Newcastle
A NEW WALKWAY
Earlier this year, Newcastle residents’ association submitted an expression of interest to the County Wicklow Partnership (CWP) for leader funding for a planned new walk-way around the village. The walk-way project was deemed eligible in principle and we have now progressed to the application stage and will submit a formal application for funding early in 2018.
The route has been agreed with landowners and you can already walk on it, but funding is required to establish a walking surface, fencing and signage. Starting over the stile in the wall opposite the entrance to the Watch Tower House on the southern edge of the village, you make your way over a number of stiles going uphill through the fields for about 1km, taking in this beautiful view on the way, and coming out on Church Lane, where you can turn right to make for the church and back down to the village.
We’d like to sincerely thank all of the landowners for their help in creating this new amenity for the village. See more photos from the walk on Instagram @newcastlewicklow
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Lack of action on sustainable resource management is a major issue with the Tidy Towns initiative around Ireland, including Newcastle. Judges have suggested more action in relation to zero-carbon electric vehicles, cycle parking in the village, the development of greenway trails, walkways and cycle paths and increased use of solar panels and water butts.
On November 25, Newtownmountkennedy held an excellent workshop on how to manage resources more sustainably. There were about 30 attendees including the Junior Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Andrew Doyle, and two representatives from Newcastle residents’ association. One of the key speakers at the workshop spoke on the Conscious Cup campaign a worldwide initiative, focused on the use of recyclable coffee cups. Ireland uses 200 million of non-recyclable coffee cups each year, clogging up roadsides and litter bins.
If you are interested in helping to make Newcastle a better place to live in and would like to become involved or have ideas about how we can make the village a more sustainable place to live, do get in touch. Together, we can start managing our village better, for a more sustainable future.
CAROL SINGING
Members of Wicklow Choral Society will sing christmas carols on Thursday the 21st in the Castle Inn lounge from 8 p.m. till 9 p.m. There’ll be mulled wine, mince pies and a raffle and collection on the night for the community centre.
ZEBRA CROSSING
The residents’ association asked Wicklow County Council to consider putting some sort of pedestrian crossing outside St Francis’s National School following a request from parents. The council have replied saying there was no need for a controlled crossing at this location. However, if stats on drop off times were provided by the school, the council will arrange for a visit to review the behaviour of drivers and pedestrians outside the school.
€20,000 GRANT
We’re delighted that Newcastle Community Centre has been awarded €20,000 for the installation of the disability toilet, something that is much needed and will be of great benefit to the community.
VILLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE
Thank you to Donal and Mary Urell for donating the glorious spruce tree which now festively adorns the village.
BUS SMASH
You may have noticed the damage done recently by a Dublin Bus to the stonework surrounding the large shrubbery area near the post box in the village. We have submitted a claim to Dublin Bus to repair the damage and expect the repair work to be completely in the next couple of weeks.
CHRISTMAS JUMPER NIGHT
The now world famous Christmas Jumper Night at the Castle Inn takes place on Saturday the 23rd. DJ Ken will be pumping out the tunes from 9 p.m., so get your best Christmas Jumpers at the ready, there will be prizes. Don’t forget to follow Newcastle residents’ association on Facebook.