wicklowvoice overall business of the year at the bray chamber of Commerce endeavour awards
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
wicklowvoice overall business of the year at the bray chamber of Commerce endeavour awards
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Don’t forget our rough sleepers
An appeal has gone out for locals in Wicklow to help rough sleepers as the harsh winter approaches. “We urgently need sleeping bags, dignity packs, hats, scarves, socks and other such items,” Berni Vickers of Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support (BARSS) told the Wicklow Voice. As many 19 people every night seek the services of
BARSS, a marked increase in the four years since the volunteer group began. “BARSS first soup run was on November 23, 2015,” Berni added. “When we began we might meet from one to three people but now we might engage with up to 19 people on any given night which takes its toll on our limited resources. “Because of weather conditions tents and sleeping bags
get wet and our rough sleepers have no way of washing or drying. We are a group of volunteers who visit our rough sleepers every night at a certain time at designated stops in Bray to bring them supplies, most of which are from our own kitchen presses and our own pockets, with some kind donations from people in the community. “Our main aim is to get these people through the night by
giving them hot drinks and sandwiches etc, because there is limited support for them especially at weekends, and we feel that our interaction is very important. “The very essence of being a human being is to feel that someone cares, and this very small act of kindness each day might make all the difference. Continued on next page
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Conor and Nicola Duggan at the launch of The Harbour Bar’s Single Cask Release with Powers Whiskey - see page 6. Pic: Joe Keogh. Lots more pix inside
04| NEWS news in brief Hope for mortgage strugglers
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
€730 raised for BARSS
A large proportion of Wicklow householders disqualified from a Government scheme designed to keep them in their homes could now be eligible to re-enter. New figures from the Housing Agency show that 72 households in the county were ruled out of the Mortgage To Rent scheme that aims to keep homeowners with unsustainable debt in their current homes. “There has been a widening of the house value eligibility parameters by the Government, which have risen to €395,000 in Wicklow,” said Bray-man Paul Cunningham, CEO of the only Government-approved Mortgage To Rent private operator, Home For Life.
Flower Club Christmas event
Greystones Flower Club are having their Christmas demonstration on November 26 at 8pm. The demonstrators are Maura Sheehan and Lalli De Buitlear, and the venue is the Evangelical Church Hall Hillside Road Greystones. Price in is €7 this includes tea/ coffee and mince pies. All are welcome.
Sorcha Nic Craith of SoZen yoga hands Berni Vickers of Barss shopping vouchers worth €730
Continued from previous page “We implore our local TD’s and Councillors and local Council to work together towards ending our homeless crisis. We all have a basic human right to proper housing and amenities.” BARSS are always seeking new volunteers and supplies if you are in a position to offer some donations of supplies, you can contact BARSS open page on Facebook.
Berni was speaking at a cheque presentation of €730 in CSP Gym on Ardee Street which was raised by Sorcha Nic Craith of SoZen yoga. Sorcha recently qualified as a yoga teacher and decided instead of launching into her new business she would give something back to the community instead. “I decided to run two weeks of donation based classes called Yoga For Bray,” she told the Wicklow Voice.
“CSP owner Alan Sherry kindly allowed us to use his studio for the classes and all the proceeds going to BARRS. “We raised a total of €730 which we gave to BARRS in Tescos and Dunnes Stores vouchers. “We’ve started officially running our yoga classes from the same studio and you can contact me at @sozenlifestyle on Facebook if you would like to learn more.”
Voices of Bray charity Christmas show is back
One of everyone’s favourite festive show is back on December 8 in St Fergal’s Church at 7.30pm when Voices of Bray Community Choir stage their their fifth Annual Christmas Concert. If you want to get into the into the Christmas spirit come along and enjoy a programme of traditional Christmas Carols including some favourites from the Choir’s repertoire of songs from well-known shows and musicals. As with all of Voices of Bray concerts, the proceeds are donated to local charities. The proceeds from this upcoming Concert will go to St. Clare’s Conference of St. Vincent de Paul. The Choir will be directed by John Ivory, and accompanied by Justin McCann (piano), with special guests; Eimile Sheehy (cello), Killian Ivory (guitar) and Chris Smith (violin). Tickets (€10) are available from Choir members and from St. Fergal’s Parish Office. As awlays, tickets are expected to sellout fast so make sure you get your order in now!
Plans for new town between Bray and Shankill A property developer has lodged planning permission for more than 400 new homes in what is believed to be the first phase of a new town between Bray and Shankill. Joe O’Reilly, who originally developed Dundrum Town Centre, is looking to build the houses and apartments on a site that was bought for €160m in the property boom in 2006. As part of the plan, a new DART station is expected to be built to service residents while LUAS is expected to be extended to the area by 2035. A company linked to O’Reilly is proposing to build on a 54acre site at Woodbrook, where plans were submitted at the end of 2007 for more than 500 homes. An Bord Pleanála has been notified under the Housing Act, which is designed to fasttrack large housing developments, with consultations now
taking place with the planning watchdog. The plan to build the 428 residential units is being progressed by a company called Aeval, which is owned by Mr O’Reilly and fellow Castlethorn Construction director John Fitzsimons. Mr O’Reilly’s firms were among the largest borrowers in the country, and his firms owned Dundrum Shopping Centre and the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords. Last month, the Wicklow Voice reported that lands just south of Woodbrook on the former site of Bray Golf Club have been rebranded as ‘Harbour Point’ and put on the market. The site, which has consistently flooded in previous decades, has planning permission for several hundred houses and commercial premises. Agent Savills is guiding €27.5m for the 2.6 acre site.
Young urged to register
Young people in Wicklow are being encouraged to register to vote ahead of the November 25 deadline. With a General Election looming in Spring of next year, the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), says that anyone wishing to cast their ballot in 2020 will find life easier if they put their names down now. “With 96,192 registered vot-
ers in Wicklow, we are urging young people to join them, and get on the register by November 25,” James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director says. “Census 2016 figures indicate that there are 689,996 young people aged 18 to 29 in Ireland.” For those unsure whether they are registered or not, the NYCI advises that they check online at www.checktheregister.ie.
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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06 | news in brief Bray Arts Show Christmas Party All are invited to Bray Arts Show Christmas Party Night on December 2 at 8pm Martello Hotel, donations at the door. Featuring Paul McElhatton who is a West African harp player from Dublin. The night will also feature Michael O Reilly`s Bray Arts Journal Big quiz while The Randomers, who’s aim is to play obscure covers untouched by other bands and to write and perform original numbers in a collaborative manner, will play on the night. Monster Raffle in aid of Five Loaves.
Arklow to shine Arklow will be getting into the festive spirit on November 23, as the town’s Christmas lights are switched on and the annual Christmas Festival gets underway. A large crowd is expected for the switching on ceremony at the Main Street car park between 4pm and 6pm. Local groups will perform for the crowd while Santa will be led by the Arklow Pipe Band. Santa will travel from Bridgewater Shopping Centre over to the Main Street car park. The winner of the Children’s Christmas Art Competition will be chosen ahead of the event and will have the honour of switching on the lights.
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019 Martin Gresham, Siobhan Coogan, Tom Daly at the launch of The Harbour Bar’s Single Cask Release with Powers Whiskey, a 12-year single pot still, exclusively available from the Bray pub. Below left, Serghios Florides, Rosie Goswell, and Dave O’Connell; middle, Clodagh O’Donnell and Conor Walsh; right, Aisling Byrne, Harbour Bar and Chantal Fortune. Pix: Joe Keogh
More Powers to you! Harbour launches own whiskey
They came, saw and now Vikings are coming back!
There was great news for film industry in Wicklow this week after it was announced that the spin-off to Vikings TV show is to be made here. Bray based Morgan O’Sullivan will again executive produce and it will also return to Ashford Studios. The “explosive next chapter” of the now-finished TV series will be called Vikings: Valhalla and will be made by MGM Television for Netflix, which has ordered 24 episodes. The original Vikings was filmed in Wicklow between 2012-18 and is going into its final season on the History channel in the US and Canada. The new series is set a century after the end of of the original story and will focus on Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Hardrada and the Norman king William the Conquerer.
Its heroes and heroines will “blaze new paths as they fight for survival in an ever-changing and evolving Europe”, Netflix said. The original Vikings was created by Michael Hirst who previously created The Tudors, which was also filmed in Wicklow, while Vikings: Valhalla will be written by Jeb Stuart. Over its six series, Vikings, which also aired on RTÉ2, featured a long list of Irish actors, including Moe Dunford, Ferdia WalshPeelo, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Leah McNamara. Gabriel Byrne starred in the first season. Meanwhile, Bray’s Ardmore
Studios has applied for planning permission to Wicklow County Council for a new 2,017 sq m stage. The studio says the move will allow it to “compete at the heart of the international film and TV production market”. The plans involve demolishing a series of administrative and security buildings. A new five-storey “support building” with space for prop storage, changing rooms, hair and make-up salons, and production offices is also proposed. In total, the new buildings planned would extend to 4,049 sq m.
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
opinion&comment
We’ll miss RTE when it’s gone
A
lot of important GAA club matches have been played in recent weeks - county and provincial finals for both hurling and football. RTE radio has covered them all and RTE television has shown extracts from many of them. RTE doesn’t get much thanks for this service and that, I suppose, is fair enough. It’s a national broadcaster doing its job. But have no doubt, if RTE doesn’t do this job, nobody else will. Nobody else would have covered the Irish women’s soccer team playing a home match against Ukraine and an away match against Greece. Nobody else would have covered the hockey team’s double-header with Canada. Somebody else would have covered Shane Lowry’s victory in the British Open but nobody else would have gone to Offaly to celebrate with Shane’s neighbours and meet his remarkable grandmother. No other broadcaster would
Nathan Walsh, Ross Nolan, Shamim De Brún and Luke Gorman at the launch of The Harbour Bar’s Single Cask Release with Powers Whiskey, a 12-year single pot still, exclusively available from the Bray pub. Pix: Joe Keogh
Michael Wolsey
have been in Skibbereen to mark the achievements of the O’Donovan brothers or in Bray to rejoice with friends of Katie Taylor. It is not just in matters of sport that we expect RTE to be our eyes and ears. We want it in Brussels, because, if it wasn’t there, we would be getting our EU reports through the Brexit-obsessed filter of British broadcasting. We want it in Washington, because, while anyone could report facts from the US, we want someone who can sort the facts from the fiction and give them to us with an Irish interpretation. At home, we
expect RTE to give copious and balanced coverage to elections, budgets, referendums - events which absorb the nation’s interest. And we also expect it to cover matters in which there is not much interest at all, such as party conferences and presidential inaugurations.
Even people who don’t watch these things expect them to be covered. We expect RTE to operate regional studios, provide broadcasting in the Irish language and make some intelligent programmes for children. And oh, while you’re at it lads, we wouldn’t mind a
bit of home-grown drama and a few decent Irish comedies. We expect these services from our national broadcaster. Nobody provides them for Northern Ireland, or Scotland, or Wales. Or, for that matter, the Avignon province of France or the Andalucia district of Spain. These are all regions and are treated as such by their national broadcasters. Ireland is an independent nation and to make that status meaningful we need to preserve an independent broadcasting voice. And we need to pay for it. To live within its budget, RTE is having to cut back drastically. It has received very little sympathy from politicians, whose shortcomings are often
exposed by the broadcaster. And its plight has been met with a degree of schadenfreude by national newspapers who have tended to see Montrose as a cosseted and elitist outfit, a competitor with an the unfair advantages of government bailouts and a licence fee. There is some truth in that view but the injustice to newspapers will not be rectified by penalising RTE. In any case, I fear it is too late to save our national press. Newspapers once provided some of the services discussed here. They were also a forum for national debate but television and radio are now where our national debates are conducted - there, and on the unstructured platforms of social media. People have stopped reading national newspapers, partly because, at a time when the internet appears to provide all things free of charge, they are unwilling to pay for them. It’s use them or lose them - and soon we will have lost them. We’ll lose RTE, too , if we are not prepared to pay for it. It will be too late to mourn when it’s gone.
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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10 | WILDLIFE
with Justin Ivory
Year of the Salmon
Salmon (Salmo salar) (Image Wikicommons) Hands up who knows that 2019 is the International Year of the Salmon? Well before the year ends let’s take a closer look at this iconic species which is engrained in the Irish psyche and culture. Between November and March female salmon (Salmo salar) lay their eggs in shallow depressions in gravel on the riverbed known as redds. Christmas Day is considered the peak of this egg laying. These eggs hatch into larvae called alevins and shelter in the gravel before beginning to emerge from the 1st April as juveniles known as parr. The parr can spend one to three years in the river of their birth feeding on freshwater invertebrates. The parr, having reached a certain size, begin to transform into smolt. Their gills and kidneys change to allow them to process salt-water. They gradually become less tolerant of freshwater and make their way downstream towards the ocean. The smolts lose the spots and finger markings of parr and very silvery in colour. These smolt then migrate to feeding grounds in the Norwegian Sea and as far as the coast of Greenland. Here they will stay until they reach maturity. Salmon that reach maturity after one year are called grilse whereas those that take several years to reach maturity are know as springers. These salmon, showing incredible homing instincts, migrate back to the rivers of their birth to spawn. While not currently endangered on a European or global basis, salmon numbers are declining rapidly. For every 100 salmon that leave our rivers for the sea, less than 5 are now returning. That represents a decline of 70% in 25 years. The Atlantic Salmon Trust (AST) has launched the Missing Salmon Project to tag smolts to find out their migration pathways and from there establish what is happening to them and what actions can be taken to increase survival.
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
ninenottomiss book of the week
tv show of the week
film of the week
HOROSCOPES
by HEATHER MORRIS
CILKA’S JOURNEY
I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Nightly 9pm, Virgin Media 1
the irishman Released 14 November 2019
In 1942 Cilka Klein is just sixteen when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. The Commandant at Birkenau, Schwarzhuber, notices her long beautiful hair, and forces her separation from the other women prisoners. Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly given, equals survival. After liberation, Cilka is charged as a collaborator by the Russians and sent to a desolate, brutal prison camp in Siberia known as Vorkuta, inside the Arctic Circle. Innocent and imprisoned once again, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, each day a battle for survival.
This year’s series of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! returned on the 17th and airs nightly is set to be better than ever with the jungle reunion of Ant and Dec . This year’s line-up includes: retired footballer Ian Wright; Keeping Up With The Kardashian star Caitlyn Jenner; comedian Andrew Maxwell; EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa; former rugby union player James Haskell; Radio 1’s Adele Roberts; Rak-Su singer Myles Stephenson; Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway; Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle; Capital FM DJ Roman Kemp.
Who killed Jimmy Hoffa? A labour leader and the infamous head of the Teamsters union, whose connections with organised crime were wide ranging, his career ended with a conviction for jury tampering, attempted bribery and fraud, but he was pardoned by President Nixon in 1971. Not long after, he disappeared. Declared legally dead in 1982, various theories have circulated as to what happened to him. Few are as convincing as that told by Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran. Scorsese brings together a favoured megawatt cast, all on exceptional form.
comedy of the week
workshop of the week
play of the week
AriesAdvance to the next level with a partner. A test or challenge is resolved, with satisfying results. Celebrate with a favorite treat. TaurusEnergize your work with love and passion. Put heart into your performance and it soars. Physical action produces results. GeminiImagine a dream realized, especially with love and romance. Play and have fun with someone attractive. Get creative. CancerEnergize a homeimprovement project. Decisions made now can have long-lasting impact ... consider color, lighting and mood. LeoStudy options and possibilities. Opportunities could hide behind more obvious changes. Consider messaging and responses.
charles dickens’ a christmas carol Thursday 5th - Sunday 8th December 2019 Whale Theatre
Julie Jay: Julie Really Love Me? Thursday 28th November 2019 Whale Theatre Comedy Show Lisa Richards
ChristMAS LANTERN WORKSHOP Every Sat & Sun from 23rd Nov – 22nd Dec | 11am & 2pm. Kids from age 6 to 12. Cost €20
Greystones Players are delighted to present Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol in this exciting new adaptation by Aideen Walton. It is Christmas Eve in nineteenth-century Dublin city, but for the driven money lender Ebenezer Scrooge, business is paramount. For Scrooge, Christmas is just another day to add to his fortune, and he has no patience with those who want to celebrate the season. As the evening draws to a close, Scrooge is visited by the ghostly presence of his dead business partner Jacob Marley, who presents him with an ominous warning and heralds visits from three more spirits.
Julie Jay is a comic who has taken the comedy world by storm in recent months. Her new show ‘Julie Really Love Me’ explores her quest for validation, applying lessons gleamed from Oprah in the early nineties to modern life, navigating being childless in the state of Gilead and guards. Lots and lots of guards. One of the most exciting new voices on the Irish comedy scene, her on-stage warmth accompanied by a sizeable side dish of distinctly Irish self-deprecation. Wry wit, neurotic ponderings and clever joke-writing make her an act not to be missed.
Crafty kids will love our Christmas Lantern Workshops! Spend an hour in the festive workshop, cutting, pasting and creating your very own Christmas lantern. Decorating with Christmas themes of candy-canes and gingerbread-men and using a simple LED circuit, kids will light up their creation to light up your home. This is a festive workshop that will excite your kids and teach them about sustainable and low-carbon energy choices, particularly around Christmas. All materials supplied. Kids take home their lantern for all to admire, or to offer as that special gift.
kids event of the week
foodie of the week
event of the week
VirgoThings could get lucrative. Harvest a windfall. Keep things simple and save extra nuts for winter. Don’t take risks or gamble. LibraAdvance toward a personal goal. Let others know what you’re up to and gain valuable support. Dress for the part you want. ScorpioCreativity and imagination thrive with peaceful conditions. Careful planning now saves money and time later. Sagittarius-
Team efforts can surge ahead. Speculate, collaborate and coordinate. Share resources, ideas and possibilities.
SANTA PARADE & XMAS LIGHTS 23rd November 2019 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Market Square, Wicklow Town
CHRISTMAS ISLAND @ HIDDEN VALLEY 23rd November, Hidden Valley, Rathdrum https://www.christmasisland.ie/
WILD & WICKLOW 2019 23rd November, BrookLodge & Macreddin Village, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow
Santa is making his annual journey to the Town of Wicklow to switch on the Xmas lights. He will arrive at the Market Square at 4pm on Saturday and the parade will go to Fitzwilliam Square where there will be live music. Children must be accompanied by an adult for safety and visitors are advised to leave plenty of time to walk to the square as the Streets will be closed from 4pm to 6pm. Organised by Wicklow and District Chamber of Commerce and the Wicklow Municipal District. This is a free event.
A Magical Christmas Experience Throughout! Christmas Island, an award-winning Santa Experience, is a wonderful choice for festive fun and an unforgettable and unique Christmas experience! Your experience will include an exciting journey on The North Pole Express train, a trip to Christmas Island where you’ll meet Santa’s Elves for an activity, singing and dancing. Then you’re off to see the big man himself in Santa’s Grotto. If you’re good and paying attention, then you may even see Rudolph! Be sure to bring your camera!
The Strawberry Tree Restaurant has been hosting its unique Wild Foods Dinner for over twenty years now. The Sugarloaf’s Annual Wild Foods Dinner, Ireland’s largest Wild Foods Dinner commences with a celebration of Wild Foods with a ‘Wild Foods MasterClass’ encompassing the Annual Wild Foods Dinner. The MasterClass will be led by Evan Doyle, founder of The Strawberry Tree Restaurant, James Kavanagh, Strawberry Tree Head Chef, some Crew members of The Strawberry Tree Brigade along with some experts in the area.
CapricornCareer opportunities have your attention. Accept an inviting challenge. You can figure out this puzzle. Keep your objective in mind. AquariusFair winds and smooth sailing grace your journey. Explore, investigate and discover. Learn from respected elders and teachers. PiscesTackle detailed tasks to manage financial, legal or insurance matters. Bolster your shared investments through careful monitoring.
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
Get ready, get set, get shopping for Ladies Night Greystones 2019. The night which is exclusive to women, will be filled with fun, frolics and of course shopping! Take some time out from the hectic season to treat
PTSB Greystones 2 Church Rd, Killincarrig, (01) 287 6066 Open Late for Ladies Night 2019 Permanent TSB Greystones are participating in Ladies Night 2019 and would like to invite you to come along to the Branch on Thursday, 28th November. Emma and the team will be open late and will be on hand for the night to answer any questions you may. Whether it is a chat about a mortgage, a loan, home insurance or credit cards, drop into the Branch for some drinks and nibbles and have a chat with one of our advisors. There will be a raffle on the night for a Voucher that can help with some of your Ladies Night purchases!
kilkenny Main Street Greystones Home to some of Ireland’s most loved designers, Kilkenny shop Greystones has an array of wonderful gifts that will suit every budget and taste this Christmas season. Kilkenny shop Greystones stocks leading Irish and international brands across a variety of categories including textiles, jewellery, art and prints, pottery, skincare, fragrance, and fashion accessories. With such a large selection of products to choose from, supporting Irish this Christmas has never been easier. For Ladies Night, there will be prosecco on arrival, skincare demonstrations by Pestle & Mortar, and of course special offers available exclusively on Thursday November 28 from 5pm ‘til late!
November 29th CHAMPION IRISH · GO FOR GREEN #SHOPLOCAL
yourself and your loved one to some fantastic items at even better prices. Grab your girlfriends and take advantage of the offers in all participating shops, pubs, & restaurants. Lots of goodies and prosecco for all!
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
Escape Boutique Mill Road, Greystones, 01 2871524 Special Offer: 10% off any purchases on the night & complimentary prosecco. Every guest will have the opportunity to use our unique photo taking selfie mirror Here at Escape Boutique we always want our gorgeous Escape Ladies to feel like million dollars. We know that they deserve the 5-star treatment so for this years ladies night we want them to know how great we think they are & celebrate all things girls. On the 28th of November we will be mixing things up with our very own mixologist, who will provide our guests with delicious bespoke cocktails as they shop our gorgeous Autumn Winter collection. As we adore our customers, we want to show our appreciation to them by offering each lady 10% off every purchase on the night, as well as a stunning free jewellery gift for any purchase over €50. We want to make sure that the Ladies of Greystones have a night that they will remember, full of laughs, fashion, friends and of course classy cocktails & we cannot wait to see you all there!
mccauley health & beauty pharmacy Main Street Greystones Special Offer: McCauley Health and Beauty Pharmacy on Church Road will launch their Black Friday Deals and Discount exclusives a day early to the McCauley Pharmacy Greystones store ONLY McCauley Health & Beauty Pharmacy has newly renovated their store on Church Road, Greystones. The new look and feel is in conjunction with their new branding. The new store has also enhanced its offering by widening its range of luxury products and services which includes a Digital Photo Centre, Premium Beauty and Fragrance counters and expanded Healthcare Services area. Customers will be greeted by a team of experts in all fields of pharmacy, health and wellness, as well as expert beauty and skincare advisors. In addition, McCauley Pharmacy have also give both their App and online store a new look. The Mobile App allows patients and their carers to manage their medication, ordering prescriptions by submitting a photograph of the prescription via their mobile to the pharmacist for preparation. To find your nearest McCauley Pharmacy or to shop online visit McCauley.ie or download the App today.
The Village Bookshop Southview (beside Meridian Centre), Church Road, Greystones, 01 2873925, villagebookshop@yahoo.ie Special offer: Fantastic Ladies Night reductions on selected range of Christmas bestsellers and gifts, lots bubbly while you browse. The Village Bookshop located right in the centre of Greystones Main Street is a haven for all book lovers. All the latest bestsellers, coffee-table books, cookery books and biographies are just waiting for you to browse through. But that’s not all - come in and check out our fabulous range of Christmas cards, calendars, wrap, stationery and perfect gifts. Don’t forget the childrens area for all the latest beautiful books and toys including fairy doors, elf on the shelf, jellycats, jigsaws and much more.
The Hungry Monk
Ashanti Gold MERIDIAN POINT, GREYSTONES, 01 2871789; www.ashantigold.ie Special offer: We will have a special discount of 20% selected labels - just for the night that’s in it! Plenty of spot prizes and bubbly on tap too! Ashanti Gold Boutique stock all your favourite brands such as Oui, Sandwich, Gant, Penny Black, Joseph Ribkoff and many more exquisite little gems you haven’t heard of from all over Europe. Keep up to date with new arrivals on www.facebook.com/AshantiGold
Brooke & Shoals Gift Boutique Church Road, Greystones, 01 2874199, www.brookeandshoals.ie Brooke & Shoals on Church Road is the perfect destination if you are looking for something special. Whether it’s a lovely gift or indulging in a treat for yourself, our shop boasts a range of wonderful jewellery, beautiful scarves, fabulous handbags and our awardwinning collection of natural wax candles, home fragrance diffusers and Natural Body Products. Call in to see us and our lovely ladies will help you find what you are looking for! We are looking forward to seeing our customers on Ladies Night. We will have special offers all week and everyone will be entered into a draw to win a fabulous hamper worth €150 .
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
concepts Meridian Point, Greystones, 01 2878682 Special offer: Spend €50 or more & receive a €10 voucher to spend in store. Valid from December 1-10 2019. T&C’s apply. Free gift with every purchase - lots more special offers on the day Concepts is the largest gift shop in the heart of Greystones, with a huge selection of Irish & international brands. Stunning range of accessories in store, including the designled Powder accessories & the Italian Angiolo Frasconi made to order hats. The friendly and knowledgeable staff look forward to helping you choose the perfect Christmas gifts for all your loved ones- or some special treats for yourself!
Eternity Jewellery Unit 2, Mount View, Church Rd, Killincarrig, www.eternityjewellery.ie, 01 2557640 Special offer: Give the perfect Christmas gift to that someone special with 1010% off all stock in store. Pop in, enjoy a class of prosecco, nibbles and festive fun too.
E TERNITY
Eternity Jewellers are 13 years in Greystones and are well known for carrying a variety of high-quality fine jewellery alongside fashion jewellery. When it comes to diamonds Nico’s experience stands out from the rest. All our diamonds are ethically sourced and priced to reflect quality. We design timeless, beautiful jewellery that represents a gesture of eternal love. Our stunning collection allows you to find that special something for all occasions. Please join Nico and his team on the night and let them guide you to that special purchase! To view our full range of stock visit our new website
Jewellery
camile thai 1 Mount View, Church Rd, (01) 287 4111 Special offer: Free Prosecco at the door - three-course menu for €30 for the night Relax and unwind on your very own Thailand holiday! Camile Thai is offering a special three-course menu for Ladies’ Night (€30) that includes a complimentary prosecco at the door. If you haven’t dined with Camile before, they’re a healthy and delicious restaurant located inside a historic building in the heart of Greystones. Their take on Thai is health conscious, full-bodied and absolutely delicious. They’ve won best Thai in Dublin for three years running, and are delighted to have made their way to Wicklow. Put on your finest and enjoy a night out with the girls at Camile - we’re sure it won’t be the last time.
Kudos 11 Meridian Point Shopping Centre, Greystones 01 2873061/2873062 Special offer: Redken Gift Sets, Kerastase Gift Sets, OSMO Gift Sets (super silver) & lots more instore! Client will receive 20% off products and a goodie bag on Thursday 28th, Ladies Night Greystones. Fabulous Hamper give away for one luck lady on the day – purchase in store to go into the draw on the day/ night Teresa and all the Kudos girls are looking forward to welcoming the ladies of Greystones and beyond for Ladies Night. Opening Hours: Christmas Eve: 8:30-2:30; Christmas Day : Closed; Stephens Day: Closed; Friday 27: Closed; Saturday 28: 9-5:30; Sunday 29 Closed; Monday 30 9-5:30; Tuesday 31: 9-5.30; Wednesday, January 1: Re Open Thursday January 2 as normal. Happy 2020 To All Our Customers
Elysian Brows and Beauty Meridian Point, Greystones, www. elysianbrows.ie, 01 2873767 Special offer: Buy a €100 voucher and receive a free €25, buy €150 voucher and receive a free €50 (T&Cs apply) To celebrate upstairs being open one year we are giving away one year’s worth of free brows on the night. This year for Ladies Night we will be offering discounts on products, giveaways, make up demos and hopefully goodie bags for the first few to arrive on the night! We will also have mince pies and mulled wine. Our specialty will always be brows here at Elysian Brows and Beauty. When it comes to brow design and definition we believe in the art of precision.
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
Classic FX Meridian Point, Greystones, 01 2871801 Special offer: 20% off all stock for Ladies Day Greystones only Classic FX is your one stop shop for clothing, shoes, handbags and accesories. A veritable haven for ladies who want something fabulous to add to their wardrobe. Classic FX is always on trend and is the perfect place to sort out your outfits needs for all those fabulous Christmas shindigs you’ll be attending. They have clothing brands which are new to Ireland and are being well received by stylists and their loyal customers. Ladies Night Out is the perfect night to treat yourself to something nice whether it’s a handbag or a whole new outfit. Go on, you deserve it
Zero One Greystones, 01 2870002, www.zeroonesalon.ie Special offer: 5pm - 9pm all blowdries and cuts 50% off to celebrate our 5th birthday - prosecco on arrival! Be the number one you. That is the motto of the trendsetting, premiere hair salon ZERO ONE. The salon prides itself on creating the ultimate you in a luxury environment while using the best products on the market. Their philosophy is customising for the individual. The talented and innovative team of stylists will create a look that caters for you and your lifestyle. The creative team will carry out a thorough consultation with you to assess your natural hair texture,condition and face shape before designing a bespoke style to suit you and your everyday needs. Book your Christmas appointment today to avoid disappointment as Christmas slots are filling up fast.
Fulinm Address 1st floor, above the Burnaby Pub, Church Road 012870667 / 0863965091(Ada) Special offer: Two course meal for 17.95 plus one free drink. Fulinm (formerly Scent Gardent) is a new modern style Asian Restaurant that Serves traditional Chinese food & Dim Sum, Japanese Teppanyaki & sushi, Thai food and Indian food. They serve a wide variety of sushi and sashimi. They offer delicious rice and noodle dishes as well as Teppan Teriyaki. Kids are catered for with their own dishes. You can collect food to bring home each day so for the food lover in your life, pick up a gift voucher for them for Fulinm.
Lorient Gift Shop Church Road Greystones (next to Mrs Robinsons) (01)287 4665 www.lorientgift. com Special Offer 15% OFF all full price: We may also throw in a few more sneaky bargains if the Christmas spirit takes us and we won’t forget some bubbles while you browse Now on our third Christmas in Greystones it’s great to see so many familiar faces as well as lots of new visitors and great to be involved in this event. We are packed to the rafters with great gift ideas. We have a sea of scarves and gloves, costume jewellery and Italian leather bags. For the home we have cushions, footstools, light shades and more.
Fiona roche pharmacy Roches Clinic, Blacklion, 01-2870224, www.fionarochepharmacy.ie We’re starting at 4pm so people can start early with us then get the bus down to Greystones - we’ll have all the times just outside the door. We are Christmas mad and delighted to be back with our free gift wrapping and gift vouchers etc. We will have lots on the night as we bring Ladies Night to Blacklion. We will have some lovely L’Occitane products to go into your hamper while our resident make-up artist Shelly will be showing how to get that perfect Christmas pout. We will have lots more special offers which we will reveal as we approach the night. And , of course we will have prosecco alcoholic and non alcoholic , mince pies and candy canes - music and laughter! Fiona Roche Pharmacy is a family business originally established by Fiona’s father, Charlie Roche, as Roches Pharmacy in 1974 . In 2005 Fiona sold Roches Pharmacy so she could concentrate on family life. In March 2019 when the tenants chose to vacate the property Fiona decided it was time to re-establish a family pharmacy back in the location her father had opened 45 years previously. The premises have been renovated and updated.
The Hungry Monk
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
christmasiNgreystones
It’s time to sparkle!
It’s that wonderful time of the year again as Greystones 2020, Greystones Municipal District and local businesses come together to support the installation of Christmas lights and the festivities around Santa’s arrival. This year’s lighting event will kick off in Burnaby Park at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, with an afternoon of family entertainment with Paul Byrne as MC. There will be music and songs by Colaiste Chraobh Abhann School choir and performances from ‘Greystones Players’. This year we are delighted to welcome the Holyhead Male Voice Choir who will join us for some festive songs in advance of their Gala Concert with the Newtownmountkennedy Male Voice Choir in Greystones Rugby Club later that night. Local clergy will relate the true spirit of Christmas in a short ecumenical service and
Greystones’ David and Stephen Flynn with Chris Chidley and Niamh Quinn at the Food That Works Summit where a partnership between Compass Group Ireland and The Happy Pear was announced. Pic: Bryan Brophy
the lights will be switched on by the Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District, Cllr Tom Fortune, and Ms Grainne McLoughlin, Chairperson of Greystones 2020. There will be over 1km of icicle lights throughout the town and two 30-foot-tall Christmas trees, each adorned with 3,000 lights, one at the train station and one at the Harbour Marina. At 5:00 pm Santa will arrive to meet and greet all the children in a special vehicle courtesy of our twinning partners from Holyhead. Let the Christmas Magic begin in Greystones!
New currency app goes live
An app supporting a new local currency for Wicklow has gone live in app stores in recent days. Supported by over 60 local businesses, the VillagePod app supports a new local currency called ‘VillageCoin’, which is tied one-for-one with the euro. With a dedicated team of six based from Bray, VillagePod is a platform to help local communities thrive which puts local businesses right at the centre. “We have been hugely encouraged by the strong take up of VillagePod from local businesses,” said VillagePod founder, Cormac McKenna said. For further information visit http://villagepod.app.
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
christmasiNgreystones
Buying? Selling? Contact us today t: 01 901 5565 t: 01 901 5565
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
christmasiNgreystones
Locals urged to have their say on town’s future The people of Greystones are being invited to have their say on an important plan to improve the public realm in the town. Wicklow County Council and Greystones 2020 have appointed commissioned a team of specialists -headed by The Paul Hogarth Company - to create a plan for the Public Realm in Greystones. The consultants have been asked in particular to look at the most effective presentation, management and enhancement of areas such as: •Approaches and gateways into the town • Public Space network • Parking and traffic • Signage and Wayfinding • History and Heritage • Tourist Destination
• Parking, Traffic and Public Transport Having held a very successful initial consultation event and engaged with local school students, the team conducted a spatial and technical analysis of Greystones and have now developed an initial Draft Plan for consideration. The Draft Plan includes a broad range of innovative and bespoke projects to be delivered across the short, medium and longer term that seek to address climatic, demographic and economic change in Greystones. Once finalised, these will be used as the basis for funding applications. As the Plan is a work in progress, residents are strongly encourage to view the draft proposals and help shape the future of Greystones. The
Draft Plan material will be available to view online between Wednesday, 20th November, and 3rd December 2019. The Draft Plan and the consultant team will also be in Greystones Library on Saturday, 23rd November, between 1-5pm to answer questions and receive feedback. It is very important everyone continues to engage with the plan process and share their views on these emerging projects and other ideas. “This is your town, this is your plan, and so we want you to be truly involved in it,” a spokesperson said. Although Greystones is a thriving town, it is faced with challenges that need to be tackled, including increased development and traffic congestion.
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
christmasiNgreystones
Film star Saoirse sells Greystones house for €1.6m Saoirse Ronan has sold her plush Greystones pad for €1.6m – just two months after putting it on the market. The New York born but Carlow raised actor originally purchased Pine Lodge in Greystones for €1.4m in 2017. It is believed that another well-know Irish actor and a successful sports star were interested in the property but ultimately it was sold to a private buyer. The Oscar nominated actor, rumoured previously to be dating singer Hozier who lives just down the road in Newcastle, is believed to have up-sticks and moved to Notting Hill. It is thought that her deci-
sion to sell the five- bedroom house is motivated by her spending more time in London and New York for work. The actor is believed to have bought a three-bedroom terraced house in Notting Hill a year ago, forking out €1.5m for it.
Since the Golden Globewinner moved into Pine Lodge, she has splashed the cash upgrading the Edwardian-style house, which she bought for €1.4m, into a chic pad worthy of a top movie star. Saoirse has received rave reviews for her role in Mary Queen Of Scots and is tipped for an Oscar nod for her performance in the latest adaptation of Little Women.
The Discount Supplements team Ken and Janet Carey, Niall Sheehy and Elliot Devin at their open day to celebrate their new store in Charlesland recently
Layla-Grace, Stephen, Maria, Sam and Elliott White
Vanessa Frota of Nutriquick
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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20 | COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the following vacancies.
• BURIAL GROUND REGISTRARS REF. NO. 32/2019
• Three Mile Water • Barndarrig Salary range from €1,500.00 to €3,500.00 gross per annum depending on Burial Ground and number of internments per annum. Application Forms and further details may be obtained from the Enterprise & Corporate Services Department (0404-20159) by email to recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie or website: www.wicklow.ie CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12.00 NOON ON THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER, 2019
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
COMHAIRLE CHONTAE CHILL MHANTÁIN WICKLOW COUNTY COUNCIL Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to form a panel from which the following vacancy may be filled:
• CIVIL DEFENCE OFFICER (TEMPORARY 1 YEAR CONTRACT POST) REF: 31/2019 Salary: €47,588 to €58,157 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI) Application Forms and further details may be obtained from Enterprise & Corporate Services at 0404 20159 or by emailing recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie and on the Wicklow County Council website www.wicklow.ie CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12 NOON ON THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 2019 SHARP
Wicklow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate.
Wicklow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate.
Wicklow County Council is an equal opportunities employer.
Wicklow County Council is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Thomas Murphy, Director of Services, Enterprise & Corporate Services, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow. Phone No: 0404 – 20100 / Direct 20159 Fax No: 0404 – 20112 Email: recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie
Thomas Murphy, Director Of Services, Enterprise & Corporate Services Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Phone: 0404 20159 Fax: 0404 20112 e-mail: recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
opinion&comment
An all-island league is a good idea Talk of an all-Ireland soccer league reared its head again this autumn, but the idea seems to be dead in the water after briefly being on the agenda. Personally I’m disappointed. I’d love to see the leagues in the Republic and Northern Ireland join forces and build a stronger pyramid on the island than the two separate pyramids could ever flex their individual muscle to. There remains too much in the way, too many stumbling blocks. Sectarian issues for one, which is understandable given the recent history of our two communities. I think that could be overcome, given that we achieved a political Peace Process, but evidently there are too many reservations in the footballing community. Money is another factor. The top clubs in both leagues regularly get through to Europe, where there is bigger cash on offer for getting through a round or two than for winning major domestic honours. Combine the leagues and the chances of keeping your hands on a slice of this pie diminish.
RTE‘s Robert Shortt receives his Man Of The Year from Presentation College Bray’s Past Pupils President Brian Quigley at its annual dinner in The Esplanade Hotel recently
Then there is the power and prestige administrators and blazers in the separate organisations enjoy. They won’t want to give that up. Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas. I’ve always been a fan of Northern Ireland domestic football, ever since I was a child and their results would come on the BBC straight after the English ones. Linfield, Glentoran, Portadown, Cliftonville and Crusaders. They were teams I wanted to see. Their league was a
standard I wanted to compare with the world of Shelbourne, Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk, Derry City and Cork City. A phrase I’m fond of is ‘together we are stronger’. It would be a brave move to combine the leagues, but you achieve nothing unless you are brave. If we did make the brave move we could construct a national pyramid with two strong national divisions (maybe of 12 or 14 teams) and a regionalised third-tier structure. If it was marketed and televised right it could attract sufficient crowds and sponsors to make it pay for itself. As a fan of League of Ireland I have to say that one of the perennial disappointments is the small range of grounds you get to travel to. Imagine if a whole new world opened up, where you could be travelling to clubs you have never been to before. It would be the same for fans in Northern Ireland. Maybe one day it will happen! - Brian Quigley
wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019
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24 | wicklowvoice.ie November 22, 2019