Laragh & Glendalough News Issue136 - July 2008

Lectures for the Curious

This series of 5 entertaining lectures will be delivered by some of the foremost experts in the field of medieval Irish studies. They take place at 7.30 pm on Tuesdays in the OPW Visitor Centre in Glendalough. Everybody is welcome and admission and parking are free.
" 8th July The Market Cross: More about Politics than Religion? - Dr Peter Harbison, RIA
" 15th July Rebuilding the City of Angels: Muirchertach Ua Briain and Glendalough, c.1096 to 1111 - Dr Tomás O Carragáin, UCC
" 22nd July Music from Medieval Irish Monasteries - Dr Ann Buckley, NUIM
" 29th July The Mark of the Chisel: Twelfth Century Sculptors at Glendalough - Dr Rachel Moss, TCD
" 5th August Spreadsheets: The Study and Use of Numbers in Medieval Irish Monasteries - Dr Dan McCarthy, TCD

Synge Summer School

As part of the Synge Summer School, which runs from 29th June until 5th July, Sebastian Barry will read at 8 pm in the Brockagh Centre on Wednesday 2nd July. Sebastian Barry is a major, internationally-renowned, playwright and novelist. His plays include The Steward of Christendom, Our Lady of Sligo and The Pride of Parnell Street. His awards include the BBC/Stewart Parker Trust Award, the Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize and the Ireland/America Literary Prize. His latest novel, The Secret Scripture, will be published by Faber on 30 June 2008. For further information on the Synge Summer School check out the website www.syngesummerschool.org.

Pilgrimage for Blackrock Hospice

During the first week of July Alan O'Baille, from Beechwood in Laragh, is planning to do a 'medieval pilgrimage' from Ballybrack to Glendalough and back on foot. It will properly begin at the ancient ruins of Rathmichael; from there he plans to go up to Glencullen and join the Wicklow Way to Glendalough. The walk will involve one or two nights in the mountains. The medieval angle is linked to the fact that Alan is a piper and will dress accordingly. Alan is hoping to use the occasion to raise some money for Blackrock Hospice and would welcome any support that can be offered by members of the Laragh-Glendalough community.

300 to 1 Draw
A 300-1 draw in aid of the Brockagh Resource Centre will take place on Sunday September 28th. Tickets cost €100 each and are available from any member of the GDDA or the Brockagh Centre.
1st Prize - Car (Hyundai - model i10)
2nd Prize - €1,000
3rd Prize - Weekend away for two in Ireland
4th, 5th, 6th, 7thand 8th Prizes - €100

Jazz Rock Band

The Garforth Jazz Rock Band will perform in the Brockagh Centre on Friday 18th July at 8 pm. The band is based in Leeds and will visit Ireland after the Garforth Arts Festival. All members of the group are between 14 and 20 years of age and have performed with professional jazz musicians as well as taken part in many UK concerts. This a big band style concert - with both traditional and modern numbers and a jazz swing style. Roundwood Comhaltas will be the special guests. The proceeds will be shared between the Diabetes Federation and Chernobyl Children's Aid.

A New Cemetery - Public Meeting

A public meeting will take place at 8 pm on Thursday June 26th regarding the provision of a suitable new or extended burial place for the community. It will be held in the Brockagh Resource Centre. All are welcome, and anyone who can propose a solution to the problem will be particularly welcome. This is a matter which, like no other, concerns us all.

Tidy Towns

Judging in the Tidy Towns competition takes place shortly - please make a special effort to keep the area litter free.

Mobile Library

The mobile library will be in Laragh on Thursdays July 3rd, 17th and 31st from 10 am to 12 noon.

Wicklow Mountains National Park

The summer lecture series continues at 8 pm on Thursdays in Bolger's Cottage at the Upper Lake in Glendalough.
" 26th June Are Children Disconnected from Nature? - Sarah O'Malley, National Parks & Wildlife Service
" 3rd July Pine Martens - Áine Lynch, National Parks & Wildlife Service
" 10th July The Bogs of Canada and their Conservation Problems Cillian Breathnach, Irish Peatland Conservation
" 17th July Wild Business: The Game Industry in South Africa John Kinsella, National Parks & Wildlife Service
" 24th July St. Kevin's Desert: The History and Archaeology of the Upper Lake Area - Jim Clarke, OPW
" 31st July Ballycroy National Park - its Golden Plover and Other Rare Wildlife - Cameron Clotworthy, National Parks & Wildlife Service
" 7th August The Re-Introduction of the Red Kite to Wicklow - Damian Clarke, Red Kite Project Manager
Other forthcoming events organised by the Park staff include:
Wildflower Walk - Learn to identify some of the wildflowers of Glendalough and discover a little about their ecology, folklore and history. This walk takes place on Saturday 28th June and is not suitable for children. Booking is essential.
Bat Walk - See, hear and learn about bats - starting at 9.15 pm at the Information Office on Thursday July 17th. Bring a torch and insect repellent. No booking is required and everyone is welcome.
Bog Walk - On Saturday 19th July you can explore one of Ireland's most important habitats - the ever-declining bog. See insect-eating plants and explore the life of a bog pool. This walk will be off-track and wet underfoot so all participants must be suitably equipped (hiking boots and suitable rain gear). The walk is limited to 15 places and is not suitable for children. Bookings (essential) will be taken from Saturday 5th July only.
Family Fun Days - These will take place each Thursday from 10th July to 28th August (2 to 4pm). Bring your primary school aged children along to an afternoon of nature-based activities (art, nature walks, etc). Please note that an adult must stay

Community Alert

Community Alert was set up in 1991 in response to a spate of robberies in the area and we have been active to a greater or lesser extent ever since. The scheme is not just about crime prevention - it is also about being a good neighbour, keeping an eye on those in our community who are vulnerable, making sure our area is a safe place for our children and much more.
Many years ago our Community Alert group looked at our community to identify which group we could help the most. With this in mind we set about getting personal alarms and smoke detectors into the homes of our older people. This led us to start monthly coffee mornings to try to keep in touch with as many of these as possible. Rathdrum Senior Citizens joined us and the 'get-togethers' which alternated between the two areas became hugely successful, as did the 'specials' which were held at differing venues. The pupils from Avondale Community College became involved, organising two coffee mornings each year and also entertaining us at our Christmas sessions. These two differing age groups get on so well together - our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the pupils and staff of the college for their continued support.
We still administer the grant scheme for personal alarms and our coffee mornings continue, even if less frequently than before. Our co-ordinators are on each road in the area and hopefully in time they will be in touch with the people in their areas to re-introduce themselves. If you would like to get involved we would be delighted to hear from you!
As you will see in the booklet delivered with this newsletter, Muintir na Tíre and the Gardaí are in the process of trying to revive Community Alert groups - but it is up to the people of the locality to play their part. Please take the time to read at least some of this booklet (there is a good section on Crime Prevention Advice - pages 19 to 22). Extra copies will be available in the P.O. and the Brockagh Resource Centre.

The Brockagh Resource Centre

Car Boot Sale
The next Car Boot sale will take place on Sunday July 6th from 11 am. Subsequent Car Boot sales will take place on the first Sunday of every month. For further information contact the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.

Country Market & Craft Fair - |Kiddies' Day
The Glendalough Market and Craft Fair will be back on Sunday July 13th from 11 am to 4 pm. This market will have a 'kiddies' theme with lots of activities for children including pottery, painting, kid's portraits and lots more. Refreshments will be available and parking and admission are free. If you would like to book a stall phone 0404-45600.

Tuesday Night - Dance Night
Tuesday night is dance night at the Brockagh Centre from 10 pm till late with the Wicklow Man.

Household Hazardous Waste

On July 19th there will be a collection of household hazardous waste (paint, fertilisers, chemicals, cleaning agents, etc) from the Park & Ride car park in Greystones (9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm).
On 26th July items may be brought to the Murrough Recycling Centre (9 am to 1.30 pm) or to the Old VEC car park in Rathdrum (2.30 to 5pm). For further information please contact the Environmental Awareness Office at 1890-222276.

Summer Camps

BamBam Play and Learn Summer Camps
BamBam Play and Learn will run two summer camps: one in July and August for the 2 to 4 year olds (Monday to Friday - 9.30 am to 12.30 pm) and another 'Arts and Crafts' camp in July for children aged 5 to 11 (Monday to Friday - 10 am to 2 pm). The cost of each camp is €80 per week. Children should bring a packed lunch.
N.B. BamBam Play and Learn is now taking enrolments for Montessori September 2008.

Music, Art & Drama Summer Camp
Leslie Dowdall and Leo Kilroy are organizing a Music, Art & Drama Summer Camp in the Brockagh Centre from Monday July 14th to Friday July 18th (10.30 am until 2.30 pm). Phone 087-2631186 or 086-3378473 for further details.

Brockagh Summer Camp
The Brockagh Summer Camp will take place from Tuesday July 22nd to Friday July 25th (9.30 am to 1.30 pm). Activities include fitness and fun, arts and crafts, yoga, pottery, games and dancing. The cost is €70 (€35 deposit). For more information call the Brockagh Centre on 0404-45600.

Kate's Summer Dance Camp
A Kids' Dance Camp will take place from Monday 28th July until Friday 1st August. If you are interested in booking a place or would like further information, please call Kate on 086-8256775.

Saturday Dance Night

Tommy Carroll will play at the Brockagh Centre on Saturday June 28th (9.30 pm until late).

World Youth Day Sydney 2008

Catherine and Elizabeth Devitt will leave Laragh shortly to take part in the 2008 Sydney world-wide pilgrimage of youth. Father Kevin Doran will also be attending as part of the diocesan pastoral team. We send them all our very best wishes for a successful pilgrimage.

Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa

School Tours
Junior classes headed to the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray to see an enchanting puppet show 'The Man who planted Trees' before visiting Glenroe Farm to see furry friends like Wilbur the Pig, Twinkle the horse and Daisy the cow. Senior Classes will travel to Blessington Lake where they will enjoy outdoor adventure challenges.

Sports Days
Representatives from each class travelled to Greystones for this year's Cumann na mBunscol sports day. They had a super day and they all did us proud. Congratulations to Abbie White who is a Wicklow champion after winning gold in the under eights 50m race. Congratulations also to Katie Miley who came third in the under nines 50m race and to Tom Kenna who came third in the long kick. Our own school sports day is next - there will be plenty of competitive races and even more fun.

Chess
We hosted a chess tournament against Templerainey N.S. Twenty children from our school took part - they were very successful.

End of Year School Mass
Our end-of-year school Mass takes place on Wednesday 25th June. Afterwards the new school will be blessed and a memorial plaque will be unveiled. Two parents, Brenda Corr and Steven Moss, worked together to create a wonderful window to mark the occasion. We will also have our Green Flag raising ceremony.

Míle Buíochas
The staff would like to take this opportunity to thank parents, Board of Management, Parents' Association and all others involved in the life of the school for the help, support and co-operation we have received in the past year. A special word of thanks goes to Jim Kennedy as he retires from many years service as the school bus driver. We wish him a healthy and happy retirement. We would also like to thank our friendly neighbour, Terry Cunnington, who checks his garden everyday and returns any stray footballs that have made their way over the fence! We wish all our pupils and their families a safe and happy summer and we wish our departing Sixth Class all the success that their many talents can bring them as they head for secondary school in September.

Laragh GFC

Football
On Sunday 29th June we take on Baltinglass in our first outing in this year's Junior A Football Championship at Aughrim. See fixtures in the Wicklow People for time - all support is needed.
This year's David Cullen Day will take place in Laragh on 29th August.

Golf Classic
The club are holding a Golf Classic on Saturday 5th July. Contact Peter Ward for more information on 087-6319686.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Nigel and Elizabeth Cahill on the birth of their daughter Rosaline Margaret.

Sympathy
The club sends its deepest sympathy to Denise Nolan and family on the death of her mother Jenny Hughes. May she rest in peace.

Czech Visit 2008

The 'Child of Prague' in the hedge overnight worked a treat for the visit of our Czech friends over the bank holiday weekend - 5 days of glorious sunshine! Our Czech friends thoroughly enjoyed the trip and pass on their thanks to all who made their visit so worthwhile.
On their last night, the formal twinning document - linking the two communities of Otrocineves and Laragh/Glendalough - was signed by the mayor of Otrocineves and Pat Casey (as our local councillor). A copy of the 'Book of Kells' was presented to the visitors as a token of our esteem and in recognition of our new relationship.
Next up is the 'international' soccer tournament in Otrocineves later in the year to which St. Kevin's club has been invited to send a team.