The Southside News 05042023

140,000kg of litter dumped in uplands home cooking

THE environmental initiative

Pure removed over 140,000kg (140 tonnes) of illegally dumped waste from the remote, beautiful, and scenic Wicklow/ Dublin Uplands last year alone. If you compare the amount of dumping collected by Pure in 2022, which was 140 tonnes of waste, to 2008 which was their busiest year, when they removed 440 tonnes, the initiative has seen a 68% reduction in illegal dumping in Wicklow/Dublin Uplands.

Minister of State Ossian Smyth with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy said: “Everyone who spends time in the beautiful Wicklow and Dublin uplands benefits from the work of the Pure Project and the efforts of the volunteers who participate annually in the Pure Mile Initiative.

“The reduction in illegal dumping in the area is impressive and my department

is pleased to support this work,” he added.

The Pure Truck is on the road every day, and since Pure was established in 2006, it has removed over 3,800,000kg (3,800 tonnes) of rubbish from over 14,000 illegal dumping sites in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands with the project processing over 15,000 reports/ complaints.

If you were to put all the rubbish that Pure has removed from the uplands into standard

household rubbish bags, they would fill over 400,000 bags. If you lined up all these bags on the road, they would stretch all the way from Dublin to Dingle.

Ian Davis, Pure Manager, commented: ‘Illegal dumping is not unique to the Wicklow/ Dublin uplands, however, while most regions in Ireland are currently reporting an increase in illegal dumping, Pure are seeing a decrease.

Continued on next page

Laura Middleton and Victoria Nava at the launch of the cookbook The Gathered Table in aid of the Peter McVerry Trust at Bread 41 on Pearse Street. Pic: Bryan Brophy

Thousands take to streets over end of eviction ban Litter dumped in our uplands

Thousands of demonstrators to the streets of dublin to protest the end of the eviction ban last week.

The protest came on the first day of the end of the no-fault eviction ban, which ended at midnight on March 31.

The ban meant tenants could only be ejected over reasons

like anti-social behaviour or damage to the property, but the Government has argued that extending the ban would decrease the available supply of housing.

In a dáil vote the Government defeated a sinn Féin Bill which attempted to extend the eviction ban until the end of

January 2024. Carrying signs reading “rent control now”, the crowd of demonstrators outside Leinster house called for “homes for people, not for profit”.

disability and homelessness campaigner Kayleigh McKevitt said the rises in cost of living and housing prices have had a

serious impact on her mental well-being.

“I knew from the get-go when I moved into independent living that I would have to be financially smart because as a person with a disability on disability allowance we don’t get very much,” she said.

“Even being financially smart

isn’t cutting it any more.

“I can’t buy a full weekly shop because I can’t afford it.”

Ms McKevitt added: “This Government is sending me further into depression.”

she also questioned the Government’s will to help the most vulnerable.

“When is this going to stop? Why does it have to keep falling on people who haven’t got the resources to change it for themselves?” she asked.

sinn Féin Td Louise o’Reilly spoke at the protest.

“We are here today because we know the reality – we know what is facing people who are terrified of having the only safety net taken away from them,” she said.

“shame on this Government, shame on those independents who supported them, shame on every housing minister who has brought us to this point.”

Ms o’Reilly spoke of her own experience with homelessness in light of the ending of the eviction ban.

“I don’t know if anyone in the Government was ever evicted into homelessness, but I was,” she said.

“I felt ashamed because I couldn’t provide a house.”

Continued from previous page

“We’re the first initiative of its kind in Ireland and the success of Pure is based on a multi-stakeholder approach, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and cooperation between all of the organisations involved.

“However, it is extremely important that we do not become complacent, because if we do, it won’t take long before illegal dumping will be on the increase.”

Pure focuses directly on the fly-tipping/illegal dumping issue and has introduced a number of preventative initiatives including a lo-callphone-line for reporting illegal dumping: 1800 365 123

Over 65s to get support they need

dun Laoghaire-Rathdown has a higher-than-average number of people aged over 65 and this is expected to double in the next 25 years.

and with the aim of improving the experiences of the increasing number of older people living in dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Mary Butler, Minister of state with responsibility for Mental health and older People, launched the dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) age-Friendly strategy, 2022-2026 in County hall, dún Laoghaire recently.

The five-year strategy agreed by the dlr age-Friendly alliance sets out the vision, objectives and actions to promote age-friendly supports and activities over the coming years, so that older people can engage positively within their communities for as long as possible.

The dlr age-Friendly alliance has agreed over 60 actions in the strategy, which are based on widespread consultation with the public, with the members

of the alliance and other groups and individuals supporting older people in dlr.

Ms Butler said at the launch:

“With more than 60 agefriendly actions identified by dozens of groups and organisations, the strategy certainly reflects many diverse voices of older people throughout the county.

“as I often note, the voice and choice of older people should be heard and be central to our planning and decision making.

“as a Government, we are committed to creating an age friendly Ireland and to supporting older people to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible. In 2023, our overall investment in older persons services will be over €2.4 billion.

“This ensures that each day, older people in our communities are supported to live independently through key services such as day care centres, meals-on-wheels and home support,” she added.

That’s life for Westlife star as home nets €2.4m

WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily is likely flying — with or without wings — as his Dublin property has been sold for €2.425m.

The second of the Westlife singer’s Dublin homes went on the market and was snapped up last September, after the boy band crooner bought it for €2.3m for it back in August 2021, The Irish Times reports. The redbrick Victorian home is located on the exclusive road in Sandycove, at Elton Place.

The stately pad has a mix of classic and modern features and boasts four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

The main bedroom is really something to sing about with decorative cornices on the walls and a beautiful bay window that takes in the picturesque surrounds of the neighbourhood.

Another highlight is the living area with a connected dining and kitchen area on the garden floor which is the true heart and soul of the home.

The patio garden out the back that is primed for entertaining will no doubt be a hit come summertime.

The entire house is modern but also keeps in touch with its Victorian roots with some of the beautiful furniture scattered

throughout the house.

The master bedroom is the stuff of dreams as the kingsize bed sits in front of huge wins with spectacular views. However, it’s not just the inside that is spectacular, as the

large back garden has a huge patio that is ideal for summer nights.

On the website MyHome. ie the property is described:

“From the hall door, the staircase winds upwards onto

the return which has a beautiful stained-glass skylight and provides access to three of the bedrooms.

“The garden level can be separately accessed from the front of the house and is the

Risk of flood cut for 52 families

heart and soul of this wonderful home with interconnecting kitchen/dining and living room.

“There is a long hallway serving as a cloakroom and storage. There is a guest wc and large utility room. There are double doors leading to the garden from the kitchen.”

The singer has had quite some luck on the home front as two of his previous homes have also been snapped up. There was his dreamy lakeside retreat in Sligo that went on the market previously in 2021. The property located in Lahannah was reportedly built in the 1970s by an American pilot who flew an architect into the country to design it.

The home, which has stunning vistas of Lough Gill and its 16 islands, went on sale for €1.15m.

The ranch-style house includes everything from a wine room to a recording studio. He netted €1.455m when it sold just four months later in December 2021, The Irish Times adds.

Prior to that, the singer had listed his Dublin 4 home.

Located near Facebook in Ballsbridge, The Irish Times reports that he quietly sold it last year.

SOME fifty families and businesses that have been living with the risk and impact from flooding will now get the protection they need, after the launch of the Whitechurch Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme.

Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr Emma Murphy and Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, were on hand to get construction of the scheme — which is the combined initiative of the Office of Public Works (OPW and South Dublin County Council — under way recently.

“This Scheme will make a real difference to some fifty families and businesses that live with the risk and impact from flooding in this community by protecting them against significant flooding, along St. Enda’s Park and Whitechurch Road,” Mr O’Donovan said.

“I want to thank the local community for its constructive and valuable engagement to the scheme’s design and its patience during the design and planning process.” he added.

The scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. More: www.whitechurchfas.ie

Pictured at the opening of the exhibition; What Lies Beneath; a collection of artifacts uncovered during the excavation of a site in Blackrock; County Dublin prior to development.Pic: Peter Cavanagh

Airport ‘under threat from terror attack’

TRANSPORT Minister Eamon Ryan has been warned of potential security threats at Dublin Airport.

It comes after an exclusive report was published by the Irish Independent, in which a whistleblower at Dublin Airport made the allegation regarding a possible terrorist threat at the airport to the minister.

The claim is reportedly now part of an investigation by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

In the whistleblower’s protected disclosure, which has been seen by the Irish Independent, it is alleged screening at the airport is in a “critical situation” which leaves possible gaps for explosive devices to slip through and on board flights.

The disclosure was handed to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in the Dáil chamber last June.

It says the Minister is allowing a “roll of the dice” each morning and hoping “that nothing happens”.

A lapse in standards of staff training has led to “below par” security screening at the airport,

where “vulnerabilities” could be “exploited”. It says these may even lead to terrorist attacks on a par with Lockerbie, the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the UK. The IAA has launched a formal investigation into the protected disclosure, as it has found “prima facie” evidence that “wrongdoing may have occurred”.

The whistleblower is currently in dispute with their employer over a pay review and a report arising from their accusations of bullying.

In a statement, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), said that for “obvious reasons” it does not comment on security matters, adding that the authority fully engages with “stringent security requirements.”

“Dublin Airport is subject to regular, independent, national and international oversight of our compliance with stringent security requirements,” it added.

“DAA is fully engaged continuously to ensure that the appropriate safety and security

standards are always in place at Dublin Airport.

“Due process must be followed, and we will cooperate fully with any investigation that may follow, but any allegations under a protected disclosure should remain to be allegations only, until such claims are fully investigated and ultimately resolved.”

The statement added that the “DAA will not be making any further comment on this until any such investigation has been finalised.”

The Department of Transport said it does not comment on issues which relate to “aviation security operations” or protected disclosures given to the Minister.

A spokesperson said the IAA is responsible for receiving disclosures “of relevant wrongdoings on all matters relating to the management of Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of Irish civil aviation and the oversight of civil aviation security in the State.”

‘No plans’ for tolls to hit travellers ... yet

THE operator of Dublin Airport (DAA) said it has “no current plans” to bring in a charge for drivers dropping or collecting passengers, despite having been given the goahead by An Bord Pleanála. Reports emerged recently that planning permission was granted to DAA by Fingal County Council to develop

new, tolled drop-off and pickup zones at the airport.

However, in a statement, the DAA said: “Dublin Airport has no current plans to introduce drop-off or pick-up charges.”

But Fine Gael Senator Emer Currie told Newstalk that the statement could be taken to mean anything.

“It could mean that they are holding it in their back pocket until a later stage or it could mean they’re going ahead introducing tolling infrastructure but not actually charging people. So it isn’t clear and I think people have been very clear about the fact they don’t want it and they want the DAA to scrap it.”

DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs and airport team members, Michael Reilly, Wioleta Lykowska and Dermot Smyth at the launch of Dublin Airport Ready For Summer TakeOff 15-point plan to improve standards for passengers this summer. Pic: Jason Clarke

Wild Youth to battle the odds

Ireland faces more eurovision heartache this year, according to the latest odds with Boylesports, which makes dublin band Wild Youth 66/1 outsiders to put an end to a barren run in the competition.

The four-piece have promised a “big and bold” performance when the event heads to liverpool in May , but Ireland has only qualified twice for the final since 2013 and now

the betting trends suggest this year’s representatives will have to pull out all the stops.

Ireland remains at the top of the all-time eurovision records with seven victories, but they could have company by the time the curtain comes down on the final on May 13th as Sweden have now been backed into odds-on favourites.

We are One, written by Wild Youth’s prolific keyboard player

Travel in capital is still too expensive

dUBlIn is one of the most costly cities for public transport, with other Irish cities faring better according to recent research. ecommerce platform Picodi. com checked the public transport fares in 45 cities worldwide and juxtaposed the transport expenses with local average wages.

dublin is among the most expensive cities to travel in, it emerged, where a monthly pass costs €155 — 5.2% of the average net wage in dublin. This result is better than in london (7.4%) but worse than in Melbourne (5.1%). Cork and limerick are much more affordable (€68 and €60 respectively).

The findings come just after the Central Statistics Office released figures to show that public transport have risen in recent weeks.

The number of bus journeys in dublin for week 8 (week beginning 20 February 2023) was 10% higher compared with the number of journeys in the same week in 2019.

The number of bus journeys outside dublin in week 8 of 2023 exceeded 2019 figures by 31%.

The number of new cars licensed in February 2023 fell by 359 vehicles (-3%) compared with February 2022.

last april, the Government actually reduced public transport fares by 20pc.

Conor O’donohoe, is the bands submission to be Ireland’s entry into eurovision which takes place in liverpool from the 9th-13th May.

2022 was a busy year for Wild Youth, touring europe with lewis Capaldi and Westlife as well as selling out their own tour.

It was also a busy on for the band’s singer/songwriter Conor O’donohoe, who wrote 10 top

40 songs as well as a string of number ones for other artists.

Conor says of We are One: “It’s an uplifting anthem about the power of shared experiences and I think that is such a huge part of the eurovision.

“It’s a phenomenon and myself and the guys would be honoured to represent Ireland in May in the city that is often referred to as the ‘second capital of Ireland’.”

Investors frozen out of new home scheme

InVeSTOrS have been prevented from bulk buying houses and duplex units from a large new residential development in west dublin.

It comes as South dublin County Council granted planning permission to Glenveagh Homes to construct 376 new homes at Citywest.

In a bid to prevent an institutional investors bulk buying the houses, the Council has included a condition under the heading of ‘regulation of Institutional Investment in Housing’.

as part of the condition, the council is requiring that the first occupation of all houses and duplex units be done by individual purchasers.

The condition does not apply to apartments in the scheme.

The Council state that the aim of the condition is to ensure an adequate choice and supply of housing, including affordable housing, in the common good.

Glenveagh initially lodged plans to construct 384 units made up of 122 houses, 84 duplex units and 178 apartments in four blocks ranging from five

to seven storeys for the site. Some 75 units will be provided for social and affordable housing.

The scheme is located south of Citywest avenue and west of Cheeverstown Park and ride, Brownsbarn dublin 24. Planning consultants for Glenveagh Homes, McCutcheon Halley contended that the proposed development “will provide for efficient use of this undeveloped site”. The planning statement also contended that the proposal contributes towards the need for

increased housing supply along Citywest avenue and within South County dublin. Meanwhile, almost 1,000 households applied for costrental homes in dublin and Wicklow advertised by the land development agency (lda) recently. In advance of the midnight deadline, more than 540 applications had been lodged for the 22 three-and four-bed houses at Citywest in South dublin and about 430 applications for 24 duplex apartments in delgany, near Greystones in north Wicklow.

I now declare you man and wife ... and bankrupt

MICHAEL WOLSEY

TOP up your Revolut account, clear off your credit card and, if your bank will give you an overdraft, go get it now. The season of the super-spend is upon us. The demands are dropping through the door.

I’m not talking about bills; few companies send those in the post any more. The requests that will drive us into debt are sent by friends who want our company: invitations to weddings that will mean booking hotel rooms, possibly air tickets. and buying several sets of clothes – for afternoon and evening events, a ceremony in rainy Ireland and a party in sunny Cyprus.

When I got married, some 50 years ago, the traditional wedding breakfast had moved to lunch time and was called dinner. The height of glamour was a ‘sherry reception’ – that is to say, all the guests were handed a glass of sherry when they arrived. There was wine at the table. After that the guests bought their own drink and danced to music from a keyboard player and a guy with a guitar. Many of them stayed late into the evening, chatting

to people they hadn’t seen in a while – but not to us; my new wife and I had left to start our honeymoon, in a B&B on the Antrim coast.

That’s pretty much how all Irish weddings were back then, except for those of the super rich. Today they involve a scale and expense that we used to associate with bar mitzvahs

and giant Indian marriage ceremonies.

I know of a recent wedding before which the bride had two hen parties. One, which she called the ‘home hen’, was supposed to be for close friends and family, but actually involved about 30 women. And it wasn’t at her home, which is in Dublin, but at a hotel and

other venues in Kilkenny. The ‘away hen’ was on one of the Canary Islands. The groom confined himself to just one stag party. But that wasn’t the model of restraint it might seem – the stag was held in Malta. The wedding itself was in Cyprus, which I’m told is very popular with Irish couples. It was a three-day affair, with

pre-wedding parties and afterwedding parties. The whole thing, from ‘hen do’ to ‘I do’, stretched across several months.

The bride and groom in question have reasonably well-paid jobs but, even so, it will surely take them several years to pay for the excess of their wedding. Well, that’s their business. But what about their

friends? They had to fork out for trips around Ireland, flights across Europe, hotel bills, appropriate clothes – and were still expected to stump up for a wedding present.

Age protects me from getting too many of these invitations but for young people it has become a real problem. A niece tells me she hates the wedding season. She can’t afford it and has run out of excuses. Last year she received invitations to four weddings in August alone. And that, remember, was when we were coming out of Covid. She shudders to think what this year will bring.

Modern Irish weddings often span a weekend and can sometimes last a whole week, so working couples are having to sacrifice annual leave time to attend. I know of one couple who have abandoned their own holiday plans, to give them time and money to attend the wedding of a relative, on an island they don’t particularly like, requiring a four-hour flight they will like even less. A survey has shown that, on average, Irish couples will spend between €25,000 and €36,000 on their wedding.

The big variation depends on whether the cost includes the bride’s dress (average price €1,725), wedding rings (€1,511) and engagement rings (€3,106). The photographer will set you back, on average €1,779 and if you want a video as well you can add €1,443 to the bill.

Optional extras include a selfie mirror (???) at €428 and €414 for botox and tanning. A wedding planner will set you back €1,956. Thankfully, we didn’t need one of those for our sherry reception.

“R.556 Bank of Ireland & Trinity College, Dublin.” It was posted from Dublin to Antrim in 1943. The original photograph, however, was most likely taken before the outbreak of WWII in 1939. Clearly shown are a No. 54 Bus as well as 19, 16, and 24 Trams. Visible advertisements include Clery’s, Shaw’s and Cairnes. The postcard comes from the collections of the Old Dublin Society. If you would like a free digital copy please send an email to olddublinsociety@gmail.com

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.

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.

Free books to be rolled out for all primary schools

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

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

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

For senior subjects we use college and university instructors with a Masters degree. The choice is yours when it comes to the style of tutoring and our range of subjects is broad. We don’t use generic tutoring lessons. We customise each programme based on the student’s needs, goals and capacity and we take care to match students with the right tutors.

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

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

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

We will be delighted to match you with a tutor.

THE Government is introducing free schoolbooks to primary school students in their efforts to combat the cost of living crisis.

And Education Minister Norma Foley has warned schools that they are prohibited from asking parents to pay any money for school books under the guise of a higher voluntary contribution.

Primary school students will be able to avail of schoolbooks, alongside workbooks and copies, free of charge from September onwards.

The scheme is being introduced to ease the financial burdens facing families at the beginning of the school year. The schoolbooks will be the property of the school and will have to be returned at the end of the school year. Parents will therefore be reminded of the need to keep books in good condition.

While books will be free, there may be a requirement for parents to buy some additional items for their children for use at schools.

The grant being paid

to schools to assist with implementation of the scheme can be used to employ someone to carry out the associated administrative work.

Ms Foley said it was a permanent measure that would ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to-school costs.

Primary schools are to receive €96 per pupil to buy schoolbooks and copybooks which they may purchase from any bookshop under guidance due to issue to schools later this week.

It follows a Government announcement in Budget 2023 of a package of free schoolbooks for more than 500,000 primary school pupils from September 2023 at a cost of about €54m. However, it is likely to prompt complaints from book publishers who say the allocation will not be enough to cover the full cost of books, workbooks and e-learning resources.

There have been conflicting estimates over the real cost of schoolbooks from different organisations, the Irish Times

reported. It quotes figures compiled by the Irish League of Credit Unions put the average cost of books at primary level at €110 per pupil, while education publishers have placed the figure at a significantly higher level.

Sources say the Department of Education figure of €96 per child is based on an analysis of the costs across a sample of schools, as well as engagement with school management bodies, unions, parents’ groups, booksellers, publishers and charities.

Publishers have warned, privately, that any shortfall in funding would results in schools seeking to make up the difference through voluntary contributions from parents. There have also been concerns from independent bookshops about whether they will lose out on sales due to the changes. While schools will have freedom to decide where they purchase their books, many currently have relationships with their local bookshops as part of an existing school book rental scheme.

Do you know an unsung hero in your area?

Why not nominate them as a Community Champion in the 2023

An bhfuil aithne agat ar laoch neamhaitheanta i do cheantar?

Cad faoi iad a ainmniú mar Laoch an Phobail i

Mayor’s Awards

Mayor’s Awards

We want to recognise, celebrate and honour the efforts of people across Fingal who are making a real difference for others.

Scan our QR code to access the nomination form

www.fingal.ie/mayors-awards-2023

*Deadline for nominations: 5pm 20 April 2023

nGradaim an Mhéara

nGradaim an Mhéara

Is mian linn iarrachtaí na ndaoine ar fud Fhine Gall atá ag déanamh fíordhifríochta do dhaoine eile a aithint, a cheiliúradh agus onóir a bhronnadh orthu.

Scanáil ár gcód QR chun teacht ar an bhfoirm ainmniúcháin

www.fingal.ie/ga/gradaim-mheara-2023

*An dáta deiridh a nglacfar le hainmniúcháin ná 5pm 20 Aibreán 2023

A selection of children at NCH Primary Ensemble Project Finale Concert supported by Walkers and The Royal Irish Academy of Music. The Primary Ensemble Project is aimed at developing key areas of early ensemble playing in a vibrant and holistic programme with participating schools. Pix: Julien Behal

your stars

m aria h arte’s cookbook for mums www.mariaharte.com/free-ebook

TV chef Maria harte says she wanted “to do something for the mums” after her journey with postnatal depression and ADhD. The chef on Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show has launched a free eBook targeted at new and expecting parents filled with over 20 freezer-friendly recipes. She hopes to help expecting parents by taking away the stress of cooking during the weeks and months after the baby arrives. Maria decided she wanted to create easy, nutritious meals for new parents who find it difficult to find the time to eat. The book is available for free to download from the link above.

AriesBegin a new physical health and fitness phase upon reaching a barrier or obstacle. Review and revamp skills and practices.

TAurusChange directions with a romance, passion or creative endeavor. Express your heart, imagination and artistry.

GeminiMake repairs. Renovate, remodel and tend your garden. Domestic changes require adaptation. Begin a new home and family phase.

C A n C er-

A turning point arises around income and finances. You can find profitable opportunities. Generate positive cash flow.

Leo-

A new two-week phase in communications, connection and intellectual discovery dawns. Shift the direction of your research.

Vir G o-

A challenge redirects you and illuminates a new personal direction. Expand your boundaries. Turn toward an inspiring possibility.

unstable Netflix

Libr AReview priorities privately. Balance old responsibilities with new. Meditate on dreams past and future. Begin an introspective phase.

sCorpioOne door closes and another opens. Friends come and go in your community. Share appreciations, goodbyes and greetings.

sAG i TTA riusFinish a project before beginning another professional phase. Focus on current passions. Don’t reveal unfinished plans.

C A pri CornAn exploration changes. . Experiment with concepts. Travel expands your view. Learn from a master.

AquA rius-

The stakes could seem high. Shift directions with shared finances over the next few weeks. Work out the next phase together.

p is C esReach a turning point with a partnership. Compromise and collaborate for shared commitments. Adjust to a change in plans.

emerald park reopens www.emeraldpark.ie

ONE of ireland’s most loved destinations — Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park) — has reopened, with the new name over the entrance at Kilbrew, two new junior rides, as well as some new arrivals to the zoo, including one of the world’s most endangered species of big cat. The Junior Zone, for young adventurers aged 3+, has also expanded to include with two brand new rides, Balloon Chase and Crazy Bus. The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation is the chosen charity of Emerald Park for 2023. All Access tickets are €39 and Junior zone tickets are €35 (pre-book online).

ellie goulding higher Than heaven

ThE British singer-songwriter has racked up scores of hits over the years, defined by big beats, infectious synths and her signature smoky vocals. her fifth album, higher Than heaven is a collection of even more upbeat and musically expansive tracks which is a departure from Goulding’s previous effort, Brightest Blue, which was built on quiet subtlety and had a more introspective feeling. Energy and exuberance in spades.

STRUGGliNG dad Ellis Dragon (Rob lowe) is a — wait for this — universally admired, eccentric, narcissist-adjacent biotech entrepreneur working to make the world a better place. he’s also in emotional free-fall. his son Jackson Dragon (John Owen lowe) is basically none of the above. Can Jackson save Ellis and his company and salvage their estranged relationship while also doing what may actually be impossible: escaping the shadow of his larger-than-life father? if you’re into quick-witted father-son banter, dramatic tech company politics and jokes about ‘butts’ then this is for you.

What’s Hot this week

marlowe

Cinemas Nationwide

Philli P Marlowe (liam Neeson) is hired by a beautiful and wealthy heiress (Diane Kruger) to investigate the disappearance of her lover (Francois Arnaud). When Marlowe quickly discovers that he died outside an exclusive club with a host of unsavoury members (Danny huston, Alan Cumming), Marlowe must navigate the elite of Bay City and the darkness underneath it. Based on John Banville’s ‘The Black-Eyed Blonde’, there’s a labyrinthine noir plot at play here that will lose some viewers. But it is still a wonderful return to form for Neil Jordan.

FAiR City and reallife couple Bryan Murray and Una Crawford-O’Brien are calling on the people of Dublin to host an Alzheimer’s Tea Day and have the most powerful cup of tea of the year on Thursday, May 4th. Bryan, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease three years ago, and Una have teamed up with The Alzheimer Society of ireland (The ASi) to invite everyone to come together for a cuppa to help raise vital funds for families living with dementia nationwide. SiGN UP on www.teaday.ie or call (01) 207 3800, and they will send your Tea Day pack.

beyond black: amy winehouse exhibition

Open now at Newbridge Silverware

FREYA O’Dwyer (styled as legendary singer Amy Winehouse) is pictured at The Museum of Style icons at Newbridge Silverware in Newbridge, Co Kildare where she helped launch an exhibition dedicated to the life and style of Amy Winehouse. The exhibition, ‘Beyond Black – Celebrating the Career and Style of Amy Winehouse’ incorporates several original garments and property once owned and worn by the legendary singer including some never-before-seen dresses designed by her personal stylist and close friend, Naomi Parry. The free to enter exhibition is now open to the public every day and runs until the 7th of May 2023.

children’s health foundation

To buy the fleeces: www. 4tharq.com/ Chil DREN’S health Foundation ambassador, Rosie Connolly has announced the upcoming launch of a limited-edition children’s half-zip collection from her hugely popular leisurewear brand, 4Th ARQ in aid of Children’s health Foundation. With the help of some incredible Children’s health ireland patients, River (3), sisters - Annie (2.5) and Éabha (4) and sisters - Beth (10) and Ella (8), who beautifully modelled the range. The limited-edition range of half-zip fleeces for children will be on sale for €35. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to Children’s health Foundation.

Schools can now ‘borrow a bike’

FAMILIES are going to get the chance to try out a cargo bike for their daily commute to and from school, as part of a new partnership between the National Transport Authority and University College Dublin, which will see the introduction of 20 new ‘Bike Libraries’ at primary schools across Dublin city.

The project will give families the opportunity to borrow an e-bike, cargo bike or foldable bike for a set period during the school term, at no charge. This will allow them to “try before you buy”, and to experience using these bikes before having to decide to purchase one.

The aim of the project is to encourage families to make a permanent modal shift to sustainable travel for their daily commutes.

Ten schools will take part in the project in the spring/ summer term this year, including Assumption Senior GNS, Walkinstown; Assumption Junior School, Sisters of Charity, Walkinstown; John Scotus Primary School, Ballsbridge; and Scoil Íde Girls’ National School, Coolock.

Free books to be rolled out for primary pupils Take part in biggest volunteer clean-up

THE Government is introducing free schoolbooks to primary school students in their efforts to combat the cost of living crisis.

And Education Minister Norma Foley has warned schools that they are prohibited from asking parents to pay any money for school books under the guise of a higher voluntary contribution.

Primary school students will be able to avail of schoolbooks, alongside workbooks and copies, free of charge from September onwards.

The scheme is being introduced to ease the financial burdens facing families at the beginning of the school year. The schoolbooks will be the property of the school and will have to be returned at the end of the school year. Parents will therefore be reminded of the need to keep books in good condition.

While books will be free, there may be a requirement for parents to buy some additional items for their children for use at schools.

The grant being paid to schools to assist with implementation of the scheme can be used to employ someone to carry out the associated administrative work.

Ms Foley said it was a

permanent measure that would ease some of the financial burden facing families with the back-to-school costs.

Primary schools are to receive €96 per pupil to buy schoolbooks and copybooks which they may purchase from

any bookshop under guidance due to issue to schools later this week.

It follows a Government announcement in Budget 2023 of a package of free schoolbooks for more than 500,000 primary school pupils from September

Condé Nast’s top 15 eateries

CoNDé Nast Traveller has revealed their pick of the 15 best restaurants in Dublin for 2023.

Along with some established venues, the editors of the highly reputable publication highlighted some new additions to the Dublin food scene — such as the stylish Nomo Ramen, which specialises in soupy bowls of ramen and imports its noodles from the same supplier as David Chang’s US Momofuku chain.

Richard Corrigan’s new venture, The Park Café, also gets a mention, particularly for its seafood and “la jammet kebab”, an homage to Dublin’s legendary, now-closed Jammet restaurant.

The full list is as follows:

• Uno Mas

• The Park Café

• Bread 41

• Mamó

• Forest Avenue

• PI Pizzas

• Daddy’s Café

• Chapter one

• Nomo Ramen

• Cavistons

• Volpe Nera

• Liath

• Fish Shop

• Bunsen

• Pickle

2023 at a cost of about €54m. However, it is likely to prompt complaints from book publishers who say the allocation will not be enough to cover the full cost of books, workbooks and e-learning resources.

DUBLIN’s Four Local Authorities, together with Clean Coasts, National Spring Clean, the Local Authority Waters Programme, Waterways Ireland, Dublin City Canals, Dodder Action and a whole host of community volunteers are coming together for Dublin’s largest clean-up event, which will run on 22nd April.

April is also Ireland’s National Spring Clean month, and groups in Dublin will mark the occasion with a community call-to-action. In 2022, the Dublin Community Clean-up took place in September and over 80 groups registered to carry out clean-ups all across Dublin.

This year would mark the 4th year of the initiative, which was first created in 2019. The organisers are asking volunteers around Dublin to join forces to make this Dublin’s biggest clean-up event ever. To register, visit www. dublincommunitycleanup.ie.

Sinn Fein ‘has voted down 12,000 homes’

SINN has objected to, voted against, or attempted to hinder almost 12,000 homes from being built in Dublin city since 2018, new figures have revealed.

Fine Gael’s Peter Burke has hit out at the party, voicing his frustration over the opposition to housing projects in the capital and across the country.

An analysis of planning applications submitted to Dublin City Council alone, reveals Sinn Féin representatives, including TDs and councillors, had objections or expressed concern about 5,741 homes from 2020 to 2022.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who represents Dublin Central, expressed concern about three developments which would deliver a combined total of 2,052 homes in her constituency.

“These included proposals for 321 shared living units at the site of Phibsborough Shopping Centre and for 1,614 build to rent apartments at the former

Holy Cross College on Clonliffe Road. Planning applications for both projects were subsequently granted by An Bord Pleanála. She successfully objected to 117 build to rent units in Cabra,” Minister Burke said. “This is utter hypocrisy by the Sinn Féin leader,” he added.

A previous Fine Gael report of Sinn Féin’s voting record on housing developments in South Dublin, Dublin City and Fingal County Councils from 2018 to 2021 shows the party’s councillors objected to almost 6,000 homes across Dublin.

“What Sinn Féin don’t want you to know about is their own ideological strategy of voting against or lodging objections to projects that would deliver badly needed homes,” Minister Burke said.

“The duplicitousness of the party’s approach as revealed in the Dublin City Council planning records is breathtaking and cannot be explained away with disingenuous excuses that the State alone can solve the housing crisis.”

Chenjing Wong at the NCH Primary Ensemble Project Finale Concert at the National Concert Hall. Pic: Julien Behal

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

Freemans Jrn 30/04/1839

Freemans Jrn 30/04/1825