wicklowvoice inside: FREE
May 28, 2015, 01 901 5556/7, November 23,t:2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
.ie
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Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
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November 23, 2021
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wicklowvoice inside: FREE
May 28, 2015, 01 901 5556/7, November 23,t:2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
.ie
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Average rent rises to €1,577 in Wicklow THE average rent in Wicklow has risen again to reach a significant milestone, as a new report finds there has been a 79% drop in the number of affordable properties available for rent across the country. Average rents in Wicklow now stand at €1,577, a rise of 104% from its lowest point in the post Celtic Tiger recession, the latest Daft.ie survey shows. Rents were on average 5.9% higher in the third quarter of 2021 than a year previously. As things stand, a one-bed
apartment in Wicklow will cost you €1,156, while a three-bed house will cost you €1,511. The report also notes that the supply of homes is overwhelmingly located in Dublin, with 76% of all properties available to rent at any price being found only in the capital. Ronan Lyons, Associate Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin and author of the report, said: “Across the country as a whole, market rents are now 6.7%
higher than a year ago – the highest rate of inflation since early 2019. “This rate is in line with the average rate over the last 10 years, with rents rising by 6.7% since 2011 – although this hides differences over time, with little to increase in rents in 2011/2012 and in 2020, and two doubledigit peaks in inflation in mid2014 and again in mid-2016. “Some will react to these trends with an understandable, if misplaced, search for easy solutions. A favourite is rent
controls. But what this report covers is not the average rent paid by sitting tenants – who benefit from rent controls – but the average rent paid by new tenants, who invariably are not covered by such controls. “While I can see the appeal of solving prices by simply making it illegal for prices to rise, it does nothing to address the reason why prices are rising – the lack of rental accommodation,” he added.
FREE
Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
Former pupil, teacher, vice-principal and principal of Presentation College, Bray, Pat Gregory who retired last year receiving his Pres Man of The Year award from President Brendan Toolan at Past Pupils’ Union dinner in the Glenview Hotel recently
Continued on page 4
In aid of Purple House and Parish Funds
CLASSICS BY CANDLELIGHT CHRIST CHURCH , BRAY
Sunday November 28th 2021 at 7:30pm
Tickets from €5 available at iDonate.ie, using this QR Code, at the Parish Office or after Church each Sunday.
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Whale of a time in Greystones
GIVEN a good meal out often makes you feel like not going home just yet, the fantastic Whale Theatre, in Greystones, has come up with a truly groovy solution. Namely, their Big Night Out — which couples a dinner in one of Greystones’ fine restaurants with a classic movie on the big screen for afters, complete with free popcorn and a full bar and waiter service. With the likes of The Godfather, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and The Dead planned for 2022, the Big Night Out series is teaming up, on Saturday, December 4th, with Sonny’s restaurant, where you can enjoy a fine burger menu on the night (plus that complimentary drink) starting at 6pm, whilst the big screen will be giving itself over at 8pm to The Big Lebowski. Coming up on Saturday, January 22nd, The Hungry Monk will be teaming up with The Whale for a 50th anniversary screening of The Godfather — more details to follow. With plans for The Whale’s Big Night Out to become a monthly fixture, you can find out more and book your tickets on www.whaletheatre.ie.
November 23, 2021
Rachel gets reward for all her rewarding work
RECEIVING her award at the Volunteer Ireland Awards 2021 is County Local Hero, Rachel Harper, who is the principal at St Patrick’s National School, in Greystones. Rachel won the Volunteer Team Award for her work with the Light House Homeless drop-in Centre in Dublin. She has been instrumental in mobilising St Patrick’s NS and the Greystones Community in gathering supplies sent to the Light
House every week during the pandemic, when the centre served up to 300 hot meals every day. Rachel has volunteered weekly for the homeless since 2009 and has organised countless fundraisers over the years. Speaking about the award, Rachel said: “The students and families in the school and the Greystones community have been extremely supportive. “Last Christmas we collected over 350 rucksack
care packages and 1200 toys for the homeless community. We also made over 100 Christmas dinners for those in need. It is very rewarding for the children in the school to get involved and the homeless benefited massively from their generosity. “Charity work is a good way for the children in St Patrick’s to learn about caring for those less fortunate and they genuinely feel good about being able to help in some way, which is lovely to see,” she added.
Wicklow rents rise to €1,577 Continued from front page
Mr Lyons continues: “To make rental accommodation more affordable, we need to put in the hard effort of building lots of new rental homes. “It is instructive that even within that 1995-2020 period of rising rents. Rents were largely stable 1999-2008 and no higher in 2012 than in 1997. Why? Lots of new rental homes were built in the 2000s. Separately, it has been reported that almost 80% of landlords in Ireland earn under €20,000 per year, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This means that landlords are no longer viewing the property portfolio as an attractive investment opportunity and are exiting the business. Some 50.5% of landlords in 2019 had a net rental income below €10,000, with a further 28.6% taking in between €10,000 and €20,000. Just 20.9% took in net rental income above €20,000. The highest median net incomes were in the cities of Dublin, Galway and Cork.
Daughter remembers father Sean Fitzpatrick as ‘a giant’
FORMER Greystones banker Sean FitzPatrick was remembered at his funeral as a “giant of a man”. His daughter, Sara, also described him as their rock, adding they will miss him dearly. The former chief executive and chairman of Anglo Irish Bank died at the age of 73 after a short illness earlier this month. Businessman Denis O’Brien, former bankers David Drumm and Tiarnan O ’ M a h o n e y, and former Independent News and Media chairman Leslie Buckley were among the mourners gathered for his recent funeral at the Holy Rosary Church, in Greystones. Sara told the service how her father was a “very loving and very present father” who was “always there for us” from her brothers’ rugby matches to her dance recitals when they were children, to calling them every day as adults, even when they lived on different continents and across different time zones. The former bank boss became a well-known as well as a very controversial figure following the transformation, rise and collapse of Anglo Irish Bank. He built the bank over 30 years to become one of the biggest lending institutions in
Ireland. A 2002 interview with Business and Finance magazine to mark his rise as ‘Businessperson of the Year’, saw Mr FitzPatrick provide some insight as to what drove him. “My late mother in particular ingrained in us that we had to keep striving and that enough was never enough,” he said then. But Anglo went bust during the financial crash and ended up costing the Irish state about €29bn. Mr FitzPatrick was declared bankrupt in July 2010. He was arrested two years later by officers investigating financial irregularities and later charged over a failed insider trading scam. However, the case collapsed in 2015 after it was disclosed that documents held by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement had been shredded. Mr FitzPatrick was previously found not guilty by a jury after being charged over multimillion loans that Anglo gave to major clients to buy shares in the bank as its stock market price collapsed. Mr FitzPatrick is survived by his wife Triona and children Jonathan, David and Sarah.
Census offers jobs with pay of €3,200
IT’s that time again — Census time — and with it comes some very worthwhile job opportunities, as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has announced it needs to hire 139 Census Enumerators in Wicklow to deliver and collect census forms next year. Enumerators will nee to be available to work for 10 weeks part-time, between 28 February and 6 May 2022. Census 2022 will take place
on Sunday, 3 April next year. The results from the Census are vital to planning the future of public services in Waterford and across the country. To deliver a successful Census the team of 149 enumerators will be required to deliver and collect census forms to approximately 49,000 households across the county. The online application process is available at www.census.ie.
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Jab ‘is 100% effective’ in EEEK! Sharp rise in callouts teens after four months for silverfish Pfizer and BioNTech said their Covid-19 vaccine remained 100% effective in children 12 to 15 years old, four months after the second dose. The companies said that the new data, which involved 2,228 trial participants, will help support their applications for full approval in the United States and worldwide. No serious safety concerns were observed in individuals with at least six months of follow-up after the second dose. “As the global health community works to increase the number of vaccinated people around the world, these additional data provide further confidence in our vaccine’s safety and effectiveness profile in adolescents,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla in a statement. “This is especially important as we see rates of Covid-19 climbing in this age group in some regions, while vaccine uptake has slowed. We look forward to sharing these data with the FDA and other regulators.” The vaccine was granted
Ciaran and Donna Burns with Katy, Jake, and Holly at a special preview screening of Disney’s ENCANTO. Pic: Andres Poveda
“emergency use authorisation” for adolescents by the US in May and the companies plan to soon seek full approval. The vaccine is currently only fully approved in people aged 16 and older. Among the 2,228 participants, there were 30 confirmed symptomatic Covid cases
without evidence of prior infection, all in the placebo group. This corresponds to a vaccine efficacy of 100%. Efficacy was consistently high across gender, race, obesity levels and comorbidity status. The main safety concern among this age group is vaccine-
Pest control provider Rentokil has experienced a 47% increase in the county of the number of callouts for silverfish in October compared to figures from the same period last year. The company is warning home and business owners to be on the lookout for the nocturnal pests as they begin to move indoors to seek warmth and shelter during the cold winter months. The top five counties that accounted for silverfish callouts in October are Dublin, which accounted for 46% of all callouts, Kildare (14%), Cork (10%), Monaghan (10%), and Donegal (7%). Home and business owners are most likely to find silverfish in dark, damp, and humid areas such as bathrooms, basements and attics. Silverfish are nocturnal insects that are silver or grey in colour, measuring
approximately 10-12mm in length with tiny scales and two antennae and have a tapered, tail-like appearance. Silverfish can lay up to 60 eggs per day, so a few insects can quickly become a much larger infestation. Their eggs are usually difficult to locate, as they are often hidden in tiny cracks or crevices. An infestation of silverfish can result in damage to books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items as they feed on both starch and cellulose. They also feed on human debris such as dead skin and hair. A common sign of the presence of silverfish to watch out for is finding unexplained holes in books or items of clothing. “Like many pests at this time of year, silverfish will move indoors to seek shelter and warmth inside homes and businesses,” Richard Faulknerof Rentokil said.
Employers want EWSS supports to be extended
Hybrid working out of favour with bosses
linked myocarditis (heart inflammation) in males. But such cases are very rare, and the benefits of vaccination continue to strongly outweigh the risks, data has shown. Covid itself can cause myocarditis, both more often and a more severe form.
Employers’ group Ibec has written to the Government asking it to extend the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme beyond April 2022 at the rates that applied during previous waves of Covid-19. The organisation is also seeking an extension of the commercial rates waiver for businesses impacted by Covid restrictions into 2022. According to Ibec, ongoing supports are now required to preserve businesses and employment as a result of the latest public health guidelines impacting on the experience economy, which is made up of restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, events, retail tourism and other related sectors. “It is clear from the feedback we have received in recent days from our members that the public are heeding the public health messaging from Government and are adjusting behaviours, including reducing social contacts,” wrote Danny McCoy, Ibec chief executive. “We hope that this response will help address the most
recent spike in Covid cases and reduce the pressure on our health system.” “Reduced socialising will also, however, have a damaging impact on the thousands of businesses in the Experience Economy which had only just begun to feel the benefits of recovery.” Mr McCoy said the impact of the latest restrictions will be particularly damaging for these firms as it comes as we enter the crucial Christmas period. “We know from the previous Covid waves, the measures that will work to help sustain this vital part of the economy and we ask you to again apply these supports in full,” he said. Ibec is calling on the Government to allocate as soon as necessary the €4bn contingency fund identified in Budget 2021 to provide the supports. It wants Revenue to continue to take “a reasonable position” on debt warehousing, with the extension of the timelines to reflect any extension of restrictions.
As the Government advises businesses to move to remote working again, new research¹ reveals that employer enthusiasm in the county for hybrid working has decreased since the phased reopening of workplaces began in September. The latest HR Barometer Report from consultants Adare Human Resource Management reveals that only one third of employers (32%) excluding retail and wholesale sectors believe hybrid working will benefit their organisation. This compares to over three quarters (76.8%) in their March HR Barometer Report. The survey also highlights the slow progress being made on addressing diversity and inclusion as well as the ongoing gender pay gap that persists in many workplaces. Derek McKay, Managing Director, Adare Human Resource Management warns that continued inaction on these matters could prove costly for employers as recruitment and talent acquisition, along with retention, remain businesses’ top priorities
November 23, 2021
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opinion&comment
The infection destroying sport for our children
T
HE referee said it was a foul but Bruno Fernandes disagreed; he ran over to the official and wagged a finger in his face. Soon the midfielder was joined by most of his Manchester United team-mates and they surrounded the ref, waving and gesticulating in a fruitless effort to make him change his mind. Their protest drew a response from the stands. Sky’s broadcast unit picked up only a little of the vitriol but, even from that, it was clear the supporters were baying for blood. A week later I saw a similarly unpleasant scene playing out around me. I wasn’t at a Premier League stadium or even a League of Ireland ground. The venue was the local park where my 10-year-old granddaughter
Michael Wolsey
was playing. The trouble didn’t arise from her game but on an adjoining pitch where boys were playing; they looked in their early teens and I was told later that it was an under-14 side. I don’t know what sparked the incident. When I turned to look, all
of the players from both teams had surrounded the referee and were waving and shouting at him. One youngster pushed an opponent who fell into the ref, knocking him sideways. As with my Premier League example, some of the supporters added their voices to the argument. There were no TV microphones to pick up the unpleasant comments - none were needed since there were only about twenty people standing around the pitch and they could be heard clearly. That made it worse. These people on the sidelines were, presumably, parents or relatives of the young players. They could easily be identified but were still prepared to shout abuse at a man who had given up his Sunday morning to help their children. Boys were the on-pitch culprits here, but a neighbour, who
used to be a referee, tells me he also had trouble with girls and that some level of abuse was common from spectators at any juvenile match. My neighbour is a former footballer who thought refereeing would let him give back something to the game he loved. He packed it in because he found the young players impossible to control and the parents as ill-disciplined as their offspring. He quit a couple of years ago, just before the Dublin District Schoolboy League (DDSL) controversially revealed that, over the course of six weeks, it had abandoned seven games because of fights and other violent incidents. Things have not improved. The North Dublin Schoolboys/ Schoolgirls Soccer League, a successor to the DDSL, was forced to cancel a whole week-
end of matches because referees were no longer prepared to put up with threatening behaviour from supporters, players, coaches and managers. I referred to the Bruno Fernandes incident because I believe this bad behaviour is a problem that starts at the top and spreads down. Every week on television we see the super stars of soccer arguing with referees, huffing and stomping around the pitch, while their managers go ballistic on the sidelines. They set a bad example but the infection might not have spread if juvenile leagues had backed their referees and made it clear that discipline would be enforced with yellow and red cards and that spectators who misbehaved would be banned from grounds. The problem is not confined to soccer. It also arises in GAA
club games at all age levels because there, too, criticism of the referee is tolerated from both players and spectators. It is not a problem for rugby where the convention is that only the team captain speaks to the referee. If he has a complaint, he makes it politely and if the complaint is rejected he accepts the referee’s ruling without protest. It’s a custom not a rule and it is not always followed, but in general it works and imposes order on the game at all levels. Last week a rugby player told a radio interviewer why discipline was better in his sport. “I played rugby for ten years,” he said, “and I can remember the name of the referee in every match I played - it was Sir.” Soccer and Gaelic sports will continue to have problems unless and until their young players can say the same.
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WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Irish Garden Bird Survey
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
Robin tops the list in the annual Irish Garden Bird Survey (Photo Justin Ivory) With the weather starting to get colder the number of birds visiting our gardens will start to rise again after the usual autumn lull. And of course this heralds the annual BirdWatch Ireland Irish Garden Bird Survey, their most popular citizen science survey with over 1,000 gardens taking part! Anybody, can take part, whether you have a big garden or small, or whether you feed the birds or not! Taking part couldn’t be simpler and is a great fun family activity. All you have to do is record the highest number of each species you see at any one time using your garden each week. It doesn’t matter if they are feeding or not, if they are in your garden whether it be on the ground, in the trees or bushes etc. you can count them. Count all species including birds of prey that you come into your garden, not just the cute and cheeky Robins and Blue Tits! So what exactly does it mean when we say record the highest count of each species? For example, if on the Monday of a week you see 3 Chaffinches at the one time in the garden in the morning and then in the afternoon you see 5 Chaffinches at the same time, your count for Chaffinches for that day is 5. If later in the week you see 7 Chaffinches at one time, then your count for Chaffinches for that week is 7. So head over to the BirdWatch Ireland websitewhere you can register and get full details, and even better have a warm glow inside as you know are contributing to important data about how are birds are faring.
show of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
the same but different Emer O’Neill
moya brennan Friday December 3, 8pm: www.whaletheatre.ie
cry macho Cinemas Nationwide
THIS is a must for parents or anyone working with children who want to help them learn to embrace their differences and that being different is what makes them who they are. Emer O’Neill is a mother of two; aised in Ireland, she is Irish/Nigerian and a Bray native. Emer has become a well known figure in Ireland; she is television’s favourite Muinteor Emer from homeschool hub and co-presenter on the Today show with Dáithí Ó Sé. The Same but Different has a beautiful and powerful message, a great tool to engage in the topics of racism and inclusion.
JUST a stone’s throw from Dublin lies the hip seaside town of Greystones and one of the finest theatres on the east coast — The Whale Theatre, a wonderful, intimate space that has recently hosted some top acts like Des Bishop, Eleanor McEvoy, The Houthouse Flowers and Lisa Hannigan. Another legend is soon to tread the boards of this incredible venue with her haunting vocals — Clannad’s Moya Brennan. Her show will feature songs from her new album, An Irish Christmas, a Celticinspired work of classic and contemporary songs and carols, alongside Clannad classics.
MIKE Milo (Clint Eastwood) is a retired rodeo rider and horse trainer who is forced by his former boss (Dwight Yoakam) to go to Mexico to retrieve his estranged son (Eduardo Minett) and bring him back to the US. Cry Macho is very much a road movie, with Eastwood and Minnett taking up familiar stances. Don’t expect the thrills of Clint Classics here. This moves along at a pace you might expect from someone who is now the ripe old age of 91. This movie retreads familiar steps, but when you’re this long on the road, how can you not? And, as always, leave the PC hat at home.
gift of the week
stream of the week
self-help 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.
powerscourt whiskey hamper www.powerscourtdistillery.com/
red notice Netflix
AFTER a sell-out success last year, Powerscourt Distillery is delighted to announce that its decadent (we like the sound of that) and delicious food and whiskey pairing hampers are back for Christmas 2021. Paired with the Fercullen Irish Whiskey whiskey comes mouth-watering meats from the Wooded Pig, local honey courtesy of Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow Ban Cheese and Fercullen Whiskey Chocolates. The Hampers priced at €100 are available from the Powerscourt Distillery website. Perfect pressie for that partner who loves a bit of indulgence with the Die Hard box set . . .
RAWSON Marshall Thurber, the director of CIA and Skyscraper reunites with Dwayne Johnson, who plays the FBI’s top profiler John Hartley. The film opens with an info dump about three coveted eggs that were once the property of Cleopatra. Only two have been discovered, making the missing golden egg into a Holy Grail for treasure hunters, including one of the world’s most notorious criminals Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds) . . . Films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and “National Treasure” were clear inspirations but this doesn’t come close.
album of the week
day out of the week
pure mental with keith walsh Tuesday, November 30th, Mermaid Arts Bray KEITH Walsh is Pure Mental. Having finished up a five-year stint presenting on National Radio, in the pressure cooker that is a breakfast show, Keith has finally found a bit of time for himself. More importantly, he’s found time to check in with his mental health. Midlife Crisis? Midlife awakening? Breakdown? We’ll find out. This show is part of his therapy and . . . you, the audience, are his therapist! So you have been warned. Join him on a journey of introspection and exploration, as he locates his demons and traumas in order to try and find the real person underneath the fuzzy mess of stress.
cause 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. CapricornCareer opportunities have your attention. Accept an inviting challenge. You can figure out this puzzle. Keep your objective in mind.
Feeding birds will also attract birds of prey like this Sparrowhawk (Photo Justin Ivory)
between us Little Mix
wild lights Dublin Zoo: www.dublinzoo.ie/wildlights/
the goal mile Register at: www.goalmile.org
‘DO they know it’s nearly Christmas? Well, once the Greatest Hits albums start to appear like snowflakes, then we certainly do. First up for your Christmas stocking stuffer consideration is X Factor girl group Little Mix, who rolled off the conveyor belt 10 years ago on series eight of the show. The album is a celebration of a decade of global hits from this record-breaking pop band, with songs like ‘Wings’, ‘Black Magic’, ‘Shout Out To My Ex’ and ‘Sweet Melody’ featuring alongside five brand new Little Mix songs. Sure to get the party started.
THE spectacular, night-time, must-see experience, makes its return to Dublin Zoo, with ample opportunity between now and January to marvel at the spectacle. Wild Lights will take you on a magical adventure ‘Around the world’ where you will see some of the most famous global landmarks and iconic symbols, from Spain to India and Morocco to the USA, all through a stunning display of giant colourful silk lanterns which transform Dublin Zoo at night. Definitely among the more original experiences (runs until Jan 9th).
WICKLOW residents, well used to the hills and mountains, have been asked to sign up with GOAL for the hugely popular annual fundraiser — the GOAL Mile. The even returns this year with both in person and virtual events for the first time ever. Pictured at the launch for the 2021 event are Senior Dublin ladies’ footballer Sinead Ahearn, award-winning writer Paul Howard, Irish Paralympic athlete Greta Streimikyte and Shamrock Rovers’ Captain Ronan Finn. (Participants can take part throughout December).
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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November 23, 2021
€10k fund for cancer support
PURPLE House Cancer Support, in Bray, received a terrific boost recently after an award of €10,000 was provided by the St Patrick’s Festival and TikTok Creative Fund. The monies will go a long way towards providing children’s one-to-one Art Therapy sessions and adults Art and Crafts Cancer Therapy classes. The Bray Purple House Cancer Support is to the forefront in providing a range of professional support services to people of all ages affected by cancer in Ireland. Their aim is to help rebuild the lives of families affected by cancer and Purple House is at the heart of the community. The €10,000 project award will support the work of these local groups in developing and delivering creative responses to their own unique community challenges. A pop-up community choir, dance workshops, heritage projects and tours, and arts and craft therapy sessions are just some of the projects which will gain from the St Patrick’s Festival and TikTok Creative Fund, which was designed to support creativity in Irish communities.
81% of cars leave engines idling at the school gate STUDENTS at St Laurence’s National School, in Greystones, were busy recently working on a clean air awareness campaign to #BeatAirPollution — and their results were astounding. As well as their initiative to increase active travel — such as walking, cycling and scooting to school — students undertook a survey to assess how many cars were idling their engines while waiting at the school gate. Their results showed that an incredible 81% of stationary cars were running their engines at the front of the school. Air pollutant emissions from transport, including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO), are a main contributor to air quality problems in Europe. The injustice of breathing polluted air is not evenly distributed worldwide, or even at a local level. Exposure to transport-related air pollution varies, where some groups may be more exposed to harmful emissions, depending on how long they
Wicklow Port chosen as base for €2bn wind park WICKLOW Port has been confirmed as the home for Codling Wind Park’s Operations and Maintenance base, the long-term facility from which the offshore wind farm will be operated and serviced. The location of the longterm base in Wicklow Town represents a major economic boost for the area, with significant investment to be made in the development of the port facilities to support Ireland’s flagship offshore wind project. The new base will provide offices, warehousing and vessel berthing facilities, as well as an operations control centre. This will enable the safe operation and maintenance of Codling Wind Park over its expected 30-year operational lifetime. A total of 115 jobs are anticipated during the construction and operational phases combined, while the new facility will see the creation of 75 new, long-term, jobs in the locality. There will also be
opportunities for local businesses to support the planning, design, construction, and ongoing operation of the new base. Construction of the new base, will see the creation of an additional 40 temporary jobs. The Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Councillor Shay Cullen, welcomed the news that Wicklow Port will be the operational base for the project. “The selection of Wicklow Port as the long-term base for such a significant offshore wind project is a huge endorsement of our port and our town,” he said. “It represents a once-ina-lifetime opportunity for Wicklow, placing us at the heart of the energy revolution that our country will undergo in the decades ahead.” Construction of the Codling Wind Bank – likely to cost about €2bn – is expected to begin by 2024 or 2025 and will take two to three years to complete. The wind farm will be located between 13km and 22km off the Wicklow coast.
Students at St Laurence’s National School, Greystones, taking part in Green-Schools’ Clean Air Week. stay within the polluted area. For most pollutants, exposure concentrations appear to be two-to-three times as high near busy roads, which is often
Stylist is a cut above after nod for award
A KILMACANOGUE hair stylist has been nominated for a prestigious award for her talents. Linda Thompson from Lynda T Hairdressing, in Kilmacanogue, has been shortlisted for the GLammies by Great Lengths 2021 award. Now in its 10th year, the GLammies by Great Lengths recognise the UK and Ireland’s most talented extensionists and celebrates the craft, creativity and business of hair extensions and is judged by some of the industry’s most respected names. Winners will be announced on Monday 7th February, 2022. Linda Thompson is nominated in the Captivating Colour category and the Creative Innovation category. ‘I’m thrilled to have made the finals’ says Linda. ‘I am passionate about working with extensions and to be recognised alongside such creative stylists is a huge honour.”
where families and children are travelling to school. Green Schools are asking students, schools and families to take individual action towards
improving the air quality around their school by walking and cycling for shorter journeys and to keep the front of school a car-free zone — or at the very
least, turning off the engines. A Green Schools (known internationally as Eco-Schools), is an environmental management education programme and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-school action for the environment, and is operating in 68 countries around the world. The programme is coordinated in Ireland by An Taisce. The Green-Schools programme is based on a seven-step environmental management system and continual improvement process which is very student-led and involves the wider community. Green-Schools is a themed programme with schools initially working on the themes of Litter and Waste and then moving onto themes such as Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship. Schools that successfully implemented the programme are awarded the Green Flag. The award must be renewed every two years to maintain Green-School status.
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Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to form a panel from which future permanent/ temporary positions may be filled.
• ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (GRADE VII) REF: 50/2021 Salary €51,340 – €66,743 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI)
• BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (TEMPORARY 2 YEAR CONTRACT) REF: 51/2021 Salary€51,340 gross per annum CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12 NOON ON THURSDAY 9TH DECEMBER, 2021 SHARP. Application Forms and further details may be obtained from Enterprise & Corporate Services at 0404 20159 or by emailing recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie and on the Wicklow County Council website www.wicklow.ie. Wicklow County Council reserves the right to shortlist candidates in the manner it deems most appropriate. Wicklow County Council Is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Lorraine Gallagher, Director of Services, Enterprise & Corporate Services, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Phone: 0404 20159, Fax: 0404 20112 Email: recruitment@wicklowcoco.ie
Value your Vote!
Register by 25 November Reg i st erCheck b y .....the Draft Register of Electors by 25 November 2021 The Draft Register of Electors is on display at your local Council offices, Garda Stations, libraries, post offices and online at www.checktheregister.ie until 25 November 2021.
Ch eck t h e Dr af t Reg i st er of El ect or s b y 2 5 Nov em b er 2 0 1 7 The Draft Register of Electors is on display at your City/ County/ City and County Council’s offices, Garda Stations, Libraries, Post Offices and online at w w w .ch eck t h er eg i st er .i e until 25 November 2017
If you will be aged 18 or over on 15 February 2022 check that your name, address and other details are present and correct on the Draft Register. If there is a mistake, tell your local Council before 25 November 2021.
If on 15 February 2018 you are aged 18 or over check that your name, address and other details are present and correct on the Draft Register. If there is a mistake, tell your local Council b ef or e 2 5 Nov em b er 2 0 1 7
Recycled paper
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November 23, 2021
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 08/11/1844
Irish Ind 07/11/1924
Irish Press 01/11/1963
Freemans Jrn, 29/11/1921
Ev Press 28/11/1979
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wicklowvoice.ie November 23, 2021