The Northside News 24052023

Newsfree

Dip-dip-hooray

Three Northside beaches retain their Blue Flag status

The Northside has retained its three Blue Flags for 2023. The strands at Rush, Donabate and Portmarnock were among 94 Irish beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2023.

The recipients were announced by environmental organisation An Taisce. A total of 159 awards –including 65 beaches awarded the Green Coast Award – were presented by Minister for housing Darragh O’Brien on Donabate beach.

“During its 36 years, the

Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety,” Minister O’Brien said.

“Today’s high number of awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and other volunteers around the country.”

Some 81 of the 85 beaches and all 10 marinas awarded last year have retained Blue Flag status.

Three extra beaches in Mayo are included this year, Bertra, Clare Island and Old head, which it was awarded for the first time since 2012.

The Blue Flag is administered in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for environmental education.

The aim of the Green Coast Award, now in its 20th year, is to recognise beaches of high environmental quality.

Three more Green Coast Awards for Carrowniskey Beach, Co Mayo, Bettystown, Co Meath and Rosslare

harbour Beach in Co Wexford, were awarded this year compared to 2022. Meanwhile, Swimmers at Front Strand Beach in Balbriggan have been advised against bathing after the beach was hit with another all-season restriction for the summer.

The water quality at Front Strand Beach is one of three in the country to have “poor” bathing water quality, where swimmers are advised not to swim for the entire season.

Continued on next page

Artist Larisa Kapranova at the launch of the Whitehall College final year Art and Sculpturein the CHQ Building, IFSC. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography

Northside retains its Blue Flags

Continued from previous page Inspections by the ePA, published last week, revealed the beach was polluted with sewage discharge, faeces from dogs, birds and other animals and contaminated surface streams flowing through the town.

Front Strand Beach was also rated “poor” by the ePA in 2021. An All-Season Restriction has been placed on the beach advising of a potential risk of illness. however, it is not a ban on swimming or a closure of the beach. The assessment was based on the last four years of bathing water quality data.

While the advisory is in place, the council said lifeguards will remain on the beach and a red flag will not be raised unless there is a need to advise bathers of a specific water safety issue.

Officials from Fingal County Council met with swimmers to outline the steps it has taken to tackle the recurring issue.

New migrant centre to open in Santry

thRee new accommodation centres are to open in dublin in a bid to reduce the number of asylum seekers sleeping rough. The locations are the former Senior College on eblana Avenue in dún Laoghaire, Airways Industrial estate in Santry and dolcain house in Clondalkin.

Minister for equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman said another 350 beds for asylum seekers are due to come on stream over the coming days, but there a few remaining issues such as securing fire safety certs.

According to the latest statistics, 503 recently arrived asylum seekers are currently without State-provided accommodation.

In Santry, there has been political opposition to the proposal that asylum seekers are housed at Airways

Industrial estate. The Social democrats deputy and local td Roisin Shortall said: “The accommodation situation for asylum seekers is now in crisis. The Government’s failure to meet its own targets has resulted in it using extremely unsuitable industrial buildings to house vulnerable migrants.”

“There must be co-ordination with local authorities, and immigrant support agencies, to support integration into local communities. It is also essential that plans to provide essential

services - like healthcare, education and training - are also outlined,” Ms Shortall added.

tds in dún Laoghaire have broadly welcomed the opening of an accommodation centre for asylum seekers on eblana Avenue. People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett said the building had been largely unused for a decade but it was far better that asylum seekers lived there rather than in tents. he said he was inquiring about the proposed provision of

Power to pupils as they win hero gong

This year’s Nature hero Award, proudly sponsored by Glenveagh, has seen over 45,000 children from over 200 schools across 26 counties in ireland competing to receive a school garden makeover worth €10,000.

Coming top of class and winning the award was Powerstown Educate Together National school in Tyrrelstown (pictured left).

The best-in-class school was provided with a certificate and a plaque to mark their win, as well as a €10,000 school garden makeover, courtesy of the Glenveagh Greencare team.

services for the people who will stay there.

Fine Gael td Jennifer Carroll Mcneill said she “looked forward to the proper integration of those tragically displaced by war and conflict into the dún Laoghaire community.”

She added: “Particularly since the start of the war in ukraine, we have had to expand our efforts to accommodate refugees and ensure every offer of accommodation is availed of to prevent homelessness.”

The Nature hero Award, sponsored by Glenveagh, aims to support schools with their biodiversity goals and provide a mark of excellence to schools looking to create an educational space that nurtures love of nature.

Annette McGarry, Community Engagement Manager at Glenveagh said: “We’re delighted to see so many schools participate in the Nature hero Awards.”

Dublin 15 school awarded top award

StudentS from dublin 15 etB School Coláiste na tulchann won the “victory of speech” award at the recent national Spraoi’23 Celebration Ceremony.

Students from post-primary schools across Ireland received awards at a national prize giving ceremony held in education & training Boards Ireland as part of the Spraoi’23 campaign to promote the Irish language and foster greater appreciation for our cultural heritage.

etB Spraoi’23 Ambassador and Rte 2FM presenter Aindriú de Paor was joined by students and staff from schools in Galway, dublin, Limerick, Westmeath and Meath for the culmination of the campaign which showcased creativity through the Irish language in both Irish-medium and english-medium schools.

Speaking at the prizegiving ceremony Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary, etBI stated: “Spraoi’23 has been a resounding success, capturing the imagination of people from all walks of life and highlighting the relevance of the Irish language and culture in contemporary society.

Steve, Dawson, Saveliy, Dahab, Faith, Yanina, Marco, Ryan, Giuseppe, Lee, Pranav from Powerstown Educate Together National School (see story on the right)

Healthy communities programme launched

The launch of the Sláintecare healthy Communities programme in Kilmore/ Priorswood is an opportunity to improve quality of life in the area. The programme was launched by Cllr Dearbháil Butler, who deputised for Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, at the Bell Centre in Darndale.

Sláintecare healthy Communities is a crossGovernment initiative to deliver increased health and wellbeing services in 19 areas of greatest need across Ireland.

Dr Jack Nolan, chair of the Darndale economic and Social Plan Implementation Oversight group, the community focused initiative of Dublin City Council for the area, welcomed the launch, saying the programme is critically important.

“A programme which provides opportunities for positive health outcomes among the people of Darndale, Belcamp and Priorswood is to be warmly welcomed and I urge everyone who can engage with it to do so in a meaningful way,” said Dr Nolan.

Kilmore/Priorswood

Sláintecare healthy Community programmes includes practical health interventions such as quit smoking services, parenting programmes, healthy food made

easy and social prescribing (a non-medial approach). It also provides for the appointment of a community food and nutrition worker and the Making every Contact Count programme, which enables frontline staff to learn about lifestyle behaviours. The launch is a successful culmination of close

collaboration between many partners including the Department of health, the hSe, Dublin City Council and local community organisations including Northside Partnership and Preparing for Life.

“The challenge of addressing health inequalities in our communities requires not only interventions to target particular

health risks, but also a broad focus addressing the wider determinants of health,” said Cllr Butler.

“To make real and lasting change, we need to work together to create communities where people can thrive, putting in place the right building blocks for health, stable jobs, good pay, quality housing, good education

New Nike store puts best foot forward

At the launch of the Sláintecare Healthy Communities programme in Kilmore/Priorswood: Cllr Carolyn Moore (Chair of Local Community Development Committee), Niamh Reilly (Dublin City Council), Derek Farrell (Dublin City Council), Cllr Dearbháil Butler, Cllr Larry O’Toole, Fiona McDonnell (Dublin City Council ), Dympna McCann (Dublin City Council). Pic: Chris Bellew/ Fennell Photography.

and accessible amenities which enhance and improve our built environment.”

According to ellen O’Dea, head of Service, health and Wellbeing, Community healthcare Organisation, Dublin North City and County, the programme is already providing people in Kilmore/Priorswood with access to evidence based, practical supports.

“Interventions like QUIT smoking services, supports to families such as parenting programmes, cooking and nutrition courses are already benefitting this community.

“I am looking forward to seeing the benefit these meaningful health interventions continue to bring to Kilmore/Priorswood.”

NIKe Unite, the latest retail concept from iconic sports brand Nike, has opened its doors at Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin’s largest retail and leisure destination.

The first store of its kind in Ireland, Nike Unite puts the community first, aiming to help local people connect with sport. The unit features an in-store community wall, celebrating Dublin athletes and sporting achievement, as well as local landmarks and partnerships. The new store is the latest expression of the global Nike Unite store concept, a local home court for members and the most valuable destination for sport.

The Nike Unite Blanchardstown Centre store will offer an innovative shopping experience for customers through their Interactive Service Desk. The service desk offers wide range of online to offline services such as click & collect, digital orders returns and selfservice checkout and more.

The store is designed to be a reflection of the heart and spirit of Blanchardstown Centre with design elements that honour local landmarks and local athletes. Nike Unite Blanchardstown encourages everyone to get moving.

Rainbow award for Finglas youth

Finglas Youth Resource Centre, Talk about Youth Project at st andrews Resource Centre, and Cabra for Youth were recipients of Belong To’s Rainbow award for their dedication to creating an lgBTQ+ inclusive youth service.

Minister of state with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler, met with staff and young people from Finglas Youth Resource Centre,

Talk about Youth Project, and Cabra for Youth and awarded them at a ceremony in Dublin City Centre on May 9.

The event recognised and celebrated the efforts of six youth services in creating safe and supportive spaces for lgBTQ+ youth.

speaking at the event, Minister of state, Mary Butler (she/her) said:

“i’m delighted to be able to take part in the Rainbow

Griffith Avenue Mile announced

THe griffith avenue Mile 2023 will take place on griffith avenue in Drumcondra, Dublin on september 17 2023 featuring 2,000 runners and walkers of all abilities. Tickets are now available on www. griffithavenueMile.ie

Confirming the 2023 event, the griffith avenue Mile team are delighted to announce a five year partnership with Dublin City University to ensure the long term future of what has become the most unique road race in Dublin city. DCU have been supporters of the event since its return in 2019 and this renewed long term partnership establishes the griffith avenue Mile on the calendar for years to come. DCU lead one of the best and most successful University athletics

programmes in the country and some of their elite athletes will take part in the race with news of this to follow. The all Hallows area association and Marino athletics Club are proud to bring the griffith avenue Mile event to our local neighbourhood again for the third time since its revival in 2019. The event gets bigger and better each year, and this year will be no different featuring 2,000 runners and walkers of all abilities, showcasing the beautiful griffith avenue – a unique double tree lined avenue in europe and the perfect setting for a community day out, or a more challenging run for those looking to set a time on a one mile road course.

award. The Rainbow award recognises the importance of services being, and becoming places where the lgBT+ community can feel safe and supported.

“The government is fully committed to ensuring the safety and support of this community, as we know this can have a huge impact on their health and wellbeing.”

Upon receiving the Rainbow award, Ciara Keegan, youth

worker with Finglas Youth Resource Centre said: “The Finglas Youth Resource Centre’s engagement with the Rainbow award this year gave us the opportunity to reflect on our current practices in how we create a safe and supportive environment for our lgBTQ+ young people. We found that it was incredibly affirming in the work we were already doing and provided us with some helpful considerations.”

Made in Darndale festival returns

CReaTive Places Darndale has recently announced the return of the Made in Darndale festival, a summer arts event in north Dublin.

The festival is set to take place from Friday 26th to sunday 28th May 2023.

Following its inaugural event in 2022, the festival aims to celebrate the Darndale community through a diverse array of artistic presentations including music, dance, storytelling, circus performances, and more.

The festival begins on Friday,

May 26th, with a meeting of the Citizen Commissioners at the Chipper from 12-1pm, an initiative supported by the Dublin City Public art Programme. The festival continues with performances at Bell square from 1pm – 3pm, and a roaming portrait project called Darndale Heads from 12 midday to 8pm.

On saturday, May 27th, festivities will be held in Darndale Park from 4pm – 7pm, featuring face painting, street performances,

workshops, food trucks and more. This will be followed by the Dare to be Darndale Cabaret from 7pm – 9pm in the Big Top Tent, showcasing local talent.

On sunday, May 28th, the Big Top Tent will host two shows by CoisCéim Dance Theatre at 1pm and 2pm.

later in the evening, local artist Jerry Fish will perform, with Dublin band shakalak opening for him.

Made in Darndale is a product of the Creative Places Darndale initiative, a three-year project

supported by the arts Council and Dublin City Council to incorporate arts into the daily life of Darndale.

“Made in Darndale is for everyone, from the longest residents to the newest neighbours – this is the moment that the united community spirit of Darndale shines brightly for all to see,” a spokesperson said.

Tickets for the Dare to be Darndale Cabaret and live at Darndale Park are free but need to be obtained from eventbrite.

Minister Mary Butler TD Cabra For Youth. Pic: Conor Ó Mearáin

Householders give thumbs up to solar

HouseHolders are “generally positive” towards new wind and solar farms, a new national survey from the sustainable energy Authority of Ireland (seAI) has shown.

According to an seAI survey,overall there are “high levels of support for renewable energy generation from wind and solar farms”.

seAI surveyed over 1,700 households.

More than 1,100 respondents are close to 50 new commercial wind and solar PV projects across all rural Ireland.

The survey forms part of a long-term study by seAI to evaluate the effects of public policies on people’s attitudes to the energy transition and renewables in Ireland.

seAI explained that the objective of the survey was to “understand the impacts of these infrastructure projects on people who live in their nearby areas, to inform an equitable and socially sustainable energy transition”.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Minister for the environment, Climate and Communications, eamon ryan said:

“It tells us that Irish people understand that the future of energy is green energy. It’s clean, it’s secure and it’s more cost effective than the expensive ongoing import of fossil fuels.

“This will build on the public

support for renewables and harness the major investment in communities benefits, inclusive community engagement and amenities for recreational access that are changing the public’s relationship with renewable

energy infrastructure.”

The results show that 73% of respondents who live less than 1km away from a renewable energy supply scheme (ress) wind project hold positive or very positive attitudes towards

Young call for more parks

wind energy. A further 59% of respondents feel Ireland has too few wind farms and 78% feel Ireland has too few solar PV farms.

A total of 87% of respondents feel they know at least a little about wind energy. only 22-28% of respondents in the group feel they know a lot about wind. similarly, 80% of respondents feel they know at least a little about solar energy, while 1824% of people who took part in the survey feel they know a lot about solar. on average, “careful site location and early engagement with local residents” was what respondents deemed most important during the engagement and the planning process.

“Continued engagement with communities is mission critical to delivering the energy transition, and seAI are here to support every individual, community, and business in Ireland,” William Walsh, chief executive officer (Ceo) of seAI said. seAI has said it intends to plan further studies on the socio-economic impacts of the government’s ress policy.

More youth centres, parks and cycle lanes were among the most popular ideas collected during a survey of young people living in dublin city.

The survey was conducted with students in five schools as part of a forum hosted by the lord Mayor of dublin Caroline Conroy at the Mansion House. The young people were asked to share their ideas and input on what they enjoy about their city, what they would like to change and what they would like to see to ensure inclusion of their age group for the future.

“It’s so important that young people have a voice and that we listen to them,” said the lord Mayor.

“Youth is one of the themes of my term in office and I’m hoping we can now establish a focus group of these young people to work with the City Council in the future on some of these ideas.”

After more youth centres, parks and cycle lanes, the next most popular ideas were more football facilities, sports centres and skate parks. They were followed by more mixed schools, cinemas, swimming areas and picnic tables.

JACKIES RETURN TO SLENDER!

In a brand new venue, and warmly welcome new members through the door. Like so many of us, Jackie faced challenges during the pandemic and unfortunately had to take a break from the role. She is now in the perfect position to return to the caring, inspiring, and supporting role she loves, helping members to overcome challenges that come with being overweight, to take control and become more confident.

Jackie says “when I first joined Slimming World as a member, I never dreamed that I would end up helping other people to lose weight, and I was gutted that I had to take a step back for a while, but now I’m

delighted to be back. It’s a privilege for me to be able to pass on the experience, the insight and understanding that helped me, so that I can give my members the support they need to get to their fabulous dream target weight”.

Just like the members she’s currently supporting, Jackie is a Slimming World member, on her own successful journey and heading towards her own dream weight. She says “I’m still amazed at the sheer amount of food I can enjoy while successfully losing weight, without counting a single calorie!

With Slimming World’s ‘Food Optimising’ plan, I never feel like I’m on a diet. The eating plan

encourages you to eat lots of tasty, filling foods like pasta, rice, potatoes and lean meat and fish.

I’m never hungry and no foods are banned so there’s no feeling cheated as I get to enjoy our

family favourites such as spaghetti bolognese, curries, even burger and chips.

“Support is really the most important thing. It all starts with feeling that you’re not alone. I couldn’t be successful without the weekly help, encouragement and understanding of my own Consultant, Susan and our group, especially on those weeks that are more difficult or if I feel I didn’t have a great week. There’s never any judgment or shame, just bags of support and encouragement and inspiration for the week ahead. And, on those great weeks, the camaraderie, sense of community and friendships I’m finding in

group are there to cheer me on and celebrate in my success. There’s SO much more to Slimming World – I just want to tell everyone about it!”

Jackie’s Slimming World groups are held at Le Cheile DCYC, Collins Ave East, Dublin 5 every Wednesday at 5.30pm and 7pm. She is also the consultant for Marino/ Drumcondra and the groups are held every Thursday at 7.30am, 9.30am and 5.30pm in the Ierne Social & Sports Club on Grace Park Road/Richmond Road. For more information or to join Jackie’s group either pop along where you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome or call her on 086 8177068.

Children from Creative Kids & Co Pre-School, Walkinstown, Dublin on a recent visit to Mount Venus Nursery. Pic: Maxwells

Having recently returned to her absolute dream role as a Slimming World Consultant, Jackie Keating cannot wait to kick-start a brand new group

I’m not too old for online – but

I’m old enough to know better

MICHAEL

WOLSEY

THE GAA has scored owngoals with its forays into the world of online technology. It has been berated for refusing to accept cash at the turnstiles, forcing fans to book match tickets online and store them on a phone. But the row about this so-called Digital Lockout was nothing compared to the storm over restricting TV coverage of some games to the GAA’s own subscription channel.

In both cases the association has been accused, among many transgressions, of discriminating against the elderly. Tánaiste Micheál Martin specifically referred to “senior citizens” when he spoke against streaming important games on the GAAGo service. Dragons’ Den judge, Gavin Duffy, suggested the GAA might organise classes to give “people of a certain age” the skills needed to locate a viewing app or make an online booking.

I’m not certain when “a certain age” begins but Mr Duffy is 63 so he can’t be too far off it. I’m twelve years older, so I certainly qualify.

I don’t think Mr Duffy needs the sort of help he is proposing and neither do I. I am perfectly capable of finding an app, making an online payment, or

reserving a ticket via my phone or laptop.

Some people have difficulty with these things just as I have extreme difficulty with putting up a shelf or mending a broken pipe. Lack of skill or lack of practice may be the problembut it’s not age.

I am younger than Michael D Higgins who is coping

perfectly well with the problems of the Presidency. I am younger than Joe Biden, who sometimes looks a bit shaky on his feet but has the mental capacity required for the world’s most taxing job. I am younger than Donald Trump who hopes to re-take that job.

I have doubts about his mental capacity but they are

the same doubts I would have had when he was in his sixties, fifties or forties.

You don’t become an eejit at “a certain age” nor lose the ability to grapple with the everyday tasks of a digital era. I’m sure the Tánaiste and all the concerned commentators are well meaning, but I find their view of “senior citizens”

more condescending than considerate.

As it happens, I do object to the Digital Lockout, but not because of some insurmountable difficulty in making an online booking for match tickets, which in any case, can still be bought from shops and GAA outlets. My issue is with the push towards a

cashless society in which people are increasingly reliant on their phones.

Being cashless leaves us dependent for everyday transactions on banks which have not shown themselves at all responsive to the wishes of customers: closing branches, removing ATMs, imposing charges for the use of debit cards. They do what suits them and I don’t want to hand them control over every little purchase I make.

I don’t want to completely rely on a phone either, because we forget to charge phones, they sometimes break down and they don’t work in areas with poor broadband.

Ticketmaster has taken to issuing some tickets which they send to your phone and which have to stay there because they cannot be printed at home. Your phone is your ticket, they say.

Even if the phone is fully charged and reception is perfect, I cannot see how this is an improvement on printing the ticket on a single sheet of paper that can be checked at the point of entry.

That is simpler than searching for your phone, then searching on the phone for the appropriate email or app. It may be less trouble for Ticketmaster and it allows them to collect more data. But it is more trouble for me.

It’s not that I can’t do these things, just that I don’t want to.

I’m not too old to find an app or make an online booking. But I’m old enough to remember when service providers said the customer was always right. Old enough to remember when he who paid the piper

with Claire Monique & Michelle Carpenter

Colm Hayes and Lucy Kennedy from Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio with Sisters Katherina and Clara Flynn, founders of Tupperware Ireland, at their recent on air Tupperware Party. Pic: Paul Sherwood

Airport plans to charge less for quieter planes

Airport operator daa has announced plans for new sustainability measures to incentivise airlines to operate lower Co₂ emission planes at Dublin Airport.

Under the new proposed incentive scheme, a low emissions discount will apply to Dublin Airport’s charges and daa will charge airlines who fly high emission aircraft more.

The daa plans to introduce the new discounts to incentivise the operation of newer, quieter and cleaner aircraft at Dublin Airport. Consultation with airlines on the next phase of daa’s environmental charging strategy will start soon.

Daa said that airlines will get a new 25% discount off all runway charges if they operate the most environmentally friendly aircraft at all times of the day.

The expected multi million euro discounts will further incentivise sustainable airport operations at Dublin Airport and are expected to go live

within the next six months, it added.

Daa introduced the first phase of its environmental charging strategy last year and already applies higher charges for noisier aircraft which operate at night.

phases 1 and 2 of the noise reduction scheme focus on penalising aircraft noise at night via surcharges.

it said that airlines at Dublin Airport are set to achieve discounts on published charges of more than €30m this year.

Airlines with aircraft based at Dublin Airport, including ryanair and Aer Lingus, are set to reap the largest share of these incentives, it added.

The company reduced its carbon emissions by 24% at Dublin Airport and 38% at Cork Airport last year compared to 2018 levels.

This was achieved by implementing “a robust energy management process”, continued LED upgrade works,

a fleet replacement programme, and participation in the SEAi and opW reduce Your Use Campaign.

Daa has also exceeded its recycling target by achieving a 46% recycling rate at Dublin Airport.

Kenny Jacobs, daa of CEo, the company wants to embed environmental sustainability into everything it does.

“We are acutely aware of the scale of the task of achieving the Government’s target of a 51% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions at our airports by 2030, on our way to our ultimate goal of achieving netzero emissions by 2050,” Mr Jacobs said.

“We are fully committed to delivering on these targets while in parallel, working alongside aviation stakeholders and our airline partners to support the sector’s transition to a more sustainable model for the future and addressing our Scope 3 emissions,” he added.

Clean Coasts are offering free clean-up kits to locals

World ocean day is celebrated annually on 8th of June and, with less than one month to go, Irish environmental charity Clean Coasts are asking volunteers in County dublin to sign up to request a free clean-up kit and take action on the day.

In June 2023, Clean Coasts will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Since 2003, Clean Coasts has been working with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life.

For the past 20 years, Clean Coasts has been working to create tangible and immediate improvements to Ireland’s coastal environment, involving thousands of volunteers removing large quantities of marine litter from our coastline each year.

For this reason, the programme are looking forward to marking this milestone by doing something to protect the Irish coast and celebrating the amazing groups and volunteers around Ireland for the work they do all year round.

For 2023, the focus of World ocean day will be on the 30x30

Ringrose launches Children’s Hospice

Week 2023 at LauraLynn, alongside 11-year-old Natalia (11). Pic: Paul Sherwood

Coasts has been working with communities to tackle this issue. Making sure litter is collected and disposed of properly at the source is vital for a cleaner ocean and a greener world for all of us to enjoy. Communities in County dublin have demonstrated their desire to be part of the solution by taking part in several beach cleaning calls to action.

Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager, speaking of the event said, ‘Happy 20th Birthday to the Clean Coasts community! let’s celebrate by working together to protect our coastlines and waterways.

The Clean Coasts network has over 2000 groups working across Ireland to clean up Ireland coastline, beaches and waterways.

campaign meaning that for us to create a healthy ocean with abundant wildlife and to stabilize our climate, it’s crucial that 30% of our planet’s lands, waters, and ocean are protected by the year 2030.

Marine litter has become a global problem for humans and marine life alike.

For the past 20 years, Clean

Join us in our clean-up efforts and let’s continue to make a positive impact and celebrate the incredible natural environment Irish has to offer.’

The charity is asking everybody around Ireland to join their birthday celebrations and make a difference for our marine environment and wildlife. To request a kit, visit www.cleancoasts.org.

Leinster and Ireland Rugby Player, and LauraLynn ambassador Garry

Cat owners urged to neuter their pets Plaque unveiled for firemen killed in 1891 Retailer HMV to return to Dublin

Ireland’s Pet experts Petmania are urging cat owners to be responsible this kitten season and neuter their cats to help ease pressure on cat rescue centres nationwide.

May is typically the start of what is known as ‘kitten season’, which runs until september, when many families across the country will be greeted with unexpected, and often unwanted litters of kittens that require rehoming and result in increased strain on local rescue centres.

research conducted recently by Petmania revealed that 67% of Irish homeowners have a pet in their family. a total of 46% of those pet owners have a cat in their home, making them the second most popular pet in Ireland after dogs.

during the month of May, Petmania is celebrating all things cat and encouraging customers and other pet owners in Ireland to seek the best health care and advice when it comes to their feline friends. From instore offers on cat food and litter, to scheduled visits from local cat rescue centres, Petmania’s local communities will have the chance to meet and rescue their newest family members throughout the month.

The lord Mayor of dublin Caroline Conroy has unveiled a dublin City Council Commemorative Plaque at the spot where two firefighters died while fighting a large fire in Westmoreland street on May 20, 1891.

The fire broke out at the premises of Graham’s chemists and lafayette’s photographers, now part of CCT College.

Graham’s chemist occupied the first two floors, with lafayette’s photographers on the next two, and living accommodation on the fifth floor.

at approximately 2 a.m. a fire was discovered on the third floor. There were four occupants on the fifth floor, two of whom managed to escape to the street and raise the alarm but two women were trapped on the fifth floor.

during the fire service response Inspector Christopher doherty, who had 25 years’ service in dublin Fire Brigade and was the holder of three chevrons for bravery for saving life on previous occasions, and Fireman Peter Bourke, three months’ service in dublin Fire Brigade, paid the ultimate price in their role as firefighters and lost their lives here while saving the life of a civilian.

speaking at the unveiling the

lord Mayor said, “In unveiling this plaque today we remember the sacrifices made by two brave firemen in the service of their city and its citizens. In doing so we are also acknowledging the great service that their successors in today’s

dublin Fire Brigade give to our City day in and day out.”

The lord Mayor thanked CCT College and its president neil Gallagher for agreeing to have the plaque erected on the building. also speaking at the unveiling

Chief Fire Officer dennis Keeley said, “The dublin Fire Brigade of today is a wellrespected, progressive, forward looking fire, ambulance and rescue service which trains and prepares for the needs of today’s city and plans for the future.”

Music retailer HMV is to make a return to ireland, seven years after it closed its last remaining shop here.

The company is to open a new outlet on Dublin’s Henry street by the middle of July this year and has indicated more will follow.

It will be the firm’s first flagship store outside the UK since it was taken over by a new owner four years ago. The chain will be taking the 6,000 square foot unit at 18 Henry street.

HMV shut its final premises in ireland in 2016 and went online only, before it also shut down the website here two years later.

in 2019, sunrise Records, the Ontario-based business owned by music retail mogul Doug Putman, bought the remaining UK business and assets of HMV out of administration, saving 100 stores and nearly 1,500 jobs. sunrise had previously bought around 70 HMV stores in canada in 2017 from then owner Hilco.

New urban circus event launched Looking for grinds School Is Easy is here to help you

Advertorial

As we battle to cope with the restrictions imposed by Covid-19 regulations, home-based learning has taken on a new importance.

Many parents who want their children to enjoy the benefits of one-to-one tuition are, nevertheless, nervous about having a stranger in their home or sending young students to a tuition centre.

school is Easy (sIE) can solve that problem.

Offices could be converted to home

MInIsTer for housing darragh O’Brien has said there may be an opportunity to convert vacant office developments into homes.

We provide safe, online tutorials that are recorded so that your child can future reference any topic covered.

When you work with sIE, you will get nothing but the best.

All of our tutors have formal education, classroom experience and a passion for teaching.

see our ad on page 10

We can offer one-to-one or group grinds for Primary, Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate school students at a time that works for you and your family.

We offer the following subjects, from Primary to Secondary to Specialist Third Level courses: Irish/Gaelige, English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French, German, spanish, History, Geography, Business studies, Economics, Design and Technology, Music, and Physical Education .

Going to university and dreading the college exams? No problem, we have skilled and experienced tutors to help every student.

For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree.

The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad.

We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors.

We are easy to work with. We screen tutors for you. We identify learning deficiencies and we get results .

Our certified tutors will provide an initial assessment, if you need it, to ascertain your child’s requirements.

Call us today on 01 556 3553 to book a consulation.

We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.

The minister confirmed that he was was engaging with Minister for enterprise simon Coveney on this issue whom he described as very supportive.

“It’s just to look at the opportunities that may present themselves,” Mr O’Brien said.

he added that people are now working differently in cities with many choosing to work remotely.

This means there may be many office developments which could be “repurposed”, the Minister said.

It is understood that planning laws could be relaxed to allow these office buildings to be changed into homes quickly.

The Irish Times reported that Mr O’Brien wrote to Mr Coveney last week to express the view that empty offices “could become vibrant apartment blocks in the heart of our cities”.

In recent days Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he believes up to 40,000 new homes will have to be delivered every year to address the housing crisis.

duBlIn City Council has announced a new familyfriendly event, ‘urban Circus’, taking place in the city’s Meeting house square, Temple Bar on sunday, 28th May.

The free, unticketed event will feature five recurring shows between 12pm and 6pm with performances from the Fanzini Brothers and Fidget Feet aerial dance Theatre.

speaking about the new event the lord Mayor of dublin, Caroline Conroy, said, “I am delighted to launch dublin City Council’s ‘urban Circus’ which promises a fun day out for families. We had a lot of positive feedback from the Outdoor Cinema Club event series last year so it is great to bring another free, family-

friendly event to Meeting house square for people to enjoy.”

The Fanzini Brothers have been entertaining national and international audiences in street and circus performances since 1997. Fidget Feet aerial dance Theatre sprung to life in 1998 delighting audiences with indoor, outdoor, crane and vertical dance performances. There will be face painting for children and families can enjoy refreshments from onsite food and drinks vendors.

The entry to urban Circus on the 28th May is on a first come, first served basis, gates open at 11.30am and all are welcome. Please visit https://bit. ly/Meetinghousesq for more information.

Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy with, from left Assistant Chief Fire Officer Greg O'Dwyer, 3rd Officer John Keogh, 3rd Officer Brendan McNicholas, Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley and 3rd Officer Paul O'Reilly. Pic : Fennell Photography

We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by