The Hub will be a venue for “Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning” in aid of Wicklow Hospice on Thursday 19th September from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Any donations of cakes, scones or similar would be gratefully received. Please come along and support if at all possible!
Culture Night – September 20th
Alchemy is staging a free family-friendly concert in Nun’s Cross church on Friday 20th September
Eco Tips — Beef Conundrum
Recently, many have called for a 50% reduction in the Irish beef herd, to reduce our national CO2 output. People are being asked to reduce their meat consumption, to reap both health and environmental benefits. However, beef farmers would need time to change to growing crops (although not all land is suitable for this). Consumers would need to embrace the consumption of more beans and lentils, nuts etc., especially so for vegans. While many types of beans grow well in our climate, many of the current “trendy” superfoods (that our modern more sophisticated palates enjoy) most certainly do not. Some are imported from Europe, but many come from countries that now earn so much from exporting to “rich” western regions that local indigenous people are deprived of their once traditional foods on which they relied. Two particularly problematic foods include quinoa and avocados, where social and environmental havoc is playing out in some areas of S America as a result of mass growing and exporting. Beef farmers may be an easy target, but the alternatives are not so simplistic or environmentally sustainable. Flying food around the world creates its own carbon footprint. A more sustainable approach is to buy as much locally grown food as possible.
Wicklow Parish BBQ
A BBQ in aid of Wicklow Parish & Friends of St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar will be held on Sunday, September 15th at Brian O’Rorke’s home, Killmullen House Moneystown, near Roundwood starting at 1 pm. Steak, hog roast and a vegetarian option will be served, accompanied by homemade salads and desserts. Kids of all sizes will be entertained by a selection of carnival style games, activities and a treasure hunt through the grounds. Adults can enjoy refreshments including wine. Children and family tickets (€8/€55) will be available on the day at the gate or in advance through Brian O’Rorke 086 342 8226.
Girls’ Brigade September
Girls’ Brigade starts back on Saturday 21st September. New members welcome! For further details, please contact Lesley Shepherd (0879646763) or Amanda Spencer (087-6792243).
Eco Tips Viewpoint — The Proposed Murrough Greenway
A proposed greenway would link Greystones to Wicklow, along a tarmac track between the railway line and sea, facilitating easy access to buggies, wheelchairs, bicycles as well as walkers. One aim is to encourage more visitors to Kilcoole and Newcastle, though both lie some distance inland, in addition to the towns at each end. (Other greenways have been successful in this regard.) Sounds idyllic. BUT. The plan shows tarmac tracks surrounded by short mown grass. Currently, one can already walk from Greystones to Wicklow along a track that winds between sandy hills, covered with a profusion of summer wild flowers, including Pyramidal Orchid, Sea Bindweed, Sea Holly, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, which all provide habitat and food for butterflies and moths such as Clouded Yellow, Common Blue,
Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Six Spot Burnet Moth and birds such as Meadow Pipits and the declining Skylark. The route passes the nationally important Little Tern colony and the East Coast Nature Reserve. In winter, walkers continue to enjoy the Murrough and a plethora of wildfowl attracts birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts to the area. If the proposed plan goes ahead, this oasis of biodiversity will be lost. Gone. Forever. Replaced by a flattened, suburban scape, of which there are already so many. The idea is good, the proposed route is not. Then there is the issue of coastal erosion….
Benches In Ashford
Ashford Country Fair has funded the erection by Ashford Tidy Towns of two benches on the bridge over the weir. An ecumenical dedication ceremony is planned for Saturday 3rd August at 7pm.
Friendship Group July
The next get together will be for afternoon tea on Monday 15th July in the Wicklow Methodist Hall. All welcome! Further information available from Linda Walsh: 086 8228378.
150th Anniversary Mass
Rev Ken and Lesley Rue were pleased to represent the parish at the St Joseph’s Glenealy 150th Anniversary Mass on Friday 28th June. The principal celebrant was Archbishop Diarmuid Martin who later planted a tree in the grounds. Refreshments were then served in the village hall.
Ashford Country Fair
The 7th annual Ashford Country Fair will take place in the grounds of the Bel-Air Hotel on Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May from 11am to 4pm.
This year’s fair will have a number of animal attractions including a dog show, gun dog demonstration, duck herding, falconry and a pony club. Children will also enjoy our magician and fairground. Stalls include artisan displays, plants, crafts, books and clothes. For food try our barbecue, teas, coffees and cakes! There will also be vintage cars, tractors, a raffle and many other interesting features. In other words, there will be something for everyone. Please do come along and support a very enjoyable and popular event!
If you can assist in helping on one of the stalls or can provide goods for sale, please contact Amanda Mooney, Bernadette Glover or Lesley Rue.