Wicklow County Council is to receive a total of €1,680,887 from the Government’s Community Recognition Fund.
The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages which are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants (“new arrivals”) including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme.
It aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.
Now the Council wants to hear from the public about what projects should receive funding.
Details of the €50m fund were announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State Joe O’Brien. The fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
Among the projects that will be supported are:
The refurbishment of local sports clubs and facilities
The upgrade of community facilities such as play areas, walkways, parks and community gardens
The purchase of equipment to benefit local clubs, festivals, music and arts organisations
The enhancement of school or parish facilities that are open to the wider community after hours or on weekends
Transport infrastructure such as community vehicles and bus shelters
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Tommy Annesley, said: “This funding is acknowledging the wonderful support that Wicklow County’s communities have offered to the new arrivals to our County from Ukraine and other countries”.
Welcoming the announcement, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Mr Brian Gleeson stated: ”Through this fund, Wicklow County can develop and enhance some of the fantastic facilities in our communities so more and more people can access and enjoy them.”
Feedback is sought now from the public with the link to the public consultation survey available on the Wicklow County Council website and various social media platforms.
Anyone wishing to have a say on the Community Recognition Fund, please go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HTD3DPY . The deadline for completion of this online survey is Friday, 3rd March 2023.
We are happy to announce the return of the annual Best Dressed Window Competition for retailers and businesses for 2022.
Wicklow Municipal District have very generously sponsored 2 hampers this year for the windows who come 1st and 2nd in our vote.
The Wicklow Town & District Chamber will also sponsor 2 prizes for you, the public, for getting involved and casting a vote.
So here’s how it all works:
We are asking all businesses to have their windows completed by Thursday December 15th.
The public will then vote for their favourite window in the comments section of our Facebook post (@wicklowtown page) and the 2 businesses with the most overall votes will be the winners.
The vote will stay open until midnight Sunday 18th December.
The winners of the Best Windows will then be announced on Monday 19th December along with the 2 public winners.
For the public the 1st prize will be a €50 Shop Local Voucher
2nd prize is a €25 Shop Local Voucher
Last year we had some outstanding window displays and a big reaction from the public along our social media channels. We truly hope this year will be just as popular.
Best of Luck to all the business owners for the forthcoming busy season.
Gift Giving Season is upon us and there’s never been a better time to share the love.
Surprise your loved ones while also supporting local jobs and local economy with the fantastic Wicklow Town Shop Local Vouchers.
Vouchers are available in denominations of €5, €10, €20 and €50 to suit all budgets and occasions and come with a decorative sleeve for easy personalization.
Wicklow Town vouchers can be spent in many local stores and businesses such as book shops, greengrocers, butchers, café’s and supermarkets to name just a few. A full list of participating retailers will be provided with purchase.
To purchase your vouchers now please call directly to the Wicklow Chamber office in the Wicklow Enterprise Park from Monday to Thursday 9am-12pm.
You can also purchase vouchers from Bridge Street Books or Connolly Menswear
Minister Simon Harris today announced that the following outdoor recreation amenities in Wicklow have received significant funding via the Government’s Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors Programme, developed in partnership with Comhairle na Tuaithe:
€495,000 for Roundwood Recreation Area – Provision of a bike hub, bridge, signage, waymarking and promotion of Roundwood Recreation Area
€178,380 for Blessington Greenway – Russborough Parklands and House Trail Enhancement of the trails within Russborough Parklands
€119,790 for Glenmalure Community Riverside Walk and Recreation Area- Upgrade of existing Trail
€198,000 for Coolkenno Equestrian Trail – Construction of equestrian trail and associated access
Minister Simon Harris commended this ground-up, locally led approach, “Well done to everyone involved who has worked tirelessly and ambitiously on these projects. This is a collaborative cross-Government strategy which focuses on bringing a more joined-up and cohesive approach to the development of outdoor recreation.
It will strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come bringing huge economic and health benefits to communities across Co. Wicklow”
As part of the strategy new Outdoor Recreation Committees will be established in every County to ensure there is a focused and strategic approach to the development of local amenities.
The Wicklow Chamber Business Awards took place on Friday November 18th and we are honoured to be able to share with you the winners of our awards
Best Professional Service Award – sponsored by King Hair & Beauty IT Support 4 U
Best Start Up Business Award – sponsored by AIB Bank Distrikt by Mia
Best Retail Award – sponsored by Wicklow County Council King Hair & Beauty
Best Eating/Hospitality/Pub Award – sponsored by Wicklow Hire & Sales The Brass Fox
Best Digital Presence Award – sponsored by Wicklow Town & District Chamber King Hair & Beauty
Best Sustainability, Governance & Environmental Award – sponsored by Codling Wind Park Mosart
Honouring Excellence in the Community Award – sponsored by Burke Oil Wicklow Ukraine Support Group
Honouring Entrepreneurship & Innovation Award – sponsored by Herbst Software Roam Adventure Trailers
Special Recognition Award – sponsored by Wicklow Enterprise Park Niall Kennedy – Community Garda
We want to take a moment to say a massive thank you to all of our guests for supporting our event and creating a wonderful evening celebrating the best in business and community here in Wicklow.
A huge big thank you to our sponsors for their ongoing support and generosity.
Our fabulous goodie bags were graciously provided by King Hair & Beauty and they were stuffed with amazing treats from King Hair & Beauty, Wardrobe, Nick’s Coffee, Go Health and Banim Beauty Brows.
Thank you to our fabulous MC Brian Barry for doing a brilliant job and steadying our ship.
Thank you to Tinakilly Country House Hotel for playing host to our event in the absolutely stunning Great Eastern Pavilion.
Thank you to the Business Awards committee for their hard work ensuring our event went off smoothly.
And finally the biggest thank you of them all must go to you, the public, for taking the time to recognise our hard working businesses here in the District and by always showing unwavering support and loyalty.
Best Start Up Business – Distrikt by MiaBest Professional Service – IT Support 4 UBest Retail – King Hair & BeautyBest Eating, Hospitality & Pub – The Brass FoxBest Digital Presence – King Hair & BeautyBest Sustainability, Governance & Environmental – MosArtHonouring Entrepreneurship & Innovation – Roam Adventure TrailersSpecial Recognition Award – Niall Kennedy, Community GardaHonouring Excellence in the Community – Wicklow Ukraine Support Group
In addition to the Light Up Your Christmas event on the 19th and the launch of the Christmas Market on the same date we are also thrilled to announce the launch of Customer Appreciation Weekend running from November 17th through November 20th.
Customer Appreciation has always been about giving back. Giving back to our loyal customers for continuing to support local businesses and jobs. We are also giving back to our wonderful retailers by choosing to spend our money locally rather than online or in other towns.
Customer Appreciation is now in its third year here in Wicklow Town and we know it has been a big success previously to those retailers who got involved and participated.
With this in mind we are delighted to confirm the following businesses who will be participating: O’Reilly’s Hardware Amanda’s Hair Salon The Sports Room The Shoe Box Sorrel & Eve Wicklow Care Plus Pharmacy Refresh Health The Fish Man Bridge Street Books The Pet Depot Curtain & Blind Centre NB Goods Byrne’s Gifts Distrikt by Mia
Each of these retailers will have a specific special offer only available during this weekend. Please see in store for details.
Each participating retailer will have an A4 poster displayed to alert you to their participation.
Wicklow Town is sure to be absolutely jammed this weekend with so much happening and so much excitement for the first official lights ceremony in 3 years! The buzz is absolutely palpable and we are sure the atmosphere will be electric.
Please do take the time to visit the participating stores and pick yourself up a bargain or two and support a local business along the way.
If any other retailer would like to take part please feel free to email info@wicklowchamber.ie and we will add your details to this post.
We hope you are all looking forward to the Christmas Lights and Santa Parade on November 19th in Wicklow Town.
Wicklow Town & District Chamber is always so proud to bring this event to our gorgeous town and after so many delays and restrictions in the last few years we can honestly say that the anticipation and excitement for this year is palpable.
In addition to the lights ceremony and a visit from the big man himself Wicklow Chamber, in partnership with the Wicklow Christmas Market, is also delighted to announce our special Best Dressed Family prize.
Simply rock up to the lights in your best Christmas jumpers to be in with a chance of winning a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) to the Santa Express in the Wicklow Christmas Market.
The runners up will receive a family pass (2 adults + 2 children) for the Eco Ice Skating at the Wicklow Christmas Market.
To enter the competition please approach the stage in Fitzwilliam Square between 4 – 4.30pm and we will take a quick photo and your name. The judges will then announce the winners after Santa Claus himself helps us turn on our lights.
On Saturday, 19th November at 4.30pm, everyone is invited to take a stroll down Wicklow Town’s main street for the return of the annual Santa Parade and turning on of the Christmas lights.
With a special appearance from Santa Claus and performances from The Bandit it promises to be a treat filled family event.
Santa Parade Start / Finish: Market Square / Fitzwilliam Square
Christmas Lights / Live Music: Fitzwilliam Square
To ensure crowd safety, road closures (Main Street) will take effect from 3pm until 6pm please leave sufficient time to park and walk to the Santa Parade.
Children must be accompanied by a parent / guardian at all times.
To kick off the Festive season, Wicklow Chamber would like to launch a competition for families.
If you would like to enter this competition, all you have to do is come to the Turning on of the Christmas Lights on Saturday 19th November wearing your best Christmas Jumper.
The family wearing the best festive jumpers will win 4 Santa Express tickets (2 adults 2 kids family ticket) and the runner up will win 4 Eco ice rink tickets (2 adult 2 children family ticket), courtesy of Wicklow Christmas Market.
Santa Parade / Christmas Lights 2022 is brought to you by Wicklow Town & District Chamber of Commerce and Wicklow Municipal District.
November 19th also sees the return of the popular Wicklow Christmas Market, bigger and better than last year with plenty of fun to be had for the entire family.
Starting from the weekend of the 19th of November through until the 18th of December. Returning attractions for 2022 include the incredibly popular Eco Ice Rink which will be 60% bigger than 2021. The Market is FREE to the public, with over 50 twinkling chalets offering food, activities and entertainment for the whole family.
That’s not all… Wicklow Christmas Market will have a magical funfair, live music and entertainment every weekend to enjoy this festive season, this is an event to be enjoyed by all the family.
For more information on the Wicklow Christmas Market please email them directly on info@wicklowchristmasmarket.com
Wicklow Town & District Chamber is also delighted to announce the return of the Customer Appreciation weekend which will run from November 17th to the 20th. Participating retailers will have a poster on their premises alerting customers to their involvement with loads of offers and discounts ready to get you into the Christmas Spirits.
Business group Ibec has downgraded its forecast for domestic demand due to rising costs and a weaker outlook for the global economy.
In its latest Quarterly Economic Outlook, Ibec said domestic demand will grow by 3% in 2023, a downgrade from close to 4% in its previous set of forecasts in July 2022.
The report states that the international economy is in a place of significant challenge due to high rates of inflation, rising interest rates, accelerated monetary tightening and volatile energy markets.
For 2023, Ibec is forecasting that GDP will grow at a rate of 2%.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ibec Head of National Policy & Chief Economist Gerard Brady said a more aggressive approach by central banks was part of the reason for its downgrade.
“What we’ve seen that has changed is central banks reaction to those rising costs and inflation across the global economy,” he said.
“We now see quicker paces of interest rate hikes, quicker paces of monetary tightening across the global economy, and because of that a lot of our major trading partners – because of this reset to normal interest rates in particular – are predicted to be in recession in 2023.
“For a small, open economy like Ireland that’s obviously going to spill over into our own growth rates – even though we still expect growth next year in the Irish economy.”
Ibec’s report says that while Ireland will avoid a recession, households and businesses will feel the slowdown in many of our major trading partners.
“For some it will [feel like a recession],” Mr Brady said. “We see across the business community lots of our members suffering from really significant costs – particularly on energy, but more broadly”.
“And that will cause challenges for a lot of companies,” he added. According to the outlook, further monetary tightening by central banks carries risks for both financial stability and the broader global economy throughout next year.
“The big question into 2023 is how successful central banks are at reducing inflation over the next 12-18 months,” Mr Brady said. “If they’re successful, this is a reset, a transition that will go on for a year or 18 months and pass.
“If they’re not then we could see a longer period of challenge for lots of households and businesses across the economy.”
However, Ibec said that Ireland has the tools available to weather the storm, with Government and consumer finances in relatively good condition.
“The Government still have a budget surplus and have put away a lot of saving in terms of money over the last year and into next year, which will help,” he said. “If needs be the Government do have the firepower, unlike a lot of other countries.”
Mr Brady said that the support measures in Budget 2023 were putting money in the right direction, and it would become clear over the winter if they were enough to help firms struggling with higher costs.
Ibec said that measures such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme should be timely and adequate in order to protect the business economy throughout the winter.
“We also see households with record savings rates, so some households do have buffers which will help them through the next year or so,” he said.
While the open nature of Ireland’s economy also made it more exposed to global shifts, Mr Brady also said it would help accelerate any pick-up in growth in the future.
“We, unlike the rest of Europe, aren’t purely tied to the European economy, which is probably the worst performer of the major economies next year,” he said. “We also have a tie-in to the US which is predicted to do a lot better [next year].”
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