Wicklow Woman_October 2017

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CONTENTS
EvEnTs
What’s on in Wicklow 4
FEATUREs
Laura Wood 7 The Hills are Alive 10 Hear Her Body Talk 13 Wonder Woman 15
TRAvEL
Christmas Markets 8
BUsinEss
A Girl’s Best Friend 25 Windows of Opportunity 33
REgULARs
Pete the Vet 17 Motoring Tips 18
FAsHiOn
Your Winter Wardrobe 20
COOKERY
Seafood Chowder 22
BEAUTY
Pink is the New Black 26 Relax into Winter 27
gARDEning
Winter Garden Tips 31
COMPETiTiOns
Win free stuff 38
Pg 7
Pg 8
Pg 15
WELCOME to the first THIS inaugural issue of
edition of Wicklow
Woman, Ireland’s only magazine dedicated to the
amazing women of the Garden County. Living in Wicklow for more than thirteen years myself (I know, a blow-in!) I’ve long wondered why we didn’t have a magazine to call our own, and then earlier this year came the eureka moment - why not launch one myself?
You may be reading this in your local hairdresser’s, beauty salon, a waiting room, or your own home. Wherever the location, I hope you enjoy reading it nearly as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.
We’ll be launching the magazine in the sumptuous surroundings of Tinakilly House, as featured on our inaugural cover. Tinakilly is just one of the splendid heritage houses that feature in this scenic county, and offers the perfect setting for a romantic wedding... But more of weddings in our next issue.
This issue is about showcasing the fantastic contribution that women make to the lives of people throughout our great county, and we look forward to featuring many more in the months and years to come.
We have great plans for the future of Wicklow Woman, and we’re committed to building a strong magazine that will be hopefully loved by you, our readers, and supported by our advertisers. So enjoy reading and we’ll talk again soon.
Lesley
All this, plus fashion, beauty, travel and more... Enjoy. And remember, we’re super excited to hear from you, so feel free to send your comments, ideas and stories to me at this address: [email protected]
Wicklow Woman is published by Sherwood Media, Blainroe, Co. Wicklow PUBLisHing & sALEs DiRECTOR: Lesley Magill EMAiL: [email protected] EDiTOR: Celine Naughton EMAiL: [email protected]
Celine
Wicklow Woman is a
celebration of talented, successful, creative women who accomplish great things and enrich their communities in all manner of ways.
We’re delighted to shine a light on women in such diverse areas as business, music, drama, film, dance, theatre, TV, radio and literature, with some taking on a number of the above roles all at once. Frankly, I have no idea how they do it.
On page 7 you can meet radio and TV presenter, Gogglebox star, actor, voiceover artist, vlogger and all-round superwoman Laura Wood. Ann Catherine Nolan (page 10) makes it her mission to ensure every child in the county gets equal access to a music education. The work that dancer and choreographer Karen Gleeson (page 13) does with the deaf community is nothing short of beautiful. Award-winning film director Sinéad O’Loughlin (page 15) is also an acclaimed writer, theatre maker and drama facilitator - and all while holding down a full-time day job!
This year Samantha Wall (page 25) opened her own jewellery store, and Dianna Sheridan (page 33), President of Wicklow Chamber of Commerce, shares her top tips for women in business.
TEL: 0404 66855
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WICKLOW WOMAN
What’s On IN WICKLOW We live in one of the most spectacular places on the planet, so get out and soak up
the views and the culture with great events coming up over the coming months
culture vultures
THROUgHOUT WiCKLOW OCTOBER 27-30: Wicklow Walking Festival Did you know that Wicklow is home to the largest area of unbroken high raised ground in Ireland, covering almost the same area as that of Mont Blanc, at 50km long by 40km wide? Learn more about the history and heritage of this breathtaking landscape on a series of guided walks for all abilities. Tickets from €15. See walkinghikingireland.com
OngOing: Traditional Music sessions Live trad sessions take place each night in pubs all over Wicklow, including Johnnie Fox’s in Enniskerry, Lynhams Hotel in Laragh, Mickey Finn’s in Redcross, Murphy’s in Tinahely, Kavanagh’s Vartry House in
Roundwood, Avon Ri in Blessington, O’Toole’s in Aughrim, Ernie’s in Wicklow Town, and the Hibernia, Harbour Bar and Wild Goose in Bray.
POWERsCOURT EsTATE OCTOBER 28-29: Pumpkin Carving for Kids Let your child’s imagination run wild this Hallowe’en. Making their very own lantern will add a new dimension to their trick-or- treating fun. Tickets €10. Advance booking essential. See powerscourt.com.
COURTHOUsE ARTs CEnTRE TinAHELY sUnDAY nOvEMBER 5: The irish Memory Orchestra blends classical and traditional music to create a spellbinding sound. Featuring Mairtín O'Connor (accordion) Niamh
Varian-Barry (fiddle/viola/voice), Matthew Berrill (clarinet/sax), Billy Mag Fhloinn (bronze age horns/bouzouki/bodhrán), Aidan Dunphy (percussion) and Dave Flynn on guitar.
FRiDAY nOvEMBER 10: Literary weekend with poets and playwrights Paula Meehan and Stephen James Smith.
sATURDAY nOvEMBER 11: Tommy Halferty Trio Jazz concert.
glendalough
sATURDAY DECEMBER 9: Classical Christmas Concert with Eamon Sweeney and guests.
MERMAiD ARTs CEnTRE BRAY THURsDAY nOvEMBER 2: David O’Doherty: Big Time Comedian David O'Doherty – the Aldi Bublé, the Ryanair Enya – presents an evening of his latest jokes and songs.
Tickets €20/18
Phil Coulter plays at the Mermaid, December 12-13
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nOvEMBER 11-19: Yarn storytelling Festival Bray This community based festival features events for all ages. Highlights include Peter Sheridan’s one-man show Made in Dublin (Thurs 16th, €16/14); Stolen - The Devil’s Violin (Fri 17th, €12/10); and Songs of a Storyteller - Colum Sands, described as “a poet disguised as a songwriter and a singer disguised as a storyteller (Sat 18th, €12/10).
FRiDAY DECEMBER 1: This Beach - Brokentalkers In association with the Project Arts Centre, this acclaimed play is a satire of white western privilege made in response to the global refugee crisis. Tickets €16/14
sATURDAY DECEMBER 2: Aonghus McAnally - Celebrating Christie Hennessy RTÉ personality, Aonghus McAnally pays tribute to his close friend renowned for hits including All the Lies That You Told Me, Messenger Boy and others. Tickets €23/21
FRiDAY DECEMBER 8: Eleanor Tiernan - People Pleaser: Comedian Eleanor Tiernan, described by the Sunday Times as having “a magnificent curl in her lip and snarl in her voice” is back with a brand new stand-up show. Tickets €15/12
Romeo and Juliet by Ballet ireland, Mermaid Arts Centre, December 22-23
TUEsDAY-WEDnEsDAY DECEMBER 12-13: Phil Coulter - Pure gold The Bray resident composer, songwriter, producer and recording artist who boasts more international gold discs than you could shake a stick at plays his personal favourites from 50 years of his work. Tickets €26/€24
FRi-sAT DEC 22-23: Ballet ireland - Romeo and Juliet: Shakespeare's tragic tale of the star-crossed lovers is transported from the streets of medieval Verona into the classrooms of a modern-day high school. It becomes a play within a play. Great family entertainment. Tickets €22/€20. Family of four €75
Right: Take a little trip to heaven with Mia at the Whale Theatre, greystones, December 15-16
Left: Remy naidoo sings jazz standards at the Whale Theatre, november 16 and December 9
WHALE THEATRE gREYsTOnEs sATURDAY nOvEMBER 4: Rebecca storm - My Life in Music: A benefit gala concert in aid of Greystones Cancer Support. Tickets €40
FRiDAY nOvEMBER 10: An Evening with Mick Hanly and Donal Lunny. Tickets €25/€22
sATURDAY nOvEMBER 11: The nualas - All spanxed Up The sequins are out, the hurty shoes are on, the hair is coiffed to within an inch of its life and the liposuction didn’t work... but who cares! Tickets €28/€25
THURsDAY nOvEMBER 16: Remy naidoo – My Funny valentine: Classic jazz standards. Tickets €18/€16
sATURDAY nOvEMBER 18: Jean Farrell is The six Marys. Comedy. Tickets €18/€15
nOv 21-26: greystones Players Community Theatre. Tickets €15
sATURDAY DECEMBER 9: Remy naidoo – My Funny valentine: Classic jazz standards. Tickets €22/€19
sUnDAY DECEMBER 10 Reuben the Entertainer: RTÉ star and magician Reuben will have children, teens and adults in fits of laughter. Tickets €10
FRiDAY DECEMBER 15: Mia’s Old Hollywood nights & new York Mornings: Musical classics with sultry singer Maria Fitzgerald. Tickets €28/€25
5


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Watch & Jewellery repairs, Deposits taken on all items, secure now for Christmas!
6

women on the air
WICKLOW WOMAN
Behind the scenes with
LAURA WOOD
She’s the voice of East Coast FM’s morning show Freshly Squeezed, a star of Gogglebox, wife, mum of three, vlogger, actor, TV presenter and voiceover artist... Is Laura Wood actually Superwoman in disguise?
With a job that starts at 6am, three kids aged 7, 4 and 2, a husband, work as a voiceover artist, acting, starring on Gogglebox, and various Tv presenting roles that you fit in from time to time, you must be supremely organised. Are you? Iwish!Itrytobe,butourplanto make the school lunches the night before lasted three days after the kids went back to school, and leaving out their uniforms is now down to every second night. The only thing I make sure to do is shower the night before work, because I never want to waste snoozing time at 5am.
What’s a typical day?
My alarm goes off at 5am and I get up after two to three snoozes, depending on what went on the night before. I’m out of the house in five minutes and on air for 6am. My husband Glenn gets the children to school, with some help via lifts from my Mum and friends. We’re a bit all over the place with childcare because of the ages of our children. Our eldest, Roddy is in First Class in St Kevin’s NS in Greystones. Amelia is in Knockeevin Montessori and Nature School. Both finish at different times, and Milo, our two-year-old is between the minder Anne and my Mum, which makes me very happy because they both dote on him. Depending on Roddy’s after- school activities, which include everything from hip-hop to chess, we all get back home and then the fun begins trying to find ways to spend an afternoon with three children who all want to do very different things. I fall asleep most evenings on the children’s floor after reading a bedtime story and, when woken by Glenn,
I make a supreme effort to transfer myself to bed without waking too much.
Howdidyougettobeon Gogglebox – did you audition, or were you approached? My friend Aisling, who loved the English version as I did, applied for what was originally four of us, and due to circumstances, only two remained. We had to email descriptions of our personalities, and then there were a few rounds of Skype interviews, screen tests and meetings before we heard they had picked us. It all happened very quickly, but we were both really surprised when we heard that we’d got it.
Gogglebox UK made stars out of scarlett Moffatt, steph and Dom, Reverend Kate et al. Would you do other reality shows after this?
To be honest, I’d love to go into the jungle in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here, because I’ve always been a fan of the show, but mainly because it would stop me overeating and I could come out a stone lighter.
How long have you presented Freshly Squeezed on East Coast FM and what’s your funniest and/or standout memory of the show?
I’ve been with East Coast for 15 years and doing the breakfast show for 12. I forayed into the world of TV in that time, but I’ve always loved the intimacy of radio. My co-host Rob and I laugh a lot every day, but the funniest moments are usually due to me saying something I shouldn’t and Rob reacting to that. There have been many such occasions! My exclusive interview with Daniel Day Lewis when he was over for the
premiere of Lincoln was definitely a standout memory for me. I’m a big fan of his, so to meet and interview him was fairly epic.
What do you get up to in your spare time, if you have any? As if I didn’t have enough on, I recently took up acting and joined the Greystones Players. We did a production of Dancing at Lughnasa in which I played Maggie, at the Whale Theatre in May and I’m reading for another few parts for a November production. Don’t tell Glenn though... He referred to himself an ‘acting widower’ for the five months of rehearsals for Lughnasa! I’ve been writing and vlogging on the mishaps of motherhood for a variety of places including the The M Word, and really enjoy doing that. I also love a good night out, but find that they’re getting harder and harder to recover from.
Do your kids give you any flak about discussing their antics on air? Not really, they’re a little too young for that and still love hearing their names mentioned on radio (mind you, I’m starting to think that applies to most people if my friends are anything to go by!). However, Roddy did say, “That’s sooo embarrassing, Mum!” when I showed him a clip of me on Gogglebox telling the story of him asking if could he call on a girl in his class because she’d said she didn’t have many people to play with.
Wicklow Woman magazine is a great idea because... We women need to stick together!
Don’t miss Laura’s hilarious, warm and insightful new column starting in the next issue of Wicklow Woman.
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CHRisTMAs MARKETs
What better way to kick off the festive season than with a short break to one of the beautiful European Christmas Markets and browse for that special gift for family or friends? Wicklow Woman’s travel correspondent Aileen Eglington picks her top six
travel
vienna
A city of nostalgia, romance, concerts, nativity displays and and a Christmas market tradition dating back to the 13th Century, Vienna exudes a special magic during the Advent season as its colourful Christmas markets light up City Hall. Twinkling lights and festive aromas create a fairytale setting from Nov 18th to Dec 26th. Cassidytravel.ie offers two nights B&B in a 3-star city hotel, including flights, from €279 pps.
The countdown to Christmas is already underway, and there’s no better way to get into the festive spirit than to soak up the atmosphere at one of the many Christmas markets taking place all over Europe from the end of November.
from the romance of the markets, these cities also provide an opportunity to do some serious shopping, with a great selection of chainstores offering a change from our own high street brands.
My first tip is this: Book your flights now! You can do it
These enchanting markets celebrate Christmas in a truly fairytale setting. Against
yourself, but many agents offer really
good deals for earlybirds. My
second tip: Choose a city centre hotel. You’ll
“ hot mulled wine, spicy
sausage, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts create scents and flavours that add to the special atmosphere
a backdrop of twinkling lights and carol singers, historic streets are lined with traditional stalls piled high with handmade crafts and local delicacies showcasing the best of the culture of the region. Hot mulled wine, spicy sausage, gingerbread and roasted chestnuts create scents and flavours that add to the very special atmosphere. But apart
” get more out of your
weekend by not spending
valuable time commuting. To see what travel
agents are offering by way of city break deals for the Christmas market, check out Irish sites such as travalue.ie, cassidytravel.ie, travelnet.ie, clickandgo.com, gohop.ie and arrowtours.ie.
Krakow
Experience old-style Polish charm on Krakow’s main square lined with stalls selling Baltic amber jewellery, wood carvings, Bohemian glass and other handicrafts. The city is usually draped in snow during the festive season, with carol singing and traditional folk dancing on the streets. The market runs from Nov 24th to Dec 26th 2017. Clickandgo.com offers return flights and 3 nights in a 3* hotel (room only) from €265.
Munich
The Bavarian capital is a spectacular place to visit during Advent, with numerous Christmas markets, even at the airport. The largest, running from Nov 27th to Dec 24th is on Marienplatz (St Mary’s Square). Prices start from around €250 including flights and hotels, but book soon. Flights with Aer Lingus and Lufthansa operate daily to Munich. While there, check out the biggest men’s department store in Europe, Hirmer.
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Budapest
The Christmas market on Vörösmarty Square (Nov 10th - Dec 31st) is a feast for the senses with its pretty stalls, artisan food and carol singers. As this is the spa capital of Europe, why not treat yourself to a game of chess in the hot thermal waters of the Széchenyi thermal baths? Unforgettable! Cassidy Travel offers return flights and 2 nights B&B in a 3-star city hotel from €220.
Prague
A winter wonderland awaits in the Czech Republic, as you soak up the atmosphere and enjoy Christmas carols, warm food and hot wine. Running daily from Dec 2nd to Jan 6th, Christmas markets on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are bustling, magical affairs. Travalue.ie offers return flights and 3 nights B&B in the 5* President Hotel Prague from €275 pps.
salzburg
A romantic market drenched in tradition, the Christkindlmarkt in the old town of Salzburg runs from Nov 23rd to Dec 26th. Mozart’s city in winter is the stuff of fairytales, and the birthplace of the most famous Christmas carol of all, Silent Night. Why not fit in a day’s skiing on a day trip to Flachau? You’ll also find great shopping on the Getriedegasse, and the designer centre, Outlet Salzburg.
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women in music
WICKLOW WOMAN
The Wicklow Hills are alive with the SOUND OF MUSIC
Ann Catherine Nolan runs Generation Music Wicklow, a county-wide programme designed to give the gift of music to generations of young people
Wicklow has no shortage of creative talent, but the Garden County does have one large obstacle in its way – a mountain runs through it.
It can make access to the arts somewhat harder depending on which side you’re on, but with imaginative initiatives set up in recent years to brings arts to the people, it seems there ain’t no mountain high or long enough to keep the young people of Wicklow from tuning into a new generation of culture.
Ann Catherine Nolan is manager of Music Generation Wicklow, which sets out to provide music education to as many young people as possible right across the county.
Equal access for all the children
“The programme kicked off in 2012, and initially we targeted West Wicklow, because the communities there had least access to arts amenities,” says Ann Catherine. “Now we run music classes in 40 schools throughout the county,
Ann Catherine nolan, Manager of Music generation Wicklow
students from st Cronan’s ns Bray practise their guitar skills
including a foundation course for Junior Infants and Second Class students who experience the rhythm and pulse of music through games.
“For older children we provide personal tuition in playing instruments at heavily subsidised
bands went on to play at the Ennis Fleadh, and earlier this year we had a jazz ensemble for teenagers in Bray, which culminated in a workshop at the Bray Jazz Festival, after which they played with one of the bands.
“As well as music in
schools, personal
tuition, workshops, choirs,
” summer camps and
special projects, we also have two
banks of musical instruments available for rent through Arklow and Blessington libraries. This gives young people the chance to rent quality instruments at a nominal charge for up to six months at a time.”
Co-funded by Wicklow County Council, the Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB) and the Department of Education and
Skills, the programme covers all kinds of music, including traditional, choral, jazz, classical, rap and other genres.
Tangible benefits in the classroom
The effect of all this music education is staggering. Not only are young people mastering a range of instruments from banjo to ukelele, the programme has yielded a number of additional and unexpected results.
“A survey we ran in schools after two years showed that children who had started music classes at a young age demonstrated better learning skills in other areas,” says Ann Catherine.
“Teachers reported that the concentration and listening skills of these students had surpassed those who had not been exposed to music education. That shows very tangible benefits within the classroom.
“We don’t do grade exams, so it takes away the pressure
we don’t “ do exams, so it takes away
rates, and there’s a waiver scheme in place should a family not have the means to pay. It’s very discreet, so nobody has to worry about cost. The commitment is to provide equal access to music to all the children of the county. We’re currently reaching 4,000 young people under the age of 18.
“We also run community projects, like the Music Hub in the Further Education Centre in Blessington. This teaches guitar and keyboard on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there’s a trad session on Friday nights. One of our young trad
the pressure of competition. this is about imparting a love of music, and the effects of that are a joy to see
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Children performing Blue Bottle at the Bord gáis Energy Theatre
of competition,” says Ann Catherine. “This is about imparting a love of music, and the effects of that are a joy
to see. “Occasionally though, a child
with exceptional ability stands out. In 2014, a large scale choral commission Blue Bottle was premiered in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in which 400 young singers performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and a live narrated animation show. It featured a single solo piece, and at the
auditions, Jessica Griffey from Wicklow Town, then just ten years old, had us mesmerised.
“Jessica sang beautifully in front of 1,200 people in the theatre, and went on two years later to sing at the National Concert Hall. She’s now having her voice trained professionally. Definitely one to watch!”
For further information contact Music Generation Wicklow on 0404 60505 or [email protected]
Members of Blessington trad band playing at the town centre
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WICKLOW WOMAN
Hear Her BODY TALK Dancer and choreographer Karen Gleeson uses contemporary dance to bring
new expression to people with hearing impairment and special needs
women in dance
DANCE artist in residence with the Mermaid Arts Centre Bray, Karen Gleeson is choreographing a spectacular new piece of work that celebrates the sound of silence.
Currently working with a group of people from the deaf community in the Central Remedial Clinic, some of whom have movement disabilities, Karen immersed herself in the project by learning sign language in order to better understand and communicate with her group.
“Dance and sign language have much in common,” she says. “Both are about communication and expressing yourself through movement.
The importance of physical expression
“Dance is a wonderful language in the sense that it empowers people to express themselves in creative ways. It’s mind-blowing to see the difference that mastering a simple movement makes to people who are restricted in their mobility. They value it so much, it makes you realise what others take for granted.
“
it’s mind- blowing to see the difference that mastering a simple movement makes to people who are restricted in their mobility
”
fun task like impersonating an animal brings out their physical and creative side, and it’s great for social skills too. Expressing yourself physically through dance is a very liberating and healthy activity, and it’s psychologically beneficial.”
Karen started ballet and tap dance classes at the age of four. She qualified as a ballet teacher with the Royal Academy of dance in 2005, and then spent two years in the Netherlands and a further year in Belgium to get a BA in contemporary dance and physical theatre. She followed that with a first class honours degree in contemporary dance at the University of Limerick. This year, she points out, UL has introduced a BA degree course in contemporary dance, the first of its kind in Ireland.
She has worked with some of the leading choreographers in this country, like John Scott, Liz Roche, Catherine Young and Nick Bryson among others, all of whom are pushing the contemporary movement forward in, literally, leaps and bounds.
With funding from the Arts Council allowing her to develop
“Working with the deaf community and people with special needs has shifted my entire perspective. It underlines for me the importance of physical expression, and what an intrinsic part of our very being this is.
Karen gleeson
Even as babies, our most basic form of communication is through facial expression and movement.”
So why is it then, that contemporary dance appears to be still finding its feet in this country? Riverdance might have revolutionised our approach to traditional Irish dancing, but between the jigs and the reels, as a nation we are far from fluent in the language of the contemporary form.
“Dance needs to be taught earlier in schools,” says Karen. “It’s on the curriculum in some schools as part of P.E. training, but often it’s not taught. It isn’t seen or developed as an art form. Last July, myself and other dancers taught primary school teachers how to bring dance into the classroom.
“It’s hugely beneficial for young people. A silly wiggly movement can increase the blood flow and help concentration. Setting kids a
her work, she describes Mermaid Arts Centre as “my support system.”
“It’s through my artist-in- residence placement here that I can develop my work with the deaf community, which is very rewarding,” she says.
“I’m working on a solo piece called Hear My Hands, which combines sign language with dance, music and video. Covering themes of perceptions and miscommunications in relationships, it includes subtitles, text, sound and vibrations.
“Its launch on October 19th at the Mermaid is just the beginning. I want this to evolve and grow into something that can travel and reach as wide an audience as possible.
“I want it to be inclusive, and I hope it generates discussion about some of the important issues we face as a society in Ireland today.”
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WICKLOW WOMAN
Wonder WOMAn While not managing a full-time day job, Aughrim woman Sinéad O’Loughlin is an
award-winning film director, writer, theatre maker and drama facilitator. Seriously.
women in Film
SINÉAD O’Loughlin took a short path to success when her first foray into film bagged the Best Short Film award at this year’s Fingal Film and Arts Festival.
Written and directed by the Aughrim native, Homecoming also won the Best Irish Narrative award at the Kerry Film Festival last October. Not bad for a woman who at 33 already has impressive strings to her bow as a writer, theatre maker, drama facilitator and film director.
The story of a young man who
returns to Ireland while his friends
emigrate to Australia,
Homecoming resonates with
␣␣
modern audiences who relate to
its themes of emigration, family,
place, and rural identity. They’re
subjects close to the heart of the woman behind the camera, whose early literary success came about almost by accident.
Having finished college in NUI Galway where she did a masters degree in drama and theatre, Sinéad moved for a while into her late grandfather’s home in Dublin.
“That inspired me to write a short story,” says Sinéad. “I didn’t write it for publication – it was just a way of expressing my feelings – but shortly afterwards the poet, novelist and playwright Dermot Bolger called for people to contribute 600-word stories about women moving into new houses to mark the opening of his new play, Tea Chests and Dreams. It seemed like a perfect fit, so I submitted it, and Dermot
sinéad O’Loughlin
David greene and Johanna O’Brien in Homecoming
asked if he could publish it in a New Irish Writing supplement.
“I’d always written bits and pieces, but seeing my work in print pushed me to think about taking my writing more seriously. I’m very practical about it now. I have a full-time job in admin, so I don’t have to depend on writing or directing to earn a living, which is just as well, because it’s difficult to do that in Ireland. The security of the day job gives me the freedom to take on only projects that interest me.”
Having written and directed a one-act play called Wake at college, Sinéad thought her creative talents might remain in theatre, but another opportunity led her down a new path.
“It’s hard to cross over from theatre to film,” she says. “Wicklow Arts Office did a call- out for strategic projects for artists looking to expand their practice. Having applied and got the grant, my cinematographer Dan Keane and I set about filming on location in Wicklow.
“Working in film has been an eye-opener. I was involved in the Waking the Feminist movement in theatre, but I was assured it
was much harder for women in the film industry. At film festivals I’ve attended in Ireland, the rate of female-directed Irish short films is only about 20 percent.
“When the numbers of women featured at such events are so low, the only
Now based in Dublin, she speaks highly of the thriving cultural scene in her native county, and of the support she receives there.
“Maggie Gallagher, Artistic Director of the Courthouse Arts Centre in Tinahely
invited me to speak at their café nights,
and gave me a writing space in the centre’s Green Room, which is a fantastic
” resource,” she says. “I still go
there when I need space to write.
“South Wicklow is quite rural, and Maggie does an amazing job of keeping the arts alive for the local community. She brings actors and directors from Dublin and elsewhere to Tinahely, so we experience great work without having to travel far to get it.
“It’s a great example of the way arts and culture can thrive in small towns and villages. It means a lot, because writing is a solitary occupation, and writers and artists need all the support we can get.”
“ i was involved in the
advantage is it’s easy to find them, so we tend to network, and my peers in Women in Film and TV Ireland are great for tweeting and giving each other a shout-out.”
Sinéad’s passion for the creative arts began as a child in Aughrim National School, where she was inspired by speech and drama teacher, Nives Egan Langley. She remembers family days out to see Annie in the Olympia Theatre Dublin at the age of 11, and Brian Friel’s Philadelphia Here I Come, at 14.
“I feel fortunate to have had exposure to culture and the arts at a young age, because it stays with you for life,” she says.
waking the Feminist movement in theatre, but i was assured it was much harder for women in the film industry
15


DESIGNED TO INSPIRE
Unit 1A Block C, Kilcoole Industrial Estate, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
Ph: (01) 281 7000 Email: [email protected]
Web: www.roundwooddesign.ie
16


Pete the vet
Pets can be better than pills - and a lot more fun. Pete Wedderburn explains why people fare so well with cats and dogs in their lives
WICKLOW WOMAN
PETS are so good for people that if we lived in a logical world, your doctor might prescribe a pet for you than rather than many of the standard pharmaceutical medications that are currently available.
Pet owners have better general health, needing fewer visits to the
Headline
ownership. Non-pet owners are twice as likely to feel lonely compared to pet owners, and pet owners report better happiness and health compared to non-pet owners.
The company of pets also eases the burden of bereavement, with pet owners experiencing less depression after the loss of a beloved human companion.
Pets with benefits
All of these benefits don't mean that everyone should get a pet. It would be the wrong thing to do for people who don’t like animals, or if your home situation is not right for a pet. But for most of us, pets bring real benefits. They’re as good for us as we are for them.
non-dog owners to maintain their mobility over time. They are more likely to walk faster, and to attain their recommended levels of daily physical activity.
Other studies have confirmed that regular
physical activity improves mental
health, and reduces the
risk of cardio-
vascular disease, hyper-
improved the immune response of children, reducing respiratory infections, ear infections and gastroenteritis.
As well as these improvements in general health, humans experience benefits to their mental health from pet
“ a study found that having pets
doctor, with a lower chance of having illnesses that require
hospitalisation. How does this
happen? There are many reasons.
First, dog owners go for recreational walks far more often than non-dog owners, increasing their level of regular exercise. This effect starts during the first month of pet ownership, with the benefits being maintained over time.
Personal trainer
A dog is like an ongoing personal fitness coach: if you have a dog, you need to take it for a walk. The long-term impact of this regular exercise is significant, and has been proven by research.
Elderly dog owners are more than twice as likely as
in the home reduces respiratory infections, ear infections and
gastroenteritis in ” tension, colon
children cancer, diabetes and a
number of other illnesses.
Pet owners also have lower blood pressure, plasma triglycerides and cholesterol.
As a marker of the real life effect of these changes, pet ownership has been shown to be linked with improved one-year survival rates for serious heart attacks.
Pet ownership also brings benefits at the other end of the age scale: childhood exposure to two or more dogs or cats has been shown to reduce the risk of developing some allergic reactions and asthma. Another study found that having pets in the home
The secret to a long, happy healthy life? GET A PET!
Greystones: Monday - Thursday 9.30am to 4.00pm, Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 10.00am to 12 noon. Tel: 01 287 7165 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gcu.ie
Newtownmountkennedy: 01 281 0588 Kilcoole: 01 287 3111 Both open Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm Saturday 10.00am to 12.00 noon
Greystones & District Credit Union encourage our members to check out what we have to offer when looking to borrow for that house makeover. For those that have savings accumulated to do this work perhaps you should consider using our secured loan special offering instead and leave the savings for the rainy day that may come down the line. Whatever the plan contact us to consider your options.
17


motorinG
Darren Darker advises on car servicing
UNDER normal driving conditions (10,000 miles/15,000km per annum) you should get your car serviced once a year. However, if you do a lot of driving, you may need an additional mid-year oil change.
Regular servicing helps to reduce maintenance costs and increases the life of the vehicle.
A full service on a petrol car will include oil and oil filter, air filter and spark plugs, while a diesel service should include a fuel filter (instead of spark plugs). It’s very important to use the correct oil type for your car as using the wrong oil will over time damage your car’s engine and increase your running costs.
Some garages use a generic oil to keep prices down. Check they use the manufacturer’s specification oil for your car before booking it in.
A full service carried out by a qualified mechanic should take approximately two hours and include a thorough inspection of your car along with
balancing the lights. If you see an advert for a service from €99, it’s probably just an oil change and a brief inspection of the car. Ask exactly what they are going to do when booking your car in.
Make sure the garage you use has qualified staff and up- to-date diagnostics. If in doubt get a referral for a garage from a trusted friend or advisor. Regardless of the service, you should check your coolant, oil levels and tyre pressures regularly – I suggest once a month while at a petrol station.
Don’t overfill your oil – just putabitinatatimeandcheck the level again before adding more. Coolant bottles are normally clear so you can see the level. If it’s low, be careful opening the lid, because this is effectively boiling liquid. It’s best to do this when the engine is cold or at least cool. Top up with coolant, but if you’re stuck, then water will suffice.
Darren Darker is a director of A Plus Service Centre, Bray 01 286 6815 • aplusservice.ie
Greystones Roof Repair Service
Established 1979
␣ Roof & Velux Leaks␣␣ Storm Damage ␣ Loose Slates & Tiles ␣ Leaking Roofs ␣ New Flashing Fitted ␣ Klober Dry verge Supplied & Fitted ␣ Chimney Stack Painting ␣ Insurance Claims ␣ Free Estimates - Fully Insured
Don McDonald The Grove, Greystones, Co. Wicklow Ph: 01 287 5491 Mob: 086 303 4250 Email: [email protected]
Here at K&K Windows Ltd, we take exceptional pride in the work we do and customer service we provide. For 22 years, we have provided outstanding quality windows, doors and conservatories for both residential and commercial projects. With NO MIDDLE MAN!
We sell, manufacture and install. Your wish is our command!
T: 1800 250 260 E: [email protected] Rossminogue, Craanford, Gorey, Co. Wexford, Y25 N2T7 www.kkwindows.ie
NO MIDDLE MAN! WE SELL, MANUFACTURE AND INSTALL
18


19


Brighten up your winter wardobe
The days may be getting grey and dreary, but you don’t have to be. Whether tailored or casual, adding a bold splash of colour to what you wear is the perfect antidote to the cold, dark days ahead
Fashion
Just Female Carol faux fur black bomber €249, Charli canary yellow cashmere knit €249.95, Just Female Moe yellow and black leopard print pleated skirt €95, Anonymous Copenhagen Dilliah suede boots black stars €199.95, all from Avoca
Above: Red patent anorak, €59.99 from new Look
second Female lemon Muja dress, €209 from Avoca
Red gloves, J by Jasper Conran, €27 from Debenhams
Yellow biker jacket from new Look
selected Femme boyfriend jeans in light blue denim, €69.95 from Avoca
20


Above: Jumper €25, skirt €14, and earrings €3, all from Penneys
WICKLOW WOMAN
Above: Braid jumper, €30; burgundy PU midi skirt, €40 from the savida Collection at Dunnes stores
By TiMo black floral print tea dress €214 Matt & nat Petite vegan leather pink clutch €99.95, from Avoca
Autograph coat €165, M&s Collection jumper €40, Autograph trouser €70, bag €135, and boots €110, all from Marks and spencer
21


cookery
WICKLOW WOMAN
The Ultimate Bates
SEAFOOD CHOWDER
This foolproof recipe from Bates Restaurant in Rathdrum makes a scrumptious weekend brunch or evening supper, a perfect warming treat on a cold winter’s day
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
ingredients
2 small onions, finely chopped 2 celery sticks, thinly sliced 50g butter 1 tbsp flour
500ml fish stock splash of pastis 250ml cream 2 bay leaves 200g salmon, skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces
200g sea bass, skinned and cut into bite-sized pieces 20 mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded
salt and pepper 4 king prawns, to serve 2 tbsp chives, chopped
Method
Heat the butter in a large saucepan over a low to medium heat and fry the onions, celery and bay leaves until the vegetables are soft but not brown. Add the flour and cook for a minute.
Stir in the hot fish stock, add a splash of pastis and simmer for two minutes. Stir in the salmon and sea bass and cook until the fish is opaque. Add the mussels and prawns during the last 2 minutes of the fish’s cooking time. Stir through the cream and season well with salt and pepper.
To serve
Ladle the chowder into warmed serving bowls, add lemon juice, sprinkle over the chives and serve with plenty of fresh crusty bread.
Bates Restaurant, Market Square, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. Tel: 0404 29988 Mobile: 087 914 1368 www.batesrestaurant.ie
nOTEs
Pastis is a French anise and liquorice-flavoured spirit and apéritif that lends itself beautifully to a comforting bowl of chowder. If you don’t have it to hand however, try a splash of dry white wine, but only one that you’d be happy to drink on its own. Use a good quality fish stock. Nothing less will do! You can substitute some of the fish with your own personal favourites - scallops, crab and shrimp harmonise well, for instance - but this particular mélange is a proven favourite.
22


B Couture Visit our Shop
Wicklow Stockist: B Couture, Wicklow Vale Emporium, Lower Tinahask, Arklow.
Tel: 0402 23585 Email: [email protected] www.bcouture.ie
23


Alan Noble & Associates Claims Consultancy
Tel: 0404 64555 Mob: 087 928 9823 Email: [email protected] 34 Marlton Demesne, Wicklow Town
Call in the experts who will deal with the stress and strain, ensuring you get the best result for your claim, whether your loss ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Regulated with the Central bank of Ireland. Reg No:C90815
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CK Heating & Plumbing Services
All Heating Systems, Bathroom Suites Fitted, Attic Tanks, Cylinders and Outside Taps
Tel: 01 282 3568 Keith 086 827 5500
by Charles Sharkey, LIPPA,
Bray, Co Wicklow. Tel 087 2217947 or 01 2868707 Email [email protected]
24


women in business
WICKLOW WOMAN
A girl’s BEST FRIEND Samantha Wall realised a lifelong dream when she opened her own jewellery shop
in Wicklow Town earlier this year - and a famous friend lent a helping hand
samantha Wall and Rory Cowan
WHEN family friend and TV star Rory Cowan came to Wicklow Town in September to mark the opening of a new jewellery store, owner Samantha Wall says he became a local hero.
The popular actor and entertainer who earlier this year left the long-running comedy Mrs Brown’s Boys to become the narrator of Gogglebox Ireland happily signed autographs and posed for selfies the whole evening long.
signing autographs at midnight
“He was so generous with his time and good humour, people warmed to him instantly,” says Samantha. “The crowds spilled out on to the street, and he was still signing autographs at the Chinese takeaway after midnight.”
The occasion was the official launch of Samantha Jewellers, a boutique store which stocks a wide selection of stylish jewellery,
luxurious watches and gift items. It has a number of brands exclusive to County Wicklow, including contemporary
pearls, handbags by Mála, Genesis giftware, Mindy Brown lamps and photo frames, and more.
With over 20 years’ experience in the jewellery business, running her own store fulfils a lifelong dream for Samantha.
“I love everything about jewellery,” she says, “the stones, the history behind it, and the artistry involved. Choosing a piece of jewellery is a very personal affair, and I love helping my customers find exactly what they’re looking for.
The throwaway days are over
“Trends have changed in the last few years. When the recession hit, not surprisingly, people went for cheaper costume jewellery. Now they’re looking for higher quality pieces, things that will last and look well in years to come. This may be a reflection of an upturn in the economy, but
people aren’t losing the run of themselves. My
customers are careful about how they
spend their money.
The throwaway days ” are over: now,
longevity is key.”
Samantha Jewellers will host an exclusive customer night at the end of November.
“ People are looking
Celtic designs by Jean Butler of Riverdance fame, handmade silver jewellery by Juvi, the German collection Coeur de Lion, Irish-based Noriko which specialises in Japanese cultured
for higher quality pieces, things that will last
ROUNDWOOD MINI BUS SERVICE
14, 16, 38 and 50-seater buses available for all occasions – tours, day trips, Christmas party nights, hen parties and other functions.
Tel 01 2818561 Mobile 087 2047916 Email [email protected] Web www.glendaloughminibushire.com
25


beauty
toP tiPs to make you blush
Many women have difficulty when it comes to applying blusher. Here are some of the most common faux pas: u Not using any at all - skin just looks dull and tired; u Plastering it on - skin looks flushed and unnatural;
u Not blending it in - you may be entering clown territory; u Choosing the wrong shade - it pops out and detracts from
your overall look. It can be tricky to get blush right, but it’s worth spending time on it. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice in your local pharmacy or department store. Assistants are trained and usually more than happy to help. Try to find a shade that’s close to the actual colour of your cheeks when you’re flushed. Keep a light touch when applying. Remember the golden rule, less is always more when it comes to blush. Suck in your cheeks and, using featherlight strokes, sweep the blush over your cheekbones, just above the bone. Powder blush is easiest to apply and ideal for people with normal to oily skin. If you’ve got dry skin, practise with a cream formula, using your fingertips or a blush brush. This can look really natural once you get the technique right. Gel blush can create a very pretty, sheer colour that looks very natural and is good for all skin types, especially oily skin.
Above: Face Blush, €16 by inglot, in shade 20, great for a fair skin tone.
Left: no7’s Match Made blusher (€12.50) is designed to complement your skin tone. Choose a foundation, and the no7 Match Made service will recommend a choice of blush shades.
PINK IS THE NEW BLACK
From flirty fuchsia to romantic rose, there’s a shade of pink lippy to bring out your perfect pout this autumn and winter. Team with a flawless foundation, soft blush and a natural brow for a pretty, polished look
For some people, the cold harsh winter leads to cracked, dry lips, but this trio of Rich Care lipsticks by inglot are hypoallergenic, non-scented and contain shea butter, vitamin E, argan oil and other softening, moisturising ingredients. shade 01 is clear and gives a light gloss, 02 is a light rosy glow, and 03 is a pretty, peachy colour. At €6 each, we think they’re a steal.
Lip balm never looked or felt so good. no7 Lovely Lips tinted lip balm in Parisian Pink is a moisturising formula with mineral oil, beeswax and vitamin E. Apply alone for a natural lip blush, or under lipstick for an added colour boost. €12.50 from Boots.
not everyone hearts a glossy lipstick. This Matte lipstick (shade 434) €15 by inglot gives a lovely soft matte finish without making your lips feel dry. vitamin E and apricot kernel oil provide the moisture.
26


beauty
RELAX INTO WINTER
The cold snap can wreak havoc on your skin, but never fear, because there are always treats and pick-me-ups to withstand the harshest weather and make you feel beautifully relaxed
LET Us sPRAY... Jo Malone scents are sublime, and her new collection, English Oak, is no exception. Embrace Autumn and Winter with English Oak and Redcurrant, a floral fruity fragrance with a base note of oak (€54 for 30ml cologne, €109 for 100ml). And if you can’t get enough of it on your skin, you can infuse it into your room with the Home Candle, €52. A tad decadent as candles go, we grant you, but then Christmas is coming...
THE BEAUTY OF sEAWEED... voya is a sligo-based company that blends hand-harvested seaweed into a range of luxury, organic beauty products that are sold in 37 countries from Dubai to the Maldives. There are over 60 products, all based on the natural antioxidant, soothing and healing properties of seaweed. One of the most popular is the award-winning Me Time soothing Moisturiser. This melts into the skin, and its aloe vera, camomile and seaweed
extracts feel as wonderful as they sound. €59.50 for 50ml. Another must-have for your winter handbag is its Balmelicious Organic Lip Balm in vanilla and Peppermint, €12.50 for 15ml.
27


Tel: 01 200 5955 Mob: 086 2629 112 [email protected]
␣ Domestic Suites ␣ Re-Upholstery ␣␣Chairs ␣ Antiques ␣ Caravans ␣␣Headboards ␣␣Churches ␣ Boats ␣ Restaurants ␣ Pubs ␣ Clubs ␣ Hotels
ABC Chimney Cleaners Ltd
Over 50 Years’ Experience in the Business
␣ All Wood and Multi-Fuel Stoves ␣ Manuel and Power Cleaning ␣ Also, Oil Fired Boilers, Open Fires and Gas Fires ␣ Fitting of Bird Guards and Cowls ␣ All Areas of Dublin & Wicklow
Contact: 087 976 2177 / 01 282 0355
CALL MAINTAIN IT FOR ALL YOUR LOCAL BUILDING MAINTENANCE NEEDS – BUSINESS AND HOME!
␣ Carpentry including renovations and refits ␣ Flooring ␣ Electrics ␣ Decking/outdoor ␣ General day-to-day building and home maintenance
Call Paul Eglington on 087 2256064 E: [email protected] – Business/Home References Supplied
28

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30


Winter gardening
As the days are getting shorter and flowers begin to fade, you may think it’s time to hang up your gardening gloves... Not so fast, writes Jonathan gannon. There’s still plenty to do over the winter months to keep your garden in tip-top shape.
Give your hedges a final trim so they keep their shape and form over the season.
Continue to clear any leaves as they fall and add to a compost heap. Leaving them to rot in the garden can promote disease and suffocate plants.
Top up flowering beds with an organic fertiliser like seaweed to keep nutrients in the soil high.
Start planting spring-flowering bulbs like daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and
anemones to give your garden a burst of
colour in the New Year.
Keep an eye on your lawn
and apply a winter
fertiliser once to give it that lush
green appearance.
If you have a vegetable patch, start harvesting your final crops and plant garlic, cabbage, kale,
onions and radish to grow over the winter months.
Prune and dead-head any flowering perennials and give your roses a good prune, remembering to cut back any crossing and rubbing branches to give a positive form for the next year.
There are always good reasons to get out into the garden and stay active over
the winter. It’s a great time to divide or move plants. In particular, it’s the season for planting rootball trees and bare root shrubs and hedging. Oh, and don’t forget to leave feed out for our winged friends during the cold months ahead!
Jonathan Gannon, B. Ag.Sci, L.L.M is director of Gannon & Associates Landscape Architecture.
GardeninG
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Book Your Free Hearing Test Today
What Have You Heard?
Maybe not as much as you could?
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
You should suspect a hearing loss if you:
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ as they used to
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ Freephone: 1800 80 43 22 Email: ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣Web: ␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣ Find us on:␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣␣
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95 Main Street , Bray, Co. Wicklow
* a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
Telephone: 01 2868211/0 Email: [email protected] Web: www.obrienmurraysolicitors.ie
For all your legal requirements Property Law, Family Law, Personal Injury Claims * Wills & Probate Employment Law
MOBILITY BATHROOMS
CATERING FOR ALL YOUR DISABILITY NEEDS
␣ Bedroom ensuite extensions ␣ Bathroom renovations ␣ Level access showers ␣ Ramps and railings
Tel: 0404 40762 Fax: 0404 40975 Mobile: 086 261 2063 Email: [email protected] Rosanna Upper, Ashford, Co. Wicklow.
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WICKLOW WOMAN
Windows of Opportunity
Entrepreneur and Wicklow Chamber of Commerce President, Dianna Sheridan throws light on running a business and engaging with the local community
women in business
Aprominent figure in the local business community, Wicklow Chamber of Commerce President Dianna Sheridan is a seasoned entrepreneur who has steered her business through 17 years of good times and bad.
Her shop, Allshades Blinds and Furnishings in Broomhall Business Park, Rathnew has survived both recession and competition from large chains selling standard readymades.
In recent years the Ashford native and her husband also set up a recycling business. Combined with a busy family life, it’s a demanding daily challenge to which she responds by being extremely organised.
fit, provide a free quotation and follow through on every detail. Not everybody wants to buy off the shelf. Choosing curtains or blinds for a room is not just window-dressing, it’s part of your individual living space, the environment where you want to kick back and relax and make your own. A lot of people see that as money well spent, and that’s what makes our business viable. The same principle helped us survive the recession, because people turned to improving their homes rather than buying new ones. In this business, you’re only as good as
“
the
your last job. Word of mouth is the best
recommendation, and that’s what’s
kept my business
going.” After her
communities. Between meetings, fundraising events, awards nights and initiatives to try and attract foreign investment, there’s always something on.
“My husband Paddy is self- employed, like me. Together we own a recycling plant called PolySort, which recycles high- end plastics for the food industry. Paddy runs it from the old NET factory in Arklow.
“We don’t talk shop every minute at home. We like to walk our two dogs, and if we get a chance to watch TV, I like period dramas like Downton Abbey, or
the occasional soap. I’m in bed by 10 or 11 most nights, and asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
“I’ve worked since I was 13 when I got a part-time job in the local petrol station shop. That was an eye-opener. Serving hungry hordes of Wicklow farmers on their way to or from a match in Croke Park taught me to be quick on my feet. My father died from a heart attack at the age of 51, leaving my mother to raise five children alone. Times were hard, but they made us resourceful, and that’s a quality that has served me well.”
chamber of
commerce is about
NETWORKING and
being a COLLECTIVE
Dianna’s hands-on approach to everything she does extends to running the family home where she gets up at 6.30am, tackles whatever household chores need doing, and has breakfast with husband Paddy and their college student children, Luke, 21 and Alannah, 19. By nine she’s in the office, calling customers and suppliers before heading out on the road.
“I’m a morning person,” she says. “I like to set up my appointments with customers early in the day, and then deal with the paperwork. I know every single item on every docket. I have a factory that makes our blinds, and I outsource our made-to-measure curtains with a network of freelance professionals that I’ve worked with for years.
“It’s a bespoke, personal service. We make, measure and
” morning calls, she
drives to her appointments,
VOICE for change
typically measuring six properties a day in Wicklow
Town and surrounding areas such as Rathnew, Ashford, Delgany and Bray , and sometimes further afield. Most afternoons are spent liaising with suppliers, doing paperwork, and following up on invoices. Outside of office hours, her role as Chamber President takes up a lot of time.
“The Chamber work is demanding, but very rewarding,” she says. “We have 130 members, and 16 representatives at council level, who meet monthly and discuss initiatives to support businesses in the area and develop the local economy. It’s about networking, being a collective voice for change, and engaging with local
dianna’s toP 3 tiPs For women in business
• the local enterprise office is a great resource for women in business, especially its network of entrepreneurial women (new) initiative that gives women a forum to meet and exchange ideas at regular meetings. it also runs courses in management, sales and marketing, and other aspects of business, which can be very useful.
• if you’ve done a job well, invoice for it. don’t be afraid to ask for your money.
• never let credit slide. some businesses go to the wall for that very reason. keep on top of your paperwork. if there’s a problem, don’t let it lie – sort it out.
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Pinewood Close, Boghall Road, Bray Co. Wicklow. Tel. 085 1125427
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LEADERS IN RESIDENTIAL, RETAIL & COMMERCIAL SALES
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Ph: 087-7970621 Office: 01-2021546 Email: [email protected]
87, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow. PSRA Lic. No 001128
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Allshades Blinds & Furnishings 160YEARS
ww.allshades.ie Find Us On Facebook Daniel Blake
␣ ␣ ␣ ␣ ␣
l Dianna Now on 0404 20344 or 087 installations. Wet Rooms installed.
Heating & Plumbing
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OMHALL BUSINESS PARK, RATHNEW, CO. WICKLOW EMAIL: [email protected] Grants Available, Fully insured.
GRANTS OF UP TO €1200 AVAILABLE ON NEW HIGH EFFICIENCY GAS BOILER & CONTROL UPGRADES


comPetitions
Mermaid Arts Centre
Cinema tickets to
THE MERMAID
Wicklow Woman and Mermaid Arts Centre are delighted to give you the chance to win one of 5 pairs of cinema tickets to the classic movie, It’s A Wonderful Life on Monday 18th December
It’s a Wonderful Life is a moving and beautifully told film, a Christmas classic for all the family to enjoy. The story finds George Bailey (James Stewart) in turmoil and on the verge of suicide. In classic Hollywood style, heaven sends a guardian angel to remind him how worthwhile his life has been and to treasure the good times when the going gets tough. The atmosphere in the Mermaid Arts Centre at the screening of this iconic movie on December 18th promises to be truly magical.
To win one of 5 pairs of cinema tickets for 18th December, simply answer this question: Which actor played george Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life? Email your answer with “Mermaid Cinema Ticket Competition” in the subject line to:
[email protected] before 12 noon on Monday 11th December next. Winners will be contacted that day.
A luxury king-sized mattress from
WICKLOW WOMAN
FLANAGAN KERINS
Wicklow Woman has teamed up with Flanagan Kerins to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a luxurious king-sized mattress for the sleep of your dreams - including free delivery and free recycling of your old mattress
Flanagan Kerins’ large and welcoming showrooms in Southern Cross, Bray and Deerpark Road, Mount Merrion feature a bed centre with a large range of beds including top Irish brands such as Respa, Kingkoil, Odearest and Natural Sleep.
The company is also renowned for its quality dining and living room furniture, antiques and pianos, occasional seating, bookcases, mirrors and not least, the wonderful Red Bird Café, where you can catch up with friends over coffee in relaxed surroundings. See flanagankerins.ie for further information.
To be in with a chance to win, simply answer this question:
What is the name of the popular Flanagan Kerins café? Email your answer with “Flanagan Kerins Mattress Competition” in the subject line to: [email protected]
before 12 noon on Monday 11th December next. Winners will be contacted that day.
38 WIN!
WIN!


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