Wicklow Voice 15-03-2022

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.ie

Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow

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March 15, 2022

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August 3, 2021

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May 28,15, 2015, 01 901 5556/7, March 2022t: wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie

Back with a bang!

Five days of music and family fun announced for St Patrick’s Festival

Bray’s St Patrick’s festival is back with a bang after organisers announced an actionpacked five days of family fun, music and, of course, the all important parade.

This will be the first extravaganza since 2019 because of the pandemic and will run from Wednesday, March 16 until Sunday, March 20, with topclass family entertainment including Bird’s Euroshow Funfair, an open-

air Céilí, street theatre, walks, trails, a treasure hunt, the Bray Parade, or you can simply catch some great live music at one of the many venues throughout the town.

“The return of the St Patrick’s Festival to Bray is a huge significance as it celebrates our culture, heritage, and is a welcome boost in helping our local economy bounce back,” President of the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce, Sarah

Finnegan said. “From the parade to the incredible free family fun events, there’s something for everybody.”

Thousands are expected to line the town’s streets once again for the St Patrick’s Day parade, which will feature a large multicultural element, music, dance and entertainment.

This year, the festival has teamed up with Bray Autism Friendly Group and there will be a quiet zone at the parade on

the corner of Quinsboro Road and the Carlisle grounds.

The Parade Grand Marshall this year is Bray ‘Person of the Year’ Broadcaster Declan Meehan.

The parade will start at the Town Hall from 2pm and will take on a new route this year.

As a result of this new route, there will be road closures in place on Thursday, March 17 from 1pm until after 3pm.

Continued on next page

St Cronan’s teacher Ciara Man, who was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony. See page 8

.ie

Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow

04| news in brief The Vikings are coming - back!

THERE was Great news for the film industry in Wicklow this week with the announcement that Netflix has confirmed Season three of Vikings Valhalla, which is is filmed in Ashford Studios and across the county.

It was previously announced that season two of the hit Vikings spin-off had completed filming at Ashford Studios in Co Wicklow and elsewhere in the county. Now, it has been confirmed that season three is due to begin filming this spring.

March 15, 2022

Great Lakers: 60 attend disability meet and greet Orla Butler, Róisín O’Grady (IMPACT Initiative), Helen Furlong (Lakers Social & Recreational Club) at the event

Nine schools in DEIS scheme nine Wicklow schools are to be included in the expanded DEIS programme.

The schools included are: •All Saints National School, Carnew •Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Stratford-on-Slaney •Carnew National School •Padraig Naofa, Wicklow Town •Clochar Muire, Rathdrum •Rathdrum Boys •St John’s Senior School, Arklow •St Michael’s and St Peter’s Junior School, Arklow •St Coen’s, Rathnew

SIXTY people attended a recent Meet and Greet event in Bray to find out more about the new IMPACT employment initiative for people with disabilities.

The event was hosted by Lakers Social & Recreational Club in Bray and the IMPACT team were on hand to chat with people over a cuppa and explain what they can offer.

“There was a great buzz about the place,” said

IMPACT Co-ordinator Orla Butler. We’re grateful to Lakers for providing their beautiful centre.

“It was really great to chat to so many local people about our new service.”

IMPACT provides support to people with disabilities to upskill, find secure paid employment, advance in their careers or set up their own business. The service is open to people aged 18 and over living in Bray or North

Looking for grinds?

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.

see our ad on page 13

Wicklow and in receipt of a Disability Allowance.

As well as one-to-one support, they have a series of free online workshops coming up – the next is Interview Techniques on April 13.

Local employers can also benefit from the service, with supports available to help them make their workforce more inclusive.

To find out more call 01 963 3342 or email orlabutler@ brayareapartnership.ie.

Festival is back with a bang

Continued from previous page Roads affected include Main Street, Florence Road, Eglinton Road, Quinsboro Road, Seymour Road, Seapoint Road, Strand Road and surrounding junctions.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Festival has something for all the family: • Enjoy all the thrills and spills of the Bird’s Euroshow Funfair as it returns to Bray Seafront on Wednesday, March 16th until Sunday, March 20th, 2022.

• At your leisure grab the family or a bunch of friends for an adventuresome day out with our new Family Treasure Hunt Experience where you could win a voucher for The Dough Box, Bray.

• Throughout the festival watch as iconic Bray District landmarks including the Town Hall, Civic Offices & The Bandstand #GoGreen in celebration of our National Day. • • There’s some cracking live music throughout the town’s many venues. Full music listings can be found at https:// www.bray.ie/events/.

It’s back!

Darkness into Light returns on May 7

The people of Wicklow are being called on to run, jog or walk into the dawn on May 7 for this year’s Darkness Into Light.

As the world continues to reopen after the pandemic, Darkness Into Light will return with its organised walks in over 17 countries across five continents, beginning in darkness at sunrise and continuing through to dawn, symbolising the journey from despair to hope.

Registration is now open for this year’s annual fundraiser with walks taking place in Arklow, Baltinglass, Blessington, Bray, Tinahealy and Wicklow Town.

Pieta and Electric Ireland are calling on as many people as possible around the country to join in the global movement to end suicide.

The walk not only raises vital funds for Pieta and awareness for mental health, it brings people together in a spirit of solidarity and hope.

To register now and avail of the discounted early bird rates, visit www.darknessintolight.ie The unique event, which is symbolic of the journey from despair to hope, will begin in darkness at 4.15am as thousands of people walk a 5km route into the light of dawn.

Funds raised from Darkness Into Light help keep Pieta’s counselling services free of charge and freely accessible to those in suicidal crisis, people who engage in self-harm, and to those bereaved by suicide.

In 2021 alone, the 24/7 Pieta Helpline received almost 100,000 calls and texts and close to 2,000 crisis calls and texts each week.

Darkness Into Light has grown from a single walk in the Phoenix Park, Dublin with just 400 walkers into a global movement dedicated to raising awareness around suicide and self-harm.

A number of well-known faces from the worlds of sport, music and entertainment have come together to launch the 2022 event, including broadcaster Grainne Seoige, musician Tolu Makay and former Dublin GAA player Philly McMahon.

Speaking at the launch, Darkness Into Light ambassador, Grainne Seoige said, “This is the first year in a long time that I have been home in Ireland for Darkness Into Light, so I am honoured to be able to support and take part in person, especially as the popular walks return and people can come together again.”

More than 12% of our shops are empty

The number of empty business premises throughout County Wicklow has increased.

The commercial vacancy rate in Wicklow increased to 12.7% in the year to Q4 2021 according to the latest GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report.

This report examined the commercial vacancy rates among a sample of 80 towns located across the state.

Of the towns in Wicklow

surveyed, Arklow had the highest commercial vacancy rate (15.9%), while Greystones had the lowest (7.9%.).

Nationally, the commercial vacancy rate was 13.9% in Q4 2021, the highest level of commercial vacancy recorded

by GeoDirectory since the report began in 2013.

The report, prepared by EY, found that commercial vacancies increased in 15 out of 26 counties.

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March 15, 2022

opinion&comment

We too are at war and we must learn to live with the pain

I

N 2001, a junior minister, Joe Jacob, talked himself out of his job with advice on how Ireland should handle a nuclear emergency.

We should, he said, take iodine tablets and consult a leaflet, neither of which had been issued; we should stop drinking water from the well and should bring in the cattle from the fields.

His bizarre suggestions came to mind when I heard Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue (pictured) propose that every farmer should grow a cereal crop to guard against food shortages caused by the war in Ukraine.

Like Joe Jacob, with his plan for wells and cattle, Mr McConalogue seemed to be thinking of an Ireland that hasn’t existed for many a year.

The idea of getting every farmer to plant some cereal was attempted here by a British gov-

Michael Wolsey

ernment during World War I. It was revived, with limited success, by our own government during World War II. Ireland was a very different place then, with a lot of small mixed farms.

Some ploughs were still pulled by horses and some scything done by hand.

I cannot see how the scheme could be adapted to modern farming or what practical use could be made of small batches of cereals grown here, there and everywhere.

But, however impractical the idea, I am glad that Mr McConalogue and his Cabinet colleagues are at least giving thought to the difficulties the country may face in coming months.

Ireland was not under any

threat of nuclear conflict when Joe Jacob revealed his survival plan to a bewildered radio audience.

The Wicklow TD’s concern was for a possible leak from a power plant on the west coast of England.

Today we have a Russian president hinting darkly at the possibility of nuclear war, while inflicting a brutal invasion on the brave people of Ukraine.

They are holding the line for democracy and fighting for our freedoms as well as their own.

But, have no doubt about it, Ireland and the rest of the free world has also gone to war, a very modern sort of economic war.

We are not suffering like the Ukranians are suffering and we

must pray that we do not face the terrors of nuclear combat.

But we have embarked on a contest of wills, pitting Western economic strength against Russian military might. It’s war and wars will always be painful.

The Government can ease some of the pain but there are limits to what it can do.

We will have to accept higher prices for fuel and food and we will have to forgo some luxuries we have got used to.

These problems will not disappear soon and the Government cannot shield us indefinitely by such measures as reducing tax on petrol or subsidising electricity.

If there is money to spare, it would be better directed towards poorer families, by improving social welfare payments and reducing the cost of home heating, education and basic health services.

But is there money to spare?

We came through a very

costly Covid crisis because the economy was in good shape to begin with and because the EU was prepared to underwrite our borrowing.

We are now borrowed to the hilt and the economic position is far from rosy.

In the past two years we have come to believe that the Government has a financial solution to every problem.

Can’t work? They’ll pay you to stay at home. Your house was built with faulty material? The taxpayers will buy you a new one. And if your home needs insulation, the taxpayers will cover that cost too.

To use a favourite phrase of the moment, it is not sustainable. Not now when we are at war.

As George Orwell observed, “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it”. If we are going to win this one, then at least some of us - most of us - must bear some pain.

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March 15, 2022

Make it count: Census Locals urged takes place on April 3 to spruce up The next census will take place on Sunday April 3.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) has said that this year’s census will generate a detailed picture of social and living conditions in the country.

A team of 5,100 enumerators has commenced the process of delivering more than two forms to every household in the country.

These forms must be completed on census night and will be collected by an enumerator before May 6.

Everyone present in the country on April 3 must be included on a census form.

“The census, by counting every single person present in Ireland, provides a uniquely comprehensive account of our population,” An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said at the launch of Census 2022.

“It is far more than a simple counting exercise, the census asks a variety of questions that give us the information that is vital for the planning of public services.

“There is not a single decision taken, on the provision of

their areas

Mya and Zara Akinsowon, both aged 8, Leah Quish (9) at the launch of Round at the launch of Census House in Up for Ronald McDonald 2022. Pic: Jason Clarke.

Crumlin Hospital.

Pic: Andres Poveda

public services from health to education and housing, that is not shaped in some way by census data.”

Pádraig Dalton, Director General of the CSO called for continued public support, “We have always enjoyed

tremendous support for the census from people right across the country.

“We look forward to this continuing once again in 2022.”

Census forms are available in Irish and English while guides

are also available in another 22 languages to assist those for whom Irish or English is not a first language.

A range of additional accessibility supports and ‘how to’ guides are available on census.ie.

Registrations are now open for National Spring Clean 2022, which is calling all communities in Waterford to register for Ireland’s largest and longest antilitter campaign and make a tangible impact on our environment.

National Spring Clean is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Local Authorities and supported by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Mars Wrigley Ireland.

The National Spring Clean traditionally takes part in the month of April every year to spruce up the country ahead of summer.

And for the past 23 years, 85,000 clean-ups have been organised with volunteers dedicating a total of 12 million hours to remove around 42,000 tonnes of litter across the country.

National Spring Clean 2021 was the biggest and the longest campaign so far, taking place between March and August.

The National Spring Clean programme is inviting people to visit the website at www. nationalspringclean.org.

“An Taisce’s National Spring Clean is a real testament to the work of volunteers all over the country,” Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan TD, said.

“These volunteers continue to organise local clean-ups every year.

“The past two years have proven difficult because of the necessary Covid restrictions, but this year represents a real opportunity for people to get together and help clean up our countryside.

“I would urge people to get involved and I would like to acknowledge the key role played by An Taisce in overseeing the campaign.”

Trócaire makes PUP its Lenten appeal reduced to €208 Gaelic football star, Noelle Healy launches the Trocaire appeal

TROCAIRE is appealing to the people of Dublin to support its 2022 Lenten appeal, which is supporting the millions in Zimbabwe suffering from the devastating impact of Covid-19 and climate change.

The iconic Trócaire Box — which has been a firm Lent feature in Ireland for almost 50 years — has been rolled out to homes, schools and churches all over Dublin over the last couple of weeks. In total, 700,000 boxes will be distributed nationwide.

This year’s appeal highlights how thousands of families in Zimbabwe are struggling

with the triple challenges of Covid-19, climate change and a devastated economy.

The Trócaire Box features a family — widow Thandekile and her two children — based in Matobo district in southern Zimbabwe, who face massive daily challenges in their lives.

Trócaire CEO, Caoimhe de Barra, today thanked the people of Dublin for their continued support, in particular over the last two very challenging years.

She said the needs of people are more acute than ever given the growing impact of climate change.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been reduced to €208 a week in the next step in the winding down of the scheme.

People who previously earned less than €151.50 per week will receive a payment of €150.

The PUP was first introduced in March 2020 and at one stage it was paid at a flat rate of €350 a week.

It was then restructured and linked to previous earnings.

The scheme was closed for new applications on January 22 and remaining PUP recipients, if eligible, will start transitioning to standard jobseekers’ payments from April 5.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced the winding down of the scheme in January.

At the time she said that the PUP had been a vital support for workers and their families.

At the end of February, 53,706 people were in receipt of the payment ,” she said.

This week, that number will fall below 50,000, compared to over 605,000 at the peak in May 2020.”

March 15, 2022

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is ending Following the reopening of workplaces this payment is coming to an end.

If you are currently on this payment you will have received information on how the change affects you and what welfare supports are available.

To find out more visit gov.ie/pupchanges

Brought to you by the Department of Social Protection

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Christina is Network president

Network Ireland Wicklow have announced that Christina Clarkin (right) of MX-3.IE has been appointed the President of the branch for the coming year.

“I’m truly honoured to be the President of the Network Ireland Wicklow branch for 2022. It’s a privilege to be surrounded by such inspirational businesswomen, many of who I now call my friends,” Christina said.

“The theme I’ve selected for 2022 is ‘Ignite’. Each and every one of us has demonstrated extraordinary grit and determination - true Power Within. With that, our conversations this year will centre around these three areas: • Business Stories to Inspire Us • Business Workshops to Empower Us • Self-Care Workshops to Nurture Us If you would like to join Network Ireland you can get in touch with Officers Jean and Dawn wicklow@ networkireland.ie.

March 15, 2022

Our teachers’ grades are top of the class Three Wicklow students – all Masters graduates in Primary or Post-Primary Education – had double cause for celebration after achieving ‘top of their class’ status at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony which was held at Dublin’s Convention Centre recently.

Maeve Duffy, a teacher at Loreto Secondary School Bray, was honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award – presented by the College to the student in each cohort with the highest grade across the Post-Primary programme.

Sarah Joyce, a teacher at Temple Carrig School, Greystones, was honoured with the Research Award, awarded to the student in each cohort who achieves the highest grade in the Research module on the College’s Post-Primary programme.

Ciara Man, a teacher at St Cronan’s BNS in Bray, was

Sarah Joyce and Maeve Duffyare all smiles

honoured with the overall Student of the Year Award and Research Award on her Primary programme.

In addition, Ciara also received the INTO Vere Foster Medal – awarded by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) for ‘Outstanding

Performance in School Placement’. The Wicklow graduates were amongst 900 from all 26 counties to graduate with Primary or Post-Primary teaching qualifications from Hibernia College.

Congratulating them and other graduates, who she described

as ‘innovative, collaborative and highly competent,’ Dr Mary Kelly, Academic Dean at Hibernia College, said all in attendance “will make a valuable contribution to their chosen profession and to the students they teach”.

Dawson’s site on sale for €6.75m

The former Dawson’s Amusements site on Bray Seafront has gone on sales for €6.75m.

The plot, which is adjacent to the Bray Head Hotel and the Star Amusements, has planning permission for 92 apartments.

The sales brochure states that the land has existing planning permission for a mixed use development of 92 residential units made up of 11 threeebeds, 60 two-beds and 21 onebeds and over 2,100sqm of commercial space. Planning permission was granted on the site in 2017.

However, the site could accommodate over 100 residential units and retail space subject to planning permission, according to a feasibility study included in the sales brochure.

Meanwhile, a de cision on the future of the Bray Head Hotel is expected in the coming weeks.

The owners had lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala after the property was added to Wicklow’s vacant site register.

IDV Developments Limited have appealed to the Board, which is expected to issue its decision by March 29, 2022.

Lads, it’s time to get Publican naked for Hospice faces threat charges JJ O’ Byrneb at the launch of ‘Dip in The Nip’

Wicklow Hospice is calling on the men of the county to bare all and take part in its third male-only Dip in the Nip, at 10am on Sunday, April 3 at North Beach, Brittas Bay. Joining the brave men on the day will be Wicklow Hospice ambassador, former Irish rugby player Shane Byrne.

“We’re asking those taking part to raise €100 for Wicklow Hospice through sponsorship from friends, family, clubs, workplaces or online,” Shane s aid.

“And we’re asking the women of Wicklow to help out by sponsoring their friends and family and encouraging the men

in their lives to sign up.”

Eleanor Flew, Director of Fundraising and Communications with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services said: “We’ve moved Dip in the Nip to April to make it more of a challenge to take to the chilly Irish sea. There will be music and refreshments to keep the spirits high though the temperature may be low!

“We know there is great support from the community for the work of Wicklow Hospice and we’re calling on everyone in the county to get behind this fun project.”

For more information or to register https://olh.ie/dip-inthe-nip/

A WICKLOW publican has been remanded in custody and another man was granted bail after they were charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to another person.

Alan Dignam (49) of The Woodpecker pub in Ashford, Co Wicklow, is charged with the offence which allegedly happened at Ballinahinch in Ashford between February 19 and 20.

The alleged victim in the case is a man from Co Wicklow.

Mr Dignam is well known in rugby and GAA circles in the county.

Another man Noel Byrne (30) of Ballinalea, Ashford, faced the same charge at a special sitting of Bray District Court.

Mr Dignam was remanded in custody while Mr Byrne was granted bail but he must obey a curfew as part of his bail conditions.

The charges are under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

March 15, 2022

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March 15, 2022

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March 15, 2022

WILDLIFE

ninenottomiss

Coming into land

book of the week

with Justin Ivory

tv show of the week

HOROSCOPES

film of the week

March is the month that sees the start of our feathered summer migrants arriving back in Ireland. The four species listed below are typically the first ones to return. Keep your eyes peeled in the coming days and weeks for the arrival of these annual visitors.

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe Oenanthe)

Emerald Exiles: How the Irish Made Their Mark on World Football

by Barry Landy

Barney Curley: The Man Who Beat the Bookies RTE1, 10.15pm, Thursday March 10th

the batman Cinemas nationwide

With their distinctive white rump and inverted black ‘T’ tail markings, the name wheatear is appropriately old English/ Norse meaning ‘white arse’.

They are typically the first of our summer migrants to arrive, or pass through in numbers.

FOR the past two years, Bruce Wayne (Robert THE story of the racehorse owner and punter Pattinson) has been fighting crime in Gotham, WHEN football players leave Ireland behind but with the city so riven with corruption at all Barney Curley — from his tough origins as a in the hopes of carving out a future in the Catholic in Fermanagh, through his audacious levels, the battle seems pointless and neverprofessional game, they often end up plying betting coups and his final charitable decision. ending. When a masked serial killer (Paul Dano) their trade in the UK –competing for a chance begins targeting city officials for execution in the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, The programme is the brainchild of former and with riddles addressed to ‘the Batman’, it Newsnight producer and racehorse owner or the numerous leagues below them.

James Bray, who has been determined to tell points the way to a wider conspiracy involving For decades, this has been the most attractive the tale since first writing to Curley more than decades-long lies and deceit involving the and obvious career path for Irish players. But Wayne family, Gotham, and the criminal five years ago. The documentary includes a what of those players who ventured further re-creation of the famous race, which is said to underworld. Also starring two of our very afield in search of glory, adventure, or simply own, Colin Farrell and the unstoppable barry have earned Curley the equivalent of £2m in their next touch of the ball? This book charts Keoghan. today’s money in an audacious plot. the careers of legends like Liam Brady, Robbie Keane, Anne O’Brien and Stephanie Roche.

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

stream of the week

Wheatear (Photo by Justin Ivory)

Sand Martin (Photo by Ken Billington at Wikicommons) The sand martin is the smallest of our breeding hirundines (family of birds that includes swallow, house and sand martin). They are typically a third smaller than their larger cousins swallow and house martin. Coming from sub-Saharan Africa they are also the first of this family to arrive back to our shores in early March (sometimes late February).

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

Chiffchaff (Photo by Ken Billington at Wikicommons) Chiffchaff is typically the first of our warbler species to return in spring, arriving from their wintering grounds in the Mediterranean basin.

Very similar in looks to the much more numerous willow warbler, the chiffchaff can be easily told apart when it sings its distinctive two-note song ‘chiff-chaff chiff-chaff chiffchaff’.

Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) Sandwich Tern (Photo

by MPF at Wikicommons)

We get 5 tern species visiting our shores to breed each summer. The largest and earliest to arrive is the sandwich tern. About the size of a black-headed gull, it has a large black bill with a yellowtip and a black crown with a shaggy crest.

RECIPE of the week

album of the week

AriesFollow your heart. Wait for better conditions to advance a personal project. Notice a way around a barrier. Make repairs and upgrades.

TaurusRest and wait for developments before making your move.

Consider potential barriers and plan alternative routes.

GeminiDon’t get frustrated by a team challenge. An obstacle blocks progress. Proceed with caution. Avoid extra expense or hassle.

CancerReaffirm commitments and connections. Weigh the pros and cons of a strategic decision. Build bridges for rising influence.

LeoConsider potential problems with the itinerary. Monitor traffic and conditions. Adjust your route as you go. Adapt to breaking news.

nightride Netflix

Sausage & butter bean stew www.bbc.co.uk/recipes/

things are great Band of Horses

Leaving behind his criminal exploits and opening a mechanic shop in Belfast with his best friend, a drug dealer (Moe Dunford) makes one final deal to get himself clear and set himself up. However, when a local mobster (Stephen Rea) gets involved after the deal goes sour, it’s a race against time to stay alive and keep himself free. It’s a compelling, sharply-made thriller that uses its limitations to its advantage as much as possible and brings together a committed performance

by Moe Dunford with some great night-time cinematography.

WITH the chilly winter days still making their presence felt, this is a classic worth serving up mid-week to keep the gang all happy,. Use butter beans to soak up the flavour of spicy sausages in this comforting stew. It’s ideal for winter (early spring) evenings and it takes less than an hour to cook - trust us! When choosing suasages, remember to look for a decent percentage of pork and try and get the chunky, fat guys rather than the breakfaststyle sausages.

ON their sixth album, Seattle’s alt.country outfit,revisit the desert-gaze majesty of early albums such as 2006 debut Everything All The Time following the departure of guitarist Tyler Ramsey and bassist Bill Reynolds in 2017, This time, unlike the last, they certainly sound like they’re enjoying themselves. From opening track “Warning Signs” right through to the closing “Coalinga”, the band run through what feels like a ‘Greatest Hits’ set, covering all of their strengths and finding very few of their weaknesses along the way.

album of the week

wine of the week

tutor of the week

VirgoDon’t let an unexpected expense throw you off your stride. Keep your momentum. Recharge patiently.

LibraYou and your partner can navigate an obstacle. Check internal gauges. Work through changes together.

Abandon a worn-out perspective.

ScorpioYour health and physical energy benefit from deep rest, regular routines and good food. Mitigate the effects of a disruption.

SagittariusA romantic challenge takes a new twist. Stay graceful under pressure. Maintain a mystery. Stifle rebellious tendencies. Keep your cool despite rising heat.

CapricornHome could get chaotic. Make repairs or improvements to handle a blockage. Planning pays off.

who by fire First Aid Kit

wines online www.boujee-booze.com

Alyssa Hanbidge www.wiseowlearning.com

THE existential question here is, does the world need another Leonard Cohen tribute.?

No, not unless it is sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg who are the ones paying tribute.

The Swedish band roll out Cohen’s themes of sex, death, despair and spirituality over four live performances, structuring the shows like church services. The concerts cover almost the full span of Cohen’s career, from the wellbeloved folk songs of the late 1960s and early 1970s to the gloom-laden growl of 2016’s ‘You Want it Darker’.

WINE online? Why not? it wasn’t just for the lockdown, you know. Boujee Booze is the newest entrant created by friends Michael O’Donoghue and Simon O’Connor their site offers a subscription service and a bit more than just wine with recipes, pairing suggestions, hampers and more on the way, including beer. Wines are sourced from smaller family-owned vineyards and there is a noticeable emphasis on natural and organic wines but with many classic regions also covered — mainly France and Italy.

Wise Owl Learning is a Wexford based business set up by entrepreneur Alyssa Hanbidge, offering tutoring services to children and adults with learning difficulties.

Alyssa’s company was established the business in 2020 and due to the requirements of the pandemic, Wise Owl Learning has become an essential service for all those who have enrolled since. The specialist tutor works with students across a range of needs, from dyslexia to dyscalculia and more.

AquariusDon’t make assumptions.

Do the homework and reassess the situation.

Take time to clarify misunderstandings or crossed wires.

PiscesStay in communication to navigate a financial challenge. Profitable efforts benefit from clarification.

Stick to simple measures.

Don’t overextend. Stay in action.

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March 15, 2022

opinion&comment

Gorbachev looking on in horror

O

ur children could be forgiven for thinking they are living through history; pandemics and brutal wars are things they associate with being in the past, not the present.

It’s hard to know what to say to them by way of reassurance.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine started last month, I have found myself wondering what Mikhail Gorbachev makes of all this.

Still alive and now in his nineties, the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union (and General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991) must be saddened by recent events.

No public figure in my lifetime had done more than Gorbachev to help me believe that lasting peace in Europe would endure.

So, not a French leader, or a German one, or a British one, but a Russian one was the person I respected and admired the most.

Unfortunately I feel the

Brian Quigley

opposite of admiration for the present incumbent in the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.

More than anything else, Gorbachev was a passionate advocate of denuclearisation.

Horrified by the Chernobyl disaster (which happened on his watch in 1986), he sought to row back on the nuclear sabrerattling his predecessors had engaged in with the US.

People arrive from Ukraine to Romania after fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine The world breathed a sigh of relief. How horrified he must be then to see Putin actively try to blow up the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant last week.

Gorbachev moved Russia away from the prevailing Marxist-Leninist doctrine

towards social democracy.

He refused to intervene militarily in Eastern Bloc countries that were moving away from communism.

Russia was entering the modern world, but somehow has been shepherded back to the

past by Putin.

I know several people who are very knowledgeable about modern-day Russia (let me qualify that to say that refers to Russia before the recent Unkraine invasion).

While never expressing open

admiration for Putin, they seem to always push the idea that the modern world can’t be strong without a strong Russia, and that Putin’s antics (before the recent invasion) are designed to remind the rest of the world that he is there, that Russia is powerful, and that Russia must be taken seriously.

I think that all went south when he crossed the border into Ukraine.

No more excusing or apologising for a brutal dictator.

The only lasting resolution I see to the Ukraine situation and getting the world back on track - is change in Moscow and the removal of Putin.

A diplomatic solution now would inevitably be something that would present Putin with gains on where he was before he invaded, and so he could claim victory and bide his time before invading someone else, perhaps Georgia (who, like Ukraine, are not in NATO).

The rest of the world must be strong and keep the pressure on Russia with sanctions until Putin’s removal is both sought and made actual by his own people.

March 15, 2022

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March 15, 2022

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March 15, 2022

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by

Freemans Jrn 14/03/1864

Irish Ind 16/03/1938

Evening Her 10/03/1938

Irish Ind 02/03/1938

Freemans Jrn , 18/03/1829

Irish Press 14/03/1969

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wicklowvoice.ie March 15, 2022