowing society’s ability to deal with the associated waste to catch up. The planet is choking with plastic and heating up at an alarming rate.

People are obese and diabetic LQ WKH IDW ÂżUVW ZRUOG RU VWDUYing to death in the third world. Trump and his ilk have made a mess of things just to keep the HOLWH LQ SURÂżWV *UHWD FDOOHG LW

right. It would be only fair to bring in a kind of global national service for the ruling classes. Not a military national service, but an environmental one. Serving a stint cleaning the plastic out of the oceans, tidying the planet back up before it gets handed over to Greta Thunberg’s generation. To your children, and mine. Children shouldn’t need to ZRUU\ 7KDW ZDV WKH MXVWL¿FDWLRQ given by some in the media for being critical of the footage of Greta Thunberg. Of course they shouldn’t. But the young have brains and functioning intellects, and they are going to worry at what they see as not being right. I worried endlessly about nuclear war all through my teens. Children wouldn’t need to worry if things were being run properly. When you look at the climate crisis, at Brexit, at homelessness and all the rest, how can you say that things are being run properly? Children are bound to see all this, and worry about it.

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