Wicklow Voice

Join in the Family Festival of Fun at Carlisle Grounds

Family Festival of Fun at Carlisle Grounds At the St Patrick’s Athletic Match on May 5 in the Carlisle Grounds, the first Family Festival of Fun will be launched. Gates open at 5.30pm and fans young and not so young are welcome to come early to the Carlisle to join in the fun. This Festival is supported by the FAI. There will be a Bray first – a Mascot race between current hero Rocky J and his…

Culture Night Wicklow has plenty for young people

Culture Night Wicklow This year, Culture Night falls on September 16. In case you aren’t aware of Culture Night it is an annual event where cultural organisations, institutions, individuals and various others open their doors and programme free one off events on a Friday evening in September to create an opportunity for people who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to go to events for time or financial…

We’re not building houses on Carlisle Grounds – say Wanderers

No houses or offices on Carlisle Grounds “We are not planning to build houses or offices on the Carlisle Grounds.” That’s the claim of Bray Wanderers Chairman Denis O’Connor following recent reports and rumours that the owners of the club are eyeing up the ground for development. “What happens to the Carlisle Ground is a matter for Wicklow County Council, its elected councillors and the people of…

By Laura Anderson Remembering Gene Wilder Famous for handing out golden tickets in Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder also played a character who was fond of the black stuff. The legendary American actor may have passed away this month but for many Dubliners his visit here in 1969 will live long in the memory. The old ‘gravediggers’ bar, the John Kavanagh, hosted Wilder and his crew for the filming of…

600 houses planned for Fassaroe

Plans for 658-unit Fassaroe housing development A planning application has been lodged with Wicklow County Council seeking permission to build a 658-unit housing development in Fassaroe. The applications, lodged by The Cosgrave Property Group, includes plans for office and retail space as well as a district park and inland waterway. The 48-hectare development is part of a wider plan for the…

It’s the great school divide as league table published

By Laura Anderson Southside private pupils do better than Northside peers The perceived divide between North and South Dublin appears all too real as the recently published secondary school league table shows a marked difference between the two areas. According to the secondary school league table, private Catholic boys’ school Gonzaga College was named the best school in Dublin and the second…

Children in Hospital Ireland need your help

By Laura Anderson Put smiles on the faces of sick children Children in Hospital Ireland (CHI) is looking for caring, compassionate people to put smiles on the faces of sick children. “Hospital can be very stressful for both children and parents,” said Sean, a father of a six-year-old from Co Cork. “The medical staff don’t have the resources to spend a lot of time with them.” For pediatric…

Shortage of student housing sees rents soar

By Sinéad Fitzgerald Rising demand for student housing There has always been a lot to think about when you accept a place in college. How hard is it going to be? Which societies should you join? Will you see your friends if you’re in different blocks? And of course, where are you going to live? At the moment student housing is causing enormous stress for students, especially those moving to…

Passion to perform in Arklow

Imagine a musical ensemble that performs – all in the same breath – French Cabaret, Tango, and popular music from Italy and South America. Imagine it composed of three renowned and incredibly talented musical artists, all of whom have toured solo and in other ensembles all over the world. The group you imagine has a name, and it is Passion. Comprised of guitar virtuoso Drazen Derek, dynamic…

Donnelly quits Social Democrats

Stephen Donnelly has today announced his decision to leave the Social Democrats with immediate effect. Donnelly, who was a founding member and co-leader of the party which launched in July 2015, said that he reached the decision following “a prolonged period of consideration”. In a statement issued this morning, Donnelly assured that he “will continue to serve the people of Wicklow and East…

60% of Wicklow teens know someone who has been cyberbullied

Over the last two months Wicklow Comhairle na nÓg have been conducting consultations with young people on the topic of cyber bullying. The aim was to explore and unpack the issue and to delve deeper into what is happening with young people right now. Both surveys and workshops were used as methods for collecting this information. The topic of cyber bullying itself came out of the Great Wicklow…

Young readers in Wicklow read hundreds of books with MS Readathon

“Thank you for reading”, is the message from Multiple Sclerosis Ireland to all the young readers in County Wicklow who took part in the MS Readathon last year, raising funds to help people with MS locally. MS Ireland also extended thanks to the families, schools, teachers and principals who supported them. Last year young readers in County Wicklow joined more than 15,000 others across Ireland in…

Marking the History of Newcastle

Newcastle village held two very successful events during Heritage Week. The first, held in the Holy Spirit Oratory, comprised of  an excellent slide presentation of old photographs taken in the area over the last century.The slide was presented by Brian Harris and ably backed up by Bob Jennings. Over sixty attendees were treated to a fascinating insight into the village and surrounding area in…

Wicklow Port transferred to Wicklow County Council

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow and Minister for Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the transfer of Wicklow Port to Wicklow County Council. “This transfer marks an important milestone for Wicklow Port and a new era for its growth and development,” said Doyle. “Wicklow Port has a lot to offer and great potential to expand. It is a thriving regional commercial port…