< Previous© December 2020 The Meath Coaster 20 Science Week S cience week brought great curiosity and wonder to all students at DGS. Exciting experiments and investigations took place around the school which kept our students intrigued and interested in the world of Science. Pictured, our some of our 5 th year Physics students examining the extraction of light while having great fun with soap and water! Congratulations! Congratulations to our Head Girl, Tylá Fourie who has been select- ed to train with the Leinster U18 North East rugby squad. Multi- talented Tylá also represents DGS in netball and hockey. We are very proud of Tylá earning her place in the team. TY DATS Our TY students recently completed their DATs assessment to ensure they have a better understanding of their strengths and skills. It was a productive day for all stu- dents and will be of great benefit to them before they begin the Leaving Certificate course. Drogheda Grammar School Rocket Launches As part of Science week, TY and 1 st year students had great fun creating rockets! They eagerly worked together to create the best rockets they could out of recycled material. All of their hard-work paid off as some of the rockets hit fantastic heights! It was an explosive end to a fantastic Sci- ence week at DGS! 6 th year Politics and Society On Tuesday 17 th of Nov our 6 th Years Politics and Society students attended an online workshop with Conor Reale; Parliamentary Education Officer in Dáil Éireann. The morning involved a discus- sion about the role of the Oireachtas and a virtual tour of the buildings. A discussion also took place with local TD Ged Nash about his work on the fi- nance bill and in committee meetings. It was a very inclusive and insightful day of information for the students. §086/1733396 086/1733397 Mullenandsons1@gmail.com www.Mullenandsons.ie Alan Mullen & Sons Builders Ltd Fifth Generation Irish Builders For All Your Building Needs Fully Insured and Registered New Builds - Extensions - Renovations Attic Conversions WE ALSO DO SNAG LISTING We wish all our customers a very Happy Christmas. McKee Cllr. Stephen Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year South Drogheda & East Meath. 086 043 2670 stephenmckeeff@gmail.com 085 2057786 e: preidcrashrepairs@gmail.com Mill Road, Mornington Panel be ating Spray painting All work guaranteed T OCCATO HOUSE MUSIC SCHOOL DROGHEDA Est. 1990 Leaving/Junior Certificate Grinds 0872603079 9 weeks - 90 minutes - €162 • Maximum 8 students per class • COVID 19 regulations in place • Notes provided • Fully qualified experienced teachers • All Students toccatohouse@gmail.com© December 2020 The Meath Coaster 22 Working From Home – Part 2 I n my last article I touched on one area of your working from home environ- ment that could be the cause of poor performance. In this article I will look at another area I am frequently asked about - Wi-Fi boosters. How They Work Wi-Fi boosters are frequently touted on the internet and social media as being the solution to poor Wi-Fi coverage and per- formance in the home. In my experience in dealing with them this is rarely the case and quite often when I visit a home I’m asked to bring them to the technology graveyard when next I visit it. This is not to say these devices don’t have their uses but they are NOT the “one size fit all” solu- tion to all Wi-Fi issues I encounter. These devices can function primarily in two dif- ferent modes WAP and Repeater. WAP Mode – Connected directly to your broadband router via a wired connection. In this mode the wifibooster acts as a wireless access point (WAP) providing a separate Wi-Fi signal from your broadband routers Wi-Fi signal. (In a future article I will deal specifically with WAP’s. ) WAP mode may help with Wi-Fi cover- age particularly if the broadband routers built-in wifisignal is poor. The caveat is that quite often the speed of the Wifisignal provided by the wifibooster can be sig- nificantly less than the routers wifisignal. I’ve seen speed decreases of up to 66% on some models versus the routers own Wi- Fi. Cheaper models also suffer from packet dropping which degrades your connection speed and some run disturbingly hot. An- other problem has been if you lose power the booster loses its configuration and you have to set it up from scratch. COMPUTER PROBLEM? Contact Oliver 041.988.7526 087.797.0740 iPhones Smartphones Repair Laptop/Desktop Repair & Upgrades Repeater Mode – In this mode the booster is not connected via a wired connection but connects to the existing broadband routers wifisignal and is acting as a bridge be- tween the routers Wi-Fi and you. Location is everything when you operate the booster in this mode and an incorrect location will result in you seeing a good Wi-Fi signal but having terrible internet connectivity. Com- pared to WAP mode I’ve seen in worse performance/connectivity issues with the cheaper models. Conclusion Wifiboosters can help under certain cir- cumstances and are better than nothing. Decent performing models are not cheap and I seldom find a situation where the fix the overall Wi-Fi issue but may form part of the solution. As mentioned in my previ- ous article know the cause of your problem before you shell out your cash on a device that may or may not solve the issue. Oliver Reidy is a computer technician and has been in the industry since 1981.You can contact him via email at help.desk@ reidyonline.com, by the telephone num- bers listed on this page, and whatsapp @08779707040. This article, and all pre- vious articles, are available to view online at http://reidyonline.blogspot.ie/ or www. reidyonline.com/blogspot.htm §Call us on 041 9886545 for an appointment. Email: bettystowndental@gmail.com Web: www.bettystowndental.ie Triton Road, Bettystown, Co. Meath (between Funtasia & Tesco) Extended PRSI Scheme Dental exam and clean only €15 for qualified patients. To check eligibility contact us on 0419886545 Dr Matthew Crinion B.D.S. (NUI) Corns, Callouses, Verrucae, Ingrown Toenails, nail surgery and other treatments State of the art Gaitscan analysis pressure plate used in the assessment of foot, back and leg pain. Orthotics prescribed to stabilise foot function and rehabilitation Opening hours 9.00-6.00 Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: Saturday 10.00-1.00 Niamh Tully , BSc (Hons) Pod. MCh.S. S.R.Ch Main Street, Laytown, Tel: 041 9888492 Chiropodist / Podiatrist (State registered) The Foot Clinic Lessons based In NEW PREMISES at 43 Fair Street, Drogheda Toccata House Music School, Drogheda. Junior and Leaving Certificate Music and Musicianship Associated Board and Riam Theory. Join our School Choir for free Restarting 7 th September Lessons in piano, keyboard, guitar - electric, acoustic, bass and classical, ukulele, piano accordion, flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, tin whistle, violin, cello, viola, drums, Voice coaching - classical and musical theatre, For Information call Olive 087 2603079, Facebook or email toccatahouse@ gmail.com Established Since 1990. All 1-to-1 Lessons with social distancing & Covid restrictions or via Zoom / Skype / Facetime Lannon Footcare and Reflexology Footcare: Nail Cutting, Filing & Thinning Calluses & Corns Fungal Nail & Skin Conditions Ingrown Toenails Diabetic _Footcare Verrucas Reflexology Relaxation Balances all systems in the body Reduces Stress Increases Energy Clears Toxins Find me on or contact 085 - 2522918 Clinic Opening Hours: Mon - Thur 9:30 to 14:00 Fri 9:30 to 17:00 By Appointment only. Also available for Call Outs, Nursing Home & Corporate Visits Clinic located at Anagenic Hair Design Unit 4F The Anchorage Bettystown Co. Meath Claire Lannon - Dip FH MCFHP MAFHP MNRRI Registered Reflexologist Foot Health Practitioner Councillor SHARON TOLAN Tel: 086 366 9852 Email: sharon.tolan@members.meathcoco.ie Representing Drogheda & East Meath Meath County Council - Covid-19 Community Call Helpline The Community Call Helpline from Meath County Council operates between 9am-5pm, 7 days a week • Collection & Delivery of food, other items • Social isolation supports • Garda related issues • Other medical or health needs Freephone 1800 808 809 Email: covidsupport@meathcoco.ie With every good wish for Christmas and the New YearLAN Meath -19 Community Call Helpline County Council eek s d wish for the New Year© December 2020 The Meath Coaster 26 The View From The Kitchen Table, By Geraldine Hughes 2 020 is the year I earned an Olympic medal for complaining, loudly and fre- quently. Had I been allowed to see people, they would’ve avoided me in the street. Did any of my griping change anything though? The answer is a big fat NO. So with this being the season of goodwill and peace to all men, I will shut the flip up and get happy. Afterall, the Christmas story began with Mary giving birth in a stable without the benefit of even a Par- acetamol, let alone an epidural, so hav- ing a quiet Christmas without a slew of parties to go to should be easy by com- parison. It’s probably an opportunity to shake up the Christmas dinner table and change some traditions though, anything you don’t enjoy, dump it and re-group for next year. Anyway, this year lots of traditions will be parked whether we like it or not, such as Christmas hugs and kisses, even hand- shakes! We’ll have to rethink having a lighting candle in the window on Christ- mas Eve to welcome anyone who may need a bed. This year they would need proof of a two-week stint of self- isolation or a negative COVID-19 19 test, which kind of goes against the spirit of it. We may get less pressies, or more practical ones, like the way Santa used to leave kids Oranges in post WW2 years. Online shop- ping is great but doesn’t allow for impulse buying on the way to the till, but before we all go galloping off when the shops open to buy a load of last minute stuff for people, maybe we should check if they ac- tually want a load of stuff, given that lots of us used lockdown part 1 to use up any of last year’s Christmas gift toiletries that were still hanging about. I have been trying to make an effort to use things as I get them, like burning the scented candles, using the china cups, drinking the nice wine (so difficult!). That concept runs contrary to the back- ground of an upbringing of saving things for the perfect moment so I dish out this unasked-for advice knowing that I own a set of wine glass markers for about 5 years now and they have only been out of the packet once. They are the cutest little car- toon rubber figures of ghosts. They sucker onto your glass so you don’t accidentally slurp out of someone else’s (more relevant than ever!). I did use them once when I had a get-together, but I was so scared that they would fall off the glasses and get squashed underfoot, or washed down the sink or melted in the dishwasher, that I couldn’t rest until all 12 were back in their box, so my inner hoarder doesn’t take my own advice. But gifts and the commercial end of Christmas aside, restrictions can’t take away the spirit of Christmas. We might have to re-invent it for this year, and make it smaller and tighter but it’s still here, so have a good one and stay safe.§ Read and share the article online at www.meathcoaster.com/articles Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisementsBG PAINTING & DECORATING InterIor & exterIor 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE REFERENCES AVAILABLE FREE CONSULTATIONS & ESTIMATES WALLPAPER ALSO AVAILABLE Contact Brian 086 7308449 Noel Savage Electrical Services 20 Years Experience • Security Lighting Fuseboard Upgrades • Rewires, Extra Sockets • Lights, Fully Insured and Registered No Job Too Small Bettystown, Co. Meath Mobile: 086 2518898 TREE & GARDEN SERVICES Trees Lopped, Topped and Felled Complete removal including Stump and Root Grinding. Free Estimates, Fully Insured, Long Experience Local Tree Care Contact Jim 085 1234610-042 6030099 No Job Too Big or Too Small Special OAP Rates HEDGE TRIMMING & SHAPING. All Greenery chipped on site Driveway, Patio, Power-washed, Gutter cleaning Please mention The Meath Coaster when replying to advertisements ALAN KENNEDY ROOFING 0894483195 SLATING, TILING, FLAT ROOFS, RESTIRIX, LEAD WORK, CHIMNEY REPAIRS, UPVC FACSIA/GUTTERS, DRY VERGE/RIDGE SYSTEMS, VELUX WINDOWS, VENTS Bettystown Alterations Wedding Alterations and Evening Wear Premises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776 Tues - Sat 11am - 4pm Closed for Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Clothing Alterations •Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •Curtains Same Day Service Mammy Day Care Crèche, Montessori & Afterschool Full and part-time care ECCE Free pre-school years Affordable childcare scheme After-school care Large outdoor play area 3 months to 12 years of age catered for Stamullen, Co. Meath E: info@mammydaycare.com T: 01 690 5333/086 8286927 Wishing all of our families a very Happy Christmas Laurence Shopping Centre Open for school books and toys Elite Gas Heating 089 4472863 elitegasheating@gmail.com www.elitegasheating.ie • gas boilers replaced • gas boilers serviced • cylinders replaced & full installation • gas hob installed© December 2020 The Meath Coaster 28 Coláiste na hInse New Priomhoide and Leas Priomhoide in Coláiste na hInse E ilis Flood is the new Priomhoide in Coláiste na hInse. Inion Flood was previously the principal of Scoil Ui Mhu- iri in Dunleer. Gabrielle Harte became a Leas Priomhoide in the school in Septem- ber, having previously taught in Eureka Secondary School in Kells. Inion Flood and Inion Harte have joined the Leader- ship and Management Team in the school alongside Sarah Ross and Martin McCabe. Debating Phoebe Boyle and Kyla Boyle are through to the semi-finals (last 16 from over 300) of the Junior Debating National Mace competition. Both have competed online through written submissions and now for the semi-final must perform their speeches for adjudication. Our junior team of Phoe- be Boyle and Georgia Kalogeraki are off to a winning start in the Junior Debating Competition, taking place over Zoom this year. Couch to 5K The daltaí and staff of Coláiste na hInse are off to a fantastic start with their Couch to 5k initiative. The team are out in all weathers, bat- tling the elements along the shores of Bettystown beach in the early hours of the morning and after school. We are looking forward to watching their progress as they aim to complete a five kilometre run before Christmas. Well done to all involved. Young Social Innovation The Idirbliain Young Social Innovator classes are progressing with projects fo- cused on topics as diverse as alopecia, an- imal abuse, cleft lip and palate, drug and alcohol abuse and sleep deprivation. They have completed research, surveys and worked with a range of groups included Alopecia.org.uk, the ISPCA and a local community group. CNI Athletes Enjoy Sunrise in Bettystown Couch to 5K Runners at Dawn© December 2020 The Meath Coaster 29 ters from residents in nursing homes. The excitement is palpable when they get their letters, and students were especially grateful for a letter of thanks they received last week. They also were invited when it becomes safe to do so! They’re planning already! Leaving Cert Study Skills All Leaving Certificate students worked with Amazing Brains on study skills this week to empower their learning. § Gaeilge 24 Daltaí ón Idirbhliain agus múinteoirí ón Rionn na Gaeilge took part in Gaeilge 24 on Tuesday 10 th October 2020. This Irish language event organised by Conradh na Gaeilge, encourages young people to speak Gaeilge for an entire day: at school, at home, in shops and with family and friends. Throughout the school day, students in CNI took part in several activities such as bingo, tráth na gceist, decoding sean- fhocail, caint agus comhrá and a seisiún ceoil to finish off the day. It was lovely to hear our native language being spoken around the school and stu- dents really put in great effort to speak their cúpla focail! Bhain gach duine tait- neamh as an lá - everyone enjoyed the event and it was a great success! Nursing Home Letters 1 st yr daltaí are continuing to receive let- First Year Dáltaí Write Letters to Nursing Homes IB Dáltaí Taking Part in Gaeilge 24 Gaeilge 24 Stamullen Our Montessori staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child 086 2162872 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.com Tusla inspected (part time place) Opening Times: 9am ·12pm We offer ECCE From 2 Years & 8 months, Ample Car Parking GAA Clubhouse Anam Cara Therapy Here for you. www.onlinetherapist.ie Mary “Em” Ryan Counsellor/Holistic Psychotherapist Shamanic Sound Healer anamcaratherapy@pm.me 083.859.9551 Sound Baths at Donacarney CC In person appointments from Jan. 2021Next >