wicklowvoice inside: FREE
May 28,24, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, August 2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
.ie
20,000 copies
FREE
Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
02
August 24, 2021
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August 3, 2021
wicklowvoice inside: FREE
May 28,24, 2015, t: 01 901 5556/7, August 2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
.ie
20,000 copies
‘They’re not bust’
FREE
Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
Bray shopping centre builders expected back on site soon as Penneys deal nears the finish line BUildING contractors working on Bray Central shopping centre are expected back on site in the coming weeks. Lack of activity recently had led to speculation that the developers Oakmount, and the main building contractors, Glenbrier, had gone bust. A meeting between Oakmount and Wicklow County Council is expected to take place in early September to finalise a schedule with an update expected shortly
after that. Meanwhile, Penneys are believed to be finalising the legal process which will see them become the anchor tenant at the development. Once that deal is complete, the other retail tenants will be confirmed with Oakmount having lease agreements or commitments in place on nearly 80% of the total letting space. “My understanding is that there is only a few weeks’ worth of work left onsite,” President of Bray & District Chamber of
Commerce Ruth Donnelly told the Wicklow Voice. “While the recent Covid delays have been unfortunate, the finish line is in sight and the benefit to the town will be great once it is complete, even if it is behind schedule. “Personally, I cannot wait for it to be open, and we can move on from all the negativity that has surrounded the issue for decades, and specifically in the last few weeks from people looking to put a spin on matters.”
The retail-led scheme, which has been dogged by delays since the development proposals were first mooted in 1996, was due to open in Spring 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic. “Activity on site of late is at a minimum due to the negative impact Covid has had on the construction industry as a whole. a spokesperson for Wicklow County Council told the Wicklow Voice.
Continued on next page
Country music fans twins Florence and Freddie Flanagan (4) at the launch of the Marie Keating Foundation’s Concert4Cancer on August 27 on Virgin Media One. Pic: Andres Poveda
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COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
COVID-19 OUTBREAK Don’#t forget to wash your hands
August 24, 2021
‘Mindless’ vandals destroy Alan’s Teddy Bear display
‘Mindless’ That’s the verdict in Bray after a local man’s Teddy Bear display was vandalised in Corke Abbey. Many of the soft toys were pulled down and thrown around, with some ripped apart. Resident Alan Quinn had put the cuddly creatures on railings around his house to brighten up the area, with his neighbours giving unwanted toys to the project. The act of destruction vandalism occurred in the early hours of August 19 and anyone with information can contact Gardai.
Builders expected back on site
Continued from previous page “Labour shortage, material shortages and sub contractors availability . “Oakmount have had a lot of products fabricated off site and delivered to site. This is to try and maximise productivity on site when the site is fully open. “Over the last couple of weeks Oakmount have concentrated on keeping the site Covid-19 user friendly and in doing so have undertaken a big house keeping exercise. “As a result they have removed plant and small machines that are no longer required. Oakmount are trying to line up all the trades, subcontractors and supplies to come to site in one condensed period, so to get works completed in the most efficient and costly manor. “This is proving to be more difficult than originally expected. In the meantime, all design team work is continuing and there are regular project management call and teams meetings ongoing. “Oakmount are in discussions with the main contractor in order to complete the last few weeks of work required to reach Practical Completion.”
Concern over plans for landfill in quarry
LOCALS have raised concerns over plans to locate one of the country’s largest landfills not far from the National Botanic Gardens in Kilmacurragh. The application from Kilsaran Concrete says it plans to process up to 800,000 tonnes of soil, stone and construction and demolition waste per year at the site near the N11. This would be one of the highest annual volumes of waste and surpasses the 600,000 tonnes of municipal waste handled each year by the incinerator at Poolbeg, Dublin. The proposed facility involves the creation of an inert, lined landfill, a separate construction and demolition waste recovery facility, and a soil washing plant at Ballinclare Quarry. The total capacity of the quarry would be in the region of 6.1 million tonnes. In its application An Bord Pleanála, Kilsaran Concrete to proposes backfilling the existing quarry to the original surrounding ground level. The imported soil and stone waste would principally comprise excess excavated materials generated by construction projects across counties Wicklow, Dublin and Wexford. The application said the work-
ing hours of the facility would be from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 2pm on selected Saturdays. The developers told the board the volumes envisaged work out at 28 to 30 individual HGV/ truck movements in or out of the site every operating hour. They said the projected life of the facility would be between 8.2 years and 17.6 years. Accoding to the Irish Times, locals have said they are horrified at the idea of dozens of lorries travelling on the rural area’s roads every hour of the working day. They have also taken issue with an identified route which takes the lorries around a road south of the Beehive Pub, over which there was a 20-year campaign for a bypass on safety grounds. Cllr Tom Fortune said many of his colleagues were shocked when the plans were put before councillors at a recent meeting. In addition to the roads issue, he said, there were serious concerns about about potential run-off from the landfill into wetlands, the possible environmental impact and tourism implications for the nearby National Botanic Gardens at Kilmacurragh
Ruth Donnelly to take up FF role
outgoing President of Bray & District Chamber of Commerce Ruth Donnelly has been named as the new Fianna Fáil local area representative for Bray. The local business woman is well-known as the Sales Director of Braybased AlphaCC. “I am honoured to be appointed as the LEA for Fianna Fáil in Bray, having been born and raised in the town I know what a fantastic place the town is to live and also the challenges it faces, said the Bray-native. “Having spent the last two
years as the President of Bray Chamber I have seen the effect the pandemic has had particularly on the business community in the town and I will aim to ensure that these issues are addressed by Wicklow County Council.” Announcing the appointment, Taoiseach & party leader Micheál Martin said “I am delighted that Ruth has agreed to join the party as our Bray LEA. “With her local knowledge and involvem ent in many community initiatives, I know she will be a strong voice.”
August 24, 2021
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August 24, 2021
opinion&comment
When Government takes aim it often shoots itself in the foot
M
i n i s t e r S i m o n Coveney this week promised, for a second t i m e , that the Government will examine the system by which Special Envoys are appointed to the United Nations. That shouldn’t take long because there isn’t one. Ministers identify an issue they want to highlight at the UN and come up with someone they think would be perfect for the job. If they can get the Cabinet to ratify their choice, then it’s a done deal. UN Special Envoy is a shortterm, part-time role that pays around €15,000 a year. The appointments usually go unnoticed both by the public and the media. Katherine Zappone was appointed two years ago to lobby
Michael Wolsey
for our election to the UN Security Council . Who knew? Last March, Tom Arnold, a man with experience of both the United Nations and the food industry, was appointed special envoy on food systems. Who cared? Other countries make similar appointments, and not only to the UN. Britain, for instance, recently appointed the former Ireland rugby international Trevor Ringland as a special envoy to the US to lobby on behalf of industry in Northern Ireland. Was anybody bothered? Such appointments have never been controversial and wouldn’t be now if it hadn’t been for the cack-handed attempt to appoint Ms Zappone for a second time, a piece of bungling, spectacular even by the standards of a Government that specialises in making sows’ ears out of silk purses. The first problem was the job
description: Special Envoy on Freedom of Opinion and Expression. Foreign Minister Coveney says he didn’t just dream up that one, but you don’t have to be a Sinn Féin spokesperson to view his claim with suspicion. What does the title mean and why do we need one? What unique insights on freedom of expression and opinion does Ireland wish to share with the world? And why didn’t Mr Coveney share them with Taoiseach Micheál Martin who had no advance warning of the appointment but let it sail through the Cabinet nonetheless. The attempt to appoint a very able politician to a completely unnecessary job, segued into a row over the Tanaiste’s attendance at a function organised by Ms Zappone and ended with her turning down the envoy role. It caused huge embarrassment to all members of the Government coalition and demonstrated, not
for the first time, a total inability to communicate, with each other and the public. It should not be that way. No previous government has ever employed so many special advisers, spin doctors and PR gurus. Dozens of journalists with whom I once worked on national newspapers have turned from press poacher to government gamekeeper. And a poor hand they are making of it. Covid-19 has been the dominant national issue for the whole lifetime of this Government and, by and large, it has handled things well. The vaccination programme has been a huge success. The return to normality has been hesitant, but for every critic of caution there is a nervous Nellie urging ministers not to go too fast. On balance they have probably got it right. Yet time and again, Government success has been overshadowed by mixed mes-
sages from Cabinet, contradictory ministerial statements and confusion over rules and how they should be enforced. Every time the Government takes aim at a problem it shoots itself in the foot. When it should have been celebrating the achievements of its vaccinators, it was fighting the fires Leo Varadkar lit with his ill-advised attendance at the Zappone function. It could have been rejoicing in the return of fans to sports events and the extension of outdoor gatherings but these triumphs were made to look like shifty, retrospective, coverups, devised to get the Tanaiste off the hook. It is ministers, not advisers, who cause the problems, but the Government employs an army of advisers to help avoid them. They are being paid with taxpayers’ money to make the Government look good and it adds insult to injury that they are doing such a poor job of it.
August 24, 2021
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August 24, 2021
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Pelagic Magic
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
Manx Shearwater (Photo – Brian Carruthers) August and September heralds the annual seabird migration when thousands of seabirds are leaving their breeding colonies to head back to their wintering quarters. Birders in turn migrate to headlands along the Western and South-western seaboard to stare out to sea to catch distant views of these birds as they stream by far out on the horizon. So how to get closer to the birds for better views? Well, the obvious thing is to take to a boat and travel out to sea where they are! Chuck some chum in the water and wait for the birds to come! Chum, a mixture of fish bits, blood and oil, is like crack-cocaine for seabirds – they go mad for the stuff. Before you know it the boat will be surrounded by all manner of seabirds – Stormpetrels, Skuas, Shearwaters and the much sought after, rarity, Wilson’s Storm-petrel. These tiny, dainty, seabirds are southern hemisphere breeders who winter in the northern hemisphere and literally “dance” across the chum-slick! These boat trips are known as “pelagics”, so named after the birds they hope to track down, which are pelagic species. Pelagic birds are ones that inhabit the open sea only returning to shore to breed. Sightings of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and other marine-megafauna such as Sunfish and Bluefin Tuna are welcome added bonuses on these trips. Recent pelagic trips from Cape Clear and Baltimore in West Cork have thrown up 22 species of seabird, several species of marine mammal and Bluefin Tuna. If you wish to experience the magic for yourself then check out Paul Connaughton’s Shearwater Wildlife Tours (www. shearwaterwildlifetours.com ) which have West Cork pelagic trips running through to October.
Wilson’s Storm-petrel (Photo – Brian Carruthers)
TV of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
the lotus and the tiger Lizzy Shorthall
Ireland’s Garden Heroes RTE1, 8.30pm, Thursday 19th August
stillwater Cinemas nationwide
KILKENNY-based author Lizzy Shortall found novel-writing a cathartic way to process the pain associated with losing her brother, Lar, to suicide and her new book, The Lotus and the Tiger is a story of one woman’s determination to find and live the life she loves. While writing the book, Lizzy, who is a former social worker, trained to teach mindfulness for wellbeing. Like the protagonist in her book, Lucy, is a strong believer in the benefits of practising both mindfulness and gratitude and the evidence is seen in a story that is a heartwarming and valuble tale for those struggling to deal with grief.
IF you haven’t had your fill of home and garden DIY programmes, then you can always join horticulturalist Jimi Blake, garden designer Niall Maxwell and landscape designer Ingrid Swan as they seek out the best amateur gardeners to celebrate the joy of transforming your own little space. This week, the green-fingered gang head to counties Offaly, Laois and Co Kilkenny. The series dispenses with the fashionable garden makeover format in favour of exploring the story of each garden and what it personally means for its owners.
LOOSELY based on the events in the Amanda Knox case—Knox herself wishes she had been left out of the story— Stillwater stars Matt Damon as an American oil-rig roughneck who heads to Marseille, France, to visit his estranged daughter, in prison for a murder she claims she didn’t commit. Confronted with language barriers, cultural differences and a complicated legal system, he soon builds a new life for himself as he makes it his personal mission to exonerate her. You’re getting a ‘thoughtful’ Damon instead of the kick-ass one here, so bear that in mind.
show of the week
festival of the week
FAMILY DAY of the week
AriesBreak free of outdated routines. Physical action gets results; consider consequences of moves before making them. Slow down to avoid accidents. TaurusExpect the unexpected with fun and romance today. Keep an open mind and flexible schedule. Patience serves you well. GeminiDomestic matters may not go as planned. Make repairs, and keep everyone fed. Reward cooperation with delicious treats. CancerWatch for hidden pitfalls along the road. Distractions and interruptions abound. Listen and learn. Things are starting to make sense. LeoAvoid expensive risk or distraction. Listen to intuition. Not everyone has your best interests at heart. Focus on the job at hand.
THE VISIT Draíocht Blanchardstown 13 – 16 October DRAIOCHT Blanchardstown presents awardwinning playwright Deirdre Kinahan’s The Visit, directed by Veronica Coburn and opening as part of Dublin Theatre Festival. Based on Kinahan’s play YES, it concerns a woman who opens up her front door to find a world of new possibilities, after the death of her dominating and deeply controlling husband. This funny, heart-warming, touching new play explores a hidden social reality we are only beginning to understand. Tickets are €18 and are available to book now from: www.draiocht.ie/whats-on/the-visit-by-deirdrekinahan
single of the week
dunmore east bluegrass festival bluegrassireland.blogspot.com/2021/05/26thdunmore-east-bluegrass-festival.html aldi IF you’ve been a missing a bit of foot tappin’ as you’ve traipsed around the four walls of your house during the pandemic, then the coastal village of Dunmore East is the only place to be. Fans of bluegrass, Americana, blues, country, rhythm ‘n’ roots can expect top class acts for this year’s 26th Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival. Info on who is actually playing is still a bit scant, but keep an eye on the blog for further details. Pictured: Dunmore East (just insert imaginary musician of choice in there with banjo or other suitable instrument).
charity of the week
waterford walls festival www.thewallsproject.ie/waterford-walls/ GIVEN the weather recently, you might have been walking around Waterford with head bowed down. But take a moment to look up and marvel at the Waterford Walls international street art event, which is now celebrating its seventh year. International artists have been getting involved painting the walls of the city, with many spin-off outdoor events taking place too, including workshops, live music and family outings. The best way to keep up with all that is going on is to download the dedicated app from the link above. The festival runs until August 22nd.
business of the week
VirgoThink about where you’re going before leaping ahead. Obstacles lie around the corner. Keep your eyes, ears and mind open. LibraA stroke of genius could occur to you. Don’t act on it yet. Make private plans, visions and dreams. Speculate and consider. Review and strategize. ScorpioAvoid gambling or risky business, especially with friends and teams. You don’t have the full story. Prioritize fundamental responsibilities, and stay in communication. Sagittarius-
Allow time in your work schedule for unexpected interruptions or chaos. Keep your cool under pressure.
let the hippies rule Jake Green
Alzheimer’s Memory Walk www.alzheimer.ie
urban movement scooters www.urbanmovement.ie (from €399-€499)
A TIMELY message from Wicklow singer/ songwriter Jake Green, who has been slowly dropping singles on streaming services. This hip (excuse the pun) Indie pop/rock single is the perfect balm for a season when the news from just about every corner of the globe has been grim. It bounces along at a road trip pace leading the listener back to the days of the Summer of Love. We need more positive vibes. Available on Spotify and all other services, by going to: songwhip.com/jakegreen/letthehippiesrule
Virgin Media’s Martin King and Pamela Laird are appealing to you to take part in the second Virtual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, which is taking place nationwide on Sunday, 19th September during World Alzheimer’s Month 2021. The charity needs 5,000 walkers to help raise €250,000 for vital services that are helping to support so many people with dementia and their family carers across Ireland. Register now online; entry prices are €7 for kids and €18 for adults.
LOOKING for a Greener way to get about? Powered by rechargeable batteries, E-Scooters are free from emissions, making them an essential choice for those wishing to reduce their carbon footprint, and also save some much-needed coin which otherwise is spent on filling up the petrol tank. With car pollution one of the major causes of global warming, Urban Movement scooters are the cleaner, greener choice for the modern commuter. Don’t forget your hi-viz vest. A nice green one!
CapricornYour journey could present unplanned deviations or barriers. Stay flexible. Refine your agenda as you go. AquariusCosts may be higher than expected. Resist the temptation to splurge. Changes necessitate budget revisions. PiscesPatience with your partner pays off. Take complaints to someone who can do something about them. Listen, and let the other know they’re heard.
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August 24, 2021
education2021
Vaccination not mandatory for college campus access
... but you will need to show proof of jab get into bars STUDENTS heading to college in September will not have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to access third-level campuses. However, both students and staff will need to show proof of vaccination in order to access indoor college canteens or bars, in line with wider public health rules. A number of higher education sources confirmed that students will be urged to take up offers of a vaccination to ensure they can avail of the “full student experience”. Hundreds of higher education institutions in the US have made vaccination mandatory for students, while some zeroCovid advocates have said it would be “perfectly reasonable” to do the same in Ireland. Dr Tomás Ryan, a neuroscientist at Trinity and
member of the Independent Scientific Advocacy Group, said recently it was “not radical” to require students to be vaccinated. “I don’t see how any university can expect to return to campus as normal. It’s not going to be like that. This will be a gradual process,” Dr Ryan said. “We are going to have to see how the pandemic develops, but I think it’s perfectly reasonable to have mandatory vaccination for students wishing to participate in campus activities. It makes perfect sense.” Senior third-level sources said that, while such steps have been considered, they felt a push to make it mandatory was not necessary given the success of the vaccination campaign so far. The Irish Universities Association, the Technological Higher Education Association
and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland announced the joint approach last week. Their joint statement noted that the vast majority of adults and college students will have been offered the opportunity to be vaccinated by this September. They said “reasonable accommodation” would be made for any member of the research or learning community for whom vaccination is medically contravened. Their implementation plan builds on other advice published by the Department of Further and Higher Education last June on the safe reopening of college campuses. This outlined mitigation measures that will be implemented including mask wearing in shared indoor settings, in accordance with public health advice.
e ve lin n E On atio rm
fo
In nt
Explore Your Options for Further Education and Training in Carlow Interested in finding out about part-time and full-time education and training opportunities with Kilkenny and Carlow ETB? Có-mhaoinithe ag an Aontas Eorpach Co-funded by the European Union
A number of Kilkenny and Carlow ETB Further Education and Training programmes are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
Please join us on
Tuesday 24th August 2021 , 11.00 am to 12.0 0 pm
.
To register for this
one-hour online Log onto
event,
kcetbfet.ie or call
056 7765103
nt
e ve lin n E On atio rm
fo
In
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August 24, 2021
learning works Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)
Certificate (Year 1) and Diploma (Year 2) Further Education and Training (FET) Evening Classes ATI Year 1 Subjects 2021/2022
Fee per Subject
ATI Year 2 Subjects 2021/2022
Fee per Subject
Financial Accounting
€230.00
Advanced Financial Accounting
€230.00
Taxation
€230.00
Advanced Taxation
€230.00
Business Management
€230.00
Management Accounting
€230.00
Business Law
€230.00
Financial Data Management
€230.00
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, FET offer ATI professional training courses in partnership with Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI). Interested in this course? Please log onto www.fetchcourses.ie for more information and to register an expression of interest. Students will also need to register with Accounting Technicians Ireland, please log onto www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie for further information and registration details.
Funding Options for ATI For those in employment, you may be eligible to access funding through the Skills to Advance Initiative. Details of the SOLAS Skills to Advance Initiative can be accessed at https://www.solas.ie/programmes/skills-to-advance, which includes information regarding funding eligibility criteria. Presently not in employment, you may be eligible for funding through the Training Support Grant (TSG),
offered through the DSP. Please contact your local INTREO office for more information and to check your eligibility. This course will run every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm during the academic months of 2021/2022. Course start date: Monday 20th September 2021.
For more information and to register an expression of interest in this course please log onto www.fetchcourses.ie or contact the Adult Education Office (FET), Kilkenny and Carlow ETB at: 056 7765103 adulteducationoffice@kilkennycarlowetb.ie
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August 24, 2021
ADVERTORIAL ADVERTORIAL
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August 24, 2021
RESOURCE WORKER – HISTORY (Leaving Cert History & QQI Level 4 Personal Effectiveness) FIXED TERM CONTRACT – 37 HOURS PER WEEK APPROX (Carlow Youthreach – Ref No: 2021AUG121) Our programme requires a Resource Worker to provide direct class contact and resource duties in the delivery of the programme. A high degree of motivation and commitment to a student-centred model of learning is essential. A panel may be created for the filling of other posts which may arise. Closing Date: Monday, 6 September 2021 (12 noon). Further details and application forms available from: www.kcetb.ie Kilkenny and Carlow ETB is an equal opportunities employer. Youthreach Carlow is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Social Fund and the Youth Employment Initiative as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2021-2027 Provision co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Có-mhaoinithe ag an
AONTAS EORPACH Co-funded by the
EUROPEAN UNION
European Union Investing in your future European Social Fund
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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August 24, 2021
Fast-track your career into the healthcare profession …work as a phlebotomist!
This September sees the return of Geopace Training with their two day phlebotomy training course. An increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals has led to a shortage of allied healthcare workers, especially phlebotomists - the skilled healthcare professionals who take your blood. Demand is high within hospitals as well as many clinics and surgeries and offers a golden opportunity for that “longed for” career change! If you have good people skills, good manual dexterity and like the idea of working in a busy hospital or clinic, a phlebotomist job may be just the right job for you! Many people enter this profession when they are looking for a career change or a fresh start. Phlebotomists often work part time (mornings) but some do work full time as well as weekends and holidays. Blood samples are usually
collected in the mornings and then analysed in the Path Labs in the afternoon. “We train people from all walks of life and all ages” explains Tasmin, office manager. “We’ve had shop assistants, receptionists, beauticians and dental nurses, as well as telesales staff, unemployed, school leavers and the retired” says Tasmin. Once on the healthcare career ladder ambition often drives people to progress to working in the labs and to other specialised departments. Internal promotion is much easier once you are “on the ladder” and have some experience. Many hundreds of Geopace trainees are now working as phlebotomists and a few have even chosen to work abroad where there is often a shortage and growing demand for
this specialised skill. If you like the idea of a career in healthcare then this may be just the job for you! Training takes place over two full days and culminates in the award of a UK nationally recognised and accredited certificate. “We practice on artificial arms”, says Tasmin. “And all our students have a lot of fun learning. We get a great deal of satisfaction when we later learn that they are working in their local hospital or medical facility”. The next course in Dublin is scheduled for Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September. If you would like to know more about phlebotomy as a career or to book a place on the September course visit Geopace Training’s website at www.geopace.net
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August 24, 2021
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August 24, 2021
opinion&comment
Climate crisis not climate change
C
limate change seems to have made its way back into the headlines in recent weeks. Rightly so something so important should never have been off our radars, but has been relegated down the news order during the last 18 months because of the pandemic. Not that it makes pleasant reading seeing headlines like ‘Dublin to be submerged by 2050’ or other prophecies of that ilk; the implications of climate change are brutally sobering. Perhaps there’s a danger though of the severity of the message leading to apathy, strange as that may sound. If something is portrayed as so hopeless a cause and so inevitable to happen, then people may just switch off and enjoy the ride until we crash into the wall. The possibility of reversing climate change is a ship that has sailed, as far as I’m concerned. It is already happening and will get worse in the coming decades.
But there is hope. We just need to change the narrative from trying to stop climate change to focusing on mitigating the effects of it and learning how to adapt and live with it. Greta Thunberg summed this up well in some social media posts last week, to mark the third anniversary of her school strike. We need to stop talking about ‘climate change’ and start using the words ‘climate crisis’, because that’s exactly what the situation is, a crisis. Crisis focuses attention better and forces action. The Covid-19 pandemic was - and remains a crisis, and swift action followed. As I scientist I have been impressed by how quickly the scientific cavalry rode to the rescue during the Covid pandemic. Vaccines were developed, approved, manufactured and distributed with lightning-quick speed. Everyone – scientists, politicians, businesses – were pulling in the same direction, and when everyone is aligned like this progress can be rapid. Imagine if this approach was
Miriam O’Callaghan at the launch of Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice which takes place n September 23. Pic: Tom Honan
applied to climate change. Not to trying to stop it, but to trying to offset the worst damage that is to be dished out.
Progress could be quick, effective and lasting. We just need to see a collective will to tackle the issue, like we did with Co-
vid. It’s quite likely that what science will offer up as gamechangers in the climate debate won’t be things that we are fa-
miliar with yet. Electric cars will give way to hydrogen cars, which is a much more viable long-term alternative to petrol or diesel. I changed my car this year and went for a petrol model, having done some research I was shocked to discover that over its lifetime an electric car I was looking at would do more damage to the planet than the petrol one I bought, when you factor in things like the sourcing and disposal of the batteries. Likewise with renewable energies. Wind and solar will only go so far and the ultimate solution is something like nuclear fusion, the elusive good cousin to nuclear fission. Fusion will be everything fission isn’t, namely cheap, safe, unlimited and clean. We just need to pump the funding into making it become reality. So, time to pivot. Fear needs to be replaced by hope. Time to stop chasing the impossibility of stopping climate change and embrace the challenge of finding workable solutions that will help us live in a changed world. - Brian Quigley
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August 24, 2021
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August 24, 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 14/08/1851
Evening Her 02/08/1939
Irish Press, 04/08/1947
Irish Press 07/08/1964
Irish Ind, 25/08/1932
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Ardmore Studios sold again
BRAY’S Ardmore Studios in and Troy Studios in Limerick have been acquired by a joint venture of Hackman Capital Partners and its affiliate The MBS Group, and Square Mile Capital. The partnership owns the world’s largest independent studio and media portfolio, which now includes approximately €3.6 billion in media real estate assets and exclusively services over 360 sound stages within its MBS Group network of 65+ locations across 46 cities and four countries. With the addition of the Irish film and television studios to their global studio portfolio, the partnership further bolsters its reputation for best-in-class production facilities throughout the world’s global production hubs. Ardmore Studiosis the country’s most famous studio facility with over 140,000 sq ft of sound stages and some 160,000 sq ft of support buildings. The iconic studio campus has contributed to Irish cultural history for over 60 years. Both Ardmore and Troy studios will continue to operate with their existing branding.
Join 100 volunteers as they clean up Wicklow beaches
Registrations for the Big Beach Clean only opened a couple of weeks ago but already 5,000 volunteers have signed up to receive free clean-up kits to tackle litter in over 200 different locations. In County Wicklow, over 100 volunteers have already signed up to carry out clean-ups in different locations across the county. Earlier this summer, four beaches in Wicklow have retained their coveted Blue Flag status - Wicklow, Brittas Bay North and South beaches, Bray South Promenade and Greystones. The Big Beach Clean is an annual call-to-action organised by Clean Coasts that calls volunteers to remove litter from our coasts at the end of the bathing season, as part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), operated internationally by Ocean Conservancy. This year, the initiative will run between September 17-19, which is also the same weekend as World Clean-up Day. Communities and volunteers across the country are invited to register their own clean-ups in any location in Ireland, no matter how far from the coast.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to form a panel from which future temporary/ permanent positions may be filled.
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PERMANENT ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN GRADE II REF: 31/2021 Salary €27,926 – €43,546 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI)
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PERMANENT TECHNICIAN GRADE I REF: 32/2021 Salary €40,900 – €48,941 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI)
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PERMANENT SENIOR EXECUTIVE TECHNICIAN REF: 33/2021 Salary €46,606 – €56,186 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI)
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August 24, 2021
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (TEMPORARY 5 YEAR CONTRACT POST ANALOGOUS TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER G.VII) REF: 34/2021 Salary €50,832 – 66,082 gross per annum (includes 2nd LSI) CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS IS 12 NOON ON THURSDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 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
Alternatively, Clean Coasts will be facilitating a number of clean-ups in several counties, for people who wish to join them. Places will be limited, so make sure you check the calendar of events and register your interest through Clean Coasts’ website or social media. The Big Beach Clean is also an opportunity for volunteers to get involved in a worldwide c i t i z e n s c i e n c e project, which entails collecting the amount and types of litter on Irish beaches and filling in Clean Coasts’ Marine Litter Data Cards. This will help heighten awareness about the issue of marine litter serving as an indicator of the magnitude of the problem. Public participation through Citizen Science is the key concept in which everyone does their small part to increase knowledge and provides a lifeline to scientists that would
Cheers! Local firm turns wine into logs
As our love affair with barbequing and wine continues, a Wicklow company has cleverly combined the two and is launching Eco Fire and BBQ Logs, made entirely from grape seeds. The logs, which are a 100% recycled product and the first to come onto the Irish market are a by product of South Africa’s booming wine industry, which has some 10 million hectares of vineyards producing millions of gallons of wine per annum and is one of the top ten wine producing countries in the world. John Mulder of Eco Fire and BBQ Logs Ireland, based in Redcross, says the revolutionary product is set to transform the way we BBQ our food. “We’re hugely excited about this product. It’s a complete winner from so many perspectives. The logs are truly a unique product suitable for recreational BBQ’s and domestic heating with so many of the prerequisites that meet the drive to go green.”
not have the capacity to carry out this research alone and the data collected contributes to a growing body of knowledge, helping to reveal patterns and trends, identify areas for further research and even inform policy. The benefits of citizen science, however, are not only confined to the scientific community. T a k i n g part in these collaborative efforts also promotes a c t i v e citizenship, increases environmental awareness, and enables people to be part of a bigger picture. Statistics show that the number one cause of marine litter is litter dropped in towns and cities. This is why the Big Beach Clean will once more be open to all residents of Ireland, no matter how far from the coast they are based, thanks to the involvement of the National Spring Clean Programme.
FitzPatrick plans second four-bed house in Burnaby Seán FitzPatrick has applied to build a second four-bedroom house in Greystones’ Burnaby. The former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, who was declared bankrupt in 2010, and his wife, Caitriona, have applied to Wicklow county council for permission to build another fourbedroom house in the grounds of Meadow Garden, a derelict fire-damaged property on about two thirds of an acre. The couple were granted permission for a fourbedroom, two-storey modernstyle home on the site late last year following an appeal to An Bord Pleanala. Now they have lodged plans to divide the site up and incorporate a second fourbedroom, two-storey home in the former grounds of Meadow Garden. The couple bought the neighbouring property two decades ago.
In 2012 it was gutted by fire while Mr FitzPatrick lost control of the site when he was made bankrupt in 2010 with debts of €147m, but his wife bought it back from his bankruptcy trustee in 2019. Mr FitzPatrick was discharged from bankruptcy in 2014. Mrs FitzPatrick had earlier purchased her husband’s share in the family home on Whitshed Road for €430,000 from the bankruptcy official, allowing the couple to remain in their long-term home. The couple have yet to start building the first home, which got permission in December last year, according to a report in the Sunday Times. In the fresh application, lodged earlier this month, they say that adding a second home to the site will result in a density of 7.8 units per hectare, which is under the threshold of ten permitted in Wicklow’s county development plan.
August 24, 2021
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wicklowvoice.ie August 24, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines
If your child is aged 12 to 15, they will be offered a free COVID-19 vaccine next.
COVID-19 usually causes mild to moderate illness in this age group, but it can cause more severe illness. All children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a vaccine, but they are especially important for children who: • have long-term health conditions • live with someone who is more at risk from COVID-19
The quickest and easiest way to register is on hse.ie.
Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered the COVID-19 Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
To register, you will need your child’s Personal Public Service (PPS) number. You will also need an Eircode, mobile phone number and email address. If you don’t have any of these or you don’t want to register online, call HSELive on 1800 700 700.
They will need two doses of the vaccine for the best possible protection.
When to register Registration is open now.
#ForUsAll For more information or to register visit hse.ie or freephone 1800 700 700
Most children will be vaccinated at HSE vaccination centres. You’ll get an appointment for your child by text message 3-7 days before their vaccination. Participating pharmacies can also give vaccines to this age group. Talk to your pharmacist or check hse.ie for a list. A parent or legal guardian will need to give consent. Find out more about this on hse.ie or by calling HSELive.
COVID-19 vaccines are helping to protect our communities, but COVID-19 is still infecting people. If you’re aged 16 or over and you haven’t registered yet, please register now, online or on the phone. You can also go to a walk-in clinic, or talk to your local pharmacy. If you have questions about your COVID-19 vaccine, we have answers you can trust on hse.ie.