The Meath Herald June 2023

ON THE MOVE

Navan local to undertake epic run in aid of SOSAD and Meath River Rescue

It’s a known fact that running is an excellentwaytogetfitandstayhealthy. It is not just good for your physical health, but also for your mental health. It relaxes both your mind and body. Runningreleasesfeelgoodendorphins and other brain chemicals to enhance yourwell-being.

Running provided this exact release forNavanlocalDaveTyrrellwhoisnow undertakinganepicrunfromNavanto

Donegal in aid of SOSAD and Meath River Rescue. These are two organisations very close to Dave’s heart.

In a tragic incident, a close friend of his lost his life in the river Boyne. It took 26 days of intensive searching by Meath River Rescue. Eventually his body was recovered from the river on St.StephensDay2017havinggoneinto thewateron30th November.

As a result of this, and the emotional impact it had on him, Dave found himself going into a very quick and severe downward spiral. This tragedy really hit Dave hard, and he started gamblingheavily,substanceabuseand sufferedsevereanxietyanddepression. He felt like a lost cause and he was no goodtoanyone. Davereallyshutthose

closest to him out completely and felt there was no escape from the darkness that had engulfedhim. HetoldThe Meath Herald he would cry himself to sleep every night.

Daveexplainedthatheis also an avid music lover, and as the social anxiety took hold, he found that hisguitarandmicrophone acted as a shield that protected him by providing a costume to hide his social anxiety behind.

After what felt like an eternity to him, Dave eventually sought help from SOSAD and started counsellingtohelptryand find himself again and piecehislifebacktogether.

This is when his partner introducedhimtorunning as an alternative form of therapy to work hand in hand with his counselling. Contd on P6

Apprenticeship Expo Shortlisted

TheApprenticeshipExpo has been shortlisted for a National Award in the ‘BestPartnershipForBusiness’category.

Running since 2020, The ApprenticeshipExpoisthe largest event of its kind, showcases the hundreds of Earn ‘n’ Learn opportunities that exist through apprenticeshipinIreland.

Organised and managed by County Meath Chamber with huge support from a host of local and national employers, The Regional Skills Training Centre Dundalk, LMETB, Meath County Council, New Boliden Tara Mines, INTREO, Regional Skills MidEast,NortEast&Dublin, SOLAS, ETB Ireland & many,manymore.

"The support that we get locallycannotbeunderestimated and gives us the confidence to bring an event of such magnitude to Co. Meath and beyond. The Apprenticeship Expo is a fine example of what can be achieved when we

all pull together. Ní neart gocurlechéile”PaulaMcCaul, CEO County Meath Chamber.

Over 4,000 people attended the Apprenticeship Expo in 2023. With 90 exhibitors on the day representing all 66 apprenticeship programmes currently on offer through Generation Apprenticeship(SOLAS).

Employers, apprenticeship programme managers, education providers and current apprentices

wereonhandtochattointerested candidates. There was InteractiveDisplays& Demonstrations, Hourly Speaker Sessions, Career Advice, CV Clinics and more.

TheApprenticeshipExpo attracts students, employees, job seekers and switchers, parents, teachers, career guidance advisors etc from Meath, Louth, Dublin, Cavan, Monaghan, Kildare, Westmeath and further afield. County Meath Chambers’

Expo is proving year on yeartobetheplacetogoto talk about all things Apprenticeships! Find out more at www.apprenticeshipexpo.ie

Save the Date

The 2024 Apprenticeship Expo will take place on 21.03.24 in The Knightsbrook Hotel Trim.

Innovative new programme for ADHD launches in Meath

An innovative new early intervention programme which will benefit hundreds of families affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has officially launched in County Meath.

The award-winning Changing Lives Initiative programme is being rolled out in Counties Louth and Meath by Community Organisation Archways with thanks to funding from HSE Mental Health Services. The initiative is closely linked to a number ofrecommendationsrelating to ADHD support underSharingtheVision,Ireland’s national mental healthpolicy.

The Changing Lives Initiative is a communitybased initiative, creating betterawarenessofADHD

and providing an early intervention programme for families. The programme is targeted at families with children aged 3-7 who are demonstrating behaviours consistent with ADHD but are oftentimes too young toreceiveformaldiagnosis ofADHD.

Potential families are identified through health, educational and community services, or can selfrefertotheprogramme.As well as working with families the Changing Lives Initiative provides training on ADHD for those workingwithyoungchildren,in particular teachers and earlyyearsprofessionals.

The Changing Lives InitiativeProgrammewasinitially delivered and evaluated as part of a 3.5 year EU funded project which endedin2021.Theevalua-

tions demonstrated the programme’sabilitytosignificantly reduce ADHDrelatedbehaviourinyoung children as well as other emotional and conduct problems. The programmeisnowsettobenefithundredsoffamiliesin Counties Louth and Meath, thanks to funding fromtheHSE.

Speaking at the Launch to mark the roll out of the Programme in Counties Louth and Meath, Jim Ryan, Head of Mental Health Operations, from the HSE said “The Changing Lives Initiative is a hugely important programme for children and families who are impacted byADHD.”

“The initiative links with a number of recommendations in Ireland’s national mental health pol-

icy, Sharing the Vision, and provides evidence basedearlyinterventionin linewithinternationalbest practice. This is another great example of the HSE working with service providers to bring about real change in people’s lives.”

Christina Riordan, ProjectManageroftheInitiative said “The Changing Lives Initiative was borne

out of an identified need.

Early intervention is essentialforchildrenexperiencing behaviours consistentwithADHD.”

“The programme provides an invaluable support at a crucial time. This programme will have a profound impact on families, in helping improve their quality of life and helping them support their children to reach their full po-

tential.Wearedelightedto beabletoprovidetheprogramme to families in Louth and Meath with thanks to the HSE funding.”

The Changing Lives Initiative programme is now available to families in Meath. Further information on how families can avail of the programme is available at www.changinglivesinitiative.com

Pictured at the launch event to mark the recent roll out of the Changing Live Initiative Early Intervention ADHD programme in Counties Louth and Meath. From left: Christina Riordan Project Manager (The Changing Lives Initiative); Nick Killian, Cathaoirleach/Chairperson County Council; Emer Clarke, HSE Senior Project Manager, Mental Health Operations and Hugh Doogan, CEO, Archways.

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

Houses in Meath 'Unaffordable to Many' O'Rourke

affordable to rent and unavailable to buy; stop providingsubsidiesfordevelopers,whichhavelined developers' pockets and kept house prices skyhigh; and dramatically increase the delivery of genuinely affordable purchase homes, in line with theÓCualannmodel.

low what is needed, especially according to the HousingCommission.”

Continued from Page 1

new estate in Ashbourne from €475,000; and fourbedroom houses in Ratoath starting at €539,000.Thesearesimply unaffordable.”

Hewentalongwithherto Navan AC and there Dave found a community of devoted and dedicated people. He was made welcome straight away and it is from here that he discovered his love for running.

Sinn

TD Darren O'Rourke says house pricesinCountyMeathare out of reach of very many people.TheMeathEastTD made the comments duringaDáildebatethisweek on a motion from the Social Democrats on affordablehousing.

The motion called on Government to stop incentivising a model of housing provision that makes home ownership increasingly unlikely; ensure public money is not invested in the delivery of private rental-only developments that are un-

Deputy O'Rourke said "The shortage of, and absolute need for, affordable homestobuyisamajorissue throughout the State and in my own county of Meath. In Meath, we have a proven track record, relative to other counties, in delivering housing, but it isnowherenearenoughto meet demand.” “The census results announced this week further confirm thattobethecase,withrecordlownumbersofhome ownership and record high numbers of children living at home for longer and longer. The Government's targets are way be-

He continued "The current spatial strategy plans to significantly curtail development in the county during the lifetime of the current Meath County Development Plan to 2027. We have development in Meath, which is welcome, but it is slowing. Unfortunately, what development we have is most certainly not affordable to buy or rent; the exact opposite is thecase.”

"Ilookedatwhatisavailabletobuyinmyownconstituency of Meath East on daft.ie this morning. Very little was available by way of secondhand homes. Withregardtonewhomes, there were two-bedroom homes in Dunshaughlin from €375,000; three-bedroom terraced houses in the same estate from €445,000; three-bedroom semi-detachedhousesina

"This is not an academic debate. It has a real and profound impact on people. Young people want to answer the questionofwheretheywilllive. They wonder when they will be able to start a family;wheretheirkidswillgo to school and whether they can live near their parents to support and care for them as they get older. Very often, most regrettably, they realise they candononeofthissothey feel they have no option buttoemigrate.”

Deputy O’Rourke concluded by saying "The Government's policy on affordable housing is failing horrendously. They need to take on board the proposalsfromtheOpposition.”

Dave explained that running helps keep his mental health in check and if he feels he is in any way going down, he goes forarun.

He ran his first marathon in aid of Meath River Rescue in 2018 and it was during a hike in Donegal earlier this year that he decided to undertake this epic run. He explains that he has been back to Donegal 3 times since his hike and has fallen in love with the area.

The run will take a total of three days and will coveradistanceof227km. It will be split into 2 days of running 80km and on the third day he will run 67km.

Withthehelpofafriend whoownsagymandwho

is an ultra marathon runner, Dave has been training hard since February. He will have support along the route with a Meath River Rescue vehicle carrying foodandwater.

Daveexplainedheisjust trying to get the message out there that you are not alone and there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

A GoFundme page will be set up very soon with anyonelookingtosupport Dave in his quest. The funds raised will go to SOSAD and Meath River Rescue.

Féin

Darren O’Rourke TD

Brabazon Restaurant celebrates triple win at YesChef Awards

They say good things come in threes and that was certainly the case for Tankardstown’s Brabazon Restaurant at the YesChef Awards 2023, where they picked up three esteemed awards at the ceremony held in the Fairways Hotel,Dundalkrecently.

Congratulations to Brabazon Restaurant’s HeadChefJohnnySarkozi on being awarded Chef of theYearinLeinster,andto the entire team on winning Country House Restaurant of the Year in Leinster, and Restaurant Interior of the Year in Leinster.

The annual YesChef Awards are held in great esteem in the hospitality industry, and the evening was well attended with more than 500 hopeful finalists present to cele-

brate the best in the industry. Tankardstown’s General Tadhg Carolan commented ‘It is an honour to be recognized among such talented chefs and establishments, and we couldn't be more grateful. Thank you to YesChefIreland,ourhardworkingteam,andmostof all, our valued guests for theiramazingsupport’.

Tankardstown’s Brabazon Restaurant reopened earlier this year after undergoing expansion and refurbishment, to include the stunning newMorrisSuite.

Since re-opening they have been no stranger to critical acclaim, winning Best Restaurant in Meath at the Irish Restaurant Awards, and receiving a wonderful review and commendation from Lu-

cinda O’Sullivan in the SundayIndependent.

Located in the stunning Tankardstown Estate, just outside Slane, diners can enjoy both casual lunch andclassiceveningdining Wednesday through Sunday, with Traditional Afternoon Tea set to be introduced in the coming weeks.

During the spring and summer months, guests can dine alfresco on Brabazon’s Terrace, while the cosy, sophisticated interiors and bright Morris Suite is perfect for dining atanytimeofyear.

Sample menus can be viewed by logging on to our website www. tankardstown.ie and dining reservations can be made by contacting us on 041 9824621 or info@tankardstown.ie

Scoil Mhuire, Baile Átha Troim raised their Gaelbhratach flags at St Patrick’scampus,DCU.

Over 200 students from Gaelbhratach committees in post-primary schools across the country gathered to celebrate their hard work in promoting Irish in their schools throughout the year, and were presented with a Gaelbhratachflag.

Through workshops, craic and conversation, not to mention the brilliant music from Tadhg, the young Gaeil got a taste of the Irish language community, along with motivation to “raise the Irish flag”intheirownlives.

Congratulations and thanksarealsoinorderfor other schools in the area who were not able to attend the event. Barry Ó Siochrú, the first Irish language officer in NUIG Students’ Union, said, “I am so proud to have been MC at this excellent occasion. I attended this event as a student myself and it is brilliant to see the young students now raising their Gaelbhratach just as I did.

I am filled with optimism about the future of these students, and indeed about the future of the Irishlanguage.”

An interesting and inspirational panel discussion was held; included on the panel were Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, founder of Fia Digital, podaster and social media guru, Chloe Ní Ruairc, Gníomhaí Gaeilge coordinator with Conradh na Gaeilge, as well as Eoin Ó Catháin, political correspondent for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. They spoke about the different careers available through Irish, their role in the Irish languagedomain,andtheextra opportunities that speaking Irish has providedthem.

Mairéad, the manager of Gaelbhratach,said“Thisis always one of the high-

lights of the year. The presentation gives us the opportunity to meet and to celebratestudentsfromall parts of the country. Every school has its own story but the common thread between these groups is theirrecognitionoftheimportance of the Irish language, and their efforts to promote it. How lucky are we to work with young peoplewhoenergiseus.”

Sheadded,“Ouraimisto normalise spoken Irish in schools across the country.Wewouldliketothank our funders, Foras na Gaeilge and the Department of Education, and of course the brilliant schoolswhotakepart.”

“We extend our thanks also to DCU Library who hosted the event in the St Patrick’s Campus, Drumacondra.”

Trim Library and Cultural Centre opened by Minister Heather Humphries.

Minister Heather Humphries has officially opened the new Trim Library and Cultural Centre which represents a significant investment for the town of Trim and the people of the surrounding area. Itbuildsupontheestablished success of the existing Library and responds directly to the needs of the performing and visual arts, which are key feature of the town’s culturallife.

In broad terms, this project will consolidate the historic town centre and add to the rich cultural and tourist amenities of the area. And in so doing, contribute to the continued economic, social and

cultural regeneration of the town centre. The development includes refurbishment of the former St. Patrick’s Chapel for use as part of the Centre and will provide additional facilitiesforthelibraryincluding new reception, study and multipurpose rooms and supportservices.

There will be a performance space with seating

capacity for up to 247 people, including stage, scene dock and support spaces, shared foyer and entrance space to the Centre including shared facilities, meeting/changing rooms and rehearsal spaces providing a resource long sought by a number of active local drama, music and theatre groups.

Brabazon Restaurant’s Head Chef Johnny Sarkozi on being awarded Chef of the Year in Leinster

Brabazon Restaurant team with their awards

Raise your Gaelbhratach, raise your voice: The future of the language is in the hands of the youth at Gaelbhratach’s presentation ceremony

Students from ScoilMhuire,BaileÁthaTroim

Minister Humphries with Nick Killian Cathaoirleach Meath County Council with former Chief Executive JackieMaguireandSenatorShaneCassells

Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme WORKS COMMENCING 6 JUNE 2023

Meath County Council has recently appointed a Contractor, John Cradock Limited, for the construction of the Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme in Navan. These works, which are part of the proposed Navan Town Cycle Network, are being funded by the National Transport Authority.

The project aims to provide new cycle and upgraded pedestrian facilities from Beechmount to the Railway Street roundabout and to improve access to the town centre for both cyclists and pedestrians; to achieve targets of the Government’s Climate Action Plan by encouraging more people to cycle and walk in Navan and to reduce dependence on the use of private vehicles for transport. Cycling and walking, as part of an active lifestyle, are very important for good health. These activities promote healthy growth and development in children and young people and are important for healthy ageing, which contributes to a higher quality of life and independence as we grow older.

This project also serves as part of measures to facilitate the future growth and expansion of Navan Town. Navan is set to grow, and it requires the necessary infrastructure to facilitate this growth in an environmentally sustainable manner. The capacity of the existing roads into and around Navan for traffic is limited, and cycle and pedestrian schemes such as the Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme or the recently published Dublin Road/Kells Road cycle schemes, aim to facilitate the movement of people in a sustainable and much healthier manner rather than by solely relying on the use of private cars.

The construction works on the project are planned to commence on Tuesday, 6th of June. It is currently anticipated the project will be completed in several sections, which have been sequenced in delivery phases in an effort to mitigate, as far as reasonably practicable, potential impacts on the town arising from the works.

By way of a high-level summary, the three key sections for the overall works to be completed include the following:

• Section 1: Construction shall begin between the roundabout/Solstice Arts Centre to the junction with Carriage Road

• Section 2: Beechmount to the junction adjacent to Lidl

• Section 3: Junction adjacent to Lidl to the junction with Carriage Road

The first phase of the works, which are planned to commence on the 6th of June, is to be focused on the upgrade of Railway Street (Section 1). To facilitate these construction works, temporary traffic management will be in place at times, including a stop-go system with temporary traffic lights. As the upgrade works are being completed on the western side of Railway Street, on-street parking is to be temporarily suspended. Pedestrian access, and accesses for loading/unloading is to be maintained at all times. It is currently anticipated that the works as part of this first Phase (works to Railway Street) will take approximately 20 weeks to complete.

During the delivery of the project works, temporary traffic management measures will be required and, where implemented, these will be signposted and communicated via local media and social media. Access for residents and businesses is to be maintained throughout.

Meath County Council apologises in advance for any inconvenience, and thanks you for your patience and forbearance while these works are being implemented.

Section 3

Superstitions About Cats

one is changing residence andmanypeopleleavethe cat behind. It was customary to bring a black cat to the house in which the couple were going to live so that they might have luck.

we say "cait, cait" To keep a stray cat, rub grease on its paws and it willstay.

SomeriddlesfromMeath in the 1930s relating to cats:

What is it a cat has and no other animal has? Kittens

A four cornered room and in each corner of the room was a cat, and three cats looking at every cat, and a cat on every cat's tail how many cats were there Four.

Very often the married couple brought with them a grey cat when going on their honeymoon. When you see the cat washing her face there is a visitor coming.Ifacatweretofollow a woman it is a sign thatsheisgoingtodie.

Cats could tell the weather by how they acted.Whenthedogandthe cateatgrassitisthesignof rain. If a cat sits with its back to the fire, it is the signofstormsontheway.

It used to be the custom for people to tie up their

From Skryne National School comes the story of a bad cat. We know of at least one hedge school in this district. The school is known as Companas school and the teacher is knownasthe"Compana".

The school was where thepresentDillon'sBridge school now stands. The teacherwasanancestorof my own. His name was Sheridan. He was my grand-father's grandfather.

He afterwards became a National School Teacher. Andhisnameisoneofthe first in the records of the board National Education. He taught from a book known as "the Redimedaisy" (or Reading madeeasy)

Amongst other things thisbookcontainsinformation about the stars in a rhyme. We do not know how hard they worked in this school but one day a black cat tried to kill the master’s chickens and the children spent the rest of the day trying to kill the cat.

Certain sayings were associated with cats. The cat has leave to look at the king, but the king has no leave to shoot him. Every cat knows its own kitten. While the cat is away the micemayplay.

When the cat comes homethemicemaygroan. A cat in gloves catches no mice. What will a cat do but drink milk. Curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction made him fat. She would watch you like a cat watchingamouse.

Certain superstitions were associated with cats. It is considered very unlucky to take a cat when

catsonHalloweeninorder to keep them safe from witches.Thosewhodonot tie up their own cat might see it wandering about throughthefieldscarrying awitchonitsback.

If a black cat strays into your house it is a sign of good luck. If a cat washes her face and looks up the chimney, the first person she looks at will be first to die.

When beggars entered a house they used to say, "Godblessallhere,barthe cat and the dog."

The call for a cat is "push, push" (Puisin, puisin").

When hunting out the cat

From Walterstown School comes the story of the talkative cat. Christy and Pat Macken every night used to sit at the fire for a chat. Some of the boys around Walterstown usedtogointothehalland listen to them. Pat and Christy used to wonder how the people would knowwhattheyusedtobe saying. So this night they were talking and Pat said to Christy "put out that cat thedevilmustbeinhim",

These stories come from The National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.Thisisacollection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland inthe1930s.

It was originally written by the children or their teachers and transcribed to text in recent years by volunteers.

Noel French - Local Historian

SOSAD is “Breaking The Silence Over A Cuppa” for June

SOSAD new campaign

“Breaking the Silence over a Cuppa” is encouragingpeopletochatabout mental health over a cuppaduringthemonthof June. Be it at home or in yourworkplacetogetpeople comfortable and break down the stigma around talking about mental health.

Individuals, community groups and organisations can register to host a tea / coffee break and receive a ‘SOSAD pack’. All details onthepostersattached.

Since 2007, SOSAD has worked to raise awareness and help prevent suicide in Ireland. We have worked tirelessly in our communitiestohelpthose inneedfeelsupportedand knowtheyarenotaloneon theirjourney.

SOSADoffersupportand services for people who arestrugglingwithsuicidal ideation,self-harming,depression, bereavement, stressandanxiety,orifyou

simply need to talk. If you wanttotalk,wearehereto listen.Youcanmessageus, call us, or call into our office. We have six offices based in Cavan, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Laois from which we provideourservices.

In the 2022 SOSAD provided 17,837 one on one counselling sessions which is up from our 2021 figure of15,965! Please note that this number reflects one-to-one counsellingonlyand does not include phone support,

the Messaging Service, or anygroupwork.

Carol Murphy SOSAD General Manager “Mental healthisapressingissuein Ireland, with high rates of suicide and mental illness affectingmanyindividuals andcommunities.”

“We need to break the stigma around our mental health. The Irish are great people for solving their problems over a nice cuppa and a chat, so please support us in this very simple but effective campaign”

Twenty-Seven Meath schools received their Green Flags at an awards ceremony in City North Hotel

Boyne Community School, Colaiste na hInse, Ratoath College, St Ciarans Community School, St Patricks Classical School, Ashbourne Educate Together, Colaiste Pobail Rathcairn, Franciscan College Gormanston, Gaelscoil na Boinne, Scoil Naomh Bride Trim, St Andrews NS Curragha, St Marys NS Enfield, Gaelscoil Eanna, Loreto Navan, Carrickleck NS, Kilmainhamwood NS, Phil’s Montessori Kilcock, ScoilNaomhPheadaragus

Phoil Drumconrath, St

Annes Loreto Primary Navan, St Finians NS

Clonard, St Josephs NS

Boyerstown, Scoil ColmcilleSkryne,StJoseph’sNS

Dunderry, St Oliver Plunkett NS Navan, Kilskyre NS, Scoil Mhuire Moylagh andStPatricksNSSlaneall received their Green Flags fortheirextensiveworkon the Green Schools Initiativeoverarangeofthemes

– Litter and Waste, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and ‘Global Citizenship – Litter & Waste, Energy, Marine and Travel’. Green Schools is an immersive 7 step action programme tacking an environmental theme over a two-year period. Oncompletionofthe stepsschoolscanapplyfor a Green Flag which will be validfor2years.

The school then move ontothenextthemewhilst maintaining the work completed in their previousproject.

‘Green Schools is a difficult but rewarding programme’ commented Joanne Scott, An Taisce Green Schools Manager, ‘and it is really encouraging to see the high level of involvement and commitment from teachers, students,caretakersandprincipals in Meath year on year’.

The Green School Programme is operated by 15 million students in 70 countries. 85% of Irish Schools are currently or have participated in the

Meath Students Reminded to Enter Scholarship Awards Worth €20,000

The Naughton FoundationScholarship scheme is once again reminding students from Meath that the 2023 closing date is fast approaching and inviting all applicants to submittheirentries.

one guaranteed scholarship for each of the participating counties, 36 allocatedintotal.

initiative making Ireland one of the most successful Green Schools Project in theworld.

The students and teachers were delighted to get their flags and many school parties and flag raising events are due to take place in the coming weeks.

The talented students from Phil’s Montessori in Kilcock entertained the crowd with their original recyclingsong.

Congratulations to all theparticipatingschools.

The Naughton Scholarships are a scheme of scholarships to promote the study of engineering, scienceandtechnologyat third level by students in Ireland.

Each year from February to May, Leaving Certificate students can apply for a scholarship if they intend on studying science, computer science, mathematics, engineering or technology at third levelthatyear.

The closing date for receiptofcompletedapplication forms for The Naughton Foundation Scholarship 2023 is Friday, 30th June 2023 at midnight. There will be

The Naughton FoundationwasestablishedbyDr Martin and Carmel Naughton in 1994 and its goal is to support worthwhile causes in the arts andeducation.

In 2008 they decided to create the scholarship programme to increase their support for Leaving Certificate students who wouldliketostudyengineering, mathematics, science, computer science and technology at third levelinIreland.

Originally the scholarship programme only applied to students from counties Louth, Meath andMonaghanhoweverit has since expanded nationwide and students from all Counties in the Republic of Ireland are eligibletoapply.

LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME?

From July and each month after, PGA Professional Joe Dillion will be offering tips and advice on how to improve your game of Golf.

Whether you are a beginner, or a more advanced player, Joe will be on hand to help bring your game to the next level.

He will offer clear and precise instruction in areas of the game such as Stance, Grip, Driving, Fairway Play, Putting and much more besides.

If you have an area of your game you would like to improve on, feel free to email us on paul@meathherald.com and we will pass your query to Joe.

Remember, Fathers Day is just around the corner, and what would be better as a present than a Gift Voucher from Joe The Pro Golf Academy & Driving Range. The range is located in Fordstown, Navan and is Powered by Trackman. It is available to all level of player from beginner to professional.

Log on to www.gtpgolfacademy.com for opening times.

New Opel Corsa Unveiled And Is Now Available with Hybrid Powertrains

The new Opel Corsa is coming soon. Even more stylish and even more intuitive to operate, and powered by completely new electric and hybrid drives, the newcomer will take Opel’s already strong offer in the small car segment,tothenextlevel.

ArrivinginIrelandinlate 2023, prices and equipment for the Corsa will be announced closer to launch.

The new Opel Corsa boasts perfect proportions and precision down to the very smallest detail. The most striking feature is the unmistakable Opel Vizor, the characteristic brand facethatadornseverynew Opelmodeltoday.

The black “visor” covers the front of the Corsa and seamlessly integrates the vehicle grille, the LED

headlights,andthecentral OpelBlitzinoneelement.

With new seat patterns, as well as a new shift lever andsteeringwheeldesign, the absolute interior highlight, both visually and technically, is the optional fullydigitalcockpit.

The Snapdragon Cockpit Platform from Qualcomm Technologies features enhanced graphics and multimedia capabilities to provide a more integrated, intuitive cockpit system that evolves to meet its passengers’preferences.

The navigation system offers connected services, “HeyOpel”naturalspeech recognition and over-theairupdates.

The 10-inch colour touchscreen displays driver information even moreclearlysothatallimportantinfocanbeviewed in a fraction of a second.

Notably, for the first time, compatible smartphones connect to the vehicle's multimedia systems and also recharge, both wirelessly.

Driving and manoeuvringinthenewOpelCorsa is even more relaxed thanks to the new, highresolution panoramic rear-view camera with flank-guard, matched to adaptive cruise control, speed limiter and forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking andpedestriandetection.

The new Corsa benefits from the latest generation adaptive,glare-freeIntelliLuxLED®matrixlights. Opel will become a fully electric brand in Europe by2028.

With twelve models alreadyelectrifiedtodayin the Opel portfolio, the Corsa was the pioneer.

The new Corsa Electric now takes this to the next level, with a wider choice more power, an improved batteryandmorerange. It will come with two electric drive options and will be offered with 136hp and an improved range of up to 357km, as well as with 156hp and up to 402kmrange(WLTP).

When the Opel Corsa Electric needs to be recharged, this can be done quickly at a fast charger; the battery reaches up to 80% of its total capacity in just30minutes(20-80%).

For the first time, Opel will also offer their customers the option of switchingtohybridswitha 48-voltsystem. The100hp

and 136hp engines come with a new dual-clutch automatictransmission.

In the future, they will complement the wide range of economical drive variants from highly efficient combustion engines to the all-electric Corsa Electric, thus consistently continuing the electrificationofthebrand.

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Hybrid Vehicles Combine for over 50% of May New Car Market

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 231 new vehicle registrations statisticsforMay.

New car registrations for themonthofMaywereup 42.7% (7,557) when comparedtoMay2022(5,295).

Registrations year to date are up 18.2% (74,542) on the same period last year (63,057).

Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are up 76.2%(2,528)comparedto May last year (1,435) and year to date are up 31.1% (16,255). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are also showing an increase of 11.9% (217) in comparison to May 2022 (194).

Year to date HGV's are up 35.6% (1,424). ImportedUsedCarsseena 14.9% (4,486) increase in May2023,whencompared

to May 2022 (3,905). Year to date imports are up 5.2% (20,797) on 2022 (19,766).

For the month of May 1,725newelectricvehicles were registered compared to 743 in May 2022 (+132.2). So far this year 12,875 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to +55.9% (8,258)onthesameperiod 2022. Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids continue to increase their market share, with a combined market share (year to date) now of 42.74%.

Petrolremainsdominant at 32.36%, with Diesel accounting for 22.17%, Hybrid 17.51%, Electric 17.27% and Plug-in ElectricHybrid7.96%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting “New car sales in-

creasedagaininMaywhen compared to the same month last year, and now new cars sales are edging closer to Pre-COVID levels.Someeasingofsupplydifficultieshasresulted in improvement in delivery times, and this has led toasignificantgrowthparticularlyinElectricVehicle (EV)registrations.”

“YeartodateEVsalesare now 56% ahead of last year, representing over 17%ofthenewcarmarket. During the month of May nearly one-in-four new cars sold were electric, outperformingdieselsales forthemonth.”

“Further analysis of the registrations highlights that when we combine Electric Vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrids, which use battery technology for driving, they account for

over 50% of the new car market for May.” Mr Cooke concluded by say-

ing “Commercial vehicle registrations both the heavy and light sectors

also demonstrated strong growth during the month ofMay.”

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Opel Mokka Electric

Meath County Council Gaeltacht Scholarship Winners 2023

Thirty-eight students from seventeen secondary schoolsinthecountyhave been awarded Gaeltacht scholarships by Meath County Council. The scholarships were presentedbyCllr.NickKillian, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council to students at a special ceremony in Buvinda House, onThursday25th May.

The scholarship scheme was set up in 2018 to honour Máire Nic Shiubhlaigh a founder actress of the Abbey Theatre and a leader of Cumann na mBán in Jacob’s Biscuit Factory during the 1916 Rising. Máire was also an employee of Meath County Council where she worked as a branch librarian in Laytown during the 1950’s.

The scheme was extended in recent years with new scholarships introduced for students attending DEIS schools. The

new scholarships honour the memory of two other Irish language activists from the county, Mother Columba Gibbons, Loreto Navan and Máire Ní Raghallaigh from Drumconrath.

Guest speaker Manchán Magan thanked Meath County Council for honouring the memory of these revolutionary women, “We know that many of the women who

participated in the events oftherevolutionaryperiod were forgotten and I am delighted that they are now re-emerging from the shadows and taking their place alongside the more well-knownnamesassociated with that period in ourhistory.”

Commenting on the scholarship scheme, Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive of Meath County Council said that the or-

ganisation was delighted to be able to offer these scholarships to students with the support of the Creative Ireland Meath programme, “This is a wonderfulwayfortheIrish Language office in Meath CountyCounciltodemonstrate commitment to our nativelanguage.”

“I am delighted to see so manyschoolsrepresented, andIhopethepupilshave a wonderful time in the

Gaeltacht this summer. Ar aghaidhlibh!”

Welcoming the expanded scholarship scheme Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr. Nick Killian added, “I’mdelightedtoseeMáire

Ní Raghallaigh honoured this year. The Drumconrath native dedicated her life to the Irish language movement, established an

Irish language bookshop at87DorsetStreetandwas the sole wholesale agent for books printed by the GaelicLeague.”

“It is fitting that these scholarshipsnamedinher honourwillprovidetherecipients with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the Irish language.”CllrKillianconcluded.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Nick Killian and Creative Ireland Meath Writer- in-Residence Manchán Magan pictured with some of the Scholarship Winners.

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Nick Killian pictured with guest speaker and Creative Ireland Meath Writer- inResidence Manchán Magan, Director of Services Barry Lynch, Chief Executive Jackie Maguire, Irish Language Officer Nóirín Murphy and County Librarian Ciaran Mangan.

Afraid of Opening Your Mouth The Pros and Cons of Social Media Marketing For Your Business

nocence replied that surely closing the door to someone you don’t agree with was counterproductive in what should be a place of questioning and debate.

with Sinead Burke

A couple of weeks ago and quite by accident, I found myself an unwitting and very unwilling hero of the far right. I know what you’regoingtosay.“That’s terrible Sinead, sure we all know you’ve big liberal head on you. You and Mr Burkehavebeenknownto take The Guardian and wouldn’t you be fierce strong on the unions, how onearthdidthathappen?

Well, it was alarmingly simple. I responded to a postonTwitterandvoiced the radical notion that Universities should be places where ideas are debatedandchallenged.

That was it. Who knew howeasyitwouldbetoattracttherespectandadoration of everyone on the internetwhothinksEnoch

Burke seems like a lovely lad.

The original post on Twitter was from a memberofanIrish3rdlevelinstitution who was delighted to announce that they had cancelled a speaking engagement on campusfromsomeonenot particularly supportive of Trans rights. Me, in my in-

Well, the hullabaloo that followed. The woke crowd wentberserkatmeandthe anti-gay and anti-immigrantgangwelcomedmeas oneoftheirown.

Now look, I hardly have to say it, but I will anyway. I’m very supportive of Trans Rights. But, and this is the crux of it, I’m not so fragile that I can’t listen to and engage with people who have different views andbeliefstome.

I wasn’t supporting the anti-trans speaker in what they were saying. To be honest, I’ve read some of her stuff and she comes acrossasarightdose,butI wassupportingherrightto speak and more importantly, other people’s right to challenge what she was saying.

But isn’t this where a lot of us are. Sitting on horses so high, it’s hard to see the othersideoftheargument letalonehearit.This“cancelling” nonsense has got tostop.

There’s no point in shuttingpeopleout,you’llonly send them running to regroupandstrengthentheir ideas with others who sharetheiropinion.

Never being confronted, never being challenged.

I recently heard an interview with a woman who usedtobepartoftheWestboro Baptist church in America. You might have seen this crowd on television, they say really horrible stuff about people of colour, the gay community, people who have AIDS, I mean, it’s desperateandcruelwhattheyget up to. This woman was a true believer and ran the church’s social media accounts. Day after day she posted offensive and upsetting things. People shouted back abuse at her online.Butoneladdidn’t.

He kept asking her to explain why she was saying this one was going to burn in hell and that one was the Devil’s spawn. They went back and forth for a couple of years until eventually they met up and in the most unusual and challenging plot twist of any romantic comedy I have ever heard off, she ended up leaving the churchandisnowmarried tohim.

Now, I’m not saying an effective way to change people’s opinions is by wearing them down and marrying them. That would take ages and it probably wouldn’t work in allcases,butthere’salotto be said for talking to people.

Because that’s the catch with Free Speech. Everyonegetsachancetospeak.

MynameisHelenLeddy, MD of Back Office Marketing - I provide marketing services for the hospitality and tourism industry across the Island of Ireland.

This month, I wanted to talk to you about the pros and cons of social media marketing for your business.Isitawasteoftimeor can it help your business prosper?

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact witheachother.Ithasalso transformed the way businesses market their productsandservices.Withthe widespread use of social mediaplatformslikeFacebook, 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 socialmediaforyourbusiness? Social media marketing (SMM) is the practiceofpromotingproducts or services through social mediaplatforms.SMMhas 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:

� WideReach: Social mediaplatformshavebillions of active users, and this presents an excellent opportunityforbusinessesto 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 mar-

ketingmethodslikeTV,radio, and print media, social media marketing is relatively affordable. With asmallbudget,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 platformsprovidevaluable 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 requiresbusinessestocreate 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 marketinggoals.

� NegativeFeedback: Social media platforms are open to public feedback, and businesses may receive negative comments orreviews.Handlingnegative feedback can be challenging, and businesses must have a plan in place toaddresssuchissues.

� 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 marketingcampaign.

Businesses must carefullyconsidertheprosand consbeforedecidingtoinvest in social media marketing and develop a sound strategy that aligns with their marketing objectives.

To enquire about social media services that can benefityourbusiness visit our website www.backofficems.ie

Our Top Tips to Manage Your Garden This Summer

We love Summer in the garden, it’s such an exciting time when you see everything that is in season,butwithtemperatures rising, more sun, and the annoyance of those peskypests,itisimportant that we give our gardens morecareatthistime.

Some of the warning signs of a garden that needsattentionarewilting plants, weeds overgrowing, the dreaded brown grassandthesoilbeingtoo dry.

Our horticultural team have put together some actionstohelpcombatthe signs of an unhealthy garden during the Summer.

NEVERWATERAT

NIGHT-TIME

Although it may seem to be a great idea to water at night when, it is recommended to try do your heaviest watering in the morning. You should only

water in the evening if you think your plants really needitandavoidwatering duringthehottestspellsof the day, as the soil will soakupmorewaterduring thisperiod,leavinglessfor the plants to consume.

FEED YOUR PLANTS

Your garden plants need morethanjustmorewater during the hot spells, try adding some mulch in flowerbedstohelpthesoil retain moisture and keep your plants insulated from the increasing temperatures.Also,itisrecommendedtofeedyourplantsusing a reputable feed such as Miracle Gro or a similar product.

WATERSMARTER

Try and be smart about your watering routine, it is a general rule of thumb to water flowerbeds twice a week with plenty of water, it will prove more effective than watering more frequently with less water.

TACKLEGARDENPESTS

We all know that garden bugs are more plentiful in the Summer, so check

which bugs you are dealing with exactly and discuss with your local garden centre or horticultural store for advice on the best products to use to tackle these garden pests.

CREATESHADE

Ifpossible,ifacertainpart ofyourgardenandflowerbeds is overexposed to strong sunlight during the day, try and create some shade. This could be done using a tree, bamboo cluster or stunt plant.

Succession!!

GETPRUNING&WEEDING

Keep a watchful eye on your garden and prune or removeanddamaged,diseased, or dead debris on your plants. Cut back any dead blooms to ensure it will grow healthier next season, through light pruning all year round, it will promote steady growth and a healthy plant. Be vigilant with weedsastheythriveoffthe summerheatandwillsteal

CHOICE STORES LOCATIONS

NAVAN:

Navan Town Centre & Blackwater Retail Park

KELLS: Bective Street

TRIM: Market Street

ASHBOURNE:

Unit 8/9 Ashbourne Retail Park, Ballybin Road.

Wow, for anyone who has been following the hit show, it’s been one hell of a ride! I was watching it from early-on and couldn’t wait for the next hiteachweek.

Theshowisbasedonthe Royfamilyandhowthefather, Logan, is going to choose a successor for his multi-billion empire (a problem many of us have…right!), while their family dynamic is very messy and seriously damaged, I thought it was amazing to observe how these characters were full of entitlement, mistrust and love at the same time, familieseh!

I won’t give too many spoilers away but while Logan Roy ultimately loved his children, he could see that they were ‘not serious people’ which

led, in part, to them losing controlofthecompany.

If we learned anything from the amazing, manipulative Logan Roy character, it is that you can never start too early to line up yoursuccessor,andgotme thinking about when business Owners really think about succession planning.

So many business leaders are obviously concentrating on the NOW, and how to progress the business, it can perhaps be hard to address futureproofingthebusiness.

In a capitalist society, of course we strive for profit,

profit means progress, growth, for everyone involved, however, if the right successor is not in place, it will be detrimental to the business. I think it’s important to make plans for what legacy you wanttoleavebehind.

One of the services we hereatMarshMackeyprovide is, succession planning, so if you’re thinking about it, and want to chat to professionals, both in terms of recruitment, and tax/finance, give us a call and we’ll help you to formulate a plan; to, ‘avoid a S**t show’, as Logan would say!

the nutrients and water from your other plants, remove them before they spreadandgrow.

Donna Farrell - Marsh

Mackey Navan

Guirke - Government must do more to cut food costs for Meath shoppers

high and ordinary workers and families are struggling toaffordtheirshopping.”

Meath River Rescue are hosting a COFFEE MORNING

WHEN: Saturday , June 17th, from 10am until 3pm.

This is to raise funds for Meath River Rescue, a voluntary organisation made up of around 20 swimmers and divers (Rescue and Recovery) who are based in Beechmount Home Park and who totally rely on publicdonations.

VENUE: Herbert's Cottage, Churchtown, Dunderry. Eircode C15XF84.

COST: €10

EMPEROR EVERYONE

085 7829966

Sinn Féin TD for Meath West Johnny Guirke has said that the reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows that more could always have been done by supermarkets to help customers in the face ofpricehikes.

Hehascriticisedthegovernment for failing to tackletherisingcostofliving and urged them to act so that hard-pressed people in Meath get a break.

TeachtaGuirkesaid“The cost of living is out of control and people in Meath are stretched beyond their limits. Food costs are sky

“The reduction in the price of food items by Tesco shows there has alwaysbeenscopeforsupermarkets to reduce the cost of items. Let’s be clear, these reductions are happening because of public pressure not due to the government who have failedtoact.”

He continued “Experts including the European Central Bank highlighted that corporate profiteering was contributing to price rises as firms used inflation as an excuse to increase profit margins. We need transparency on this urgently.”

“Solutions must ensure the recovery of unfair profits,inordertocutfood prices.Consumersneedto seefoodpricesgodownat the tills, so that their bill is reduced to affordable levels.”

“Meanwhile, the governmentshouldworkwithsu-

permarkets to ensure substantial price cuts on everyday essential items. This has been done elsewhere in Europe and can bedoneheretoo.”

“When passing on these savings, supermarkets, large producers, and large food corporations should in no way try to squeeze primary producers and family farmers, who are also under significant pressure.”

Deputy Guirke concluded “The slowness of government to act on food prices is shown in other areas; including energy costs, housing costs and mortgage increases. We needtoseemeaningfulaction to bring costs down for workers and families acrosstheboard.”

“The cost of living crisis is hitting people very hard from all sides and the government must ensure workers and families in Meath get a much-needed break from spiralling costs.”

Know Your Rights: What is Partial Capacity Benefit

If you have reduced capacitytowork, the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme lets you return to work or self-employmentandkeep gettingapaymentfromthe Department of Social Protection(DSP).

How do I qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit?

To qualify for Partial CapacityBenefit,youneedto be currently getting either Illness Benefit(for a minimum of 6 months) or the InvalidityPension.

Your restriction on your capacity for work will also be assessed. It must be assessed as either moderate, severe, or profound to qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit. If your restriction on capacity for work is assessedasmild,youwillnot qualify.

How much can I get?

Partial Capacity Benefit is madeupofapersonalrate for you and may include increases for your quali-

fied adult and qualified children.

The personal rate is based on:

� Theassessmentofyour restrictiononyourca pacityforwork

� WhetheryougetIllness

BenefitortheInvalidity

Pension

� Yourcurrentrateofpay

ment

If you get an increase for a qualified adult or child, this is paid at the same rate. The conditions for payment of increases are the same as those that applied to your Illness BenefitorInvalidityPension.

There are also secondary benefits if you qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit, such as keeping your enti-

tlement to Free Travel if you were entitled to this previously while getting InvalidityPension.

How will going back to work affect my disability or illness payment?

The DSP has produced aBenefit of Work Estimatortool on welfare.ie for people getting disability andillnesspayments.

This can help you to assess the financial consequences of taking up work and claiming Partial CapacityBenefit.

How I do I apply for Partial Capacity Benefit?

To apply, you must complete aPartial Capacity Benefit application form (pdf) and submit it the DSP.

You should include all relevantmedicalevidence. A medical assessor will then assess your capacity for work, so you may be asked to attend a medical assessment.

CONTACT: James McConnell and Olivia Barnes

looking at ways of improving power quality, reducing

It takes the heat produced in refrigeration or compressed at efficiencies and reducing costs,” he concluded.

SMALL CHANGES. BIG IMPACT.

As a small business owner you’ll understand the growing importance of sustainability, both in business and in the world around us. What you may not understand are the significant benefits that it can have for your company, on everything from efficiencies to cost savings. Green for Micro helps small businesses take the first step towards becoming more sustainable, giving you access to a green consultant who’ll show you the small changes that can have a big impact on your company - and the world around you.

To discover how Green for Micro can help your business, visit localenterprise.ie/green

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GREEN FOR MICRO

Making It Happen