Wicklow Voice

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wicklowvoice OVERALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AT THE BRAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDEAVOUR AWARDS

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Property goes Daft Average price of house in Enniskerry is ₏639k SEVENTEEN property millionaires are created every week in the country, according according to Daft.ie’s latest Wealth Report. And outside of Dublin, Enniskerry is the most expensive market with average property values of ₏639,000, followed by Delgany, ₏490,000 and Greystones, ₏437,000. And just over the border in south county Dublin, Rathmichael, a small enclave of narrow country lanes and plush gated mansions, has at least 200 ₏1m homes in the area, according to the report. The property website has found that the number of homeowners whose property is worth ₏1m or more has exceeded 5,000 The value of all residential property now stands at ₏450bn, a rise of ₏30bn since June, and represents a daily increase of ₏150m, the report found. Unsurprisingly, the most expensive markets are all in Dublin, where the average asking price in Foxrock is now ₏872,000, followed by Mount Merrion at ₏863,000, Dalkey

Lucie Farkas and Julie Goldsmith of DermaGlo at the EducoGym customer appreciation night. ÂťLots more pictures from around the county inside

â‚Ź825,000 and Sandycove â‚Ź818,000. By comparison, the average asking price nationwide is â‚Ź257,000. The highest concentration of property millionaires are also found in Foxrock (1,452), followed by Dalkey (649) and Blackrock (576). &RPPHQWLQJ RQ WKH ÂżJXUHV Ronan Lyons, economist at Trinity College Dublin and author of the report, said: “Unsurprisingly, the country’s housing wealth is concentrated in cities. Urban Dublin makes up less than 1% of the land mass of the country but is home to over 40% of its housing wealth. “The other four cities bring the urban share to roughly half. This is perfectly normal and indeed probably less stark than other countries, where greater populations drive even greater land values in the most desirable locations. “Changes in housing wealth can tell us about important changes underway in the economy. Continued on next page:

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Homeless shelter destroyed ‘as it was Ex-footballer awarded €51k not safe’ Orla O’Toole, Leah Smyth, Katelyn Farrell and Niamh O’Toole from Bray Order of Malta at the Bray Older Persons Community Christmas Party at BIFE

FORMER Wicklow GAA footballer Richard Dignam has been awarded €51,000 after he tripped on a path in Dublin. Mr Dignam (40) previously won senior county championship with his hometown club of Rathnew. In the High Court, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said part of the surround around a manhole cover became broken away creating a substantial danger on the footpath. Mr Dignam had gone to a hardware shop for his work

as a french polisher and was returning to the Shelbourne Hotel where he was working when the accident happened on Pembroke Street on July 29, 2014. Mr Dignam was going in the direction of St Stephen’s Green when his right foot went into a hole beside a cover over a manhole. He had sued Eircom Ltd, the utility company responsible for the chamber and cover, and Dublin City Council as the roads authority for the area. Mr Justice Barr said the

cover over the chamber had originally been placed in situ by the Department of Post and Telegraphs (P&T). At the time of the accident, the judge said there were two covers laid end-to-end which covered a single chamber and the hole was at one side. Mt Justice Barr said he accepted the evidence the concrete mix which was used WR ¿OO LQ WKH JDS EHWZHHQ WKH frame for the chamber cover and the surrounding paving slabs was clearly inadequate and, as a result, it became cracked.

Price of property goes Daft again Continued from previous page: 0DUWLQ &ODQF\ RI 'DIW LH VDLG ³'XEOLQ UHPDLQV WKH HSLFHQWUH RI WKH PLOOLRQ HXUR SOXV SURSHUW\ PDUNHW LQ ,UHODQG 'DONH\ KDV VHHQ WKH VLQJOH PRVW H[SHQVLYH VDOH RI VR IDU ZLWK D KRPH WKHLU FKDQJLQJ KDQGV IRU ¼ P LQ 0D\ ´ KH VDLG ,Q 0XQVWHU .LQVDOH LV WKH PRVW H[SHQVLYH ORFDWLRQ ¼ ZLWK &URVVKDYHQ ¼ DQG %DQGRQ ¼ FRPSOHWLQJ WKH WRS WKUHH ,Q &RQQDFKW 8OVWHU .LQYDUD ¼ 2XJKWHUDUG ¼ DQG :HVWSRUW ¼ RFFXS\ WKH WRS VORWV ,Q FRPSDULVRQ WKH WZR OHDVW H[SHQVLYH PDUNHWV DUH LQ 5RVFRPPRQ DQG 'RQHJDO ZLWK WKH DYHUDJH DVNLQJ SULFH LQ %DOODJKDGHUUHHQ 5RVFRPPRQ DW ¼ %XQGRUDQ LQ &R 'RQHJDO LV QH[W DW ¼ ZLWK % D O O \ P R W H 7 X E E H U F X U U \ ¼ &DVWOHUHDJK ¼ DQG %HOWXUEHW ¼ URXQGLQJ R൵ WKH ¿YH OHDVW H[SHQVLYH

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wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

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06 | news in brief Give the gift of friendship ALONE, the charity that supports older people to age at home, is asking members of the public to give the gift of friendship this Christmas and into the New Year. The charity is asking the public to help older people living alone by reaching out to their older neighbours and friends, by donating to ALONE, or by becoming a Befriending volunteer. The charity is also urging older people experiencing loneliness to get in touch with them for help. For those who have concerns about their own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person in their community, ALONE can be contacted on (01) 679 1032. To make a donation and help aid ALONE’s work this Christmas visit www.alone.ie.

wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

Santa comes early as locals move into 27 new homes

Waster prizes

Waste items such as plastic bottles, toilet rolls, wire coat hangers, sweet wrappers and light bulbs were used by children taking part in Wicklow County Council’s “Race Against Waste” Christmas Decoration Competition. Twenty-six schoolchildren from around the county received awards for their creations in a prizegiving ceremony in County Buildings in Wicklow town on on December 18). Entries were received from 32 primary schools from all parts of the county.

Rhona Quinn, Chairperson of QMAC, and Minister Andrew Doyle at the launch of the Avondale Heights social housing developmentin Rathdrum. Right, Orla Kinsella enjoys a cup of tea in her new home, and, inset Ella Smyth (7) outside her new home SANTA came early to some luck Wicklow locals when they got their keys for 27 new social DQG D൵RUGDEOH KRXVHV MXVW EHfore Christmas. Twenty-seven new homes in Rathdrum and Arklow were of¿FLDOO\ RSHQHG LQ ZKDW ZDV WKH ¿UVW RI PDQ\ VXFK HYHQWV LQ WKH coming months and years as Wicklow County Council progresses its housing development programme. Twenty new houses were opened at Avondale Heights in Rathdrum while seven apartments were unveiled in the Old Schoolhouse in Arklow. Speaking at the opening of the Rathdrum development, the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Pat Vance, VDLG LW ZDV ³WKH ¿UVW RI PDQ\ in the pipeline for County Wicklow.” The scheme, he said, would GHOLYHU D PL[ RI HQHUJ\ H൶FLHQW one, two and three-bedroom

homes for families and individuals and pointed out that the eight one-bed units were fully disabled accessible and complete with wheelchair-ready wet rooms. “I recognise the serious challenge we face in terms of housing and a critical focus and SULRULW\ KDV EHHQ ¿UPO\ SODFHG on responding to this challenge by Wicklow County Council through the development and implementation of the Social Housing supply programme,” Cllr Vance added. “Today KHUDOGV WKH ¿UVW RI PDQ\ RI¿FLDO RSHQLQJV WKDW ZLOO WDNH place over the coming months and years as Wicklow County Council progresses its development programme under the Rebuilding Ireland banner.” 3HUIRUPLQJ WKH R൶FLDO RSHQing, Minster Andrew Doyle said such events – particularly in his home county - highlighted the

real progress on the ground being achieved by local authorities in addressing the challenges we face in the housing sector at this present time. While new-build output in 2017 in Wicklow may have been low, Minister Doyle said it must be recognised that a healthy pipeline of activity has been established over recent years and these schemes repUHVHQWHG MXVW WZR RI D QXPEHU RI SURMHFWV LQ :LFNORZ &RXQW\ Council’s growing programme of development. Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, said that over the course of the next two years, the Council’s programme is expected to deliver newly constructed homes for more than 400 households on the Council’s social housing list.

Luggala price ‘must be right’ THE price must be right for the State to buy Luggala House in the Wicklow and Dublin mountains. The Luggala estate - which is also known as the Guinness estate - comprises a 18thcentury hunting lodge and some 5,000 acres nestled in the Wicklow mountains. The former home to Claddagh Records founder

and well-known arts patron Garech de Brún is currently up for sale, with an advertised price of €28m. Recreational users have enjoyed unrestricted public access to the 4,000 acres of mountainside habitat that form a large part of the Luggala estate. And calls have been made for the State to purchase it.

A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said that the department was aware of the public good value. “Minister Josepha Madigan could only consider acquiring this property if the price fell to within a certain range, or within the context of a donation or bequest,” the spokesperson said.

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wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

*Terms and Conditions apply, See in-store for details

Bray

(beside Woodies) Unit 6, Southern Cross Retail Park, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 01 276 5775

www.houseoftiles.ie

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wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

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10 |

wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

opinion&comment

Let me gaze into my crystal ball

A

t this time of year we all spend some time taking stock of the year that is ending, but also looking ahead to the coming year. None of us can see into the future, so what we expect or guess 2019 will bring is just that – pure guesswork. Make your predictions now – JRRG EDG RU LQGL྾HUHQW ¹ DQG take the piece of paper out next Christmas and see how much you got right or wrong, and how much you simply couldn’t have been expected to predict. One thing I predicted at the start of 2018 that I’m patting myself on the back about now was that Bitcoin wouldn’t last the pace, but that the distributed blockchain database technology on which it and the other cryptocurrencies (Dogecoin, IOTA, Litecoin and thousands more) were based would be the real thing to marvel at. I reckoned these currencies were at the stage in 2018 where they needed the greed of the bandwagon jumper to keep the bubble from bursting, just like a

Brian Quigley

Ponzi scheme. Looks to me like the bubble is bursting. January 14 looks like being WKH ¿UVW ODQGPDUN QHZV GD\ in the 2019 calendar, with the Brexit vote in the House of Commons likely to take place that day. Regardless of the result, the fact that the vote will take place will ensure that all involved can move on and plan for what to do next. If the vote is carried well and good, if it isn’t then we still have to wait and see what will unfold later in the spring – a Hard Brexit, a second referendum an abandonment of Brexit

Students of Colaiste Raithín present a cheque for ₏532 Euro to Lakers raised with their non uniform day: Helen Furlong Lakers, Blaithnaid Ní Mhuiris, Traolach Ó Maolchathaigh, Brian Nesbitt and Graham Hillick Lakers altogether or an extension of the withdrawal process. My guess is that May will try – and fail – to get the vote through by making it attractive to enough to the Labour backEHQFKHUV WR FURVV WKH ÀRRU DQG that we will get an extension of the withdrawal process coupled with another referendum. Whatever happens with Brexit, let us hope that our own government keep on top of things.

They have played it well so far, but we need to be wary of both the UK and the EU so that we don’t get played from both sides. We are going to lose out no matter what; it’s a question of minimising the damage. I’m expecting there will be no election here in 2019. This is the right way to proceed. The agreement between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael needs to be maintained in the national

interest. To many they are one and the same thing now, and going forward they will either go into a full-on coalition or possibly merge. 2019 is going to have to be the \HDU IRU SHRSOH WR ¿QDOO\ OHDUQ how to compromise and build consensus. The path forward isn’t going to be anyone’s preferred path but one that sees all involved give some ground. This applies

to Brexit, international trade, climate change and whatever else you’re having. We are all going to have to adapt and change in all aspects of our lives. We are all going to have to play our part. The biggest challenge – for the individual right up to nations – is being able to not see ourselves as existing in silos but as entities that depend on others and on whom others depend. You’d imagine we’d have already learnt this by now! It will also will be a big year for sport - hopefully we can win the Rugby World Cup! I’m quiHWO\ FRQ¿GHQW ,œP TXLHWO\ FRQ¿GHQW WRR WKDW Katie Taylor can end the year with a full set of belts. I’m less FRQ¿GHQW DERXW TXDOLI\LQJ IRU Euro 2020 in soccer but my guess is that Mick might just do it – we picked the right man there. More than anything else I hope that my family stay healthy in 2019, and continue to seek to achieve things and reach their potential. I wish health and happiness to all of you too and your families. See you in 2019!

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wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

GREEN CHRISTMAS RECYCLING IN DECEMBER/JANUARY

COUNTY Arklow WICKLOW RECYCLING CENTRES Christmas Opening & Closing Times

CHRISTMAS TREE SHREDDING JANUARY 2019 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

TIME

DATE

Arklow

Arklow Recycling Centre, Croghan Industrial Estate

Mon-Thur: 9.00-4.30pm Fri: 9.00am-3.30pm Sat: 9.30am-1.00pm

3rd -15th January

Aughrim

Tidy Towns Pavillion

Mon-Sat:9.00-4.00pm

3rd -15th January

Avoca

Avoca Recycling Centre

Mon-Thurs: 9.00-4.00pm Fri: 9.00 am-3.30pm Sat: 9.30am-1.00pm Closed for lunch1.00- 2.00pm every day.

3rd -15th January

Rampere Landfill & Recycling Centre

Mon-Thur: 8.30-4.30pm Fri: 8.30am-3.30pm Sat: 8.30 am-1.00pm

3rd -15h January

Blessington

County Council Yard, Naas Road

Mon to Fri:10.00-4.00pm

3rd -15th January

Bray

Bray Recycling Centre, Beechwood Close, Boghall Road

Mon-Fri:9.00-4.00pm Sat:9.30am-1pm

3rd -15th January

Bray

Festina Lente Foundation, Old Connaught Avenue

10am-4pm Daily

3rd -15th January Donations in aid of Festina Lente

Greystones

Carpark in front of the Wicklow County Council Offices on Mill Road opposite the bottle banks

Hollywood

Church Carpark, Hollywood

10.00am -12.00 midday

12th January Donations in aid of Tidy Towns

Wicklow

The Murrough Recycling Centre, Wicklow

Mon-Thur: 9.00-4.00pm Fri: 9.00-1.00pm Sat: 9.30am -1pm Closed for lunch1.00- 1.45pm

3rd -15th January

Mon-Fri: 8-5.30. Sat: 9am - 1pm

3rd -15th January

3rd -15th January

OPEN Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed OPEN

Saturday 22nd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day Thursday 27th Dec Friday 28th Dec Saturday 29th Dec New Year's Eve New Year's Day Wednesday 2nd Jan

OPEN Closed Closed Closed Closed OPEN OPEN Closed Closed OPEN

The Murrough Rampere Baltinglass Saturday 22nd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day Thursday 27th Dec Friday 28th Dec Saturday 29th Dec New Year's Eve

New Year's Day Wednesday 2nd Jan

Baltinglass

New Year's Eve New Year's Day Wednesday 2nd Jan

OPEN Closed Closed Closed Closed Closed OPEN 9.00 to 1pm (half day) Closed Closed OPEN

Bray

Avoca Saturday 22nd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day Thursday 27th Dec Friday 28th Dec Saturday 29th Dec New Year's Eve New Year's Day Wednesday 2nd Jan Thursday 3rd Jan

Saturday 22nd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day Thursday 27th Dec Friday 28th Dec Saturday 29th Dec

OPEN Closed Closed Closed Closed OPEN Sat Hrs OPEN OPEN Sat Hrs Closed OPEN

Saturday 22nd Dec Christmas Eve Christmas Day St. Stephens Day Thursday 27th Dec Friday 28th Dec Saturday 29th Dec New Year's Eve New Year's Day Wednesday 2nd Jan

OPEN OPEN Sat Hrs Closed Closed Closed OPEN Sat Hrs OPEN OPEN Sat Hrs Closed OPEN

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

Wicklow

Green King, Coolbeg (road opp. Beehive)

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.

WHAT GOES IN THE GREEN BIN? Free talks available from the recycling ambassadors programme by VOICE. For Details See www.voiceireland.org/general-news/voice-launches-nationwiderecycling-and-waste-management-workshops/

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wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

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14 | WILDLIFE with Justin Ivory

Robin Redbreast

wicklowvoice.ie New Year Sales Edition

ninenottomiss BOOK of the week

TV SHOW of the week

FILM of the week

HOROSCOPES

Robin (Photo Justin Ivory) AFTER Santa’s reindeer the most iconic animal associated with Christmas must be the Robin. Images of our favourite, cheeky little bird are everywhere this time of year - cards, cake decorations, tree decorations, ornaments, wrapping paper – the list goes on. How did the Robin come to be associated so much with Christmas? Well, the answer, believe it or not, is to do with postmen delivering Christmas cards. The sending of Christmas cards really started in Victorian times in the mid-18th century, 1843 to be precise, and was the brainchild of a civil servant called Sir Henry Cole. The postmen who delivered the cards wore bright red coats and became known as “robins� or “redbreasts�. As Christmas cards became more popular, Nativity scenes gave way to snow scenes with Robins on them. The snow scenes, initially, were a reminder of the very bad winter of 1836 and the robins represented the postmen who deliver the cards. Although known as ‘redbreast’ if you look closely at a Robin the breast is actually orange. So how come we call it Robin Redbreast? Well until Tudor times and the first oranges were brought back by explorers there was no word in English for the colour orange. Prior to that the AngloSaxons used the word Ruddock for the Robin, which means ‘red bird’. From the late Middle Ages it became known as the ‘redbreast’. Christmas for many centuries has primarily been a Christian feast and there are many stories associating the Robin with Christianity and how it got its red breast. Legend has it that a Robin flew to assist Christ on the cross and tried to pull out the thorns in his head. In doing so the Robin pricked itself and got stained in blood. As a remembrance of that kind act all Robins ever since have had a red breast. On that note I would like to wish all the readers of the column a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

PARSLEY, SAGES, ROSEMARY & THE NICK OF TIME by A.A. Lacey available on Amazon

CELEBRITY HOME OF THE YEAR RTE 1, Wednesday January 2, 9.35pm

MARY POPPINS RETURNS ROI rating: PG

Waterford author Aoife Lacey’s first offering is a beautiful and magical tale. The powerhungry Faeries will stop at nothing to steal her. Only a few Elves remain with the power to help her, so must call on the Pixies for their courage, the Woodland Sages for their wisdom and the eccentric vegetarian Vampire Louis for his cunning. Will these unlikely heroes summon the Giants on time and rescue the Chosen Child? Or will the Faeries success and capture her. The future of our world rests in their ability to end the Faeries’ quest for power. Will they succeed in the nick of time?

There’s somethign very enjoyable abo7t getting a glimpse inside someone else’s home, especially that of a celebrity. this one-off special gives viweres a peak at the glamorous abodes of five famous faces, as they compete to claim teh coveted title. Judge Hugh Wallace, interior designer Deirdre Whelan and architect Peter Crowley, have the job of picking a winnner from the homes of artist Robert Ballagh, broadcaster and entrepreneur Ramona Nicholas, writer Jon Boyne, meteorologist Jean Bryne and singer Eleanor McEvoy.

American musical fantasy film directed by Rob Marshall, and a story by Magee, Marshall, and John DeLuca. Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier. Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins -- the beloved nanny from their childhood -- arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure.

TRIP of the week

THEATRE of the week

DANCE of the week

SEA LIFE BRAY Strand Road, Bray. T: (01) 286 6939 slcbray@merlinentertainments.biz

THE GINGERBREAD MAN Friday 4th January @ 2 pm and 4 pm Mermaid Arts Centre, Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow

DANCERS WORKSHOP ACADEMY Southern Cross Road, Irishtown, Bray. T: 086 108 1906. info:@dwadancebray.com

The national Sea Life Centre is one of Ireland’s largest Marine and Freshwater Zoos and the only aquarium on the East Coast. The Sea Life centre is completely indoors making it a perfect all weather activity. It has responsibility for the welfare of over 1100 underwater animals. Are you a Shark lover, a Seahorse fancier or a Clownfish groupie? Perhaps it’s the mysterious Moon Jellyfish or the clever common Octopus that you love the most? Here is where you will meet them all and you’ll be able to get closer to them than ever before. It is a perfect family day out!

“Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the Gingerbreadman�. In this rendition of the age-old tale Miriam Lambert using herself as a humanette, bakes the gingerbread. The freshly baked biscuit runs, eluding the hungry grasp of everyone, until he meets a very clever fox. Miriam has been at the heart of the Irish puppetry since her childhood having been trained by her father, the late Master puppeteer Eugene Lambert. Her unique and creative style of puppetry is a theatrical joy for both child and adult to behold.

Dancers Workshop Academy (DWA) was set up in 2015 in Bray, Co. Wicklow. The school aims to provide an encouraging space for kids to learn and develop their skills in the performing arts. DWA provides classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Acrobatics / Gymnastics, Lyrical and Musical Theatre (which includes Singing and Drama). DWA gives the opportunity for students to audition for places on their competition teams, in which they can attend Dance competitions around Ireland. Some of our students will be taking to the main stage at Perform Ireland which takes place in the RDS.

FUN IDEA of the week

CONCERT of the week

GIG of the week

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THE LEGEND OF LUKE KELLY Saturday, 12th January Mermaid Arts Centre, Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow

BRAY BOWL Quinsborough Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow T: 01 286 4455 info@braybowl.ie

Chris Kavanagh was raised on Irish music and has been singing Irish folk songs since he was three years old. His performances capture the depth and passion of the great man he was so heavily influenced by. Over the past sixteen years he has amazed audiences abroad and has sold out prominent Irish venues such as Vicar Street & The Cork Opera House, with the regular attendance of Luke Kelly’s family. Join him in celebrating the memory and music of a true Irish musical legend that is the one and only Luke Kelly.

Bray Bowl is a an entertainment centre and party venue located beside Bray Dart station. At Bray Bowl they have a wide choice of activities to choose from to suit all ages. Activities include a brand new state of the art Quasar Laser Tag arena & system with 30 guns, along with a brand new Ticket Redemption Arcade with all the latest attractions. On top of that they have Tenpin Bowling (16 lanes), Pool tables (8 ball & 9 ball), Video Arcades & Snooker.

THE FIRST 100 YEARS Thursday 17th January @ 8pm Mermaid Arts Centre, Main St, Bray, Co. Wicklow In 1919 the first DĂĄil convened and the first Democratic Programme for Government was devised. This special concert will reflect on 100 years of the Irish Republic through poetry, music, and song with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and guests Mary Coughlan, Theo Dorgan, Sonamus Cormac Breatnach, Annette Cleary, Rachel Factor and Eamon Sweeney. This concert is curated by Eamon Sweeney, Music Network Artist in Residence 2018 an initiative of Music Network in partnership with Wicklow County Council Arts Office and Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre.

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wicklow people in pictures Declan McAndrew and Norman Heagney of Bray Lions with the large amounts of food donated to their Annual Christmas Food Appeal

Frank Corr of Bray Lions, Daryle Carey of BARSS (Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support) and Joe Fitpatrick of Bray Community First Responders urging you to hop in the Irish Sea on New Years Day at 12pm

Milda Farrell and Stephen Chadwick at the EducoGym customer open night

Hollywood actor Jim Belushi who dropped into Bray’s Harbour Bar

Damien Meaney from Bray with Sasha as Chernobyl Chidren arrive at Dublin Airport to stay with families across Ireland for Christmas. Pic Brian McEvoy. Pic Brian McEvoy

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insideback

Brian Quigley

Our Katie reigns supreme

T

here is something special about Sunday mornings after a Katie Taylor victory. Regardless of whether you stayed up late on Saturday QLJKW WR ZDWFK WKH ¿JKW RU MXVW caught up with the news of the victory on your feeds the next morning, you are immediately in good form for the day and feel like the day’s tasks will be brushed aside with ease. It’s as if a small piece of Katie’s magic has been infused into you. While we make a fuss here over the lyrics of ‘Fairytale Of New York’ by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl in a bout of political correctness, Katie had no qualms about coming out for her bout at Madison Square Garden as the classic blared out. Katie was taking on Eva Wahlstrom of Finland – an old adversary from their amateur days, where Katie beat her on all six times they met – on the undercard of the Saul ‘Canelo’ $OYDUH] ¿JKW ZLWK 5RFN\ )LHOG-

Emily Brennan takes part in the Greystones Baton Twirlers Christmas Show at Shoreline Greystones

ing. Wahlstrom has been in the professional ranks longer than Katie and was undefeated in 22 bouts but Katie completely destroyed her to maintain her sta-

tus as the most exciting boxer, male or female, on the planet right now. It has been an incredible year for Katie, with wins over Vic-

toria Noelia Bustos, Kimberly Connor, Cindy Serrano as well as the Wahlstrom victory - but already she is looking forward to 2019.

After a well-earned Christmas break back home in Bray, Katie will return to her US training camp in January to begin a year that will hopefully end with her

holding all four lightweight belts. Currently Katie holds the WBA and IBF lightweight belts .DWLH¶V FXUUHQW ¿JKWLQJ ZHLJKW is about nine stone nine pounds) but would love to add the WBC and WBO belts. .DWLH PD\ ¿JKW :%& OLJKWweight belt holder Rose Volante of Brazil in Philadelphia in March, alongside a World title ¿JKW EHWZHHQ 7HYLQ )DUPHU DQG Jono Carroll. 7KH ¿JKW FRXOG WDNH SODFH RQ March 16, and what a Saint Patrick’s Day present that would be for Katie and for the nation if she could win. The WBO lightweight belt is currently held by Johana Belen Alfonzo of Argentina. Again, LI DQG ZKHQ WKLV ¿JKW FRPHV to pass it will most likely be in the US, where Katie is rapidly EHFRPLQJ D PDMRU SD\ SHU YLHZ draw. $ ¿JKW LQ ,UHODQG ZRXOG EH nice at some stage, but it isn’t on the radar at the moment. We wish Katie a great holiday and thank her for all the thrills she has provided us in 2018!

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