< PreviousFIGHT IS ON TO SECURE ANCHORAGE LIBRARY SITEDespite original reports, Ulster Bank are not the charge holders of the old Donovan’s site in Bettystown. The Chief Executive of Meath County Council has written to the charge holder, and following my motion at the March meeting of the Laytown-Bettystown MD, the Council have also written to Minister for Finance, Pascal Donohoe, asking for his support to secure this derelict prime town centre location in order to provide a library for the community here in East Meath. Whilst the plan was originally to provide a library in the Bettystown Court Development, the area identified there is still a number of years away from completion, and the Council are anxious to deliver this much needed facility as speedily as possible. The Anchorage is very central for Laytown, Bettystown, Donacarney & Mornington, easily accessible, and plenty of parking to the rear….the ideal location for a library. Watch This Space! Cllr. SHARONTOLANsharon.tolan@members.meathcoco.ie www.sharontolan.ieFresh Thinking, Straight Talking, Hard WorkingBOYNE GREENWAYDROGHEDA-MORNINGTON PART 8 PLANNINGI have been working hard for the past number of years with the Boyneside Trail Committee, Meath and Louth County Councils, Department of Transport and key stakeholders, to deliver a Greenway from Drogheda to Mornington. I am delighted that at last the Part 8 Planning is ready to go on public display. All assessments are now complete, the final route has been selected and consultation with landowners is ongoing. The delivery of this Greenway would not only provide an amazing piece of recreational infrastructure for our community, and visitors, but would provide traffic calming, safe footpaths and public lighting in Mornington, which is badly needed, and would be a key section in the delivery of an overall Newbridge to Newgrange Greenway Scheme. Let’s get this fantastic project delivered!ARCHITECTS APPOINTED FOR NEW BEACH BUILDINGI am delighted that the architect has now been appointed to deliver our new Beach Building at the entrance to Bettystown Beach! Robin Lee Architecture have a very impressive portfolio of projects. They have also worked with organisations such as Wexford County Council and Cambridge University, and I have no doubt that they will deliver an impressive project for us here in East Meath. I am so looking forward to working with them for the remainder of my term, and if you choose to re-elect me in May, I would be delighted to continue that work, engage in the public consultation process and deliver a facility that we can all be proud of! © March 2019 The Meath Coaster42Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsThe View From The Kitchen Table, By Geraldine HughesI like to think I embrace automated ser-vices and the absolute convenience of doing your banking and shopping while sitting in your PJ’s from the comfort of your own sitting room, but it’s not without its frustrating moments/days. This is one of them people, and I’m not liking it at all. I’ll set the scene. It’s a beautiful spring day I’m on a day off and up early. Today I’m on top of it all. I have 2 things to do over the phone/internet, sort the house out, make coffee and then binge watch Luther on Netflix. That’s the plan!First call is to sort out a small blip with payroll in my own job. This is my 3rd at-tempt to get the matter sorted but hey, I won’t be negative, and the cheery recep-tionist puts me though to the girl I need to speak to, only she’s not there and her answering service puts me back to reception. Several times. Eventually the cheery recep-tionist gets fed up finding me back on the line. She pre-tends to try another line but cuts me off and I think we all know she meant to. I inhale mindfully – exhale, shake it off and move to task number 2, which is easy - I need to add a payee to my bank ac-count. I have the banking App, so off I go. I get to the final step, and the App reminds me that in order Oasis Childcare Centre Mornington Co. Meath Crèche Montessori Playgroup After School Telephone 9888135 + Purpose Built + Fully Insured + HSE Inspected + Fire Certified + Intercom Entry + Large Safety Tiled Playground + Large Car Park + Easy Drop Off and Collection + Small Groups + Dedicated Staff + 7:30am to 6:30pm ONE CHILD! ONE LIFE! ONE PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Limited places remain for our ECCE and PLAYSCHOOL classes for SEPTEMBER 2019. Book now to ensure that your precious child gets the highest quality & happiest pre-school experience possible! East Meath’s Leading Childcare Provider since 2005 to complete this task, - I need to log-on to a PC. The laptop is at hand so I log-on and do it all again. I get to the last bit, and it stops me because my account is open on 2 devices. I know this because it told me to logon on the laptop – it didn’t say log out of phone first. It closes me down for security reasons. I log out of the app and log in to the laptop. It’s not sure about me now though, I mean I did just trigger a security glitch so it pun-ishes me by shutting me out of my a/c and demanding that I ring the helpline for a new password. This I do, but by the time the automated service has gone through the list of options 1-9, I have drifted and forgotten which one I need. I get cut off for the 2nd time today. Eventually I get a new password, I’m told to wait at least 5 mins before trying it. I wait 15. It doesn’t work. I ring the helpline (again) and actually get a human who sounds about 12 and proceeds to lecture me on putting the password in correctly, making sure my caps lock is off and, like, did I actually wait the required 5 mins? I respond to being treated like a moron by imma-turely speaking over him, which I know is childish, but so much more satisfy-ing than deep breathing. All sorted now but that’s a day of my life I’ll never get back! §BG PAINTING & DECORATINGInterIor & exterIor25 YEARS EXPERIENCE REFERENCES AVAILABLEFREE CONSULTATIONS & ESTIMATESWALLPAPER ALSO AVAILABLEContact Brian 086 7308449Call Nicky - 041 9887128 087 7734344 A Local BusinessCosmic Cleanwww.cosmicclean.ieT&Cs & Minimum Charge appliesMAJOR DISCOUNTS for Multiple RoomsRug Collection & Delivery Service AvailableProfessional Carpet & Upholstery CleaningSPECIAL OFFER!Noel SavageElectrical Services20 Years Experience • Security LightingFuseboard Upgrades • Rewires, Extra Sockets • Lights, Fully Insured and RegisteredNo Job Too SmallBettystown, Co. MeathMobile: 086 2518898Moloney Boiler MaintenanceBarry Moloney - Heating Engineer• Oil Boilers Services and Repairs• Aga Cookers• Central Heating Power Flush• Installation of Central Heating Filters• All Aspects of Heating & Plumbing - Commercial / ResidentialFree Quotations, All Work GuaranteedMobile: 087 3337488barry@moloneyboilermaintenance.ie Bettystown AlterationsCommunion & Confirmation AlterationsPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day ServiceStamullenOur Montessori staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child 086 2162872 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.comTusla inspected (part time place)Opening Times:9am ·12pmWe offer ECCE From 2 Years & 8 months, Ample Car Parking GAA Clubhouse TREE & GARDEN SERVICES Trees Lopped, Topped and FelledComplete removal including Stump and Root Grinding. Free Estimates, Fully Insured, Long ExperienceLocal Tree CareContact Jim 085 1234610-042 6030099No Job Too Big or Too SmallSpecial OAP RatesHEDGE TRIMMING & SHAPING. All Greenery chipped on site Driveway, Patio, Power-washed, Gutter cleaningHOUSEHOLD SERVICESPlease mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisements© March 2019 The Meath Coaster44Spring Clean Those Finances!We all strive to be ready for any fi-nancial scenario which may occur during our lifetime...and to possibly win the lotto! There are always bills to be paid and surprise expenditure that will pop up every few months e.g. car repairs, health bills, house maintenance etc.In the words of the mantra I like to some-times use, Fail to Prepare or Prepare to Fail! The best we can do is to be ready and informed. So in saying that, here are a few tips to help you along your financial journey. 9Spending : Know what you are spend-ing your money on and where it is go-ing. A budget can be a very useful tool for seeing where you need to possibly make changes as a result of logging and assessing all of your expenditure. Shopping around for a competitive price when it comes to life assurance/mortgage protection, car/house insur-ance and groceries is also a good prac-tice for estimating if you are spending more than is necessary. 9Savings : Short Term and Long Term. Saving an allocated amount each month, be it in the credit union, a pen-sion or a personal savings plan is a very good habit to keep. In the short term, you may have unexpected bills that will come along when you least expect them. So having some type of emergen-cy fund can be very reassuring. In the long term, you may be looking forward to having a retirement pot and to finally reap the rewards of your hard-earned money. 9Protection : Whether you are employed/self-employed, have bought or rent a home or have a family/dependents, it is highly essential to make sure you pro-tect yourself. There are many variations of life assurance, serious illness cover and income protection available. I am just a phone call or email away and can explain the benefits and costs for any of these products. 9Debt : Save on paying high interest charges by clearing any credit card debt monthly. Using a debit card rather than a credit card can also be a better way to manage your day to day expenses and will stop credit card bills building up. 9Be Sensible : Be informed when mak-ing financial decisions. Always seek guidance where investments are con-cerned and be ready for the long game. The markets can go up but you also need to be ready for the down. This will inevitably happen over the lifetime of any investment and a minimum of 6-7 years will give a good reflection of how your fund is performing.Contact Oran on 087 668 6624 for more information or visit www.drumgoolebro-kerage.ie. § Life Assurance Pensions Income Protection Investments Financial PlanningDrumgoole Financial Services is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland Oran Drumgoole QFAPhone 087 668 6624Office 041 981 2080oran@drumgoolebrokerage.iewww.drumgoolebrokerage.ie© March 2019 The Meath Coaster45Mammy Day CareCrèche, Montessori & AfterschoolFull and part-time careECCE Free pre-school yearsAffordable childcare schemeAfter-school careLarge outdoor play area3 months to 12 years of age catered forStamullen, Co. MeathE: info@mammydaycare.com T: 01 690 5333/086 8286927“Safety is our Business, Why NOT make it part of Yours”Our objective is simple, to assist your business in not only meeting your health & safety obligations but exceeding them. We can provide a wide range of services;• Safety Statements / Risk Assessments• Manual Handling Training• First Aid Responder Training• Forklift, Reach & Power-pallet Truck• MEWP & Work at Heights• VDU Ergonomic Assessments• And much more………….Call Pearse today on (086) 0600 747 to discuss your exact requirements.www.annbrooksafetytraining.ieTusla inspected • Part time places • Rural SettingGormanstonFREE ECCE PLACES for this SEPTEMBER 2019.Our staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child085 8619279 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.comOpening Times:9am ·12pmClasses Available InPiano, Keyboard, Ukuele, Guitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And Electric, Violin - Traditional / Classical, Viola, Tin Whistle, Piano Accordion, Drums, Singing - Voice Coaching - Classical And Musical Theatre Junior & Leaving Cert Music.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda. Established Since 1990.Toccata House Music School, Drogheda.Autism Friendly Piano classes now available on Fridays with fully qualified teacherPrivate one to one classes also availableTel Olive On 087 2603079 For DetailsIndigo Art ExhibitionIndigo art group based in Julianstown have an exhibition coming up on Friday April 26th - 28th in the Parish Rooms at St Mary's Church of Ireland JulianstownThe exhibition's topic for this year is "Ire-lands Ancient East " and it is supporting Drogheda Homeless Aid. Guest Artist Richard Moore will open the exhibition, and will display a selection of his work.See more of this fine collectino of local themed art at www.indigoart.ie § St Pats Stamullen Every Sunday Night 7pm Upstairs in function room. €300 In 47 Calls or less © March 2019 The Meath Coaster46Laytown Tidy TownsThere is nothing like welcoming in Spring with that extra hour giving the evenings a well awaited stretch. With Spring comes a hive of activity as volun-teers buzz about the place making a dif-ference to our lovely village. If you find yourself with an extra hour or so on a Sat-urday morning between 10 and 11, please feel free to pop down join us in soaking up a little sun and catching up on the local goss. We look forward to seeing you!We would like to say a huge “Thank You!” to the Laytown Races Committee for their very kind donation to Laytown Tidy Towns. In the image, Joe Collins Chairperson of the Laytown Races Com-mittee is presenting MaryLou Murray of Laytown Tidy Towns with a cheque in the amount of €500.tireless dedication to making our village a viable contender in the Tidy Towns Com-petition.On the other end of the scale, we are sadly still struggling with the continuous fly tipping around the bottle banks. This destructive behaviour is not fair to our volunteers who work hard at making a positive change to our community. If you happen to see or know of anyone behav-ing in this selfish manner, please report this to the appropriate authorities. At least the CCTV cameras will be up and running soon, so Flytippers BEWARE!We will be holding our annual National Spring Clean on Saturday 13th April meet-ing in the main car park at 10am. We hope to work up towards the Seafields and down to the Lower Beach. We really hope for a good turnout on the day. Bags, pick-ers and gloves will be provided.As always any of your project suggestions and ideas are welcome! §The flowerbed before we started on the restoration project.Before....And ... After – TaDa!Pictured from left to right are Willie Connell, David Conroy, Marylou Murray, Joe Collins, James Ellis, Niall Delaney & Paul KerbeyWe have used this donation to purchase the new mypex and pebbles to complete the flower bed at the railway sidings. This project is now well under way and should be ready to greet the Easter Bunny on his arrival.Thank you to the volunteers who made this transformation possible and for their © March 2019 The Meath Coaster47Artists’ Exhibition Best of Art & CommerceThe Mill Enterprise Hub and Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE) are delighted to announce the inaugural Art Exhibition of artwork from four DIFE students. It is open to the public over the coming months.DIFE welcomes many students from the Meath coast areaThis artist exhibition enables the students to showcase their talent and also adds to the creative and collaborative environ-ment at The Mill which is crucial for busi-ness and artistic success”. Laura Hendrick, one of the students whose work is featured commented “ It’s extremely difficult for artists to find a suit-able space to exhibit. The featured artists also include Alan Leech, Charlie McEntegart, and John Askin who, like myself, are members of Croi – Og Art, a small artists’ collective based in Drogheda, born from a collective need to collaborate with other artists and access Studio Space. The exhibition includes a mixture of paintings, printmaking and mixed media and explores a number of issues includ-ing vulnerability and the many personas we slip into in everyday life to mask our vulnerability, passive resistance, womens’ rights and the impact of recent political upheaval across Europe and beyond”.The Mill is Drogheda’s community en-terprise centre and co-working hub. We support the accelerated creation & growth of healthy new enterprises in the South Louth, East Meath and Drogheda areas. Through our various programmes and fa-cilities we promote and support a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation at every level in the local community.Drogheda Institute of Further Educa-tion is the largest provider of PLC courses in the north east Leinster region. It aims to provide Further Education courses which are of the highest quality to school leav-ers, and adults returning to education. We offer almost forty courses in a wide vari-ety of disciplines, all of which are fully accredited by QQI and all relevant profes-sional examining bodies. www.themilldrogheda.ie www.facebook.com/themillenterprisehub www.linkedin.com/company/themillenterprisehub §© March 2019 The Meath Coaster48Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na MaraRDS ESB Science Blast! We had a blast at the RDS Sci-ence Blast! It was a culmination of months of effort from Ms McBride`s class. They had been looking after five houseplants over the past few months, ensuring that each of them received the same amount of water, and conditions but for one variable which sought to discover if plants have feelings. One plant was shown happy pictures eve-ry day, another subjected to sad pictures. A third plant was regularly compliment-ed, while the fourth plant was subjected to negative comments. The fifth plant was © March 2019 The Meath Coaster49joined on stage by several of the very tal-ented pupils and teachers of the school. The whole event kept everyone in great spirits, especially as everyone got to par-ticipate. Yes, it was Fleadh Fever in the halla with the Walls of Limerick and the Siege of Ennis in full swing. The older the control plant, being subjected to none of the positive or negative talk or pictures.The judges were very impressed and made a lovely presentation to the boys for all their efforts. Best of all the Science Blast Off Fair showed all the fun and excitement of science. The future of science is looking good in the hands of Donacarney boys! Fleadh Fever and Ceilí MórThe whole school celebrated a very suc-cessful Seachtain na Gaeilge with a terrif-ic Céilí Mór! Musicians James, Liam and Seán came along to lead the session. They played a selection of tunes before being Next >