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May 28, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, January 18, 2022 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
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Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
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January 18, 2022
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August 3, 2021
wicklowvoice inside: FREE
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May 28, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, January 18, 2022 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
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County’s homes to soar in price by 5% THE price of the average second-hand, three-bed semi in County Wicklow is expected to rise by 5% in the next 12 months, according to a survey by Real Estate Alliance (REA). Similar homes in the county now cost an average of €342,000 — up 3.3% in the final quarter of last year, and of 17% on the December 2020 average of €293,000, the REA Average House Price Index shows.
Average prices in Bray rose 2.6% in the past three months to €395,000, with prices in north east Wicklow rising by 2.9% to €360,000. The final quarter of 2021 saw prices in Wicklow town rise 5.71% to €370,000 – that’s an annual increase of 16%. “We are seeing a huge demand for quality houses in Wicklow town and surrounding areas, and an increase in demand from buyers commuting to
Dublin,”said Matt Forkin of REA Forkin, Wicklow. “Houses that are modern and ready to move in to are agreeing within 10 days from initial marketing.” Meanwhile, average prices in Blessington increased 2.9% to €350,000, while Baltinglass rose 2.2% to €235,000 — an increase of 27% from the December 2020 average of €185,000. “It is anticipated that Q1
Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
Cllr Jodie Neary and her children pay respects to Aisling Murphy at vigil for the murdered teacher in Greystones
2022 may show a levelling off of prices for mainstream properties in the areas further out from Dublin City and the main employment centres,” said Simon Murphy of REA Murphy, in Baltinglass and Blessington. “However, the appeal of north-west Wicklow is expected to experience a continued surplus of demand over supply and prices, and competition for property,” he added.
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04| news in brief Aldi to fill 15 jobs in county stores ALDI announced it is creating up to 15 new jobs in County Wicklow in 2022. This follows the announcement that Aldi is seeking to recruit and train 600 new store employees throughout 2022, to support its ongoing growth and expansion in Ireland. The jobs will be based across the five existing stores in Co Wicklow including in Arklow, Blessington, Bray, Greystones and Rathnew. For more, go to: www.aldirecruitment.ie/
January 18, 2022
Katie crowns successful year with Sportswoman honour Katie Taylor, who was honoured for her success in 2021
Rise in number of new car sales
Wicklow saw a rise in the number of new vehicle registrations for 2021, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has revealed. Statistics published by SIMI show nationally there were a total of 104,932 new vehicles registered, with Co Dublin accounting for 43,756 of these. Co Wicklow saw 2,378 registrations for 2021 – which is an increase on the 2,006 vehicles that were previously registered in 2020. Wicklow’s figures represent a total market share of 2.27% with the Hyundai Tucson emerging as the top selling car of the year in the county.
bRAY’S beloved boxer, Katie Taylor, was honoured at a recent Sportswoman of the Year Awards for her achievements in 2021. Katie, who retained her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles with one of the best displays of her career when defeating England’s Natasha Jonas, was Sportswoman of the Month award for May, her 15th monthly award in the 18-year history of the Irish Times /
Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards. She has won the overall Sportswoman of the Year award a record five times. She was among 12 other monthly award winners nominated for the 2021 title, including boxer Kellie Harrington, golfer Leona Maguire and swimmer Ellen Keane. Rachael Blackmore, the first female jockey to win the Aintree Grand National, was
crowned The Irish Times / Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2021. Later this year, Katie is expected to fight Amanda Serrano in Madison Square Gardens, in New York, in what will be the biggest bout in women’s boxing history. She was initially scheduled to face former seven-weight world champion Serrano in May of last year, but plans were shelved due to the pandemic.
Interim CEO at Council
HEAD of at Wicklow County Council, Brian Gleeson, has been appointed the local authority’s interim Chief Executive. Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council Councillor Shay Cullen welcomed Mr Gleeson to his new role, saying “it’s an exciting time for Brian to take the helm” as there are many projects under way in the county. Mr Gleeson (pictured) said: “it’s a great privilege to be appointed interim chief executive. I’m looking forward to the challenge and working with elected members. “Wicklow has made great progress over the last few years,” he said, noting that the local authority has the benefit of a strong leadership team and staff. “I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” he said. Breda McCarthy has been appointed Head of Finance and will also take over as District Manager of the Wicklow Municipal District from Mr Gleeson.
St Gerard’s school tops table for third-level progression
St Gerard’s School, in Bray, had 100% of students progress to third-level in 2021 and is now top of the Irish Independent’s Feeder School table in Wicklow. The data was published on January 7 and shows that all but one of the 21 secondary schools in Wicklow had a majority of its students go on to third-level in 2021. Loreto Secondary School in Bray is in second place, with 91% of its students going to third level. Presentation College Bray is third, with 89% of its students now studying at third level. Coláiste Raithín in Bray had 76% of its students go to third level education in 2021, while Woodbrook College saw 60% progress. Avondale Community College in Rathdrum saw the biggest increase in the number of students going on to thirdlevel, with 84 % progressing in 2021 from 50% in 2020. Templecarrig Secondary School in Greystones is the top school in the burgeoning town, with 88% going into higher education in 2021. However, St David’s Holy Faith Secondary School in Greystones dropped down a number of places, from third in 2020, when 96% went into third-level, to tenth with 82% in
2021. Elsewhere, Gaelcholáiste Na Mara is the top school in Arklow; 88% of its students went into higher education in 2021. Dominican Convent has the highest %age of students going into third-level education in Wicklow town, with 86% of its students in 2021 studying at third level. East Glendalough Comprehensive School fell down the leader board from second in 2020, when 97% of its students went into third-level education. The school is seventh with 85% of its students in thirdlevel education in 2021. Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew dropped from fourth place, with 91% in 2020, to ninth with 83% in 2021 Blessington Community College and St Kevin’s Community College are the top schools in west Wicklow, with 81% of students in both schools going into third-level. Arklow CBS saw 80% of its students go to third-level, compared with 78% of the girls in St Mary’s. Coláiste Chraobh Abhann, in Kilcoole, is at 71%. The figures do not include the many school-leavers who went into further education, such as post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, or those who pursued an apprenticeship.
BRAY residents have until the end of the month to answer a survey about the proposed Swan River Greenway and Oldcourt Connectivity Scheme. Wicklow County Council is considering a new greenway along the Swan River, which runs from Boghall Road to Killarney Road and includes a green belt, monuments and historic buildings, such as Oldcourt House and the
ruins of Oldcourt Castle. The project would be intended to improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists in the Oldcourt area. It will also create new green space access for local residents. A community engagement programme is in the early design stage of the project and can be viewed at: www. wicklow.ie/Business/News/ swan-river-greenwayoldcourt-connectivity-scheme
Survey extended for Swan River
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January 18, 2022
opinion&comment
A myth that has pushed up the price of drink
A
v e r a g e consumption of alcohol in Ireland has been falling for the past decade. It’s not much of a drop, nothing to get excited about, but the trend is down. The World Health Organisation measures consumption of pure alcohol and its figures show that the difference in consumption between most European countries is quite small, about a litre a year. On average, we consume more of the demon drink than Italians and Danes, less than the Germans and Czechs, about the same as the Spanish, the French and our neighbours in Britain. That may come as a surprise to you, because, as a nation, we are constantly upbraided for our drinking by bodies such as Drinkaware and Alcohol
Michael Wolsey Action,who have pushed the Government into a number of measures aimed at making the perfectly legal purchase of alcohol a bit more difficult. Shops have been forced to fence off their beer, wine and spirits and exclude them from promotions such as voucher schemes and loyalty points. Since January 4, they have been obliged to enforce minimum pricing which, contrary to the claims of its supporters, does
not apply only to very lowpriced drinks. The minimum price is imposed per gram of alcohol. It doesn’t hit products at the very top of the range, but it pushes up the price of many drinks that are widely enjoyed. A survey in the Irish Independent estimated that it will add more than €6 to the price of a bottle of Corley’s gin, €2 to a bottle of Power’s whiskey, €5 to the Smirnoff sold by Aldi and almost €23 to the 24-pack of Budweiser sold by SuperValu. I doubt if this measure will curtail drinking. Some people will shop across the Border. Most of us will just spend a bit more of our money on alcohol. Since drink consumption has been falling anyway, we will never know for sure whether minimum pricing works But, in any case, why is this the Government’s business? We have a wide range of laws
to regulate the sale of alcohol and punish any anti-social behaviour caused by drinking: laws against drink-driving, under-age drinking and being drunk and disordely. There is even a law against simply being drunk in a public place, although I cannot recall it being enforced. So why does the Government feel the need for other measures, aimed not at anti-social behaviour but at changing our social habits? It’s because we are always being told that Ireland has a uniquely serious problem with drink and we cannot be trusted to regulate our individual alcohol purchases. And that’s just not true. Ireland is not an outlier. In every country that allows the sale of alcohol there is sometimes some degree of excessive drinking. A few years ago I was invited,
along with some other Irish journalists, on a tour of Swedish industry and we enjoyed wonderful hospitality at several boardroom dinners. At the end of the meal everyone was given a small glass of a fiery spirit called aquavit. The most senior of our hosts would make a speech of welcome and propose a toast “to our delightful guests”. After a suitable reply, every one of the Swedes would make a little speech, ending with a toast and another glass of aquavit. Swedes, who had been models of sobriety earlier in the day, became incredibly drunk. One man quite literally fell under the table. They don’t fall under the table in Japan. But in Hiroshima, I watched in amazement as tired businessmen, having consumed too much beer or sake, would slump down on the bar and go to sleep.
I have seen Germans, on their way to work, drinking beer at 8am and (much more worrying) French truck drivers downing a quick brandy at the same hour. When an attempt was made to introduce “dry January ‘’ to France, 42 sports stars, chefs and actors signed a letter protesting at this “Anglo-Saxon puritanical madness”. And Claire Touzard, a Parisan who decided to give up alcohol, complained in a book she wrote about it, that “saying you are giving up drinking in France is like putting a bomb on the table. Nobody in France is sober”. There is no reason why Ireland should emulate the bad habits of other countries. But there is no reason either for our constant self-criticism. Ireland is not an exceptionally heavy drinking country and the myth that it is should not be allowed to dictate our laws and regulations.
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January 18, 2022
Time to lift ‘ineffective’ Live Register, PUP numbers restrictions says expert rise by 5.8% A PROFESSOR of immunology at Maynooth University has raised hopes by saying it is probably a good time to look at lifting restrictions. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland recently, Professor Paul Moynagh said testing for the Omicron variant has been “really saturated” and the positivity rate has been very high, but looking at recent numbers it “certainly seems they’ve peaked” and are decreasing now. “If you look at these waves they tend to be symmetrical, we don’t really know why,” he said. “So with Omicron, the incline was very, very steep, so we probably expect decline to be something similar and reflect that steep incline.” Prof Moynagh said one of the key features of Omicron is how transmissible it is, adding that it is difficult to control transmission, even with existing restrictions. “So the restrictions have been, I think, relatively ineffective,” he said. “Some of the good things are that it’s a milder variant,
Leah Quish (9) at the launch of Round Up for Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin Hospital. Pic: Andres Poveda
relative to some of the other variants, and also the fact that it’s not translating to anything resembling the rate of hospitalisations and ICU [admissions] from previous waves.” He said this is due to the “wall
of immunity” built up from vaccination, as well as the high number of cases over the last few weeks. He said it “probably would make sense” to leave the easing of restrictions for a week or so . . . But from that point I think
Kate Reid at the launch of Yellow Monday by Fettle, an online therapyon-demand platform that is turn Blue Monday, yellow (the colour of positivity) on January 17. Pic: Julien Behal
we need to begin to look at — at the very least — phased lifting of the restrictions,” he said. He added that we’re all going to encounter this virus, and at best, restrictions now only delay that exposure.
THERE has been an increase in the number of people on the Live Register and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment, as the figure rose by 5.8% to 229,657 in December. A total of 66,906 people were in receipt of the PUP in the last week of December, an increase of 11,906 on the numbers in November. But there were 308,357 fewer people in receipt of the PUP last month compared with December 2020. The PUP was reopened by the Government on December 7 last year, following the reintroduction of some Covid restrictions. The latest figures show that the Live Register, when adjusted for seasonal factors, fell by 2,600 over the month to 166,300. There were an estimated 283,525 jobs supported by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) in November. There are no figures yet for the numbers on the EWSS in December, but they are
expected to have increased. The combined number of people on either the Live Register, the PUP or being supported by the EWSS was 491,912 in November. This compares with 793,550 in November 2020. According to the CSO, 873,993 people have benefitted from the PUP at some stage since the scheme began in March 2020. This represents around a third of the workforce. Some 39,214 people have been on the PUP for over a year, it added. The total cost of payments issued under the PUP this week passed the €9bn in December. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 crisis is continuing to hit jobs hard around the world, the United Nations said, warning it could take years for employment levels to reach pre-pandemic levels. It revised its previous forecast that the global employment market will make a nearly full recovery this year.
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January 18, 2022
Do you have what it takes for Davy?
Davy’s team from the first series on RTE in 2021.
THINK you’re tough to face the wrath of GAA Manager Davy Fitzgerald? RTE is making a second series of Davy’s Toughest Team and applications are now open for anyone tough enough to sign up. In series one last year, Davy met a group of young men aged 18-22, who found themselves at a crossroads. Many of the group had battled with issues such as crime, unemployment, addiction and mental health. Over the course of a number of months, Davy guided and mentored the group as they tackled their issues and trained for an intense physical challenge – climbing Carrauntoohil. Davy
has big ambitions for the new series which will include an epic physical challenge outside Ireland. Davy said: “The hope for series two is to make it even bigger and more epic than series one. I truly believe that achieving something physically has far reaching benefits in all aspects of life. If someone out there reading this feels a bit lost or needs a change in their life and who has the ambition to complete a really difficult challenge as well as building their resilience and selfconfidence along the way, they should apply for the show”. Email: casting@animotv.ie
That’s rich: pandemic boosts the billionaires
WHILE most of us have struggled through the pandemic, Ireland’s nine billionaires have increased their wealth by 58% to €49.7bn since the start of the pandemic, according to a new Oxfam report. While globally, the report claims the world’s 10 richest men more than doubled their fortunes from €610bn to €1.3 tr during the first two years of the pandemic. Oxfam claims that over the same period, the incomes of 99% of humanity have stagnated and fallen and over 160 million more people were forced into poverty. The organisation has called for extreme wealth in Ireland and across the globe to be subject to a wealth tax. This money, it suggests, could be used to help fund the recovery from the pandemic. A 1.5% wealth tax on Irish millionaires with wealth above €4m could raise €4 billion in tax revenue, Oxfam estimates. While a 1.5% tax on Irish billionaires could raise more than €0.7 billion, the charity predicts in the report, entitled Inequality Kills.
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.
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January 18, 2022
Mobile sells for €500,000
Delgany cottage objections Prime property has private beach with sea views DELGANY Community Council has urged locals to lodge an objection to plans that would see the demolition of a cottage dating from the 1700s in an architectural conservation area. Honeybrook cottage is one of the oldest buildings in Delgany village, and according to the plans lodged on December 23rd last year, Honeybrook would be demolished and a four-storey block would be constructed on the site with offices or shops at entry level and nine, twobedroom apartments overhead. Mature trees and an old stone wall at the entrance to the property would also be removed. Delgany Community Council has taken issue with the development not just because of the property’s heritage but also because of the impact on traffic on the road. The road network in the village is already over capacity, the council said, urging residents to file an objection by the deadline of February 25th. Developers say they plan to provide a development “which positively contributes to the character and identity of the neighbourhood.”
A property in one of Ireland’s most exclusive beach resorts has sold for close to its asking price of €495,000 — but this is no ordinary property, it’s a mobile home . . . but no ordinary mobile home. Number 9, Beachfront, in Jack’s Hole near Wicklow’s Brittas Bay, recently went to a Dublin family who are planning to use it as a holiday home. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, its own private beach, seaside views, a decking area and onsite facilities such as tennis courts and a playground. Anna Thornton of DNG Thornton Properties, who made the record sale, confirmed an offer close to the asking price was accepted. She explained: “Jack’s Hole is so niche and it is very exclusive. There was a strong demand and it secured a strong price. “While it may not be in the budget for some purchasers, there are plenty of people who can and will be in a position to purchase a holiday home at this level. She said the sale shows a cultural shift triggered by the pandemic – moving away from
The exterior of the mobile home at Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, which has exclusive beach access and unobstructed views.
buying in the city and outwards to neighbouring beauty spot counties. Anna said: “Covid has had a massive influence on people’s lives. You have an awful lot of people returning to Ireland from abroad and re-establishing themselves back home. Another plus about the Jack’s Hole property is that buyers are
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shareholders in the management company. When one of the mobile homes is being sold, the rest of the owners get the option to buy it first. The last similar property that sold in Jack’s Hole went for approximately €380,000. Mobile homes in nearby resort Potter’s Point sell for about €300,000.
Plain sailing on Atlantic for Andy
Bray local, Andy O’Reilly, celebrates his Atlantic crossing in Antigua. AFTER an incredible 41 days at sea, Bray native Andy O’Reilly and crew have completed the amazing feat of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. Andy took part in this oncein-a-lifetime adventure to help raise funds for Bray Rowing Club and Purple House Cancer Support and his fundraiser has raised over €8,400 of the €10,000 goal so far. “I’ve got to live the dream I had on my bucket list,” said Andy. “Thinking of my dad and family, especially my beautiful wife, who made this very doable for me. “It is tough,” Andy continued, “but if you train hard you will
enjoy it. Remember you have to row. The world’s toughest row, 10 great people, one great skipper and just Ireland’s oldest ocean rower.” The premier event in ocean rowing – a challenge that took Andy more than 3,000 miles west from San Sebastian in La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua & Barbuda, where he arrived on Saturday, January 18th after 41 tough days and nights. If you wish to donate to Andy’s fundraiser, you can still do so at: www.gofundme. com/f/andys-atlantic-rowingchallenge
Greens back fines for parking
GREEN Party Councillor Erika Doyle has welcomed new regulations increasing the fixed charge penalty for parking on footpaths, cycle tracks and bus lanes, describing parking as a ‘huge issue’ in Bray. The new regulations, which come into effect on February 1st, will increase the charge to motorists caught parking illegally from €40 to €80. Councillor Doyle said: “It is hoped these increases will act as a deterrent to this type of parking, which is not only inconsiderate but dangerous for other motorists and for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. “I encourage our local gardai to enforce these regulations, particularly in areas around schools. Children are encouraged to cycle for health and environmental reasons, and are keen to do so, but they should not have to take their lives in their hands while cycling. “I have raised the issue of parking on cycle lanes and footpaths at our joint policing committee meetings and was assured by the Superintendent that he would raise it with his members,” she added.
January 18, 2022
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January 18, 2022
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January 18, 2022
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Your Wildlife Needs You!
history of the week
with Justin Ivory
Image by Richard Allen Firstly, I’d like to wish all the readers of this column a Happy New Year. While I am not one for making new year resolutions, as we head into 2022 I am making a plea for everybody to resolve and do more for wildlife and the natural environment. We are all aware of the Climate Emergency, and hopefully equally aware of the Biodiversity Emergency. They are separate emergencies, but climate change is accelerating the speed and scale of biodiversity loss, but is just one of many factors driving this loss. We should also be aware that not addressing biodiversity loss is going to have more cataclysmic consequences for humanity in a quicker timeframe than climate change. Basically the other species we share this planet with can survive happily without us, but most certainly cannot survive with other species and properly functioning ecosystems. Below is a list of simple things that we can all do to help. Pick one, several, or all of the below and do your bit to help halt and reverse biodiversity loss. 1. Make your garden wildlife friendly 2. Join an environmental NGOs such as Irish Widlife Trust, Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland etc. 3. Join a local community group who are doing something for the environment. There are more of them than ever. Your local Tidy Towns group is always a good place to start. 4. Adopt your local river, stream or lake and help look after it. There may already be a local group that you can join. Water systems are a key and vital part of our environment and need local communities to help raise awareness of them and protect them. 5. Responsible Recreation. Follow local rules, keep to existing tracks and trails, keep dogs on lead or under control, follow the Leave No Trace principles, only park in permitted areas and move on if there is no safe parking left.
book of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
beyond 2022 www.beyond2022.ie
One Day at a Time Diary 2022 Abby Wynne
the 355 Cinemas Nationwide from January
Beyond 2022 is an all-island and international collaborative research project working to create a virtual reconstruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland, which was destroyed in the Civil War on June 30th, 1922. The ‘Record Treasury’ at the Public Record Office of Ireland stored seven centuries of Irish records dating back to the time of the Normans and what was lost in that terrible fire one hundred years ago is now being brought online in time for the centenary of the Four Courts blaze on June 30th, 2022. In the meantime, have a look at the progress and discover more about the fascinating project.
ABBY Wynne’s One Day at a Time Diary 2022 is both a practical diary that provides space to write down your stuff, and an inspirational workbook that is filled with uplifting affirmations and space to journal your thoughts and emotions. Drawing on information from astrologers, the diary will support you through the energy shifts of the coming year through monthly themes, exercises and affirmations, if that’s your bag. And why not? This diary provides the tools and support to enable you to slow down, step out of time and reconnect for the year ahead.
THE world is in trouble. A deadly weapon has fallen into the wrong hands! Mercenary hands! The world needs to be saved! We’ve heard it all before! Well, kind of. Move out of the way Bond, Men from UNCLE, Kingsmen etc etc, this time around it’s up to a female CIA agent to pair up with other international agents to save the world and recruit some top female leads. Jessica Chastain first proposed the idea for a female-led spy film back in 2018 and she stars alongside Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Fan Bingbing and Lupita Nyong’o. There is one bloke in it, Edgar Ramirez, but quite what he’s doing there is anyone’s guess.
season of the week
music of the week
charity of the week
AriesYou’re especially popular for the next month Group activities go well. Get out in public. Social activities benefit your career. TaurusTake on more responsibility. Watch for opportunities to advance your career. Assume authority. It’s easier to advance your agenda. GeminiTravel entices over the coming month. It’s easier to venture forth now. Set study goals. Explore and discover fresh terrain. CancerFeed the family kitty. This month is good for saving money. Review numbers. Increase your assets with organization and attention. LeoYou love learning. You’re especially clever and creative with communications. Write, record and express your views.
talking depression janssenwithme.ie
ozarks season 4 Netflix (January 21)
rte choice music prize www.choicemusicprize.ie
THE Byrdes family journey — what’s left of it — is coming to an end in 2022 with the first half of the two-part final season arriving in January. If you haven’t watched it yet, then you have the chance to catch up early in the new year and we highly recommend you do — especially if you thought you’d had a dysfunctional family Christmas. Bet you didn’t get involved in laundering drug money for a Mexican cartel? We’ve followed the family all the way, and every season they’ve dug themselves deeper and deeper into the hole they’ve dug for themselves, so here’s to seeing just how deep that hole really is.
THE RTÉ Choice Music Prize will return in 2022 as one of the music industry’s biggest nights, will be back in Vicar St on Thursday 3rd March and celebrated in an exclusive live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM, along with a TV-special on RTÉ2 later that month. The Choice Music Prize key dates include: Irish Album of the Year 2021 Shortlist Announcement – Wednesday 5th January; Irish Song of the Year 2021 Shortlist Announcement, Wednesday 26th January. Both the Irish Album and Song of the Year 2021 will be announced live in Vicar St. (Pictured is last year’s winner, Denise Chaila)
FORMER Waterford hurler Maurice Shanahan and Dublin Ladies Senior Footballer Nicole Owens are lending their support to Talking Depression, a new campaign to encourage open conversations as new research reveals that almost half of Irish adults (47%) do not feel equipped to have a conversation with a family member or friend who they suspect may be experiencing a mental illness, despite almost two thirds (62%) having more empathy towards mental illnesses, such as depression, compared with before the pandemic. The campaign is in tandem with a new book, The Little Book of Big Conversations.
album of the week
stream of the week
website of the week
VirgoThings could get lucrative. Your health, work and fitness blossom. Energize your performance. Infuse love into your labors. LibraYou’re especially lucky in love with Venus in Aquarius. Artistic efforts sparkle. Practice skills, talents and hobbies. Give in to romance. ScorpioMake your home your love nest. Enjoy domestic arts, crafts and projects. Focus on home and family. Make household improvements. Sagittarius-
Communication is key. Partnerships flower. Compromise comes easier. Share your heart, passions and commitments. CapricornHarvest windfall apples. Gather new income. Enjoy a profitable phase. Discover a professional highperformance zone.
kiefer sutherland Bloor Street AH, here, hang on a minute now, is this your man? ... from 24? Jack Bauer? Indeed it is ... So what’s he doing making an album then... Well, he has made two albums actually, country and Americana sort of vibe. This album was produced and mixed by the multiple Grammy Award winner Chris Lord-Alge (Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood) ... you don’t say, anything else ... Well, to promote it, Kiefer is heading out on a major European tour ... Cool! Coming to Ireland then? ... Em, no. No? So what are we giving him a plug for? Cos he’s Jack Bauer.
the tender bar Amazon Prime January 7th
the world in 2022 www.economist.com/the-world-ahead-2022
STARRING Ben Affleck, Lily Rabe, Tye Sheridan and Christopher Lloyd, The Tender Bar is about a neighbourhood pub in Manhasset, Long Island which becomes a second home for a fatherless boy. Directed by George Clooney, it follows JR, whose father disappeared from his life before he was old enough to speak, and he moves into his grandfather’s dilapidated house after he and his mother once again hit hard times only to discover friends in a local bar. You do worry that Affleck has done a lot of boozy movies of late, but this is a little gem.
So if you’ve had too much pudding and gin and beer and wine and chocolate . . . the last thing you need is a heavy dose of politics and grim predictions for 2022, right? Wrong. Roll up to your desk, grab your phone or one of the kids’ new tablets and have a little gander on this authority’s predictions for the year ahead. And actually, there is much to cheer about. Vaccines will get better and Covid will weaken; Brazil’s election offers hope for the rainforest; hybrid work is on the up; world poverty will fall; and Donald Trump is coming back.
AquariusYou’re in the love light with Venus in your sign. Your charm and charisma shine. Upgrade your personal presentation. Get stylish. Step onstage and smile. PiscesSavor peaceful privacy. Pursue your own thoughts and dreams with Venus in Aquarius. Nature soothes your spirit. Connect with your passion and compassion.
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January 18, 2022
education2022
Majority of Leaving Certificate students want hybrid exams A survey carried out by the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has found that 68% of Leaving Cert students want a hybrid State exam model this year. Over 40,900 responses were gathered from students across the country, with one in three senior cycle students in Ireland responding. The current plan is for this year’s Leaving Certificate exams to return to their pre-pandemic format. At the beginning of this academic year it was announced that adjustments were made in exam papers and in curriculum
to provide for the fact that this year’s exam students missed school in 5th Year - from January to the middle of March - as they were learning from home. They will see more choices in questions in exam papers, for example in the Irish oral, where there will be only 10 Sraith Pictiúr instead of 20. A hybrid Leaving Cert exam was available to the class of 2021, where students were offered accredited grades or also had the option of sitting an exam. They were then awarded the highest grade from whichever option they chose. Taoiseach Mícheál Martin has
said the option of offering a hybrid Leaving cert was not ruled out and a decision will be made by the Government in the next few weeks. The Department of Education said last week that adjustments were made to Leaving Cert 2022 to take into account disruption to learning experience by students early last year, as well as any possible disruption this year. An alternative set of Leaving Certificate exam will be run in 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the main set of examinations, for students who are unable to sit the main set of ex-
Mary Kelly from St Mary’s College, Arklow who is showcased her project ‘A biological solution to local pollution’ at the 58th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Pic: Fennell Photography
aminations for various reasons, including Covid-19 illness. The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) said recently that a hybrid leaving certificate should be offered, while both second level teaching unions, the TUI and the ASTI, have said that they want the exams to go ahead as planned, saying there is no justification for the hybrid model. ISSU President Emer Neville said: “It has been made abundantly clear that students would like to see a hybrid model implemented for the State Examinations 2022.”
KILKENNY AND CARLOW EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD Adult Education Evening Classes in Kilkenny and Carlow Spring 2022.
Ormonde College of Further Education Classes beginning Monday 24th January 2022
Coláiste Pobail Osraí, Kilkenny Classes beginning Monday 24th January 2022
Monday Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Painting
€90
7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Understanding Special Needs QQI Level 5
€175 Exam fee €20
7pm-9.30pm for 12 weeks
Photography
€90
7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
An Introduction To Using Your Smart Phone
€70
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Basic IT Skills
€70
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Kilkenny City Vocational School Classes beginning Tuesday 25th January 2022 Tuesday Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Ceramics
€90 Material Costs €30
7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Dressmaking (max. number of learners 8)
€100
7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Basket Weaving
€90
7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Cooking (max. number of learners 10)
€100
7pm-9.30pm for 6 weeks
Ormonde College of Further Education/Kilkenny City Vocational School Classes beginning Wednesday 26th January 2022 Wednesday Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Calligraphy
€70
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Interior Design
€70
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Advocacy Skills
€70
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Mindfulness
€50
7pm-8pm for 9 weeks
Zumba
€50
8.15pm-9.15pm for 9 weeks
Personal Styling Wardrobe Analysis
€70
7pm-9pm for six weeks
Introduction to Massage (max. number of learners 10)
€100
7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
No enrolment evening for Ormonde College of Further Education/ Kilkenny City Vocational School. Contact: eveningclasses@ormondecollege.ie or 087 2052092 for queries/payment of fees.
KILKENNY ADULT GUIDANCE SERVICE An information and guidance service is available for adults wishing to return to education. Further information from: Co. Kilkenny Adult Guidance Service, Lower New Street, Kilkenny. Telephone: (056) 7764448 email: adultguidance@kkadulted.ie
Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Ranganna Gaeilge – Comhrá do dhaoine fásta – Conversational Irish
€60
7.30pm-9pm for 7 weeks
Enrolment: Monday 17 January 2022 7-8pm in the school. Contact: (056) 7764557 or email: oifig@osrai.ie
Coláiste Mhuire, Johnstown, Kilkenny Classes beginning 24th January 2022 Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Introduction to Drawing, Portraiture and Landscapes (Acrylics)
€90
Mondays 7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Interior Design
€90
Mondays 7pm-9pm for 9 weeks
Extra material costs to be covered by learner. Contact: info@colaistemhuirekk.ie or 056-8831135 or 087 9057118.
Coláiste Eoin, Hacketstown, Carlow Classes beginning Monday 24th January 2022 Course
Cost
Time/Duration
Badminton
€70
Mondays 7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Art/Drawing
€70
Mondays 7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Conversational Irish
€70
Mondays 7pm-9pm for 6 weeks
Palliative Care QQI Level5
€175 Exam fee €20
Mondays 7pm-9.30pm for 12 weeks
Enrolment: Monday 17th January 2022 during school hours 9am-4pm. Contact: info@ceh.ie or 059 6471198.
Details also available on Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board website www.kcetb.ie CARLOW ADULT GUIDANCE SERVICE An information and guidance service is now available for adults wishing to return to education. Further information from: Co. Carlow Adult Guidance Service, 1a Meadow Court, Burrin Street, Carlow. Telephone: (059) 9133123 email: info@adultguidance.ie
January 18, 2022
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Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to form a panel from which future permanent positions may be filled.
• SENIOR LIBRARY ASSISTANT REF: 01/2022 Salary €29,253 – €46,965 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI) CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12 NOON ON THURSDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 2022 SHARP. Application Forms and further details can 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
January 18, 2022
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January 18, 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 9/01/1858
Evening Herald 27/01/1939
Irish Press 18/01/1936
Irish Press 24/01/1963
Sun Ind 07/01/1940
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wicklowvoice.ie January 18, 2022
opinion&comment
Putting the band back together
H
i, it’s Pat. I’m putting the band back together. Are you up for it?!’’. I’m sure Pat Devlin’s calls to potential players who have previous Bray Wanderers service didn’t start quite like that, but there is a feeling of reunion about the new Bray Wanderers. Not that anyone is complaining – the return of players of the calibre of goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness, defender Hughie Douglas and striker Kieran Marty Waters will gladden the hearts of the Wanderers faithful ahead of the 2022 campaign. Bringing back the above trio (all of whom won Player of the Year awards during their previous spells with Bray) gives us the spine of a team that will hopefully challenge for promotion. If the band is getting back together then Devlin himself is the lead singer. A colossus and talismanic figure in Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers Academy players Ronan Dawson, Roddy Cotter, Sam Baker, Ciaran Leeson, Eric Schutte and Rhys Knight who represented the Irish U15s in a series of development games vs The National Academy in the AUL recently
Brian Quigley
history, Devlin masterminded the two FAI Cup wins in the 1990’s and many more of the club’s most memorable days. There were glamour friendlies (Celtic, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers, to name three), promotions and European exploits packed into the time between Pat initially taking charge of Bray (for their introductory season at League of Ireland level in 1985-86) and the end of his last spell as manager (2013). This season will mark the centenary of the formation
of the first Bray Wanderers in 1922; it is fitting that most iconic figure in the club’s history is back at the helm for the occasion. In taking up the manager role again Devlin will embark on
his sixth spell as Wanderers manager. As far as I can make out this is a world record, surpassing Martin Allen’s five separate spells as Barnet manager.
Despite such a long history in management, Devlin is still only in his 60’s and so has every reason to expect more good times ahead. With the SSE Airtricity League First Division season
(Bray’s fourth in the lower tier, having been relegated at the end of 2018 after a 14-year stay in the top flight) kicking off on February 18 with a home game at the Carlisle Grounds against Cork City, Bray are already in training for the new term. Their first away trip will be to play John Caulfield’s Galway on February 25. The 2022 First Division will be a historic one. There will be no Dublin clubs involved, and this has only happened three times in the previous 37 First Division campaigns (1985-86, 2012 and 2013). It will also have only nine teams (because of the Bray/ Cabinteely merger); this will only be the second time ever that the First Division has had an odd number of teams(the other was 2011). There will be more games for each club, though – instead of three games against each of the other nine teams, there will now be four games against each of the other eight teams, increasing the season from 27 to 32 matches.