Dub8 December 2013

DUB8 Issue 9 December 2013

Pure Vintage Fair The Home of Homemade jewellery

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Jamestown Studios The Place of Choice for Irish musicians

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Harold’s Cafe 43 Upper Clanbrassil St. Dublin 8

Burgers Fresh Beef Burger Half Pounder Beef Burger Fresh beef burger

€7.50

Beef Lasagne

€6.50

Chicken Thai Curry

€7.50

Grilled Chicken Fillet

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Breaded fillet of chicken served with mixed vegetables, spicy sauce

€4.95

Fresh beef burger

Main Course Salsica Chicken Al Arabiata

Homemade beef lasagne served with chips and side salad

€6.95

Fillet of chicken cooked in spicy thai curry, lemon grass, ginger, corriander served with rice

Chicken Fillet Burger

€4.95

Fresh chicken burger

Served with gratin dauphinios, diane sauce

Salsica Chicken Burger

Pizzas

€6.50

Fillet of chicken breadcrumbs, jalapenos, red onions, pepperoni, mozarella cheese

Vegetarian Burger

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Breaded veg burger

Margarita

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Vegetarian

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Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese

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Pasta Pollo Pasta

€6.70

Fresh chicken fillet, mushrooms, garlic, basil in creamy sauce

Polpette di Carne

€7.00

Vegetarian Pasta

€5.95

Meat balls cooked in tomato and basil, peppers, red onions

Roast peppers, mushrooms, grilled courgettes, fresh tomato, parmesan cheese

Spaghetti Con Frutti di Mare €7.50

Mixed shellfish, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, fresh tomato

Harold’s Cafe Value Meals Qtr. Pounder Beef Burger Meal

.9 €6

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.9 €6

Chicken Fillet Burger Meal

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Pepperoni

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5

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5 6.9

€

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0

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Ham Cheesy Chips

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pepperoni

Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sweet corn, pineapple

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Sicilian

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pepper, onions, sweet corn, black olives

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Chips

Children’s Menu Beef Burger Meal €4.95 Chicken Burger Meal

€4.95

Chicken Nuggets Meal

€4.95

10% off for Griffith College students with college ID!

Opening Hours: 8AM to 12 Midnight.

Monday to Sunday

Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, Cajun chicken, red onion, peppers & fajita sauce

Tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, red onion, jalapenos, fresh tomato

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Delivery Times: 5PM to 11.30PM Delivery Charge: €2.00

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Volume•|

DUBLIN

CONTENTS

Issue 7

8 Magazine

Local Area History

EDITORs Donna rooney | tom anderson |

Vicar Street Pg 3

of

Sub-Editors shAUna duggan | sean o connor | thomas harte | ashton doyle |

Little Jerusalem In Dublin Pg 5 Synge Street C.B.S Pg 6

PHotographers micheala alex | CIARA BYRNE |

Places To Eat Pg 9

Sport A Look Into St James Gaa Club Pg 12 St Pats Claim League Ater Stiff Comp.

advertising team brian c kelly | katie morris | david o malley | designers tinashe nyakujara | stephen donnery | robbie purcell |

Pg 14 In It To Win It Pg 15

music Jamestown Studio: Promised land for Rock Bands Pg16 The Cadbros, Living the Dream Pg 17

Features Where To Deliver: What’s Best For Your Baby Pg10

Landmarks: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Pg19 St. James’s Hospital & The South Dublin Union

Pg 20 Ms Beaujangles Pg 22

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This magazine was produced by journalism students in GCD. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of the editorial team or the management of Griffith College Dublin or any of its employees.

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Local Area: History of Vicar Street

by Robbie Purcell

B

uilt on the location of an old wallpaper shop, Vicar Street has become one of Irelands most loved venues for fans and acts alike. Putting on nearly 200 shows a year and attracting some of the biggest acts the music and comedy industry has to offer it’s easy to see why Vicar Street has become so popular.

In past years acts such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Paul Simon have played to the intimate, 1500 capacity venue. These days there are still international acts such as Lana Del Rey performing as well as the crème of Irish and international comedy.

Dub 8 spoke to Hugh McGonagle, venue manager of Vicar Street, who gave us some insights into Vicar Street’s 15 year history. Firstly why the location was chosen, “I suppose when building it, it’s a very old part of the city, a lot of history, tourists are passing by on the way to the Guinness storehouse, the most popular tourist attraction in Ireland. So we get a lot of passers-by that way. I’m sure that a bit of it would have been financial reasons in that 15 years ago, property might have been a bit cheaper.”

For some, Vicar Street may be considered ‘a little out of the way’ of the city centre compared to the likes of The Academy, the

Olympia Theatre and up until a few years ago, The Ambassador but when asked, Hugh raised a few very valid points, “When the Point, or the O2 as it’s known now, was being built in the docklands everyone thought it was too far out, if you look at football stadiums too, most of them are out

we’re busy the shops, pubs and hotels, etc. are busy”. “Obviously, since the recession we’ve not been as busy. We’ve gone from around 260-70 shows a year to about 200. “

Despite the fact Vicar Street seems to be the wrong shape for a concert venue, (rectangular, as opposed to dome shaped being better for acoustics) fans and acts love the place. Andrew Stanley, MC of the Comedy Cellar, has played there many times, most recently for the 25th anniversary Comedy Cellar, and has always found it

“If you look at of the way as well and people go to them. So it wasn’t much of a concern to us really” n

Since being built, back in 1998, Ireland has gone through the Celtic Tiger boom and is now going through a recession which has affected business in Vicar Street.

But perhaps having a venue, like Vicar Street, is propping up the local businesses, “We’ve been very good for the local area. When

football stadiums too, most of them are out of the way as well and people go to them, so it wasn’t much of a concern to us really”

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as one of the best to play, “One of the most impressive things about Vicar Street is even though it’s a large venue it never seems like it. Everyone looks like they’re right up to the stage and involved in the show in some way. It’s very intimate which you don’t get in a lot of venues.” It was those factors that lead them to use Vicar Street for the 25th anniversary of the Comedy Cellar, “Exactly, It’s the only place that could have put on a show of that scale while still retaining the feel of the comedy cellar that we all love”.

Even with the refurbishment of the O2, Vicar Street still manages to draw major international acts, as mentioned previously acts like Bob Dylan and Lana Del Rey, while more recently there’s also been The Boomtown Rats. Comedians like Dara O Briain and Eddie Izzard. “In the O2, as a comedian, you’re probably talking to around 8,000

s m ay o a

people while here it’s more like 1,000 so they’re getting eight nights work in one but you get the more intimate atmosphere here, the acts can see everyone and I think that’s what attracts them to play Vicar Street.”

Finally, when asked if he could have anyone in the world play Vicar Street, Hugh didn’t miss a beat, “Bruce Springsteen no question.

I seen all the shows over the summer, he’s a great showman, I’d love to have him here.”

So whether you’re looking for an intimate gig with a major star or a large gig with an up and comer, you won’t have to travel far. Vicar Street is on your doorstep, smack in the heart of Dublin 8.

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Local Area: Little Jerusalem in Dublin

Dublin 8 was once the by Brian C Kelly home to many of Ireland’s Jewish oday Dublin is a multiculturalist meltpopulation. Today T ing pot and in a lot of ways it always has been. Throughout Dublin’s years we’ve had there are many Vikings who set up commerce along with towns and cities. The Normans who gave different cultures. Brian us trade and built us castles. The English brought us their language and customs and Kelly took a look at the most recent being the Spanish tourists in the summer with their matching schoolthe Jewish heritage in bags. We may think of our tiny country as closed off, however we have always had Dublin 8 invaders, visitors and settlers on our shores.

It may come as no small surprise to you that Dublin once had its own “little Jerusalem”, hidden away at the back of the city on Clanbrasil Street D8. This was once the epicentre of a 4800 strong community, according to the 1901 census.

Like any religious group there was a wide variety of nationalities within it. Clanbrassil Street once the cultural centre had eight synagogues in the area alone, each catering to different needs. The first to make the trip were from countries like Spain and Portugal fleeing the Spanish inquisition. Following that later in the 1800’s were the main body of the community coming from Eastern Europe escaping the terror of the pogroms, thousand of Jewish homes were destroyed and land seized.

From the early to mid 20th century Europe was awash with anti-Semitic sentiment. The largest settlement of Jewish people in main land Europe was in the Baltic States. Draconian laws prevent Jews from owning lands or business and confined them to no more than ghettos. These conditions drove them west like many other Europeans in search of better things.

Ireland was a welcoming home for these people with many becoming more Irish than the Irish themselves. Upon arriving in Dublin they threw themselves into society and began working in the trades they are known best for, tailoring, bakery, butchery ,law.

This small but vibrant community has claimed Dublin as their home for more than three hundred years. How do we know this?

A cemetery in Fairview shows gravestones going as far back 1770.

The old Jewish businesses and shops are all but gone since the 1950s, take a stroll down Clanbrasil St today and you’ll see Halal butchers and cafes full of chatting groups of young middle eastern men. Looking closely, reminance of the old neighbourhood can be seen; you just have to look a bit harder.

The old Jewish bakery can still be found and even across the street from the Clonsky mosque is the star of David still standing in the window of an old disused Synagogue.

Indeed you won’t find all too much remaining evidence apart from a plaque outside 52 Clanbrasil St of Joyce’s fictitious character Leopold Bloom made famous in the novel Ulysses. Indeed the Jewish of Dublin must have been common enough figures to have a literary piece of work based around them.

The D8 area has had a metamorphism of change, although the community is nolonger as high in members as they once were now 1000 strong but still vibrant and active.

This small unique group has always looked after their own and strived to contribute to Irish society. They have their own schools and social clubs as well as a branch of Dublin Scouts.

Speaking briefly with Edward Akin curator at the Jewish museum in Dublin, he gave me bit more of an insight into this society.

Asking Edward where he sees the community going in the next ten years. “We see the community contracting, but at the same time stabilising, a lot of foreign firms are in business in Ireland bringing with them Jewish workers and a presence of new people coming into the community”.

Today

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Interesting facts about the community Although surviving near destruction in the 1940s the museum is facing its biggest problem yet. Local residents of Walworth road are protesting the new development of the Dublin museum. The small terrace style house now museum. The former a Synagogue is planning to demolish five terrace houses and in place build a new two-story building with a basement, café, Synagogue and staff room. Built in 1916 it was used as a place of prayer right up until the 1970s.

The residents have requested that the museum not go ahead with the development as it will drastically change the residential nature of the area. Already twenty-five complaints have been made to the local authority. The main concerns they have had

being parking and the over-shadowing of such a large premises on the small sleepy area.

Speaking with the museum directly on this, their point of view is that they are the oldest occupants on the street and that they need a larger building to better preserve what documents/pieces they have in the collection. The work has since been held up until further notice.

An Irish born man Chain Herzog was the sixth president of Israel. He visited Ireland many times and was a fluent Irish speaker.

Minister for Justice, Allan Shatter member of the Fine Gael party is a practicing member of the community.

During WW2 a Synagogue was bombed on the south circular road, destroying the building and killing others. The Irish government demanded reparations. Subsequently the Nazi government paid for the reconstruction and refurbishment of the synagogue .Quite possible the only case of its kind in the world.

If you would like to learn more about the community you can visit jewishmuseum.ie or why not take a visit to the Irish Jewish Museum 3 Walworth st, D8 just of the South circular road.

“ Growing up

in a community as small as this is no different to any other

”

Local Area: Synge Street CBS by

Sean O Connor

S

One of Dublin 8’s most successful science schools

ynge Street Christian Brothers School (C.B.S) has a rich history of producing notable past pupils who have gone on to excel in a variety of professions. From famed Irish talk show host Gay Byrne, to sports stars such as Andy Reid, and Liam Whelan, former “Busby Babe”. These are just a few of many which include renowned actors, poets and even politicians who have come through the ranks of the school located just off the South Circular Road on Synge Street. This is clearly a school with exceptional standards.

However there is one particular area where

this educational institution excels more than any other, Science. Over the last decade Synge Street has experienced unprecedented success in Irelands prestigious “Young Scientist of the Year Award”. In that period the school has had entries from its students win first prize on three separate occasions as well as two awards for best group project.

These are more awards compared to any other school in the country. What exactly gives this school such a decisive edge when it comes to science? What factors are behind this unrivalled success?

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When speaking recently about its achievements in the competition the school’s principal Michael Minnock claimed he attributes it to two key aspects. Mr Minnock said “firstly it is very hard work, for example we have four separate projects ready to be entered in next years exhibition and they have been working hard on them since last February, many schools work through October, November, December and there’s pressure to have them ready for January, we encourage guys to start well in advance of the exhibition”. Mr Minnock also praised the work ethic of the students involved saying “they work on Saturday mornings here, and during the summer they work at least four days a week so they only get about three weeks off ”.

The Principal then noted the faculty as the other important factor; he said, “the second aspect would be the inspiration of the teachers who are involved”. “We have seven teachers working with the young guys”. He listed one former staff member as crucial, “our guru is Jim Cooke, he retired here a number of years ago but he is still very much involved and he helps the teachers first of all, and he helps develop the projects with the young fellows.” Mr Cooke was described in an article by the Independent earlier this year as a “legendary science teacher” after the schools latest victory and has mentored many of the participants.

In 2004, Synge Street student Ronan Larkin won top prize for his project entitled “General Continued Fractions”.

Ronan now works for Aer Lingus as an IT systems developer. Another winner came in 2007 when Somali born Synge St third year student, Abdusalam Abubakar, won the award for his project called “An Extension Of Wiener’s Attacks On RSA”. Abdusalam then went on the win first prize in the field of mathematics at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in 2008 in Madrid.

Synge St’s latest winners came in 2012 when Eric Doyle and Mark Kelly won top prize for their entry “Simulation Accuracy In The Gravitational Many-Body Problem”. The pair’s project looked at planetary motion and how satellites stay on the correct flight path when in space. They created an algorithm that they claim will help space crafts reduce their fuel demands and also help maintain navigational course while on space missions. Their algorithm proved so effective that they also went on to win top prize

at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in Bratislava that same year.

After the event Maire Geoghegan Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science praised them saying “their work on simulating how objects respond to gravity in certain environments could have many practical applications, not least in space exploration”. The project was based off some of the innovative work of Diarmuid O’ Mathuna, whom the Commissioner described as a “great Irish Scientist”.

The pair are both now in college with Kelly studying Science at UCD and Doyle studying theoretical Physics at Trinity College.

No doubt there will be high expectations for Synge Street in next January’s event at the R.D.S in Dublin. Four separate entries, which principal Minnock claims the

schools are “quite hopeful for” will appear.

He also mentioned he feels the school and the competition share a “symbiotic relationship” no doubt partly due to a past pupil of Synge St being one of the founders of the Young Scientist award almost fifty years ago as well as the success. However the principal did have an interesting admission which may surprise a few, he said “I suppose what is somewhat ironic is that we don’t actually target the overall award, we target second place”. He continued, “If you get second then the students get the chance to go to America to represent Ireland at the Intel World Science Fair in America. So we target that”.

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Places To Eat: Noshington

by

Shauna Duggan

N

oshington is a café located just at the corner of South Circular Road and Washington Street. It is also just a stone’s throw away from Griffith College.

I decided as I am coming into my final year of Griffith, I would pop in and see what it was like.

The café covers all your daily meal needs at very reasonable prices. The cafe even won one of the top 100 best restaurants in the 2012 edition of The Dubliner magazine.

The breakfast menu includes many favourites such as poached eggs, breakfast sandwiches, sausage rolls and they even serve their own brown bread!

There is a wide lunch menu with different salads, soups, sandwiches and wraps to choose from, again at very affordable prices. Dinner is also served in Noshington from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

I decided to visit Noshington at lunchtime hours to have a browse and look inside to see what it had to offer. From the outside, the building looked quite small, but as I entered, I realised it was quite the opposite.

The place was jam packed full of people.

I went to speak with Lizzy, one of the workers in Noshington.

“I’ve been working here for about three and a half years, and I really love working here,” she told me. “One of our most popular dishes is the steak and chips.”

“You should also try the falafel wraps if you want to taste something new, they are gorgeous!” she continued.

When I was inside the cafe, I decided I would ask a few people about what they thought of the restaurant.

“It is a great place to come to eat and chill out after work. It is away from the hussle and bussle of the city centre,” one lady told me. “I had heard a lot about this place, but never been there, so decided to take a risk!

There is a great atmosphere inside.”

“I’ve been coming to Noshington for about a year now and it is my go-to cafe of choice in my area!” said a man I spoke to.

“

You should also try the falafel wraps if you want to taste something new, they are gorgeous!

”

“The restaurant is very accommodating to children too, which is great for families,” said another woman as I was leaving.

The Noshington café site has quite a bit of history to it. It originally formed a portion of the lands that belonged to the Priory of Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem at Kilmainham, originally called Karnanclone-

gunethe.

The area became synonymous with the mills in the 17th century, owing to the influence of Sir Thomas Roper, Baron of Bantry and Viscount Baltinglass.

Thomas Roper lived in ‘Roper’s Rest’ which appears to encompass the site of Noshington and the surrounding streets, according to the Map of Dublin from 1798.

The counter in Noshington is made from teak that was rescued from a hotel in Wicklow before it was knocked down.

The artwork in Noshington is also chosen carefully from one particular artist’s section at a time. They aim to switch the artwork on their walls on a regular basis, and are more than happy to hear from you if you want to exhibit your work in their café.

The artwork that is in Noshington is often available to buy.

Are you looking for a bite to eat in the local area or do you want to try something brand new? After my experience and hearing from others, I would highly recommend you come down and try something tasty at Noshington!

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e

Feature: Women’s Right To The Best Care

The Coombe Hospital by

Donna Rooney

Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital. Photographer: Ciara Byrne.

The Coombe hospital is currently approaching nearly 200 years of caring for women and new born babies. The hospital has experienced great expansion over the years.

For many years women have discussed with their family and friends what hospital to give birth in, what hospital provides the best care for you and your new born baby.

It is important to know everything about the hospital you are going to attend as it is the most special day of your life. I wanted a greater insight to The Coombe Hospital.

Naturally all maternity hospitals main priority is to deliver babies as safely as possible, while making the mothers as comfortable as possible. Pain relief is available to help you cope with labour including the epidural. An epidural is given by an anaesthetist. This is the most popular form of pain relief. The mother is injected with a small amount of anaesthetic outside the spinal cord; this involves placing the needle into a small boney opening just above the tailbone. The medication then travels upwards and allows the mother to cope with the labour pains.

Over 9,000 mothers give birth in the Coombe hospital every year. The three most popular maternity hospitals are The Coombe, The Rotunda and Holles Street.

The Rotunda is becoming more and more popular; they have been providing maternity services to women and their families for hundreds of years.

It is important to know all the facts about where you are going and who is

treating you. Every mother wishes for a happy and healthy baby, never be afraid to ask questions if your feel something is not right. As the saying goes ‘a mother knows best.’

Sinead Kavanagh had her little boy Nathan 3 years ago in The Coombe Hospital.

Sinead planned on giving birth naturally.

Everything was going fine, she was relaxed

“whatI accepted I was told because at the end of the day they’re professionals

”

and looking forward to meeting her new bundle of joy.

During labour something went wrong, as nurses began to panic in the delivery room Sinead knew something was not right. She asked what was wrong and got no response, she then starting shouting with frustration.

The nurse told her she would have to undergo a cesarean section. A cesarean section

is when nurses and doctors deliver a baby through a cut (incision) in the mother’s belly and uterus. It is often called a C-section. There are many reasons why this takes place, in most cases a C-section is needed for the safety of the mother or baby.

Sinead was told by medical staff that Nathan had gone to the toilet mid delivery and they need her to give birth right away as her baby was is distress. Sinead said: “I was scared of course but I wasn’t sure what was wrong because they weren’t telling me much”.

Everything went well with Nathan’s birth. Sinead said: “I accepted what I was told because at the end of the day they’re professionals.” Sinead is now expecting her second child and went back to the Coombe Hospital. In an early visit she was told a surgeon was on his way down to talk to her. When he arrived he told Sinead that she would be able to have a C-section again due to the complications in her first birth, said explains: “I was shocked because the odds of my baby going to the toilet during delivery again was slim to none.”

Sinead was told that Nathan did not go in to distress because he went to the toilet; the C-section was carried out because the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and was causing him to chock. “I was in shock I couldn’t even speak! The doctor himself was in shock that I didn’t know this.”

The Coombe Hospital was contacted in relation to Sinead’s story and did not wish to comment.

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According to the World Health Organisation, C-sections in Ireland have increased by almost a quarter in the past 10 years.

One in every four babies born in Ireland is by C-section. There are many different reasons why woman have C-sections, many woman who have children late in life are advised to undergo a C-section to avoid any complications during the birth. According to new research from University College Dublin and the ERSI, Irish women are more likely to be obese and smoke. Woman who are obese are more likely to develop complications such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. Not all C-sections are discussed before giving birth, sometimes medical interventions are essential during labour to deliver the baby as safely as possible which can result in a woman having an unplanned C-section.

We know over 9,000 women give birth in the Coombe every year; maybe bad experiences are not caused by the staff, this

could be down to the cuts hospitals have experienced over the years. It is extremely hard for doctors and nurses to meet the demands of every patient. Doctors are

“ Irish women are more likely to be obese and smoke

”

often called out of a delivery room to an emergency.

Government health care spending in Ireland has been reduced by 5 percent since 2008. Health Minister James Reilly plans to remove 8 percent of the health budget between 2012 and 2015. This includes, cuts to funding for essential services and a reduction of personnel and wage cuts for health workers.

The HSE published its National Service Plan; it aims to reduce staff numbers by 4,000 at the end of this year (4% of the workforce). These changes in Ireland’s health care system may threaten the quality and safety of patients. The reductions in staff will result in the loss of 6.4 million working hours. It will no doubt affect how hospitals are run, medical staff may have to work longer hours and take on extra work.

These extreme cuts could be the reason why people can have bad experiences during their stay in hospitals.

Main entrance to Coombe Hospital. Photographer Ciara Byrne

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Sport:A Look Into St James GAA Club

St James Gaels captain Barry Darcy and team celebrate their Junior B Champ win in Parnell Park. Curtosy of http://www.stjamesgaels.com/

by

Stephen Donnery

best. They competed well in the Division 6 league and also in the Junior D Championship, as they played once again in the Championship Final!

S

t James Gaels GAA Club will next year be entering their 20th anniversary. Despite this part of the club only being in existence for a short period of time, it has gone on to win many great achievements, as well as having the much needed laughs and fundraisers along the way.

The Crumlin based side was set up back in July 1994 as the result of the amalgamation of An Caisleán and Guinness GAA Clubs. The two clubs were struggling for numbers over a couple of years before club officers of both teams agreed on an amalgamation.

For a small club, St. James Gaels GAA has gone on to achieve some sweet success since its coming together almost 20 years ago.

Eoin Darcy has been with the club since it was originally set up. Eoin was originally a member of the Guinness

GAA Club. He had started playing with them through all age groups before finishing up as a player, playing with the Gaels. Nowadays, ex-nominee for “Dublin’s Finest Supporter,” Eoin is currently taking charge of the Academy group which is for ages 5-8 and also known as “St. James Gaels All-Stars.”

St. James Gaels GAA Ladies have also been set up within the last six years. It didn’t take the ladies team long to find their feet. A proud moment came for the ladies when after a few years of existence, it went on to win the Junior E Championship in 2009. They also performed tremendously well in Division 7 in the same year. They were moved up divisions in 2010 and once again they showed that they can compete amongst the

Eoin, who spent a number of years as a player at St James Gaels, before taking over as Secretary of the club, has now dropped down the rails to assistant secretary, as well as taking main control of the young age groups. “After a number of years, its time to take a step back to the assistant job.” Here Eoin remains a big part of the club and always willing to lend a helping hand.

When Eoin first stopped playing with the club, he took up a coaching role starting with the younger age groups before moving up to the seniors for a year or two. “After moving up the seniors, I started moving back down to the underage.”

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Eoin who is a proud and loyal club man recently was entered by another unnamed clubman into a Vodafone run competition. It was to acknowledge those supporters who are always there for their club. Eoin managed to make it into the final five but unfortunately did not take home the €2,000 prize money for his club. Despite this Eoin still is fully upbeat for the club and keeping his love for the game going through the St. James Gaels All-Stars.

Eoin also went on to compliment the senior setup within the club at the present

time. “We’ve a good mix of players, youth and experienced.” The seniors have had great success with this mixture recently upon winning the Junior B Championship Final in 2012. It’s great to be fit to bring success like that to a club that is still trying to find its feet in a sense. With youth players on the junior team and also great numbers at the Academy, the future is

“ The Crumlin based side was set up back in July 1994 ”

looking bright for the blue and yellow of St. James Gaels.

The underage structure is definitely positive within the club setup as the U’10 team came a very satisfying runner up in the Humphrey’s Cup back in 2012.

The “All-Stars” were beating in the final by five points, to the host St Vincent’s on a score-line of 1-7 to 0-5. The St. James Club had an impressive victory in the semi-final however, when they emerged by the minimum with a 1-5 to 0-7 victory

over the Castleknock club.

Eoin has showed his dedication to the club when he and 14 other contestants competed in the “Klubz Factor” within the club. Each contestant gathered sponsorship in order to pay for the winner of the event (in this case €1000 was split between the top two contestants.) The rest of the funds will have gone towards the upkeep and the running of the club on a day to day basis.

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Sport: St. Pats Claim league after stiff competition

by

David O’Malley

T

he Irish Airtricity league has finally come to a close, and St Patrick’s Athletic from Inchicore Dublin 8 have claimed the trophy after 33 hard fought matches.

This is the first time since the 2001/02 season that Pat’s have won the honour, and it is the first time since 2003 that they won any silverware. St. Pat’s finished on 71 points which is impressive in itself, but had stiff competition from Dundalk who finished 3 points in arrears. St Pat’s won 21, drew eight and lost four, they also scored the most goals in the league and had the fewest defeats, along with the joint most wins.

St Pat’s had seven players on the MNS team of the year, including the goalkeeper and all of the back four. St Pat’s top scorer for the year, Conan Byrne, finished an exceptional season with 13 goals from midfield. Christy Fagan scored 12 goals and the much travelled, Anthony Flood, scored 11 goals. It was a long season with some ups and downs, now it is the end of the season and that means that the transfer market is opened and St Pat’s will be hoping to keep as much of their squad as possible by renewing contracts as soon as possible.

The club is rich in history dates back to 1929 when it was founded. They did not enter the League of Ireland until 1951. After much success in the Leinster league they then won the league of Ireland on their first attempt. They have had many venues in which they held their home games, but once they returned to their original home in Inchicore which is their original home they continued to gain success.

St Pat’s have been a consistent top division side for the past decade, while teams such as Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne, Limerick and Bray Wanderers all having

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to do stints in the second tier within the last decade. Teams such as Dublin City and Sporting Fingal have both had experience in the top flight but both these clubs no longer exist. St Pats have been one of the most consistent title contenders in the last number of years also, finishing third last year and fourth the year before. It has always been a local club and for big Dublin derbies the attendances are often increased creating a good atmosphere.

“ The club

is rich in history dates back to 1929 when it was founded.”

There have been many famous names who have been involved and played or managed St Pat’s, these include Ronnie Whelan, Paul McGrath who went on to have very distinguishable club careers and also earned many caps for their country at Internation-

al level. Brian Kerr who managed Ireland in the early part of the decade started out by managing St Patrick’s Athletic. He is from Drimnagh originally so he was much welcomed by locals as he was one himself.

Brian Kerr went on to transform the club’s fortunes and eventually went onto manage his country in a reasonably successful spell as manager. The youth setup has always been an important an integral part of St Patrick’s. Today, there are not too many players from the youth squad in the senior line-up. There are many young players in the squad and ready to push their career to the next level and break into the senior team. For now, Pat’s main objective is to keep as many players of their squad as possible and possibly add a couple more if possible.

The Airtricity league is and probably always has been a very open league where any team at in any given season can produce and ultimately go on to win the league so the consistency of winning back to back titles will prove a massive task, they will believe no doubt that they can repeat the heroics of this year if they continue what they have started. The impact on Pat’s winning the league will effectively have an impact on the next season attendances to Pat’s matches both home and away, this should encourage more people in the local area to go and support their local team who have just won the league.

If St Pat’s keep on top of their financial sector, and do not let the team fall into financial difficulty, they will always be an important part of the Irish league. The new season will begin soon and the Dublin 8 club will be looking to get off to a good start, “It has been great for fans it’s been a while,” and the fans are hoping it won’t be such a long wait for the next title.

03/12/2013 14:27

Sport: In It to Win It

by

Local 13-year-old girl is in it to win it

Ashton Doyle proud”?. “Yeah I am I was delighted when I got the good news that I was one of the girls picked to go to Hungary and represent Ireland its like my dreams starting to come true. I train every Wednesday and Saturday with the high performance team in the National Boxing Stadium, we got our own tracksuits and new training gear and everything so its been an honour and a great experience.”

A

oife Burke is a 13 year old schoolgirl from Rialto, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing about her rise in Irish female boxing. Aoife started boxing for St Mary’s Boxing Club in Tallaght when she was just eight years old. She got into boxing through her grandfather.

Her grandfather, Noel Burke Snr is the founder of St Mary’s Boxing Club and his son and Aoife’s Uncle, Noel Burke Jnr is Aoife’s coach.

My first impression of Aoife was that she was this shy, timid young girl which for me made it almost hard to believe that she was training to become what she hopes to be, a professional Boxer.

She sat on the edge of the boxing ring in her school uniform biting her nails as if she was nervous about our meeting.

I assured her it was just a casual chat about her progression through boxing and her achievements so far, which seemed to relax her a lot more.

“It was weird at first for me because I was the only girl in the club at the time. There were no girl’s facilities so for a long time I wasn’t allowed to train until we were granted the money to get the girl’s facilities”.

“So in a way you revolutionised female boxing in St Marys club, you must be proud as punch for that achievement alone”, I asked. “Ah yeah of course I am, I ended up getting friends and they would get their friends to come so we have got a good few girls and women in the club now, which I’m delighted with.

My Aunt did a course and she does training with the girls now, but because I’m training for the Ireland team my Uncle Noely still trains with me”.

I asked her about her training for the Irish team. “It is such an achievement for a girl of your age you must be very

“And what are your hopes as an upcoming future professional”? (We both giggled) “Well I just want to carry on as I am, finish school and keep training as hard and as best as I can and keep moving up in the ranks until I get to be where I want to be”. “I’m in it to win it.” She laughed as we finished up the interview.

As I was leaving St Mary’s Boxing Club, Aoife’s grandfather was on his way into the club and Aoife introduced us. I asked him would he like to add anything to the interview that Aoife and I just had and he said ‘Well what can I say, Aoife is a fabulous boxer and I’m not just saying it because she’s my granddaughter”. He joked “She’s that good its often hard to get any of the lads in the ring to spar with her during training”, he joked some more.

Aoife is a great example of how women’s boxing is coming up in the world. She was a lovely girl to talk to and it was my pleasure interviewing her. I wish her all the best in her future boxing career.

“I’ve always loved boxing, I can’t ever remember not loving it”, said Aoife.

I asked her how old she was when she first got into it as well as how she got into it. “I was only eight when I first started training, I use to have to get the bus to my Auntie’s in Tallaght after school every day because she use to mind me until my ma came home.

I remember sneaking up to the club everyday and just standing there watching the boys train and then one day my granda told me to get in there and grab a rope and start skipping, so I did.

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Musicstown

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Jame b u D , s io Stud lin Promise ock R r o f d n la Bands!

by jara Tinashe Nyaku

s has The Coronas “ amestown Studio rm for become a platfo ame in here c for s nd a b nt e nd e Indep and videos. last year to do a music recording in the Dublin eo for The studios are id v ic s u ve m ha s nd a 8 area. As the b g their talents their song ‘Mark been developin pting to s’. there and attem business My Word ic us m e th to in move mes the Dublin 8 The attraction that co has certainly put rowing so the map. from has been g music scene on uilding next much that the b 3 other h mostly door also holds The Studio whic ying to ck bands s who are also tr ro s nd te a a b d o m m o c ac music industr y. ged by a make it into the has been mana are oore, “I estown Studios m M y Ja m e Jim Th d lle a c man sting for about inly a very intere re rta e he c n e e b ve ha sit with basement which vi g in to ld e c ui b la p e Th ” 6 years. edge studio rooms, an ig transforg b lin a e h fe ug ro th nt we bands an g a printing which gives these mation from bein a lot to offer edge on their music. building has had number of with its very own never cross the bands, Dublin 8 would music studio for w much om for videos a person’s mind of ho ro ll a w te hi w e th ians also its very the area offers for music and pictures and for s s great platform ha it s a n. he c kit own . With Venues all types of artist Whelan’s s The Chaplike Vicar Street, Bands as such a Studio, have been also Jamestown s e nd ut a in M e Th rs, eing te eir mut of artists are b th lo r a fo s ly io re su ud st e using th wn Studio d facilities for birthed from Jamesto o o g e th ith w , sic be nues around the m ve e ig th b d e e th lp he to s them; it ha music industr y Dublin 8 area. successful in the opular bands t in Ireland. The p sts out there tha ere for rti th a g ny in a rk r o w Fo n e e have b sonably Jimmy. He looking for a rea id re sa a w no le hi w a out the minutes as priced place to rent also described n is r degree...” for there music, Jamestow a ul p o p ry e “v g bein ed as it has ile. surely recommend with a proud sm s with pracup to four studio a lot of rooms that hold holding such e io tic ud st e th e ith W ly been equipment, this is certainly th re su s ha it nt le great ta studicommolace for you. The c p a it ht s rig a lp he ig ab re, Dublin 8.

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03/12/2013 14:27

ros, The Cadb Living The Dream! by jara Tinashe Nyaku

as an individual, lso a ut b d notice ving you want to be ven better to ha e y tr its un o c p ll to a a sm y b or a am with out of the crowd e to share your dre t lo A l. e b Ireland has mad you. music record la other people with d fin ys a d and continues a w no of bands lop their to make a huge d at the it difficult to deve rn e Having performe d o m n e o th s a ic impact us m drum, own feel of eer festival in Dun b re e th t to open music. competitions out the Cadbros go hen W s, w 0 6 ho 9 r 1 fo e d nd th Since is being judge close the show a nd e a d to ll. d se rte ill a w rds they e after rock music st ve manys reco lso perform at th a ha s nd a b f o t lo out a velop a party. Around ab cessful c su ly e re b su to ve d ha re s ttendur occ The Cadbro usand people a o m o th Fr y. tr us d ro in p t ic band in the mus through tha ed the show. The impact gone e th n , e 2 e U b f o ve ys a ha such the d cess as they g exploited on in e b e th n o n m w e ir o made made by th tr ying to find the d a big stage has ire sp in , s nd ha a b e k g c tter a world st identity as a Ro alise that it’s be re m e in th le p o e p s g selve riginal a lot of youn “Well we call our have their own o ir to e th in to w nt llo a fo w n Ireland to mething they ca Cadbros but we so , ic us m e, but lves. footsteps. change the nam show for themse r fo s ro b d a C p e we will ke to so ined. ir Being exposed now.” they expla ding to have the , e ic e N us m k c Ro f o re many types ry own place whe ve nd n la e Ire e f b o ve le p ha e and The peo The band who they can practic ble a n e l e b ua id ly iv re d su in ic. ir have playing the ate their own mus re c s nt le , ta rs ir a e ye th e a room to express r about 10 They have mad lay a roles fo p to ng vi ha of s a freely e m a second building c e e e th lik in is W “ nt e m ru st s as their traditional in Jamestown studio . re tu ul c 2 e r th e f o ly geth its part to me. They recent ho w ith ne w up ht w I recently caug to ved in there a fe o o m g e a th y b rs a nd a e b y a nice a young months ago, “its s, ro rb a C e n Th w f o o e set name our te a e here with a nic re c ic c la us p m k c Ro in nces of their interest up.” The importa to m e th d e .” nc d e n ba has influ a good place to ng n vi a ha st ju n a th helped become more d reate music has c rte a st e g “W in , m a nd a re d into tribute b the beauty of d them. As I peake but nd a b r e o ut b nd tri a b , the a s a of a of being in of these sessions ne d o e nt a w is e w nd d a creating we decide your own b music they were music.” having l a r in e rig b o m e e m m ry so will to do something eve ded on point. It un so ng vi ha of they they said. of band dreams t be a surprise if no le p o e p e ful. before finding th become success that is s g in rk th o w e th to f o nt a One who they w land is e beauwell known in Ire ith, that is also th w e ut b tri f o t own that there is a lo having your very f o ty is , but a band bands out there entity not just as id if g in th d o that really a go

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Over heard in Dublin

If you have ever entered into a conversation at just the wrong time or you have found yourself waiting on a bus that just can’t come quick enough. Well here are a few encounters and experiences some of us have had. · While waiting at the 112 bus stop minding my own business, a complete scobbie approached me and said “I know you” No I don’t think you do mate, “a I defo know your face from around, were ya ever in the joy I think I did time with yah”No I’ve never been in prison, “are ya sure ya weren’t I’m sure you were on me wing”. Despite my best efforts the conversation went back and forth like this for a while. · Sitting upstairs on the top of the bus chatting to my mate his face suddenly dropped. I asked what’s wrong “aaw it’s the crazy guy who lives on my road”. I looked up and saw a guy that can only be described as a rough looking Andy Woral. He proceeded to stand in front of my mate until he looked up and acknowledged him. After a quick glance and a awkward hi , he ran down stairs and we both thought that was the end of the matter. Ten minutes later my mates face dropped even further, “F..k it’s the other crazy guy who lives on my road”. I thought the Andy Worhal guy was weird enough .This lad got on with a clutch of seven umbrellas in his arms.

After he sat down Warhol ran upstairs and now for some strange reason was covered in paint.

Turned out the two crazy guys knew each other and began to get in an argument. The umbrella-man began to attack Warhol and demand he get off the bus while Warhol threatened him back with his tin of paint. People don’t give Dublin credit enough for being weird.

e f a o r t C s i B

ALL DAY SPECIALS!!!

102, South Circular Road, Dublin 8 Sit In Take Away Fresh Cod Meal €8.00 €7.50 Smoke Cod Meal €8.00 €7.50 Snack Box Meal €5.50 €5.00 1/4 Pound Meal €5.80 €5.00 Chicken Burger Meal €5.80 €5.00 Donner Kebab Meal €6.00 €5.75 Chicken Kebab Meal €6.00 €5.75 Chicken Wrap Meal €6.00 €5.75 Omelete, Beans & Chips €7.00 €6.00 Sausage Baguette €2.70 €2.70 Bacon Baguette €2.70 €2.70 Breakfast Baguette €2.90 €2.70 Chip Butty €2.70 €2.70 Philly Steak €6.00 €5.80 Ray & Chips €9.00 €8.50 Battered Burger Meal €5.50 €5.00 Dinner Box Meal €6.50 €6.00 Dub 8 FULL InDesign.indd 18

03/12/2013 14:27

Landmarks: St Patrick’s Cathedral,

In the heart of D8 is St. Patrick’s Cathedral, one of Dublin best landmarks.

Tom Anderson took a look for Dub8

by

Tom Anderson

A

s one of Dublin best-known conservation landmarks, it’s worth taking a closer look at the interior of St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Dublin 8 is one of the first areas that come to mind when talking about the city’s historical and cultural background.

It is home to the Kilmainham Gaol, the James Joyce House, the Shaw Birth Place and the Guinness Storehouse, to name just a few. However, it also contains some sites that can sometimes go unnoticed in comparison, but by no means forgotten.

One of these sites is the magnificent St Patrick’s Cathedral, located at the bottom end of New Street, intersecting Patrick Street in the heart of Christchurch. It is an incredibly imposing building which dominates the skyline of this area of Dublin; in fact, it has the tallest spire of any church building in Ireland. Only the nearby steeple of Christ Church Cathedral, a mere five to ten minutes down the road, challenges it.

The current building at the site of St Patrick’s Cathedral has stood since 1220, but earlier religious buildings were present at the site since 1191. It is clear that the building has mostly withstood the passing of time, and it is now a historical and architectural site.

However, there have been structural concerns about the cathedral in the last 10 years. In 2009, a conservation architecture firm, Benjamin + Beauchamp, were called in for repairs to the spire which took 18 months to complete. In a statement, they revealed that “[the project] required 28

lifts of scaffold to reach the cross, some 250ft above ground level. The spire and tower were cleaned, repaired and repointed with internal alterations to the belfry.”

Regarding the funding of the works, Benjamin + Beauchamp architects said, “[the works] were successfully completed with funds generated by the Department of the Environment, the Heritage Council and Dublin City Council” St Patrick’s Cathedral were asked to comment on 2009 restoration and any ongoing conservation work planned for the future, however they sadly did not reply to our questions before this article went to print.

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It is clear that the building has mostly withstood the passing of time, and it is now a historical and architectural site.

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Despite conservation works, the Cathedral remains a place of worship, with many local people attending services every week. St Patrick’s also hosts concerts, talks and lectures, and other events which attract many visitors to experience the dominating grandeur and expanse of the lacquered interior of the Cathedral.

Speaking to visitors outside of the en-

trance and the adjacent park, it is apparent that the Cathedral is a top place to visit on most tourist to-do lists. “It is a perfect place to visit,” says Jacques Dufour, who is visiting Ireland with his wife Marie.

“We did research online and other people recommend to visit the Cathedral, we think it is very beautiful just like Dublin.”

Another visitor, TCD Erasmus student Pia Griendstrom, says she “often visits” St Patrick’s. “I am here in Ireland on Erasmus so I live nearby for college. The park next to it is quiet and is nice to read and do study. The Cathedral is a very interesting building and is peaceful, I like to visit when they ring the bells, and it is something we don’t have back home.”

A rather interesting fact about St Patrick’s is that it has not just one, but 15 bells installed in its tower, all of which are rung for services and other events. Bell ringing originates from the 16th century, as this is the time when bells began to be hung in churches with a full wheel, allowing sets of bells to be controlled and rung continuously.

A good tip is to visit the Cathedral on a Tuesday, when the bells will be rung for practice in the evening. You will also hear the bells on Sundays for services, on national days and for other events.

All in all, St Patrick’s Cathedral is most certainly one of the hidden gems of Dublin; with its historic building and architecture, not to mention its accessible location, it is well worth a visit from both locals and tourists alike.

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Feature: What You Thought You Knew About Dublin 8

St. James’s hospital was one of the major battlegrounds during the Easter rising.

Local historian, Paul O Brien was written a book about the South Dublin Union in 1916 Mr O’Brien talking about the guerrilla fighting at the SDU.

by

Thomas Harte

S

t James’s Hospital was a significant battleground during the Easter Rising, 1916. I interviewed military historian, Paul O’Brien for more information about this. According to him, at the time the area was called South Dublin Union (SDU).

His book, “Uncommon Valour: 1916 & the Battle for the South Dublin Union” tells us that, that very area was at first a poor house, opening in 1667. It went on to become a hospital in 1727 and finally a workhouse by the early nineteenth century up until 1916.

The SDU and its surrounding area was significant for the Rising because nearby in Inchicore there was a large military barracks called Richmond barracks. A couple of hundred soldiers were stationed here during Easter Monday. It was from that barracks that the Royal Irish Regiment moved out from to go into Dublin city centre to secure it and the route they had to take to get there was by going through the SDU. The reason why the SDU was seized was because it was “a little city within a city,” said Mr O’Brien; a walled complex, originally built as a workhouse for the destitute, poor and insane people of Dublin. But it

also had within the churches’ walls, kitchens, good quantities and supplies of food. It was a classic fortress.

Eamonn Ceannt was a member of the 4th Battalion of the Irish Volunteers. The men of this battalion were from the Dublin 8 area, from Dolphin’s Barn, all the way to Inchicore.

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The reason why the SDU was seized was because it was a little city within a city

”

There was farmland just beside the Royal Hospital, about four blocks from the SDU. Inchicore was still a well developed part of the city, even in 1916. On the other side

of the Grand Canal was where most of the farmland of that day would have been, not Dublin 8 as previously thought.

When Ceannt seized the SDU on Monday, it was very under-resourced with weapons and manpower. He only had 120 men to secure over 50 acres of the complex.

From that area, he wanted to put a hold on Richmond barracks and also the Royal hospital in Kilmainham where the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in Ireland lived.

The threat of the British didn’t actually come from Royal Navy ships in the River Liffey, but from the Quays (Aston Quay/ Merchants Quay). They were going to be the highway that the British were going to use to get into the centre of the city.

Irish troops came up from the Curragh in County Kildare to partake in the Rising on Monday. However, the mistake the Irish Volunteers made was not to seize Kingsbridge train station (which is now Heuston Station). This meant that Ceannt, with his scarce manpower could not branch out as far as there.

Ceannt compensated for this disadvantage with urban fighting. He and his 4th Bat-

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Hidden treasures in local range talion were the first of all the Irish Volunteers to engage the British that Easter Monday and they made them fight through terrible and time consuming room-by-room combat. This was a way of fighting the British troops were not used to as they were trained for traditional trench warfare.

The fighting forced Ceannt and his men back to the nurse’s home, which is still there today, near the James St entrance to the SDU. In fact many of the old buildings that Mr O’Brien lists in ‘Uncommon Valour’ are still there today.

To continue, the 4th Battalion were trapped within the nurse’s home for the rest of the week, remembering that the battle

first broke out on Monday.

Though they remained in the nurse’s home and neighbouring buildings in order to defend them there was no more fighting until Thursday when the Sherwood Forester Regiment was sent to engage the 4th Battalion at the SDU. The leaders never wasted their time calling for reinforcements; Ceannt never sent a runner to one of his fellow commanders like Padraig Pearse or Cathal Brugha asking for reinforcements no matter how desperate they were. Ceannt as an experienced military officer knew that he had to focus on preventing the enemy from reaching the city centre by any means necessary.

The Four Courts on the River

Uncommon Valour by Paul O’Brien

Liffey saw equally bad fighting of Easter Monday 1916. From Brunswick Street to Constitution Hill it was shelled by the Royal Navy gunboat Helga and artillery cannons brought from Trinity College. In the aftermath, the damages in the city centre alone amounted to £3 million (approximately £80 million in 2012).

Originally the Rising had been planned for Easter Sunday. Eoin MacNeill, an Irish leader who wanted to cancel the Rising due to the capture of Roger Casement and the ship, Aud released an order saying that the attack had been postponed until the next day and what had happened to Casement and the boat. This order was published nationwide. So instead of 10,000 people rising up against the British all over Ireland, only 1,500 did so, as there were just not enough rifles to go around.

Paul O’Brien(centre), presented his book ‘Uncommon Valour’. An account of the Battle of the South Dublth Dublin Union

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This is why Ceannt and the other leaders mustered only 125 men during the Battle for the SDU. Now that we know that several of the buildings from this battle are still standing, it is worth the while of International students studying in Dublin this semester finding these buildings.

It would be good for the local people to know that a key moment in the history of the Free Irish State took place in their area which could otherwise be seen as a typical suburb by them. In fact, Mr O’Brien said that there is a housing site near the hospital called Ceannt’s Fort. It is on the Mount Brown side of James’s Street (the street with the LUAS stop) and all of the little streets in that estate are named after the Irish Volunteers that died in the Battle for the South Dublin Union.

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Features: Ms Beaujangles Grace Lynch creates and sells jewellery with her own unique touch

by

Katie Morris

J

ust off Newmarket Square in a quaint, and very old part of Dublin’s south inner city, you will find the PureVintage Fair.

This market brings together the very best in retro and vintage items including furniture, clothing, jewellery, music and memorabilia amongst other things. The fair is held on the first Sunday of every month between the hours of 11am and 5.30pm and it is located inside the Dublin Co-Op, which is located in Dublin 8 and close to Christchurch and St. Stephen’s green. It is also where you will find a very crafty lady by the name of Grace Lynch. For over a year Grace has been handcrafting her own jewellery pieces and has just recently brought her designs into the public eye. Sunday the 6th of October saw her showcase her collection at The PureVintage Fair and she was well received by an array of punters.

Grace uses many different materials for her pieces including wire, beads, wool and felt, as well as recycling old jewellery she finds in charity shops or car boot sales. Which means it’s all one of a kind. “My inspiration comes from the world around me in general, from my friends, people watching, festi-

Piece of jewellery made from beads and wool.

“ You’re almost smacked in the face with how chilled out the vibe is

”

vals, floating around town, the internet, and especially just from buying things! For instance I’ll see a cool bead or ball of wool and come up with twenty different ways to use it,” explains Grace. In an economy where jobs and money are hard to come by Grace has created an enterprise that is not only financially rewarding but a fun atmosphere to work in, she believes designing and producing jewelry funds dreams and that is a heck of a lot better than funding some multinational high street store. “It feels good. Also, it’s nice to sit and chat with customers and fellow stallholders, you really feel like your own boss for the day which is brilliant. I felt right at home,” she boasts, beaming from ear to ear.

The fair itself is held indoors, so weather is not a problem. The second you walk through the door you’re almost smacked in the face with how chilled out the vibe is. There’s music from an in-house DJ floating through the air, fresh coffee to sip on as you spend the day gently gliding through the stalls. There is also an array of sofas to plonk your bum in if you feel like totally relaxing, only problem being you may never get up again. The PureVintage Fair also offers a tantalizing multitude of different types of food ranging from gourmet sandwiches to dishes from around the world such as Venezuelan and Bangladeshi. Grace said it best when she said, “It’s a place to come hang out as well as shop.”

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It all began for Grace while studying Costume Design at Inchicore College of Further Education, there she unearthed a love of metalwork, “We had a metalwork class, it was something I’d never tried before and I really enjoyed learning all the techniques and especially working with wire.” Later she progressed to a course in Rua Red, in Tallaght, “I learned how to make a few different types of earrings and bracelets and gained more knowledge about tools and materials.”

She explains that since completing these courses she began to make bits of jewelry for herself and her friends and over the summer months she has been doing it more intensely, building up as much stock as possible in her spare time. She leans in over her cup of coffee, eyes glistening and confides, “I have a lot of fun doing it, I can easily spend an entire day absorbed in creating and yeah I guess it is a kind of like therapy, like I’m feeding my soul.”

Graces pieces are vibrant and quirky and very, very affordable, “I’m a bit of a cheapskate myself and love bargains. However I don’t mind spending on handmade stuff because it’s original and unique and not everyone will have it. It depends on the detail and time that goes into each piece but can range anywhere from €4 to €25.” They are reminiscent of the kind of things bohemian women in the 1970’s would have worn. Her style is very much reflected in her creations, “I like to make things that I would like to wear and I’m attracted to anything really eye-catching, quirky, hippie, psychedelic, boho, Indian, tribal, or Aztec.”

The PureVintage Fair was Graces first, but certainly not her last, affair with market

Six different types of earrings Ms Lynch has available to buy.

stalls, she is still on high doe following the fantastic response on October 6th. She plans on becoming a regular at the fair, explaining excitedly that, “It was a very rewarding day of making new friends, networking, and getting inspired, and sure earning a bit of cash along the way is a bonus.”She had nothing but great things to say about the other traders at the fair, explaining that it was probably the highlight of her day, “It’s so nice to chat with people who are on the same buzz as you, I got lots of advice about different markets and ideas and approaches.”

Grace has also recently set up a Facebook page to showcase her talent and has already made a few sales, she explains that through her stall at the market and online sites such as Facebook she wants to push through those avenues and hopefully make it a successful enterprise. “It’s actually the best feeling in the world to make a sale, I always feel so honored that somebody really likes my own creations enough to give me money for them! Also knowing that people are walking around wearing things that I made, it’s a lovely feeling and gives me a real boost of confidence.”

The PureVintage Fair returns December 8th as well as the January 5th, find time in between all that coffee drinking, bum comfort to find Grace and ogle at her creations.

If you can’t make it or you just can’t wait you can find her and all her arty geniusness here: https://www.facebook.com/beaujanglies

‘The Forrest Heart Necklace’, as Ms Lynch calls it.

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