Frank Curran Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Mary Nolan Hickey Athlete

WICKLOW County Council will continue to enhance the quality of life for citizens and communities throughout the county during 2018, in addition to promoting economic development and tourism.

The delivery of social and affordable housing is a priority. While houses are under construction in Brewery Bends, Rathdrum, and Delaney Park, Arklow, new schemes will commence in Kilbride Lane, Bray; Farrankelly, Greystone; and Sugarloaf View, Kilmacanogue. Further units will be delivered in private estates while others will come on stream in the Convent lands in Wicklow town.

Developing housing solutions for individuals and families who present as homeless is also a priority. Funding of €3.1m was secured for the purchase and refurbishment of Carraig Eden in Greystones. The council will sign a lease agreement with Tiglin to provide high quality accommodation for those exiting addiction services.

Building communities is extremely important and over €2m will be provided under the LEADER Programme. Funding will also be available to communities under the Town and Village Enhancement Scheme and I would encourage any group with a project which would add value to their town or village to make contact with the Council’s Community Department.

New playgrounds will be developed in Knockananna, Rathdangan and Carnew and a new skatepark in Baltinglass. Work will commence on a new library for Wicklow town at the former Ulster Bank on Main Street. The Age Friendly Alliance continues to thrive with the national convention of Older Persons Councils taking place in County Wicklow next year.

Marketing Wicklow for economic growth will continue. The Endless Opportunities brand will be re-launched early in 2018 with a new web portal that will encapsulate everything Wicklow has to offer in terms of starting and growing a business and living, working and visiting the county.

The film industry will be promoted extensively and the Local Enterprise Office will continue the work of the South Eastern Creative Corridor in promoting small businesses in the wider audio-visual sector.

A Maritime Business Development Group has been established and a strategy will be developed during 2018 on how best to develop our piers and harbours and support aquaculture and marine based activity.

Town Teams have been established in all our major towns with a view to enhancing the retail offering and improving the Public Realm. It is expected that construction of the Florentine Centre in Bray will commence in 2018 delivering high quality retail, six screen cinema and restaurants and coffee shops to the town centre.

A new Tourism Strategy will be developed in conjunction with Wicklow Tourism. This will look at marketing the county, building the capacity of the tourism trade and developing tourism products. A planning application is expected from Coillte early in 2018 for the development of Avondale House and Gardens while the outcome of a funding application for the development of a 42km Greenway around Blessington Lakes is also expected next year.

Wicklow Local Enterprise Office will continue to provide assistance to micro enterprise and support entrepreneurship and innovation through turnkey, venturing and financial assistance. In Wicklow, there are currently 7,200 micro enterprises providing employment for over 12,000 people. This represents 45 per cent of local employment compared to about 27 per cent nationally.

‘The development and maintenance of infrastructure will also be a priority with projects such as the upgrade of the N11/ M50 merge and the Arklow Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is due to progress to design phase.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the elected members and staff of Wicklow County Council for their sterling work in developing County Wicklow to be one of the best counties to live, work, do business in and visit. I look forward to 2018 and working with them and the various Community and Business groups to achieve the priorities I have outlined above.

‘Finally, may I wish all the customers of Wicklow County Council a happy and prosperous new year.’ Looking back on the year it has been busy.

When I made the decision to take on the Lap of the Map in 2018, things were very settled in my life and it looked like there would be no problems.

Things then got a bit hairy at one point with family health issues but I have decided to go one way or the other and, go I will.

My plan is to complete an unbroken lap of the coast of Ireland covering the safest roads nearest the coast – running, walking and hiking.

I want to keep it as safe as possible while still challenging myself. If I have to come back and go again, I will, but I aim to complete it in one attempt.

The aim is to challenge myself like never before while raising funds for the RNLI.

As a person living in a coastal town my whole life, and a rower, taking the coastal route resonated with me.

Also, I wanted to prove that a woman of a certain age can take on a challenge such as this. Years ago a woman of this age would have been called crazy for attempting it.

I signed my pension forms this week and I aim to be back home in Arklow to collect my first payment in June.

This will put me out of my comfort zone big-time but I can’t wait. Aside from the Lap of the Map, I am hoping to take part in the Dublin City Marathon in October which will be my 39th. I want to make it to the 40th and then see whether or not I continue.

Outside of athletics, once I am home, I’ll decide if I want to push my little business The Lake Coffee Shop and if not then I would love to pursue my love of art and travel further in 2018.

Follow Mary’s progress or donate online at rnlilapofthemap.com