The Meath Herald Jan 2024 by Meath Herald

Deputies Guirke and O’Rourke Seek Clarification on Closure of A&E Unit at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan

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TD’s Johnny Guirke and Darren O’Rourke have raised concerns regarding the reported schedule for the closure of the A&E Unit at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, with an indicated imminent closure date in April or May of 2024. Amidst significant opposition to the closure from the residents of Meath, the hospital's catchment area, general practitioners, clinicians at Navan Hospital, and other impacted hospitals in the region, including Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, TD Johnny Guirke has formally requested clarification on the existence and details of the alleged closure schedule. Expressing unease over the potential closure's impact on the region, Deputy Guirke has urged for an immediate update on this matter from the minister. Deputy Guirke stated “since the bypassing of Navan Emergency Department many lives have still been saved here. The current situation in our hospitals is dire, with staff feeling overwhelmed and many choosing to leave the country.” "The waiting times at our A&E are reach-

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ing unprecedented levels. The decision to transfer patients from Navan to Drogheda is unlikely to alleviate these delays, instead, it may exacerbate the situation. He continued "We have three government ministers representing County Meath, Thomas Byrne, Helen McEntee,

and Damien English, all of whom have seemingly been indecisive regarding the future of Our Lady’s Hospital.” "Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have regrettably failed to consider the possibility of keeping our A&E department operational." he finished. Contd on Page 4

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

We Need A Shuttle Bus From Navan To M3 Parkway - Kelly Local Election candidate for Navan Ross Kelly has written to the National Transport Authority asking them to offer a shuttle bus service operating between Navan and the M3 Parkway Train Station outside Dunboyne. He said recently “Given we all agree that the Navan Train Line will not be operational until the mid 2030s, I think this is an easily achievable task that would make a big impact on public transport users in Navan” “The NX service experience has been lacking for well over the last year. Cllr. Emer Tobin recently held a public meeting where we spoke to Bus Eireann staff, it was obvious from talking to them that the NTA was the body who can actually do something to improve our public transport offering in Navan” Kelly continued

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Some of the issues on the service include: ● Capacity on the bus ● Shortage of drivers on this particular route ● Buses departing earlier than scheduled

● Buses not stopping at scheduled stops. ● Poor Communication to commuters on can celled services. He concluded by saying “The shuttle bus to M3

Parkway is a good interim solution to offer commuters and the people of Navan alternatives in their public transport network until the Navan Rail commences work.”

The Meath Herald January, 2024

Meath Man wins Prestigious ‘Supervisor of the Year’ at Bus Éireann’s National GEM Awards Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus company, has celebrated its employees’ achievements in 2023 at the national annual GEM (‘Go the Extra Mile’) Awards, which recognises excellent customer service, community impact, performance and forwardthinking. Awards were issued in several different categories including Apprentice of the Year, Depot of the Year, Executive of the Year as well as Driver and Community Awards. To be named ‘Supervisor of the Year’, one must be hard-working, dedicated, and a true team player. These are the qualities which embody this year’s recipient, Dominic McDonagh.

Celebrated by his colleagues the company’s Broadstone Depot as a customer-fo cuss e d, driven, and helpful individual, Dominick, of Dunshaughlin has earned his award. He has been part of the Bus Éireann family for 40 years and has contributed tremendously to the great work and development over those years. One of Dominic’s most impressive attributes, according to those who work with him on a daily basis, is his ability to problem solve, as well as approach challenges with a positive attitude. Bus Éireann proudly carried out over 99 million passenger journeys around Ireland through-

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Contd from Page 1 Deputy Darren O’Rourke stated “I am aware of a number of people who have had their lives saved due to the A&E being open and nearby.” “I was contacted by one gentleman who suffered a cardiac arrest while in the A&E at Navan. Had he been forced to go to Drogheda or elsewhere, he would not have made it.” Deputy O’Rourke further stated “This is a very concerning development and echoes

what I have heard from Senior Managers at the RCSI Group and Staff at Our Lady's Hospital Navan.” “The future of the A&E at Navan Hospital hangs in the balance, yet again, due to the failure of successive Governments to invest and adequately resource it.” “The planned closure must be resisted. Sinn Féin will do everything in our power to ensure that that's the case.” Deputy O’Rourke concluded

Dominic McDonagh receives his Supervisor of the Year award at Bus Éireann’s National GEM Awards out 2023 and currently holds a 91% customer satisfaction rating. The work of their dedicated staff is

key their goal of delivering an excellent public transport service to our customers.

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

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The Meath Herald Januray, 2024

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

Resident Graduates Traffic Monitoring in Summerhill Duleek with Batchelor of Arts in Leadership, Managment and on the way - Guirke Local Sinn Féin election candidate Aoife Drew and Deputy Johnny Guirke announced a significant development in their campaign to address speeding concerns on the Summerhill to Rathmolyon road in Summerhill. Following their representations to Meath County Council, the council has committed to installing a digital speed monitoring sign within the next week or so, marking a crucial step towards ensuring road safety in the area. The decision to install the digital speed monitoring sign comes after collaborative efforts by Deputy Johnny Guirke and local election candidate Aoife Drew to address the speeding issues that have been a cause of concern for the community. The monitoring sign will enable the collection of crucial data on speeding trends along the road, empowering local authorities

with valuable insights to make informed decisions about necessary interventions. Deputy Guirke emphasized the significance of this development, stating, "We are pleased to see Meath County Council taking proactive steps to address the issue of speeding on the Summerhill to Rathmolyon road. The installation of the digital speed monitoring sign underscores the council's commitment to road safety and serves as a testament to the impact of community advocacy." Local election candidate Aoife Drew added, "This is a positive first step towards addressing the speeding concerns that have been a priority for our campaign.” The data gathered from the monitoring sign will provide us with the necessary information to further engage with Meath County Council and advocate for additional measures to en-

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sure the safety of all road users." The installation of the digital speed monitoring sign is expected to be completed within the next week or so, and the collected data will be instrumental in shaping future initiatives aimed at addressing speeding issues on the Summerhill to Rathmolyon Road.

Both Deputy Johnny Guirke along with local election candidate Aoife Drew, reaffirmed their continuing commitment to working closely with the community and local authorities to continue addressing the issue of road safety concerns and also striving for positive changes in the Summerhill area.

Karen Walsh from Duleek, Co.Meath has graduated with a Batchelor of arts in Leadership, Managment and Defence studies (Logistics). Karen is pictured with her daughter Jasmyn and son Kayden. Graduates of South East Technological University (SETU) were pictured at the university’s conferring ceremonies in Carlow recently. Over 2,000 graduates, alongside two honorary doctors of the university, will have been honoured during ceremonies taking place recently across

SETU’s Waterford and Carlow campuses. Awards were conferred on graduates from level 6 to level 10 and across a range of disciplines, from technology, business, and engineering to the arts, humanities, and science. A total of 19 doctorates were awarded across both campuses, while the largest annual military graduation in the State from a higher education institution is set to take place, with over 300 officers and enlisted personnel being awarded SETU qualifications

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Helen McEntee TD

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

Rats Running Rampant In Kells IT’S TIME FOR KELLS MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S 47TH ENCHANTING PANTO ‘THE PIED PIPER’. It’s a fun filled roller coaster ride down in panto land with the longest running pantomime in the county yes, its Kells musical and dramatic society’s 47th Enchanting panto ‘The Pied Piper’. Written and Directed by John Grant, this magical show will contain an original song written by John called ‘Love you like a hurricane’ The story centres around the Pied Piper, who is hired by the town of Hamelin to rid the town of a rat infestation problem. Will Kabab (Seamus Ennis) and the good Townsfolk of Hamelin head off to do battle but will he be more of a match for the evil and horrible King Rat (Stephen Stafford) and his

gang of Rotten rodents than the others? It looks like the townsfolk will have to rely on the mysterious Pied Piper (Barbara O Neill) whose piping sounds can put the rats into a trance. Mayor Misery Guts (Pat Byrne), refuses to pay the Pied Piper for his services, so he uses his musical magic to lure away the town's children who are never seen again or are they? Will Kabab will be joined by his girlfriend Gretta (Alanagh Gavin), who happens to be the Mayors daughter, together with his friends along his journey including the destructive local punk rocker Punkie (Paige Luddy) who is hounded by Sergeant Plod

(Kelly Anne Costello). Jack and Jill (Bridget Glynn and Chloe Brady). Jackie The Lame child (Kiefer Byrne). Our two accident prone comics Dibble and Dabble (Katie Ford and Louise Rogers) and our hip fairy, Fairy Cool (Jeanne Mc Govern) and our wise cracking Dame Kitty Kabab (John Grant) The beautiful costumes will be made by the experienced Linda Mc Loughlin. Our two fantastic choreographers of Helena Sheridan and Chantelle Quigley have superb dance routines ready to amaze you. The stage crew team of Jim Kieran, Ben Devine, Paul Rogers, John Curran, Derek Booth, John Mc Donnell and

Pied Piper - Barbara O’Neill Daire Gavin are working away on the sets. Brian O Neill Jnr and his team of Adam Keelly and Brian O Neill Snr are busy assembling the lighting. Mark Reddy on sound. Emer Gogarty is in charge of effects. Mary Mc Inerney, Sandra Mc Donnell, Gaye Grant and Mags Oszewski are front of

house team along with Alanagh Gavin, Alice Mulvany and her makeup team and cast supervisors are all ready and prepared. Spot Operator Danny Sheridan. Our Cast manager Annemarie Stratton will be on hand to make sure the show runs smoothly. Our MC’s

John Grant -Kitty Kabab. Louise Rogers -Dibble. Katie Ford -Dabble

Alan Grant and Aaron Byrne will be in action every performance. For bookings now email kellstheatre@gmail.com with your contact details or phone us on 087 7101671 and we will contact you and book you in. Booking office for walk in’s opens in Kells Theatre from Monday 29th Jan from 11am to 5pm. There is a €2 admin fee on credit card bookings only. There is a special price for a Family ticket of 2 adults and 2 children €40. Book early for great group rates. please ring John at 087 2079557. It’s a sparkling magical Panto adventure for all the family so book now. The show runs from Thursday 8th to Sunday 18th Feb ‘24 and we can also be found on Facebook.

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

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For a second year in a row, Drogheda Credit Union took to the streets of Drogheda, East Meath, Dunleer and Trim to gift strangers and spread some kindness ahead of the festive season. The campaign was created to lift the spirits within the community and bring the ethos of Drogheda Credit Union onto the streets of Trim. “With a cost-of-living crisis and rising bills across the board, we know last year was difficult financially for many families. Our Random Acts of Kindness campaign was a great way of giving back” “Drogheda Credit Union is more than a financial institution, we are a community, and we are always there for our members.” said Patricia

White, Drogheda Credit Union. Community kindness continued with donations to Scoil Mhuire, Trim Meals on Wheels and Trim Celtic as well as annual donations to organisations including Saint Vincent de Paul and Irish Red Cross totalling over €10,000 in December. As we look forward to 2024, support from Drogheda Credit Union will continue to be a much-welcomed boost to

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

MEATH’S BEST CRAFT & DESIGN BUSINESSES SET FOR SHOWCASE 2024

OME OF MEATH’S best up and coming craft and design businesses will be part of over 100 companies from across Ireland who will get a chance to meet with buyers from all over the world as part of the Local Enterprise Showcase at the 2024 Showcase event in the RDS, running from the 2123th January. An initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Enterprise Showcase, is a special area at Showcase that houses a range of Ireland’s newest design talent. SIX BUSINESSES Last year’s overall product winner Tom King, most well known as An Gobha returns for his second year at Showcase. An Gobha, the blacksmith of the

joy the whole experience, although it will be hard to top the experience an Gobha had last year, when in his first year, An Gobha stole the hearts of everyone at the show by winning overall product at Showcase. The publicity this brought to An Gobha Ironworks and Experience has been phenomenal, with guests from all over the world visiting the forge of the Smooth Road in Bothermeen,

Boyne Valley offers immersive and interactive experiences of traditional iron age metal forging, as demonstrated by the character An Gobha, the blacksmith, delivered with theatre, stories, myths, history and fun.

An Gobha also manufactures and sells handcrafted metal and wooden decorative objects, blade works, and period weapons based on ancient Celtic symbols and artefacts. Tom is hugely excited to return to the RDS and en-

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KYNA BRADY OF KYNA MAREE LUXURY ACCESSORIES Based in Batterstown, will be launching a Boutique Collective at this year’s Showcase. A collection of stylish everyday and occasion jewellery and headwear

Bridget and Cormac Kerrigan of Celtic Clans based in Slane. Kyna Brady of Kyna Maree Luxury Accessories in Batterstown designed to sit perfectly within fashion boutiques and luxury stores. CELTIC CLANS Based in Slane, designer Bridget along with her husband Cormac Kerrigan re-create ancient family crests, county and provincial crests in a

modern and contemporary style. Celtic Clans are artist and history buffs with a grá for heraldry. At Showcase they will launch their new range “Celtic Icons” which is a set of 10 beautiful prints celebrating iconic Irish heroes & heroines, hailing from the world of music, literature, politics and folklore.

The Meath Herald January, 2024 Another business based right in the heart of the Boyne Valley is BOYNE VALLEY WOOLS operated by Alison Fullam Gogan. A sheep farmer, hand wool spinner, felter and knitter.

Alison Fullam Gogan of Boyne Valley Wools Alison uses the wool from her own flock of Jacob sheep which is all natural in colour to create a wonderful range of handmade crafts all of which are available to buy from her shop which is situated in a converted barn on her farm in Donore. Exhibiting for the first time at Showcase is designer, Kathryn Leonard, founder of PAPERTWIGS DESIGNS, a bespoke greeting card and print company based in Wilkinstown. PaperTwigs has grown from the inspiration of creating unique and beautiful cards and gifts to bring joy to the sender and receiver.

customers throughout Ireland and to meet with my existing stockists and buyers. It’s a great opportunity to secure new stockists and agree new deals for the year ahead.” Kathryn is also a member of Meath Made and goes on to say “being a member of Meath Made has widened my network within the amazing creative community in County Meath and there is such a range of talent amongst the artist, design, craft community here, we can learn from each other and support other creative businesses. I have taken part in LEO Meath trainings and I also received business mentoring to help me prepare for Showcase, I am really looking forward to Showcase and I am really excited to get to the RDS and get set up” Long time friends Paula McGuinness & Eileen Smyth set up LUS AROMATHERAPY in 2021 and they specialise in creating organic cold pressed artisan soaps & Organic Skincare. Sustainable, Organic, Vegan, palm oil free, cruelty free.

Friends Paula McGuinness & Eileen Smyth of Lus Aromatherapy

Kathryn Leonard of Papertwigs Designs With a background in Art & Aesthetics, Kathryn enjoys exploring a wide range of mediums to create artwork with depth and meaning. Collections feature pieces with simple messages, hand drawn graphics and layered mixed media. Kathryn said “This is my first time exhibiting at Showcase and I am really looking forward to connecting with potential new

Made using certified organic ingredients and scented using only pure essential oils. Carefully formulated to care for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Paula and Eileen are experienced holistic aromatherapists and their products are created to bring harmony and balance not just to the skin but body and mind in a sustainable way. Eileen Smyth said “after developing the business over the last 3 years, putting our hands, hearts and souls into it, it really is time to show off our won-

The Meath Exhibitors at Showcase 2024 which takes place from 21st to 23rd January derful products to a much wider audience and we will relaunch our website and unveil a new brand at Showcase so its going to be an action packed 3 days” Alison Fullam Gogan, of Boyne Valley Wools is exhibiting at Showcase for the first time and is looking forward to three days of networking. Alison is showing her handspun wool, felt pictures and her handmade felt sheep at the show. Speaking from her home studio in a converted barn on her farm. Alison says “I am hoping to create some interest in my handmade felt sheep and am keen to meet with new stockists, particularly to develop the export side of my business. I will be bringing my spinning wheel with me and will be doing some live demonstrations of spinning the fleece, so hopefully that will attract some added interest to my stand”. The event, which is a pinnacle event in the global design and crafts calendar, will open its doors to thousands of buyers from across the world, including countries like Ireland, the UK, USA, mainland Europe, Asia and Africa, generating millions of euros of sales orders during the show. Showcase is presented on behalf of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas, and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide.

Recent participants from Meath include the likes of An Gobha, Bríd Fanning Art, Anita Reynolds, Deeca Design, Clare O’Connor Design, Marion Pertherbridge Art, MAR fragrances and many more. In 2023 there were thousands of national and international buyers in attendance at the event in the RDS and it is expected this will increase again in 2024. Kieran Kehoe Chief Executive of Meath County Council said “Showcase is one of Ireland’s largest trade shows with high profile international buyers and exhibitors. It provides the crafters and designers significant opportunity to grow their businesses from their base here in Meath.’ Kieran continued “the opportunity to exhibit at Showcase is very exciting and can have a huge impact on the makers, helping to secure sales orders for this year and potentially into the future, I would like to wish each of our 6 LEO clients exhibiting the very best of luck for a successful show” Local Enterprise Office Meath has been working with An Gobha, Kyna Maree, Boyne Valley Wools, Celtic Clans, Paper

Twig Designs & Lus Aromatherapy on merchandising for their stands, marketing, and sales techniques to ensure they maximise opportunities at the three-day event. Caoimhe Delany, Business Advisor at Local Enterprise Office, Meath, believes this is an opportunity like no other for upand-coming craft and design clients looking to make that break through. “To be exposed to this many high-quality buyers in one place is an incredible opportunity for any business starting out, We have 6 really amazing businesses from Meath attending Showcase this year and if things go well at this event, a business could fill their book for the year and may well establish a partnership that could extend longer than that and help them grow”. Caoimhe continued “Even to be here, amongst so many talented creatives in the Enterprise Village, connecting with other businesses from all across Ireland, to get new ideas and to develop their skills in marketing and sales will stand by them going forward. We are really lucky to have the reigning Showcase champion An Gobha

with us again this year as a LEO Meath client and if he gets a similar response this year to what he received last year, the Meath section at the Enterprise Village will again be buzzing with activity” she goes on to say “Kyna Maree Luxury Accessories is also a finalist in the Best Newcomer category in the Business of Craft Awards so we have our fingers crossed for Kyna for the awards ceremony on the Monday afternoon” The awards will take place Monday, 22nd January at Showcase in the RDS as part of the overall event. Local Enterprise Showcase is one of several enterprise initiatives run by the Local Enterprise Offices across the year to foster entrepreneurship and help small businesses to start and grow. Other events include Local Enterprise Week, National Women’s Enterprise Day, the National Enterprise Awards, the Student Enterprise Programme and the Local Enterprise Village as part of the National Ploughing Championships. For more information on the Local Enterprise Offices and the supports they can provide, please visit LocalEnterprise.ie

The Meath Herald January, 2024

McKee Calls For All Local Primary Only €4.3 Million Spent on School Roads To Be Included On Vacant Properties Refurbishment Winter Gritting Schedule Grant After a Year and a Half Cathaoirleach of the South Drogheda & East Meath Municipal District, Councillor Stephen McKee, has called on Meath County Council to include all local Primary school roads as part of the Winter Gritting Schedule as an urgent measure. McKee stated “Many roads in the area have been badly impacted by the current cold snap and the roads are particularly bad around Duleek, Donore and Bellewstown where many cars and school buses have got into difficulty with the icy roads.” “The school road in Duleek should be an absolute priority given that there are over 700 pupils attending the school and it is only a short distance out from the centre of Duleek. It is simply not acceptable that this road is not in-

cluded on the gritting route.” he continued. “At present, National Primary and Secondary roads along with Regional roads are the only roads given priority for gritting. That is understandable to some

degree but it means that roads classified as Local roads are left out even though most local Primary schools are located on Local roads and so have an importance that is not given due recognition.” ”I am asking the Council to urgently review the Winter Gritting route and to include local school roads on the winter gritting schedule.” “It's important that these roads are treated to enable the local people to safely access their homes and local schools and services” concluded McKee.

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The Minister for Housing, Darragh O'Brien, has confirmed to the Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD that a mere €4.3 million has been spent through the vacant property refurbishment grant since it was launched in July 2022. Speaking on the matter, Deputy Tóibín said: "This grant, at the start, had very narrow qualification criteria which meant that an applicant could only get a grant for a vacant property which they owned and intended to make their

primary dwelling - in order to qualify you almost had to be a homeless homeowner! It took the government nearly a year to revise the criteria, and even still we can see that only €4.3 million has been drawn down" Deputy Tóibín continued: "In the first nine months of this year there were 3,941 applications for the grant, but in the same time period only 22 grants were issued. For context on these figures, according to the CSO there are 130,000 vacant houses in the State and 32,000 vacant apartments.” “The government has issued 22 refurbishment grants so far this year. This is an absolute scandal. The money being spent comes in at a quarter of a million euro every month, which equates to five of six

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houses every thirty days. At this rate it will take over three thousand years for the government to bring every vacant home back into use”. “According to documents released to Aontú under the Freedom of Information Act there are 3,500 social or council homes vacant across the country. A very easy place for the government to start would be to bring these homes, already owned by the State, back into use” ”One local authority told me it only costs €25,000 euro per property to refurbish them. There are more vacant council-owned houses in this country than there are properties available for rent on daft. ie. It’s a shocking indictment on the performance of this government”, concluded Tóibín.

The Meath Herald January, 2024

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

Rogue Actor

with Sinead Burke In recent months, we have recast the role of our eldest child with a new more mature actor. Similar to when Tracey Barlow went up to her room to play tapes in Coronation Street and emerged two years later a completely different person. Our lad went into his room to play X Box Tickety Tock last May and then emerged in September, two feet taller with facial hair and an appetite that would have any academic studying the famine gene rushing to our door to examine him. As metaphorises go, it was dramatic in its speed and also its financial implications. I cannot keep this child fed. I’ve heard of empty legs, but this lad is completely hollow. We’ve passed the stage when I can throw him a pizza for his second dinner, because that’s where we are now, two dinners every evening. No, it’s protein he has a gra for. Slabs of beef and flocks of chickens. All these servings are entered into an app on his phone so he can track how much muscle mass he’s putting on. Like innocent fools, we thought buying him a weightlifting set for his birthday seemed a great

idea. Now we are only heading in either of two ways, he’ll end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger by Christmas or be the only 15-year-old in Ireland to suffer with gout. Oh, it’s a brave new world for the Burkes and it’s one that smells of fried steak and Lynx deodorant. Did I ever think I would morn the days of throwing on few fishfingers, boiling up a handful of peas for appearances sake and job done? Thankfully we live in the country as I’m strongly thinking of robbing one of the cows in the next field and looking up “How to Butcher at home” on You Tube. If you see me trying to fit in a new chest freezer in the back of the car, I’ll thank you not to mention it, it could incriminate us all. Ah look sure it’s great to have healthy children and I’ll bless my face for that, but I can’t help feeling a little hard done by this new phase of family life. I had always imagined that once the kids were of an age we could leave them at home for a few hours, then we could leave them at home for a few hours. This tantalising hope of freedom somewhere in the distant

future consoled me during the long nights I walked the floors with two teething infants. But that was all a big lie, and I am trying not to be too bitter about this. Having teenagers only means that they can leave the house too, but you have to act as taxi driver. Junior discos, cinema, meeting up with the girl friend if you don’t mind, shopping for yet another grey track suit and going for haircuts. Lots and lots of haircuts. It's just as labour intensive as having toddlers but if you factor in the cost of 3 tonnes of beef and 48 skin fades every month, it’s a lot more expensive. So here we are. The frying pan now a natural extension of Mr Burke’s hand while the young fella does his bit to cut the national herd and I try to work some magic on Google Maps which will allow me to drop one child to a disco in Waterstown and the other one to the one in Ardee on the same night at the same time. Future freedoms will come one day I suppose, if I’m not locked up for stealing cattle.

The Pros and Cons of Social Media In Business My name is Helen Leddy, MD of Back Office Marketing. I provide marketing services for the hospitality and tourism industry. Happy New Year to all the Meath Herald Readers. This month, I wanted to talk to you about the pro’s and cons of social media. Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with each other. It has also transformed the way businesses market their products and services. With the widespread use of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok, businesses can now reach a vast audience and engage with them in a way that was not possible before. So, how can you utilize social media for your business? Social media marketing (SMM) is the practice of promoting products or services through social media platforms. SMM has become an integral part of many businesses’ marketing strategies due to its effectiveness in reaching a large audience at a relatively low cost. Here are some pros and cons of social media marketing: PROS: � Wide Reach: Social media platforms have billions of active users, and this presents an excellent opportunity for businesses to reach a massive audience. With well-crafted social media campaigns, businesses can target specific demographics and reach potential customers in different parts of the world.

� Cost-Effective: Compared to traditional marketing methods like TV, radio, and print media, social media marketing is relatively affordable. With a small budget, businesses can run targeted ads that can reach a large audience. � High Engagement: Social media platforms allow businesses to engage with their customers in realtime. This means businesses can respond to queries and complaints promptly, building trust and loyalty among their customers. Social media also allows for user-generated content, which can help businesses build a community around their brand. � Analytics: Social media platforms provide valuable data on user engagement, impressions, and demographics. This information can help businesses refine their marketing strategies and improve their campaigns’ performance. CONS: � Time-Consuming: Social media marketing requires businesses to create and publish content regularly. This can be timeconsuming and requires significant effort to maintain a consistent presence on multiple social media platforms. � Requires Expertise: Effective social media marketing requires expertise in content creation, analytics, marketing, and advertising. Businesses that lack the necessary skills and knowledge may struggle to achieve their marketing goals. � Negative Feedback: Social media platforms are

open to public feedback, and businesses may receive negative comments or reviews. Handling negative feedback can be challenging, and businesses must have a plan in place to address such issues. � Competition: With the popularity of social media marketing, competition has increased, making it challenging to stand out from the crowd. Businesses must be creative and innovative in their marketing strategies to capture their audience’s attention. Social media marketing has significant potential for businesses of all sizes. The ability to reach a wide audience at low cost, high engagement, and valuable analytics are just some of the benefits of social media marketing. However, it requires significant effort and expertise to execute an effective social media marketing campaign. Businesses must carefully consider the pros and cons before deciding to invest in social media marketing and develop a sound strategy that aligns with their marketing objectives. To enquire about social media services that can benefit your business visit www.backofficems.ie

The Meath Herald January, 2024

BUSINESS PROFILE

Drive Business Success with Run My Business DANIEL MCGIVERN AND TERENCE MCGIVERN, THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND RUN MY BUSINESS AND RUN MY RECRUITMENT, bring a wealth of experience to the table. With a background in insurance, banking, retail, sustainability and more, they identified a gap in the market for SMEs. Run My Business, their solution-based consultancy agency, addresses various aspects within a company, from social media to operational management and marketing. The duo excels at identifying issues and providing strategic solutions, fostering growth, and building robust relationships between businesses.

The timing aligned, allowing them to step away and establish Run My Business. The duo's hard-nosed experience in scaling businesses, coupled with their passion for supporting SMEs, sets them apart. RUN MY RECRUITMENT As an extension of their success, Run My Recruitment seamlessly integrates into their business model. Stemming from their expertise in recruitment and construction, Run My Recruitment has rapidly gained momentum. With a highly personal team handling short-term recruitment and permanent placements across various sectors, the duo emphasises a personable approach. BUILDING A SUPPORTIVE CULTURE The McGiverns emphasise building their business on a strong culture. The lads work with Claire, Daniel's wife, who manages the Kaiser Agency, ensuring a holistic recruitment experience with HR expertise. They have established a unique approach, working closely with candidates to support clients effectively. Run My Recruitment offers free consultations, aiding candidates in improving their profiles before presenting them to clients, revolutionising the recruitment process.

Daniel and Terence pictured with local Paralympian Casey Fitzgerald who the brothers will be supporting on her trip to Dubai shortly. THE JOURNEY TO RUN MY BUSINESS Terence McGivern's 13 years in insurance sector, managing a team of 35 and overseeing significant growth, combined with Daniel McGivern's extensive experience in managing and growing business in the services, banking and sustainability sector, laid the foundation for Run My Business. The company focuses on offering outsourced expertise to SMEs, helping them scale efficiently. ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT The decision to venture into business for themselves stemmed from their desire to work together and a shared vision developed over a decade.

QUALITIES FOR SUCCESS In the fast-paced business environment, Daniel and Terence attribute their success to innovation, staying attuned to trends, and maintaining a strong work ethic. Their personable approach and careful selection of team members contribute to a supportive and thriving business culture. SIMPLIFYING SERVICES Run My Business provides comprehensive solution-based consultancy services. They analyse, recommend improvements, and provide ongoing support, covering various aspects of a business. Whether it's building a website, devising marketing plans, or enhancing operational efficiency, Run My Business is a one-stop solution with all the knowledge you need..

The driving forces behind Run My Business & Run My Recruitment, brothers Terence and Daniel McGivern with their colleague Jack Wyse

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Daniel McGivern pictured attending the All Ireland Business Foundation at the Aviva Stadium

For businesses seeking Run My Business's services, they can contact them at info@runmybusiness.ie or (046) 92 74424. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. For more on Run My Recruitment, contact them at info@runmyrecruitment. ie or (046) 92 74424. Connect on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Meath Herald January, 2024

Joe’s Jotter: Former Students Pass On Their Experience

While researching my textbook ‘How to ACE the Leaving Certificate’ for all subjects, I spoke and listened to many former and current students and collated survey results from sixty six years. They provided me with some extremely insightful information on how they felt about the exam system as well as what tips they would give to students coming through it. Much of their advice was based on study skills and ‘clever learning’, both of which would also be really useful for first, second or fifth years preparing exams all year round. The following is the feedback and experience they found useful to pass on in relation to achieving success:

Students’ Big, Big Tips for Achieving Success On asking students for one piece of advice that they would give to those doing exams, these are the best ‘one liner’s they came back with: ♣ Try not to bottle exam stress up. Talk to your friends and parents. ♣ Don’t beat yourself up when you are not studying. ♣ Try to keep sleep, eating, and studying patterns consistent. ♣ Understanding words is better than memorising them. ♣ Play some loud music or head out dancing every so often. ♣ Stop and count to ten if you feel anxious. ♣ Use your own words when taking notes.

Keep the notes short. ♣ Breathe deeply into your lungs to help combat nerves. ♣ Exercise to help reduce tension. ♣ Your parents can be a great source of advice. ♣ Speak to your teachers all the way up to exam start. ♣ Stay away from stressed out friends for a few weeks. ♣ Keep eating proper breakfasts and dinners. ♣ Underline the key words on the exam paper to focus your mind. ♣ Bring earplugs into the exam hall to help your concentration. ♣ Get into some good study habits at the beginning of third year. ♣ Start creating a weekly timetable to help you study in third year. ♣ Pay attention to all your subjects, not just the ones you like. ♣ Don’t isolate yourself from your friends in third year. ♣ Continue the hobbies you enjoy during exam year. ♣ Don’t expect too much of yourself. ♣ Ask your teachers

loads of questions. They love that. ♣ Your teachers have every confidence and belief in you. ♣ Don’t believe everything your peers say online. ♣ Try not to pressure yourself, you are probably ready anyway. ♣ Take a step back from social media around exam time. ♣ Treat yourself to good breaks when you are studying. ♣ Your friends will also be nervous on day one of the exams. ♣ Doing your homework well is the best form of study. ♣ Go out with your friends to chill at some stage during the exams. ♣ Be super organised, especially the week leading up to the exams. ♣ Plan each study day in between exams. ♣ Go for walks or cycles to get fresh air around exam time. ♣ Stick post-its/posters up in your room to help memory. ♣ Practice as many past

exam questions as you have time to do. ♣ Always remember your parents/relations are very proud of you. ♣ Buy a good solutions book for subjects you find difficult. ♣ Work hard and play a little during the few weeks of the exams. ♣ Double check all your materials are present the night before. ♣ Accept that not everything will go exactly to plan. ♣ Work with your friends on subjects you are struggling with. ♣ Try and enjoy the challenge of preparing for exams. ♣ Do every piece of homework as if it was an exam question. ♣ Be sure to ask your teacher if you don’t understand something. ♣ Focus heavily on exam questions the weeks before the exams. ♣ Use varied methods of studying to avoid boredom. ♣ Keep a copy of your exam timetable in your room. ♣ If an exam doesn’t go so well, move on, focus on the next one. ♣ Reward yourself with little food treats around exam time.

♣ Use the Internet to look up information that’s not in your book. ♣ Re-write notes in your own words so that you understand them. ♣ Stay positive. ♣ Write down a vision for your life. ♣ Always see can you improve what you are doing. ♣ Speak with your friends about areas of the course you are anxious about. ♣ Set goals to ensure you are still moving in the right direction. ♣ Ask your friends about the different ways they study. ♣ Be aware of time spent on the Internet and phone. ♣ Be careful who you share your dreams with. ♣ Ask yourself “Am I going in the right direction?” ♣ Record on a sheet all the good things in your life. ♣ During exam year, try and block out the negatives. ♣ Record all your thoughts of the day on an A4 sheet; then shred it. ♣ Focus on the positives.

JOE

More details about Joe as a Maths Tutor for 5th and 6th Year Leaving Certificate Students (23/24) and his Award Winning ACE Maths Solution Books can be found via the links below. ACE Maths Classes: acesolutionbooks.com/ace-mathstuition ACE Maths Solution Books: acesolutionbooks.com/buy-mybooks

The Meath Herald January, 2024

Simple Ways To De-clutter Your Home with CHOICE - A HOME FOR ALL SEASONS IS DE-CLUTTERING YOUR HOME AT THE TOP OF YOUR NEW YEAR PRIORITY LIST? Although the very thought of it can send shivers up your spine, we have compiled some simple ways below to make the whole dreaded de-clutter, less of a mammoth task. Start with a list Take note of all the rooms or areas you want to declutter, then pick the first one on the list. Once that decision is made, pick an area in that room and start the de-cluttering process. Then just keep this going, area by area and room by room. By breaking it into smaller pieces, you will get through quicker and also give yourself more motivation to keep going as you tick each area off your list.

ASK YOURSELF: “Do I use or need this?” For this one you need to be honest with yourself, you need to ask yourself "Do I really need or use this item?" If the answer is no or you have to think hard about it, maybe it's best to take a minimalist approach and get rid of it. WARDROBE EXAMINATION: This is nearly a separate discussion on its own. But there are plenty of charity shops that would gladly accept the clothes that may not fit, were never worn, or you are just bored of. Once again, brutal honesty is the best policy here for going through your wardrobes. A second opinion could help too. SELL ONLINE / CHARITY SHOPS: Selling online has become much easier these days, so there's a

market for many of your unwanted goods, or another option would be for you to bring down to any of the charity shops in your locality. RULE OF FIVE: We came across this on a US website and they suggested when de-cluttering your home, use the Rule of Five. Basically, what it is suggesting is that "when you are de-cluttering each room get rid of five things you don't use. Either donate them, bin them, or sell online. That's all you must do. It'll be amazing as you see all your clutter disappear." SENTIMENTAL ITEMS: There are always exceptions to the rules, sometimes some items don't fall into the useful category, but we have an emotional attachment too.

One way to get around this is to take a photo of the item and store it on your laptop, so you can always look back at it. Of course, if it's something that is of huge senti-

Donna Farrell - Director Marsh Mackey A positive thing about Christmas being over is that we can all look forward to the longer, brighter evenings and with the thought of spring approaching it does give hope an opportunity to shine. Spring symbolises so many good things, new life in nature, we notice all the new buds coming in the garden, we want to get out, get fit, we might even be inclined to ‘spring clean’. This can take many guises, one being house related

can help! Assessing your history but looking forward to future prospects. We can advise on CV content and discuss the marketplace and how well matched the candidate is to current job opportunities.

DESK SPACE: If you work from home, clean desk equals clean mind or so they say. Try store non-essentials in drawers or organisers on your desk.

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Looking Forward the other however career related. This time of year, many of us reflect on where we are and where we want to be, so we evaluate lots of things in our lives, one being our career. We have found analysing this behaviour over the years, that even those who are outwardly happy in their jobs, tend to put the feelers out there in January/February. In the 2023 marketplace, behaviour increased where we saw some candidates using the marketplace to improve their current job, playing on the skills shortage situation to their benefit with the employer. January brings with it a fresh start for many, looking forward, and it encourages many to review their CV’s, possibly embark on new education or change jobs; and that is where we

mental value, then the best thing to do is to maybe allocate a specific area in your home for these items, such as the attic, as we don't want you to regret disposing of it.

So far in 2024, we’ve found that many of our clients are recruiting and keen to get quality people for their teams, so if you’ve looking for a job move in the North East, then give us a call, we’d be happy to update you on 2024 jobs.

MOTORING

The Meath Herald January, 2024

Fiat 600e Named Finalist for Women's World Car of the Year 2024 Fiat Ireland has announces the Fiat 600e's selection as a finalist for the prestigious Women's World Car of the Year 2024 awards. This recognition reflects the vehicle's exceptional performance and design, resonating profoundly

with diverse global audiences. The Fiat 600e's acknowledgment as a finalist underscores Fiat’s commitment to engineering innovative, inclusive, and eco-conscious automobiles. This achievement serves as a testament to

the brand's dedication to redefining driving experiences worldwide. The Women's World Car of the Year awards highlight vehicles that meet the evolving needs of modern drivers, focusing on elements such as safety, quality, design, and environmental impact. The Fiat 600e's recognition as a finalist reaffirms its alignment with these essential criteria. This prestigious accolade emphasises Fiat’s ongoing efforts in crafting vehicles that not only excel in performance and design but also cater to a diverse global audience. The

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The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released their official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2023. Total new car registrations for 2023, finished at 121,850 +16% on 2022 (105,398) and up 4% on 2019 (117,109). New Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2023 saw an increase of 25.1% (29,403) compared to 2022 (23,510) and a 16.1% increase on 2019 (25,336). While New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) saw an increase of 20.4% (2,655) in comparison to 2022 (2,205) and 19.9% on 2019 (2,214). Imported Used Cars saw 50,716 registrations in 2023, an increase of 9.09% on 2022 (46,490) and a decrease of 55.48% on 2019 (113,926). A total of 22,789 new electric cars were registered in 2023, an increase on the 15,678 registrations seen in 2022 (+45.4%) and 3,444 in 2019 (+561.7%).

Market share for 2023 seen Petrol account for 30.07%, Diesel 22.16%, Electric 18.70%, Hybrid 18.54% and Plug-In Hybrid 8.28%.

“121,850 new cars registered in 2023 compared to 105,398 for the same period in 2022 (+16%) and 117,109

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Petrol continues to remain the most popular engine type for 2023, while Electric, Hybrid, and Plugin Hybrid account for 45.5% of the market. Automatic transmissions now account for (64.54%) of market share, while manual transmissions have declined (35.35%). The hatchback continues to remain Ireland’s top selling car body type of 2023. While grey retains the top selling colour title for the eight year running.

MOTORING

The Meath Herald January, 2024

Parts of Your Future Car Could be Made from Olive Trees Ford trialled using foliage discarded during harvest into auto parts Olive trees bear a fruit that is consumed all over the world, as snacks, oil and tapenades. Now, Ford has explored using branches, twigs and leaves that are discarded during harvest for more sustainable auto parts. The trial was conducted as part of the COMPOlive project that is committed to delivering environmental change in olive production, using biocomposites instead of plastic, and supporting the circular economy. Using olive tree waste for

auto parts could both reduce the plastic used in such parts and support cleaner air in the local area by avoiding burning as a means of waste disposal. Engineers produced prototype footrests and parts of the boot area using olive tree waste. Testing has shown the parts produced are both robust and durable with Ford now evaluating the process for mass use, to potentially help deliver the next wave of electric vehicles. “At Ford, we’re always looking for ways to be-

come more sustainable and sometimes inspiration can strike from the most unlikely places. In using the waste from olive trees, we have been able to substitute a significant amount of petroleumbased raw material in the interior parts. The sustainable fibres create a unique surface appearance and would be directly visible to our customers” commented Inga Wehmeyer, project lead, Ford For the trial, the waste materials were sourced from olive groves in Andalusia, Spain, the region with the highest production of olive oil in the world. First, engineers at Ford’s European headquarters in

Cologne, in Germany, used clever simulation technology to test the usability of olive trees in terms of durability, strength, and mouldability. They were then able to go ahead with manufacturing prototypes. Consisting of 40 per cent fibres and 60 per cent recycled polypropylene plastic, the substance was heated and injection moulded into the shape of the selected part. “In order to get the mix just right, we had to experiment with different ratios of waste material and

polypropylene. It was hard work, but it ultimately enabled us to produce a material that shows no compromise in strength, durability, or flexibility” said Thomas Baranowski, injection moulding expert. Alongside our partners across the globe, Ford is making measurable gains

against ambitious environmental sustainability targets. The Road to Better is Ford’s commitment to building a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable transportation future, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.

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The Meath Herald January, 2024

Prime Examples of Round Towers or Bell Towers

Noel French Local Historian TODAY IN MEATH we have two prime examples of round towers or bell towers in Kells and Donaghmore, Navan. However in times past there were seven. The cloigteach or round tower of Clonard collapsed in 1039. The round tower of Ardbraccan fell in 1181. The tower at Slane was attacked by Vikings in 948 and burned. There were also towers at Trim and Duleek. The round tower in Kells is currently undergoing conservation works. At present OPW are focusing on conserving Kells Round Tower and have made it a priority project in the county and district. A wrapped scaffolding has been be erected to enable works to be completed.

Constructed in the tenth century the Kells round tower, cloighteach or bell tower was used as a lookout spot and place of refuge during attacks. The round tower is located in the grounds of the Church of Ireland as are four high crosses. The imposing round tower has five windows at its top unlike most other round towers which had four, for each of the four directions, north, south east and west. Kells had five windows to keep a watch on the five approach roads to the monastery. Access to the upper floors was by means of ladders with each floor being illuminated by a single window. The doorway looks quite low as the surrounding graveyard has been raised around it. The doorway faces east, in line with the west door of the associated church. The stonework around the door is different to the rest of the tower. It may date to after 1076 when a claimant for the high kingship of Ireland took refuge in the tower but was removed and murdered. There is a local tradition that any girl

who rubbed her skirt against the wall of the round tower will never leave Kells. At Donaghmore, Navan, stands a round tower, a legacy from the monastery which stood there. Above the door is a sculpture of the Crucifixion. Petrie ascribes the round tower to the tenth century. It was built of limestone undressed except for the door and windows. At the top were two windows but these were later removed when the conical cap was replaced in the early 1800’s. These top windows

were lookout points for raiders – be they native Irish or the Vikings. The door is twelve feet from the ground and faces the west end of the church. The door has inclined sides and a semi-circular arched top. Petrie also notes that the doorway has a sculpture of the Crucifixion. Over the Romanesque arch of the doorway in its staunch wall can be seen the sculptured figure of Christ crucified. On either side are carvings of human heads (the thieves) and it is thought that the entire

pattern was intended to depict Calvary. Legend has it that this round tower was built by the daughter of the Gobban Saor. The Gobban Saor was the storyteller’s imaginary stone mason. He passed his skills onto his daughter rather than his “slow son”. The same daughter must have been a busy woman as she is supposed to have built most of the round towers in the northern half of the country. Henry O’Brien published his book “The Round Towers of Ireland” in the

early nineteenth century. This was subtitled “The mysteries of free masonry of Sabaism and of Budhism for the first time unveiled”. He said that the figure of the cruicifixon on the Donaghmore tower was “symbolic of the departure of Budda”. He maintained that the round towers were store houses for the idols of Budda and said that the round towers were as old as the pyramids of Egypt. Duleek’s early Christian monastic site was centred on the graveyard and is indicated by the presence of the high crosses, an early grave slab and the traces of the round tower. -Dating to the tenth century, the round tower or bell tower was a status symbol of early monasteries. A ghost of the tower remains in north wall of bell tower. At Steeplestown, Trim, there was a tower which was burned in 1171 by Tiernan O’Rourke. The annals record a round tower at Tullyard but when the boundaries of the townland were laid out the tower was in Steeplestown.

Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD said, “We know that schemes which incorporate modern methods of construction can deliver social homes at pace, reduce costs and increase construction sector productivity and sustainability while also allowing for a diversity of high quality contractors.”

He continued “This Accelerated Delivery Programme involving Local Authorities has an initial target of 1,500 new-build social homes using Design and Build.” “In addition to this programme, the establishment of regional design and build frameworks will help grow our pipeline of

social housing delivery over the next four years” the Minister concluded. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is continuing to work with the local authority sector to support the development of social housing on sites in the ownership of local authorities.

Boost for Delivery of Social Homes in Meath HOUSING IN MEATH is to receive a boost to its future supply of social homes with the launch of a call to building contractors to tender for ‘design and build’ social homes on local authority lands. This call is linked to the Accelerated Delivery Programme involving Local Authorities’ delivery of social housing using design & build and incorporating modern methods of construction. Construction contractors are now being invited to tender to participate in a multi-supplier framework for the provision of local housing projects by Meath County Council and neighbouring local au-

thorities. This and other future framework agreements will enable local authorities to be agile and commission construction works with pre-qualified building contractors through a design and build tender process. Neighbouring counties of Westmeath, Cavan, Louth, Monaghan and Longford County Councils may also commission design and build construction from contractors who are successful in qualifying for the Meath framework, once it has been established. Design and build schemes are structured to increase the use of Modern Methods of Construc-

tion (MMC) which can speed up the delivery of construction projects by between 20% and 60%. MMC uses a range of innovative construction processes to deliver quality and environmentally sustainable housing, including offsite construction techniques such as mass production and factory assembly as well as onsite innovations. Local authorities such as Meath County Council have a key role to grow the use of MMC through social and affordable housing delivery, as part of the Government’s housing plan Housing for All. Commenting on the scale of the opportunity,

The Meath Herald January, 2024

A brief history of the Ford Nope - A Movie Review Motor Company By Katie McGroddy - Dunboyne College of Further Education

By Stephen Kenny - Dunboyne College of Further Education FORD is an American car company headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan in the United States. It was founded by Henry Ford and came into existence on June 16th, 1903. The company sells cars and trucks under the Ford brand. Henry Ford the creator of Ford, built his first experimental car in a workshop behind his home in Detroit in 1896. He then made the formation called the Ford Motor Company. The first Ford car was called “The original model A” and it was assembled at the Mack Avenue Plant in July 1903. Five years later in 1908, the highly successful Model T was introduced. The demand was so big for the car that Ford developed new mass produc-

tion methods in order to manufacture it in bigger quantities. In 1911 he established the industry's first US branch assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri and opened their first overseas production plant in Manchester, England. In 1914 he introduced the $5 daily wage for an eight-hour day (replacing $2.34 for a nine-hour day. The company's first international sales branch opened in Paris in 1908. By mid-1914 there was more than 500,000 Model Ts on the roads around the world and had more than 20 overseas sales assembly plants in Europe, South America, Canada, Asia, South Africa and Australia Fast forward to 2008 it looked like they were going to fold. In America the

country really struggled in the car industry. They received $13.4 billion in government loans from the US and were able to continue until March 2009. Fords stock started to go back up again. It was part of their “cash-forclunkers" plan which gave consumers up to $14,500 toward trade-ins of older cars for new fuel-efficient models. Now they are looking to expand their range of products. In 2016 they created the Ford Smart Mobility to develop car-sharing ventures and self- driving vehicles and increase its line of electric cars to hope more people use Ford in the future.

IN 2021, JORDAN PEELE, the talented writer and director of award-winning films ‘Get Out’ and ‘Us’ gave us an incredible new film titled ‘Nope’. This film stars talented actors such as Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. It also showcases the incredible music talent of Michael Abels, through the film’s memorable score. The cast serve as one of the major pros of the film, from Daniel Kaluuya’s low-key, realistic portrayal of the protagonist OJ, to Keke Palmer’s magnetic performance as Emerald and Steven Yeun’s slightly off-kilter depiction of Jupe, served by a fascinating and notable subplot. Another high point of the film is the story and themes that the film discusses. From satirical takes on the price of fame, to deeper discussions re-

garding spectacle and tragedy, the film covers a lot of fascinating and important topics. These sorts of ideas aren’t new to Jordan Peele.

His films always seem to have socially salient themes etched into every line, from discussions of race and systemic racism in ‘Get Out’ and an unvarnished discussion of individuality and the ‘American dream’ in ‘Us’. ‘Nope’ gives the viewers a new, illuminating perspective on the world of filmmaking. While on the topic of

filmmaking, I can’t omit mention of the gorgeous, innovative cinematography in this film. In fact, Nope’s cinematographer, Hoyte Van Hoytema reinvented how filmmakers can approach shooting ‘day for night’ scenes, specifically for this film. Jordan Peele has always had striking and memorable visuals in his films, so this is no surprise. While some people find Nope’s story confusing at times, it is undeniably creative and unique, from the setting to the subversive portrayal of the UFO, which also serves as a discussion of human nature and our relationship with wild animals. Overall, I find that Nope serves as proof of Jordan Peele’s talent as a filmmaker, and people have been correct in referring to this film as his masterpiece.

David Beckham Documentary Metalheads Happiest Behind A review by Lee Brennan - Dunboyne College of Further Education Jazz In ANY Music Genre

THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED David Beckham documentary directed by Fisher Stevens delves deep into the madness and turmoil of the famous ex footballer’s life, showcasing how he balanced the duties of being one of the best football players in the world, and also being also being an icon of his time. The series offers an intriguing glimpse into what happens behind the scenes of Beckham’s footballing career and all of his relationships on and off the pitch. It also provides an insight into his love life and how his relationship with Victoria affected his career. Throughout the series, we are presented with numerous perspectives from the many people in David’s life. From the loving support from his parents down to the love/hate conflict with Sir Alex Ferguson, “you went at him”, “yeah... yeah I did”- Beckham in relation to the famous boot incident. Every-

body’s emotions toward Beckham are revealed to us in intense and dramatic fashion. The director had access to an extraordinary collection of archive footage, including clips that even Beckham’s biggest fans likely haven’t seen. This makes the series feel groundbreaking. The nostalgic and flashy tone throughout the series beautifully contrasts with Beckham’s infamous redemption arc of the late 90s, early 00s. Not being afraid to show Beckham’s mental vulnerabilities on

his way back to the top, “I felt very vulnerable and lonely”- Beckham after the 1998 world cup semifinal against Argentina. It also shows us an insight on how footballers deal with slander abuse. Overall, the series brings us through a whirlwind of emotions that really make you care for Beckham and makes for exceptional and compelling viewing. Although many people will see this as just another ‘Netflix cash grab’ the Beckham documentary is up their as one of the best sports documentaries out there, Given its current popularity on Netflix, I would recommend absolutely everybody watches the series. It’s a lot of fun, and each of the hour-plus episodes flies by. Brand Beckham will be relieved. – The Guardian David Beckham’s documentary is a testament to his incredible journey in the world of football and beyond - IMDB.

By Connla McCarthy - Dunboyne College of Further Education “PEOPLE feel that their anger is matched to the music when listening to metal, and therefore find it easier to process it. Metal formulates a safe and healthy space for this to happen. In some cases, metal also combats loneliness and makes us feel less alone in these emotions, allowing the listener to accept them” according to Sinn Atceken, phycologist. This is going to surprise you, but according to a study performed by OnBuy.com and reported by Louder, metalheads are some of the happiest people around. Analyzing two million Reddit comments from 27 different music subcultures, the number of positive words used within the subreddit concluded that metalheads had the most positive response to their favorite music, as they were placed ahead of 25 other subculture. Jazz managed to claim first spot.

The findings showed that the metal community had 1,388,473 members according to THE PIT and averaged 62 positive words per 100 comments. Overall, out of the 57,837 total Reddit comments, 35,737 words commented were positive, exposing the stereotype to be nothing more than blatant fiction. Metal has beaten the likes of rap, hip-hop, country and techno, the first of these mentioned being put in just above the bottom three. That was a finding that even surprised myself.

The results also proved that metalheads are one of the most inclusive music fan bases out there. Metal Hammer backed up this fact, stating that “The concept of bands hailing from far-flung corners of the Earth is in no way a novelty, it's a commonplace occurrence in metal, especially in the 21st century.” Personally, being a metalhead myself, I was happy to see science backing up what in my opinion was the blatantly obvious. For me it is a great way to get any inner frustration out, and I always feel better after listening to it. Believe it or not, I always find it to be a great therapy session for me, and I couldn’t see myself listening to anything else, bar Irish traditional music of course. I am indeed very grateful that I am part of the metal family, and long may it last!

The Meath Herald January , 2024

The Meath Herald Jan 2024

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The Meath Herald Jan 2024