The Taste of Wicklow is back with a bang!
The largest food festival on the east coast will be returning to Wicklow Town this summer bigger and better than ever.
Delicious Food
Great Tunes
Family Fun
Celebrity Chefs
New Location! An Tairseach Organic Farm & Ecology Centre
Tickets on sale now!.
Get your tickets here: www.tasteofwicklow.ie
Stay tuned to our website for all the latest news and updates
After two years with no print the popular tourism map created by Wicklow Tourism has been published again.
The 2022 edition has been updated to include the changes and updates that have happened over the past two years.
Over the next weeks and months, 50,000 copies of the map will be widely distributed around Wicklow, Ireland and beyond.
Anyone wishing to get a copy of the map can order online at email info@visitwicklow.ie . For large orders of map, please get in touch with the office of Wicklow Tourism at the same email.
The production of the map is made possible thanks to the support of the local tourism trade advertising on the map. Any monies raised are dedicated to the promotion and development of Wicklow as a tourism destination.
The Government is set to agree to extend the lower VAT rate for the hospitality sector when the Cabinet meets this morning.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe is likely to bring what is termed an “under the arm” memo outlining the details of the extension.
It is thought that the 9% lower VAT rate, which was due to expire at the end of August, could now run for a further six months.
Discussions within the coalition on the issue so far have centred on the need to continue to support the hospitality sector as Covid-19 supports are phased out.
The cost of maintaining the 9% rate is likely to be in the region of €200 million.
Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomed the proposed move on the lower VAT rate.
He said it would help settle businesses ahead of what will be a “bumpy tourist season”.
However, he said the lower rate should be extended to the end of 2023 given that tourist numbers have not yet returned to pre-Covid levels.
Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said the extension of the lower VAT rate is being timed in a way to give the hospitality industry the best chance of getting back on its feet.
Speaking on his way into this morning’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Ryan said the rate will be raised at some stage but it will be done in a way that will not adversely affect the industry.
Asked when the rate would be increased, the minister said he did not want to disclose that before the meeting.
The owner of Paris Texas bar and restaurant in Kilkenny welcomed the extension.
Pat Crotty said: “We thought we were over our troubles when we were exiting Covid … and we just found a different type of trouble”.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, he said the cost of meat has risen so steeply he is wondering if it is worth while to keep offering some items on the menu.
For example, he said, if we were to apply our normal margin to fillet steak, we would need to charge a customer €67 for a nine ounce steak.
Mr Crotty said he is holding back on increasing costs because customers cannot afford it.
The extension of the 9% vat will enable me to continue to do that, he said.
Mr Crotty said the pandemic really hurt those people who had careers in the hospitality sector because they could not wait for the sector to reopen and instead looked for work elsewhere.
This means we have a huge cohort of younger people who need to learn the trade, he said.
Article Credit : www.rte.ie
COME ALONG TO OUR GUIDED WALK, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE EACH SATURDAY MORNING AT 11am.
These walks will commence from outside the Tourist Office in Fitzwilliam Square, Wicklow Town and will take approximately 2 hours to complete, allowing participants to spend some time at each key location.
Join us for this very informative and entertaining trail through Wicklow’s past telling the rich history of Wicklow Town, from the landing of St. Patrick in 432 to the end of the Civil War in 1923.
The Heritage Trail is an initiative of Wicklow Town Team and Wicklow Municipal Council and was funded by Wicklow County Partnership
For more information on the Wicklow Heritage Trail please visit www.wicklowtown.ie
Minister Charlie McConalogue has approved 5 projects in Wicklow under the Brexit Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023.
These projects will enhance and improve the facilities in both Arklow and Wicklow harbours.
Senator Casey said these works, which will include harbour pontoons in both Arklow and Wicklow, navigation aids for Wicklow harbour and welfare and storage facilities in Arklow. This investment of over €102,000 for Wicklow and €570,000 for Arklow will help to improve much need facilities in the two harbours for both harbour users and vessel owners.
Senator Casey said “these added facilities will not only improve the infrastructure available in each port but also provide for additional safety and welfare facilities. I’m delighted to have worked closely with my colleague Minister Mc Conalogue in supporting this application for funding from Wicklow County Council. I wish to thank the Council for its work in submitting the application and for its financial contribution toward the projects. Also I wish to acknowledge the support of my colleagues, local Fianna Fáil Councillors Dunne, Annesley, Fitzgerald, Kennedy and others”
| Project Description | ||
| Inner Harbour Arklow Pontoon | Development of pontoon and safety works | €200,000 |
| Arklow Harbour Welfare Facilities | Welfare facilities* | €45,000 |
| Wicklow Harbour Navigation Aids | Refurbishment and upgrade works | €50,000 |
| South Quay Wicklow Harbour Pontoon | Installation of pontoons | €52,000 |
| South Quay Arklow Storage Facilities | Construction of storage facilities | €325,000 |
*Arklow welfare facilities
Development of toilets, shower and changing facilities for harbour users. The proposed works include the provision of a wheelchair accessible toilet for the use of all harbour users and shower and drying room facilities reserved for the use of vessel owners.
Article Credit : www.wicklownews.net
The jobs market is showing signs of stabilisation according to the first quarterly jobs index of 2022 by IrishJobs.ie, with the number of job vacancies levelling out compared with last year.
While the index reveals 44% year-on-year growth in the number of jobs available, it is down on the last quarter’s growth rate of 86%.
While year-on-year numbers have slowed, jobs have increased by 3% quarter-on-quarter, and the overall volume of jobs available remains high, reflecting the continued normalisation of the economy.
The growth level for roles in the Tourism, Travel & Airlines sector is over 700%.
Meanwhile, there is a 130% year-on-year growth in the number of roles offering the option of remote work – another lasting impact of how the employment market has evolved over the course of the last two years.
Orla Moran, General Manager of IrishJobs.ie, said the index is an important quarterly barometer that consistently gauges what is happening in the jobs market.
“Over the past year, the Index has reflected the variable nature of the pandemic and its role as a key driver of hiring surges across the country towards the end of last year,” she said.
“With the lifting of all public health restrictions earlier this year, the first Jobs Index of 2022 suggests some stabilisation in the market with the number of job vacancies levelling out compared to the high year-on-year growth we saw last quarter,” she added.
“That said, we are still seeing growth in job vacancies with an increase of 44% compared to this time last year,” she stated.
“This shows that the market for employment remains strong for job seekers around the country and employers need to remain competitive in order to retain and recruit talent.”
Of the 30 sectors analysed in this quarter’s Index, 22 posted year-on-year increases in job vacancy creation in the first quarter of 2022, while 15 sectors posted quarterly increases in job vacancy creation.
Jobs have rebounded significantly in sectors worst hit by Covid-19, with Tourism, Travel and Airlines and Hotel and Catering displaying significant increases of 763% and 396% respectively.
Other sectors showing strong year-on-year growth in Q1 2022 include the Public Sector (+119%), Secretarial & Admin (+101%), HR & Recruitment (+98%), Security, Trades & General Services (+86%) and Construction, Architecture & Property (+71%).
On a quarterly basis, the largest increases in vacancies are evident in Environmental, Health and Safety (+68%), Legal (+39%) and Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (+25%).
Meanwhile, a growing number of job vacancies are becoming available outside of Dublin.
While almost every county in Ireland, apart from three, experienced double or triple digit year-on-year growth, Wicklow (+134%), Kilkenny (+129%), Kildare (+114%) and Carlow (+116%) saw the largest rise in the number of job vacancies, with vacancies in the capital of Dublin rising by 38%.
“Today’s results show that it is still very much an employee’s market,” Ms Moran continued.
“HR departments will continue to have to work hard to fill key talent gaps in their organisation. One bit of good news for beleaguered recruiters is that, according to research carried out by iReach, 30% of people in March 2022 say they were looking to move job within the next 12 months compared to 23% of people surveyed in December 2021.
This period is being framed as the “Great Re-Evaluation” as employees assess their career options and consider what is important to them.
The hiring platform is also starting to see the impact of inflation, which the ESRI believe will run at an average of 6.7% for the year, and is likely to encourage employees to move jobs to try and attain higher salaries in order to keep pace with soaring consumer prices.
“This puts even more pressure on HR teams and employers to ensure they have the right strategies and internal resources in place to support their recruitment and retention ambitions in 2022,” she said.
“It’s possible that inflation may, in time, replace Covid-19 and a better work-life balance as a key factor driving up the number of roles offering remote work, as people try to cut down on commuting and other costs associated with working from the office.”
Article credit : www.rte.ie
The new “Welcome to the Vibrant Seaside Town of Wicklow” video has just launched.
So much hard work has gone into this video to showcase everything our little hidden gem has to offer.
From Heritage Trails to stunning scenery, from local landmarks to tourist attractions, from fine dining establishments to trendy cafes – Wicklow Town has it all.
Have a look at the video and see for yourself
Wicklow Rotary Club has received a licence to conduct a street collection in Wicklow town on Friday and Saturday, April 15-16 and we hope that as many Wicklow residents and visitors to the town will support this worthy cause.
The Rotary Club of Wicklow has already raised over €12,000 for its Ukrainian appeal. The club donated €4,000 for immediate relief of refugees at the Polish border and €8,000 will go directly to the Wicklow Ukraine Fund with plans to raise €20,000 here in Wicklow.
Martina Fox, President-Elect, Rotary Wicklow has been assigned by the club to make funds available directly to Ukrainian Appeal in Wicklow on behalf of Wicklow Rotary. “We made our first contribution when the first wave of refugees arrived at the Polish border during the early days of the Russian invasion,” she said. “It is important now that funds go directly towards the Ukrainian appeal in Wicklow. Those who donate to the appeal through Rotary and clubs such as The Lions, know that all funds go directly to help refugees located here in the Garden County.”
We have received generous donations including a major contribution from the Wicklow Male Voice Choir this week which we really appreciate. Rotary urges all members and their friends and families to support the Wicklow Male Voice Choir Concert in the Church of St. Patrick, Wicklow on Sunday May 29th at 8.00pm. All proceeds will be donated to the Refugee Fund in what promises to be a great evening’s music.
Wicklow Rotary will continue to raise funds over the coming weeks and months. “Payment can be made into the Wicklow Rotary Ukrainian Refugee Account (IBAN IE17BOFI90673471649421) or by cheque to the Rotary Club of Wicklow Ukranian Refugee Appeal c/o Cooney Parle Accountants, Main Street, Wicklow as well as our street collection over the Easter weekend.
Rotary has a long and proud tradition in supporting international and local causes during the recent Covid-19 pandemic and down through the years in projects such as its international polio eradication programme. The Rotary Club of Wicklow is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organisation whose motto is ‘Service above Self’. Club members use their professional skills and expertise in volunteer work in the community and overseas. The club has a track record in raising funds for local and international charities.
You can learn more about Wicklow Rotary Club by visiting their website https://www.wicklowrotary.org/
The President of Wicklow Town & District Chamber of Commerce, Matt Forkin has said that the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail has introduced a significant addition to the Tourist offering in Wicklow Town.
He was speaking after the successful launch of the first guided walk for the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail, which took place on Saturday last, 19th March, which attracted a large number of visitors.
He complimented Wicklow Town Team and Wicklow Municipal Council on developing this project and said that this new project will have a real economic benefit to the town, as the trail follows through all of the main street and finishes in Wicklow Gaol, which is currently the leading tourist attraction in the town.
The Heritage Trail features 24 points of interest – detailing the history of Wicklow Town, from the landing of St. Patrick in 432, to the end of the Civil War in 1923. To complete the Heritage Trail, it will take around 2 hours, allowing participants to spend some time at each location.
Mr Forkin said that he noted that there is an invitation on the promotional material for the trail for visitors to enjoy the friendliness of Wicklow Town and to visit our family-owned award-winning shops, hospitable cafes, restaurants and pubs, as they follow the new Wicklow Town Heritage Trail.
He said that with the threat of Covid being lifted and the abolition of its restrictions, there is a real opportunity for all retail and hospitality businesses to promote this trail, which he has no doubt will bring added footfall to the town.
Speaking after the inaugural guided walk, local historian John Finlay confirmed that there are now plans to have a weekly guided walk of the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail with effect from Easter Saturday, 16th April 2022.
For further information on the Wicklow Town Heritage Trail, visit www.wicklowtown.ie.