The Meath Herald April 2023

AtarecentmeetingoftheIrishWalled TownNetwork(ITWN)itwasdecided toapproveNavan'sapplicationtojoin thenetwork.

Navanbecomesthethirdmemberof thenetworkinMeathandjoinsTrim andKellswhohavebeenpartofthe groupforanumberofyears.

Lastyear,twomotionsweresubmitted totheNavanMunicipalDistrictCouncilbyCllrEddieFennessywhocalled onthecounciltoprepareaconservationplanforthemedievaltownwall andforanapplicationtojointhe ITWN.

Bothmotionswerepassedunopposed andaconservationplanwascompiled bylocalarchaeologistClareRyanand the7LArchitecturalgroup.

Theconservationplanthenformed thebasisofasuccessfulheritagefundingawardof€82,000.Extensiveconservationworksweresubsequentlycarriedoutlatelastyearontheremaining sectionoftheMedievalTownWall whichislocateinthecouncilyardon AbbeyRoadinthetown.

MayorofNavan,CllrEddieFennessy said;ThisisgreatnewsforNavan.The

conservationofourMedievalTown WallsisaprojectI'vebeenprivilegedto playasmallpartinoverthepastcouple ofyears.Hugecreditmustbegivento MeathCountyCouncil’sHeritagesectionandtotheNavanHistoricalSociety'sClareRyanandEthnaCantwell (whosadlypassedawayrecently)bothofwhomplayedapivotalrolein theworkthatledtothisannouncement.”

"MembershipoftheITWNisagame changerforthisproject.Accesstofundingforcapitalworksandinparticular, interpretativeprojectswillhelptoopen thewallsuptothepublicintheway thatClareRyanenvisagedinherconservationplan.”

Cllr.Fennessyconcludedbysaying“I willcontinuetoworkwiththecouncil tohelpprogressthisprojectoverthe comingyears.”

#YesYouCanWithSlimmingWorld slimmingworld.ie

TUESDAY5PM&6.30PM KellsFamilyResourceCentre Consultant:Gillian Tel0863682507

TUESDAY9AM&10.30AM KellsFamilyResourceCentre Consultant:Maeve Tel0871259496

NCTPermitsShouldBeExtendedForTwelve MonthsDuetoTestingSystemDelays-Tóibín

stitutevehiclesforaperiodicinspectionandanunlimitednumberofretests, theabilitytosubstitutea vehicleatnocostinadvanceofthetest,theoptiontopayformultiple bookingsatonetimeand theabilitytoaddvehicles toalivecancellationlist alongsideasmother check-inprocessata centre".

wherethereisnopublic transportwhatsoever".

"TheGovernmenthassat idlybywhilecommuters havebeenhammeredfor monthsnow.Aontúresearchhasshownthat commutershavepaid€1.2 billionattheM50tollin justthelastnineyears”

TheAontúleader,Peadar Tóibín hascalledfora year-longextensiontoall NCTcertificatesinlightof considerabledelaysinthe system.

Speakingonthematter, DeputyTóibínsaid"My constituencyofficesareinundatedwithphonecalls frompeoplesuffering delayswithNCTtests.This spirallingdelayisputting

acutepressureonpeople acrossthecountry,who needthecarstodroptheir childrentoschoolandto work.”

“MeanwhiletheRoad SafetyAuthorityhasconfirmedtomeinaletter thatcartradersenjoyconsiderableadvantages whenitcomestobooking NCTtests,includingthe abilitytomanageandsub-

DeputyTóibíncontinued:"Ithinkweneedtoreformthesystemtoensure thatroaduserswholivein remoteareasorrelycompletelyontheircarsfor transporttoschooland workareprioritisedwhen itcomestoNCTtests.”

“Aontúisalsoseekinga twelvemonthextensionto allNCTcertificatesinlight ofthesignificantdelays beingexperiencedinthe system.Weneedtokeepin mindthefactthatthereare manypartsofthecountry

“Aontúisalsoseeking atwelvemonthextensiontoallNCTcertificatesinlightofthesignificantdelays”

“Fromincreasedcar prices,increasedfuel prices,increasedrepair, increasedcostoftoll bridgesandservicing costs,thisisjustanother hurdleinastringofissues squeezingcommutersand itstimeweprioritiseordinaryroaduserswho needtheircarsandNCT permitsinordertogetto workortotheshop",concludedTóibín.

WriterinResidence-BrianGallagher

Theburning oftheBig Housesisoneoftherarely discussedaspectsofthe Irishrevolutionaryperiod.

TheDecadeofCentenaries Programme,aimstosupportinterestingandimaginativeopportunitiestoencourageallofustoexplore oursharedhistory,inallof itscomplexity,inarespectfulandsupportive environment.

BrianGallagher,an award-winningchildren’s writerisworkingwithtwo Meathprimaryschoolsto increasepupilsunderstandingoftherevolutionaryperiodthroughcreativewriting.Theprojectis aninitiativeoftheMeath CountyCouncilDecadeof Centenariesprogramme andismanagedbythe countylibraryservice.

Afull-timewriterwhose playsandshortstories havebeenproducedinIreland,Britain,andCanada, Brianhasworkedextensivelyinradioandtelevision,writingmanydramas anddocumentaries.

BrianisworkingwithLismullenNS,Navanand

ScoilCholcilleSkryneover atwo-monthperiod,to helpthechildrenexplore thehistoryoftherevolutionaryperiodintheirlocalareas.

Theyhavebeenselected asbothschoolsarelocated closetoLismullenHouse, whichwasoneofthebig housesburneddownon April4th,1923.

LaunchingtheWriter-inResidencerecently,Cllr.

NickKillian,Cathaoirleach

ofMeathCountyCouncil said:“We’redelightedto beabletoofferthesecreativewritingworkshopsto thepupilsandteachers.I hopetheywillfosteralove ofhistoryandinspirea newgenerationofwriters inMeath”.

WelcomingthenewresidencyMeathCounty CouncilChiefExecutive JackieMaguire,ChiefExecutiveMeathCounciladded“Itisgreattosee

ToiletandChanging Facilitiesofficiallyopened atBlackwaterPark

CathaoirleachofMeath CountyCouncilCllr.Nick Killian,MayorofNavan Cllr.EddieFennessyand MeathCountyCouncil ChiefExecutiveJackie Maguireofficiallyopened newfacilitiesatBlackwater Park,Navan.

Thenewbuildingprovideschangingroomswith showerfacilitiesandpublictoiletsthatcaterforall abilities.

MeathCountyCouncil hascompletedvarious projectsoverrecentyears toreflecttheincreasedus-

ageofthepark,theseincludethedevelopmentof theplayground,theinstallationoflightingalongthe 1.4kmloopedwalkwayto allowlongerhoursofusageduringtheAutumn andWintermonthsand thelaunchofScealTrail,a funandeducationalactivitythatcanbeenjoyedby allthefamily.

youngpeopleengaging withhistorythroughfiction.“

Shecontinued“Children willdevelopadeeperunderstandingoflocalhistoryfromthisworthwhile project”.

Thisprojectissupported bytheDepartmentof Tourism,Culture,Arts, Gaeltacht,SportandMediaundertheMeath DecadeofCentenaries 2012-2023initiative.

CathaoirleachCllr.NickKillianpicturedwithMayorof NavanCllr.EddieFennessyandMeathCountyCouncil ChiefExecutiveJackieMaguireattheofficialopening ofthenewfacilitiesatBlackwaterPark,Navan.

PicturedL-R:AuthorBrianGallagher,SeniorExecutiveLibrarianMaedhbhRoganMcGann,CountyLibrarianCiaránMangan,ExecutiveLibrariansDympnaHerward andTomFrench,CathaoirleachCllr.NickKillian,DirectorofServicesBarryLynch DoSandChiefExecutiveJackieMaguire.

McKeeWelcomesCouncilCommitment OnRoadSafetyMeasuresInDuleek

LocalEastMeath Fianna

FailCouncillor,Stephen McKee,haswelcomedthe newsthatMeathCounty Councilhavecommitted toworksstartingshortly onthenewproposedjunctionworksatthebottomof StationRoad/MainStreet, Duleek.

CllrMcKeestated“Iam pleasedthatMeath CountyCouncilhaveconfirmedtomeinwriting thattheyarecurrently workingonthedesignof junctionimprovement worksbetweenStation RoadandMainStreet, Duleek.”“Workswillincludeanewtrafficcalming tableandnewtrafficlights atthejunctionwhichare badlyneeded.I’mtoldthat thedesignisnearingcompletionandtheworkswill gototenderbeforetheend ofthismonth.”

Hecontinued“These workswillformpartofan

overallDuleekPublic RealmPlanwhichwillbe developedtoimprove publicinfrastructureinthe village,improvetheenvironmentforlocalbusiness toflourishandenhance thequalityoflifeforlocal residents.Itwillbeimportantthatadequatefunding isprovidedtoensurethat

anyagreedPublicRealm Plancanbefullyfunded andthattheworkisfully carriedout.”

“Thenewroadsafetyand trafficcalmingworksfor thebottomofStationRoad ontoMainStreetarevery welcome.Trafficcalming isbadlyneededalsoonthe StationRoad,ontheLong-

HOLIDAY LOANS

3-BinService

OURONE-STOPSERVICESOLUTIONSARE AFFORDABLE,QUICKANDRELIABLE

MeathSchools BackBidtoPlanta MillionTrees

Schoolchildren from12 Meathnationalschools tookpartinanationwide campaignthismonthto plantamilliontrees,to combatclimatechange.

fordRoad,theNavanRoad andoutatDuleekSoccer ClubatCarranstown. Therearejustfartoomany HGV'scomingthroughthe village.Long-term,theBypassiscritical.”

“Ithasbeenconfirmed thattherewillbeconsultationamongstthegeneral publicandeveryonewill soonhaveanopportunity tohavetheirsayonthe newPublicRealmPlan whichisexcitingnewsfor thearea”concludedCllr McKee.

TheMeathschools joinedover300schools fromacrossIrelandtotake partindevelopmentcharitySelfHelpAfrica’s‘One MillionTrees’campaign, plantingtreesintheirlocal schoolgroundswhilesupportingawiderinitiativeto planttreesinAfrica,and highlighttheimpactthat climatechangeishaving onpoorandvulnerable communitiesonthe Africancontinent.

Thelocalschoolstree plantinginitiativeissupportedbytheIrishNationalSchoolTeachersAssociation(INTO),who providednativeIrishtree seedlingsfordistribution toclassroomsacrossthe

countrytosupportthe charityinitiative.

TreeswereplantedatSt FiniansN.S.,Enfield,Scoil UíGhramhnaigh,ÁthBuí, ScoilNaomhBarra,Navan, St.Michael'sNS,Rathmolyon,ScoilMhuire,Navan, GaelscoilnaCille,Ashbourne,St.Fiach'sNS, Oldcastle,St.Mary'sN.S., Ashbourne,StJoseph's mercyP.S.,Navan,Scoil mhuire,Kells,DuleekBNS, Duleek,andDuleekGirls' NationalSchool,Duleek, tocoincidewithNational TreeWeek.

“Workswill includeanew trafficcalming tableandnew trafficlightsatthe junctionwhichare badlyneeded”

OpeningHours:Monday-Saturday:8.00am-5.00pmClosedonSundays&BankHolidays

TrimWomen’sShedHasCometoFruition

TrimWomen'sShed cametofruitionthispast weekendwhentheenrolmenteventsgotunderway.

FridayMarch24thsaw upto70womenfromTrim andsurroundingareasarriveatSallyRoger'stobecomeamemberofthis newShed.Sunday26thof Marchsawafurther71womensignupatKnightsbrookHotel.Women couldalsoenrolonline.By 10pmonSundayevening membershipwascapped at170membersanda waitinglistwasestablished.

TrimWomen'sShedwas setupinlateJanuaryof thisyearbyagroupofwomenwhowantedto provideaplacewherewomenofallagesoverthe ageof18couldcometogetherandempowereach other.CarolineSmith (Chairwoman),MagsMc-

Givern(ViceChairwoman),AnneCollinge(Secretary)andEvelynO'Shea (Treasurer)wereparticipatinginawomen'sdevelopmentprogrammein TrimFamilyResource Centre.

There,theywerelearning newskills,boostingtheir confidenceandestablishingfriendships.Mags mentionedthatshehad triedtosetupashedbut thenCovidhitandimpactedsomany.

ItwasagreedthatCovid -19hashadahugeimpact onbothmenandwomen anditwasagreedthatthe womenontheprogramme wantedtosetupanenvironmenttogetwomenout andsocializinginasafe environmentsurrounded bylikemindedwomen.

Itwasalsoagreedthat thiswasnotajobfor1personsoacommitteewasset

upandtheyagreedthey wouldtrytomakeitwork!

Almost2monthslater andwiththehelpof SineadKavanagh,(Social MediaandEventsCoordinator,)whoagreedto comeonboardtheyhave plantedtheseedandhave watcheditgrow.

Thegrowthanddevelopmentsofarwouldnothave

beenpossiblewithoutthe supportofsomanyofthe localbusinessesinTrim andsurroundingareas. Fromsponsoringvenue's todonationofraffleprizes, thesupporthasbeen amazing.Theonecommentheardoverandover isthatTheWomen'sShed issomethingthatisvery muchneeded.Theyhave connectedwithsomany womenwhoarewillingto comeonboardanduse theirskillstoeducateour members.

Fromyogaandpilates instructorstobeauty artistsandhairdressers, Hypnotherapistsandalternative&holistictherapiststolocalmusiciansand sewinginstructors,thelist

TrimWomen’sShedisavailable onFacebookandInstagram.

Theycanalsobecontactedon 0838174157orbyemailing trimwomensshed@gmail.com

ofworkshopfacilitators keepsgrowing.Theyhave evenaskedsomeofthe newmemberstoconsider teachingconversational Spanish,Frenchetc.

TheethosoftheShedis

WomenempoweringWomenandthehopeisthat

eachmemberwillmake theefforttogetasmuch fromtheexperienceas theycan.

Attheenrolmentonwomenarrivedingroupsor ontheirown.Therewas1 tableofwomenwhohad allarrivedseparately.By thetimetheenrolment wasovertheywerestillsittingatthetable,exchangingnumbersandestablishingfriendships.Thatis theessenceofwhatThe Shedisallabout.

April14thisthelaunch nightfortheShed.Local musicians,guestspeakers andsomedemoworkshopswillbeonhandto entertainthemembersin theCastleArchHotel Trim.

AnneandEvelynsmilingandwaving

SineadandCarolineaddressingthelargecrowdatthelaunchofTrimWomen’sShed

Magshardatwork

FirstenrolementdayinSallyRogersBarTrim

DroghedaCreditUnionandmembersraiseover €20,000forUNICEFIrelandTürkiye&Syriaappeal

DroghedaCreditUnion anditsmembershavehit the€20,000fundraising markintheirrecentdonationcampaignforUNICEF Ireland’sTürkiye&Syria Earthquakeappeal.

TheDonationDay, whichtookplacelast month,hadmembers throughoutthecommunitiesinDrogheda, Trim,EastMeathand Dunleergenerouslycontributetotheimportant appealraising€10,000, whichDroghedaCredit Unionhasmatched.

“Ourmembersaresome ofthemostcharitableand caringpatrons,weare humbledbytheirgenerosity,onceagain,towards ourdonationcampaignfor UNICEFIreland”saidTom Kiely,CEO,Drogheda CreditUnion.

Allmoneyraisedwillbe donatedtoUNICEFIreland’sTürkiye&Syria Earthquakeappeal.The

UNICEFIrelandteamare workingtoprovidechildrenandtheirfamilies withemergencysupplies onthegroundinTürkiye& Syria,underchallenging conditions,withharsh weatheranddamagedinfrastructureexacerbating thesituation.

“ThechildrenofSyria andTürkiyeurgentlyneed support.Throughthisgenerousdonationby DroghedaCreditUnion anditsmembers,UNICEF willbeabletoprotect morechildrenanddeliver

criticallife-savingsupport tothoseaffectedbythe earthquakeinSyriaand Türkiye.”OwenBuckley, HeadofCorporatePartnerships,UNICEFIreland./

DroghedaCreditUnion wouldliketothankevery singleoneofitsmembers thatcontributedtothe fundraisingeffortsforTurkey&Syriaearthquake victims.

SuzanneGilleece picturedwithTrim MusicalSociety’sGwen Bagnell,MartyFaherty& AnnaFitzsimonshaving receivedadonationfrom DroghedaCreditUnion, TrimBranch.

SuzanneGilleece picturedwithmembersof TrimWomensShed SineadKavanagh,Karen Murphy,MagsMcGivern, AnneCollinge&Caroline Smithhavingreceiveda donationfromDrogheda CreditUnion,Trim Branch.

OrganisationslookingtoavailoftheTrimCommunityProgrammecanapplyby emailinginfo@droghedacu.ieordropinarequestdirectlytotheTrimbranch.

Photosby:EndaCasey

Recordnumberoftreesplanted byDunboyneCollegein2023

ByOrlaO’Dea

DunboyneCollege Green CampusCommitteeisdelightedtoworkwithnationalschools,secondary schools,community groups,scouts,men’s shedsandtidytowncommitteesacrossMeath, Dublin,Kildare,Wicklow andWestmeathplanting treesin2023.

WorkingwithEasy Treesiesupportedby Coillte,2,000treeswere deliveredanddistributed fromDunboyneCollege campus.Weaimtoplant chieflynativesaplingsin ourlocalityandbepartof EasyTreesie'snationwide campaigntoplant1milliontreesacrossIrelandby 2024.

ThebrainchildofOrla Farrellwhosetupthis projecthashadfarreachingeffectsintermsof plantingnativespeciesall acrossIreland.Herpassionisclearlyevident“I lovechildren’senthusiasm

tocarefornature,somany adultsalsowanttotake environmentalaction.Igo aroundputtingtheelementstogethertoenable thistohappen.Mostpeoplearejustdoingtheir best.Virtuallifehasleftus feelingoutoftouchwith nature,treeplantingisa simpleandeasyactivity thathaslongtermbenefits withacascadeofpositive results”.

DunboyneCollege GreenCampusaimstoin-

creasethenumberoftrees plantedeveryyear,not onlyraisingawarenessof thebenefitstoourenvironmentofplantingtrees butalsotakingpositiveactiontomakethisareality. Itisatrulyrewardingexperiencetoseemembersof localcommunitiescoming togethertochangethe worldaroundusforthe better.

Formoreinformation andadvicevisitwww. easytreesie.com.

StudentsofGaelscoilanMhuilinn,Mullingar,justone ofmanygroupstakingpartinDunboyneCollegeTree plantingweek

LismullenHouseBurned1923

temptstoburndownthe workhouseatDunshaughlin.Someoftheseactivities maybeattributedtothe DunshaughlinSinnFéin whichwastheonlybranch inMeathSouthconstituencytoopposetheTreaty. DespitehismilitaryexperienceSirJohnwasnotpreparedforthearrivalofthe arsonists.

ByNoelFrench

DuringtheCivilWar a numberoflargehouses wereburnedsomuchso thataneighbourofSirJohn wrote,‘countryhouseslita chainofbonfiresthrough thenightsoflatesumSer andAutumnandWinter andearlySpring.’

Thegrowthofburnings seemedtobelinkedtothe executionofAnti-Treaty prisoners.Morehouses wereburnedinthefirstfour monthsof1923thaninthe wholeofthepreviousyear orinthewholeof1920.

Inearly1923arenewed outbreakofviolenceoccurredintheareasurroundingLismullen.InFebruary 1923thereweretwoat-

On5April1923agroupof menstoleatrapatKnockmark,drovetoDunsany Storesandtookpetrol whichtheytooktoLismullen.Laterthatnightalarge partyofmengainedentrancetoLismullenhouse andsettheplacealight.The furniture,heirloomsand antiquesweredestroyed.

Theraidersarrivedat11 o’clockonFridaynightand toldSirJohnthroughthe closeddoorthatthey wanted‘grazingforsheep’. Havinggainedentrance theygaveSirJohnandhis familyashorttimetoremoveanyvaluedpossessions.

Thefamilyhadtocuta valuableReynoldspainting fromitsframe.Lockingthe

familyandmaleservantsin aroomtheraidersassisted thefemaleservantstoremovetheirpersonalpossessions.Petrolwassprinkled alloverthemansionandthe placesetalight.Theraiders remaineduntiltheplace wasburningwell.ThemilitaryinNavanwereinformed andarrivedintheearly hoursofthemorning.Attemptstosavethehouse wereineffectualandthe housewasguttedwiththe exceptionofawingjutting backtothestable.

ThegrouptoldSirJohn thattheyhadorderstoburn thehouseandaddedthat theywereverysorry.In manycaseswherehouses wereburnedthereappears tohavebeennopersonal animositytowardthehouse ownersandthecourtesyof theI.R.A.wasnoted.This wasatraumaticexperience fortheelderlycouplewith ‘OldSirJohn…[spending] thenightinthebarn.’

Whenthehousewasdestroyedbyfireveryfewitems weresaved.Accordingto familytradition,KingWilliamsleptatLismullentwo

daysaftertheBattleofthe Boyne,onthe2July1690.

WilliamofOrangepresentedthefamilywithaglass decanter,aglassposset bowl,abed-coverletand twopairsofgauntlets.These preciousitemswere broughttosafetybutthe glasswasdamaged,the neckofthedecanterbroken andthepossetbowlcracked nearonehandle.

Thedocumentstestifying totheking’sstayatLismullenandfamilypaperswere destroyedinthefire.Many Irishlandedfamiliespreservedtreasuredrelicsfrom thepast.AGainsborough alsosurvivedthefire.Plans

ofSt.Columba’sChurch, LismullenwereinSirJohn’s safewhenLismullenwas burnedandwereslightly singedinthefire.Theseare nowintheR.C.B.Library. Thefireatthehouseburned forthreeweeks.

SirJohnfoundtimeto sendanotetoKilleento warntheFingallsthatthe arsonistshadsaidthat Killeenwasnext.SirJohn mayhavebeenmistakenas theraidersheadedforanotherlocalhouseownedby aProtestantfamilyrather thanKilleen.

Theraiderscontinuedto Barronstownhousewhich theyalsoattemptedtosetto

fireusingamine.Informing theWilkinsonfamilythat theyhadcomefromLismullen,theraidersweredescribedas‘verycourteous’ astheyassistedthefamilyto removetheirprizedpossessions.

Theminesweredetonated butthefamilyandservants wereabletoputoutthe flamesbeforeseriousdamagewasdone.

Thearsonistsreturned laterthatweekandattemptedtosetfiretothehouse again.Twomorehouses wereburnedinMeaththe followingmonthbeforea ceasefirewascalledon24 May.

Award-winningSummerCampcomingtoMeath

CONNEMARAMATHSACADEMY, withitsuniquemixof STEAMworkshops,AdventureActivitiesandTeam Sportsisopeninganewlocationbasedinthestunning HeadfortSchoolcampus,Kells.

ResidentialandDayoptionsnowavailable! All7-17yearoldsarewelcome.

STEAMworkshopsincludeScience,Technology, Engineering,ArtandMaths.Studentswillenjoy everythingfromproducingtheirownnewscastinGreen ScreenProduction,Programing,RobotsusingiPadsto buildinganddesigningwaterrockets,andgametheory! CMAoffersanamazingarrayofadventureactivities suchaskayakingandhigh-ropes,aswellasalltheusual fun-filledteamsportssuchasvolleyball,basketball, football,roundersandtennis.

ResidentialCampstartsSundayJuly30that7p.mand finishesonSaturdayAugust5that1p.m. DayCampoptionsareMonday31st-Friday4th(10a.m -5p.m/10a.m.-10p.m).

LismullenHousebeforethefire.

LocalHistorian

GreenWeekinDunboyneCollegeofFurtherEducation

ByFinnMahon

Monday27th February to Friday3rd Marchsawseveraleventshostedaround DunboyneCollegeofFurtherEducation,toraise awarenessofourenvironmentwithourannual GreenWeek.

Studentsandteachers fromthecollege,attended someintriguingworkshopstohelpgivethem moreofanunderstanding onwhatwecandotoimproveourenvironment.

OnMonday,PaddyGormanfromBeeWisecame in,totalktothestudents aboutbiodiversity.He showedourstudentshow tomaketheirveryowninsecthotelssuchasbees, hedgehogs,androbins.

TheClothesswapshop wasorganisedtoencourageareductioninfast fashionandcreateamore sustainablewayofliving. Donationswerealsogiven toIrishWildlifeTrust.

OnWednesday,acookerydemowasheldinthe professionalkitchen wherecookerystudents helpedtoshowhowtouse leftoversefficientlyand

savemoneybymakingnutritiousdeliciouslunch ideas.

Freesampleswerekindly givenouttoo.Theycooked upanabsolutestormwith

threebrilliantsuggestions whichwere,EggFried Rice,PestoPastawith ChickenandBurritosthat includedChili,Rice, CheeseandBlackbeans.

Coyne’sbikesarrivedin Dunboynetopromotethe biketoworkschemefor staffwheretheygetdiscountsonthesebikes.All ofthiswasdonetogenerateasustainablewayto travelasusingcarsisdestroyingtheatmosphere withallitslargeamountof carbonemissions.

ApodcastwithJournalismandMediaFilmstudentsontheirconcerns aroundtheEnvironment wasalsouploadedtoSpotifyandotherpodcast providers.(TheDunboyne CollegePodcast)

Theweekendedwitha LitterpickwithAnimal Carestudentsofthecollegeandstaffaroundthe campus.Theykindlyvolunteeredtopickupanylitterthathadbeenthrown onthegroundtohelp maintainalitterfreeenvironmentandthusendorsingawarenessaroundthe importanceofkeepingour campusclean.

TherewasalsoanInstagramphotocompetition foreveryoneoncampusto enter.Itwascalled“Nature onyourDoorstep”.Tobe inwithachanceofwinningallyouhadtodowas topostphotothatwas takenbyyourself,thatrepresentssomeofnature’s wonders.Weareincrediblygratefulforallthedonationsthatweremade duringtheweek,aswe raised129euroforIrish WildlifeTrust.

Asathankyou,anyone whodonatedwasentered intoarafflewherethetwo winnerswerechosenat randombyAnimalSciencestudents.Wegave awaytwohampersas prizes.Oneforourstudents,whichwaswonby AlinaKruglova(SCI4)and alsooneforourteachers whichwaswonbyAnna Handibode.

Itreallywasanenjoyable GreenWeekforallinDunboyneCollege.

ALitterpickwaspartofDunboyneCollege’sGreenWeek

PromotingtheBikeToWorkSchemeatGreenWeek BeewiseWorkShop

BrabazonRestaurant celebratesitsGrand Re-Opening

BrabazonRestaurantatTankardstownHouse,Slane,Co.Meath hasrecentlyre-openedafterundergoingexpansionandrenovations.

Tomarktheoccasion,theyhosteda GrandRe-Openingeveningwherelucky guestsweresomeofthefirsttoenjoythe newinteriorsandnewlyrevisedTasting Menu.

Guestswereinvitedtocelebratetheoccasionandexperiencefirsthandtheoutstandingcuisineandunparalleledservice thatTankardstownandBrabazonRestaurantisknownfor.

Theeveningbeganwithawelcome champagnereception,whereguestshad theopportunitytomingleandmeander therenewedinteriorsandstunningnew MorrisSuite,beforebeingseatedtoa mouth-wateringeightcourseEntirely TankardstownTastingMenu.

Eachcourseofferedafeastfortheeyes andthepalate,including‘LocalRabbit’, ‘SalmonMiCuit’and‘FilletofBeef’.Live entertainmentwasprovidedbyvocalist SeanBoland,enhancingtheexcitement andappetiteforawonderfulevening.

“Wearethrilledtore-openandreveal thenewlookBrabazonRestaurant”,said Tankardstown’sGeneralManagerTadhg

Carolan.“TheadditionoftheMorrisSuite hasallowedustoincreaseourcapacity significantlyandwelookforwardtowelcomingbotholdandnewdinersbackto Brabazon.”

Appropriatelynamedaftertheprevious ownerofTankardstown,theaward-winningrestaurantboastsfinedininganda cosyatmosphere.

HeadChefJohnnySarkoziandhisteam offeraculinaryexperiencebasedonseasonalityandlocalproduce;someof whichisgrownintheestate’sown kitchengardenandpolytunnels.

Bothcasuallunchandclassicevening diningcanbeenjoyedWednesday throughSunday,withTraditionalAfternoonTeasettobeintroducedinthe comingweeks.

Duringthespringandsummermonths, guestscandinealfrescoonBrabazon’s Terrace,whilethecosy,sophisticatedinteriorsandbrightMorrisSuiteisperfect fordiningatanytimeofyear.

Withrecentaccoladesincluding2AA RosettesandtheRestaurantAssociation ofIreland’s‘BestRestaurantinMeath’, BrabazonRestauranthasbecomeatrue destinationfordiners,andliveslongin thememoryofallwhovisit.

ThestunningBrabazonRestaurantatTankardstownHouse

MeathCountyCouncilhostDermotGallagherMemorialLecture

MeathCountyCouncil in associationwithMeath PeaceGrouprecently hostedalectureinBuvindaHouse,Navanin memoryofDermotGallagher,aformerDiplomat andSecretaryGeneralof theDepartmentofForeign Affairs,acknowledgingthe roleheplayedinpromotinganddevelopingthe peaceprocesswhichledto theGoodFridayAgreement.

TheDermotGallagher MemorialLecturewasdeliveredbyMr.RoryMontgomery,formerIrish Diplomat,formerAmbassadortotheEUand France,andpartofthe GoodFridayAgreement negotiatingteam.Mr. Montgomerywasthelead officialonBrexitintheDepartmentofForeign Affairsuntilhisretirement.

Nowheisanhonorary professoratQueen’sUniversityandrecentlyappointedChairofthePress CouncilofIreland.

JulittaClancy,President oftheMeathArchaeologicalandHistoricalSociety alsoaddressedthegathering.Oneofthefounding membersofMeathPeace Group,Julittawasawarded anhonoraryMBEin2004 forherworkinpromoting reconciliationinthepeace process.

Speakingatthelecture CathaoirleachofMeath CountyCouncilCllr.Nick Killiansaid“Dermotfrom Carrick-on-Shannonwasa muchloved,immensely popularandhugelyrespectedmemberofthe communityinRatoath. ThepeopleofRatoath wereveryproudofDermot’sworkatnationaland internationallevel.People understoodthathewasa keyplayerinthehistoric eventsthatwereunfolding inthebuilduptothe BelfastAgreement”.

Headded“Itisimportantthateventslikethis eveningareorganisedto ensurethatDermot’scon-

tributionisremembered byayoungergeneration andthatheishonouredin hisadoptedcounty.Itis particularlyappropriate thatwearehonoringhim inassociationwiththe MeathPeaceGroup,DermotGallagherwassteadfastinhisbeliefforpeace.”

Alsoinattendanceon theeveningwasDermot’s wifeMaeveandchildren aswellasextended mebersoftheGallagher family. Theeventwasorganisedto commemoratethe25th AnniversaryoftheGoodFridayAgreement.

“Itisimportantthateventslikethis eveningareorganisedtoensurethat Dermot’scontributionisremembered byayoungergenerationandthathe ishonouredinhisadoptedcounty”

PicturedL-R:MCCDirectorofServicesBarryLynch,CathaoirleachofRatoathMDCllr.GillianToole,Maeve Gallagher,CathaoirleachofMeathCountyCouncilCllr.NickKillian,RoryMontgomeryandRonanGallagher.

ThingstoconsiderwhenbuyinganEV

ByTeresaNoone

Purchasingacarisabiginvestmentanditisimportanttomakealistofthe itemsthatyoufeelareimportantinthecarofyour choice.Alsofactorinyour carsdailyrunningcosts, servicing,taxation,insuranceintoyourbudget.

Manyconsumerstendto focusonthecarpricewithouttakingintoconsiderationtheeverydayrunning costs.Ifyouareconsideringanelectriccarthereare manyincentivesavailable. Electriccarsareaperfect alternativeformanydrivers,beforeconsidering whichcartopurchase,you shouldaskyourselfthefollowingquestionswhich willdeterminethetypeof carsuitableforyourdriving needs.

� Doyourresearch

� ThePurchasePrice?Isit withinyourbudget?

� Thecharginginfrastruc turethatyouwilluse? Homeorpublic

� Doesitsuityourdriving needs?Considerthe amountofmilageand typeofdrivingyoudo.

� Canyougetthegrantfor ahomechargerandis yourhousesuitablefor homecharging?

� Workouthowmuchit willcosttousewiththe benefitofexistingincen tivesandthecostofelec tricity.

� Thecostofchargingand thepotentialsavings? Checkoutwww. seaicostcalulator.ie

� Willtheelectricvehicle dowhatyouneeditto do?

� Whatbatterysizeand rangewouldbesuitable formydrivingrequire ments?–Thebiggerthe batterythecostwillin crease.

Likeanynewtechnology thereisalotofinformation tolearn,anditcanbeabit overwhelming.Wewould adviseconsumerstospeak

toyourlocalSIMIRetailer whowillbehappytoassist youandansweranyofyour questions.

GRANTSAVAILABLE

TheSustainableEnergyAuthorityofIreland(SEAI) administerthefollowing grants,visitSEAI.ieforfurtherdetails.

BatteryElectricVehicle (BEV)receiveaVRTrelief andanSEAIgrantsupport. Upto€5,000VRTreliefis applicabletoBatteryElectricVehicles(BEVs)withan OMSPupto€50,000.

Thereisalsoapurchase incentiveforprivateindividuals,withamaximum grantof€5,000isavailable forqualifyingnewBattery ElectricVehicles,Approved EVswithafullpriceof morethan€60,000andless than€14,000willnotreceiveagrant.TheGovernmenthasrecentlyannouncedthemaximum purchasegrantwillchange to€3,500fromthe1stof July2023.

APARTMENTCHARGING GRANT

TheEVApartmentCharginggrantisfordwellings whichdonothaveaccess toadrivewaysuchas apartments,duplexesand mixed.

EXPANSIONSOFTHEEV HOMECHARGERGRANT

TheEVHomeCharger grantallowsanyhomeownertoapplyforagrant toinstallacharger(uptoa valueof€600).Thiswillenablehomeownerstoinstall achargerinadvanceof purchasinganelectricvehicle,forvisitoruseorat rentedaccommodation.

EVSMARTCHARGER REGISTER

FromSeptember2022,the HomeChargerschemewill onlysupportSmartChargers.

TOLL

Reductionof50%forBEVs.

TAX

€120perannum(minimumrate).

Q1NEWELECTRICCAR REGISTRATIONSUP49%

TheSocietyoftheIrishMotorIndustry(SIMI)today releasedtheirofficial231

newvehicleregistrations statisticsforMarch.

Newcarregistrationsfor themonthofMarchwere up37% (17,676)when comparedtoMarch2022 (12,907).Registrationsyear todateareup16.5% (58,116)onthesame periodlastyear(49,905).

LightCommercialvehicles (LCV)areup71.4%(3,453) comparedtoMarchlast year(2,015)andyearto dateareup24%(11,587).

HGV(HeavyGoods Vehicle)registrationsare alsoshowinganincreaseof 26.4%(273)incomparison toMarch2022(216).Year todateHGV'sareup42.6% (964).

ImportedUsedCars seena 23.9%(4,699)increasein March2023,whencomparedtoMarch2022 (3,793).Yeartodateimportsareup7%(12,474)on 2022(11,639).

ForthemonthofMarch

3,421newelectricvehicles wereregisteredcompared to1,924inMarch2022.So

farthisyear9,303newelectriccarshavebeenregisteredincomparisonto 6,235+49%onthesame period2022.

ElectricVehicleandPluginHybridsandHybrids continuetoincreasetheir marketshare,withacombinedmarketsharenowof 24%.Petrolcontinuestoremaindominant(32.6%), withDieselaccountingfor 22.8%,Hybrid20.6%,Electric16%andPlug-inElectricHybrid8%.

BrianCooke,SIMIDirector Generalcommenting:

“Newcarregistrationsfor themonthofMarchindicateastrongperforming marketwitha37%increase onthesamemonthlast year.However,someofthis increaseisduetothefulfilmentofthebacklogofordersbuiltupsincethestart oftheyear.“

”TheMarchmarket meansthatQ1newcar salesof58,116are16% aheadoflastyear,butstill 9%behindpre-COVID 2019.Commercialvehicle registrationsforboththe heavyandlightsectors havealsodeliveredastrong performanceduringQ1.”

“Themomentumbehind electricvehiclesshowsno signofabating,with9,303 newelectriccarsregistered todatein2023,anincrease of49%on2022.TheGovernment’stemporary changetoBenefit-in-Kind regimeforthecurrentyear, isverymuchwelcomedby bothemployeesandtheIndustry,andwillnodoubt encouragethecompany

carEVmarket.Itisvital thatthisenhanced thresholdisextendedout beyondthisyear.”

“Ontheotherhand,the decisiontoreducetheelectricvehiclecargrantforthe Julyregistrationperiodis extremelydisappointingat thisstillrelativelyearly stageintheEVproject.”

“Itisimportanttounderlinehowever,thatinadditiontothegrantsupport, thereisstillVRTrelieffor manyEVsaswellaslowannualroadtax,whichalong withthehomecharger grantmeansthereisstilla verystrongbasketofincentivesavailableforthose consideringthepurchase ofanelectricvehicle.Itis importantthatthereisno furtherdiminutionofthese EVsupportsoverthenext coupleofyears.”

InCountyMeaththere were425electricvehicles soldintheperiodfrom JanuarytoMarch2023 comparedto282forthe sameperiodlastyear.

“ Likeanynew technologythereis alotofinformation tolearn,anditcan beabit overwhelming ”

OpelMokkaElectric

SkodaEnyaqiV

MOTORING-SPECIALFOCUSEVs

CreditUnionCarLoanvHirePurchaseAgreement WhyWeAreBetter?

Therearemanydecisionstoface whenlookingtofinancethe purchaseofacar,manypeople simplylookforthelowestrateon offerandbelieveittobethebest option.Headlineratesmayattractthe mostattention,buttherearemany hiddenfeesandchargestobeaware of.

ACreditUnionPersonalLoangives

difficultymeetingrepayments;a reschedulingfee,ifyouneedto changethetermsoftheagreement. TheconditionsofsomeHire PurchaseAgreementsresultin monthlypaymentsnotbeingevenly spreadoutandyoumaypaylessin theearliermonthsoftheagreement, makingyourmonthlyrepayments appearmoreaffordable.However,

Hecontinued“Owningyourcar immediatelyisabigbonusbutapart fromthat,wearethereforour members.Providingoptionsand accesstofinanceisbigfocusforusas aCreditUnion Memberscandownloadourappand applyviatheapp,applyonlinevia ourwebsitedrogehdacu.ieorvisit anyofourfourbranchesin

� Repaymentsarecalculatedonyour reducingbalance,soyoupayless interestwitheachrepayment

� Yourcreditunionloanisinsuredin theeventofyourdeath-subjectto terms,conditions,andeligibility criteria-atnodirectcosttoyou.

� Youcanpayoffyourloanearly, makeadditionallumpsum repaymentsorincreaseyour

youtheopportunitytoownyourcar fromtheminuteyoupurchaseit. WithmanyHirePurchaseloans,you don’townthecaruntilyoumakethe finalrepayment,meaningyoucannot sellthecarifyourunintoproblems makingyourrepayments.Therearea rangeofadditionalfeesandcharges, whichyoumayincuraspartofaHire PurchaseAgreementincludinga documentationfee,forsettingupthe agreement;acompletionfee,afee chargedtoendtheagreementand passownershiptothecarpurchaser; penaltyfee,shouldyourunin

youmayhavetopayalargefinal payment,otherwiseknownasa balloonpaymentattheendofthe term.Thankfully,acarloanfromyour localcreditunionismuchmore straightforward.

TomKiely,CEO,DroghedaCredit UnionLtdsaid"Financinganewcar withtheCreditUnionisasimple processandthereanopenaltiesfor payingyourloanbackearly.Onthe otherhand,shouldyoufindyourin difficultymeetingyourrepayments, ourteamwillworkwithyouonthe repaymentterms.”

Drogheda,EastMeath,Dunleeror Trim.”

CreditUnionLoansarebetter because:

� Youownthecarfromtheoutset unlikePersonalContractPlansor HirePurchaseAgreements

� Youcansellthecaronatanytime

� Youcanborrowforthefullamount

� ThereareNOhiddenfees,adminc charges,transactioncharges,setup costsorballoonpayments

� TheinterestyoupayonaCredit Unionloanisthefullcostofthe loan

regularrepayments,withouta penalty.

Otherlendersmaychargeyouextra forpayingthembackfaster!

So,ifyou’rethinkingaboutyour optionsforfinancingacarpurchase, thenlooknofurtherthanDrogheda CreditUnionLtdwithbranchesin Trim,EastMeath,Droghedaand Dunleer

Applyforaloanonlineviaour websitewww.droghedacu.ie, downloadourapporcallintooneof ourbranches.

Openingthehotel

alarmedlookaparent mightoffertheirtoddlerif theydeclaredtheywereoff tocuttheirownhair.

withSineadBurke

AsFrancisBrennan is blueinthefacetellingus, thehotelbusinesscanbea demandingandexhaustingendeavour,soIwas wellwarnedinfairness. Butyouknowwhatit'slike, onceyoufindyourself withinthegripofanunshakabledream,afrenzied,“it'ssocrazyitjust mightwork”notion. Iwaspowerlessagainstit becauseyoucan'tfight destiny.

Afterweeksoffurtive planning,secretivesketchingandenthusiastically pullingtogetherambitious moodboards,Iwasready tounveilmyplans.Tremblingwithanticipation andexcitementforthis newbravechapterinmy life,Istoodinfrontofthe familyandannounced withTrumplikeaplomb, thatthiswastheweekendI wasfinallygoingtobuild mybughotel.

Theresponsewas,I'm goingtocharitablydescribeasmuted.Bothchildrenbrieflyraisedtheir headsfromtheirrespectivescreens.MrBurkegave thesamekindofconcernedandslightly

Butlikemanymisunderstoodpioneersbeforeme, Iroseabovetheindifferenceandwentouttolook forpallets.

Oh,itwasathrillingtwo daysofwhirlwindaction. Aheadymixofcuttingand sawing.AnxiouslycomparingwhatIhaddrawn out,literallyonthebackof anenvelopetowhatwas majesticallyrisingfrom thebadlycutwoodinfront ofme.

ChangingthisandmovingthatandwhatifI movedthishereinstead.I nowfullyunderstandwhy creativevisionariesusethe phrase“movefastand breakthings”toexplain howtheychangetheworld soquickly.Forthatadrenalinfuelledweekend,Iwas literallymovingfastand breakingthings.Itfelt amazing.

Yes,therewasalowpoint whenIcriedinfrontofMr BurkebecauseIwasembarrassedandfrustrated thatIdidn’tknowhowto changethescrewholder ontheelectricdrill.

Buttohiscredit,and againemployingthesame approachnecessaryinplacatinganirrationaltoddler,MrBurkepatiently explainedseventimeshow toholdthefronttwistybit butturnthebacktwistybit tomakethishappen.Sorry

todazzleyoutherewith technicalterms,butIam prettymuchacertified buildernow,sothisisa languageInowspeakfluently.

BySundayeveningthe constructionphasewas complete.Thenextfew dayswerespentfurnishing theinteriorswithallthe naturaldebristheinternet toldmewouldattracta largeandvariednumber ofinsectstoourgarden.I havebamboo,pinecones, pebblesandstrawrooms situatedacrossthedevelopment.

Ididtoywiththeideaof havingalittleresidentsbar andoutsidesmokingarea. ButIthinklicensingmight berequiredforthem,soI’ll justhavetoseehowthe firstcoupleofmonthsof tradinggobeforeIdecide toinvestanyfurtherinthe enterprise.

IfKevinMcCloudfrom GrandDesignswastopop outtoinspecttheproperty,Icanimaginehimdescribingitasabuilding withintegrityandhonesty andpossiblybuiltby someonewhohasyetto gettogripswithaspirit level.Butsurethat’sjust thewayKevingoeson.

IhavemyBugHotel,it’s openforbusinessand alreadyresidentsaremovingin.Now,doyouthink FrancisBrennancould givemeasteeronany grantsthatmightbegoing?

Theimportanceofhaving anup-to-dateGoogle BusinessProfile(formerly GoogleMyBusiness)has neverbeenmoreimportant.Yourcustomersare usingGoogleforeverythingthesedaysand searchingforbusinessesis oneofthetopactivities.If youaren’tuptodate-you won’tbefound.

Onarecenttriptothe USA,weusedGoogledaily tolookforrestaurants, openingtimesforparks, andforplacestostay.Iwas amazedathowmanybusinessesweren’tkeeping theirlistingsuptodate andhowmanybusinesses weren’tevenfeaturingon Google!Hereareourtop5 musthavesonyour GoogleBusinessProfileto keepyourbusinessfront andcentreforyourcustomers.

1.RECENTIMAGES

Uptodateimageryisimportantforallyouronline channels.Whenacus-

tomerlooksatyourprofile onGoogle,imageswillpop upstraightaway.Make suretheyareuptodate andrelevant-andalways trytohaveafewimagesof staffintheretoo.

2.OPENINGTIMES

Thereisnothingmoreannoyingthanlookingtosee ifabusinessisopenand therebeingnoinformationonopeninghours. Makesuretohaveallof youropeninghoursincludedhere.Googlewill evenpromptyouto changethemoverholiday periods,soyouwon’tforget.

3.CONTACTINFORMATION

Makesuretoincludeallof yourcontactinformation onyourGoogleBusiness Profile-phonenumber, email,andthelinktoyour website.

4.FAQ’S

Frequentlyaskedquestionsareagreatwaytoget peopleontoyourwebsite

quicklyandpeoplelove whentheyhaveinformationquicklywithouttoo muchhassle.Makealistof allthequestionspeople usuallyaskyouandget themuptherewithanswers.

5.POSTSWITHLINKS. Ifyouhavepostsgoingup onsocialmedia,thenbe suretoincludethemon yourGoogleBusinessProfile.It’sanotheropportunitytodirectpeopleto yourwebsiteandfreeadvertisingforaneventor newoffering.

HereatBackOfficeMarketing,wecankeepallof yoursocialmediachannels,websiteandGoogle BusinessProfileuptodate onaweeklybasis.Wework closelywithourclientsto makesureallofyourcontentisrelevantandprovidingareturnoninvestment. TotalktoHelenorPhilip todayaboutyourmarketingneeds,justemailusat info@backofficems.ie

AwonderfulfewdaysofrunningforEdelGaffney

TrimACfinishedwitha silvermedalinthe8km

crosscountryraceatthe WorldMastersinTorunin Poland.

TheyledaverystrongIrishsquadwhichincluded AoifeParella,Starofthe SeaAC,andLongford’s FionaGetttingswasroundedoffwithabronze medalrun.

Lessthan48hoursafter hercrosscountryheroics, EdelGaffenyranawonderful36.12toclaimthe bronzemedalintheW35

categoryofthe10kmto roundoffaverysatisfying pairofperformances.

EdelfromRyefield,isan exceptionaltalentwhose applicationanddedicationhasbeenrewarded withawinterofgreatmaster’sathleticssuccessesin thegreensingletofIreland whichbeganinNovember withherdebutatthemaster’sinternationalcross countryinSantry.

Inthesprintevents MoiraGroomehasqualifiedforthesemisinW55

200m,running29.61inthe fastestheat.

Thisisapersonalbestfor Moirainthatagegroup. Shefinishedthirdinher 200msemiandhertime rankedherninthinthe worldforheragegroup. EarlierintheweekMoira justmissedfinalqualificationwitharunof8.91for theW5560metres.

Allinallourtworepresentativesdidthemselves theirclubandcountry proudwiththeirpreparationandperformances.

EdelGaffneyofTrimAC

MoiraGroome

GardeningTipsforApril

feed.Trimdeadflowersfrom springbulbsbutleavethefoliage toprovidetheenergyforthebulb nextspring.

WEEDASYOUGO

Nowwearegetting ourgardens setforSpring,let'shopethecold, drearyIrishwinterisbehindus andit'stimetogetoutinthe gardenandprepareforanew growingseason.Herearesomeof ourGardeningTipsforAprilto helpprepareyourgardenthis Spring.

HARDENSEEDSBEFORE PLANTING

Ifyouaregrowingsummer vegetablesfromseed,remember theyneedtobehardenedoff beforeplantingtheminyour garden.

Gentlyhardenthemoffby introducingtheplantsgradually tooutdoorweatherandsunlight. Leavethemoutsideonmilddays forshortperiodsoftimeand increasetheexposuredailyuntil plantscanbeleftoutalldayand night.Watchoutforsignsof stress.

CUTBACKFLOWERING SHRUBS

Cutbackspring-floweringshrubs aftertheyhavebloomed,then givethemadoseoffertilizer.

IfAzaleasorCamelliasare lookingalittleyellowbetween theveins,applysomeorganic

It'stimetostartweeding.When yourplantsarejuststartingto grow,fullydevelopedweedscan chokeyourbuddingplantsand killthem,somakesureyoupull outasmanyweedsasyoucanrootsandall.

Perennialweedssucha bindweed,couchgrassand groundeldershouldbedealtwith soonerratherthanlater,asthey willtakeoverthewholegardenif youleavethemtoit.

TRANSPLANTSEEDLINGS

Laterinthemonth-ifyoualready haveyourhardyannualseedlings readytogo,it'stimetotransplant themfromtheirhomeindoorsto theirnewhomeinthegarden, providingthereisnoriskofhard frost.Beforethey'replacedinto theground,theyneedtobe hardenedoff.

Whenyoutransplantyour seedlings,trytodoitduringthe afternoonofacoolandcloudy day.

Seedlingswilloftenstruggle whilemakingthetransitionfrom aclimate-controlledwindowsill orgreenhousetotheoutside, wheretheclimatewon'tbeas consistent,soifyourplantsseem

LinkedInwerenewtothe market;therecruitment industrywasalittleweary astohowthiswouldaffect theRecruitersroleinthe recruitmentprocess,however,astimehasshown, thesearemerelytoolsto useandhelpimproveour abilitytodoourjobseven moreeffectively.

todroopand loseabitoftheir strength, continueto water,andcare forthem-they'll regaintheir strengthand continueto grow.

DEADHEAD WHERE NEEDED

Continuetodead-headViolas andPansiesincontainers,they willflowerprofuselyfromnow untiltheendofMay.Avoid plantingsummerbeddingplants tooearly,althoughmanyplants suchasBacopa,Petuniasand Fuchsiasareavailabletobuyin manygardencentres;theywill stillneedprotectionfromfrost andAprilshowers.

Ifyoucannotresistthe temptationandyouhavea greenhouse,theycanbekeptina protectedenvironmentuntilthey arereadytoplantinmid-May, whenalldangeroffrosthas passed.

STAKETOAVOIDDAMAGE

Plantsthatwillgrowtallthis springandsummerneedstaking topreventthembeingdamaged orblowndownbywindyweather. Mostofusaren'tthinkingabout supportingaplantthatisonlya

I’mnotgunnalie,Iused UseBerttoproduceanarticleonHowChatGPT4 affectstherecruitmentindustryanditproduceda 500-wordarticleinabout5 seconds.Prettyimpressive right!

fewincheshigh,andourwindow ofopportunitycaneasilypass.

Peonieswillbeputtingona growthspurtandcominginto leaf,sousesturdymetalcircular plantsupportstoholdtheweight ofaheavybloom,andyouwillbe rewardedwithafantasticshowof blowsyPeoniescomeMay.

SOWAWILDFLOWER

MEADOW

Ifyouhaveasunnypatchofbare groundinyourgarden,sowa wildflowermeadow.Seedmixes arereadilyavailable,anditisthe

perfectwaytointroduce beneficialinsectsintothegarden.

REPLANTTOMATOES

Tomatoeswhichhavebeen grownfromseedcannowbe pottedonintoalargercontainer. Sticksorsmallbamboocanescan beusedforsupportatthisstage. Theycanbepottedintotheirfinal growingspotorcontainerinmidMay.

Pinchoutthetipsofanyleggy growthandensurethatwatering isconsistent,andairflowisfree aroundtheyoungplants.

CHOICESTORESLOCATIONS

NAVAN: NavanTownCentre&BlackwaterRetailPark

KELLS: BectiveStreet

TRIM: MarketStreet

ASHBOURNE: Unit8/9AshbourneRetailPark,Ballybin Road.

sesscandidatepersonality againstourclientculture andenvironment.

Someoneaskedme recently,tongueincheek,ifI thoughttheRobotswill takeoverandwillwebe maderedundantbytechnology?Idon’teverfeel tooscaredtoanswerNo.I believetoomuchinthe humanabilitytocommunicateandconnect,we haveaconscienceand feelings,thatissomething technologydoesnothave, (unlessahumanwritesa codeforthat).Iremember whenIndeedand

Ifigure,fornow,Chat GPT4willrunthesame course.Asyoumay,or maynot,know,ChatGPT4 isalargelanguagemodel trainedartificialintelligencethatworksonpredictivelanguageprobabilities.

Itdoesn’t‘understand’ whatit’sdoing,itworkson theprobabilityofwhatis nextinthesequenceofa sentence.E.g2,4,6….8(it followsthesequenceof2).

Ihavedabbledalittlewith itanditistrulyamazing–

So,whatthistooldoes,is savetime,andformost peopleinbusiness,weare timestarved.Having thoughtaboutitandhowit wouldassistusinourrecruitmentbusiness,Ifeel, yes,itcansavetimeon schedulinginterviews, sendingremindersandit canevenpre-screencv’s, however,Iwouldquestion it’sabilitytomatchCV’sto jobspecs.

Asweallknow,what’son paperdoesn’talways matchwhoyoumeetatinterview.SoasarecruiterI feelsafeaswe’retheones whocanconstructivelyas-

Savingtimeforrecruiters whomaywriteblogs,socialmediaposts,email clients/candidatessothey cangetonwiththeinterpersonalsideofrecruiting isdefinitelyaplus,however,Iwouldhaveconcernsforthefuture,as technologymovesso quickly, Chatgptisonlygoingto getmoresophisticated,so perhapsemployers,inthe nottoodistantfuture,insteadofinvestinginstaff foravacancy,maychoose toinvestinAItodothejob, andthatdoesscareme!

Inthemeantime,feel freetocheckoutourjobs listingononwww.marshmackey.ieorcontactusby email.Wewillbegladto assistinanywaywecan.

DonnaFarrell-Marsh MackeyNavan

Joe’sJotter:MyACEWaysToRemainCalmDuringExams

approachesthatyoucould useiffeelingalittle anxiousbeforeandduring exams.

10ACETECHNIQUES TOMAINTAINCALM DURINGANEXAM

Breathe: Ifyoufeeluptight orareslightlylosing control,itisagoodstarting pointtotakeafewdeep breathswhilefocusingon them.Breathedown throughyournoseinto yourlungsasdeeplyas youcanandlettheairout slowlythroughyour mouth.

keepyoufocusedonthe taskahead.

Someoneelse’sshoes: Anotherwaytochange perspectiveinatough situationistogetoutof yourownhead.Dothatby askingyourself,what would‘xxxxx’dointhis situation?Peoplelikeyour parentsoryourcalmest friendaregoodonesto thinkabouthere.

Focusonthepresent: To remainmoreatease, alwaysthinkinthepresent anddoagoodjobonwhat youarecurrentlyworking on.

‘HOWTOACETHE

Weallgetanxious and worriedfromtimetotime butitishowwedealwith theseforcesiswhat definesusandallowsusto performbetter.Overly worryingaboutanexam willnotgetyouoneextra percent;theoppositein fact.

Rememberthatan examiners/teacher’sjobis togiveyoumarksonwork doneandnottakethem away,thisshouldreassure andhelpyouflourishno matterwhatkindofexam youaresittingdowntodo. Neverbeafraidtowrite somethingonapaperyou havenothingtolose.

Itisverynormaltohave somelevelofconcernas anexamapproaches, moresoindeedforastate exam.Itiscomfortingto haveafewlittletechniques tohelpyoubeforeand

duringanexam,whether youaresittingaregular testduringschooltimeor anofficialstate assessment.Doingthe rightthingsattheright timeandbeingas preparedaspossiblewill greatlyhelpyoumaintain calmnesswhenyouneed it.

Withthatinmind,you shoulddipintoyourown toolboxoftricksor methodsthatworkforyou.

Itisonlynaturaltoget uneasybeforean importantevent;sojusttry toembraceit,recognising thatthebutterfliesare therebecausesomethinga bitmoresignificantis abouttooccur.

Itisimportanttotryand testafewtechniquesthat willhelpyoumaintain composureonexamdays. Herearesomeideasand

Focusonnothingelse buttheairslowlygoingin andout.Thiswillhelpslow yourheartratedownand aidcalmness.

Thesameboat: Youneed tokeepinmindthatyou areprobablynottheonly onestruggling,even thoughitfeelslikeyouare onyourown.Talktoyour friendspriortoanexam abouthowtheyfeel.

Smallsteps: Ifyoufeel overwhelmed,don’tmake theclassicmistakeof thinkingyoumustsolve everythingnow.Focuson makingasmallsteptoget theballrollingagain.

Keepitsimple: Ihavemet loadsofstudentsoverthe yearsthatoverthinkthe exams,wasteenergy gettingnervousandthen tendtounder-performon theday.

Nervousenergyis wastedenergy,soagain deepbreathingcanhelp

Don’tleaveitlate: Ifyou arethetypeofpersonwho arrives‘Justintime’for events,youneedtoalter thatmind-set.Give yourselfextratimeinevery journeytotheexamhall; otherwiseyourstress levelswillgothroughthe roof.Rememberthatthere aremanyvariablesthat cangowrongwithour transportsystemin Ireland.Thisalsoapplies toaclassexamwhereyou cangettotheclassroom earlytocollectand organiseyourself.

Reduce,reuse,reduce: Reducingtheamountof informationonyourlists, notesandexamaidswill helpyoufeelsomuch better.

Creatingsummariesof thenotesyouhavewritten makescontentmore manageablewhenit comestorevisinglater.

Eliminatingnotesthat areuselessorirrelevant willhavethesameeffectas tidyingyourroomandwill giveyoufeelingsoftaking controlback.

Whentomorrowcomes, youcanputadifferent revisionplaninplaceand dealwiththatthen.Doing yourbestinthemoment willleaveyoumore contentedandimprove yourfocus.Thisreally worksinexamsituations.

Therewillbeblips: Partof anyexamprocessis realisingobstacleswillget inthewayandthingswill notalwaysrunsmoothly.

Thegoodstudentslearn toacceptinterruptions andhurdlesandjust refocusontheirnexttask.

YourLifestyle(Study)

Timetablewillhelpgetyou backontrack.

Thisusefulnessofthis timetableisclearly detailedinmypublication

Beawareofhowyouare feeling: Beingemotional, tired,orangryabout somethingwillnormally leadtopoorquality revision.Ifthereisanissue inyourlifearoundexam time,beawarethatyou mayneedtobuildmore breaksintoyourLifestyle (Study)Timetable.Be goodtoyourselfisthe advicehere.Ifyouarein themiddleofastudyblock andfindyourselfnoteven readingthewordsinfront ofyou,itistimetodo somethingdifferent. Alwayslistentoyourbody andkeepcommunication linesopenwithyour family.

MoredetailsaboutJoe’sMathsTuition ClassesforJuniorCycleandLeaving Certificate(2023)andhisAwardWinning ACEMathsSolutionBookscanbefoundvia thelinksbelow.

ACEMathsTuitionClasses: acesolutionbooks.com/ace-maths-tuition

ACEMathsSolutionBooks: acesolutionbooks.com/buy-my-books

Joe’sFacebookPage:https://www.facebook. com/JoeMcCormackEducationalExpert

KnowYourRights:AirpassengerrightsintheEuropeanUnion

MYFLIGHTWAS CANCELLED,WHATAM IENTITLEDTOFROM THEAIRLINE?

Answer: Theairlinemustgiveyoua choiceof:

� Re-routingtoyourfinal destinationatthe earliestopportunityor atalaterdateifyou prefer

� Arefundofthecostof yourticketwithin7days

Youmayalsobeentitled tocompensation.This dependsonwhenyou

werenotifiedaboutthe cancellation.

Myflightisdelayed, whatamIentitledto?

Youmustbeofferedfree mealsandrefreshmentsIf yourflightisdelayedfor:

� 2hoursormoreandis foradistanceof1500

kmorless

� 3hoursormoreandis foradistanceof1500

kmorlesswithinthe

EU,andbetween1500 and3500kmoutsidethe

EU

� 4hoursormoreinthe caseofallotherflights.

Youmustbeofferedfree hotelaccommodationif youneedtostayovernight foronenightormore,as wellastransportbetween thehotelandtheairport. Youmustbeofferedtwo freetelephonecalls,fax messages,oremails.

Whatiftheflightis delayedfor5hoursor more?

Thenyoumustbeoffereda fullrefund.

WhatifIgetupgradedor downgraded? Ifyouareofferedan upgrade,theairline

cannotchargeyou anythingextra.Ifyouagree tobedowngraded,the airlinemustreimburse youapercentageofthe differenceinprice betweenyouroriginalseat priceandthenewseat price.

Readmoreabout'Air passengerrightsinthe EuropeanUnion' onhttps://bit.ly/ 3v5Fzb3,orcallour NavanOfficeon081807 6150oremailusby emailonnavan@citinfo. ie.

Joe

LEAVINGCERTIFICATE’ FORALLSUBJECTS.

StaffShortagesinMeathChildrenDisability NetworkTeam'DevastatingandCruel'-O'Rourke

timeequivalent(WTE)positionsarefilledinMeath outofanapproved92.18. Theresponsefurtherindicatesthat1,176children inCo.Meatharewaiting foraninitialcontact.

ingfailed.Theyarebeing letdown.Atbesttheyare beingdelayedtheopportunitytoreachtheirfull potential,atworsttheyare beingdeniedthatopportunity.”

of21.3%,whileCDNT2has avacancyrateof49.2%.”

SinnFéinTDDarren

O'Rourke sayschronic staffshortagesacrossall gradesandallteamsof Meath'sfourChildren's DisabilityNetworkTeams (CDNT)aredevastating andcruel.

TheMeathEastTDmade thecommentsinresponse toinformationreleasedto himbytheHSEconfirmingthatjust58.54whole

TeachtaO'Rourkesaid "Thefiguresreleasedtome bytheHSEpaintavery starkpicture.Just58.54 WTEpositionsarefilled outofanapproved92.18. Thismeans33.54essential staffposts(or36%)arevacant.”

“Weknowthatthisis acrossallteamsandacross allgradesanddisciplines. Itisdevastating.Itisnoreflectiononthosewhowork withinthesystem,butitis clearthatchildrenarebe-

Hecontinued“Theyare beingdamagedbyour brokensystem.Itiscruel. "Unfortunately,thesefigureswillcomeasnosurprisetoparents/guardians orchildrentryingtoaccess services.Acrossour countythereisashortage oftherapists-SLT,OT,psychology,physio-andcapacity.”

"Whiletheshortagesare acrosstheboard,theyare notevenlydistributed. CDNT5hasavacancyrate

"Theresponsefromthe HSEacknowledgesthesignificantrecruitmentchallengesandoutlinesefforts toaddressthem,butitis clearthatnotenoughis beingdone.Whereisthe aggressivestrategicplan”

"Theresponsefromthe HSEcomesshortlyafter thepublicationofthe CDNTcensusfor2022. Thisshowedthattherewas a34%vacancyratein2022, upfrom28%in2021. Meathiscurrentlyat36% vacancy,worsethanthe stateaverage.”

"Therewereover707vacanciesacrossthe91CDNTsnationally,asopposed

to524intheprevious census,withvacancyrates inSpeechandLanguage Therapy(36%),OccupationalTherapy(40%),and Psychology(39%)ofparticularconcern,giventheir essentialroleinthedeliveryoflegislativeobligationsforAssessmentof NeedundertheDisability Act2005.

"Thereviewwentonto reportthatthereisa35% vacancyrateamongsenior gradesofstaff(upfrom 29%in2021).

"WhatboththecensusreportandtheHSEresponse tomeconfirmistheurgent needfortheMinisterfor HealthandtheHSEtodevelopastrategicworkforce

plantotrain,recruitand retaintherapistsforthese posts.Thisneedstohappenasamatterofurgency. Itisessentialforchildren inneed.“

"SinnFéinhavebeen continuouslycallingfor thisanditmustbedelivered.”"Thedisparityin payandconditionsfor non-HSEstaffmustalsobe addressed.”

"Itissimplynotacceptablethatoverathirdof postswithinCDNTsare vacantwhileparentsand guardiansaredesperately seekingaccesstoanassessmentofneedortherapeuticsupportsfortheir children."deputy O’Rourkeconcluded.

MeathCountyCouncil

wasdelightedtowelcome adelegationfromtheCongressofLocalandRegionalAuthoritiestodiscussmattersrelatingtolocalgovernanceinIreland andalsotoshareourexperiencesinMeathCounty Council.

TheCongressofLocal andRegionalAuthorities carriesoutregularvisitsto monitorthecommitments undertakenbyCouncilof Europememberstates whichhavesignedandratifiedtheEuropeanCharter forLocalSelf-Government,whichIrelandcommittedtoin2002.

Thedelegationwascomposedoftwoco-rapporteursonlocalandregional democracy,Mr.Vladimir Prebilič,SloveniaandMs. GunnMaritHelgesen, Norway,theywereas-

sistedbyDr.AndersLidstrӧm,Sweden,whoisa memberoftheGroupof IndependentExpertson theEuropeanCharterof LocalSelfGovernment andtheCongressSecretariat,Ms.StéphaniePoirel.

Thedelegationmetwith AnCathaoirleachCouncillorNickKillian,theChief ExecutiveJackieMaguire aswellasthemanagement teamandelectedmembersofMeathCounty Council.

TheCathaoirleachwelcomedthedelegationto CountyMeathandoutlinedtheelectedmembers’rolewithintheCouncil.TheChiefExecutive provideddetailsofthe structuresandfinancesof localgovernmentinthe county.

Therewasagooddiscussionaroundrecentdevel-

opmentsrelatingtolocal governanceandtheirimpactonlocalself-governmentinMeathCounty Council,aswellasthemajorchallengesfacinglocal governmentinIreland.

AnCathaoirleach,Cllr NickKillianwelcomedthe opportunitytoputforward theviewsoftheelected members.

Hecommented“Local governmentisattheheart ofgovernanceandpublic serviceatlocalleveland theelectedmembersof MeathCountyCouncilwill continuetorepresentour citizensandlocalcommunitiestoenhancethequalityoflifeofthepeopleof Meath”.

Thevisittookplaceat MeathCountyCouncil’s headquartersatBuvinda HouseinNavanon WednesdayApril5,2023.

PresentationatTrimSt.Patrick’sDayParade Apresentationwas madetoBridgetWalsh forherlongserviceas committeetreasurerof theTrimSt.Patrick’s DayParadeCommittee.

Pictured:KimRigney, Committeemember. BridgetWalsh,Jimmy RyanChiefOrganiser

MembersofMeathComhairlenanÓgGatherat CrokeParktoCelebratetheNationalShowcase

TaoiseachLeoVaradkar andRodericO’Gorman, MinisterforChildren, Equality,Disability, IntegrationandYouth attendedtheeventwhich washostedbyradioand televisionpersonality DoireannGarrihy.

Over500youngpeople involvedinComhairlena nÓg,includingmembers fromMeath,gatheredat CrokeParkstadiumon TuesdayApril4thto showcaseandcelebrate theirwiderangeof achievementsandbe inspiredbyahostof speakersandentertainers.

TheNationalShowcaseis abiannualeventthat highlightstheworkofthe membersofComhairlena

nÓgandhowyoung peoplehavehadtheir voicesheardonpolicies, servicesandissuesthat impactontheirlives.

Theeventgavethe31 ComhairlenanÓggroups

theopportunitytoexhibit theirworkandengage directlywithlocaland nationaldecisionmakers toinformthemaboutthe topicsandissuesthatare importanttothem.

VisitbyCongressofLocalandRegional AuthoritiestoMeathCountyCouncil

PicturedattheShowcaseareMeathMembers-Backrow: DoireannMcGill,GraysonMcGill,Sean,Bebhinn O’Connor,LaylaByrne.Frontrow:ClaudiaCummins, ÉinínMurphy,Sheola

BRABAZON RESTAURANT RE-OPEN AFTER EXPANSION AND REFURBISHMENTS

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