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December 28, 2021
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August 3, 2021
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May 28, 2015, 01 901 5556/7, December 28, t:2021 wicklowvoice.ie e: info@wicklowvoice.ie t: 01 901 5565 e: info@wicklowvoice.ie
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Planning setback for golf course site PLANS to develop a €190m residential scheme on former Bray Golf Club lands have hit a setback. It follows a decision by An Bord Pleanala refusing permission for more than half the 591 residential units proposed for the 23-acre site. The Coastal Quarter Strategic Housing Development (SHD) is the first phase of the Harbour Point masterplan, by developer the Ballymore Group, for the
former golf club lands and the scheme was to be made up of 515 apartments and 76 houses. An Bord Pleanala has now refused planning permission for two eight-storey high apartment blocks made up of 357 apartments. The board found that the two apartment blocks would not constitute an adequate design for the urban coastal site. The appeals board has granted planning permission
for the remaining 234 units. The scheme straddles an area covered by Wicklow County Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. Ballymore acquired the larger 52.6-acre ‘Harbour Point’ lands on the site of the former Bray Golf Club in 2019. Planners at Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council recommended planning permission be refused for part of the scheme on lands
administered by Dun Laoghaire council; planners at Wicklow County Council recommended planning permission be granted for the scheme located in Wicklow. The documentation lodged concerning the group’s social housing obligations put an indicative cost of €255,335 for the one-bedroom units, €461,257 for two-bedroom units and €647,794 for threebedroom units.
Eleven-month-old Ré who was named Greystones Guide’s Most Beautiful Baby 2021 with his mum Laura
Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year We are here to help Please contact my constituency office
Tel: (01) 201 7300 Email: stephen.donnelly@oireachtas.ie
Donnelly TD Minister Stephen
Minister for Health & TD for Wicklow
Killarney Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
04| news in brief Funding to assess Wicklow Greenway GREEN Party TD Steven Matthews has welcomed the announcement of €350,000 funding provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), to carry out an in-depth assessment of the viability of a Greenway route between Greystones and Wicklow Town. Mr Matthews said he has been assured by both the Department of Transport and TII that this funding will be used to carry out a full environmental impact assessment of the various routes and will seek to put forward a plan that causes the least amount of impact possible.
December 28, 2021
Stay safe as 142 homes ravaged by fires in Wicklow
Rugby ace lends an ear for cardiac risk helpline
Fears investors will buy up Bray homes LOCAL councillors have welcomed plans to construct 179 apartments at Bray Head House — but have also expressed fears the project could be snapped up by investors. The proposals include two six-storey and one five-storey apartment buildings, which would contain 173 apartments. Bray Head House would be refurbished to provide six apartments. A creche is also proposed, with capacity for 39 children. There would be 442 bicycle parking spaces and 160 car parking spaces.
IRISH rugby 7’s Captain and Wicklow native, Lucy Mulhall, has teamed up with CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) as ambassador, to launch a helpline to support families grieving the loss of someone due to sudden cardiac death (SCD). CRY Ireland creates awareness of SCD and inherited cardiac conditions and supports those who have been affected by these
conditions through free access to cardiac assessments, bereavement counselling and family support programmes. Lucy commented: “It is a privilege to help launch CRY’s freephone service. Sudden Cardiac Death is a condition that can affect anyone, even the fittest of athletes. “The CRY Helpline will be a huge support to those that have lost someone to the
condition or who have been affected by a diagnosis of a cardiac condition. “Having a listening ear and a team of support around you makes all the difference. I would encourage anyone who has been affected, to give CRY a call. They truly understand what you are going through.” The CRY Helpline is available on 1800 714 080. For more, visit: cry.ie
You’re not ALONE this year
ALONE, the charity that offers help and support to the elderly, has said that a national support line and additional supports have been made available for older people over Christmas who have general concerns, or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. If you, or someone you know, needs support this Christmas, the charity helpline is available, seven days a week, until 8.00pm. ALONE operates 365 days a year so the charity has advised there will always be someone there to take your call when you need assistance. This year, to date, the ALONE National Support Line has received in excess of 19,000 calls for support from vulnerable older people from all over the country, who need support, advice, or sometimes just reassurance. Support issues ranged across the areas of help and befriending, security, home care, housing and even financial and legal assistance. To contact the helpline, you can phone: 0818222024. For more information on ALONE’s services and work, please visit www.alone.ie
Fire fighters in Wicklow were called out to a total of 142 fires in 2020, prompting calls to check fire alarms in the home. The startling figures come from Government sources which were last updated in September, 2021. And although the advice is to test smoke alarms weekly and carbon monoxide detectors once a month, many Irish households don’t check either of these even once a year. This is according to a new survey from Peopl.ie, provider of home and life insurance, which found that 38% of households haven’t checked their smoke alarm in over a year — if ever, The insurer is urging people throughout Wicklow to take five minutes out of their day to run a few checks that could prevent a Christmas or New Year catastrophe — particularly as many of us will be using our gas boilers extensively over the winter period, and Christmas lights and candles are commonplace over the holidays. The survey reveals that while 4% of households don’t have a smoke alarm, as many as 22% don’t have a carbon monoxide detector. Commenting on the findings, Paul Walsh, CEO of Peopl Insurance, said: “Christmas lights, candles, late nights, and lots of cooking — all ingredients for the fun festivities most Irish
households enjoy this time of year. However, without wanting to sound too like the prophet of doom, they can be also a recipe for disaster in some homes. “In 2020, there were over 5,000 fires attended by the fire brigade in homes around the country — with 142 of these in Co Wicklow alone. Chimney fires and hot ashes, electrical issues, cooking and heating appliances, and smoking materials were all primary causes. “People do not always appreciate how quickly a fire can start and how they can become disorientated with the volume of smoke, even from a small fire. If someone is asleep in a room where a fire starts, the chances of coming out of it are very slim without a working smoke alarm. It’s all very well to have a smoke alarm installed but if it’s not working properly, it will not protect you or your family. Mr. Walsh continued: “Carbon monoxide exposure presents a range of dangerous health risks, even death, so it’s startling to find that 22% of people don’t have a monitor or alarm for this gas in their home, and that 4% don’t even know what one is. Six people die in Ireland each year as a result of unintentional poisoning, I think if people knew this, most would see the need for a detector.”
Childline here for Wicklow children
CHILDLINE volunteers are putting the message out that they are on hand every day of the Christmas holiday period to ensure every child and young person in Wicklow has somewhere they can turn. Topics children and young people speak about most often with Childline at Christmas include loneliness, anxiety, strains in family relationships, bereavement, bullying and more. Any child or young person
in Wicklow or across Ireland can contact Childline for free at any time of the day or night, to talk about any issue which might be on their mind. Volunteers ensure each child they will not be judged and they can get in touch in absolute confidence. The service can be reached in the following ways: Chat online: Childline.ie Call: 1800 66 66 66 Text: 50101
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December 28, 2021
Dogs Trust gets 2,155 Teen spending sprees online calls to house new pets rise by 184% DOGS Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, has revealed that they received 2,155 requests in 2021 from members of the public asking the charity to take their dogs in for rehoming. This is an 82% increase on 2020, when dogs were in huge demand. The most common reason provided for people wanting to relinquish their dog was due to behavioural issues. The charity is particularly concerned since the beginning of the pandemic, when the demand for dogs saw prices soar into the thousands for puppies being sold online. These concerns always rise at this time of year, when people have bought new dogs at Christmas and are struggling to cope within a matter of days. Ciara Byrne, Head of Communications at Dogs Trust Ireland explains: “Sadly, this is the most lucrative time of year for puppy farmers, and we know genuine dog lovers don’t want to fuel this vile trade. “It’s not just the puppy that you buy that’s affected, it’s the
Leah Quish (9) at the launch of Round Up for Ronald McDonald House in Crumlin Hospital. Pic: Andres Poveda 16-week-old crossbreed puppies who were surrendered to Dogs Trust Ireland at before Christmas.
parents of the puppies that are left behind in often appalling conditions that suffer the most and that’s why we launched our End Puppy Farming campaign in November. “We want to show that the public wants to see an end to the
horrors these poor dogs endure daily, all in the name of profit.” This year alone, Dogs Trust cared for 130 victims of illegal puppy farming. The dogs were described by the charity’s veterinary and behaviour teams as ‘terrified’ of human contact.
Dogs Trust are directing people who want to buy a dog or puppy this year to go to: www.PetBond.ie which is run by a team of vets. For more information, or to sponsor a dog, go to: DogsTrust. ie/EndPuppyFarming
A RISE in spending online among teens has prompted a warning to parents as credit and debit cards come out once more to pay for the extravagant Christmas spending spree. It comes as spending online in the lead-up to Black Friday in November soared 184% among teens, with a 40% increase in online spending recorded among 18-25-yearolds, leading to fears the trend will be repeated over Christmas. Advising online shoppers, Edel McDermott, Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland said: “Irish consumers are clearly spending more money in 2021 than for the same period in 2020 and a significant proportion of this is being spent online. “This increase in online transactions has multiplied opportunities for fraud,” she added. And with a warning aimed at parents, Ms McDermott advised them to “check in with teens and younger
members of their household” to ensure they are shopping online securely and that their spending is being monitored closely. “Not only are people at risk from things like fake websites and links to bogus offers, they are also particularly busy and distracted at this time of year,” she said. “This is a dangerous combo, meaning consumers may be more likely to let their guard down,” she said. “There has been no let-up in the alarming increase in ‘smishing’ (fraudulent text) attempts we have witnessed this year.” It is unfortunately very simple for fraudsters to ensure that their texts land alongside genuine texts. If they use a sender ID like ‘BOI’, your phone assumes that the text is coming from the same place that used that ID before. This is not something that banks – or other companies and service providers – have any control over.
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December 28, 2021
Think before you sink the dinner fat
Chef Kevin Dundon goes in for the big clean-up
IF, like so many of us, you are only now getting to all that washing-up — the roasting dishes, pots, pans and the myriad unknowns hiding under the foil — then pause for a moment and consider what you are going to do with all that fat and grease. While the temptation is there to lash it into the sink and hope for the best, Ireland’s wellknown chefs, including Kevin Dundon, is asking you to ‘Think Before You Pour’ — and we’re not talking about the beer and wine here. Fats, oils and greases may seem like liquid when poured, but they cool and harden as they
travel along the pipes and can cause blockages in the sewage system. When combined with other waste they can build up to form fatbergs and the results are catastrophic. Kevin offers the following advice before you go in for the clean. “My best advice is, using kitchen paper, scrape the setting fat into a container and dispose of the fat in the general bin. “It is a simple step that the family can do at home and help keep our pipes clearer. So this Christmas, use as much butter and cream in your recipes as desired and Think Before You Pour!”
42% of us say mental health hit in pandemic
A NEW survey has shone a light into the dark places that the pandemic has reached — our mental health. Some 42% said that their mental health had disimproved since the pandemic and mental health charity Aware has confirmed that more than one million people accessed its website and social channels last year for information and support. Almost half (48%) of people in Ireland are feeling nervous socialising, 38% are exercising less and 43% are eating more, according to new research by Aware, which looked at the impact of the pandemic on physical and mental wellbeing. The charity answered more than 27,000 calls, many from people who were experiencing mental health difficulties for the first time. Leading clinical psychologist, Dr Eddie Murphy, said: “We’ve been living with the pandemic for almost two years, which is a very long time, and our coping mechanisms are suffering from prolonged wear and tear.” For support and more information: www.aware.ie
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opinion&comment
I’ll make my New Year move when I find this wonderful land
S
omewhere over the rainbow is a land called Other Jurisdictions. I can’t find it on the map and my satnav is no help, but I intend to keep looking, for it is a wonderful place. Everything in Other Jurisdictions works better than in Ireland, according to some industry representatives, many media commentators and all Sinn Féin spokespersons. The Covid pandemic has been handled much better in Other Jurisdictions. So obviously this outstanding land can’t be in Austria where the government felt obliged to make vaccination mandatory. Or in France where new curfews have been imposed in some cities and very tight restrictions introduced at airports. Covid restrictions are far less severe in Other Jurisdictions, unlike Ireland where the Gov-
Michael Wolsey
ernment, out of pure spite, has decided to destroy the hospitality industry, ruin the life of
entertainers and spoil sport for everyone. So clearly Other Jurisdictions can’t be in Wales where the regional government has ordained that sports events must take place behind closed doors, or in Scotland where Nicola Sturgeon canceled the celebrations for Hogmanay, Scotland’s booziest, grooviest night of the year. But everyone knows why they have handled the pandemic so well in Other Jurisdictions. It’s because their health system is so much better than the poor old HSE. In which case Other Jurisdictions can’t be in Italy where, at one stage, they were treating patients in the car parks of overflowing hospitals. Or in Australia, where the biggest city was sealed off for most of 2021 because its intensive care wards were full. The thing is, they plan everything so much better in Other Jurisdictions. When they make
a decision they stick to it. So obviously Other Jurisdictions can’t be in Sweden where they originally planned to have no Covid restrictions at all but have now introduced rules that are much the same as Ireland’s. Or in neighbouring Denmark,which had announced an end to all Covid curbs but has now closed concert halls, theatres, cinemas, museums, galleries, community centres, zoos, casinos and amusement parks . And you can’t buy alcohol there after 10pm, not even to take away. If you think Other Jurisdictions might be located north of the border, think again. In Northern Ireland, where Sinn Féin is in government, the infection rate has been running at two to three times that of the Republic. The Executive has reluctantly introduced rules similar to those that apply here and may tighten them when they work out what Boris Johnson is doing in England. They could
be waiting a while. In the meantime my hunt for Other Jurisdictions will continue. In that great land they drink less, exercise more and eat better than us poor slobs in Ireland. Their schools are better run, their transport more sustainable, nobody is homeless and people are dancing in the streets, not sleeping on them. But here’s an amazing thing. The United Nations has conducted a survey of 189 countries and decided that Ireland is the world’s second best place to make your home. The UN Human Index report ranked Ireland Very High for quality of life, just ahead of Switzerland, Iceland and Germany. The index is measured by health, education and income. Yes, health. In Ireland life expectancy, for anyone born now, is 82.3 years. The chart topper here is Hong Kong with a life expectancy of 84.9 years. It’s the time of year for such
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international stock taking. So here’s another list to ponder. Ireland has been named ‘Best Good Country in the World’ by the Good Country Index which says we have made the greatest contribution to humanity and the planet. The survey ranked 125 countries by combining 35 separate indicators from the United Nations, the World Bank and other international institutions. Ireland topped the league. The UK came seventh. Other Jurisdictions didn’t get a look-in. But surely it must have made that UN table? If Ireland came second, good old OJ must be top of that one. So is my search over? Can I now start packing for my move to Other Jurisdictions? Sadly, no. According to the UN Human Index, the best country in the world is Norway. The hunt for Other Jurisdictions continues. With luck I may have found it by this time next year.
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December 28, 2021
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Santa’s Little Messengers
history of the week
with Justin Ivory
A Christmas card from 1934 (National Museums Liverpool, accession number 1976.561) Did you ever wonder why there seems to be so many Robins about this time of year and why they are always singing? Well they are Santa’s little messengers and they are singing all the information back to him about how well (or otherwise!) the boys and girls are behaving. About two weeks ago my daughter was reminiscing about all this, how when she was younger and the magic of Santa was still working for her and how she had to be on her best behaviour as the robins seemed to be everywhere watching her and her brother! The association of Robins with Christmas really goes back to Victorian times when the sending of Christmas cards started in 1843, the brainchild of a civil servant, Sir Henry Cole. The postmen of the day wore bright red coats and became known as ‘Robins’ or ‘Redbreasts’. In no time at all Christmas cards started depicting Robins delivering the post to houses! There are also many traditions and stories linking Robins to the Christian faith. It is said a small brown bird tried to keep the baby Jesus warm as he lay in a manger by fanning the flames of a fire with its wings. Some embers from the fire scorched the breast of the bird turning it red for evermore, and thus Robins as we know them were created! Another story tells how a Robin went to comfort Jesus on the cross by singing gently in his ear. He cut himself on a thorn on Jesus’ head and his breast got stained red. As a reminder of that good deed all Robins since have had a red breast. Another variation of this is that the Robin plucked a thorn out of Jesus’ head and got stained with his blood. Whatever your beliefs or traditions, I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.
Robin (Photo Justin Ivory)
book of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
beyond 2022 www.beyond2022.ie
One Day at a Time Diary 2022 Abby Wynne
the 355 Cinemas Nationwide from January
Beyond 2022 is an all-island and international collaborative research project working to create a virtual reconstruction of the Public Record Office of Ireland, which was destroyed in the Civil War on June 30th, 1922. The ‘Record Treasury’ at the Public Record Office of Ireland stored seven centuries of Irish records dating back to the time of the Normans and what was lost in that terrible fire one hundred years ago is now being brought online in time for the centenary of the Four Courts blaze on June 30th, 2022. In the meantime, have a look at the progress and discover more about the fascinating project.
ABBY Wynne’s One Day at a Time Diary 2022 is both a practical diary that provides space to write down your stuff, and an inspirational workbook that is filled with uplifting affirmations and space to journal your thoughts and emotions. Drawing on information from astrologers, the diary will support you through the energy shifts of the coming year through monthly themes, exercises and affirmations, if that’s your bag. And why not? This diary provides the tools and support to enable you to slow down, step out of time and reconnect for the year ahead.
THE world is in trouble. A deadly weapon has fallen into the wrong hands! Mercenary hands! The world needs to be saved! We’ve heard it all before! Well, kind of. Move out of the way Bond, Men from UNCLE, Kingsmen etc etc, this time around it’s up to a female CIA agent to pair up with other international agents to save the world and recruit some top female leads. Jessica Chastain first proposed the idea for a female-led spy film back in 2018 and she stars alongside Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Fan Bingbing and Lupita Nyong’o. There is one bloke in it, Edgar Ramirez, but quite what he’s doing there is anyone’s guess.
season of the week
music of the week
charity of the week
AriesYou’re especially popular for the next month Group activities go well. Get out in public. Social activities benefit your career. TaurusTake on more responsibility. Watch for opportunities to advance your career. Assume authority. It’s easier to advance your agenda. GeminiTravel entices over the coming month. It’s easier to venture forth now. Set study goals. Explore and discover fresh terrain. CancerFeed the family kitty. This month is good for saving money. Review numbers. Increase your assets with organization and attention. LeoYou love learning. You’re especially clever and creative with communications. Write, record and express your views.
talking depression janssenwithme.ie
ozarks season 4 Netflix (January 21)
rte choice music prize www.choicemusicprize.ie
THE Byrdes family journey — what’s left of it — is coming to an end in 2022 with the first half of the two-part final season arriving in January. If you haven’t watched it yet, then you have the chance to catch up early in the new year and we highly recommend you do — especially if you thought you’d had a dysfunctional family Christmas. Bet you didn’t get involved in laundering drug money for a Mexican cartel? We’ve followed the family all the way, and every season they’ve dug themselves deeper and deeper into the hole they’ve dug for themselves, so here’s to seeing just how deep that hole really is.
THE RTÉ Choice Music Prize will return in 2022 as one of the music industry’s biggest nights, will be back in Vicar St on Thursday 3rd March and celebrated in an exclusive live broadcast on RTÉ 2FM, along with a TV-special on RTÉ2 later that month. The Choice Music Prize key dates include: Irish Album of the Year 2021 Shortlist Announcement – Wednesday 5th January; Irish Song of the Year 2021 Shortlist Announcement, Wednesday 26th January. Both the Irish Album and Song of the Year 2021 will be announced live in Vicar St. (Pictured is last year’s winner, Denise Chaila)
FORMER Waterford hurler Maurice Shanahan and Dublin Ladies Senior Footballer Nicole Owens are lending their support to Talking Depression, a new campaign to encourage open conversations as new research reveals that almost half of Irish adults (47%) do not feel equipped to have a conversation with a family member or friend who they suspect may be experiencing a mental illness, despite almost two thirds (62%) having more empathy towards mental illnesses, such as depression, compared with before the pandemic. The campaign is in tandem with a new book, The Little Book of Big Conversations.
album of the week
stream of the week
website of the week
VirgoThings could get lucrative. Your health, work and fitness blossom. Energize your performance. Infuse love into your labors. LibraYou’re especially lucky in love with Venus in Aquarius. Artistic efforts sparkle. Practice skills, talents and hobbies. Give in to romance. ScorpioMake your home your love nest. Enjoy domestic arts, crafts and projects. Focus on home and family. Make household improvements. Sagittarius-
Communication is key. Partnerships flower. Compromise comes easier. Share your heart, passions and commitments. CapricornHarvest windfall apples. Gather new income. Enjoy a profitable phase. Discover a professional highperformance zone.
kiefer sutherland Bloor Street AH, here, hang on a minute now, is this your man? ... from 24? Jack Bauer? Indeed it is ... So what’s he doing making an album then... Well, he has made two albums actually, country and Americana sort of vibe. This album was produced and mixed by the multiple Grammy Award winner Chris Lord-Alge (Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood) ... you don’t say, anything else ... Well, to promote it, Kiefer is heading out on a major European tour ... Cool! Coming to Ireland then? ... Em, no. No? So what are we giving him a plug for? Cos he’s Jack Bauer.
the tender bar Amazon Prime January 7th
the world in 2022 www.economist.com/the-world-ahead-2022
STARRING Ben Affleck, Lily Rabe, Tye Sheridan and Christopher Lloyd, The Tender Bar is about a neighbourhood pub in Manhasset, Long Island which becomes a second home for a fatherless boy. Directed by George Clooney, it follows JR, whose father disappeared from his life before he was old enough to speak, and he moves into his grandfather’s dilapidated house after he and his mother once again hit hard times only to discover friends in a local bar. You do worry that Affleck has done a lot of boozy movies of late, but this is a little gem.
So if you’ve had too much pudding and gin and beer and wine and chocolate . . . the last thing you need is a heavy dose of politics and grim predictions for 2022, right? Wrong. Roll up to your desk, grab your phone or one of the kids’ new tablets and have a little gander on this authority’s predictions for the year ahead. And actually, there is much to cheer about. Vaccines will get better and Covid will weaken; Brazil’s election offers hope for the rainforest; hybrid work is on the up; world poverty will fall; and Donald Trump is coming back.
AquariusYou’re in the love light with Venus in your sign. Your charm and charisma shine. Upgrade your personal presentation. Get stylish. Step onstage and smile. PiscesSavor peaceful privacy. Pursue your own thoughts and dreams with Venus in Aquarius. Nature soothes your spirit. Connect with your passion and compassion.
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December 28, 2021
Greens say DART key Deal with HSE saves to easing commuter hell GREEN Party for Wicklow Steven Matthews has welcomed the deployment of electric carriages for Ireland’s rail network. It comes after the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has responsibility for rail projects, recently included the extension of electrified train services to Wicklow Town in its transport strategy. Mr Matthews has been working for the past few years to convince the NTA, the Department of Transport and Irish Rail that an extension of DART services to Wicklow makes good economic, societal and environmental sense and would ease the commute. An initial 95 carriages have been ordered, with up to 750 carriages over the next 10 years. They are due to enter service in 2025. Mr Matthews said: “With my proposal for the DART extension to Wicklow town now included in the NTA transport strategy it makes sense to deploy battery electric trains to the Wicklow route in advance of constructing the overhead wires. Breaking
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Norman Heagney, Helen Heagney and Joie Codyre promoting Bray Lions Club New Year’s Day Charity Sea Swim it down technically, the battery trains have approximately an 80km return trip capacity on a full charge so the service could extend beyond Wicklow town. “The way the batteries work is that charge as they run under the overhead wires, their regenerative braking system
adds further charge, and they can also be fast charged at a suitable plug-in point along the line,” he added. Mr Matthews maintains his number one priority is better public transport, with regular commuters encountering congestion on the N11 and N81.
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.
We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered. When you work with SIE, you will get nothing but the best. All of our tutors have formal education, classroom experience and a passion for teaching. For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree. The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad. We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors. We are easy to work with. We screen tutors for you. We identify learning deficiencies and we get results . Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements. Call us today on 01 556 3553 to book a consulation. We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.
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“Improving public transport is important to Wicklow residents and we are seeing that being delivered now through new rail carriages, electrification of the line to Wicklow town and the roll out of many new bus routes across rural Wicklow under the Connecting Ireland scheme.”
St Joseph’s
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has welcomed the news a deal has been reached on funding to secure the future of St Joseph’s in Shankill. The centre had for years been struggling to stay open as it sustained heavy losses trying to meet operating costs. However, a deal has now been agreed between the board of St Joseph’s and the HSE which will keep the current residential service in place. The service provides 60 beds and 120 day care places supported by an army of 200 volunteers and a team of over 100 dedicated staff. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “Keeping St Joseph’s open was a key commitment of mine during the election and remained so when I took office. “I worked closely with their excellent chief executive Emma Balmaine when in opposition to lobby for the continuation of the service.
“So, when I was given the honour of being Minister for Health, I made it a top priority to make sure the doors of St Joseph’s remained open. “There was no way it was going to be allowed to close because it is the best dementia care service in the country. “It sets an example that everyone else can aspire to. Now under this deal the service can continue to provide the superb level of care they do safe in the knowledge their future has been secured.” Chief Executive of St John of God Hospital Emma Balmaine said: “This is a most special day in the history of Saint Joseph’s which celebrates 60 years of service this year. I want to thank Minister Donnelly for being with us from the start and assisting our efforts to sustain the service and his unwavering support and help since he took office in making this day happen.”
to Lidl Dashers raise Listen your gut €5,170 for charity and avoid
‘food coma’
Alison Murphy, from Bray, managed to grab over €145 worth of goodies at her local Lidl. OVER €5,170 has been raised by Lidl Wicklow’s ‘Trolley Dash’ in support of charity partner JIGSAW, the national centre for youth mental health. The fundraising initiative, now in its 7th year, raised over €280,000 across all of Lidl Ireland’s stores. Alison Murphy, from Bray, managed to grab over €145 worth of goodies making for a Merry Lidl Christmas! For two weeks annually in November, Trolley Dash tickets were sold in Lidl stores for just €1 each, offering customers the chance to win a supermarket sweep style dash around their local nearest Lidl store. Since its inauguration in 2014
the festive fundraiser has raised over €2m. Speaking about the success of this year’s Trolley Dash, Lidl Ireland Head of CSR, Owen Keogh, said: “It’s an incredible milestone to have raised over €280,000 in this year’s Trolley Dash, it’s a fun and festive way to mobilise efforts in support of a super charity. With restrictions over the past two years, looking after local community’s big and small is more important than ever. “The team at Lidl Ireland are heartened by the generosity and that so many customers wanted to contribute to a cause that has a real impact for those looking for support in times of need.”
SO you’ve just managed to squeeze in that bit of pudding and are crawling on all fours towards the couch, wondering where the sprightly Christmas you has gone. There is a scientific explantation behind the ‘Christmas Dinner Coma’, and it involves an increase in blood flow to the gut as part of the digestive process, with an associated drop in blood pressure, hence that sleepy feeling. Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr Deirdre O’Donovan said our energy levels are affected by our gut health and while a nap is fine, the concern is the failure to spot an underlying condition. Her advice is to watch your ‘gut health’ over the Christmas period, watch stress levels and stay hydrated throughout by drinking plain water. “It’s been a tough year for everyone,” she says. “It’s easy to drink too much alcohol over Christmas, which can harm the lining of the gut and the balance of bacteria. Staying well hydrated with water can reduce some of this negative effect.”
December 28, 2021
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December 28, 2021
COUNTY Arklow WICKLOW RECYCLING CENTRES
Tuesday 23rd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day Monday 27th Dec Tuesday 28th Dec Wednesday 29th Dec Thursday 30th Dec New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Sunday 2nd Jan Monday 3rd Jan Tuesday 4th Jan
9am-1.45pm Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 9am-1.45pm 9am-1.45pm Closedn Closed Closed 9am-4.30pm
Tuesday 23rd Dec 9am-1.45pm Christmas Eve Closed Christmas Day Closed Monday 27th Dec Closed Tuesday 28th Dec Closed Wednesday 29th Dec Closed Thursday 30th Dec 9am-1.45pm New Year’s Eve 9am-1.45pm New Year’s Day Closed Sunday 2nd Jan Closed Monday 3rd Jan Closed Tuesday 4th Jan 9am-4.30pm (Closed for lunch 1-2pm)
Tuesday 23rd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day Monday 27th Dec Tuesday 28th Dec Wednesday 29th Dec Thursday 30th Dec New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Sunday 2nd Jan Monday 3rd Jan Tuesday 4th Jan
9am-1.45pm Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 9.30am-1.45pm 9.30am - 1.45pm Closed Closed Closed 9.30am-4.30pm
Christmas Eve Closed Christmas Day Closed Monday 27th Dec Closed Tuesday 28th Dec Closed Wednesday 29th Dec Closed Thursday 30th Dec 9am-1.45pm New Year’s Eve 9am-1.45pm New Year’s Day Closed Sunday 2nd Jan Closed Monday 3rd Jan Closed Tuesday 4th Jan 9am-4.30pm (Closed for lunch 1-1.45pm)
Tuesday 23rd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day Monday 27th Dec Tuesday 28th Dec Wednesday 29th Dec Thursday 30th Dec New Year’s Eve New Year’s Day Sunday 2nd Jan Monday 3rd Jan Tuesday 4th Jan
Christmas Opening & Closing Times Bray Avoca
CHRISTMAS TREE SHREDDING JANUARY 2022 Bring your Christmas Tree to any of the collection points below. They will be shredded, composted and used again!
No wreaths, plastic trees or decorations please. LOCATION
DATE
Arklow
Arklow Recycling Centre, Croghan Industrial Estate
4th -17th January
Aughrim
Tidy Towns, The Pavillion, Rednagh Road
4th -17th January
Avoca
Avoca Recycling Centre, Ballymurtagh, Avoca
4th -17th January
Baltinglass
Rampere Recycling Centre, Rampere, Baltinglass
4th -17th January
Blessington
County Council Yard, Naas Road
4th -17th January
Bray
Bray Recycling Centre, Beechwood Close, Boghall Road
4th -17th January
Bray
Lidl, Boghall Road
4th -17th January
Greystones,
Carpark in front of the Wicklow County Council Offices on Mill Road near to the bottle banks
4th -17th January
Hollywood
Church Carpark, Hollywood
8th January only Donations in aid of Tidy Towns 10am - 12pm
Wicklow
The Murrough Recycling Centre, Wicklow
4th -17th January
Wicklow
Green King, Coolbeg (Road opp. Beehive)
4th -17th January
The Murrough Rampere Baltinglass Tuesday 23rd Dec 9am-1.45pm 8.30am-1pm Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed 8.30am-1pm 8.30am-1pm Closed Closed Closed 8.30am-4pm
Stop Food Waste for Christmas One third of the food we buy goes into the bin with twice as much waste over Christmas. Try to plan your shopping better, store the food more carefully, cook a bit less for the main meal and parties and save the leftovers by freezing. All help to reduce food waste. Check out the 12 days of Christmas recipe book for leftovers on www.wicklow.ie or ask for a copy from
eao@wicklowcoco.ie or Locall 1890 222276 For more tips on avoiding food waste visit
www.stopfoodwaste.ie
Composting at home is great for the environment but don't forget to ask your bin collector to provide you with a brown bin for food waste which will result in lower bin charges.
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December 28, 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 15/12/1840
Irish Ind 13/12/1938
Irish Press 28/12/1963
Irish Ind 23/12/1921
Evening Press 31/12/1979
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wicklowvoice.ie December 28, 2021
opinion&comment
We will get through this
I
t has by any stretch of the imagination been an extremely challenging year for everyone. We were making real and tangible progress in bringing down the Delta variant when Omicron came charging in and ripped up the rule book. This new form of the virus is spreading faster than anything we have seen before becoming the dominant strain within a couple of weeks of first being identified. We had to respond quickly and decisively to reduce the impact of this new variant which was surging through the population. It has unfortunately meant that once again our hospitality industry has borne the brunt of those restrictions. I know businesses across Wicklow are reliant on the supports but the message from the Government has been loud and clear ‘We stand with you’. To date we have supported over 700,000 workers and almost 52,000 businesses but even more outlets, especially
Stephen Donnelly, Minister For Health
in hospitality, will now be able to apply for the new round of supports. The good news is the vaccine rollout is now firing on all cylinders. Shoreline vaccination centre carried out almost 5,000 vaccines over the weekend. To speed up the process we have accepted the medical advice to remove the 15-minute wait time and you can now book online to get your vaccine at Shoreline. The time between your last vaccine or time of infection has
also been substantially reduced. The smooth, efficient rollout of the vaccine at Shoreline is not just down to the excellent HSE staff but also the army of volunteers who have helped make it happen. Nationally, we saw an
astonishing 108,000 vaccines administered in a single day. The combined efforts of the HSE, our GPs and pharmacies means we are now offering the vaccine to the over 40s. We had hoped to administer 1.5 million vaccines by
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Christmas, but we are already well past that target as we close in on administering 2 million by the end of the year. Right now, we are second in the EU for over 18s booster uptake which is credit to both the professionalism of our vaccine teams but also a recognition of the immense support of the public. I know people are exhausted and wondering why we are facing another Christmas with restrictions but it’s important to look at the progress we have made. Last year, we were in full lockdown as we saw the health system pushed to the limits with almost 2,000 people in hospital and over 200 seriously sick patients in intensive care. It is simply too early to tell what impact Omicron will have but what we do know is our cases will almost certainly be higher. What is still not clear is how much pressure our health system will come under, but we are doing everything we can to protect it.
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While the most vulnerable in our society will have been vaccinated it is still important that we follow the public health guidelines. We all know what needs to be done and so far, we have been amongst the best in the world at keeping each other safe. On a local level as Minister for Health, I’ve made bringing several key health projects to the county a priority including the Rathdrum Primary Care Centre, St Colman’s Residential Care Centre, in Rathdrum and the refurbishment of the former Wicklow Hospital. And next year the Arklow Primary Care Centre is due to open. In total these projects bring over 120 new beds to the county. Now Rathdrum residents will no longer have to travel to Wicklow to receive healthcare. Remember, we will get through this, things will improve but for now we need to keep doing what we have been doing which is looking out for each other.
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