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FAREWELL TO FR. BRIAN

Fr. Brian Durnin, who is leaving Wicklow town, is pictured here with some well wishers at his farewell party

Fashion fame for local girl

A YOUNG Wicklow woman is just one of 32 students from all over Ireland chosen to participate in Taispeantais 98, RTE's fashion show for young designers. `I am a little nervous,' admits Emer Maher, who intends showing 8 pieces of lingerie from her `Concha Trail' collection. A past pupil of the Dominican Convent in Wicklow, Emer is a final year student at the Grafton Academy in Dublin, and is due to graduate around Christmas. During the Summer, she worked part-time for John Rocha, and her aim is to set up her own business when she qualifies. Taispeantais 98 takes place in Athlone on Friday night, and RTE's `Nationwide' programme will broadcast highlights from it on Monday evening. Those participating in the competition were nominated by their colleges, on the basis of the quality of their work. Among those who are to attend the show are Emer's parents, Paddy and Irene Maher, of Friars Hill, Wicklow.

Caravans back at pool site

JUST over two years after a large number of travellers were moved from the spot, caravans are now back on a site opposite County Buildings in Wicklow town. The plot of land is located close to the town's soccer pitches and will be the location for Wicklow's new swimming pool when that project finally gets under way. Situated across the road from the County Council headquarters, it is right under the noses of the county's top management officials. Several caravans had to be evicted from the site in autumn of 1996 after a long-running saga involving the Urban and County Councils and travellers who were camped there. When the space was cleared, wires were put around it and large boulders placed on the ground in a bid to prevent a similar encampment from occurring again. However, in recent weeks a family parked on the outside of the site, and then managed to get their caravan inside, and they have since been joined by another group. Local Town Councillor Lance O'Brien told the Wicklow People that he had made representations to the County Council, urging them to get the travellers moved as soon as possible.

Fall-out from Ballinagran decision

Refuse service faces axe

EILIS RYAN Staff Reporter

WICKLOW County Council may reduce its household refuse collection service from a weekly to a fortnightly $- or even monthly $- service. In addition, householders may face higher refuse collection charges $- and new housing developments may be delayed in the wake of Monday's decision by Wicklow's County Councillors to vote against a `superdump' at Ballinagran. Prior to the ballot County Manager Blaise Treacy pleaded to councillors to vote with their heads rather than their hearts. He said if they voted `No', he would have to revisit the estimates, and consider increasing domestic refuse collection charges. Mr. Treacy said that the importance of the Councillors' decision to the people of Wicklow could not be under-estimated. `It is one of the most difficult and important decisions you, as a group of councillors, will ever make,' the Co. Manager said. A document circulated by Co. Secretary Bryan Doyle prior to the meeting pointed out that if the Ballinagran site was rejected, the Council would be `back to square one'. He warned that a `No' vote would mean a delay of three to five years before the Council could provide an alternative landfill site. There was no doubt but that the question of a weekly refuse collection would have to be re-examined in the light of the remaining capacity of the Ballymurtagh landfill, he said. `The weekly collection might have to give way to a fortnightly, or indeed monthly, collection,' Mr Doyle said. On their arrival at the County buildings for Monday's meeting, councillors had to pass through a crowd of 500 protesters who turned out to lobby for rejection of the County Manager's proposal. David Ryan, chairman of the Ballinagran/Coolbeg Action Group, presented the Council with a petition containing the signatures of 14,000 people. Shane Cleary of the Action Group marked the Council's card with regard to plans that Newtownmountkennedy should be the landfill site if Ballinagran was ruled out. He warned that the Newtown site was on one of the largest aquifers in Wicklow.

People power wins out in Ballinagran controversy

Objectors overjoyed as cllrs. say no to dump

EILIS RYAN Staff Reporter

WICKLOW'S County Councillors gave the thumbs down on Monday to the controversial Ballinagran `superdump' proposal. By a margin of four, the Councillors voted against a variation of their County Development plan which would have allowed development of the dump to proceed. In a last bid to stress the urgency of the Council's needs, County Manager Blaise Treacy warned that if the dump doesn't go ahead, he may have to increase domestic refuse collection charges - and to call a halt to housing development in the county. Sinead Curley, the Council's Acting Senior Executive Planner, told members that by 2016, East Wicklow will produce 110,000 tonnes of waste annually. Already, she stated, 75,000 tonnes of rubbish are generated in the area each year. Arguing point by point with the issues raised by anti-dump protesters, Ms. Curley said that the 51 acres designated for the landfill would be managed on a cellular basis, and that the land involved was of the lowest landscape designation in the county. Measures to ensure that it was used only as a Council dump, and that private dumps could not be opened in Ballinagran, had been taken. No hazardous waste was to be dumped at the site, and waste from Dublin would not be accepted. Although dump protesters were pointing to a North Kerry dump as an example of what could be achieved in Wicklow, she said that that particular dump was one of five serving Kerry - and an additional fifty acres are required there anyway. Following a lengthy debate, thirteen councillors voted in favour of the variation, and nine voted against. Cllrs. Tommy Cullen (Lab.) and Vincent McElheron (Ind.) were not at the meeting. Cllr. Pat Vance (F.F), supporting the Council's stance, said that £800,000 had been spent on the Ballinagran proposal to date. His concern was for the future of industrial development in the county if there was no landfill available. A claim that most of the information made in submissions against the dump was `misleading, inaccurate and false' was made by Cllr. Pat Byrne(Lab.), who was also supporting the dump. Deputy Dick Roche (F.F.), who was strongly against the dump, said he did not believe the Councillors, as public representatives, could ignore the views of the 14,000 who had signed the petition. He said it would be impossible to ensure no hazardous waste was dumped there, and that the projected lifespan of the dump was longer than the average life sentence. A suggestion that the dump be located near Bray, on the basis that it should be as close as possible to the source of the bulk of the waste, was made by Cllr. Tom Honan (F.G.). Describing the affair as `a sorry saga' Cllr. Susan Philips (Ind.) said that the County should have been looking at incineration as an option, instead of spending 7 years pursuing a course to which the Councillors had already indicated their opposition. As a short term measure, she suggested that disused quarries be used to accept Wicklow's waste. Deputy Mildred Fox (Ind.) stated that the decision was a difficult one for Councillors to make. `I think we should explore all the other options on the list, and also other options maybe not on the list,' she said, adding that she was voting `No'. The fear that Ballinagran would become a regional dump was expressed by Cllr. Noel Jacob (F.F.), who suggested it should be sited in `a less picturesque county, a less tourist-oriented county'. Labour's Cllr. Jimmy O'Shaughnessy pointed out that eight years earlier, Councillors were told the Ballymurtagh site would last 25 years, but it was now almost full. The Council's consultants had already ruled out Kilmurray as an alternative to Ballinagran, and he was telling them that they could rule out Glenealy as well. `There will be no superdump in either of those two areas,' he said, adding that the solution might be to locate four smaller dumps around the county. Cllr. Colm Kirwan (D.L.) felt the Councillors had no option but to vote in favour, and he disagreed with the suggestion that four dumps be provided. `I'm not littering dumps around this county like confetti,' he said. The fact that there were areas of marginal land in Wicklow more suitable for a dump than the `top class agricultural land' around Ballinagran was fuelling Cllr. Jim Ruttle's (Ind.) stance against the issue. Fianna Fail's Cllr. Michael Lawlor warned that without a landfill, Wicklow will face a public health crisis. Councillors had to face up to this he said. Also supporting the dump was Cllr. Joe Behan (F.F.) who said those opposing the dump should point to alternative sites. Cllr. Kevin Ryan (Lab.) was angry over the amount of Dublin refuse which had gone into Ballymurtagh. Cllr. Pat Doran (F.F.) believed the dump was not right, and Cllr. Pat Doyle (F.F.) felt the matter should be left to the Council's consultants. Council Chairman Liam Kavanagh also spoke strongly against the issue.

Protesters out in force to lobby councillors

APPROXIMATELY 500 protesters turned up at the County Buildings to lobby Councillors on their way into Monday's meeting. Among the oldest present was Charlie Armstrong, from Glenealy, 87. `My nephew lives beside it,' he said, adding that his family had farmed the area for 150 years. `I'm very against it,' he said. `The worst thing about it is the way it'll affect water. And the rates and everything that come from a dump.' Tina Keenaghan, Rosehill, moved to Wicklow from Dublin 2 years ago. `We came for the greenness and the peace - for the kids,' she said, explaining that she didn't want to see that environment destroyed. Fiona Clements, of The Murrough, said her reasons for opposing the dump were obvious. `We're progressing into the future now, and basically, it's not giving the future a chance,' she said, stating that recycling programmes should be put in place. From Harbour View, Stella Clarke came out too. I think it's too close to such a highly populated area. There should be more recycling. There's not a good waste management plan in action.' Tony Renshaw, of the Rocky Road, gave up his dinner hour to join the protest. `The dump is far too large for what's required for the area. If they were going to build a small dump there wouldn't be so much opposition, but they will take waste from all this side of Ireland.' Liam Quinn, from Kilcandra said the whole concept of landfills was ludicrous. `So much stuff we throw out could be recycled,' he said, adding that the Council should be looking towards recycling. Mary Delahunt from Friars Hill said the dump would be an environmental hazard, and Maura McCoy, Ballinteskin, was worried about the effects on groundwater supplies. John Glynn from Glenealy was opposed to it on health grounds. `I have young kids, and we're only a stone's throw away from the dump, and I would be very concerned. I appreciate we all need a dump of some description on some scale, but not a super dump. Wicklow County Council should look at ways of reducing the waste rather than piling it into a dump which will operate for years.'

How they voted on crucial dump issue

THOSE who voted in favour of the contravention of the County Development Plan in order to allow the dump to go ahead were: Joe Behan (F.F.), Vincent Blake (F.G.), John Byrne (Lab.), Pat Doyle (F.F.), George Jones (F.G.), Colm Kirwan (D.L.), Michael Lawlor (F.F.), Bill O'Connell (F.F.) and Pat Vance (F.F.). Those against were: Pat Doran (F.F.), Mildred Fox (Ind.), Tom Honan (F.G.), Noel Jacob (F.F.), Liam Kavanagh (Lab.), Jimmy O'Shaughnessy (Lab.), Alex Perkins (Green), Susan Philips (Ind.), Dick Roche (F.F.), Shane Ross (F.G.), James Ruttle (Ind.), Kevin Ryan (Lab.), and Godfrey Timmins (F.G.). Absent from the meeting were Tommy Cullen (Lab.) and Vincent McElheron (Ind.).

Over the moon with decision

DAVID RYAN, Chairman of the Ballinagran/Coolbeg Action Group, admitted he was close to tears, after Councillors voted to reject the dump. `I had to go outside for a breath of air,' he said, clearly pleased the tension was over. Dieter Clissman too, another leading member of the Action Group was relieved. It felt, he said, as though a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Also looking delighted after the years of lobbying paid off was Val Cosgrove, who had been delighted at the turnout of protesters prior to the meeting. He'd been optimistic the vote would go the way the protesters wanted. `I have full confidence in the democratic process. I doubt if people will contradict themselves,' he'd said.

Arms hidden in barrel

A SHOTGUN, a rifle, knives and holsters were among items discovered in a barrel buried at Ballinaclash over the weekend. Workmen preparing to build a house near the village were clearing the site with a J.C.B. when they uncovered the barrel. Gardai called in to investigate found the barrel contained weapons, and immediately sealed off the area before conducting a search of the surroundings. `We would feel ourselves that it wasn't there that long,' Supt. Thomas Davitt said this week. It was unlikely that the items found were connected with subversive activity, but they had been sent for forensics and ballistic examination, he said. A Wexford Garda involved in the search was injured in a freak accident during the search. Gda. Davy Lynch was brought to Loughlinstown Hospital after being injured by a strimmer which was being used to clear the area near where the arms were found.

History lecture on Kynoch's explosion

A TRAGIC accident at one of Arklow's most celebrated pre-war industries is the subject of an upcoming lecture to be presented by the Arklow Historical Society. Local historian James Scannell will present the lecture on `The 1895 Explosion at Kynoch's Factory' at The Royal Hotel on Monday, October 19 next, at 8.00pm. Admission will be £1, and all are welcome to attend.

Call for plan for Brittas

Cllr. Noel Jacob is to ask Wicklow County Council to draw up a separate Development Plan for the Brittas Bay area. At a Brittas Fianna Fail cumann meeting, Cllr. Jacob said he would table a notice of motion to this effect. He complimented the local Development Committee on the Draft County Development Plan submission they had prepared for presentation to Wicklow County Council.

Farm walk to mark Rural Women's Day

A FARM walk aimed specifically at women has been organised for Wicklow, to mark Rural Women's Day. At 11 a.m., on Thursday next, C.A.O. Larry O'Loughlin and other Teagasc staff will be present at the farm of Joe and Michael Hayden, Killavaney, Tinahely, to lead the walk, which will take about an hour and a half. The event is aimed at all women involved in farming and rural development in Wicklow. Among the subjects up for discussion are the Franz Fischler proposals, Agricultural and Rural development in Wicklow, particularly in the area of agri-tourism. In addition, general farm practice topics will be dealt with.

Belfast holds Blessington history papers

THE only copies of a vast horde of historical papers relating to Blessington, are held in Belfast. Now local people want to have at least some of the documents copied, and stored in a local history library at Blessington. The records of the Downshire Estate, of which Blessington was a part, contain huge amounts of invaluable historical information, which would assist local historians, and also families wishing to research their family trees, says Josephine Clarke, who has been living in Blessington for the past three years. Josephine is one of a group of local people who spent some time last winter doing a genealogy course given by Tipperary woman Noreen Higgins in Blessington. The students of that course have now decided to follow through on what they have learned, and are calling a public meeting to discuss the possibility of building up a collection locally of records relating to the history of Blessington. `When Blessington gets its new library, we want to have a local history section in it,' says Josephine, adding that among the items which such a resource should stock would be copies of the old Tithe books, old Census results, and copies of other documentation which would give a picture of the history of the area. At the public meeting which they intend holding on Monday of next week, October 19, at 8 p.m. at Blessington Community Centre, on the Baltinglass Road, they intend ascertaining the extent of local interest which there would be in such a proposal. If the interest shown is great enough, the group hope to persuade Wicklow County Council, which oversees the library service in the County, to apply to have microfiche copies made of the Downshire Estate records. The meeting is also aimed at those interested in researching their family trees, and those who have already undergone Noreen Higgins' course are willing to help others begin their exploration work.

Ghostly apparition caused by `passing car headlights'

GEORGE JACOB Staff reporter

THE proprietor of a leading South Wicklow hotel moved this week to exorcise reports of a ghostly apparition at her period premises. And The Valley Hotel's Doreen O'Donnell believes that there is a perfectly understandable explanation for the strange sighting which made the pages of the national media, last weekend. The owner of the popular Woodenbridge hotel explained how passing car headlights often cast unusual shadows and illuminations onto one of the walls in their function room. `On the night of the reported sighting it was dusk, and the lights of a passing car could have thrown this effect onto the wall. The person who is reputed to have seen the ghost was in the room at the time without any lights on, so it is very likely that this is the explanation', she says. She believes that the presence of white coned napkins on the tables in the room could have accentuated the illusion too. Doreen O'Donnell, who has owned the century-old Valley Hotel for the past ten years, says that there have never been any reported incidents of ghostly happenings at the premises, nor indeed any documented or reported accounts of hauntings at the hotel in the years before she acquired it. `If there was genuinely something to this story I would be happy to go along with it, and perhaps benefit from being able to market the premises for its unique ghostly happenings. But sadly I do not believe that there is anything to it, and think that rather than allow things to get out of control, want to nip it in the bud at this early stage', she said. The report in `The Star' newspaper last weekend gave an account of how a cleaner had seen an apparition in the function room of The Valley Hotel while going about her work recently. The paper speculated that the vision may have been that of a 19th century nun returning to the hotel which she used to visit in the 1880's. Doreen O'Donnell believes that the sighting has a more terrestrial explanation however, and stated that while the telephone has been hopping since the ghostly account first appeared, the real reason for the illusion is far more down to earth than was reported in `The Star'.

Popular Wicklow curate honoured by parishioners

THE popular curate Fr. Brian Durnin, who has just completed six years as curate in the Parish of Wicklow, was honoured by local parishioners on Wednesday night last. Several hundred, in fact, turned up to pay tribute to Fr. Durnin, and those present joined with Paddy Whelan in remembering the different ways in which he had touched their lives. Those who had been ill or bereaved remembered his gentle consolation, those who had been involved in First Confessions, Communions and Confirmations remembered his attention to detail. No effort was spared to make these occasions meaningful and spiritual for children and parents. Those involved in the birth of Parish Development and Renewal (PDR) remembered how he stayed with the slow and often painful process giving direction and deadlines when it was foundering. Fr. Frank McDonnell P.P. added his tributes to those of Mr. Whelan, and wished Fr. Brian a return to full health and every good wish for the future. A cheque was presented to Fr. Brian and a bouquet of flowers to his mother. His only sister Lily, also attended. Those present enjoyed the cakes and other goodies prepared by parishioners for the occasion. Women's course With the children back at school, and the possibility that many mothers would welcome the chance to get together and perhaps learn new skills, Wicklow Community Services is launching a ten week course for local women. On Tuesday mornings, at the Wicklow Community Services Centre, Bridge Street, women will be invited to learn to relax, and to discover more about themselves sand their hidden talents through chat, arts and crafts, cookery demonstrations, health and beauty, aromatherapy, reflexology - and lots more. According to Anne O'Neill, who is organising the course, the focus in the crafts and cookery demonstrations will be on preparations for Christmas. A qualified reflexologist herself, she will be bringing qualified specialists in to handle the various aspects of the course - and an effort will be made to provide instruction in other subjects not listed but which the women themselves identify as things which would interest them. The course runs every Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. up to December 8. A fee of £1.50 is payable each week, to cover the cost of tea and coffee. All are welcome to attend. `If it is successful, we will be looking at going further, and doing things in more depth. This is effectively a pilot scheme,' says Anne. Golf A.G.M. The annual general meeting of the Mariner Golf Society is being held on Monday next, October 19, at the Old Forge, at 8.30 p.m. Congratulations At the Harbour Commissioners annual general meeting, Cmmr. Jim Giff was re-elected chairman, and holding the vice-chairmanship is Cmmr. John O'Brien. Waste disposal It was ironic that after leaving their Chamber after the vote on the controversial Ballinagran dump proposal, Councillors were due immediately to attend an exhibition sponsored by the Council on the subject of........recycling. M.C. for the launch of the exhibition, which is on loan from ENFO, was County Secretary, Bryan Doyle, who stated that Wicklow County Council intends in the future to be to the forefront with regard to the use of recycled materials. County Manager, Blaise Treacy said that across the world, the climate with regard to waste was changing, and Wicklow was at the moment all too conscious of the difficulties waste materials can present. Within the County Council itself, waste has been reduced by 50 per cent, and the remainder is sent for recycling. Cllr. Liam Kavanagh, the Council Chairman, said the display had already been exhibited at ENFO headquarters in Dublin. He said that for the future, people must ensure there is less waste produced. The exhibition is running daily until the end of October, and all are welcome to come and view it. Council staff are particularly hoping to see schools attend. Young designer Designs created by a young Wicklow woman are to feature in a major fashion show on Friday - and will be shown on television afterwards. Emer Maher, from Wicklow town, is a final year student at the Grafton Academy in Dublin, and she has been selected to show her collection in the RTE fashion show for young designers called `Taspaintas 98'. The Show takes place at the Regional College in Athlone on Friday of this week, and will be televised on RTE's `Nationwide' programme on Monday evening. Emer is a past student of the Dominican College, Wicklow, and has been studying design since her Leaving Certificate. During the Summer, she worked part time for the internationally known designer John Rocha, and she hopes, when qualified, to set up her own business. Snooker It'll be waistcoats and serious faces around the Q-Club at The Mall next weekend, when the fourth annual pro-am Snooker tournament takes place. Among the professional players coming are Eugene Hughes, Fergal O'Brien, and Mick Judge, and pitting their skills against them will be Clinton Franey, David O'Neill, Barry Norton, and of course, Q-Club proprietor Jason Watson himself. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 23; the quarter finals are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday; the semi-finals for 2 p.m. that day, and the finals for 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Draughts mad Something strange has come over customers at the Beehive pub! For while up to this they simply enjoyed their draught, now they're enjoying draughts as well! It was Kit Byrne, who has a bit of a reputation as a draughts supremo, who got the competition going. Now, Wednesday nights, Kit, together Mayoman Tommy Browne, Brendan Mulholland, and Lance O'Brien are duelling over the draughtsboard in an effort to win the specially commissioned cap hanging behind the bar, which bears the words `Beehive Draughts Champion 1998'. But the fever is spreading - and some of the other regulars are now throwing their hats in the ring as well - including proprietor Eddie Costello, who will be claiming to represent Donegal, and Phil Redmond, who will be wearing the purple and gold of Wexford! What next? Scrabble? Chess? Backgammon? Monopoly? We watch with interest....

Soccer international brings girls out in force to see the lads

Fans on song as a late strike brings right result

GEORGE JACOB Staff Reporter

THE David Beckham's, Jason McAteer's and Jamie Redknapp's of the footballing fraternity have a lot to answer for. For `The Spice Boys' of premiership soccer have not only enlivened the sport with their skills and talent - they have also switched on a whole new audience to the beautiful game. And one suspects that quite a few in the large attendance of teenage girls who attended Tuesday afternoon's Irish U-21 international soccer match were talent spotters with precisely this idea of a beautiful game in mind. Local teenagers Jenny and Maria confided as much when they said that they had come along firstly because they had been given the afternoon off school, and secondly they were keen to have a look at the lads on display. Sex symbols in football have existed ever since the days of George Best, but from the time that Manchester United's Beckham took up with Posh Spice, his Liverpool counterpart Redknapp married a member of Eternal, and footballers began appearing in advertisements for hair care products, the game has never been sexier. `There aren't that many worth looking at', admitted a disappointed Jenny after an intensive first fifteen minutes of study. After that the match appeared to lose it's appeal.... for her at least. But for many more of the 3,200 crowd who packed into Arklow Town's Lamberton ground it was an eventful and entertainment spectacle which brought a welcome taste of international class football to the town. And there was a bit of autograph hunting to be done too - with Irish team manager Mick McCarthy and former goalkeeping hero Packie Bonner doing the honours for any youngsters who proferred pens and paper in their direction. The two giants from the Jack Charlton era of Irish football were amongst a travelling party of FAI dignitaries who came to Arklow for the event, and were housed in a specially installed Guinness Gig Rig stand on pitch side. Elsewhere a small marquee had been erected for tea and sambos for the great and the good, while the Arklow Pipe Band did the honours during the pre-match warm up and at half time. The on-pitch action showed up the blossoming skills of a number of the emerging talents - of both Ireland and Malta, and while the game looked to be heading for a 1-1 stalemate following two first half strikes, a late winner by the Irish clinched the tie, and allowed the crowd to go home with the result that most of them wanted. For Jenny and Maria however it may have been a case of talking their dads into taking them to Lansdowne Road.... where Jason McAteer and their particular definition of the beautiful game were definately on display.

Brittas Bay seeking village status and public water supply

EILIS RYAN Staff Reporter

BRITTAS BAY locals are looking for an opportunity to address Wicklow County Council on their area's needs. For they have, through the Brittas Bay Development Committee, decided to lobby to have water supplied to their area - and to have Brittas Bay afforded village status. The Development Committee has lodged a submission to Wicklow County Council outlining their feelings on the draft County Development Plan. The six point submission is headlined with the locals' desire to have their area afforded village status. They point out that unless it is designated a village, it will be denied services which the Council is bound to provide to villages. `It appears inequitable that such villages as Ballycoog, Moneystown, Connary and Askinagap, all with populations of between 100-200 are classified as villages when Brittas Bay and environs with a permanent population of approximately 600, (expanding to between 2,000-3,000 in the summer) are excluded from village status,' their submission states. The lack of a public water supply to Brittas Bay is another issue angering locals - especially since, they say, ground water supplies in the area are currently contaminated. Pointing out that the Council has been prepared to pump up to 500,000 gallons a day to the proposed dump at Ballinagran, they are annoyed over the fact that water should be diverted for this use, while they are without water. Water required for a dump could, they state, be obtained from bore wells or from the Three Mile Water river. `A large number of proposed housing applications by locals have been refused due to the restrictions on siting bore wells in sandy areas with a proliferation of septic tanks,' they state, going on to point out that planning permission could be granted to many of these if mains water were available. The Committee is also pointing out that the growing health risk resulting from the high nitrate levels and ecoli present in the Brittas Bay aquifer would be eliminated by the provision of a mains water supply. The last census of population showed a decrease of 36 people in the under 21 year old category in Brittas Bay between 1991 and 1996. The Development Committee are claiming that a proper housing policy would stop the displacement of the local population - and they allege that current housing policy appears to favour holiday home development in preference to the housing needs of local people. They want the Council to relax its attitude on dormer dwellings, pointing out that the increase in ridge height to allow bed space in attic conversions is approx 1 metre in an average bungalow, offset against a length increase of up to 10 metres Another means by which the Brittas Bay Development Committee believe their area would benefit would be through the promotion of local employment - particularly farming. `The current policy for the development of farm holdings requires a threshold of 75 acres for a viable farm unit. `We request that this threshold be reduced to c. 15-20 acres to allow for part-time farmers and specialist small farm enterprises to promote a vibrant rural community,' the submission states. A major restoration and maintenance programme which will see the revamping of the old school in Brittas, has been undertaken, and the Committee want the site of the old school zoned solely for community use.

Top tourism citation for Avoca guesthouse

A bed and breakfast in `Ballykissangel' has just landed a top tourism citation from a leading UK tour operator. For the Cherrybrook Country Home in the heart of the Vale of Avoca has been named as the September winner of the J.P.C. `Golfing Holiday of the Month' award. Praised by customers for it's `homely accommodation and excellent attention to visitors' wellbeing', the local bed and breakfast has been included amongst the short list of monthly winners from which a 1998 best holiday accommodation winner will be picked. Run on an annual basis by the Journal Publication Company (J.P.C.) - leading organisers of golfing holidays, the Cherrybrook Country Home was put forward for the award by satisfied guests who had nominated the Avoca guesthouse. The business was established seven years ago by Mrs. Bernie Ivers.

Receiving charge struck out against Arklow barber

AN Arklow barber who was accused of receiving a stolen C.D. player, had the case against him struck out, following a hearing at the local District Court, this week. The court heard that Niall McCarthy of Scarnagh, Inch, had received the C.D. Discman from a man that he knew at his premises at Main Street on March 1, 1997, but had immediately handed it over to the Gardai when they called to his shop that evening. The court was told that he had agreed to pay £40 for the player to a person whom he knew, and had been told that it was an unwanted Christmas gift. Garda Martin McAndrews said that the man who had taken the C.D. player, from T.R. T.V. on Main Street, Arklow, earlier on the same day, had already been dealt with by the courts. Niall McCarthy in evidence stated that the party who had offered him the C.D. came into his shop on the day in question and asked him if he wanted to buy the player, which he said was an unwanted gift. He said that he knew the man as he used to come in to his shop from time to time to have his hair cut. The court was told that they agreed on a price of £40 for the equipment, and that the defendant had said that he had agreed to pay the sum after work on that day. `It was a busy Saturday and I did not get a chance to look at it after that', he said. `When the Gardai came in later and asked me about it, I took it out of the press and gave it to them', he said. A shop assistant Caroline Cullen gave evidence of how the C.D. player had gone missing after a visit by four youthes to T.R. T.V., earlier on the same day. Asked by Judge Donncadh O'Buachalla whether he had learned his lesson from the incident, the defendant said that he had. Finding the facts in the case to have been proven, the District Court Judge ruled however that the charge against Niall McCarthy should be struck out, on condition that he pay £60 in witnesses expenses in the case.

Spectacular victories for silver band

ARKLOW'S Armitage Shanks Silver Band were double winners at the `Sounds Spectacular 1998' competition which was hosted locally at St. Mary's College, last weekend. For the local band picked up not only the premier `Casey Entertainment Perpetual Trophy' at the event, but also celebrated a win for James Connolly in the best soloist section, at the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands event. Four of Ireland's top bands joined the Arklow troupe in the weekend contest, while the event was adjudicated by Michael Casey. The Armitage Shanks Arklow Silver Band, under conductor John Bonner were clear winners on the day with a programme of music which included such works as The Beatles popular `Ticket to Ride', Gordon Langford's `Carnival Day' and `The Gentle Maiden', and Andrew Lloyd Webber's `Pie Jesu', while James Connolly won the best soloist award for his euphonium solo on the band's arrangement of George Doughty's `Grandfather's Clock'. The Arklow Silver Band will hold their annual general meeting at the Band Hall on Saturday next, October 24, at 8.00pm. All members are asked to attend.

Sold 60 year old bike for £250 in aid of South African charity

RETIRED shopkeeper Billy Byrne demonstrated that he had lost none of his ability as a salesman, when he succeeded in selling a 60 year old bike for a whopping £250. But before you accuse the 86 year old from Aughrim of pulling the wool over anyone's eyes, it should be said that the auction in question was all for a charitable cause. For Billy Byrne has been busy in recent times raising funds for a church-based charity in South Africa, and the sale of his vintage bicycle was just one of his efforts to raise money for the cause. The cycle in question was first sold by the local man to a cousin back in 1937. It was used by her on an almost daily basis for many years, and was estimated to have travelled upwards of 100,000 miles by the time it found its way back into Billy Byrne's possession a few months ago. `The bike was in absolutely perfect condition, so I decided to hold an auction - and invited bids for it', he says. `The plan was to find a new owner for the bike, and donate all of the money we raised to the Catholic Welfare and Development Charity, in Cape Town'. The idea hit the jackpot, and just last week the 61 year old cycle was handed over to the highest bidder, Margaret Byrne from Tullow, for the sum of £250. The proceeds from the sale have been added by Billy to the £350 he has raised in recent weeks from his other fund-raising interest - the sale of home made rosary beads. The latest sum will take to £1,100 the total amount raised by the local man for the South African charity, in the past year.

Falling out between friends ends in court

Judge dismisses all charges in `sad case'

A FALLING out between friends resulted in allegations of assault and a criminal prosecution being brought against two local people, at Arklow District Court this week. But following a hearing of the case Judge Donncadh O'Buachalla dismissed all charges, and described the incidents at the centre of the hearing as `a sad case' where relationships between people had broken down. Audrey Brohan of 1 Alexander Terrace, Arklow, and Peter Ross of 39 Lower Main Street, Arklow, were before the court charged with behaving in a threatening, abusive and insulting manner, in Arklow on November 17 last. Kathleen Travers told the court that she had answered a knock to the door at her home on the evening in question, and had been abused and struck on the face by Peter Ross. She said that the defendant had screamed and shouted in her face about her partner Liam Hayes, and had hit her with the back of his hand and knocked her glasses to the ground. She told the court that she had called the Gardai about the incident, and had opened her door a number of hours later, believing that it was the police, and had been confronted again - this time by Audrey Brohan. She claimed that the second named defendant had grabbed her by the shirt, and had been abusive and threatening towards her. Kathleen Travers denied that she had been friendly with either of the accused, but said that her partner Liam Hayes had been friendly previously with Peter Ross and with Audrey Brohan. Under cross-examination by Richard Cooke, solicitor, Kathleen Travers denied that she had been spreading rumours about the defendants, and said that she had been confronted on the night about such claims. And she denied a claim by Audrey Brohan that she had struck the defendant with an object, and had caused an injury to her which needed ten stitches, and subsequent plastic surgery to her ear. Audrey Brohan claimed that she had gone to Kathleen Travers to try to `make peace' after an earlier argument involving Peter Ross, and that she (Kathleen Travers) had followed her down the path and struck her. She said that she was later removed to Loughlinstown Hospital, and lost a part of her ear in the incident. Asked by Garda Superintendent Pat Flynn why she had never made a complaint nor pressed any charges arising from this alleged incident, the defendant said that she `felt it would do no good to go to court over the matter'. She claimed that she had at one time been friendly with Kathleen Travers, and had helped her out in the past. Peter Ross told the court that he had had a number of pints before calling to Kathleen Travers' house on the night in question. He said that he had wanted to talk to her about some nasty things that she had been saying, and in an effort to patch up some bad feeling between them. He denied that he struck her when he called to the door, and said that he only began shouting when he was confronted by Kathleen Travers in an agitated state on the night. He said that in hindsight he recognised that it was foolish of him to have gone to her house to discuss the matter, when he had drink taken. Judge Donncadh O'Buachalla was told that matters between the parties had not got any worse since the incident at the centre of the court case, but that the parties avoided each other. He said that it would be unfair to convict either of the defendants, given the circumstances of the case, but decreed that the £40 cost of replacing the spectacles of Kathleen Travers which were damaged should be paid from the court's poor box.

Morning out for women stuck in the home

A TEN week course offering classes in arts and crafts, cookery, and reflexology is about to being in Rathdrum. `It is aimed at women who are stuck at home during the day, and it will give them the chance of a morning out,' says Anne O'Neill, a professional reflexologist, who is organising the course for Wicklow Community Services. The course begins on Tuesday morning next at St. Michael's House, Gilbert Row, Rathdrum, and will continue each Tuesday until December 10. Each Tuesday session begins at 10 a.m., and runs through until 1 p.m., and as well as the classes mentioned above, there will also be the chance to study health and beauty, to learn relaxation techniques and a bit about aromatherapy, as well as the chance to get together and chat. `If it is a success we will look at going further into things in more depth,' says Anne, who added that in this current season, the emphasis in the cookery and craft sessions will be on preparation for Christmas. The cost of attending each Tuesday is £1.50, which is just to cover the cost of tea and coffee.

Sharon only deals with the top cats of the world

GEORGE JACOB Staff Reporter

DEAN MARTIN, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis have all been truly the top cats in their day. And the three celebrated singing stars who bore those names weren't that bad either! You see Deano, Frankie and Sammy D. are just three of the championship winning feline `rat packers' to have been reared by Aughrim-based cat breeder Sharon Saville. And Dean Martin affirmed his new found status as king kitten, when he prowled away with one of the top prizes at a prestigious national cat show in Dublin recently. Competing in his very first show, Asian Burmilla kitten Dean Martin picked up the award for best shorted haired cat on show, at the annual Siamese and All-Breed Cat Show contest, which was held at the Ballinteer Community School earlier this month. A breeder of new and exotic breeds for the past fifteen years, Sharon Saville says that there is currently a great interest in Ireland and the UK in pedigree breeds, and it is growing by the year. `More and more people are becoming interested in the exotic breeds, and the Siamese, Burmese, and other exotics are becoming more and more popular', she says. One of a number of leading cat breeders and exhibitors from the Garden County who compete regularly in the annual shows and competitions, Sharon confides however that it can be difficult at times to part with her feline friends. `I like them or my daughter likes them, and then we just end hanging on to them, rather than trying to find other homes. At the moment we have 12 cats', she says. Fittingly, Sharon says that the next plan is to set up a cattery, for the care and board of other people's pets at her home.

Jobless total drops to lowest level

THE number of people claiming unemployment benefit in County Wicklow has fallen substantially in the past month. Out of work figures released by the Central Statistics Office last weekend show that the numbers on the live register dropped by a total of 450 people, last month. The latest jobless total of 6,217 takes unemployment in the Garden County to its lowest level this year. The figure for September represents a drop in the numbers claiming benefit in each of the five main centres in the county. The most substantial drop in unemployment occurred in Bray, where the out of work figure fell by 228, while there was also a substantial drop in the total in Arklow, of 112 people. The new figures, with the reduction of the last month in brackets are as follows - Arklow 1,298 (112), Baltinglass 598 (24), Blessington 256 (28), Bray 3,149 (228) and Wicklow 916 (68). The latest out of work figures represent one of the biggest drops in a single month which Wicklow has seen in recent years. The September total of the numbers unemployed is almost 2,500 less than were claiming benefits in the Garden County less than three years ago. The unemployment figures for Wicklow are broadly in line with the national jobless trend, which saw the out of work total fall by more than 10,000 last month. The current national figure for people out of work is 219,174, while the regional total for the Mid-East region is 15,758.

Boat owner to be billed for dock oil spill

A BOAT OWNER is to be billed for the costly clean up operation which followed an oil pollution incident in Arklow Harbour, last month. The owner of the vessel which sank in the dock area of the harbour more than three weeks ago is to be invoiced by the Arklow harbour authority for the specialist clean up operation which had to be carried out in the area. Harbour sources signalled this week that the cost of the clean up could amount to almost £3,000. The spillage of heavy grade lube oil occurred when the trawler `Rikka Pia' sank from the slipway of the dock area of the local harbour. A thick oil slick formed on the water, and spread until the Harbour Board placed a cordoning boom around the contaminated surface area. A specialist pollution control company from Dublin were called in by the harbour authority to mount a clean up operation, and spent three days in Arklow removing all of the spillage. To lift the oil the contractors spread a fibre material across the slick, and used industrial suction equipment to remove this from the water once it had soaked up the oil. Harbour Master Tommy Meyler said this week that the spill had caused quite an amount of contamination in the dock area of the harbour, but had been cleared up successfully by the contractors whom they deployed. `It was a complex enough operation, but fortunately we have things back to normal again', he added. The Harbour Board chief confirmed that under the provisions of the Environmental Pollution Act the party who was deemed responsible for the spillage would be required to pay for the cost of the clean up operation. The vessel at the centre of the recent incident in Arklow Harbour is understood to be from Cork.

Multi-million development on Arklow quayside

Green light sought for marina, housing project

MEMBERS of Arklow urban council were being asked to green light plans for a multi-million pound marina and housing development for the town, at their monthly meeting on Wednesday (last) night. The issue was up for discussion at the local authority's monthly meeting, as the council were asked to approve a proposed Material Contravention to their Development Plan, which would permit the scheme to go ahead. A planning application has been lodged by Quayfront Ltd. for the development of a 42 by 63 metre marina with 30 berths, and for a further 30 berths in the river, and for the construction of eight apartment blocks and 28 houses at North Quay. A total of 128 apartments are being proposed for the North Quay site, and the total value of the scheme has been estimated locally at more than £15 million. The promoters of the venture Quayfront Ltd. are understood to include a number of directors from local businesses, Arklow Shipping and O'Toole Shipping Ltd. Arklow urban council have received a handful of submissions in relation to the planned marina and residential scheme, including a submission from the local Sailing Club. The U.D.C. are understood to have received no written submissions in opposition to the scheme, although local docker workers have voiced concern, but not objection to the venture, on the grounds that a large scale residential development in the area could have an adverse future impact on the industrial activities in the area. Town councillors are being asked to contravene their Development Plan to permit a residential development on a site which is currently zoned for industrial and port usage. In the proposed new Draft Development Plan for Arklow the local authority's planners have recommended a change of zoning in the area to widen the scope of permitted development, and include housing development.

Youth service training programme

GEORGE JACOB Staff reporter

ARKLOW'S leading support, information and training service for young people launched it's new 1998-99 Programme, at a reception in the town last week. The reception to launch the East Wicklow Youth Service Programme for the coming year was attended by a number of leading figures from the local business community, parish, County Wicklow VEC and the Town Council, and was chaired by the E.W.Y.S. development officer Patricia Stokes. The launch was told of the range of training opportunities and special programmes to be run by the E.W.Y.S. for the coming year, and also heard an outline of the extensive information service which is available to young people in the town. The event was also attended by the head of Youth Services at the Catholic Youth Council, under whose auspices the East Wicklow Youth Service is run from it's premises at Ormonde House on Main Street. The chairman of the County Wicklow V.E.C. Cllr. Michael Lawlor paid tribute on the night to the valuable work that was being done by the Catholic Youth Council with ventures such as the East Wicklow Youth Service, and said that the various training courses, programmes, and information services which were offered was invaluable to the young people of the town and outlying area. The East Wicklow Youth Service seeks to provide assistance and support to all adults who work with and for young people in the locality; provides training courses for youth and community leaders and young people in the area; promotes programmes, events and regional activities; and promotes local activities for the young people of the town. In it's upcoming programme the E.W.Y.S. will be running training courses in a range of subjects including communications skills, leadership training, life and social skills, parenting and relationship skills, persomal development, and substance abuse. The service will also run a range of special programmes including an after-school homework group for primary school children, a mother and toddler group, as well as first aid, arts and crafts, parenting and personal development courses. Outside of it's own specific activities, the launch heard that the East Wicklow Youth Service facility contributes to the work of a range of other locally based groups including the Arklow No Name Club, Wicklow Working Together, the Arklow Community Drug Awareness Group, and the Parish Development and Renewal group. Amongst the guest speakers who attended the launch of the new programme were Fr. Colm Gallagher PP, Chamber of Commerce President Margaret Swan, Arklow Retailers chairperson Sandry Duffy, C.Y.C. Youth Service head Marie Ni Chionnaith, Urban Council chairman Cllr. Pat Sweeney, and Cllrs. Mary Whitty, Tom Clandillon and Nancy Quinn.

Need to clear shores

THE shores around Wicklow town should be cleared before the bad weather sets in, according to local Councillor Robert Kearns. Speaking at last week's meeting of the Urban District Council, Cllr. Kearns said that the town's shores should all be emptied because they're 'full of sand' at the moment.

Marathon Pat set to reach 400 miles

WHEN a well-known Wicklow runner steps out for the upcoming Dublin City Marathon, he will pass a number of notable milestones for his athletic efforts. For Pat Carroll from Knockanna is set to reach the 400-mile marathon mark for his run, but more importantly he will have succeeded in clocking up over £16,000 for charity, from his efforts to date. A participant in no less than 15 marathons, and a contestant in each of the last eleven Dublin City Marathon events, Pat has already succeeded in collecting £1,200 in sponsorship, in advance of the upcoming October Bank Holiday weekend race. The sponsorship from the upcoming run will go to the Irish Council for the Blind, who join organisations and institutions such as the Crumlin Children's Hospital, Multiple Sclerosis Ireland and Childline as beneficiaries from Pat Carroll's efforts. Pat admits that the races have always been a huge challenge for him, and says that `there's no such thing as an easy marathon'. But he confides that the upcoming race will be more difficult than usual, as a series of injuries have limited the amount of training and preparation he has been able to do for this year's race. He says that he started running back in the mid-1980's, when he took to the roads as part of a fitness regime which was started when he joined the local Grangecon Boxing Club. `I just set off running one day, and I have never really stopped', he says. Since then he has run in every single Dublin Marathon, and has lined out for two marathon events in Belfast, and a further two in London. He says that he has never yet failed to finish a race, and is optimistic that he can retain that particular record in Dublin, on Monday, October 26 next.

Major survey in Arklow

ONE of the most comprehensive surveys ever undertaken in County Wicklow to seek the views of a local community to it's town, is to be launched in Arklow next week. For Arklow Community Enterprise Ltd. (A.C.E.) are set to canvas the views of the 9,000 inhabitants of the town on some of the key issues effecting their lives. And 40 local Transition year students from local schools have been recruited to assist with the venture, which the promoters believe will provide a blueprint of the way that local people want their town to be moving forward. The upcoming `S.W.O.T. Analysis' - an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, is the brainchild of the newly appointed chief executive of Arklow Community Enterprise Joe Lynam, who says that the survey will enable local people to express their views, and democratically voice their opinion on a range of relevant issues and subjects. Designed upon a model which is employed widely in the United States, the S.W.O.T. questionaires will be distributed by hand to all households in the town within the next week, and will invite people to have their say on a range of issues relating to the local town. Joe Lynam describes the initiative as a comprehensive exercise in market research, which he believes will offer guidance to Arklow Community Enteprise on the direction which their future work should take for the town. `This is an example of bottom-up democracy. We are asking people what they want for the town, what is good about the town, and what the weaknesses are. If people have a range of views or suggestions, then we will invite them to fill out a number of forms, and let us know what they are thinking', he says. The chief executive of A.C.E. says that a number of years on the continent taught him the importance of market research, and the benefit of canvassing the views of the public before embarking upon one particular course of action or another. `Without the information, planners and managers are engaged in guestimates, or are making ill informed decisions which can then be difficult to implement', he says. A 28 year old returned emigrant whose father comes from Barndarrig, Joe Lynam says that the views and wishes that are expressed in the S.W.O.T. study will provide the basis for the future planning of A.C.E. `Once we have been informed by the people of what they want then it is up to us to see how we should go about trying to implement these recommendations', he added. Transition year students from St. Mary's College, from Arklow VEC and from St. Kevin's CBS have agreed to distribute and collect for S.W.O.T. questionaires to local homes over the coming fortnight, and will also be involved in the collation of the information which is gathered by way of the survey. Arklow Community Enterprise Ltd. are proposing to present their findings from the survey in a report which they are hoping to publish, next month.

Local bikers represent Ireland in Motorcross

FOUR young Wicklow riders were on the national team which flew the flag for Ireland at the recent International Motorcross U-21 Championships. And the local quartet performed beyond all expectations at the competition in Belgium, with all four competitors finishing in the top fifteen in their Support Race Competitions at the tournament. The local riders, (pictured above), who participated in the international, are, Ronan Short from Ballycoog, Graham Vigors from Arklow, Kieran Lawless from Roundwood, and Dylan Nally from Annamoe. Competitors from 18 European countries took part in the recent U-21 Motorcross Championships. The Irish party who travelled to the event are all members of the Naas-based Irish Schoolboys Motorcycle Club.

Youth theatre a new venture in Wicklow town

FOR aspiring actors and actresses, for those who want to gain confidence, and for those who are just looking for something different to do - Wicklow Youth Theatre could be just what the doctor ordered. This is a new venture which has been set up by the Arts Office of Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Working Together Ltd., and the first workshop will take place on Saturday week, October 24, in the Parochial Hall (youth club) in Wicklow town. This will effectively be an open day when young people in the area can just turn up - from about 2.30 p.m. onwards - to find out what Wicklow Youth Theatre is going to be all about. The brains behind the project were Carolann Murphy, Youth Co-Ordinator of Wicklow Working Together; and Deirdre Enright the County Arts Officer, while the new Director of the Youth Theatre is Irma Crothuis. Irma has previously worked in this field as Development Officer of the National Association of Youth Drama - working in liaison with about 61 such theatres around the country. For the last couple of weeks, Irma has been visiting the schools and clubs in the area to make pupils aware that the Youth Theatre is about to be set up. `At the moment', she explained to the Wicklow People, `we want every young person from Wicklow town and its environs to feel that they can participate in this if they want to.' Positive response So far, she says, there has been a positive response and a big crowd is expected on Saturday week. `The kids seem to be very interested in it and the reaction has been very good. Always it's been girls who are more interested but here we've got a good response from the boys as well.' Eventually, the Youth Theatre will consist of about 30 young people, the core group will be from 15 years upwards but there will also be a group for children aged between about 13 and 15. An interest in drama is an obvious requirement for participation in Wicklow Youth Theatre, but a burning ambition to be an actor isn't. Members can just take part to enjoy themselves; meet new people; learn about theatre and drama; gain confidence; explore issues and themes that are relevant to them and reflect their own lives; and learn about the technical side of theatre such as lighting design and operation, stage design and construction, and stage management. `Initially the core work of the Youth Theatre will be the Saturday workshops and eventually we'll hope to maybe devise a play', Irma points out, `but that will reflect the issues and themes that they're interested in. `I'm trying not to impose work on them and it should also reflect the work of the community.' The Youth Theatre will be meeting every Saturday after October 24 for a weekly drama workshop, but anyone who wants to turn up at the initial workshop on the 24th can do so. Anyone looking for more information can contact Carolann Murphy at the Wicklow Working Together Ltd. office in the Enterprise Centre, 0404-66433.

Young soccer stars the pride of Arklow

GEORGE JACOB Staff reporter

ARKLOW was at the centre of the celebration of Ireland's underage soccer success this week - but away from the U-21 international at Lamberton there was another cause for soccer celebration in the town. For two of Arklow's most promising young players returned with silver medals from the recent inter-provisional schoolboy championships, and one of them even capped that feat when he was selected to line out as part of the FAI's National School's Squad. The duo were the toast of their team-mates at Arklow Community College, as they were selected as County Wicklow's only representatives in the Leinster squad for the inter-provincials in Galway. And 18 years old Peter Dempsey guarded the net in all three of Leinster's games at the quadrangular event, while 17 years old Danny O'Hart played in the midfield engine room in two of his province's three matches. Few are prouder of the two boys achievements than their school coach at the Community College, Ian Gogarty, who has watched the two teenagers come up through the ranks to emerge as two of the brightest young prospects of Wicklow soccer. And it was celebrations on the double for Danny O'Hart, when the young player from Oaklands in Arklow was chosen, following his inter-provincial performances, for the FAI schoolboy squad for a series of upcoming games. But for the fact that he exceeded the age limit, Ian Gogarty is confident that their keeper would have made this panel also. 18 years old Peter has been a colossus between the posts with the senior team at Arklow Community College since he was aged just 14, and has lined out also in that time with a number of Arklow Town F.C. sides. Ian Gogarty says that the youngster from Abbeylands gave a series of towering performances for the Leinster schoolboys, and conceded just a single goal in his three matches at the event. And there were similar words of praise for Danny O'Hart, who plays his club football with St. Joseph's of Sallynoggin, following a move from Arklow Town F.C. to the Dublin league side earlier this year. The captain of the Arklow C.S. team which won the Wicklow/Wexford Schoolboy League, were beaten finalists in the Leinster Cup, and were semi-finalists in last year's Leinster League, Ian Gogarty says that Danny O'Hart is one of the brightest outfield talents to come through the schoolboy soccer ranks in Wicklow, for some time. Both local inter-provincials took part in the School of Excellence scheme which was run at Arklow Town in association with Newcastle Utd. FC last season, and the indications are that they are already reaping a welcome dividend for their efforts. `They are both fantastically dedicated young lads, and deserve all the success that they can get. To play for their province was a great achievement, and for Danny, a chance to play for the FAI schools is an experience which he will certainly cherish', says his local school teacher.

Improvements for busy Marlton Road

NEW ROAD markings, improved surfaces and new public lighting should all be installed along the Marlton Road in Wicklow town in light of the amount of housing development taking place. A number of new estates have been built on this road which leads south-west of Wicklow in recent years, with another currently under construction, and Town Councillor Roy Conway says that there is a need for improved safety facilities. `We should light the road properly and mark it properly and put in better signs', he said at last week's meeting of the Urban Council, `because it's a very busy road.' Cllr. Jim Giff pointed out that they had written to the County Council earlier in the year to ask them to extend the lighting along Marlton Road. Meanwhile, Cllr. Robert Kearns said that he had had many representations from residents of Greenhill Road who wanted new footpaths to be put down. `They should be provided before a child is killed.'

£203,000 in grants for Wicklow

AN allocation of just £203,000 out of a total fund of £5.7m was made to Wicklow County Council under the 1998 Urban and Village Renewal Programme. While five County Borough Corporations scooped up £4.66m of the total allocation, Wicklow's allocation was considerably less than that of some of its neighbouring Councils: Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown received grants totalling £276,000, while South Dublin County Council obtained an allocation of £260,000. The grant to Kildare amounted to £173,000; to Carlow £133,000, and to Wexford £203,000. Wicklow's allocation was broken into £58,000 for works in Urban areas, and £145,000 for the Village Renewal programme. Wicklow also received a total of £70,000 under the 1998 Conservation Grants Scheme, out of a total available fund of £916,000. The grants allocated to Wicklow were £20,000 to Kilquade for the local St. Patrick's Church; £15,000 to the County Council for Baltinglass Heritage Centre, and a similar sum to the Vale of Avoca Development Association for work on Avoca Courthouse. Tinahely Courthouse Ltd. was allocated £10,000 for work on Tinahely Market House; Emplagri Ltd. received a similar sum for work on the Walled Garden and Fountain in Bray. The allocations were made from EU Structural funds.

Fines for overdue books set to rise

LIBRARY membership fees may be abolished in Wicklow - but fines for overdue books are likely to go up. At the County Council's recent meeting, Cllrs. Joe Behan (F.F.) and Pat Vance (F.F.), proposed that in the light of the recent changes in local government funding, that the Council abolish the library membership fee. Cllr. Behan pointed out that when the charge was introduced, it was at a time when the Council was in straitened circumstances. Councillors who had voted in favour of the fee had done so reluctantly. Cllr. John Byrne (Lab.) supported the call, saying that the charge represented `a tax on education', and he said that instead, the fees should be increased. County Manager Blaise Treacy said he was sympathetic to the proposal. It had been no great joy to him to have had to introduce the charge ten years ago, and he would come back with a proposal on the matter.

Man shouted through letter-box and kicked door of former home

A 29 YEARS old man rang the front doorbell at his former home for ten minutes and then kicked the back door before shouting through the letter box at his wife, Wicklow court heard. Before the court was Michael Lang of 32 Fairfield Park, Greystones who pleaded guilty to two charges of contravening a safety order taken out by his wife. Garda Sean Carroll said that on June 13th the defendant called to his former home at Seamount Drive, Newcastle and began a discussion about a trip to Lourdes and a pending operation for one of the children. `He then started shouting at his wife and said that just because he could not touch her did not mean that others could not touch her. The children were frightened and Mrs Lang was scared that he might get others to come back to the house', said Garda Carroll. He added that on August 2nd he called again and started arguing about the operation and then wanted to take out his 3 year old daughter. Mrs Lang would not allow it because he was drunk. `He rang the doorbell for ten minutes, kicked the back door and then shouted in through the letter box. His wife was in fear while he was there', he added. Defence solicitor, Facthna Whittle said that the couple have got over their difficulties and a new court agreement is in place. The defendant can come to the house once a week to see the children. Judge Donnchadh O'Buachalla adjourned the case to January.

Alsatian bit two people

AN ALSATIAN dog which slipped its lead and bit two people while its owner was taking it for a walk has since been put down, Wicklow court has heard. Before the court on Tuesday was Tony Clinton of 40 Sycamore Drive, Newtownmountkennedy who pleaded guilty to a charge of not having a muzzle on a dog and failing to keep it under effectual control. Garda Lenny Lennox said that on July 3rd, the defendant decided to take his alsatian for a walk. The dog should have been muzzled. The animal got away from its owner on the Sycamore Drive estate and bit two females. He added that the dog was put down two days later. Judge Donnchadh O'Buachalla fined the defendant £100 for failing to have the dog under control and £60 for not having it muzzled.

Co. Council recommends alternative usage

Grass cuttings not collected in future

EILIS RYAN Wicklow

THE collection of garden waste has been abandoned by Wicklow County Council in its drive to reduce the pressure on landfill space within the county. But the council has come up with a range of suggestions on how people can actually put their garden waste to good use. `Garden and kitchen waste, if used properly, will enrich the garden, save on landfill space, conserve the use of peat from boglands and help to attract more birds and wildlife into backyards,' a council spokesperson said this week. The most effective way of dealing with garden waste is through composting. Most good gardening books will explain the details - or gardeners can contact the County Council for advice. If gardeners don't fancy composting, there are some other strategies, including mulching and grass cycling. Mulching is a simple process of placing organic matter such as grass clippings, leaves and pruning material in thin layers on the surface of the ground and leaving it to decompose. Contrary to popular belief, grass cuttings may be left on the lawn, and will soon be `consumed' by the lawn itself - feeding the nutrients back into the soil. Those with large gardens may also have large amounts of woody garden waste. This may be piled up in an out of the way part of the garden and left to decay. All sorts of wildlife will love this safe habitat - including hedgehogs, foxes, badgers and birds. Leafmould involves stacking fallen leaves in a pile in the corner of the garden, and covering them with an old piece of carpet. Alternatively, they can be placed in black plastic sacks. Ensure they are damp, and leave them for about a year to decompose. Community Composting is something which the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is encouraging. They have published a book, the `IPCC Guide to Community Composting' which explains how to get started through your local community groups, schools and residents' associations. They can be contacted at 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1, or by telephoning 01-8722397. The Environmental Information Section of Wicklow County Council will be happy to give further information. Marking the envelope `Getting rid of Garden Waste', write to the Environment Information Section, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow, enclosing a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Silver Band to hit the airwaves

ARKLOW'S Armitage Shank's Silver Band are set for an appearance on the airwaves on one of the BBC's longest-running programmes. For the band travelled to Wexford recently to record tracks for an upcoming New Year's broadcast of the popular radio programme `Listen to the Band'. The recording took place at St. Peter's Church in Wexford, and is set for transmission on the Friday, January 15 next on the show on BBC Radio 2. The selection of the Armitage Shanks Arklow Silver Band is a real feather in the cap of local members.

National Environmental Endeavour Awards

Honoured for work for the environment

GEORGE JACOB Staff reporter

THE FOUNDER of Ireland's first purpose-built angling facility for the disabled, and a leading Arklow Tidy Towns activist are amongst the national winners of this year's E.S.B. Environmental Endeavour Awards. Established four years ago and adjudicated by a panel which includes some of the country's leading environmentalists, the recently announced winners include Tidy Towns campaigner Aideen Marshall, and Aughrim businessman Patrick Byrne. Aideen Marshall picked up the prestigious national award in recognition of her work with a project which set out to promote environmental and nature awareness, and to highlight the anti-vandalism message, amongst local schoolchildren. As part of the `Plants and Wildlife Cycle Project' she set out promoting environmental and wildlife awareness amongst local schoolchildren, and with another member of the local Tidy Towns committee developed projects at each of the town's five primary schools. Patrick Byrne picked up a local Environmental Endeavour Award in recognition for his achievement in establishing the National Disabled Angling Facility and Wildlife Park in Aughrim. Ireland's first purpose built angling facility for the disabled, the facility has been developed on eight acres of land in Aughrim, of which four are a designated wildlife park. The park welcomes both beginners and experienced anglers, and is easily accessible for people with disabilities. As an extension of the work being done at the National Disabled Angling Facility and Wildlife Park, Patrick Byrne has also been involved in encouraging the provision of more accessible accomodation and facilities in the locality. The national ESB Environmental Endeavour Awards are administed jointly by Conservation Volunteers Ireland and Groundwork Northern Ireland, and are sponsored by the E.S.B., N.I.E. and the Gulbenkian Foundation. The overall national winner of the ESB Environmental Endeavour Award for 1998 was Frank Quigley from County Antrim, who received his commendation for environmental improvements to the a local river and lake.

Murrough needs `rejuvenation'

WICKLOW Urban Council and Wicklow County Council should come up with a plan to rejuvenate the Murrough area of the county town. That's according to local Councillor Liam Kavanagh who pointed out at last week's meeting of the Urban Council that there was a need for a `general tidying-up' of the Murrough. This is the coastal area which stretches north from Wicklow town and is used by thousands of people for walking, jogging, cycling, and angling. Benefits A private company was recently refused planning permission to build a jetty at the Murrough for the purposes of importing and exporting sand and gravel. `The general condition of the Murrough should be improved for the benefit of the town', said Cllr. Kavanagh. `It's one of our best facilities in the whole area and a lot could be done to make it a bit more friendly and welcoming to the general public.' A lot of the Murrough is in the County Council area, he added, so the U.D.C. would have to work with the County Council to come up with ideas for the improvement of this stretch of coastline. Cllr. Lance O'Brien agreed, describing Cllr. Kavanagh's suggestion as `excellent', while Cllr. Jim Giff said that a pitch and putt course should be developed on the Murrough.

Work on Wicklow town's pool is still on schedule

THE development of Wicklow town's swimming pool is still on schedule with a report on the tenders due to be submitted this month. Town Clerk Frank O'Toole has confirmed that six tenders were received for the main construction contract and four for the mechanical/electrical contract. A report on the tenders has been prepared by the consultants who are working on the pool and this will be going to the Department of the Environment for consideration. The Town Clerk has been complimented for his work on the project by the Chairman of the Urban Council in Wicklow, John O'Brien, who pointed out that all documentation had been dealt with promptly by Mr O'Toole. `There's no hold-ups at this end', said Cllr. O'Brien.

Ryder Cup is the target of Garden County's Celtic Tiger

Druid's Glen to get £50 million facelift

ANNE SAVAGE Bray

THE CELTIC Tiger with the biggest roar in the Garden of Ireland is to undergo major expansion in the coming months - as Druids Glen Golf Club unveil multi-million pound plans for a major hotel, residential, and new golf course development at their Kilcoole property. Representing an investment of well over £50 million, the ambitious project is due to start on the grounds of Woodstock House at Kilcoole in the Spring, with a proposed completion date for the five-star hotel exactly a year later, in 2000. `The whole project should be fully completed by the year 2003, with the work being undertaken in phased stages,' said Chief Executive of Druids Glen Denis Kane. The project consists of a 150-bedroom five star deluxe hotel embracing a complex which will also include corporate and executive accommodation together with housing units, for permanent or semi-permanent residences, a conference and business centre, 16 metre swimming pool, gym and leisure centre. The company will employ in the region of 200 people in the hotel and another 50 to 60 people to maintain and run the second golf course in this expansion, which will introduce Co Wicklow to its first ever five star hotel. Speaking at the unveiling of plans for the project last week, Denis Kane talked of the tourism related business that Druids Glen has brought to the county, and pointed out that the golf course enjoyed world wide recognition through competitions such as the prestigious Murphy's Irish Open. `The hotel will overlook the magnificent 13th hole on the well-known Glen section of the course,' said Denis. `We are looking forward to the new millennium and with it, new challenges and new responsibilities, and we are particularly proud of the contribution we have made to Irish golf tourism since our official opening a mere three years ago,' he added. The team at Druids Glen are also looking forward to hosting their fourth successive Murphy's Irish Open Golf Championship next July. `The Druids Glen commitment now opens the door for Wicklow to compete at the highest possible level with other countries in a golf resort market which continues to grow in line with the prodigious world wide expansion,' he said. The club has played host to Ireland's largest international sporting event for the past three years enjoying a natural amphitheatre, easy spectator movement and viewing and overall has won the stamp of approval with all concerned. Druids Glen is now a serious contender for the Ryder Cup proving over the past few years that it can manage the crowds and has access to the infrastructure to accommodate them. `There were 30,000 spectators here on the last day of the Irish Open in July and along with the proven success of the access network to the club we have a capacity to accommodate up to 19,000 cars on the busiest days,' said Denis. The combination of this major undertaking and the proximity of Druids Glen to Dublin's accommodation pool and the new airport motorway, will now establish the club as a serious contender for its bid to host Ireland's first Ryder Cup in County Wicklow in 2005. The estate was first owned by Sir Thomas Wentworth in 1600 and passed into the hands of the Earl of Aldborough during the 1700's. Present owner Hugo Flinn bought the estate in 1992 from William Forwood and among its claims to fame is an appearance in Glenroe. The current championship golf course at Druids Glen was developed in the early 1990s at a cost of more than £12 million. Just over a year after opening it landed the prestigious Murphy's Irish Open Tournament, and is set to host the premier national tournament for fourth successive year, in 1999. Enrolment and membership costs to Druids Glen run to in excess of £30,000.

Horticultural Show was `a riot of autumn colours'

THE CHAIRMAN of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Liam Kavanagh, has praised Delgany and District Horticultural Society for the Autumn Show staged at the Newcastle Community Centre on Saturday. He complimented the exhibition and members for the high quality of the produce, which was very colourful. `It was almost like a harvest festival,' he said. Praise for committee Exhibits ranged from apples, pears and other autumn fruits to a full display of vegetables (cabbage, onions, leeks, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and herbs). The flower classes covered chrysanthemums, dahlias, roses, and michaelmas daisies. Mr Kavanagh praised the Newcastle Community Committee for bringing the show to Newcastle and said that while the Delgany and District Horticultural Society drew its membership from south Co Dublin and north Wicklow, a greater effort should be made to recruit new members from the mid-county and Wicklow town area. He encouraged local people to get involved. He also praised the Ashford and District Beekeepers' Association for their honey exhibits. He commended St Francis's School for winning the school class. Results Murdock Cup, Rowan Cup & RHSI spoon for best apples, Harry Johnson (Newcastle); Shamrock Voucher for best collection of vegetables, John Markham (Greystones); Sam Golden Salver for best collection of vegetables, John Markham (Greystones); D&DHS Cup for best onion, John Markham (Greystones); Crawford Cup for best Chrysanthemums, Evelyn Johnson (Newcastle); O'Neill Cup for best lilies, Margaret Kelly (Greystones); Greenhouse Voucher for best ornamental foliage, Margaret McVitty (Newcastle); O'Brien Cup for best dahlias, John Markham (Greystones); Perpetual Silver Cup for best cacti, Joan O'Regan (Killiney); D&DHS Trophy for best junior exhibit, Nicholas Broadstock (Newcastle); Floral Art Turton Cup, Maura Sheehan (Bray); Dempsey Silver Vase, Margaret McVitty (Newcastle); School Class, St Francis's School.

Writer in Residence programme comes to an end

Feast of arts in Tinahely

WICKLOW County Council's first ever Writer in Residence Programme will come to an end this weekend in Tinahely with a weekend event to celebrate local literature, art, theatre, music and comedy. One of the highlights of the event - titled Stream and Gliding Sun - will be the launch of an anthology of Wicklow literature called 'Stream and Gliding Sun: A Wicklow Anthology'. Edited by the county's Writer in Residence, David Wheatley, the anthology contains a cross-section of poetry and prose from and about the county by both Irish and non-Irish alike. Readings from the anthology will take place over the weekend with the likes of John Banville, Michael Longley, Dennis O'Driscoll, and Carol Rumens doing the honours. Another publication which takes material from around Wicklow as its subject matter is 'I Am the Crocus' which is a collection of poetry written by children from all parts of the county. 'As a local authority, it's quite unique that we would publish three books', says County Arts Officer Deirdre Enright. The other is a play by Bray writer Noel McKay, 'Monumental', which will also be launched on Friday night in Tinahely. `It's good that people who are starting out on their careers as writers have something like this, and it's all very good quality', Deirdre added. The Writer in Residence programme was an innovative project undertaken by Wicklow County Council when they appointed David Wheatley earlier this year. He may be now finishing his stint but it is hoped that somebody new will be appointed to the post next spring. The job of the Writer in Residence involves meeting with writers groups and individuals who are interested in writing, offering advice, as well as continuing with one's own writing. `Stream and Gliding Sun' takes its name from a poem written by Yeats about Glendalough which is just one of the items featured in the literary anthology. `This is a unique event for writers', the Arts Officer said this week, `which does highlight the the tradition of writing in the county and from the county and it's very important that we assist that.' This weekend - which is supported by Wicklow Rural Partnership, the Arts Council and Poetry Ireland as well as Wicklow County Council - should provide a welcome boost for Tinahely and the full-time arts centre at the Courthouse, putting the spotlight on the facilities which the south Wicklow town has to offer in terms of the arts. `We're very lucky to have something like Tinahely in the county.' Other events included over the weekend will be music by the Greystones Orchestra; a performance by the Two Chairs Company on Friday which will adapt stories and music from literature and legend; a show by comedian Brendan Dempsey who recently appeared at the Edinburgh Festival and is also a regular on Channel 4's Father Ted'; and many more. Bookings are available by contacting the Tinahely Courthouse Centre on 0402-38529. A weekend ticket, available from Tinahely Courthouse Centre, costs £20.

McManus slams waiting lists

Some of the patients on hospital waiting lists will die due to the lack of treatment, according to Democratic Left TD Liz McManus. She said that it was a scandal that one per cent of the country's population was on hospital waiting lists. Speaking at an adjournment debate in Dáil Eireann, she pointed out that at the same time, over the Summer over 750 beds acute beds were closed in hospitals because of budgetary constraints. The extent of bed closures was frightening, she said, particularly in view of the fact that the review group examining the situation had cited hospital capacity as an obstacle to getting treatment to those who need it.

Calling Wicklow's young songwriters

YOUNG songwriters are being offered the chance to win £2,500 worth of musical or recording equipment in this year's 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest. December 11 is the final date on which entries from songwriters aged under 20 will be accepted, and ten songs will be selected for the final, which will be broadcast live on 2FM on Friday February 26 next. The winning entrant, along with winning the Yamaha equipment, will represent Ireland at the Song Contest for Youth Programmes in Europe, radio's answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. Application forms are available from 01-2083242, or by e-mailing reidjrte.ie and leaving one's name, address and telephone number, or alternatively, by dropping a line to 2FM/Jacob's Song Contest, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.

Autumn School a popular event

They're all just Wilde about Oscar

`OSCARMANIA' has taken over Bray, according to this year's Oscar Wilde Autumn School organisers. `As we near the centenary of his death, Oscar's popularity seems to be greater than it ever was. His wit and wisdom is as often quoted today as the day he spoke them himself. Unlike most other famous writers of the past, Oscar is still `cool', he was a pop star before his time,' said Autumn School Co-ordinator Jim Roche. The group wants to point out that the school, organised by the Chamber of Commerce, is not just aimed at the academics. It's something that everyone can enjoy and the keynote opening night reading is by the ever popular Paul Durcan. There are many highlights throughout the school among them a talk by rock journalist BP Fallon on Oscar's influence on the world of rock `n' roll. Alan Stanford will talk about directing `Lady Windermere's Fan' at the Gate Theatre. Barry McGovern is going to give a special one off performance of the `The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. The Red Rua theatre company will be giving a rare performance of one of Oscar's lesser known works `Vera or the Nihilists' each night of the school at 8pm in the centre for adult education, Putland Road, Bray. Rare performance From October 21 to 25 in the Esplanade Hotel on the Seafront, the hotel's unique Victorian atmosphere will provide the ideal setting for the school. Bookings for the events can be made throughout the Oscar Wilde Office, Chamber of Commerce House, Prince of Wales Terrace, Bray, phone 2865245 or fax 2760230. Prices are £6/£4 (conc.) for poetry readings and £8/£5 for each daily lecture session. The schedule is as follows: Wednesday October 21 8pm poetry recital - Paul Durcan. Thursday October 22 2.30pm winners of schools poetry competition; 4pm `Victorian Bray' by Liam Clare; 5.15pm `Introducing Oscar' by Ian O'Malley; 8pm readings by local writers, chaired by David Wheatley. Friday October 23 2pm `Imagining Wilde' by Dr Eibhear Walshe UCC; 3.30pm `Directing Wilde' by Alan Stanford, Theatre Director; 5pm `A provincial like myself: Yeats, Wilde and the politics of identity' by Noreen Doody TCD; 8pm `The Ballad of Reading Gaol' by Barry McGovern. Saturday October 24 noon `Verbal Sabotage, Wilde's war with English' by Dr Jerusha McCormack UCD; 2pm `Oscar Wilde and prejudice' by Fr Michael McGreil, NUI Maynooth; 3.30pm `Oscar Wilde and Pop Music' by BP Fallon, Rock Journalist, 4.45pm Dramatic performance (Trapeze Theatre Co.) 8pm Gala dinner. Sunday October 25 2pm `Bruce Arnold John Temple and the Swifts and William Wilde's role in the affair'; 3.15pm `Sir William Wilde, narrative of a voyage' by Dr JB Lyons; 4.15pm `The Trials of Oscar' by Dara Hogan TCD; 5.15pm `The sculpture in Merrion Square' by sculptor Danny Osbourne.

Health information at the touch of a button

THE EASTERN Health Board has launched a new internet web site offering detailed information on its services to the 1.3 million people living in counties Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow. According to the the Board, the site provides `quick and easy access' to its wide range of services, including a comprehensive directory offering `gateway access' to more detailed information on areas of interest. The website address is: www.EHB.ie The site also lists information on eligibility for various entitlements such as medical cards, drug refund schemes, and supplementary welfare. Public information There's also a public information service based on most frequent queries to the Board's Customer Services Department, fully indexed details of recently published documents from the board and job advertisements. The Board said it was working the with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland to ensure their site could be accessed by the visually impaired. It was also hoped to make the website available in libraries and other public information outlets. Chief Executive Officer P.J. Fitzpatrick predicted that in view of the geographical spread and diverse range of services provided by the Board, the website would prove to be an invaluable tool in keeping clients, staff, other health professionals and researchers well informed and up to date on all aspects of its services.

Council plan to build houses is put on hold

COUNCIL plan to build two houses at Grattan Park Greystones has been put on hold, after local councillors expressed concern about the safety of the location. Cllr. George Jones (F.G.) told Council officials that the two house scheme would be at the entrance to Kindlestown Park, which is subject to large volumes of vehicular traffic. He felt the construction of two houses at that location would increase the extent of what was already a location hazardous to traffic. Deputy Dick Roche (F.F.) agreed that sight lines were bad. Council Chairman, Liam Kavanagh (Lab.), remarked that infill housing would form a growing part of the Council's future development, but he agreed to put the matter back for re-examination.

Court injunction placed on postal company

Ordered not to infringe on Bray hotel's property

A CIRCUIT COURT judge has put pressure on An Post to find a new premises for their sorting office in Bray. An injunction was placed on the postal company this week by Judge Jacqueline Linnane, ordering them not to infringe on the property of a local hotel and not to misuse a right of way which is located at the back of the hotel grounds. A stay of 18 months was put on the order, effectively giving An Post 18 months to find another site for the letter forwarding service in Bray which covers all incoming post to counties Wicklow and Wexford - about 100,000 items a day. The case was taken against An Post by the owners of the Royal Hotel in Bray, McGettigans Ltd. which has registered offices at 33 Upper Fitzwilliam Square in Bray. They were seeking an injunction to prevent An Post from causing any `damage, interference, nuisance, or inconvenience' to the hotel through their use of a right of way at the back of the Royal Hotel. This right of way - from Seapoint Road to An Post's own yard - was obtained by An Post in 1985. It was pointed out by the plaintiff's side that the amount of An Post traffic using the right of way had `greatly intensified' since 1985 as the office only became a Letter Forwarding Office - one of just 10 in the country - five years ago. The traffic included small vans, larger vans, and one SDS truck and it was part of the plaintiff's case that a section of their car park was being used for turning by the large truck. A counter-claim from An Post maintained that the Royal Hotel had placed obstructions on the right of way, and that the surface of the piece of ground wasn't in good condition. Judge Linnane ordered the Royal Hotel to spend at least £8,000 on resurfacing work in the next four weeks - with £6,000 of this to come from An Post funds. Appearing in court for the plaintiff company, McGettigans Ltd., was Barry Hickson B.L. while Nuala Butler acted for An Post. The manager of the Royal Hotel, John O'Connor, said that complaints about the amount and nature of the traffic using the right of way were first made by them back in October of 1994. They were concerned, he said, about the traffic and the possible implications for safety. Mr. O'Connor said in court that the plaintiff company were prepared to give An Post another two years to vacate the premises, as long as they knew that it would then be definite. For the defence, Head Postmaster in Bray Michael Condren gave evidence and said that the condition of the right of way was often very bad - particularly in wet weather when it became flooded as this caused damage to the An Post vehicles. He added that An Post had never received any estimates from the Royal Hotel about the cost of carrying out resurfacing work to the ground. Under cross-examination, Mr Condren said that they had solved the problem of the truck turning in the Royal Hotel car park as their own yard was less full now that some of the staff were parking in the car park at An Post's retail office in Bray. The Network Letter Manager of An Post for the entire country, Martin McCabe, said that the post coming into counties Wicklow and Wexford had to go through Bray before being distributed to the various delivery offices. About 86,000 addresses were covered by the office, he confirmed. This system was vital for the operation of An Post's next-day delivery service, he maintained, before admitting that the existing premises in Bray was `a bit on the tight side' for the amount of business carried out there. Eamonn Harrington, Buildings Manager with An Post, told the court that they had already looked at a few buildings in the Bray area with a view towards moving the operation, but had been unsuccessful so far in securing a site. He referred to the amount of steps which they would have to go through before being able to open a new office - identifying a site, acquiring it, applying for and obtaining planning permission, constructing the building, and moving in staff. This could take up to two years, he said. Mr. Harrington was unable to give a commitment that they could have a new premises open within two years. Delivering her decision, Judge Linnane referred to the fact that it was now four years since An Post had first been approached about the problems on the right of way and said that she was taken this into account in her judgement. She ruled as stated above, also directing the Royal Hotel to ensure that no buses or large vehicles would be parked near the entrance to the An Post yard. The judge awarded costs to the plaintiff on their claim, and made no order on costs for the counter-claim.

Kilpedder firm boasts of world record

IT'S NOT every day that a Wicklow company can boast of breaking a world record. But that's the proud achievement of Kilpedder-based Greenscene, which has just `planted' the globe's tallest artificial trees in the new River Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin. Towering a dizzying 36 feet above the ground, each of the eight trees is covered in more than 24,000 handmade silk and polyester leaves, all carefully grafted onto the branches and trunk made of preserved natural maple. They took over five months to make and had to be transported to the site in several container trucks. When some of the trunks were slightly damaged en route, Greenscene had to bring in a specialist artist from the United to touch them up. Overall investment in the trees totalled more than £100,000. Mind you, the results are certainly lifelike. Even a pair of nesting doves took up residence in one of them while the trees were in storage, not realising it was a fake! Anyone who wants to examine these marvels of modern technology can view them at the River Valley Centre at Quarryvale, just off the M.50 motorway in Dublin, which opened for business this week. Conservationists might find it strange that we now live in a world where records are being set for artificial trees at a time when acres of the real thing are being chopped down every day. Richard Stapelton of Greenscene points out however that no real trees were chopped down to manufacture those in River Valley. `Only timber taken from discarded thinnings were used in the manufacture of the artificial trees. No real ones were cut down,' he explained.

NEWS SPECIAL Ireland's building bonanza isn't just about bricks and mortar, as reporter Jan van Embden discovered when he visited one Wicklow business involved with the greener side of the construction boom.

No longer living in the plastic age

THERE WAS a time when artificial plants and flowers had a very bad name. Tacky, tasteless, ugly, and unconvincing were just some of the unflattering adjectives which sprang to mind. Most bore as much resemblance to the real thing as chalk to cheese. Richard Stapelton of plant display company Greenscene couldn't agree more, even though he himself frequently uses them on a lavish scale in connection with his business. `It's absolutely true that if you go back 20 years or so, artificial plants were of very poor quality, not very realistic looking and had a very bad reputation,' he says. `But things have moved on a lot since then. We've now progressed to the stage where we have artificial plants with painstakingly assembled silk leaves and replica trees with natural timber stems. They're so close to the real thing that I've often seen people watering them by mistake because they can't tell the difference!' A resident of Greenane, Rathdrum, Richard's company Greenscene specialises in designing, supplying, laying out and maintaining planting displays in a wide variety of indoor locations. Wherever possible, he prefers to use real plants, shrubs and trees, but as he explains, there are some settings where light, aspect and various other environmental factors make it impossible to use the genuine article. Based in Kilpedder, his company has most recently been involved with planting out the new Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, a new retail development boasting no less than 75 outlets, situated just off the M.50 motorway at Quarryvale, Dublin. His company has also provided the greenery for several other landmark developments, including the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, the Customs House Plaza and the Atrium of the new Tallaght Hospital, which required over 140 tonnes of compost and soil for the scheme. All of which goes to show that while the construction industry may be primarily about bricks and mortar, the building boom of recent years has also given a major boost to indoor planting. Business has certainly been hectic over recent times for Greenscene, which currently employs 12 people `constantly on the road' in a fleet of six vans moving from one project to the next. Coming from a background in horticulture, Richard set up Greenscene as `a one man band' 20 years ago after working as a nursery grower in Britain. Indoor planting was very much in its infancy at that stage, but having seen the start of the trend in the UK, Richard felt there would be an opening for such a business back in Ireland. Originally based in Dublin, he moved the company to Kilpedder at the beginning of this year. Film and television companies are among the company's many clients, including the producers of Glenroe, who in a nice example of art imitating life asked Richard to supply plants for the fictional plant supply business run by Mary Moran!

NEWS SPECIAL High fashion or high dudgeon? Irish women came in for a pasting from fashion guru Paul Costello last week. Eilis Ryan, herself known for her sartorial splendour, heard them hit back.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall... who's the fairest of them all?

`UNABLE TO recognise fashion if it came tottering towards them in 10-inch heels' is one of the comments about Irish women which landed designer Paul Costello in hot water last week. The view around Wicklow is that the designer may have spent too much time looking at Irish women through an Evian bottle, and is seeing a distorted image. Delgany resident, American Kim McGuire, author of `The Irish Wedding Book' and contributor to Irish Wedding and New Home magazines, was `absolutely' shocked at Paul Costello's comments. `I think they're fabulous,' she said of Irish women. `I have been here ten years, and I remember when I first came here, I used to think the mass of people - even thought they wouldn't have a lot of disposable income - but they were so well turned out, whether they were bank tellers, staff in grocery stores, clerks, whatever,' she recalled. `Their equivalent in America would never look so smart, and now, with the economy being so good, people have more money to spend on better-made clothes, and on shoes, and I think they lead the pack!' Hotel Manager Marie O'Connor, of the Grand Hotel, has worked extensively around Ireland, and in America as well, and she believes Irish women can not only compete with the best - but outdo many of them! `I would have to say Irish women probably have a better sense of style than many countries, and, certainly better than Britain,' she says, and she adds that compared with the women of America, Irish women win hands down. `In general, I think Irish women are more aware of themselves, are more conscious and have a better sense of style, and I imagine spend more on changing with the fashions for the season,' she says. One of the busiest hotels in the County, the Grand Hotel plays host to hundreds of functions each year, including weddings and dances, for which people really make a big effort with their appearance. `Looking at ladies coming in for weddings, the dress sense is very very good, and at every wedding, there would be several outfits to admire. At evening functions, well, there are very few dress dances now, but say Christmas dinner dances, the ladies put a lot of effort in,' she has found. While there are a couple of walking fashion disasters she remembers, Marie believes she remembers these only because they are so rare. Barbara O'Reilly Hyland from Glenealy, proprietor of the `China' boutique in Wicklow town, was one of those photographed in the `Image' magazine feature which became the subject of Costello's barbed comments. But she pointed out that for the photo shoot, she was not allowed to wear the sort of clothes in which she would normally attired - the sort of clothes which reflect her life as a mother, and as someone who spends every day working with horses and dogs. She thinks that Irish women are very pragmatic, and dress in the sort of clothes which suit their lifestyles. `I think they turn themselves out very very nicely,' she says. `One dresses for one's lifestyle, so if I, for example, am on the farm, I am not going to dress in the same clothes as in Dublin, and Wicklow is a farming community, so people dress in country style clothing, which looks very well. `Take mothers with two or three kids hanging out of them, how else do you expect them to dress, only casually?' she says. She added that she is a fan of Paul Costello's designs, but cannot understand what prompted him to make the comments he did. `One should dress for one's lifestyle, not to be impressing someone else, and I think the young people in Wicklow have it very nicely together. They're modern, and not totally over the top,' she says. Always very smartly turned out is Wicklow's County Registrar, Breda Allen, who admits that she found Paul Costello's comments `cheeky'. `I think it would be interesting to know if there was every anyone he refused to dress?' she asked, adding that she liked his designs, but believed they were more suitable for people with a lot of leisure, rather than working women. Looking around at the type of clothes worn by other women she knows, Breda believes there is no way they could be described as `ambitious mutton', as the designer alleged. For herself, when choosing work clothes, she opts for outfits that are uncluttered, and sometimes with a colour that will stand out. `It's partly because of the job, or maybe I will say to someone: `Look out for me: I will be wearing a red jacket', and also simply, just not to fade into the wallpaper,' she says. Female barristers, bound by a dress code which restricts them to dark colours, also manage to dress stylishly, she believes. Jewellery designer Kieran Cunningham, who operates from a studio in Blessington, makes pieces in sterling silver and base metals for jewellery shops, but also once-off pieces commissioned by women who want a particular item. He thinks women are well-dressed, but when they need to be, and not every day. `I don't think women here dress any worse than in other countries,' he said. `I have seen some dreadful things in other countries.' He said the recent fashions shows have shown a lot of designs which were `outrageously over the top', and from a practical point of view, virtually unwearable, but women in Ireland have been too sensible to fall into the trap of falling for these sort of creations. Mary Lavery, working from Kilmacanogue, produces a range of knitwear designs which are sold through outlets in this country, as well as in France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Australia. Mary was highly indignant at the insult to the fashion status of Ireland's women. `When the need arises, they can compete with the rest, but their priorities are not to be competing with anyone,' she said. `What I think is that women here dress to suit their lifestyle,' she added, pointing out that for people in Wicklow, life can involve a lot of travelling, around the county, to the city, and that people dress to suit that existence and to be comfortable. `They are not victims for fashion,' she said, adding that by and large, people look well. `They dress to be comfortable, and to go with their surroundings, and they never look out of place wherever they are,' she stated. Like many, she suspects that Paul Costello may have been deliberately controversial, in an effort to drum up publicity, in advance of his move to England. Lavinia Clarke is the buyer for `Klasse' boutique in Wicklow, and she totally rejected the controversial allegations. `We would sell the same kind of stock that's available in Dublin, and Dublin is classed as one of the best European cities for fashion,' she says. She believes Irish businesswomen in particular dress very stylishly, and has found in Wicklow that most customers go for classical styles. `They don't go for outrageously weird designs,' she says. It was the frustrated desires of larger women to be stylish which made Sissy Hughes open her shop `The Forgotten Lady' a year ago, and she stocks sizes from 16 right up to 30. `Just because you get into a size 16 doesn't mean the style should have to change,' she says, and she has sourced a lot of manufacturers in Denmark and Germany who cater for the larger sizes. `Often if you go into shops, and you are a size 22, they will be able to show you just one or two outfits,' she says, but adds that because someone has put on a little weight, doesn't mean she wants to forget about wearing smart attractive designs. Proof of the desire of women to look attractive is the fact that she has had customers travel from as far away as Newry looking for that special outfit.

Road accident claim dismissed

A CLAIM for £1,987.49 arising out of a traffic accident in Arklow was dismissed at Wicklow Circuit Court by Judge Jacqueline Linnane, affirming the similar order made at the District Court. David Colwell, 25 St. Peter's Place, Arklow, was suing Thomas Kelly, 9 St. Peter's Place, Arklow, arising out of an accident at St. Peter's Place on August 21 of last year. Evidence was given by David Colwell and Garda Robert Stotesbury, and for the respondent by Thomas Kealy, Tracey Donnelly, and Tom Lang. Kevin Staunton B.L. was for Mr. Colwell, and Pat O'Dwyer B.L. was for Mr. Kealy.

Government faced with £150,000 bill if all take up options

Over half Councillors seek redundancy cash

JAN VAN EMBDEN Staff Reporter

OVER HALF the elected members of Wicklow County Council have applied for inclusion in a `scrappage scheme' which offers veteran councillors cash payments to give up their seats in local government. Simply making applications does not oblige the councillors to retire, but if all of them do take up their options, it would cost the state close to £150,000. That figure does not include the entitlements of deceased and retired members of the Council, or members of Arklow, Bray and Wicklow Urban Councils, and Greystones Town Commissioners, which would bring the total well over £200,000. Up to £25,000 The payments are being made under the 1998 Local Authority Members (Gratuity) Scheme, which offers individual councillors up to £25,000 each if they agree to stand down before the local elections set for June next year. Thirteen members of Wicklow County Council have made applications under the scheme. They are Liam Kavanagh, John Byrne, Tommy Cullen and John Byrne of Labour; Godfrey Timmins, George Jones and Tom Honan of Fine Gael; Bill O'Connell, Michael Lawlor and Pat Doyle of Fianna Fail; and independent councillors Shane Ross, Jim Ruttle and Susan Philips. In Bray, five more members of the local UDC have also made applications. They are Brid Collins (FG), Anne Egan and John McManus (DL), Noel Keyes (FF) and Dermot Tobin (Ind). A letter circulated to members at last Monday's meeting of Wicklow County Council also confirmed that Cllrs. Jim Giff of Wicklow UDC and Cllrs. Sean Wolohan and Patrick Sweeney of Arklow UDC had also applied. The scheme entitles retiring County Council members to £750 for each of their first 20 years of service, with an additional £500 for each of the remaining 20 years up to a maximum of 40. UDC members are also entitled to gratuities $- but at only at half the County Council rates. The man who would benefit most under the scheme is former West Wicklow TD and veteran Fine Gael Councillor Godfrey Timmins, who has been a member of the County Council since 1950 and would easily qualify to the maximum £25,000 pay out. Bray-based Labour councillor John Byrne's continuous council service since his election in 1974 would still entitle him to £17,500, while fellow long server Kevin Ryan of Carnew (Lab) would be due a similar amount. Other veterans who would do well if they take up the scheme include George Jones of Greystones (FG) who would be entitled to £15,000, Arklow's Dr. Bill O'Connell (FF), Bray's Michael Lawlor (FF) and Glenealy-based Susan Philips (Ind), who were all first elected in 1985 and would qualify for £10,500 each. Veterans Former Labour TD Liam Kavanagh would be entitled to considerably more but for the fact that he was absent from the Council during two terms as a government minister, so his entitlement would be reduced to around £10,000. Tom Honan of Arklow (FF), West Wicklow's Tommy Cullen (Lab) and Jim Ruttle (Ind), Senator Shane Ross (FG) of Bray, and Newtown-based Pat Doyle (FF), were all elected to the Council for the first time in 1991 and would be entitled to £6,000 each. While over half the county councillors have applied for the scheme, it's felt that many of them will not actually take it up. Instead, they are allowing their names to be included at this stage as `insurance' against illness, deselection or other unforseen events which might prevent them contesting the June poll.

Challenge over Euro funding

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevey has been challenged to explain what exactly it will mean for County Wicklow if the country is divided up for the purposes of receiving EU funds. Constituency TD Billy Timmins claimed there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the proposed policy of `regionalisation,' and it was incumbent on cabinet Ministers from the East Region of Wicklow, Kildare and Meath to inform the electorate of likely changes. He argued it was probable that the IDA and other government agencies would be restricted in the start-up grants which could be given to industries wishing to locate in Co. Wicklow. He warned there might also be a gradual withdrawal of funding for Leader and Rural Partnership projects, while agricultural aid could also be affected

Dempsey hits back over criticisms

Minister lashes cllrs over planning wrangle

A TOP government Minister has hit out at members of Wicklow Co Council who, he claims, appear to be confused about the development plan process in the county. Environment Minister, Noel Dempsey was reacting to criticism by councillors last week over a request by him that they reconsider the draft development plan drawn up for the Greystones/Delgany area. The Minister said that the Council has set a 22,000 population target for the Greystones/Delgany area for the period up to 2016. The draft plan sets a 17,000 population target for Greystones in the next five years. `The Department and myself would have no problem with these targets if the Council had left the draft development plan as it was and did not talk in terms of changing the density per acre on the extra zoned land', Minister Dempsey told this paper. And he added - `The Council's proposal to have one house per acre is in conflict with its own draft development plan and that conflict should be very obvious to the councillors and officials themselves'. The Minister also pointed out that that his letter to the Council which created the storm at the recent meeting was a query in relation to the issue and not a `direction' as claimed by the councillors.

Arklow snappers visit Co Cavan on field trip

THE CELEBRATED Killykeen Forest Park in County Cavan was the destination for a field trip by members of the Arklow Camera Club, last week. The three day trip, during which club members stayed in a log-cabin complex on the shores of Lough Oughter was sponsored by Eugene and Fiona Whelan of East Coast Video and Photo Services, and produced an extensive collection of top class pictures. An exhibition of a selection of the woodland, waterway and other photographs which were taken by club members will be the subject of an exhibition by the Arklow Camera Club, at the Vale View Hotel in Avoca next month. The club's weekly meetings are held at The Royal Hotel every Wednesday at 8.30pm, and new members are always welcome.

Very sorry lads!

OOPS...it appears I made a slight blunder in singling out one man recently as the person who keeps Rathdrum cemetery tidy. Apparently, along with Seamus Busher guys such as Brendan Devitt, Joe Gallagher, Noel Kinsella, Denis Ward and Christy Moran have been playing their part as well. Anyway, well done to everyone concerned and hopefully the authorities will soon fix the hole in the cemetery wall which, I notice, has not yet been attended to.

25 years of Carlton Clinic

IT IS 25 years since one of the best known doctors in Co Wicklow first set up his practise in Bray so the occasion was well and truly marked by a major celebration last week-end. John McManus, who has also been deeply involved on the political front in the county, started the Carlton clinic which has now become the largest practise in the county. A host of other doctors have since joined the practise including Tony O'Brien, Edward Prenderville, Tony Kirrane, Ernon Gallagher, Cora Scanlon and Geraldine Holland while a total of 26 staff are involved in providing the wide range of medical services there. Clinic psychologist, Brenda Tangney, Eye Specialist, Eimear Burke and the three resident nurses, Geralyn Power, Sinead Fagan and Anne McNicholas were among the group who celebrated the anniversary in the clinic on Friday night. Receptionist/manageress, Teresa Ormonde and overall manager of the practise, David Williams were also among the staff members who raised their glasses to another 25 years.

Omagh fund success

THERE was every good reason why Marina O'Neill became the centre of attraction at a fund raising dance in her native Arklow for the bomb victims in Omagh last Friday night. For Marina was caught in that horrific blast herself but was one of the lucky ones to escape death even though she did spend a few weeks in hospital after the tragedy. Marina arrived at the event in the Arklow Bay hotel with her family and was very proud to so many people from south Wicklow turning out in their droves to support the cause. In fact, a total of £8,000 was raised up to Sunday last and it is expected that an additional £500 will come in by the end of the week. The decision to hold the event was made during an ecumenical Service celebrated by Fr Moore and Rev Heaney which packed the church in Redcross a week after the bombing. Local man, Sean Burke and his sister Carmel decided to hold an event for the Omagh disaster fund. Phyllis Mates and a host of other people were brought in to organise the night and obviously did a superb job in selling the £5 admission tickets and organising the raffle and auction. Hundreds of people turned out and among them were Cllr Pat Sweeney and his wife Irene, Cllr Nancy Quinn,Teresa Maloney, John and Bernie Burke, Anne and Mervyn Bradshaw, Rita and Kevin Byrne, Rev Heaney and his wife Susan, Fr Alex Conlan, Joan Woolmington, Anne and Lynam White, Agnes and Bill O'Keefe, Leslie and Jill Armstrong and Roland Collier. `The public generosity was tremendous and I want to thank everyone who supported and helped in every way', said Phyllis Mates. The free services of auctioneer, Ray Gaffney were engaged for the auction while the raffle winners were - Anne Smith, Monaseed, Gorey; George Eager, Arklow; Thomasina O'Toole, Kilmacoo, Avoca.

Beautiful bride in poor disguise

LOVELY Sharon Scott must have looked superb when she walked down the aisle recently with the love of her life, Richard Cullen from Laragh. Well, anything would have been an improvement on her general appearance on the night before the wedding when I bumped into her by accident in a pub. You see Sharon, who works for the Co Wicklow VEC, was persuaded by her parents Jimmy and Lily to go to her local, the Meetings in Avoca just to calm the nerves. And just in case anyone would recognise her she put on some of her father's clothes as well as a mop head and some paint (and I mean paint in its truest sense). Then this columnist walked in on other business and recognised her straight away. If only Richard could have seen her. A second thought might just have entered his head. Anyway, she was very well behaved and was in the company of Jimmy and Lily, her uncle Tom and a few other relatives. The couple were married in the Church of SS Mary and Michael, Rathdrum by Fr Noel Campbell. Best pal, Martina Kennedy was bridesmaid while the groom's brother, Andrew was bestman. Richard, a gardener on the Woodbrook estate in Bray, is a son of Andy and Lil Cullen from Laragh and I am sure that character Andy, who is also one of life's gentlemen, gave a rendition of a song at the reception in the Vale View hotel. Eileen and Paul Doran, Caroline and Pat Kennedy, Anne and Jack McGarry, Jean and Kevin Baker, Rosie and Noel Graham, Mick Byrne, Keith and Jean Doyle and Paul and Karen Carter were among the many guests who boogied the night away to the disco sounds of Pat Morley.

Thomas is top talent

THE task of compering a talent show is not something that suits everybody. Take Ashford man, Noel Mooney. He was compere at a recent talent final in his native village and ended up in hospital for a week. The event, which was run by the Ashford Rovers soccer club in the Woodpecker lounge, was won by Thomas Kennedy (junior) from Rathnew who earned himself a crystal bowl and £30. Infamous sax player, Anthony Byrne was second with his rendition of `Stranger on the Shore' which brought him a bowl and £20 while the local queen of country, Trina Snell performed `The Gambler' was third and also won a bowl and £20. Adjudicators, Pam Beacom, Sandra Robinson and Owen Meliar had a difficult job seeing as there were other high calibre contestants who included Mary Devlin, Joan O'Shea, Jackie Smith and Mossie Jameson. Two other people who had reached the final, John O'Loughlin and Leonard Doyle were unable to attend. The event was packed with people who included Bill, Eileen, Tom and Marion Byrne, Liam and Kathleen Wooley, Paudie and Margaret Doyle, Sonny Byrne, Helen Kinsella, Willie and Catherine Murphy, Mary Downey, Eugene Murphy, Frances, Fergus and Mags Higgins, Brenda Manning, Mary Marah, Anne Murphy, Greta Keogh, Anne Carroll and Sheila Driver. Now back to Noel. He collapsed the following day and spent a week being checked out in hsopital. He claims it was caused by the bottle of brandy presented to him by Tom Butler but I refuse to believe it. Anyway, good to see you on your feet again Noel.

Evans is impressed by local hotshot

RENOWNED manager of the Irish under-21 soccer squad, Ian Evans was amazed at the personal tally of 42 goals chalked up by Newtown player, Paul Heffernan last season. Ian was in the village on Thursday night to present trophies to the Newtown Albion under-17 team, a side which has won seven consecutive league titles since playing at under-10 level. Paul, who has already netted 10 goals so far this season, was awarded the `Player of the Year' title and he came in for a lot of praise from Evans who told all the kids to try their best at whatever they do in life. The Village Inn was packed for the occasion as parents and other relatives saw the players receive their trophies. They included - Ronan Tiernan, John McShane, Keith Purdy, Neil Martin, David Frawley, Thomas Nolan, Brian and Garret Doyle, John and Paul Heffernan, Luke Ferguson, Stephen Byrne, James Dixon, Jason Collins, Paul Harrington, Andrew Halpin and Ciaran McGuirl. Club secretary and manager, Joe McDonald felt it was an honour to have Ian, who is Mick McCarthy's right hand man, present to talk to the lads. He made a presentation to Ian. He also paid tribute to the Village Inn, the Townhouse, Murray Cabs and all the people who have helped and supported the club during the year.