The Meath Herald November 2021 by Meath Herald

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A shot of some of the thousands of marchers who took to the streets of Navan last Saturday to protest against the proposed closure of Navan Hospital A&E. A clear message was sent to the HSE. Leave Our Hospital Alone.

The Meath Herald November, 2021

Residents in nursing homes must be prioritised for vaccine booster shots regardless of age - Toibin “Aontú is calling on the Minister to ensure that all residents in nursing homes are offered the booster shot, regardless of age". Deputy Tóibín continued: "If, for argument's sake, you have a nursing home with seventy residents over 65years and five residents under 65 years of age, it

“ The virus doesn't know if you're 64 or 66 ” Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called on the government to offer a booster vaccine to everyone in nursing homes, not just those over 65-years of age. Speaking recently, Deputy Tóibín said: "As per Dr Tony Holohan's letter to Minister Donnelly, there have been 26 new Covid outbreaks in nursing home

settings between the 3rd and 16th of October, with 123 confirmed linked Covid cases in nursing homes reported between the 3rd and 9th October”. “We know that the government is currently working to offer a booster vaccine to all residents in nursing homes who are aged over 65 years”.

makes no sense for the vaccinators to pass by the five younger residents and return at a later date. We know that the vaccine, affective and all as it is, hasn't prevented nursing home outbreaks. Hopefully the booster shot will improve immunity, but there is still a level of risk, and that level of risk will be greater if a cohort in each

nursing home are deprived of the booster shot because of their age". "The virus doesn't know if you're 64 or 66. The government and HSE's handling of the pandemic in nursing homes has left a lot to be desired. Now is their chance to exercise common sense and learn from the fatal mistakes of the past two years. “Everyone, staff and residents of all ages in nursing homes need to be prioritised for the booster shot. The Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) needs to be reinstated immediately to assist nursing homes in getting through the winter and staffing reserves and supports for nursing homes need to be set aside as an emergency measure”. “Too many people have died in our nursing homes over the past two years", concluded Tóibín.

The Meath Herald November, 2021

LMFM Radio wins Gold at IMRO Awards A POPULAR afternoon radio show on LMFM has won Gold at the IMRO 2021 awards. The Late Lunch LMFM'S early afternoon talk show presented by Gerry Kelly was awarded the top gong for Radio Moment of Year at the virtual awards ceremony earlier this month. The show previously picked up the prestigious Gold award for Best Magazine Show in 2014. The successful Radio Moment of the Year entry 'Saved By An Angel' centred around the emotive reunion on air of a lady and her 'angel' who stopped her from taking her own life. The lady had been seconds from jumping from an M1 motorway overpass when her saviour happened to notice her while driving by and fled back to rescue her just in time. Having received treatment, the lady thanked her angel for giving her back to her children, partner and family. "What a fantastic feeling to be acknowledged by

IMRO at the National Awards considering the competition and wonderful to be part of a very special radio moment”, said Gerry Kelly. "It's a privilege to present Late Lunch but this is a win for the team. Myself and my producer Louise Walsh work tirelessly to try and create a diverse and captivating daily show, worthy of our listeners' support. "We also get great support from our colleagues in LMFM, regular contributors to the show and our wonderfully loyal listeners". It was a night to remember too for Sinead Brassil whose 11 to 1 Show was shortlisted for an award, Sarah McCann who made the final five with her documentary about multi marathon runner Collette O’Hagan and LMFM’s production manager Peter Dunne who picked up a Silver award for his weekend show on Midlands Radio. LMFM's Content Controller Eamonn Doyle said "to get shortlisted in

this category is an achievement but to win it, considering we were up against RTÉ, Newstalk and BBC Radio Ulster, just demonstrates how powerful that piece of radio was. To get two people to speak live on-air about such a harrowing, personal

experience was an incredible achievement by Gerry and Louise. On behalf of everyone in the station I want to say congratulations and well done on producing awardwinning work, not just on one particular day, but throughout the year"

Meath Civil Defence announce new Officer

Shane Quinn will take over as Civil Defence Officer following the retirement of Michael Fitzsimons who has held the position for the past 27 years. Shane has been in the ACDO post for the past 18 months and a volunteer and Instructor in Civil Defence since 1994. Civil Defence is a volunteer based humanitarian organisation dedicated to assisting the civilian population in time of crisis. Its secondary role is providing community support at local, regional

and national events. Civil Defence was established by the Government in 1950 under the Air Raid Precautions Acts of 1939 and 1946 and the Civil Defence Act of 2002. Training programmes include: • First Aid • Rescue skills • Radio Communications • Map Reading skills • Fire-fighting skills • Welfare and catering • Radiological monitoring and sampling • Search skills • Water search using boats and kayaks

The Meath Herald November, 2021

Local Writers selected for Words Ireland’s National Mentoring Programme Meath County Council Arts Office is delighted to announce that two local writers have been selected by Words Ireland to receive professional literary mentoring. Ross Kelly and Katie McDermott will both receive professional

mentoring over the next eight months from an acclaimed Irish writer of their choosing. These young literary talents were two of forty selected applicants from a total of 339 national submissions, and represent not only the quality of young writers

in the county, but also an investment in the longterm literary reputation of the region. Ross Kelly studies English with Creative Writing in UCD his writing focusses on young adult fiction and stories with a strong character voice. Katie McDermott is a writer

and English teacher with a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Trinity College. Her stories have been published in ‘Banshee’, ‘Autonomy’ and ‘Literary Orphans’. She is currently pursuing publication for her first novel, Micronation. M e a t h C o u n t y Council Arts Office funded the literary mentorship along with the Arts Council of Ireland to guarantee the b e s t applicants from the region would be selected. This support will also ensure the c h o s e n m e n t e e s

receive this potentially life-changing support free of charge. The mentoring process involves a series of meetings between the selected mentee and their chosen professional writer. The mentor reads the awardees’ writing in advance and shares critical feedback and advice. This form of peer to peer teaching is increasingly popular in literature and formalises the process of master/ student exchange. The hope is that the chosen mentees will progress to write works of literature that surpasses the quality of their mentors’ work. Meath County Council Arts Office wish both Ross and Katie the very best of luck with their literary mentorships. The National Mentoring Programme is

run by Words Ireland. It is a grouping of seven national literature resource organisations aimed at supporting writers and developing new audiences for literature. These seven organisations that make up the collective include: Literature Ireland, Children’s Books Ireland, Irish Writers Centre, The Stinging Fly, Poetry Ireland, Munster Literature Centre, and Publishing Ireland. Its programme is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, but the board work on a voluntary basis. It is chaired by Michael McLoughlin, Chair of Penguin Random House, Ireland.

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

Sinn Féin launch survey about the impact of the cost of living crisis - Johnny Guirke TD Sinn Féin TD for Meath West Johnny Guirke has invited people to take part in the party’s survey about how the cost of living crisis is affecting people.

The survey invites people to share their story of how the rising costs of rent, childcare, energy bills and other daily expenses are impacting on them.

Speaking recently as the survey was launched, Teachta Guirke said: “Today Sinn Féin are launching a survey to uncover the real impact of the cost of living crisis and how it is affecting people’s daily lives. “It is clear that families and workers are facing serious challenges with the rising cost of living. From soaring energy prices to eye watering rents and expanding childcare costs, many households are struggling to make ends meet. “We know this is the case for many people here in Meath West, where the cost of living has been putting considerable pressure on people. “In a major research project earlier this year, St Vincent de Paul found that nearly 20% of working people cut back

on fuel and electricity due to costs. Now, the situation is set to worsen, with rising utility costs and carbon tax increases coming down the track. For many people already struggling, this will push their finances even further to the brink. He continued “The announcement of Budget 2022 earlier this month was an opportunity to help ordinary people here in Meath West and across the state with the cost of living crisis. Sinn Féin in government would have made this a key priority. “Instead, the government’s Budget saw far too little support for families and workers, with nothing outlined to substantially address sky-high childcare costs or rents. Astonishingly, this government failed to act

and address the cost of living crisis. In doing so, they abandoned people to these mounting bills. Teachta Gurke concluded by saying “This shows how out-oftouch this government is when it comes to understanding the needs

of ordinary people. “Sinn Féin want to know about how the rising cost of living is affecting households across the State. Take our short survey and tell us what changes to the cost of living mean for you.”

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

Rock the night away with The Bob Dylan Roadshow Band at The Venue, Ratoath Ahead of their Sold out show in Dublins Soundhouse Venue, The Bob Dylan Roadshow band are back on the road and the next stop is The Venue Ratoath on Thurs 25th November 2021.

''The Bob Dylan Roadshow” is a band of Dylan enthusiasts who not only share the love for Bob, but also shared the burden of the Pandemic which nearly wiped out the industry. When Covid-19 hit, it

caused the closures of stages and venues all around the world. From what was a booking industry now was a scene of redundant stages and performers. Musicians without a place to play or a cause.

While live streaming or online events were the new performance outlets, others just went back to being music fans. The band consists of full time musicians so with the lack of tours and the whole entertainment

industry being shut they found hope in songs that were released decades ago. Although they have been avid listeners for many years it was only when the record collections were revisited during the lockdowns, that Bob's lyrics really struck a chord with them. It seemed like every song that was listened to had lines that related to what the world was living in. Could Bob have been that much of a genius, to write songs that were now so relevant again? "I shall be released" for example spoke to us all. How can a song about imprisonment speak to me? The thought of every man now living with some level of imprisonment or restriction on his movements had a profound effect on them. "The time they are a changing", well how relevant is that right now? We found such a sense of relief in this music and we wanted to

bring these songs on the road. The Bob Dylan Roadshow is a live music extravaganza celebrating the music of Bob. It's a live 5-piece band featuring some of irelands top musicians performing the hits and the rarities, a trip through the decades of Dylan. It’s a show not to be missed so make sure to catch the guys at their next show in The Venue Ratoath Co. Meath on the 25th Nov 2021! Tickets are available from The Venue 01 6895600 or log on to the The Venue website on www.thevenueratoath.ie

Rave Reviews in Ratoath as The Venue Re-opens Rave reviews and excitement followed a celebratory performance by the legendary Jack Lukeman as the Venue Ratoath reopened their doors for a packed concert. Local commentary and social-media appraisal after the concert have been jubilant and bouncy with congratulations. It was the Venue’s first show back after the long hiatus, and with a new team, and the Covid-19 regulations to adopt, staff were excited and

understandably cautious. Everything, however, went smooth with slick front of house management and preparation, and the crowd responded with generous enthusiasm. A full-house came in good spirit and left joyful. The gig itself was a wonderful return to theatre performance and Jack Lukeman was in playful mood as he enticed, romanced, and serenaded the audience whilst he wove through his songbook. He had the place buzzing.

Mark Wiley, Theatre Manager of the Venue, says, ‘The gig was wonderful. Jack Lukeman was great. The audience was great. The staff were great. And everyone went home happy”. He continued “We prepared well with crowd management, door-control for the covid-pass check, boxoffice and bar management, ventilation and cleaning, and this allowed the audience to be confident in our protocols and relax and

enjoy themselves. And they did just that. It was fantastic, and it’s so good to be back.’ The Venue Ratoath is wasting no time getting back up to full speed and a full calendar of events is offered following release from the imposed pause. Upcoming shows in the next few weeks include Phil Coulter, Route 66 Big Band, Leah Barniville, and Tommy Fleming. “ For further information and booking log on to www.thevenueratoath.ie

The Meath Herald November, 2021

Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8.00am - 5.00pm Closed on Sundays & Bank Holidays

The Meath Herald November, 2021

Council to increase use of Irish Sign Language in its communication - Moore

Cllr Ronan Moore, Social Democrats, has welcomed Meath County Council’s undertaking “to increase its usage of Irish Sign Language in public communication going forward” in response to a motion he brought forward at October’s full county meeting.” Cllr Moore explains “In Ireland a small but

significant number of people are ISL or Irish Sign Language Users. According to research 5,000 deaf people use ISL and a further 40,000 hard of hearing people also use ISL on some level. In response to this, the Government introduced the Irish Sign Language Act in 2017, making ISL an official language of the state. This Act has many provisions but one of which is that "a public body shall do all that is reasonable to ensure that interpretation into Irish Sign Language is provided". He continued “While this Act is a big step forward for ISL users, unfortunately outside of availing of the services of external assistance to

“You can see this again evidenced in both the Council’s response to my motion where they have committed to increasing the usage of ISL in public communication going forward

”

provide Irish Sign Language interpretation when needed, many public bodies have done little else. Thankfully Meath County Council has always prided itself in how we try to make the county as inclusive as possible. I think you can see this again evidenced in both

the Council’s response to my motion where they have committed to increasing the usage of Irish Sign Language in public communication going forward, as well as the unanimous support of my fellow councillors in the chamber”. Cllr. Moore concluded by saying “Already I have spoken to the Council following the adoption of the motion about the possibility of layering ISL onto some of our key social media video broadcasts as well as the possibility of identifying some of the most visitited parts of our websites and producing simple explanatory videos summarising the information with Irish Sign Language, again, layered onto it.”

Sinn Féin calls for urgent action at Oberstown Cross after spate of accidents In response to a spate of recent accidents at the junction, Sinn Féin representatives Darren O'Rourke TD and Cllr. Aisling O'Neill have issued a joint call for urgent works at Oberstown Cross in Skryne. Darren O'Rourke TD said; "Oberstown Cross is an accident blackspot. At the start of the year Meath County Council completed long-awaited low-cost safety measures including the installation of bollards and flashing signs. Unfortunately, they have not had the desired effect. On one side of the junction, the safety bollards lasted all of 48 hours before they were destroyed in an accident. In the past month

alone, there have been 3 serious collisions at the crossroads. We are very lucky that they weren't more serious. It is also quite blind on the approach from Ratoath and as a result, despite the signage, drivers unfamiliar with the area regularly fail to stop. He continued “I have raised the need for enhanced works at the junction with Meath County Council on numerous occasions”. He conclused by saying “I raised it with the Council again, and with An Garda Síochána, at the quarterly meeting of the County Meath Joint Policing Committee. We need urgent action before it's too late”.

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

Choice - A Home For All Seasons Top 10 Tips on Decorating your Christmas Tree

December is nearly upon us and the Christmas season is in full festive folly. So it’s time to start thinking about decorating the Christmas tree. Most of us love seeing the end result, getting there can cause some people to flinch a little though. If you want to avoid looking at a Christmas tree that you may not be fully happy with, follow these top 10 ten tips on decorating your Christmas tree, you may be

surprised what you may not have been familiar with before. 1. Pick a Tree Type: When decorating your Christmas tree the first thing you need to do is decide which type of Christmas tree you want, artificial vs real, both have their pros and cons. 2. Secure your Tree: If you’ve chosen a real or artificial Christmas tree make sure that you have the stand intact and the tree nice and sturdy in its place

before decorating. Also keep out of direct sunlight and away from air vents. 3. Pick a theme: Pick a theme before you start your decorating or you could end up with mix mash of a tree which won’t look up to its festive best. You can get ideas online, in stores, magazines, or other trees you may have seen around. 4. Tree Bottom: Drape the bottom of your Christmas tree before you start filling it with ornaments with a

tree skirt. A tree skirt will hide the base of the stand making it much more decorative and pleasing to the eye. 5. Put your Lights on First: With your Christmas lights, always start from the top working your way down, and always put on first before the decorations. If you’d like the tree to illuminate from the inside out start from the inside of the tree wrapping your lights around the trunk and work your way out the branches attaching the chords to sturdy branches. 6. The Tree Top: Pick a topper that’s not too heavy, so your tree doesn’t lean forward when placed on your tree. Also try and put your topper on before you put your favourite themed ornaments & decorations on, in case they get knocked off and damaged when reaching up to place topper on. 7. Decorations: Aim to start with your largest

decorations and space them out evenly. If you stick to a theme while using your decorations you’ll achieve more of a uniform design. Always place them securely and try to fill the holes between the layers of the tree. 8. Avoid Clutter: It’s easy to get carried away with the amount of ornaments collected over past Christmas’. It is best to avoid putting too many

ornaments & decorations on the tree. 9. Tinsel Use: Tinsel is attractive on a Christmas tree if not over used. Use sparingly where you can, it can be effective to fill gaps. 10. The Personal Touch: Christmas is all about family & friends, past and with us, so add a personal touch where you can, photo or decorative memories can really add a personal touch to your tree.

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More Action Needed on Gambling Addiction Aaron Byrne

Welcoming the establishment of an independent Gambling Regulatory Authority, Labour Local Area Representative for Kells, Aaron Byrne, said the Authority must be empowered to protect players and anyone suffering from a gambling problem. Calling on the government to fast-track the appointment of a regulator before 2023, he said today

marks a step in the right direction. Aaron Byrne said: “The establishment of a Gambling Authority is hugely welcome but the government must ensure that it has teeth to stamp out the predatory behaviour of some gambling operators. Particularly with the advent of online gambling, this industry has largely developed without the necessary legislative

architecture to regulate it and to provide the clear transparent controls that are required to protect players and their money. This is an industry that needs to be regulated extensively due to its addictive nature. He continued “There’s nothing wrong with the occasional flutter but if abused, it can be dangerous. We have a national problem with gambling in this country. In 2019, Ireland had the 7th highest gambling spend in the world, €9.8 billion (€379.51 per head). This spend is encouraged and cultivated by massive advertising campaigns by gambling companies across all forms of media. He concluded by saying “The volume of gambling ads have a huge impact on children and vulnerable people. We can’t turn a bling eye any longer when we know that there are huge levels of addiction and affliction in communities up and down this country."

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

Dunboyne College of Further Education Green campus movement How Dunboyne College is in Dunboyne College of taking action in the fight against Climate change Further Education by Sarah Kate Bradley In November 2021 nine campuses over Ireland are all teaming together to create the “Green Campus One Step Closer” movement. This movement is aiming to build a positive sustainability impact on nine campuses and hopefully impact other campuses enough to join for years to come of doing this movement. Each campus must come up with three climate action related small projects that will be implemented all over the campus and shown to students. The need for this is so students can then vote on which project that they would like to see implemented. Dunboyne College of Further Education, Trinity and It Sligo are only a handful of campuses involved. There has been other “Green Campus Movements” in different schools over Ireland and some examples of these are, single use plastics, planting wildflower meadows, water fountain installation and sustainable items that could be added into the student canteen.

The goals of this movement that are shown to the students are to boost student awareness of sustainability challenges in Ireland, help communicate and capture your committees into capturing

change, connect with students not ordinary engaged with the green campus program on campus and get a mandate from students to support your actions. In Dunboyne College of Further Education, the options that will be offered are to create our own herb garden, planting and distributing trees and more recycling bins on the campus. These options allow the students in Dunboyne to interact with each other and become more aware of

By Leah Doherty the climate actions that can be taken. This also encourages students and teachers in Dunboyne to bring these climate actions back to their homes and to use them in their daily lives. Organiser of Green Campus Committee in DCFE, Orla O'Dea commented 'this kind of initiative is vital to promote not only awareness among students but positive participation in making our campus more eco-friendly'. Every student in Dunboyne will be able to vote for one of the three climate action related projects that they would like to be implemented on campus, the campaign will share responses and updates on social media for more students to see. This is really an excellent way to educate students on the actions they can take individually to help tackle Climate Change. It also gives them the sense of importance to students as it allows them to take charge in the matter and really help to do something about it.

Climate Change is a growing problem all around the world. 11% of all global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by humans says the conservation organisation. Humans are the number one threat to climate change, and we are the only ones that can save this planet. This month colleges all across Ireland have teamed up with One Step Closer to make a move on saving the planet. This will create a positive sustainability impact for campuses participating in the GreenCampus programme says the One Step Closer organisation. Each participating campus will come up with 3 Climate Action related ‘Micro Projects’ that can be implemented on campus and students across the Green-Campus Network will vote for which project they would like to see implemented. This campaign will boost awareness and strengthen a sense of ownership among the students and staff to take positive action by

focusing on the importance of the small but powerful steps we can all take. Trinity college in Dublin, GalwayMayo Institute of Technology, IT Sligo and Dunboyne College of further education are only some of the colleges taking part in the programme this year. The One step closer programme describe themselves as an agile communications team with a focus on communications that make tangible positive impact visible as well as understandable and collaborative. Professional Cookery Tutor Gillian Duff from Dunboyne College is working with the Green Campus Committee to organise planting a herb garden for her cookery students. According to Gillian “it attracts beneficial, pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and wasps”. IT Sligo may be allocating €3000 to a climate change organisation

such as the Amazon Conservation Association based on the project that got the most votes. ACA has planted more than 275,000 trees and helped protect 4 million acres of wild forest. GMIT are planting a tree to celebrate their fifth anniversary of GMIT Letterfrack’s Community Native Wood according to GMIT. Our priority in colleges across Ireland is to be one step closer to saving the planet. Although climate change is a painful reminder of the harm we have caused, these simple actions remind us of the opportunities that lay ahead as campuses take action to save the planet.

Climate Change and Covid-19 - How Covid-19 has made us aware of the necessity of a Great Reset by Kashmeera Poona The best memorial we can build for those that have lost their lives to the pandemic is the greener, smarter, fairer world." International Monetary Fund Chief Kristalina. At this stage the world is very aware of the negative implications that Covid-19 has thrust upon us, with more than 3 million deaths, it's clear that the world and its people are left to pick up the pieces. But what about the opportunities that we have been presented with thanks to Covid-19?

Climate Change is one of the main issues facing our world today. We as people are quick to focus on the negatives, yet this global pandemic has provided us with a unique opportunity. The world was not perfect before Covid, in fact, we were in danger of a global environmental disaster. In the last few years, nitrogen dioxide concentrations from February 2019-2020 are down by nearly 20% per research done by NASA. This is as a direct a result of the pandemic and the lockdowns we all dreaded.

Restoring the natural world and the work we must do to save our beautiful planet was made more topical during the pandemic thanks to Sir David Attenborough. His documentary ‘A Life on Our Planet’, which was watched by millions during global lockdowns. The pandemic has provided the world with a great opportunity; to reset after this pandemic. To reset in a way that provides a world which looks greener and more sustainable, that is in harmony with nature and

provides us with the necessary tools to help stop or ease the damage we have already done to our planet. According to Klaus Schwab, executive chairman of the World Economic Forum: “It is obvious that we are in the midst of the most severe crisis that the world has experienced since World War II. Seventy five years ago, countries and people came to shape the post war world which brought us decades of peace, the crisis [pandemic] has shown us

that our old systems are not fit anymore for the 21st century. We have a choice to remain passive, but we have another choice, we can change our behaviour to be

in harmony with nature again and we can make sure that the technologies of the forced industry revolution are best utilised to provide us with better lives. In short we need a great reset”.

The Meath Herald November, 2021

15 MOTORING

The All-New Tucson Ireland’s best selling car this year. On to better.

HYUNDAI HAS A HIT ON ITS HANDS WITH THE NEW TUCSON” “

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

MOTORING

ŠKODA KODIAQ gets an update Four years after the Irish market launch and with 7,127 units delivered to Irish customers, the bestselling KODIAQ SUV has been updated. Receiving new exterior design and interior material changes as well as ŠKODA’s latest technologies such as full-LED Matrix headlights, the KODIAQ is likely to remain at the top of the sales charts again in 2022. Now offered exclusively as a seven-seat version – in Active, Ambition, Style and Sportline trim levels. Advanced EVO generation engines with lower fuel consumption and emissions The new KODIAQ is offered in Ireland with three advanced and efficient EVO engines from the Volkswagen Group. The two 2.0 TDI diesel engines produce less emissions thanks to the ‘twin dosing’ exhaust gas treatment and produce 110

kW (150 PS) and 147 kW (200 PS) in combination with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The more powerful diesel engine is offered exclusively with all-wheel drive. A petrol driven 1.5 TSI, with an output of 110 kW (150 PS), is the only model offered with a manual 6speed gearbox in addition to a DSG transmission and is offered in two wheel drive only. An even bolder look and optional full-LED Matrix headlights make their debut A further developed ŠKODA SUV design language sets the updated KODIAQ apart. Aluminium-effect design details on the front and rear apron emphasise the rugged look of the Active, Ambition and Style trim levels. This is reinforced even further by the restyled front with a hexagonal,

more upright ŠKODA grille. The slimmer, more dynamic-looking headlights now feature LED technology as standard and , as a first for the KODIAQ – full-LED Matrix headlights are standard on Style and Sportline trims. Improved assistance systems and typical Simply Clever solutions. The ŠKODA KODIAQ’s wide range of assistance systems now includes the enhanced version of Crew Protect Assist as an option, which has additional radar sensors at the rear to respond to vehicles that pose a collision risk. There are two Travel Assist options that, depending on the model, incorporate five to eight assistance systems. These include Predictive Cruise Control, Adaptive Lane Assist and an improved version of Traffic Sign Recognition.

The variety of Simply Clever details that are typical of the brand now also include the integrated funnel in the lid of the windscreen washer tank. John Donegan, Skoda Ireland, Brand Director said: “The KODIAQ has helped propel the ŠKODA brand to new heights,

moving us into fourth position in the Irish sales rankings. The new KODIAQ has improved interiors and even more standard equipment and safety features. The KODIAQ has often been a victim of its own success with demand

outstripping supply. I would urge customers considering the new revised KODIAQ for 2022 to engage with their local dealer to avoid delays and disappointment. I am confident our customers will love the new revised KODIAQ just as much as the outgoing version”

The Meath Herald November 2021

17 MOTORING

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

MOTORING

221 Hyundai Models now available to order for January 2022 at Drogheda Car Sales

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 which can be seen at Drogheda Car Sales The new car 221 campaigns are now live at Drogheda Car Sales, with Hyundai models available to order for January 2022. Despite a challenging time for car brands worldwide, Hyundai has managed to overcome the global semiconductor chip shortage that is hugely impacting almost every

other car manufacturer, and Drogheda Car Sales have secured a strong selection of the full Hyundai range for 2022. Included in this range is Ireland’s current number 1 bestselling car, the Hyundai Tucson. A chronic shortage of these semiconductors, which cars rely on for everything from electronic windows to

Ireland’s current best selling car the Hyundai Tucson.

driver assistance systems, has greatly impacted the supply of new vehicles worldwide. Drogheda Car Sales are delighted to be in a position where they can still offer their customer base the full range of new Hyundai for 221. This range includes the all-new and current bestselling car this year, the Hyundai Tucson,

which is available with 3.9% APR or 5 years free servicing when you order before November 30th. The Tucson is now available with ecofriendly Hybrid & Plugin Hybrid Engines as well as diesel. The all-new fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 is also available to order. With a range of up to 481km & a stunning design, the IONIQ 5 is expected to be a hugely popular choice for customers looking to make the switch to an electric car in 2022. There are plenty of other options for those looking for an ecofriendlier new car, including the KONA electric, KONA Hybrid and new 7-seater Santa Fe plugin Hybrid. There will also be a strong supply of our urban car range at Drogheda Car Sales, including the Hyundai i30, i20 and i10. All models are now ready to test drive at

The friendly sales team in Drogheda Car Sales, Conor Walsh, Frank Walsh & Dylan Byrne Drogheda Car Sales on the North Road. Order now for January delivery. Enjoy low Finance rates with monthly repayment options that can be tailored to suit every customer. (T&C apply). With our own in-house Business Manager, Conor Walsh, finance approval can be easy, prompt and efficient. Our 221 offers include a 5-year unlimited mileage

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A selection from the Hyundai range at Drogheda Car Sales

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-2.30pm. Drogheda Car Sales, North Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 W209 www.droghedacarsales.ie 041 9845288

The Meath Herald November, 2021

19 MOTORING

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

Joe’s Jotter - Five Definitive Exam Hacks

Hello students, These are five of my favourite exam hacks to help improve your success in any exam you take on, whether this be a thirty minute exam in class or a three hour exam paper in June. To be successful in exams, you need to find that edge or advantage over your peers who similar to you, desire solid results, valuable college places and ultimately, great jobs. Here are five hacks that will help you gain that advantage. 1. The benefits of exercise Exercise is extremely beneficial in your exam

year, but it also sets in motion great habits for your future, making you stronger both in mind and body. With a little effort, you will discover many positive benefits of taking regular exercise. A 2014 study published in the British Medical Journal showed that exercise boosts the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Exercise also aids sleep, boosts energy levels and being outside taking in fresh air will allow you think your way through issues and maybe even

come up with some solutions. Exercise is an excellent stress buster and as with many things, once you get started, you may actually enjoy it. 2. Stay in the moment Increasing awareness of the moment you are currently in, given the amount of distractions these days, is really important. I really like the phrase ‘the future is now’. Being aware and relaxed in the moment will help to reduce tension on exam day. Our generation is constantly searching for something extra in life, looking to the future for the next buzz. I believe we need to live and enjoy the present moment more that we currently do. As a student, staying in the present will greatly improve the quality of your study. You can only control what you are doing in a current study block and your focus needs to be on those notes in front on you now. Similarly, being fully aware of time inside the exam hall is ultraimportant, as you cannot afford to let time pass you by in there. 3. Pile your notes During my own exams, I used to pile summarised

notes in my study area, subject by subject, topic by topic. Like the monkeys, I am still ‘a believer’ in topic summaries. As a teacher now, I still pile notes neatly for my classes. From a preparation point of view, it gives structure, separates one topic from another and it allows one to find notes quickly for the next revision block. Afterwards, replace the pile back into its subject section. If you are summarising and rewriting your notes properly, your subject piles should get smaller as exams near. 4. Be positive You should always try to have a positive attitude around your studies, feeling content with what revision you have done thus far. It isn’t a great idea to spend time with people who have a negative outlook around exam time. You should always think about good grades and not consider negative outcomes. Many students are quite negative with talk of just “passing”. I have actually banned the “F” word in my class totally; “Fail”. Your future successes are the limits of your goals and

imagination. An ACE exam student needs more than just ability however, they need to apply themselves well to learning and working hard; so be heartened by the fact that you don’t need to be the best academic to reach the top of your class. Exam smarts and technique play as big a role as intelligence. 5. Use memory techniques Memory techniques are a much under-utilised way of helping you recall important information. In my experience, they are your secret weapon on exam day. Here are two examples of memory techniques to get you started without too much effort: a) Chunking: An average person can hold seven items (a chunk) in their short term memory. A chunk can be further broken down into seven topics and subtopics within, written as bullet points. This list in itself would almost constitute a full course summary which you could transfer on to an A3 sheet, mind map or flash cards. If you are learning off a list, for example, the seven characteristics of a metal in Physics, the most efficient

way is to learn the first three off, then the other four and finally put the seven together. b) Creating an association: Creating a link between a topic and an experience in your life will help you remember it better when you need it. Here are some examples: • Drawing on your own life experiences and applying it to a question on the paper • Sticking a list of quotes, keywords, facts, or formulae’s on your bedroom wall • Sitting out in your garden for thirty minutes to learn a specific subtopic • Doing a simple activity when recalling a specific list, for example, brushing your teeth • Creating a mind map in the shape of a skeleton or animal to represent specific content

W: acesolutionbooks.com/acemaths-tuition FB: facebook.com/ JoeMcCormackEducationalExpert/

100 local people employed in Park Rí Kells as they celebrate their first year in business On Monday October 14th 2020, in the height of the COVID19 pandemic, Ms Helen McEntee TD, Minister for Justice & Equality, cut the ribbon to officially open the longawaited Park Rí Destination Stop & Food Court in Kells. On that day the Minister announced that the facility would be providing 84 new jobs for people in Kells and surrounding areas. One year later as the Management, Staff and customers celebrate the first anniversary of Park Rí Kells, Micheál McKeon, Managing Director announced that the total number of staff now employed in Park Rí is at 100 and growing. Micheál McKeon said, “When we planned for a

Destination Stop & Food Court in Kells some years ago we never imagined that we would be opening our doors in a very uncertain time due to the COVID19 pandemic, and to be honest, myself and my fellow directors Damien Duffy, Operations and David Quirke, Financial, did not know what to expect. However, I am delighted to report that despite all the challenges Park Rí Kells is doing well. This was due in some way to the offering we have that includes six different food outlets, a convenience store and Circle K Fuel. Of course, we were unable to have our seating areas open to our customers, so all food was for take-away for most of the year. We are

happy that our customers can now sit inside Park Rí and as we have space to seat 350 people, we can accommodate them in a socially distanced and safe manner” Damien Duffy, Operations Director Park Rí Kells said, “I feel that the success of Park Park Rí Kells over our first year was due to the fact that we offered a vast selection of good food to suit all tastes, coupled with great customer service. I want to thank our loyal customers who supported us week in and week out, and of course, I cannot thank my team here enough, the staff worked hard to make sure that our customers were safe when purchasing food, drinks or fuel and that they received

a friendly welcome and great service”. The food outlets in Park Rí include recognised household brands like Supermac’s, Papa John’s Pizza and Kanoodle Thai and Vietnamese Food. It also has a number of food brands developed by the Park Rí Kells team including ‘Kells Kitchen’ that is open from 6am serving Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch and “The Cook of Kells”, a Carvery & Bistro. “The Coffee Spot” a Barista Cafe serving Essence Coffee roasted locally in Trim is also very popular, serving coffee and sweet treats baked inhouse. Park Ri offers a friendly family orientated experience for day time to evening dining.

Park Ri Kells Senior Management Team celebrate the 1st Anniversary

A representative group of the 100 staff who work in Park Ri Kells celebrating the 1st Anniversary are: L-R Back Row: Sarah Spollen, Robbie Brothers, Seamus Ennis: Middle Row: Emma Daly, Damien Duffy, Operations Director & Chef Jason McGowan: Front Row, Ingrid Kavanagh, Lauren Wright & Rachel Morris.

The Meath Herald November, 2021

The Grand Pirate from Meath - George Cusack

Noel French Local Historian The Cusack family were an important family in Meath in medieval times. George Cusack was born at Granstown, ‘East-Meath’ in the early 1600s. His parents wanted him to be a friar but Geroge did not and eventually succumbed to the easy life of robbery and piracy. He was forced to leave the country after robbing a neighbour, Benedict Arthur, of sixty pounds and a watch within two miles of Dublin in 1653. His two weaknesses were “loose women and riches.” Cusack became a mercenary on the continent but the disciplined life did not suit him. Cusack operated briefly as a “pressmaster” pressing men

into serving in the Royal Navy. He fell foul of authorities when he pressed a serious criminal into the Navy so the criminal could escape the noose. Serving time in jail in London Cusack swore that he would only work for himself in the future. In 1688 Cusack sailed on the ship, Hopewell, from Cadiz bound for Virgina. Midway in the Atlantic Cusack and his men mutinied and captured the ship. The captain and the crew were abandoned in a small boat. Cusack decided to remove any identifying papers and materials. But when he attempted to dispose of a Bible, several of his fellow mutineers objected. Cusack exclaims, ‘You Cowards, what do you think to go to Heaven, and do such Actions as these? No, I will make you Officers in Hell under me’. Cusack lifts the Bible from the table and hurls it into the sea: ‘Go thou thy way Divinity, what have we to do with thee.’ They renamed the vessel, Valiant Prince, and sailed to the Leeward Islands where they attacked a number of smaller boats.

The abandoned officers and crew had arrived before them and the pirates were captured and imprisoned in Barbados but escaped. On a nearby French island, the captain of a rich merchant ship, the Saint Joseph, took on Cusack and his men to protect the valuable cargo from pirates! Two days after sailing Cusack and his men took over the ship which they named Flying Devil, which they sailed up the east of coast of America. Cusack sold the valuable cargo in New England and burned out the ship and returned to England on a smaller boat. Forced to lie low Cusack operated as a highway man around Dublin. He picked up ‘with a Company of Tories’ (highwaymen – this is where the Conservative Party in England gets its nickname from!). Having robbed a Quaker, he was arrested and imprisoned. He convinced the authorities that he was due a pardon in London and was allowed on bail. Fleeing to Holland he resumed his pirating ways. In July 1674 Cusack using the name, Smith, boarded

the ship “The Robert” bound for Newcastle out of Amsterdam. Not far into the voyage Cusack and his men took the ship and rendezvoused with three other ships taken by Cusack’s accomplices. Cusack threw the crew of the ship into an open boat with food for a day and threw them adrift in the North Sea. One of the passengers, Creswell, stood up to Cusack but Cusack forced him with his sword to jump overboard wearing only his underwear. Later that year Cusack sailed a captured ship up the Thames and moored at Gravesend for two days. The Navy were too powerful and he was captured and imprisoned. It was said that Cusack was captured in bed with a woman, a prostitute, Cusack's sister. At his trial by the Admirality he took centre stage and argued his case. However the end result was not in doubt George Cusack was executed on the banks of the Thames in 1675. As he mounted the steps of the scaffold he said “Farewell earth. This is the last time I tread on thee.”

Follow Procedures or Pay the Piper!

Donna Farrell Marsh Mackey Navan From time to time we deal with grievances, it’s just part of being in the recruitment business. What we find is when we stick to our procedures, we generally get a very positive result for all parties. The alternative, when some employers or supervisors don’t follow

procedures, we see how quickly communication breaks down and can lead to a messy, complicated situation for all involved and can be hugely expensive for employers, if brought to the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission). Grievances vary, what we generally find is, when we drill down into the issue at hand, it’s a matter of misperceptions and once you introduce emotion into it, things can escalate very quickly. Our job in this process, is to be objective in our approach – first of all, listen to the person bringing the complaint/grievance, taking notes, questioning things

fully so that we have a full understanding of what the complaint is, and then we need to ask the question “what is a good result for you?” We then proceed towards advising the people involved and arrange an informal meeting with all parties, explaining the complaint and discussing things around that. After that, if things are not settled, we would always suggest and recommend Mediation. This, of course, has to be agreeable to all parties. In Mediation, both parties explain their side in detail and our role is to monitor the atmosphere, defusing any potential emotional

escalation, which can be difficult to navigate at times, as we’re all human and feelings come into this type of conversation in almost all cases. That being said, our experience is people want to reach a successful resolution, without further conflict. For our part, it’s important that we listen to ALL parties, identify what the issues really are and get to an agreeable end. So, for employers possibly going through grievances at present, would you like our our advice? Follow Procedures, it’ll help keep you out of a potentially very messy, and also possibly very expensive situation.

Marsh Mackey Recruitment Consultants are located on Bridge Street, Navan, Co. Meath and can be contacted on 046 902 8205 or email: recruit@marshmackey.com

The following year a book with dramatic descriptions of his life was published: “The Grand pyrate, or, The life and death of Capt. George Cusack, the great sea-robber with an accompt of all his notorious robberies both at sea and land, together with his tryal,

condemnation, and execution Impartial hand.”

‘You Cowards, what do you think to go to Heaven, and do such Actions as these?”

The Meath Herald November, 2021

5 tips to make the most of the pre-Christmas frenzy

This month we are talking about Black Friday (26th of Nov), Cyber Monday (29th of Dec) and all of those Pre Christmas-Sales. With Covid still very much part of our day to day lives and the fear of empty shelves post Brexit, here are my top 5

tips to make the most of this pre-Christmas frenzy. 1. Get online and get there early Nobody wants to start queuing outside Argos or Smiths on a cold November morning, and we don’t want to partake in a frenzy in store. Try

to stick to online offers this black Friday and cyber Monday. The busiest time for online shopping on Black Friday is between 10am and 11am with four transactions happening every second during these peak hours, according to research from AIB. So get up early or put aside half an hour before you go to work. Hospitality providers will usually have great offers for quieter weeks before March 2022. 2. Keep and eye on your favourite stores If you are looking for something in particular at a discounted rate, then keep an eye on the stores social media. Sign up to

pre black Friday sales or previews. Don’t be afraid to ask them if the item you are looking for will be reduced or not. 3. Do your research Sign up to those newsletters to be the first to hear about offers, follow the social media accounts, and make sure you are fully up to date with all the offers out there. Nike usually do a really good pre-Christmas sale with sometimes 50% off. A lot of influencers also get discount codes too for fashion items, make up, clothes, nights away and experiences. These discounts could end up saving you hundreds if you do your research properly.

4. Read the small print If an offer seems too good to be true then it probably is. Be sure to read the small print. Make sure you don’t have to purchase something else to the value of €500 on a Saturday between 5am and 6am when there is a full moon kind of scenario. When the offer states “Subject to availability” then that would be a red flag to me straight awaymaybe check availability before you purchase. 5. Bag those vouchers Never write off an offer that gives you complimentary vouchers. Vouchers can go a long way in January, and they are also great

stocking fillers. You may see hotels, restaurants and other service providers offering free vouchers for a certain amount when you buy a Christmas Voucher. Why not gift the voucher you have bought and use the free voucher to treat yourself!! If you are a tourism or hospitality business getting ready for the silly season, don’t forget about your Black Friday Strategy. Remember to always give the best value and limit your availability to spread out the discounted revenue. A good Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaign and put you on a good footing leading up to Christmas.

Contact Helen on 087 2368 445 Email: info@backofficems.ie or log on to www.backofficems.ie

The Quiet Voice is the One Worth Hearing

Sinead Burke The most productive and enjoyable work meetings I ever had was when I was sat drinking tea in the shed at the back of the Meath Travellers Workshops with the late Michael McDonagh. Over the years we spent hours plotting and planning among the tools and the marvellous pieces of junk Michael had found at some market but hadn’t yet decided what he was going to do with. Out of that shed came some brilliant pieces of work. We launched a mobile citizen’s information van which toured halting sites and housing estates. We compiled an online photographic archive of

photographs of Travellers on the road from the early 1900’s. That led to a bizarre phone call from a magazine based in Tel Aviv who wanted to write an article about it. We even planned an international heritage festival which took place on the Hill of Tara and went on to win a national award. The flow of these sessions generally followed the same pattern, we could try this, what if we did that, do you know who we could bring on for that other thing? Some bright ideas never made it out of the shed door. But others grew wings and flew. The best brought together groups and individuals who never in a million years thought they would be doing a piece of work with a Traveller group and despite any early nerves or hesitancy they might have had, ended up learning something and enjoying themselves. Michael spent his life challenging the stereotype many people have of

“Over the years I watched him disarm critics with his openness and easily neutralise hostility with his phenomenal knowledge” Travellers. His most powerful argument was being himself. He was eloquent, he was friendly, and he was passionate about achieving equality for his community and making sure his children and grandchildren would have the same chances in life settled kids have. Over the years I watched him disarm critics with his openness and easily neutralise hostility with his phenomenal knowledge and pride in Traveller history and culture. It was very hard to argue with Michael because he was not in the least bit interested in arguing with you. He was a decorated Irish soldier but stayed away from political combat.

He wanted to talk to you, and he wanted to listen to what you had to say. He wanted to work with you. The first thing he said to anyone who walked into his office was always, “Suigh síos agus lig do scíth, you’re a welcome guest”. And everyone was. I think quiet leaders can be the most effective. People who gently and determinedly get on with their mission without grandstanding and roaring. Strong and calm people determinedly trying to make this country a better place. They have looked around and seen a problem that needs to be solved and are driven only by the conviction of trying to do the right thing. People like

this are not looking for votes, they are fighting for change. Lately it feels like the volume of the world has been turned up. There have always been politicians talking over each other. Slanging matches between political parties, civil groups, special interests, and business sectors are all part of the public discourse. Fiery debate is a healthy part of democracy. But lately there is so much noise, it’s hard to hear what’s actually being said. It’s difficult to have a conversation when everyone is yelling at each other. Michael was a great man for the chat, but I never once heard him raise his voice. The President, Michael D Higgin’s attended his funeral. Although they were personal friends over the years, Uachtarán na hÉireann represented Ireland on that day. His presence said the work of this man mattered. Equality matters. Traveller rights

matter. Working together matters. Thank you for all you have done. All of us who had the privilege to work with Michael, to learn from him and to sit in a shed drinking tea with him are richer because of it. As is the way whenever any wise person passes, another tragedy would be if their work and the example they gave dies with them. Amongst Michael’s many achievements was the work he put into having Traveller’s recognised as an ethnic group. As he stood in the Dáil on that important day, he was surrounded by younger members of the community. He leaves them with his most important legacy, understanding the value of collaboration, knowing the importance of listening and being proud of who you are. We have lost a giant of a man. I was lucky to have him as a mentor and proud to call him a friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.

The Meath Herald November, 2021

23 CLASSIFIED & RECRUITMENT

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The Meath Herald November, 2021

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seat.ie/221 01/11/2021 09:32