wicklowvoice overall business of the year at the bray chamber of Commerce endeavour awards
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
wicklowvoice overall business of the year at the bray chamber of Commerce endeavour awards
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Property tax hiked by 10%
WICKLOW County Councillors have voted to increase the Local Property Tax by 10% next year. The decision will raise a total of €1.724m in much-needed revenue for the Council. The increase was passed by a 21 councillors out of 32. “Not one single Councillor I spoke with over the past weeks wanted to increase property tax but the more responsible members understood the serious budget issues and services cuts we are facing this year and that we needed to take some action,” Cllr Steven Matthews of the Green Party said. “I do not shy away from standing over decisions … I believe that the majority of people, while unhappy about paying a tax will understand why I made the decision, and see that the core issue here lies with government and the tax itself, and not with councillors who are left between a rock
and a hard place. Councillors did not introduce this tax!” According to the Council, the additional revenue will be ringfenced to meet the requirement to provide match funding for a number of new projects under the National Development Plan including: • Blessington Greenway Project • Arklow Historic Town Centre • Bray Public Transport Bridge • New Library/Redevelopment of Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow • Greystones CCTV Scheme • Avonmore Way Link Bridge
Beau Duggan (10), Anna O’Reilly (12), Alice O’Reilly (9) and Milo Kane (11).at he launch of the #BeActive Night Fun Run taking place on September 28 on Bray Beach. Register for free today on www.wicklowlsp.ie. Pic: Joe Keogh » Lots more pictures from around the county inside
“Since the introduction of the property tax funding to Wicklow County Council has decreased considerably,” Sinn Fein TD John Brady said. “It is a failed tax that needs to be abolished. The councillors today have taken a decision to force Wicklow residents to pay for the shortcomings of the government.”
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04| NEWS news in brief Lions Club seeks young ambassador Bray Lions Club has begun its search for a Young Ambassador who will represent the club in an international competition. The Lions Young Ambassador programme rewards young people (aged under 19 in June 2020), who are making a contribution to their local community through voluntary work, sporting activity or good citizenship. Young people who wish to participate should contact Gillian Heath, Bray Lions Club on 085 1408983 or at hthgill@ yahoo.ie
Tidy Towns annual general meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Bray Tidy Towns will take place at 7.30pm on October 30 in the Strand Hotel, Caffe Vergnano - Library Room. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, helpers, organisers, businesses and all who made our year a productive one. All welcome. Agenda will include: Minutes of Previous AGM, Annual Report, Financial Report, Election of Committee Members--
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
Jurassic Park film shot in Powerscourt
FOR a nation that loves the sound of its own voice, seemingly the “Irish can keep a secret” according to the director of a Jurassic Park short film that was shot here. Colin Trevorrow, director of Battle at Big Rock, has revealed how the movie which was shot in the Powerscourt Estate. “We shot it in Ireland last winter. They have a grove of redwood trees that look exactly like the national parks in Northern California. “I honestly never thought we’d make it this far without getting found out.
“The Irish can keep a secret. “No one’s ever shot a Jurassic movie in Ireland, the crew was fired up. “The cast was fully committed to making 8 minutes that could stand alongside the movies.” In the short, dinosaurs live in the wild now, with humans and dinosaurs battling to co-exist. The film features a family on a camping trip whose visit is interrupted by a large herbivore trundling past their caravan, and a battle ensues. Featuring Selma and Moonlight actor Andre
Holland and End of Watch’s Natalie Martinez, it was completed in five days with a small crew. He added: “We had two child actors, a giant animatronic dinosaur and a baby. “It shouldn’t have worked, but it did.” Speaking about the bestkept secret in Wicklow, Managing Director Sarah Slazenger said: “We are thrilled that the prestigious Jurassic Park movie series chose Powerscourt and Ireland as the location for their latest release.”
Rare blue lobster caught A VERY RARE blue lobster has been caught off the coast of Wicklow. A fish wholesaler based in Co. Meath discovered it after fresh delivery of 60 lobsters came in. Staff at Nick’s Fish in Ashbourne were astonished when they noticed the “one-in-twomillion lobster” in a delivery container. It’s believed to be one of only a small number of blue lobsters ever caught off the Irish coast. It’s since been named Betty Blue and Nick’s Fish staff have notified the Irish Sea Fisheries Protection Authorities in Co. Louth, who plan to release her back into the sea. Exactly why some lobsters are blue no one knows for sure, but many believe it’s because if a genetic mutation which causes the animal to produce an excessive amount of protein, resulting in a bright blue hue. Betty Blue will now stay at Nick’s Fish until she’s released back into the wild.
Hundreds of homes face being swallowed by the sea
Hundreds of homes in Wicklow face being washed into the sea if doomsday predictions for climate change come through. Coastal communities in Bray, Greystones, Kilcoole, Newcastle, Wicklow Town and down to Arklow will bear the brunt if sea levels rise by a predicted one metre. The worrying forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at the United Nations this would lead to devastating impacts for the country’s main cities and dozens of seaside towns and villages within a 5km radius of the coast. Nearly 50% of the country’s population live within 5km of the sea and local authorities in Dublin have warned in recent weeks that the sea level in Dublin Bay has risen at twice the global rate. As reported in the last edition of the Wicklow Voice, the DART is in danger of falling into the sea also and coastal flooding is a key concern of the climate adaptation plans recently adopted by the councils of Dublin city, Dún LaoghaireRathdown and Fingal. Levels rose 6-7mm per year which, combined with stronger and more frequent storm surges, has caused serious flooding in the capital. Professor Andy Wheeler of the School of Environmental Sciences at University College Cork said while the scenario seemed extreme, it was a very possible outcome if global
warming was not tackled. “It’s a solid prediction, based on science. It’s not alarmist or provocative.” The IPCC report warns that 680m people living in coastal areas around the world are at risk from rising sea levels and storm surges as polar ice, mountain snow and glaciers begin to melt. Prof Wheeler said, however, that flood protection would be ineffective in the scenarios presented in the IPCC report. “You would see large parts of our main cities under water, massive displacement of people and ultimately little choice but to move the cities inland,” he said. “We tend to think of the IPCC reports as being global but not really relevant to Ireland but this report has great significance for Ireland. This is not just about the Maldives and South Pacific islands, this is about us. “What’s really sobering is that greenhouse gas emissions globally are increasing and we’re not really tackling it and time is running out.” But apart from the loss of land, homes, businesses and infrastructure threatened by rising sea levels, the melting ice is having other damaging effects. The IPCC report warns that as the oceans warm, they are becoming more acidic and unable to support as much fish life as before. Shellfish - of major importance to Ireland’s fishing fleet are particularly vulnerable and are dwindling in numbers.
O’Brien to run for Labour
Former SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has withdrawn his name from the Labour Party ticket in Wicklow for the upcoming General Election. New councillor Paul O Brien, based in Wicklow town, will now put his name forward. The Labour Party Constituency Executive decided
to recommend that Mr O’Brien should replace Mr O’Connor as their candidate for the next General Election. The decision was made on the proposal of Jack O’Connor himself, the Labour Party said. Explaining his decision to stand down, Mr O’Connor said the time has come for a new generation to take up the mantle.
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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06 | news in brief Shankill Classical Music Club
The next meeting will be on Wed 2nd October. Classical music on CDs: all genres orchestral, instrumental, vocal, opera etc. Usual venue: Shankill Day Centre, Lower Rd, Shankill, 7.45-10.00 pm. 100 yds from the main street, car parking available. Visitors and new members always welcome. €2 on the night, tea and biscuits at the interval. Just come along, or see further details of the club on www.shankillclassical. org, or ring or text John on 087-2109175.
Beach cleanup The Big Beach Clean 2019 took place between September 20-22 all over Ireland and record-breaking numbers have been reported, making this year campaign the biggest yet! In Wicklow, 10 clean-ups were organised, where approximately 200 volunteers got involved, removing over 1 tonne of litter all over the region.
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
Inside Saoirse’s €1.5m home
Well it was lovely while it lasted … Saoirse Ronan has put her Greystones house on the market for €1.5m just two years after buying it. The Oscar nominated actor, previously rumoured to be dating singer Hozier who lives just down the road in Newcastle,
has decided to up sticks and move to Notting Hill. It is thought that her decision to sell the fivebedroom house is motivated by her spending more time in London and New York for work. The Carlow-born actress is believed to have bought a three-bedroom terraced house in Notting Hill a year ago, forking out €1.5m for it. The Golden Globe-winner moved into Pine Lodge in 2017 and has since 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.
SPENDING on urgent and emergency care in Ireland varies greatly depending on the patient’s address, with Carlow, Kilkenny and Wicklow considerably down the scale according to a new study. The research from Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork examined variation in per capita spending on GPs, ambulances, Emergency Departments and local injury units by county and by region. It found Louth tops the table at €207 per capita on urgent and emergency care while Carlow and Kilkenny receiving €40 per capita and Wicklow just over €46. The researchers said that hospital emergency care resources were “highly skewed” to the North East of the country and away from the recently reordered South and Mid-West regions.
Lead author Dr Steve Thomas, Director of Health Policy and Engagement, School of Medicine Trinity College Dublin, said: “The access to urgent and emergency hospital services differs widely for residents of different counties and regions which immediately raises issues of fairness of access to care.” When it comes to spending on ambulances per capita, it ranges from just over €17 in Meath to over four times that amount in Roscommon at just over €71. In 22 counties which have Departments, Emergency spending per capita ranges from a high of €152 in Louth to just over €13 in Monaghan. The study found the pattern of spending on ambulance services was inconsistent. Many rural counties on the Western seaboard such as Donegal, Clare, Kerry,
We’re the sick man of Ireland for health spend
Roscommon and Leitrim are relatively well resourced. The pattern is not consistent as Mayo and Cork, also with dispersed rural populations, are not well served”, noted the study. “Instead, the highest level of resource per capita funding appears to be in the Midland counties of Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.” The research, published in BMC Health Services Research, examined expenditure, staffing, access and activity data gathered from Government sources, individual facilities and service providers, health professionals, and private firms. The authors concluded the results showed inequities in overall resource allocation by county and partially by region. Dr Thomas said an initial draft of the findings had been sent to key managers in the Department of Health.
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08 | news in brief St Michael’s House appeal St. Michael’s House, one of Ireland’s largest providers of community-based services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, has launched their 2019 Home Sharing respite scheme. As part of the scheme, ordinary people in the community are recruited, assessed, trained and supported to provide short breaks in their home for a child or adult with a disability. For more information about Home Sharing please visit: https://www.smh.ie/services/ home-sharing.html
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
Cheers! Wicklow Wolf opens up new brewery
St Michael’s House appeal International aid agency, GOAL, is inviting primary school pupils from Wicklow to share their local actions for global change through its exciting new Changemakers Award. The Award aims to show young people that a sustainable and fair future is achievable through the right actions. Entries to be submitted online via email to goalchangemakers@goal. ie or by post by sending it to GOAL, by December 20, 2019.
Co-founders Simon Lynch and Quincey Fennelly at the launch of Wicklow Wolf’s new brewery in Newtownmountkennedy . Pic: Andres Poveda We’re only here for the beers! And what fine beers they were too ... Wicklow Wolf opened it’s new state-of-the-art brewery in Newtownmountkennedy recently to a packed house full of family, friends and some wellknown faces. The launch coincides with a
number of key milestones including the brand’s fifth birthday, a complete rebrand and the move from bottle to can packaging. Guests enjoyed a welcome beer of Elevation and sampled some of the food on offer from Bray’s very own Platform Pizza before taking a tour around
Darryl Myrphy and Conor Duggan the new Catherine brewery and Fiona and all of O’Carroll its features. Damn Fine Print was on hand offering attendees the chance to screenprint a bespoke Wicklow Wolf tote bag to keep as a momento from the event. Friends of the brand were then invited to join the pack and become part of the new brewery’s history by signing their name on a large scale mural to mark their attendance at the event. Meanwhile, a local bluegrass band provided the soundtrack for the evening and created a Andrew Doyle TD and his wife Anne lively and jovial atmosphere. Speaking at the launch, CoFounders of Wicklow Wolf, brewhouse, tanks Quincey Fennelly and Simon and canning Lynch said, “This brewery line, carefully has been years in the making constructed and we’re so proud of what to allow the the Wicklow Wolf team has brand to achieved. Sustainability has drastically always been at the forefront of decrease its what we do at Wicklow Wolf water wastand with our new brewery we’re age, energy one step closer in achieving our use and cargoal of operating a carbon neu- bon footprint tral facility.” using only Built on a two-acre site, the 100% renewable new 17,000sq ft brewery will be electricity in the home to Wicklow Wolf’s new making of their beer.
Linda Water, Patricha McGovern and Eva Prestage
New football manager named
Davy Burke has been appointed the new Wicklow football manager on a three-year-term. The 31-yearold becomes the youngest intercounty manager in the country and succeeds John Evans in the Garden County hotseat. The Kildare native is
currently in charge of Newbridge side Sarsfields and led the Lilywhites to an All-Ireland U-20 title last year. Sarsfields are one game away from a county final and Burke had been linked with the Kildare vacancy before Jack O’Connor assumed the role.
“Wicklow GAA are delighted to announce that Davy Burke has been ratified as the new Wicklow senior football manager on a threeyear term at tonight’s County Board meeting,” a statement from Wicklow GAA reads. The vacancy arose in Wicklow at the end of July when John Evans stepped away as manager after two years.
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
opinion&comment
Don’t get your liquors in a twist, Simon
I
n February 2015, the Government announced its intention to curb the sale of cheap booze by introducing minimum pricing. It also said it would bring in a law forcing shops to partition off the areas where they sold alcohol. Some people saw these measures as an assault on their civil liberties while others just worried about how much they would add to the price of a wet weekend. I advised both groups not to get their liquors in a twist. In a newspaper column, I wrote: “This ban won’t be coming in any time soon. Indeed, I’ll bet you a bottle of vintage malt to a can of cutprice lager, that it never, ever, sees the light of day.” That was almost five years ago. I haven’t lost the bet and I never will, for the legislation, approved but not yet implemented, has been changed beyond recognition. Even in its revised form there is no certainty it will ever be enforced as law. From now
Michael Wolsey until next year’s General Election, the Government will be preoccupied with getting itself returned to power and restrictions on the sale of alcohol are unlikely to have priority. Despite its lack of progress with the original plan, the Government has now announced another one which is even less likely to see the light of day. Health Minister Simon Harris intends to stop shops giving loyalty card points for the purchase of alcohol and to make it illegal to use loyalty points to buy booze. So what’s the big idea, Mr Harris? You won’t be
Maciek Kudelski, Anne Daly, Kinga Gasz, Paul Condren and Paddy Holohan at the announcement by SuperValu that Greystones is amongst 11 Irish towns on the journey to becoming autism-friendly. SuperValu, in partnership with AsIAm preventing under-age drinking, which is illegal. And you won’t be helping the guys who knock back snakebites on the park bench - I don’t see many of them building up loyalty points in the supermarket. You will be hitting me and thousands of people like me. And what business is it of yours if we chose to spend some of
our money on alcohol instead of, say, chocolate biscuits or soft drinks filled with sugar? The sale of alcohol is not illegal so why should the minister go out of his way to make it expensive? Before the Government introduces new laws to tackle problems caused by drink, it should try enforcing the ones
that already exist. The real problem is not cutprice alcohol but the behaviour of some of the people who drink it. They fight and brawl and clog up our A and E wards. But there are laws against brawling and causing a public nuisance. There’s no law against wasting time in A and E but there is a
law against drunkenness which could be used against anyone turning up at a hospital in that state. I’m not talking here of drinkdriving or underage drinking, but simple drunkenness, such as is regularly seen in the streets and on public transport. It is against the law in Ireland to be drunk in a public place. That law has been on the statute books for well over a century. It was updated as recently as 1994. But when did you last hear of it being enforced? To ban cut-price drink and loyalty points while failing to enforce the existing law is like banning cars because some people drive them too fast or taxing aspirin because some people have been known to overdose on it. But, hold on. I’m ignoring my own advice and getting worked up about something that will never happen. Mr Harris aims to have his new rules in place by September next year. I’ve still got that single malt ... anyone care to wager their can of cutprice lager?
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Beach Babes
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
tv show of the week
film of the week
HOROSCOPES
Grey Seal pup along the Wicklow coastline (Photo Justin Ivory) Grey Seal pupping season is well under way along our coastline. The pupping season typically lasts from late August to early December. I was lucky enough to find three pups at different little coves along the Wicklow coastline last week. These were observed from about 1 km away using good optics to avoid any disturbance. While seals are always prone to disturbance when hauled-out they are particularly vulnerable at this time of year when they are giving birth i.e. ‘pupping’.
AriesYour concentration could get interrupted. Don’t be hasty or take risks. Review and consider privately. Listen to intuition.
by Vicky Phelan
OVERCOMING
The Borrowers RTE 1, Monday September 30 @ 8.30pm
it chapter 2 Released September 6, 2019
When Vicky Phelan delivered an emotionally charged statement from the steps of the Four Courts in April 2018 she unearthed the medical and political scandal of our times. Since then, Vicky has become women’s voice for justice on the issue, and her system-changing activism has made her a household name. In her memoir Overcoming , Vicky shares her remarkable personal story, from a life-threatening accident in early adulthood through to motherhood, a battle with depression, her devastating later discovery that her cancer had returned in shocking circumstances.
Episode 1: Documentary going inside the Credit Union loan office, meeting people who borrow money for various reasons, from family reunions to new cars and cosmetic procedures. Four credit unions; Cara (Tralee), Mullingar, St Dominic (Waterford) and Heritage (Dublin) Credit Unions are featured across the eight episodes in the series. In the first edition, Thomas needs private surgery to save his sight, Gary must pay for a car and country singer Michael is hoping to make it in Nashville.
2019 American supernatural horror film and the sequel to the 2017 film It, both based on the 1986 novel by Stephen King. Defeated by members of the Losers’ Club, the evil clown Pennywise returns 27 years later to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine, once again. Now adults, the childhood friends have long since gone their separate ways. But when people start disappearing, Mike Hanlon calls the others home for one final stand. Damaged by scars from the past, the united Losers must conquer their deepest fears to destroy the shape-shifting Pennywise.
TaurusThings could get expensive. Monitor closely to avoid fees. Cut unused subscriptions or services. Find new income sources.
salon of the week
gig of the week
CancerPack lightly and carefully. Traffic delays could slow the action. Plan ahead for different scenarios. Make a long-distance connection.
concert of the week
GeminiA professional controversy swirls. Avoid provoking jealousies or sensitivities. Take charge, and provide a solution. One door closes, and another one opens.
LeoKeep your tone polite and respectful. Listen more than you speak. Check public opinion, and consider yours carefully before attempting expression.
Seal colonies up and down Follow all instructions to avoid disturbance (Photo Justin Ivory) the East Coast are coming under pressure from increased human recreational activities, particularly from dog walkers. Here is a reminder of some things to note in relation to Grey Seals this time of year: 1. Mothers will leave seal pups unattended on the beach for long periods. In most cases they are not abandoned and don’t need rescuing. 2. Do not approach pups or adults and keep dogs on a lead. 3. Grey Seal pups are born with a white coat called lanugo. This coat is not waterproof. If they are scared into the sea, or, as has happened before, put into the sea by people ‘rescuing’ them, they will drown or even if they make it back to shore end up dying of hypothermia. They shed their white coat after 3 weeks and replace it with a mottled grey waterproof coat. 4. Grey Seals are protected by law and it is a criminal offence to disturb or harm them. 5. If you are worried about the health of a seal pup - observe from a distance. If after a few hours there is no sign of any adult presence and the pup looks distressed, take some photos and video and contact Seal Rescue Ireland.
PASSIÓN in concert 5th October 2019 @ 8:00 pm The Asgard Theatre, Arklow, Co. Wicklow
Sin É Hair Salon Unit 2, Charlesland Shopping Centre, Greystones. hairandbeautysine@gmail.com
KILA THE HOT SPOT MUSIC CLUB 28th September 2019 @ 8:00 pm
PASSIÓN brings together three of Ireland’s most renowned and entertaining performers – Anthony Norton (The Three Irish Tenors, La Scala, Opera Ireland), Patrick Collins (of the well loved Café Orchestra) and Drazan Derek (virtuosic guitarist with the Café Orchestra and The Chieftains). Together they deliver an exciting and passionate musical celebration of songs from Italy, France, Spain, Argentina and other continental favourites. Their dynamic performances are vibrant, atmospheric and engaging, promising high calibre entertainment and an event to remember.
Sin É are an exclusive Natulique organic hair colour salon, the only salon on the east coast of Ireland who specialise in Natulique organic colour, the only certified organic hair colour in the world!! It gives 100% coverage on grey hair resulting in beautiful bright blonde highlights. We have a large amount of new clients traveling nationwide to our salon specifically for Natulique…it lasts just as long as other colour ranges, is less toxic and leaves an amazingly sublime shine on hair. Opens 3 late nights, free parking, fantastic promotions Mon-Thurs.
Dublin trad legends & Wicklow locals return to the Hot Spot for a unique night’s entertainment. The O’Snodaigh brothers, Colm, Rossa and Ronan still leading the band with it’s wonderful polycultural and anamorphous sound retain their wonderful sense of musical adventure. LIMITED SEATING FOR THIS EVENT. Tickets priced at €18 - €22 are available online, from Hot Spot, The Beach House Victoria Rd, Greystones, Co. Wicklow during opening hours or by Ph 087 291 7519 (cr.card).
event of the week
festival of the week
walk of the week
VirgoKeep your patience with someone. Support each other through a transition. Share the load to begin a new phase. You can do this. LibraA shift with your work, health or fitness requires adaptation. Make technical improvements, upgrade equipment and work with a good coach. ScorpioKeep an open mind. Romantic changes have your attention. Relax, and review the facts. Avoid jumping to expensive conclusions. Sagittarius-
Handle domestic chores and projects while considering upcoming changes. Listen to your intuition, especially with family.
Fishers 40th Anniversary October 9, Fisher’s of Newtownmountkennedy We’d love you to join us for our 40th Anniversary Party. A celebration of all those who have helped us reach this milestone. Thank you!! Wednesday 9th October @7pm. Fishers of Newtownmountkennedy is a fabulous shopping destination where you will find something for everyone. The Menswear shop and ladies boutique have a long tradition of style and quality. We stock a wide range of lifestyle clothing for men and women, accessories and gifts for all occasions.
DRINK WICKLOW FESTIVAL October 4 @ 5pm & October 5 @ 2pm Beer Hall, Wicklow Brewery, Redcross, Wicklow
NATURE AND ST KEVIN WALK 29th September 2019 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Glendalough Visitor Centre, 0404 45425
Wicklow has such an amazing selection of Drink producers, so this festival will be all about premium drink brands coming together to encourage visitors to come to Wicklow not just for the beautiful scenery, but also for Eating and Drinking. A weekend of foraging walks & brewery talks with brewing demonstrations. We will also be running our Wicklow Brewery Tours and Tasting daily. The adjacent Mickey Finn’s Brew Pub will have a Special Menu for the week-end with fantastic beer and food creations. Live Music too!
A gentle walk in the beautiful valley of Glendalough. St Kevin is known as the ‘St Francis’ of Ireland. He is known for his deep love of wildlife. We will visit sites associated with St Kevin, sharing the stories about his connection with nature and discussing meanings behind the stories. Adults only. Wear footwear suitable and wet gear. Distance 6Km and includes a short section of approximately 50 steps. Please leave your dog at home. This event is free of charge but please be aware that the OPW Visitor Centre car park has a €4 charge for car parking.
CapricornThere are plenty of changes affecting your interests in the news. Prepare your messaging, and keep your tone respectful. AquariusDon’t treat the whole gang; save a cushion for the unexpected. Stick to your schedule, and budget to keep deadlines. Stay in communication. PiscesTake charge of your destiny. When one road is blocked, choose another. Invest in something solid. Your ideas are attracting attention.
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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Planning for a bereavement
Losing a loved one is a heartbreaking time and trying to plan a funeral can be extremely difficult while greiving. This is why more and more people are opting to preplan their funerals - to ensure that their life is celebrated as they wish and to relieve some of the pressure and stress for those left behind. Planning a funeral or memorial service is a highly personal process, and your decisions will be shaped by your life experiences, your relationship to the deceased, what the deceased wanted or what you desire for yourself after you die, what you can afford, and a myriad of other factors. Making funeral plans at the time of death are particularly difficult because the time frame is short and emotions are high as survivors are dealing
with their grief. By making the choice to preplan, funeral plans can be made at any time and offer many advantages. Funeral Homes, cemeteries and other funeral service companies can help you preplan a funeral for yourself, your spouse or a parent. There are many things to consider when planning a funeral and it can be helpful to leave a guide for those who will be organising it. Make sure that you have made your wishes known, such as whether you would like to be buried or cremated, if there is a specific song or reading you would like at the ceremony. Funerals are quite expensive and so it is worth looking into funeral insurance or other financial planning to ease the financial burden.
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outandabout
Tom Mooney from Bray enjoys a stroll on the promenade Tom Mooney from Bray enjoys a stroll on the promednade
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
with Adam Meaney
Ella (5) from Bray is all smiles
John B Harries and Carol O’Brien, from Co Offaly
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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9,104 burglaries over past decade A TOTAL of 9,104 burglaries have occurred in Wicklow over the past decade, according to new analysis carried out by PhoneWatch. This is equivalent to one in every five homes or businesses in the county experiencing a break-in during this time, which PhoneWatch say “demonstrates the importance for all of us to be vigilant in protecting our properties.” With 2,657 Bray Garda Station recorded the most burglaries of any of Wicklow’s Garda stations. Greystones (1,502) and Arklow (895) were the second and third highest respectively while with just 109, Avoca received the lowest number of burglary reports for the county. Speaking about the figures, PhoneWatch Managing Director, Eoin Dunne said, “While we’re seeing a welcome reduction in burglaries in recent years, the reality is that burglary still remains all too common in Ireland.” In total, 245,260 burglaries occurred in Ireland in the 10 years between January 2009 and December 2018. While there were significant variations year-onyear, 2018 saw the lowest num-
ber of burglaries for the decade (16,969). The analysis shows that when compared to the nationwide burglary rate of an average of one in every seven homes or premises being burgled Wicklow is one of the worst affected counties for burglary. Elsewhere, Dublin accounted for 41% of all burglaries in the country over the past decade, equivalent to 1 in 5 premises in the county, while Kerry showed the lowest burglary levels the equivalent of 1 in 19 properties. While the darker months have shown higher levels of burglary for many years, this has become a more pronounced trend in recent times. Over the past decade, the research shows that when the clocks go back, until they go forward again, burglary rates have been 31% higher. Overall, November is the highest month for burglary for many years, accounting for 11% of break-ins on average. In most recent years, there has been a rise in burglaries in January and February, with burglaries during these two months almost doubling over the past decade (+92%).
focus on Security
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
The great outdoors! adventure experience to open at Belmont Demesne
Advertorial A brand new outdoor adventure experience has opened at Belmont Demesne near Greystones. Belmont Bike Farm & Walking Trails are aimed at outdoor adventurers of all ages and levels. There are over 15km of off-road bike and walking trails that wind through this historic estate and working farm plus a purpose built biker’s Pump Track. Tucked between Bray Head and Little Sugar Loaf, this 500acre rural idyll is the perfect destination for biking, walking, corporate team building or just getting back to nature. The trails take in some of the best
the County has to offer, from stunning woodland to wild uphill terrain, with spectacular views of the Coast and the Wicklow Mountains. Bikers can book the trails directly through Fat Bike Adventures, based on-site. The Walking Trails are free. And after a day on the trails, there’s Bak’d Café, located at Arthur’s Barn, in the
gorgeous surroundings of the walled garden. Arthur’s Barn is one of the original sets from legendary film “King Arthur”, shot here in Ireland, starring Clive Owen and Kiera Knightly. Belmont Demesne has a rich film pedigree and has been the location for a host of blockbusters including Vikings and Into the Badlands. For more information call Celia Brabazon at 087 2730558 or mail info@belmontdemesne.ie Belmont Bike Farm, Belmont Demesne, Templecarrig Lower, Greystones, Co Wicklow. www. belmondemesne.ie
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
insideback
Brian Quigley
Rugby boys up and running
I
t was worth getting up early on September 22 to watch Ireland brush Scotland easily aside in their opening Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool A fixture. Ireland ran in four tries – from Ryan, Best, Furlong and Conway – on their way to a 27-3 victory that sets us up nicely to win Pool A. Sexton and Murray added conversions in a game we led 19-3 at the interval, and Carty added a penalty. At the time of going to press, we still have to face the hosts Japan on September 28), Russia on October 3 and Samoa on October 12 but the expectation is that having won what was (on paper at least) our most difficult Pool A game, we will top the table with four wins and progress to the knockout stages. New Zealand’s victory on September 21 in Pool B over South Africa (by 23-13) means that our opponents in the quarter-finals are almost certainly to be the South Africans. Make a date in your diary;
that game will take place on October 22 and will either see us exit this World Cup at the same stage we have exited every other one or break historic new ground. Conditions were tough for the Scotland encounter, and the camera lens masked the full severity of the wet, but Ireland will have six days to recover before the encounter with the hosts. The recovery between games at the World Cup might seem generous at almost a week each time, but at this level of rugby it will be needed. The tournament will drag on into November but sure, who’s complaining! As a fan of rugby I always enjoy the World Cup. Any tournament that brings together the Northern Hemisphere big boys and their Southern Hemisphere counterparts is sure to produce the goods. Add in exotic sides like Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, and unknown forces like Russia and the USA (only in rugby could it be the case that these biggest of political superpowers are just
Asya daughter Jackie Jambeeve at Culture Night in The Whale Theatre
bit-part sporting players!) and you have an enthralling and entertaining package. It was good to see Ireland win. The memory of the defeat to England at Twickenham in the warm-up game recently, where Ireland looked a complete shambles, was banished. Looking back at that match from a remove of several weeks it is possible to put it into perspective. The defeat came straight after a very tough training camp in Portugal. Perhaps Joe Schmidt knew we wouldn’t be ready for that game; his job is to have us ready for the World Cup and on Sunday’s evidence he has done just that.
wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019
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wicklowvoice.ie September 27, 2019