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‘Relaxation rooms work wonders at modern spas’ SEE BEAUTY: P15.

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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Mulhuddart teens put pedal to the metal P3

May 12, 2011

UNSUNG HEROES: Local nominees

will get the chance to shine: Pages 2&7

Horses for courses: Certs at Dunsink ACTOR Anthony Head, star of

Soccer: Legends on the pitch come to Dublin 15 Page 32

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, took time out from his busy schedule to join his wife, Sarah Fisher, in presenting certificates for completion of the Stable and Yard routine course to several members of the Dunsink Horse and Pony Club recently.

Sharon is to pen the story of Dunsink and its horses in a new novel.

Full Gallery on Page 10

Football: St Brigid’s back to winning ways in SFC Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ................8-10 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS ................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 23 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Council job cuts to total 300 by 2012 Concern at ‘human cost’ amidst praise for tough measures

Q MIMI MURRAY

JOB cuts at Fingal County Council (FCC) will total 300 by the summer of 2012, the council confirmed this week.

FCC said that they have already reduced staff numbers by 251 since 2008 and added that they also made a 17%

reduction in annual payroll costs in the same period, from €86.3m to €71.6m.

While the majority of local politicians praised the council for the cost-saving measures taken, Socialist Councillor, Matthew Waine, said there had been a “human cost”.

He also questioned what

the reduction in staff numbers would mean in terms of the delivery of services.

However, Labour Cllr, Ciaran Byrne, said it was time to get a “grip” on the economic reality, which “we are being forced to deal with it by reducing staff”.

Full Story on Page 6

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

TRAVEL: AREA IS A ‘GREAT DESTINATION’

CAMPAIGN Recognising our local outstanding citizens

Promoting tourism in Fingal area FINGAL Tourism is “looking forward” to continuing to promote Fingal as a “great destination for tourists” as it announces its new board members.

The Board of Fingal Tourism recently election its officers for the coming year, which saw Tony Lambert, of the Fingal Dublin Chamber, re-elected as chairman and Oisin Geoghegan, of the Fingal County Enterprise Board, elected vicechairman.

“Fingal Tourism is looking forward to continuing to promote Fingal as a great destination for tourists from home and abroad, as well as supporting local tourism initiatives throughout the region in the year ahead.

“We are also delighted to welcome the start of work on the new worldclass cricket grounds at Malahide Cricket Club, which will, in time, create major new tourism opportunities in Fingal.

For all tourist informa-

tion in Fingal, check out www.fingaldublin. ie” said Chairman Tony Lambert.

The Board also includes Jack Kinane (Howth Sutton Baldoyle Chamber of Chamber) who was elected treasurer, and PJ Howell (Fingal County Council) who was elected secretary.

Fingal Tourism Manager, Elaine O’Sullivan was also co-opted to the board. They join board members Mayor Ken Farrell (Fingal County Council), Cllr David O’Connor (Fingal County Council), Cllr Peter Coyle (Fingal County Council), Kevin Halpenny (Fingal County Council), Michael Dawson (The Gift Voucher Shop), Matthew Ryan (Grand Hotel, Malahide), Terry McCoy (Red Bank House and Restaurant, Skerries), Michael Healy (Sutton Golf Club), Guy Thompson (Castleknock Hotel and Country Club), Cormac O’Connell (DAA) and Brian Sinclair (Aqua Technologies).

Members of the 104/144th Blanchardstown Scout Group: Nicola Killeen, Deane Murcutt, Ciaran Toner and Danielle McGoldrick

John McGrath, Christy Kinsella and Albert Pierson

Sally Burke and Breda Cowan. Pictures: Rob Love

CAMPAIGN to give unsung heroes in the community a chance to shine for the work they contribute to the community has seen 24 people nominated from across Dublin West and North.

The community initiative, organised by Blanchardstown and Finglas Ford, recognises outstanding citizens for their work, while giving finalists a chance to win donations for their preferred charity or cause.

The shortlisted candidates recently enjoyed a gathering at Blanch Ford, where they enjoyed meeting each other, and learning about why they had been nominated, with

some inspiring personal tales for all to enjoy. Blanchardstown Ford’s Enda O’Connor was very impressed by the quality of candidates, and said: “I am very proud to be playing a part in this event, and so hugely impressed by the candidates on board. During these challenging times, it is important to support these heroes that are vital to our sense of community.”

To cast a vote for a favourite unsung hero, see www. unsunghero.ie. The Top 10 heroes go on to the final on May 20, where each finalist is guaranteed to win a donation for their preferred community charity or cause.

Give heroes a chance to shine

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SUPPORT BLANCH BUSINESS

SHOP LOCALLY Rosaleen and Audrey Forde

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Roddy Chamberlaine, Padraig Keogh and Enda O’Connor, of Blanchardstown Ford

Margaret O’Donnell and Ray Kelly

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60 10 240

Aideen and Barry Byrne, with Zanna

Founder of Inde Care and unsung hero, Dr Danny Bell

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

EVENT Mulhuddart Community Project

ARTS: COMING SOON

The European Ballet arrives at Draiocht in June

Ballet en route to Draiocht Q LAURA WEBB

A group of local teenagers have been reviving a 1970s Fiat 500 ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Mulhuddart Community Project in June

Local teenagers put pedal to the metal Q LAURA WEBB

A GROUP of teenagers are putting the pedal to the metal in reviving an old 1970’s Fiat 500, and are set to display the finished project at the 10th anniversary of the Mulhuddart Community Project this June.

The group of six teens, between the ages of 14-16 years, have been busy working on rebuilding the 70’s Fiat classic with the help of mechanic Stuart Walsh, who is now also a volunteer at the Mulhuddart Community Project.

Stuart brought the idea to the teens, who were only delighted to get on board. Ryan Gleeson, Jason Sinnott, Aaron Thompson, David Plesca, Liam Joyce and Dylan Cooper have now been working with Stuart and Brian Jennings, a panel beater, every Wednesday for two and a half hours over the past six weeks on the car, and are continu-

ing to work on it until it is ready to be displayed.

The teens were also recognised for their efforts at a recent ceremony in Draiocht for the Blanchardstown Youth Citizen Awards. Here they were runners-up for the Fiat 500 project.

Youth Officer at the Mulhuddart Community Youth Project, Bernie Moloney, said the lads involved are all “really enjoying it”.

“The young lads have been working very hard on it. When they see the finished project at the end of it that is when they will have a real sense of achievement about it.

When the project came to them, they were all really interested in doing it. They started working on it on March 30.

“They will display the car outside the Mulhuddart Community Centre on June 2 and 3 at the tenth anniversary of the Mulhuddart Community Youth Project. They will

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

also have a stand with leaflets about road safety supplied to them from the RSA. They already got in touch with the RSA and have received the leaflets.

“Last Tuesday night, at Draiocht in Blanchard-

stown, we had our Blanchardstown Youth Citizen’s Award and they actually came joint runners-up for the project. They got a trophy for that,” Bernie said.

To see the finished product, and to celebrate

the 10th anniversary of the Mulhuddart Community Youth Club, head down to the community centre on June 2 and 3.

THE European Ballet will present a first-class performance of the worldfavourite ballet, Coppelia, at a Dublin 15 theatre in the coming weeks.

Draiocht in Blanchardstown will stage the popular show, which is set to the score of Delibes.

The company features first-class international dancers directed by principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, Stanislav Tchassov, earning a reputation for superb classical ballet performances and high standard of dancing.

The ballet interweaves the romance between Swanhilda and Franz with the story of the dollmaker Coppelius, whose greatest desire is to create a doll with a soul. This show is a total delight and great entertainment for all ages.

Coppelia is on at Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown on Sunday, May 22, at 4pm and 8pm.

Tickets for this event cost €20 for an adult and under 16s €14 a family of four €60.

Log onto www.draiocht.ie or phone 885 2622 to book.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

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INDECARE ROW IT’S YOUR STORY Venture group’s activities JOBS: MAY NOW GO TO THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL

Workers say treatment was ‘unfair’ Q LAURA WEBB

FORMER employees of a community call service for elderly people, who were let go earlier this year due to a lack of funding, have claimed they were “unfairly treated” by the company.

In February, seven paid employees were told that the Friendly Call Service, also known as IndeCare, was not in a position to pay them. The service is still running with the help of people employed under the Community Employment scheme.

The claim has been denied by the organisation’s CEO, who said the company had taken legal advice and could not comment on the matter.

From mountain climbing to cliff-jumping, Huntstown Venture Group members certainly had a busy, but fun, trip to Scotland recently

Having a bonny time on a Scottish Highland trip HUNTSTOWN Venture Group took advantage of the Easter break and headed to the Highlands of Scotland for an action-packed adventure camp.

Based in Fort William, seven of the group took on the daunting task of climbing the highest peak

in Britain and Ireland – Ben Nevis.

Star ting from sea level, the group set off in a balmy Scottish 16C, through the sunshine and into the clouds, to stand on a snow-covered peak at 1,344 metres, four and a half hours later.

All debutants to the

Scottish mountain range, they felt a great sense of pride on reaching the top and on negotiating the descent; aided part of the way by some improvised snow sleds.

The seven mountaineers were part of a larger group of 12 Ventures groups enjoying the week.

Having conquered the Scottish giant, they sought out further adrenaline rushes.

Along the forest canopy, they swung from rope to rope, tackled cargo nets and whizzed across zip lines, with a bird’s-eye view of the tiny spectators below.

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‘They had a go at canyoning, rock-climbing, plunging into waterfalls, sliding through weirs and cliffjumping’

--------------------------

Not fulfilled, they headed for the white waters of Inchree Falls to have a go at some canyoning, a mixture of rock-climbing, plunging into waterfalls, sliding through weirs and cliff-jumping from 40 feet

into icy black pools – not for the faint-hearted.

Eager to squeeze one last activity into the short week, the group headed to the foothills of Nevis range to sample the best of Scottish mountain bike trails at the Mountain Bike World Cup track.

After the series of action-packed days, the Venture group headed south to Glasgow, for a final day to relax and take in the sights.

The Huntstown Venture Group meet weekly, and is open to all young people aged 15-18.

For further information, contact ventures@ huntstownscouts.ie.

Inaccurate However, commenting on a statement issued by Dublin West TD Joe Higgins, who is supporting the former staff members, CEO Danny Bell said it was “totally inaccurate”.

“We really don’t want to engage in industrial relation debate outside of that body and we certainly are prepared to use this mechanism to resolve any situation be it now or in the future.

He went on to say that the company is “dependant on voluntary funding as it is as non-profit service and there just weren’t any funds to continue”.

When asked if staff currently working with the service are being paid by the company he said “no”, but said some of them are on “community employment, but nobody is receiving any sort of wage or salary”.

“We just can’t offer them employment at this time,” he said.

Speaking to the Gazette, Donna Hilliard, who worked at FCS for three years, said she left just before Christmas when staff were told they might not get paid for the

month, believing she, and the other girls forced to leave in February, have been unfairly treated.

Her only option now, she says, is to bring her case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

“We are trying to put a little bit of pressure on the company to do the right thing. I was working with them for three years, others even longer.

“On our contract we are entitled to statutory redundancy. I was there over two years and that is what I would be entitled to, but nobody got anything. Some of the other girls want their jobs back.

We are in no-man’s land, we don’t know what is happening,” she said Supporting the workers, Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said the manner in which the employees of the service had been treated was “disgraceful”.

“The dismissed workers believe that the work they were doing is now being performed by CE workers. Most of the former workers claim that there are unpaid wages and holidays due to them. Those among them with more than two years paid service have not even been told by the employer of what redundancy pay arrangements have been made for them.

Funding “T his project has received funding from the HSE over the years. I will raise this matter with the HSE as I believe that, at a minimum, it should take responsibility for how employees are treated in the projects it funds.

“Finally, my office has given practical assistance to a number of the former employees in making an application to the Employment Appeals Tribunal for an unfair dismissals case,” the deputy said.

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

FASHION Blanchardstown Centre’s personal stylist gives her shopping tips

Shirley’s tailor-made style Blanchardstown

LAURA WEBB

Centre personal stylist, Shirley Lane

LOOKING good in what you wear is not just about what’s on trend, but more about what best suits one’s own individual shape.

And with the help of the Blanchardstown Centre’s own personal stylist, Shirley Lane, a “clever” shopping experience will see wardrobes and confidence reap the benefits.

The style and image consultant brought her fashion knowledge to the Blanchardstown Centre in February, after moving from the Dundrum Town Centre.

Her business, www.personalstylist.ie, has been reviving women’s wardrobes across the nation for over seven years.

Not only has she helped hundreds of women at home, and in London and Australia, to find confidence in shopping and what best to wear, but she also trains many other stylists.

For Shirley, it’s an “education process” that teaches people how to shop to suit their shape, while getting value for your money and makes outfits that gather dust in wardrobes something of the past.

“What we offer is pretty much a personal stylist service. We feel it is more of an education process than just a shopping trip – you are trying to teach people how to shop.

“Everyone who comes to us, they don’t particularly love shopping and they go in and out of the shops in Blanchardstown and they either buying nothing or something that is not suited to them.

“We are trying to minimise all of those mistakes and show people how to dress, how to come out of their comfort zone and what shop works for what figure.

“I don’t focus on trends, so everything is tailored to the individual. From their body analysis, style analysis, colour analysis, it is all very personalised. We don’t want everyone to look the same. It is pretty much down to age, size, lifestyle, budget, and then we dress them accordingly,” Shirley said.

People of all ages come to see Shirley, but, at the moment, the typical age group is between 34-45 looking for day wear.

“We would have a lot of people looking for day wear and looking for clothes that are tailored to their

life style.

“They might be running off to do the school run, going into the office looking for a promotion or maybe working three days and are at home the other days – they are looking for clothes that are practical with the kids but still wanting to look well-dressed.

“It’s all about clever shopping and minimising what you are spending so that, when you do spend, you get it right,” she said.

For further information log onto www.blanchardstowncentre.ie or www.personalstylist.ie

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

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HOSPITALS Dept of Health ‘not planning any changes’ No moves to cease 24-hour emergency service at Connolly LAURA WEBB

THE Department of Health has said it has “no plans” to cease the 24-hour emergency service at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

During an adjournment debate on emergency department cover at the hospital, Minister of State in the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch, said the HSE has “no plans to cease 24-hour emergency department cover at Connolly Hospital”.

Speaking on behalf of Minister James Reilly, she said: “Of course it is incumbent on the HSE to make

the best use of available resources in order to meet the needs of the population served.

“In doing this, it has to consider a range of factors, including changes in medical practice and possible changes in the way that hospitals are organised and run. However, there are no plans at this time to change the current service at Connolly Hospital’s Emergency Department.

“The Minister is committed to ensuring that acute hospital services at national, regional and local level are provided in a clinically appropriate and efficient manner. In par-

ticular, the Minister wants to ensure that as many services as possible can be provided safely in smaller, local hospitals.”

Welcoming the confirmation on the 24-hour service at Connolly, Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar (FG), said: “Minister Kathleen Lynch told the Dail this week that the Government is committed to ensuring that appropriate services can safely be provided in Blanchardstown, including the emergency department.

“I very much welcome the Minis-

ter’s remarks, and the fact that the Health Service Executive has no plans to cease 24 hour emergency department cover at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

“Minister Lynch also said the Government will continue to work with the HSE in order to secure the best service for patients in Connolly Hospital and other, similar-sized, hospitals.

“She said the HSE has launched a plan to recruit extra junior doctors to ensure that any shortage of junior doctors will be addressed, that services are protected, and that patient

safety is maintained.

“I understand that the HSE is currently recruiting medical staff overseas to start work in July of this year, with a special emphasis on priority posts. It has also launched a number of programmes aimed at helping hospitals like Connolly to meet the needs of patients in the best possible way.

“I also welcome Minister Lynch’s assurances that the Department of Health will continue to work with the HSE to secure the best service for patients Connolly Hospital,” Minister Varadkar said.

MUSIC: UPCOMING EVENT BUDGETS: CUTBACKS SAVE FCC €16.5M OVER PAST 15 MONTHS

Local orchestra to play Draiocht THE Fingal County Youth Orchestra (FCYO) will perform its end-of-season concert on Sunday, May 15, in Draiocht.

Based in Blanchardstown, the FCYO has 25 senior members and 32 junior members, and they meet every second Sunday at St Francis Xavier

NS, Castleknock. Members of the orchestra are aged between eight and 21 years of age.

Tickets for the event cost €13/€11 and are available to buy at Draiocht or by booking online at www.draiocht.ie.

For fur ther information log on to www.fingalorchestra.ie

Fingal Council jobs cuts to total 300 MIMI MURRAY news@gazettegroup.com

STAFF numbers in Fingal County Council (FCC) are likely to be reduced by over 300 by this time next year, it was revealed at a County Council meeting this week.

Council officials said that they have already reduced staff numbers by 251 between 2008 and 2011.

They have made a 17% reduction in annual pay-

NOTICE AN CHUIRT DUICHE THE DISTRICT COURT DUBLIN METROPOLITAN DISTRICT IN THE MATTER OF AUCTIONEER’S AND HOUSE AGENTS ACT, 1947-1973 APPLICATION OF PETER QUINN AUCTIONEER Application for the renewal of a Certificate of Qualification to hold an Auctioneers Licence.

TAKE NOTICE that on Wednesday the 8th day of June 2011 at 10:30am an Application shall be made to the District Judge sitting at Court No. 23, The Old Records Building, Four Courts, Dublin 7, for the renewal of a Certificate of Qualification to hold an Auctioneers Licence on behalf of Peter Quinn Auctioneer whose principal place of business is at 1 Luttrell Park Close, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15. Dated this 11th day of May 2011.

SIGNED: P.J. Walsh & Company . Solicitors, 12 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

roll costs in that same period, from €86.3m to €71.6m.

The council saved €8m in payroll in 2011 and they said they will save €12.8m by 2014 when off-settable lump sum payments are disposed of.

T here has been a €3.5m reduction in overtime per annum and €9.6m savings in non-pay expenditure for things like plant hire, fleet management and energy costs.

Overall, the council has made €16.5m savings in expenditure over the last 15 months.

Whilst most of the elected members praised the council for the measures taken, the Socialists berated the report saying that the savings were made by implementing cuts.

“The manager outlined these cuts as if they were a positive achievement.

There is a human cost,” Councillor Matthew Waine said.

“What does it mean for the delivery of services,” he asked. He also said he felt the goodwill and attitude from staff was “wearing thin.”

However Councillor Waine was shouted down by many of the councillors, with Labour Councillor Ciaran Byrne

Fingal County Council (FCC) says it will reduce staff numbers by over 300 over the course of the next year

telling him to “get a grip on economic reality.”

“We have an €18bn annual shortfall and we are being forced to deal with it by reducing staff,” he said.

Cllr Tom Kelleher said that FCC was singular by trying to function on a far inferior income.

“There has been a new government in place for six to eight weeks facing a dreadful situation which is going to get worse.

“I’m not sure if any job is sacrosanct and all the rhetoric in the world is not going to fix it. No organisation is going to escape,” he said.

The council gave a breakdown of how the savings were achieved.

“They said that, as a result of the moratorium on recruitment, 251 staff have not been replaced since the beginning of 2009.

“These included the non-filling of 86 vacancies at date of moratorium resulting in savings of €2.7m and the nonfilling of vacancies arising from termination of 39 temporary contracts, resulting in savings of €1.4m per annum.”

Non-filling of vacancies arising from retirement of 126 staff member’s lump sum payments

associated with retirements distort savings in the short term.

Real savings of approximately €12m will be made by the end of 2014.

By not recruiting 130 temporary summer staff the council saved €1m per annum, whilst not replacing staff on maternity leave resulted in a saving of €0.6m.

The council did not fill career-break vacancies and saved €0.2m by doing so.

M a n a g e r, D av i d O’Connor, said: “Our stated objectives at the time of the adoption of the annual budget for 2011 were to maintain current service levels, deliver quality services at lowest possible costs and reduce charges wherever possible for the business sector. “ T h e s e o b j e c t i ve s have, for the most part, been realised to date, though not without considerable effort and work by staff and their various representative bodies.

“In this respect I want to put on the record and acknowledge the efforts of staff members for their collaborative approach in supporting an unprecedented, concerted and sustained efficiency drive over the past two years in particular.”

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

COMMUNITY Local charity campaign heating up

Support your Unsung Hero HELP your local hero reach the final of the Unsung Hero Campaign by giving them your support ahead of the finale which is fast approaching.

Over the past number of weeks, heroes have been nominated and votes have been coming in in their thousands, each person voting for who they would like to see in the top 10 during the final of the campaign.

The Unsung Hero Campaign hopes to raise €125,000 for charities.

At the finale, the final 10 heroes will have a chance to win various amounts of money to go to a charity, cause or organisation of their choice.

In an attempt to gain momentum on the hero poll, the unsung heroes have advertised as far as Buckingham Palace.

The techniques used by these heroes are

wide-ranging, with some contestants using their own websites, twitter and Facebook pages – a prime example of which is available at www.facebook.com/finglasfordmotors Top of the leader board this week is Fr Dan Joe (St Frances Hospice), followed by Valerie Murphy (East Finglas Scouts), Ellen Cogavin (of Connolly Hospital), Wes Gill (Order of Malta), John McGrath (St John’s Ambulance) and 104/144 Blanchardstown scout leaders.

The biggest climbers this last week have been Brian Flanagan and Seaghan Kearney.

Leading heroes say that telling people to vote daily and validate their vote by email are critical to campaign success.

As the main event at Coolmine/Blanchardstow n Ford quickly approaches, people are

GOT A STORY? WE WANT TO KNOW!

being urged to vote for their local heroes.

Proud sponsors of the unsunghero include EBay, PayPal, Topaz, Ace Autobody, Burgess & Galvin Co, Dunne Engineering and Wiltshire Farm Foods.

First prize is €10,000, second is €5,000 and 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th prizes are for €2,500. In addition, top ticket sellers will win the chance to win the use of a 15-seater mini bus for one year, with €5,000 toward running costs.

Tickets are on sale at just €2 – or six for €10 – at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Charlestown Shopping Centre and Topaz Petrol Stations at Coolmine (200 yards from Blanchardstown Ford), Hartstown, Huntstown, Castleknock and Castleknock.

To vo t e , o r f i n d out more about the campaign, log onto www.unsunghero.ie

Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Aideen and Barry Byrne, with puppy- in-training, Zanna, are just two of the local people nominated as part of the Unsung Hero charity campaign

TRANSPORT

Autumn start for link road WORK on the construction of the Porterstown link road is expected to commence this autumn, according to Fingal County Council (FCC).

A council spokesperson said the commencement date is expected to be this autumn and that the tender documents for the scheme are undergoing “a final review at present”.

“It is expected that work would commence on site in the autumn of this year,” the spokesperson said.

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

FASHION Top models from Assets take to the catwalk as

Blanch goes off the rails LANCHARDSTOWN Shopping Centre teamed up with Assets Modelling Agency recently to put on a special fashion show, displaying the best the centre’s fashion stores have to offer.

Four catwalk shows per day took place over the May bank holiday weekend, with former Off The Rails presenter Pamela Flood doing MC for the proceedings throughout the weekend. A host of spot prizes were also up for grabs as part of the event.

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Former Off The Rails presenter Pamela Flood speaks to Shirley Lane, stylist and personal shopper at Blanch Shopping Centre

Millian, from Assets, in a ‘political’ piece

Assets’ Allison

Former Miss Ireland, Blathnaid McKenna, was one of the Oyin, from Assets, a denim dream

Shady, Aula, from Assets

main attractions on the catwalk.

Susanne, from Assets, in argyle

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

Blanchardstown Shopping Centre puts its best foot forward

Aula shows her softer side

Laura, from Assets, a ray of sunshine

Prints charming: Georgie models another creation

Lisa, from Assets, gets into a floral mood

Millian’s check number

10 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

ANIMALS Certificates at Dunsink Horse and Pony Club

Sharon Newsome

Anthony Head and his wife, Sarah Fisher, pose with Daniel Stanley, Daire Kane, Karl McDermott and Adam Somers

How to get a-Head in caring for horses CTOR Anthony Head took time out from his busy schedule to join his wife, Sarah Fisher, to present certificates for completion of the Stable and Yard routine course to several members of the Dunsink Horse and Pony Club recently.

Well-known for his work in fighting vampires and demons, running Britain, and occasionally

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enjoying a cup of coffee, not many know that Anthony, and his wife, have a keen interest in animal welfare. Sharon, a horse and dog-trainer, is to pen the story of Dunsink and its horses in a novel. The couple were full of praise for the co-ordinators and members of the horse and pony club, who had taken part for 14 weeks to achieve their FETAC Level 4 certificate.

Elaine Hyland, of the Dunsink Horse and Pony Club, with Graham Murtagh

her daughters, Tori and Kyra. Pictures: Conor O’Mearain

Television star, Anthony Head

Katie Brannigan

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: CHECK YOUR ANIMAL’S TEETH REGULARLY, AND BE ALERT FOR PROBLEMS

Brush up on your pet’s dental care ID you ever suddenly become aw a r e o f a n offending stench, and wonder where it’s coming from?

You get yourself to a quiet corner, and examine your shoes for something messy, or discreetly raise your arms above your head to check for nasty pit stains, and then realise: “Oh, thank God – it’s not me who stinks, it’s my dog’s breath!” Sound familiar?

Few pet owners make the effort to educate themselves in their pet’s oral hygiene, but did you know that dental disease is one of the most common disorders in our canine companions?

Keeping your pet’s teeth in check has lots of health benefits – the obvious being minty-fresh breath.

Remember, bad breath in dogs is rarely related to last night’s rich food!

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More often, it’s an indicator of poor dental health, and/or an infection that needs investigating by your vet.

For example, did you know that if your cat or dog suffers an infection of the gums, teeth or oral cavity, this can spread via the bloodstream and into their heart and liver, and could cause additional health problems, such as kidney failure, endocarditis and abscesses in vital organs, possibly resulting in a shortened lifespan?

You didn’t?

Take precautions Well, now that you do, it’s time to take precautions.

Brush your pet’s teeth at home using a special brush and veterinary toothpaste, available from your vet.

Gently introduce your pet to the new taste by rubbing some of the tooth-

paste along his gums, and then repeating the process with a toothbrush.

Aim the bristles along the gum line of the upper back teeth, and angle them slightly upwards, making sure the bristles get right under the gum line.

Working back to front, make little circles; as you would with your own teeth.

However, remember, even with the best home care your pet may still require some professional dental de-scale and polish. *** Feed your pet a crunchy diet, and appropriate chew treats. It’s always worth checking with your vet before you change your pet’s diet; especially if the animal has breed-specific dietary requirements.

I would recommend you make these changes gradually; particularly

Remember – your pets and animals are relying on you to help keep them healthy

with puppies, and always try one food at a time.

Check your pet’s mouth regularly, and observe signs of an inflammation known as gingivitis. This can be seen as a reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It will also cause bad breath.

Dental disease is not just a problem for dogs; other companion animals – such as cats and rabbits – suffer, too.

Conditions such as feline stomatitis – which is very painful, and can be life-threatening for many cats – can occur in all breeds, and at any age. *** Cats with this condi-

tion usually experience inflamed gums which, if untreated, can spread to areas at the back of the throat, making eating and swallowing difficult.

So, if your cat’s breath smells, get to the vet immediately and seek his/ her professional advice on how best to rectify your kitty’s condition.

Rabbits can also suffer.

This is usually due to a bad diet.

You may not know this, but rabbits need lots of fibre in their diet; so give those bunnies plenty of hay and help keep bad oral hygiene at bay.

A rabbit’s teeth continuously grow, and must

be checked regularly by your vet to ensure they are wearing down properly.

If a rabbit’s teeth are not kept in check, and go untreated, the poor creature will not be able to eat properly, and there is a danger it could starve to death.

For those horse owners reading this, did you know that a horse’s teeth will also grow continuously, so it’s important to keep an eye on them?

Your vet is the best person to advise you, regarding this, but if you notice your horse has difficulty chewing, is dropping more food than he actually manages to swallow,

and there are signs of undigested food in his poo, then it’s likely he may be suffering from dental problems, and you need to seek expert help.

So, you can see why proper dental care is a priority for all companion animals and, as prevention is better than cure, perhaps the next time you visit your vet, you’ll ask his/her advice as to the best way of examining your pet’s teeth so that you can keep an eye on his oral health.

If you’d like more information log onto www. dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie.

GOT A STORY? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 13

HEALTH Escaping negativity and unhelpful thinking

Are you a tonic, or are you toxic?

Q PATRICIA MURPHY

IT IS amazing how some people have the ability to light up a room when they walk in. Others light up the room when they walk out.

We allow other people’s moods and attitudes to have such a powerful influence over our personal wellbeing.

Sometimes we join in with the rise of the happy tide, and other times we get pulled down into negativity and unhelpful thinking. It pays to ask ourselves: ‘Am I a tonic, or am I toxic?’

It is very easy right now to pick fault with just about everything.

Nobody we know has escaped the negative effects of the struggling economy and political change. Nor should we ignore or deny the issues that challenge us daily and which need to be addressed.

But none of this is an excuse or a reason to carry a negative attitude with us into every interaction we have, including with our own selves. After all, we live with ourselves 24/7.

Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic. Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally. The ingredients are simple and available to us all.

Here are some suggestions to help you look and feel great every day.

Feed Your Body

Paying attention to

W

Mega Mini: Michael Moroney falls in love with the Countryman

------------------------------------------------------

‘Left untreated, toxicity spreads, causing damage within and without.

What you really need is a daily tonic.

Something to pep you up physically, mentally and emotionally’ ------------------------------------------------------

exercise and nutrition is essential to support the body.

Food nutrients supply us with the energy to carry out daily functions, including the repair and renewal of organs and tissues. The increase of oxygen during modestintensity exercise floods the cells with vitality and increases our ability to get rid of toxins.

It conditions the heart and lungs and even makes us smarter. Discipline is the essential ingredient here. At least 20 minutes of brisk walking, plus three balanced meals per day, is a must.

No excuses. Remember to keep it simple and include 6-8 glasses of water to keep you floating along.

Personal Care

A simple shower, clean clothes and a spray of scent can lift your mood by tenfold. It also makes it more pleasant for others to be around you.

Feed Your Mind

Include constructive thoughts and behaviours towards happiness and health. Step by step and easy does it. It is far more effective to change 100 things by 1%, than to change one thing by 100%. Smile

and keep your conversations upbeat, even if you don’t feel like it.

Act as if you mean it and, pretty soon, you won’t just be faking it, you will be making it.

Feed Your Spirit

Immerse yourself in the fun stuff for a few hours each week. Hobbies and recreational activities are a great way to give you something to look forward to and a break from the routine. Socialise with family, friends and work colleagues, keeping alcohol within the weekly recommended allowance.

Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

Sometimes we forget just how blessed we really are. Give thanks for the big things and little things that make our lives so special. Acknowledge your achievements, including your own valuable input into your happiness, health and wellbeing.

These simple lifestyle changes can have a really positive influence on how you look and feel day in, day out. The best predictors of your future happiness and health are the actions and attitudes that you are practising right now.

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

Patricia Murphy can help detox mind, body and spirit

SEE MOTORING PAGE 18

14 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY New face unveiled for Yves Saint Laurent fragrance BENJAMIN Millepied, the French principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and choreographer for the recent blockbuster, Black Swan has been unveiled as the face for the next male fragrance from Yves Saint Laurent, available from September, 2011.

Described as one of the most gifted dancers and choreographers of his generation, Millepied enrolled with the New York School of American Ballet at the age of 16 and became principal dancer at 18 with the prestigious New York City Ballet.

On his new role with YSL Millepied said: “I’m happy and proud to have been chosen by Yves Saint Laurent, one of the world’s most pres-

tigious brands. I admire the world of this House, its elegance and modernity. Monsieur Saint Laurent was a fashion genius, a lover of the arts, he also knew how to use his talent to serve the art of dancing.”

Benjamin Millepied will represent the new fragrance for men from Yves Saint Laurent, the 3rd facet of the men’s olfactive trilogy, alongside Olivier Martinez for L’Homme and Vincent Cassel for la Nuit de L’Homme.

Benjamin Millepied

Edited by Dawn Love

Confessions of a beauty addict This week the Gazette chats to media analyst Kathleen Rowley about her beauty addiction

MY life-long addiction began when I first clapped eyes on my glamorous air hostess Aunty Mary’s bathroom cabinet, brimming with shiny and expensive looking tubs of wonder.

On family trips, I would gulp down glasses and glasses of Coke, just so I could go up and investigate each tub, tube and bottle, carefully assessing the smell, texture and colour of each.

Less exotic potions were to be found at home, where they were kept out of reach from my grubby little hands following an incident at my weekly

teddy bear’s picnic, where Big Ted enjoyed a facial, compliments of Mam’s new Clarins cream and a more-then-healthy spritz of the ever-cherished Chanel No.5.

Big Ted was eventually donated to a Children’s Hospital, where I am sure he still is reeking of the classic scent. Mam’s potions were moved to the top shelf.

During my teens, a bagpacking job in Superquinn gave me the means to splurge in the Body Shop, where body butter and a bottle of white musk was the ultimate sign of sophistication.

For teenage discos a bottle of Exclamation and a frosted lipstick were my chosen weapons, as they were for most of the girls attending, resulting in the small community hall

still gives me the shivers when I get a whiff of it), I thoroughly enjoyed the role.

Working for renowned brands such as Armani, Lancôme and Pout greatly improved my knowledge of products but, even more importantly to a beauty junkie, my collection of samples became legendary.

Vichy Essentielles Kathleen Rowley

practically heaving with overpowering teenage fragrances, or maybe it was just the pheromones and teenage lust! If it distracted from my heavy Gallagher-like eyebrows and braces, I was in – ‘dramatic’ eye shadows and liners, along with an over-enthusiastic use of bronzer was the order of the day.

Despite a stringent budget and a barrage of feminist anti-beauty industry propaganda, my love of all things beauty-related continued

through college.

To fund a trip to the land down under, I got a beauty addict’s dream job, fragrance and cosmetics consultant on counters in Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Dublin Airport. I learned about the construction of a scent, along with skin types and the most up-todate make-up trends.

With the exception of a two-month stint standing freezing at the front of Brown Thomas spraying Stella McCartney’s perfume (to this day it

I was astounded at how this lightweight, quick-drying lotion kept my skin soft and moisturised 24 hours after application. With sensitive skin, this was ideal as the fragrance was gentle and ladylike without irritating my skin even after defuzzing the pins.

Model Inc Lip and Cheek tint

At €7.50, this is the recessionista’s answer to Benefit’s Benetint, giving you a nice burst of raspberry colour. The colour lasts on the cheeks, but was a little drying on the lips and the fragrance is strong and powdery.

However, for €7.50, it is a welcome addition to any hand bag.

Revlon PhotoReady

I’m a foundation slapper. I have tried them all, from Rimmel to Yves Saint Laurent, and can safely say I have found my perfect partner – smooth, long-lasting and reliable, this product delivers on its promises. My skin had a nice glow with medium coverage, thanks to the ‘photocromatic pigments’ and it evened out my skin tone without feeling too heavy.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 15

FOOD: NEW BRANDING FOR BREAKFAST

Relaxation is never too far away in Ireland’s top spas Q DAWN LOVE

Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway

IRELAND is now widely recognised as one of the world’s gourmet capitals, but our luxurious spas are also making headlines. Set in some of the country’s most spectacular hotels and resorts, it’s easy to see why we our spas are fast becoming something of a Mecca for those on the lookout for top-class beauty and relaxation treatments.

This week, the Gazette’s Beauty pages takes a look at some of the country’s top spas and the luxurious treatments on offer.

At the Spirit One Spa in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway, they are famed for their Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow and Cleopatra Milk Bath.

Scrub up for summer with their exotic exfoliation ritual designed to invigorate and revitalise the body. Elemis exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow deep cleanses, polishes and softens skin to perfection.

Druids Glen Resort, Co Wicklow

Just over half-an-hour south of Dublin, but an entire world away, set between the Wicklow Mountains and the Irish Sea, Druids Glen Resort’s beautifully natural surroundings will have you feeling calmer before you even set foot inside.

The atmosphere is one of calm, suggesting you take a deep breath and relax, settling into a place where you will find your own personal corner of pleasure – whether that is in the lovely spa, the pool, on the two championship golf courses, in one of the bars and restaurants, or curled into a comfy chair with a good book by any of the grand windows looking out onto the grounds, and the beauty of the changing seasons outside.

For the month of May, the spa at Druids Glen Resort is offering an Advanced Elemis facial, with a complimentary back massage, for just €99.

For more information, call 01 2870848, or visit www.druidsglenresort. com

Tradition After your body scrub, soak in the age-old tradition of the Elemis Cleopatra Milk and emerge drenched in moisture, scented like a dream.

There is also a full-day pass to the Thermal Suite, with full use of the swimming pool, outdoor hot tub and jacuzzi.

Price: All for €85 – normally €140 – save €55.

For further details on the range of treatments available call 091 538423 Treatments are available seven days a week.

Hastings Hotels

Spring is nature’s time of renewal and rebirth and the perfect time to rejuvenate your body and soul with a self-indulgent escape to one of Hastings Hotels’ fabulous Spas at Culloden Estate, Belfast, or Slieve Donard Resort, Co Down, and experience their world-famous ESPA treatments and therapies. To put a little extra spring in your step, they are also offering a £10 voucher off your next visit!

The Spring Spa Experience includes: • ESPA Welcome Foot Ritual • ESPA Upper Back, Shoulders and Neck Massage • ESPA Boutique Facial with Indian Head Scalp Massage • Delicious light lunch in the Juice Bar • Full use of all the spa facilities • Use of robe, slippers and towels • £10 voucher off your next spa treatment Offer available until May 31, 2011. For more information, visit www. hastingshotels.com.

The Relaxation Room at the spa in Druids Glen Resort’s spa

Rudd’s take on new look

IRISH breakfast meat producers, Rudd’s, are re-launching their traditional Irish brand with a modern new look, as well as adding new products to their portfolio.

The relaunch campaign is part of Rudd’s new marketing strategy for the brand. John O’Brien, commercial manager at Rudd’s said: “We’re delighted to announce the relaunch of our range to include some popular breakfast favourites, giving it a contemporary new look, while retaining our traditional values.

“We are proud to use 100% Irish pork, sourced from Bord Bia-approved Irish farmers to produce

the Rudd’s range, which now offers all you need to create the ultimate full Irish breakfast, while supporting Irish jobs.”

Bill O’Brien, managing director of Rudd’s said: “We understand the importance of supporting Irish jobs, therefore we continue to use only 100% Irish pork to produce our range which, we firmly believe, has been the best-kept secret in breakfast, until now.”

To support the Rudd’s re launch campaign, a number of tasting events will be taking place throughout Dublin this month. The tastings will take place from May 12-14, and again from May 26-28.

16 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteContacts

EVENT Festival returns to the Phoenix Park

Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251 Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com

General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com

Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com

News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com

Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com

Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240

email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Pictured at the launch were Ella McSweeney, broadcaster and MC of the Chef’s Summer Kitchen at Bloom, with Flower Fairies (all aged 5), Isibeal Fitzpatrick, Ava Callan, Nessa Last and Kayla Cooke. Picture: Gary O’ Neill

It’s time to Bloom BLOOM, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival returns to the Phoenix Park this June Bank Holiday Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival, Bloom, is set to celebrate its fifth year when it takes place this June.

At the heart of Bloom are 27 stunning large, medium and small show gardens, which will be judged by international independent judging panels, and gold, silver gilt, silver and

bronze medals will be awarded.

Dublin will be well represented at the event, which takes place between Thursday, June 2 and Monday, June 6, with a number of top garden designers creating some of the stunning show gardens.

Amongst those taking part will be John Sweeney, from Lusk, and Rachel Freeman, from the Blanchardstown Institute of Technology.

Meanwhile, from Dalkey, Sheena

Vernon will also be taking part, as will Brian Cleary, from Dundrum, and award-winning gardeners Liat and Oiver Schurman, from the renowned Mount Venus Nursery.

The event will also showcase the best of Ireland’s food industry with the new Bord Bia Food Village.

Bloom is open daily from 10am6pm. Advance tickets are on sale now from €15 – kids go free! Visit www.bloominthepark.com.

See feature next week

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 17

18 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs RENAULT VAN RANGE IS APRIL BESTSELLER: RENAULT, Europe’s best-selling van range, hit the number one best-selling spot in Ireland in April with 14.9% of the overall market, and featured on the podium in 14 counties, including number one in Cork, Kerry, Westmeath and Cavan.

With prices starting from just €8,990, with a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty across the range, it is not surprising that Renault is performing well each month. Renault now has three versions of the Kangoo, the new Trafic, with its increased performance 2.0-litre dCi engine and the all-new design Master, which comes in either front- or rearwheel drive specifications and has one of the lowest running cost in its segment.

Mini has grown up in size, accessibility and performance in the new Mini Countryman All4, but it’s pricey at €28,980 even though it’s still a great car to drive

Meet the Countryman MICHAEL MORONEY tested the new Mini Countryman across a range of conditions, but his heart won out over his head in his love for the new car INI’S first fourdoor car is the new Countryman, a car that has grown up in terms of size and stature. This is now the biggest car in the Mini range, and it brings a new opportunity to the BMW-owned brand.

I’ve had the All4, or four-wheel-drive version of the car, on the road and I’m impressed. I know that the car is expensive for its size, but it does drive superbly and retains that Mini car handling appeal from the past.

BMW has added lots of good bits to this new, bigger Mini. The engine is a new 1.6-litre BMW turbo-diesel engine that’s thrifty and lively. And, while I know that there’s

M

SPECS: MINI COUNTRYMAN ALL4 1.6D Top speed: 180 km/hr 0 – 100km/hr: 12.9 sec Economy: 20.4 km/litre (4.9l/100km) CO2 emissions: 129g/km Road Tax Band: B (€156) Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €28,980

a bigger 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine on the way, I found that the 1.6-litre engine was more than adequate and a dream to drive.

And that was after almost 1,400km on the clock, where I drove the Mini Countryman up

and down the country, national roads, motorways, and the occasional boreen were tried to test the car’s ultimate performance. The All4 system had to be tried and, luckily, the sun shone for me and crossing a dry field was effortless.

The four doors for the Mini Countryman make a huge difference in terms of passenger space and accessibility. The car now takes on a new image.

That, coupled with the larger wheels and Bridgestone Dueller run-flat tyres for mild, off-road use, makes the Mini All4 a very versatile car.

The test car had lots of kit included in the Chili pack that Mini offers.

This included 17-inch

alloy wheels and lots of multifunction kit with an impressive Bluetooth phone kit that was easy and clear to use. It also came with leather seats and Xenon headlights, which, in total, rounded the price up by an extra €8,000 – now that’s getting expensive.

Power

The engine power was impressive, with 112bhp pumped out at ease. On the motorway, the engine allowed the car with its sixth gear to cruise at just around 2,000 rpm.

That’s what delivers the good fuel economy figures. Despite being a bigger car than the standard Mini, it’s still economical. I returned

a figure close to the rated figure of 20.4 km per litre of diesel (4.9l/100km), which I consider to be a good performance, and I drove the car long and hard.

The economy figures are helped by the stop/ start system that stops the engine in traffic or at traffic lights. This, along with brake regeneration, gives a measure of the BMW EfficientDynamics technology to give good economy figures from the Countryman.

The car is rated in Band B for motor tax purposes, as its CO2 figure is 129g/km. Again, that’s a reasonable figure and gives an annual motor tax charge of just €156.

And, with all that, the

Countryman is lively.

The acceleration pace is as good as many bigger cars at 12.9 seconds in a 0 to 100k/hr race. So, while it may look like a hot hatchback car in design, it does not match that kind of performance on the road.

The power is, however, well-developed for the car allowing for the 270Nm of torque, so much so that the car is well able for all driving conditions.

The All4 off-road technology will have limited appeal, but it could have been useful in last winter’s frost and snow.

It adds about €2,000 to the price and provides a compromise of sorts without opting for a full heavy-duty 4x4 system.

Motor industry revs to a good start first 3 months of 2011 WITH a 14% increase in sales volume in first three months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, the motor industry has claimed pole position across all retail categories in Ireland to date.

The latest Consumer Market Moni-

tor has reported that the industry has experienced a major boost as 50,000 new cars have been sold right up to midApril 2011. No doubt the conclusion to the invaluable scrappage scheme in June has contributed to the motor industries

excellent start to the year; as has price discounting from dealers and distributors in order to encourage new car sales.

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) released the

results, which detailed that, apart from the motor trade, the only other sector to experience any form of growth in Q1 is clothing, footwear and textiles, which experienced an increase of 2.6% in volume.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY KILDARE: FULLY RENOVATED AND EXTENDED COTTAGE IN SOUTH NAAS FOR €820,000

Magnificent Mill on market COONAN Real Estate Alliance are bringing Mill Cottage, an unique residence set on approximately 0.7 acres of land in South Naas, Co Kildare, to the market for an asking price of €820,000.

Surrounded by mature trees, lawns and hedges, Mill Cottage is a 19th-century thatched cottage, located in the tranquil country townland of Millicent, only 4km from Naas.

Rescued from dereliction by its current owners in 2003, Mercury Group Architects were commissioned to oversee the extensive conservation and extension of the cottage

to its present condition, a process that saw the renovators incorporating time-honoured traditional working methods and materials.

Extending to 3,300 sq ft, and featuring modern amenities such as a geo-thermal heat pump, under-floor heating and pressurised hot and cold water, Mill Cottage is a magnificent blend of old world and contemporary living under one roof.

Located only 25 minutes from the M50, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for the right purchaser.

Presented in pristine condition and finished to the highest stand-

ards, Mill Cottage is an ideal family home with a range of very attractive features and designs.

Listed Mill Cottage is a listed structure, circa 200 years old, and has been meticulously restored and maintained. It features a new oat and straw thatched roof.

Having been architecturally designed throughout, it is a bright and light-filled accomodation with rational timber windows and has the latest in energy saving and eco-friendly features built in to its design.

The area around

The impressive, renovated structure at Mill Cottage, South Naas, Co Kildare

Mill Cottage features an abundance of shops and the fine schools within easy reach, along with some of the most prestigious golf courses

Kildare has to offer.

The exterior of the property is also appointed to a high-standard.

Mill Cottage is totally surrounded by mature

lawns and shrubbery, with an attractive gravel driveway on both sides, and a south-facing garden.

For further informa-

tion, please contact Philip Byrne Coonan, of Coonan Real Estate Alliance, on 01 628 8400 or philipb@coonan.com.

GOATSTOWN: ASKING PRICE OF €425,000

A garden of Eden in Goatstown demense

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

SHERRY FitzGerald are presenting No. 37, Eden Park Drive, Goatstown, a semi-detached family home in a highly-sought after area, close to the best of schools and within easy access of excellent local amenities, with an asking price of €425,000.

Built in the 1950s, this three-bedroom semi-detached family residence has airy, bright accommodation and a west-facing rear garden.

The property offers a spacious interior, including a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms (two of which are doubles), bathroom and, outside, a garage to the side of the property offering prospective owners the potential to convert (subject to planning permission).

Overall, there is a good internal flow to the lay-

Number 37, Eden Park Drive, in Goatstown

out, providing an excellent balance of well-proportioned living and bedroom accommodation.

The Goatstown area the property is situated in is a quiet, leafy enclave, with both Stillorgan and Dundrum within walking distance.

Other amenities include the popular Dundrum Town Centre, local

shops, UCD Belfield, and excellent transport links, including bus routes, Luas and the M50. There is a good selection of schools close by, making this a desirable family home.

The property also boasts a large front garden with central driveway and lawn on either side with mature hedging. There is a private, triangular-shaped,

walled, west-facing rear garden with mature plants and shrubs and large side space and gated side access, with access to the garage.

The property can be viewed by appointment, which can be arranged by contacting Shane Desmond at Sherry FitzGerald Dundrum on 01 296 1822.

12 May 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Abdur Rahim, owner of Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine

High standards at Himalayan Tandoori ABDUR Rahim was born in 1969 in Bangladesh and went to college from 1988-1992. He then started a job in Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city and one of the major cities of South Asia. Two years later he relocated to South Korea, where he got a job working in a factory.

While there, he thought of the possibility of working in a restaurant. He then came to Ireland and his first job was in an Indian restaurant, Eastern Tandoori, in Deansgrange.

Working there gave him a lot of practical experience.

Abdur took a job as chef and learned how to cook curry.

He then had the opportunity to experience a restaurant management at Meghna Tandoori Indian Cuisine in Terenure. There he gained more experience and met many people and learned how to attend to customers. Abdur found that it is important to serve good-quality food at all times and to always have the highest of standards.

Abdur then decided to open his own Indian restaurant, Himalaya Tandoori Indian Cuisine, in Clondalkin. The restaurant opened in July of 2005. They have a chef menu and also have good-quality wine. The restaurant offers a gift card and take-away service, with a 20% discount on the take-away menu.

He hopes to open more restaurants in other locations in the future and would like to thank his customers for their support.

Abdur Rahim

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS SHORT TERM DEPOSIT RATES Q – I have € 70,000 from the sale of my house and am not rebuying for at least 6 months to a year. Any ideas on where to put the money to make a gain for this short period ? I also need it to be safe. Maggie – Wicklow A - Safety and best rates – they are the two most important aspects to your query. Safety in that your funds MUST be guaranteed by the deposit taker to be repaid.

All the Irish deposit takers are currently guaranteed by Eligible Liability Guarantee Scheme for any amount up to the end of June this year, with any of the six main Irish deposit takers ( AIB, Bank of Ireland, Permanent TSB, EBS, Irish Nationwide and Anglo Irish Bank), while the Deposit Protection Scheme underpins this up to € 100,000 per person once the deposit taker is regulated by the Financial Regulator. This includes credit unions. Rabodirect have their own parent’s protection (Rabo Group – AAA rated, the highest rating a bank can have), while Nationwide UK and Investec Bank are guaranteed by the UK Financial Regulatory Authority up to the equivalent of € 100,000 per person.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), who look after the state savings on behalf of the government, offer safety and good value but their offerings are more long term.

Q&A

Take An Post’s Savings Bond – it offers 10% tax free after a three -year term, which is equivalent to receiving 4.42% each

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

A: Businessman

Q: What air carrier do you use when going on holidays?

A: British Airways

food and drink?

A: Indian curry and I like

do you own?

A: Five

year from a DIRT deducting deposit taker. In emergencies

drink a lot of plain water

Q: What car do you drive?

A: I love to drive my Ford

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: Cash

Mondeo

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with – Brian O’Driscoll or Brian Cowen?

A: Brian O’Driscoll

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination?

A: My homeland, Bangla-

NTMA investment with NO penalty.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Factory work

desh

your € 70,000, after six months, you would receive € 70,892.50

Q: Have you ever met Brian Cowen?

A: No

into your hand.

Q: How many people do you have to talk with every day?

A: Lots of people to talk to Q: What is the greatest thrill of your working week?

A: A busy Saturday

Q: Can you swim?

A: Yes Q: Would you ever bungee jump?

A: No Q: Do you play any sport?

A: I love to play football Q: What is your favourite

Q: How many times each year do you shop for clothes?

A: Three Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?

A: Debenhams Q: How many pairs of shoes

you only have to give seven days notice to withdraw from this

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: At age 65 Q: What will you do then?

A: Spend time with family and friends

Best non-NTMA deposit ? 3.5% for three months fixed from Irish Nationwide Building Society – yields a net 2.555%. On

Well done on selling the house – not an easy achievement in this economy.

Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@ moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

Irish company is tackling clutter with their Smart Storage AN innovative Irish home company is quickly gaining momentum by eliminating excess clutter from around the home.

Smart Storage, which makes custom-designed, under-stairs storage units, which fit seamlessly into the unused space under any stairwell, has had fantastic feedback already.

The slide-out units promise to “stop you tripping over everyday items such as shoes, toys, sporting

equipment, and even the vacuum cleaner, and will see an end to the age-old argument; who causes the mess in the home?”

Smart Storage provides a range of Irish manufactured products, which also includes attic storage, and they will soon launch in the United Kingdom after 12 months of successful trading in Ireland.

The under-stairs storage solution ranges from a single drawer, a large

three-drawer unit to larger units, depending on available space. The three-drawer unit, which is the most popular, is custom designed specifically to fit into all homes. The units are installed by expert fitters around the country.

Each drawer is ideal for a variety of storage options and can accommodate 12 pairs of shoes, three large school bags, two small suitcases, a set of golf clubs or several bottles of

wine.

So, if the clutter in your home is caused by parents or children, the girls or the boys, Smart Storage has a common-sense solution.

Founder of Smart Storage, Paul Jacob, has worked in the construction industry for 20 years and found new ways to diversify within his area of expertise.

“Smart Storage enables people to maximise storage within the home

by utilising the unused space underneath the stairs to clear away clutter,” he said.

The process for installation is simple and involves submitting rough measurements of the area under the stairs to the Smart Storage website, www.smartstorage.ie.

For further information on Smart Storage, or to receive a quote, visit www.smartstorage.ie or call (01) 201 7676.

22 GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

Jerusalem’s Dome of the Rock

With fabulous beaches and historical sites, Israel has something for everyone FROM the Judean desert and the saltiest sea on earth, the Dead Sea, to ancient biblical cities, covered markets and a high-rise metropolis, Israel is truly a destination with something for everyone.

Located in Western Asia, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel’s temperate climate, fabulous beaches, archaeological and historical sites, and unique geography make this country an appealing holiday destination.

Explore the amazing cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, by combining an eight- or nine-night stay in both cities, with Concorde Travel.

Surprising Scottish summer road trips

• 3-star Hotel Montefiore on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €870pp • 3-star City Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,054pp • 4-star Grand Court Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €924pp • 4-star Grand Beach Hotel on a B&B basis, Tel Aviv, from €1,169pp

SPRING and summer is a great time to visit Scotland, when the days stretch out and the first blooms and wildlife appear across the gardens and in the countryside.

What better way to discover some of the surprising things Scotland has to offer than by car.

So, whether you’re into history or film, or simply want to enjoy the open Scottish road, there is sure to be a road trip to suit you.

VisitScotland has put together some of the most unusual road trips Scotland has to offer.

Visit www.visitscotland. com/surprise for further information and the bestvalue travel deals.

29th October - 8 nights

The Electric Brae

• 3-star+ Prima Hotel on a B&B basis Tel Aviv, from €1,130pp • 4-star Prima Royale Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €854pp • 4-star Dan Hotel on a B&B basis, Jerusalem, from €830pp

Ayrshire lies in the south-west of Scotland and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in Britain. A must for any trip to this part of the world is the Electric Brae in Ayrshire. The Electric Brae is a quarterof-a-mile long hill where cars appear to be drawn uphill by some mysterious attraction.

The significant thing about this unusual phenomenon is that it is not what is commonly called a mirage, which is created by the way in which light

Israel (Jerusalem and Tel Aviv or pilgrimage) - only three departures October 12, eight nights

Holy Land Pilgrimage €1,224pp

Two-centre (four nights Jerusalem + four nights Tel Aviv) from €1,174pp Package includes return flights from Dublin, accommodation and transfers. Concorde Travel offer direct flights from Dublin to Tel Aviv. Flightonly offers also available.

To book yourself in for your holiday to Israel, visit, http://www.concordetravel.ie/featureddestinations/israel/

rays reach the eye. It is more of a Trompe L’Oeil, where the eye is fooled by the way in which things actually look.

While in Ayrshire, be sure to take a trip to town of Newmilns. This town has been thrust into the Hollywood spotlight, thanks to its famous mill – Morton, Young & Borland Mill, which is currently providing lace and fabrics for the hit HBO show, Boardwalk Empire.

Film location road trip: Edinburgh - Inverness

If one person likes history and the other is a movie buff, for a road trip with a difference, why not combine both on a

Start out in Edinburgh and pay a visit to Rosslyn’s Chapel, which was used as location for Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code, before making your way to Edinburgh’s Old Town, which was the backdrop for Chariots of Fire and Mary Reilly, featuring Julia Roberts, and Jekyll and Hyde.

Other places to stop on the way to Inverness include the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Eileen Donan Castle near Loch Duich, which was the principal fortress of Christopher Lambert’s character in Highlander and the world-famous Loch Ness where the film

Lomond is surprisingly just 90 minutes from Glasgow and a little more than an hour from Edinburgh, so this road trip is perfect for visitors who want to get out of the city for the day.

This scenic route has many surprising sights and attractions on the way. Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander, just outside Stirling, home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Histor y fans should then take the A84 and 85 to Killin – via Balguhidder, home to the grave of Rob Roy – then follow this scenic section of loch around to Alexandria. If you have time pop

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Monty Python fans should make a stop in Callander just outside Stirling home to Doune Castle, which was used in Monty Python’s Holy Grail’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

meandering drive from Scotland’s historic capital of Edinburgh to Inverness and the heart of Braveheart country. With its breathtaking scenery and rich heritage, Scotland has been the perfect setting for many of Hollywood’s blockbuster films, such as Harry Potter and Chariots of Fire.

of the same title starring Ted Danson was made.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Writers, artists and musicians have found inspiration in the rich landscapes of Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs for generations. Loch

over to Stirling and Stirling Castle for views over the Forth Valley and a chance to pay homage at the Wallace Monument.

W hen you finally reach Loch Lomond and are looking for a place to stay, why not spend the night in a wigwam? There are several locations to choose from, including

The spectacular view of

Strathfillan Wigwam Village, which is situated on a working farm right on the West Highland Way (near Loch Lomond) and has excellent on-site facilities and lots of farm animals to see.

Enjoy the open road: See Scotland by motorbike

For a fun and surprising way to see Scotland this summer, why not hire your own personal trike chauffeur. Trike Tours Scotland offer one of the most unusual ways to see the famously breathtaking scenery Scotland has on offer.

Trike tours can take you on trips to the mountains, lochs and glens of the Highlands via Perthshire, Stirling and the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond, Inverness and Mull.

See www.triketoursscotland.com

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

TravelBriefs

The Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast

There are plenty of fun things to do when you take time out to discover Northern Ireland STUCK for something to do? If so, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has put together a list of exciting things to do in Northern Ireland during May 9 - 22. For more details on these and other events, Callsave 1850 230 230, visit Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Information Office at Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 or click on www.discovernorthernireland.com/events • Hidden Treasures Children’s Theatre, Waterside Theatre, Co Derry, May 8 – 19. A festival featuring the highest quality theatre experiences for children and their families with local, national and international acts.

Eilean Donan Castle, which is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye

• Balmoral Show, King’s Hall, Belfast, May 11 – 13. This show offers an extravaganza of colour, competition and showmanship, along with daily displays of pedigree horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, poultry, pigs and goats.

• Third Annual Maguire History Weekend, Enniskillen Castle Museums, Co Fermanagh, May 13 – 15. This event will explore the aspects of the Maguire history of Fermanagh.

• An introduction to Basket Making, The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, Co Antrim, May 14.

Participants will be using sorted and soaked willow to produce baskets and learn new techniques.

A car on a single track road near the ‘Rest And Be Thankful’ Pass Argyll with Beinn An Lochan in the distance. Pictures: P.Tomkins/Visitscotland/Scottish Viewpoint

• Wild on Wildlife, Castle Ward, Downpatrick, Co Down, May 14. Fun-filled activities for all the family, including mini beast hunts, pond dipping, wildlife art workshops, speciality foods and craft stalls.

• International North West 200, Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine, May 16 – 21. The International North West 200 is a motor cycle road race held over a nine-mile road circuit. It is a week-long festival of sport and attracts competitors from all over the world.

• Garden Show Ireland, Hillsborough Castle, Co Down, May 20 - 22. Advice abounds on how to make the most of your garden, from rearing chickens or keeping bees to growing vegetables, dining in style or even making jewellery out of flowers and plants you have grown!

The bridge across the River Ayr to the town of Ayr, which is a commercial and administrative centre on The Firth of Clyde, Ayrshire

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT 1

GoingOUT GoingOUT THE HELIX 01 700 7000

The Chernobyl Children’s Appeal Concert THIS year marks the ninth year in a row for the concert, which will see children aged from eight to 18 perform a wide range of songs in aid of the Chernobyl Children’s Appeal, with this year’s concert having a special significance as the world marks the 25th anniversary.

All proceeds will help to support the many children who continue to suffer ill health. With tickets priced at €15, the concert starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 14 in The Mahony Hall.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Shaughraun

TANEY Drama Society are preparing to bring their extensive skills to bear on their production of The Shaughraun, by Dion Boucicault, which is often described as a touchstone Irish play.

The Society’s players will bring the tale of a wily Sligo poacher, called Conn, to vivid life, thanks to a large ensemble, a great set and period-appropriate costumes, with Victorian melodrama, romantic comedy and more added to the mix.

The Shaughraun runs nightly at 8pm at the Mill Theatre from Wednesday, May 18 to Saturday, May 21, with admission priced €18/€15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 The Tinker’s Curse

ANOTHER Irish-set production, The Tinker’s Curse, tells the story of Rattigan, a Traveller who climbs Croagh Patrick to do penance for the sins of a lifetime. Along the way, Rattigan’s relationship with his wife and daughter come to the fore, as he contemplates what it is to be a father, a husband, a Traveller, and a penitent ascending Ireland’s most sacred spot.

Written and performed by Michael Harding, with live music by Finbar Coady, The Tinker’s Curse runs nightly at 8pm from Thursday, May 12 to Saturday, May 14, with tickets priced €20/€16 conc, or €10 on Thursday.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622

Fingal County Youth Orchestra FCYO are sure to be a hit when its young – but highlyskilled – members play a wide range of concertos, pop songs, contemporary pieces and well-known favourites in this concert, which follows on from their magnificent performance at the prestigious Festival of Youth Orchestras at the National Concert Hall recently.

Founded in 1990 and based in Castleknock, the FCYO members, who range in age from 8 to 18, will delight audiences with their accomplished playing. Their concert starts at 8pm on Sunday, May 15 in the Main Auditorium, with tickets pirced €13/€11 conc.

PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Young At Heart

HELD as part of Beltaine, the DLR festival that celebrates older people in the community, a special showing of the life-affirming documentary movie, Young At Heart, will be held on Tuesday, May 17, at 7pm.

The smash-hit film follows a group of senior citizens, who, despite their advancing years, sing their hearts out with a wide range of classic and contemporary pop songs, with the bittersweet wisdom of age adding an extra dimension to some of the songs.

The documentary helps to show the creativity in older people, and how staying active can keep you young at heart, and is sure to be a welldeserved hit with the Pavilion’s audiences.

The film tickets are priced at €5.

Animal trainer Jacob (Robert Pattinson), centre, should look worried – he knows his circus boss, August (Christoph Waltz) probably suspects that he’s been throwing lingering looks at his wife, Marlene (Reese Witherspoon). But whatever Rosie the elephant knows, she’s saying nothing.

Send in the clowns!

Don’t talk to Kate about The Depression – she’s gloomily contemplating this bygone era-set manipulative movie ...

Q KATE CROWLEY

EVEN though The Simpsons long, long ago turned into a mirthless, plodding cash cow, I’m reminded of some of the many things it got right along the way.

Who can forget the regular appearance of deeply cynical focus groups, lawyers, accountants or product testers with clipboards, calculating exactly how to manipulate everyone in Springfield into coughing up for something useless?

Well, it seems that those clipboarders went to Hollywood, and have had a go at movie-making. With an elephant.

Hot to trot on the heels of the likes of, err...

Operation Dumbo Drop, Larger Than Life and, umm... Dumbo, here comes another film with an elephant as a star – for dumbo here, yours truly, to review.

But first, back to those

FILM OF THE WEEK: Water for Elephants ++ (12A) 119 mins Director: Francis Lawrence Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, A Charismatic Elephant

OUR VERDICT: THE scratching noises that some viewers may hear during the film are probably from clipboard-wielding focus group managers at the back, scribbling notes on how well the audience is reacting to each obvious, manipulative point in this particularly calculated film. Five minutes with Krusty the Klown suddenly seems preferable. “Mind you, the elephant is lovely.” (Stick that on yer posters, mate.)

clipboard holders.

I’m presuming that they, or somebody, somewhere thought: “What if ... we got Reese Witherspoon, permanently dolled up to the nines like she’s in a Max Factor ad; that vampire guy, Pattinson, who all the girls ditched for the hunkier dude in that Twilight sequel, and made some kind of predictable, cliche-ridden, forbiddenlove film set in a honeyhued Depression-era circus? With an elephant?”

Bingo. I think I’ve just described a more interesting film than this

one, but, with half of my review – or space – yet to fill, let’s make a trunk call to find out some more ...

Thanks to flashbacks, an old man, Jacob (mostly played by Pattinson, as his youthful self) recounts the greatest tale of his life, back in the Depression, when his newly-penniless self hit the road – or, rather, a railway track, aboard a circus train – for an exciting adventure that would make the most of his veterinary skills.

August, the kindhearted, avuncular circus owner, is a gentle – oh, no, silly me, he’s a predict-

ably cold-hearted brute of a man, who’s married to the beautiful Marlena (Witherspoon).

She’s quite a dame, being able to ride horses, work with elephants, and throw lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes at the circus’s newest manure shoveller, who, naturally, throws lots and lots and lots of lingering gazes back, all of which gets noticed lots and lots and lots by August.

Send in the elephant!

It turns out that Dumb– whoops – Rosie the elephant responds very well to Jacob, who is soon assigned to train the circus’s new, star attraction, as well as helping Marlena to work with Rosie.

So, with plenty of gentle patting, ear-tickling, and soft-spoken words – and, yes, folks, I mean Jacob’s elephant-training skills – the stage is gradually set for a climactic, big top showstopper.

Now, you don’t sup-

pose that an elephant, two star-crossed souls, a jealous husband and a film finale could lead to a crazy climax, do you?

Although I was happy to note Jacob’s methods of working with big, dumb, forgetful animals (which I shall apply forthwith to Mr Crowley), I can’t say that I was so happy with the rest of the film.

Pattinson – not exactly the most charismatic of actors, shall we say – fizzles rather than sizzles opposite Witherspoon, as both throw their best thousand-yard-stares at each other, past the audience and out the door, towards their pay cheques.

Waltz is so over the top, one could be forgiven for looking towards the corner of the screen, in the expectation of spotting an old lady playing some penny-dreadful music on a piano each time he appears, cackling.

Two stars. And one’s for the elephant.

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

Some feel hacked off with Sony ADAM MAGUIRE

IN THE past fortnight, Sony’s Playstation Network – which lets PS3 and PSP users play games online – was hacked.

T he company has since taken down the network, and admitted that some of its users’ information has been stolen.

Not only is this a costly disaster for Sony, it is also a potentially expensive occurrence for anyone who has had their information swiped.

The hack According to Sony, at some stage between the April 16 and 19, someone gained unauthorised access to their network, and their 75 million users’ data.

They can be sure that

things such as names, addresses, passwords and dates of birth were stolen.

More critical information – such as credit card details – may also have been taken, and there are already reports of more than 2.2 million account details being sold online by hackers.

Those at risk Anyone who has an account with Sony’s Playstation Network may have had their information stolen.

In other words, if they have played online with

their PS3 or PSP, they have given Sony some personal information.

Naturally, a lot of those users are young, and would not have credit cards – though they may have used a relative’s information to buy something online.

Of course, credit card details are not the only thing that is dangerous to have stolen.

If hackers have a person’s login details and passwords, they can do plenty of damage, too.

How to protect yourself If you think that you, or someone in your family, gave information to the Playstation Network at any time, there are some immediate steps you can take to protect yourself.

Firstly, make sure that the password used there is not the same as the one used elsewhere. If it is, change it.

This will ensure that hackers cannot log in to the likes of your email and gain additional information.

Secondly, ignore any emails, phone calls or even letters you might receive purporting to be from Sony. They are a scam.

In fact, you should be extra vigilant of any attempts to gain sensitive information from you in such a way by anyone.

Lastly, monitor your credit card to see if anything unusual happens on it.

If you see anything odd going on, alert your bank straight away to have it stopped.

Garageband for the iPad Garageband for the iPad is an amazingly condensed piece of work that lets even the most musically-challenged person build an impressive piece of music.

Basically a streamlined version of the software that many popular artists use to record their music, Garageband for the iPad lets you build a song from scratch.

Users can sing into the iPad’s built-in mic, plug in a guitar and record what you play, or use the on-screen keyboard and drum-kit to lay down additional tracks.

There are also built-in loops that you can sample from and, with the right tweaking, you can layer it all together into a coherent piece of music.

However, even more However impressive are the “smart” instruments, which basically help you to play chords on the guitar, bass and piano without needing to know how to do so in the real world.

Effectively, this app can do most of the hard work for you, just like the expensive software that chart-topping (and autotuned) artists have been using for years.

In this regard, Garage-

band strikes the best of both worlds.

It is easy and fun to play with, but useful enough for those wanting to do something serious.

It just so happens to be a bargain, too.

Garageband is available from the iPad App Store for €3.99.

Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.

GAZETTE

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

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12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

GOLD IN SIGHT:

James Scully aims for double successes: Page 29

CRICKET: LEINSTER CRICKET GIVES BACKING TO COUNTY-WIDE SCHOOLS’ CONTEST

O’Brien leads the line for the Leprechaun Cup sport@gazettegroup.com

WOR L D C u p h e r o Kevin O’Brien launched this year’s Leprechaun Cup schools’ cricket competition.

This year’s event will involve no fewer than 38 Primary Schools from various parts of Dublin and surrounding counties.

Leinster Cricket have announced that Precision Electric have become the new spon-

sors of this tournament, that will again reach out to hundreds of young cricketers in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.

Managing director, Karl Reid, is thrilled to be involved with Leinster ’s youth cricket programme: “We are delighted to be associated with this year’s competition and the whole concept of introducing boys and girls to the game of cricket.

“We will be closely

monitoring the results and look forward to seeing some of the stars of the future featuring in the coming weeks.”

Precision Electric’s financial contribution will not only supply schools with playing equipment, but will also help to provide more coaches for schools in order to further develop the game.

Coaches currently active within schools include Reinhardt Stry-

Kevin O’Brien (right) and Brian O’Rourke (Leinster cricket union development officer) are pictured with Castleknock NS students Iain Anders, Sarah McIntosh and Edward Vincent

dom, Andrew Leona r d , D av i d R u s s e l l , Theo Lawson and Bill O’Connor.

These coaching positions have also come

about through financial support received from both Fingal County Council and South Dublin County Council.

Matches take place

this week between Ballyroan Boys vs Taney NS (Dundrum) at Marlay Park, Castleknock NS v St Mochta’s NS (Blanchardstown) in Civil

Service or Porterstown Park, St Bosco’s (Cabra) v Castleknock ET at Cabra, and St Partick’s (Diswellstown) v’s Scoil Mhuire at Civil Service.

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport Rugby

FastRugby

SPENCER CUP: LATE OFFSIDE SEES TITLE GO TO GARDA

Leinster hail the stars of the year ISA Nacewa was named the Leinster Players Player of the Year at the Annual Awards Ball held in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin last Saturday night.

Nacewa has been a stand-out performer for Leinster again this season having featured in all but one of the province’s games in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup competitions.

Just this week the 28-year-old was also awarded the IRUPA Player of the Year award and Coach Joe Schmidt hailed Nacewa’s outstanding performances over the course of the campaign.

Leinster coach Schmidt was among those to praise the one-time Fiji international, saying: “Isa’s durability, commitment, experience and rugby talent have seen him perform at a consistently high level in every match he’s played this season.

“As a leader, Isa is recognised by his peers as one of the benchmark players within the squad.

He is professional in all that he does; his recovery, strength and conditioning work, analysis of opponents, attention to detail to improve his own performances. He is utterly committed to the values of the squad and readily shares his knowledge and experience with the younger players.

“Never one to rest easily with personal accolades, I know that Isa will be keen to point out the efforts of his team-mates this year, but he should be proud of this recognition.”

Centre Eoin O’Malley, meanwhile, took the Powerade Young Player of the Year as the Leinster Academy graduate fought off stiff competition for the accolade.

Since overcoming a nightmare spell of injury, the Belvedere College SJ former Schools Senior Cup winner has made a positive impact in the senior panel, and his Heineken Cup debut was followed by his first Ireland Wolfhounds cap.

Stillorgan were denied victory by a late infringement in their own 22 that sent the Spencer Cup title to Garda

Garda take Spencer SPENCER CUP FINAL Garda RFC Stillorgan RFC

17 15

sport@gazettegroup.com

A PENALTY in the last minute of the game was enough to see Garda RFC overcome the challenge of Stillorgan to claim the Spencer Cup and complete a unique league and cup double for the club.

Ashbrook, the home of Coolmine RFC, was the venue for the match, which saw Garda attempt to win their first Spencer Cup crown since 2005.

Indeed it was Garda’s second visit to Coolmine in a week, having defeated their hosts 28-17 in the previous round to set up the encounter with the unfamiliar Stillorgan outfit, the teams having never encountered each other

in league competition.

Garda took to the field with a changed line-up, the most notable absentee being influential club captain Patrick O’Toole.

A penalty inside five minutes from the boot of Ben McCarthy (kicking in place of the injured O’Toole) was the only action of note in a first quarter dominated by handling errors and broken play.

Both teams appeared to be on edge as they attempted to find their feet in the game, but a breakthrough came in the 25th minute, when a perfectly-weighted grubber kick from outhalf Shane O’Brien saw the Stillorgan back line take advantage of a mis-match on the wing and eventually set up the maul that

led to the first try of the evening. O’Brien missed the resulting conversion from a difficult angle.

Garda edged in front again within five minutes, when a high tackle on centre Enda Muldoon yielded a penalty on the Stillorgan 22.

Handling errors again negated some good possession by Garda and the Westmanstown men were lucky not to go in at the break facing a two-point deficit, were it not for a penalty from Stillorgan centre Conor Brennan dropping just short from five metres inside the Garda half.

The second half began in the same vein as the first had finished, dominated by handling errors and disjointed play.

It wasn’t until ten min-

utes in that the game finally sprang to life and lived up the billing which makes junior rugby as entertaining as it can be.

Ben McCarthy added the three points but Garda were reeled back to within one point when centre Kimsah Matangi was adjudged to have tackled a Stillorgan player late as he cleared his lines. The ball landed at the Garda 22, leaving an easy penalty for the Bird Avenue men.

Garda were beginning to lose their composure and bad turned to worse when substitute Damien Maher was given his marching orders, his attempt to ruck the ball connecting with a Stillorgan player and being adjudged a stamp.

Garda were clearly rat-

tled and Stillorgan duly capitalised, mauling the ball over the line from the Garda 22 to leave a six-point margin with just over ten minutes to go.

With the tie surely slipping away, a great piece of individual skill from winger Kevin Dingley, saw him dance through the Stillorgan defence for the touchdown and cut the deficit to a solitary point.

McCarthy missed the conversion from a difficult angle, but, in keeping with the see-saw nature of the match, Stillorgan were dealt the cruellest of blows when, in the dying seconds of the game, they were penalised for offside directly under their own posts. McCarthy made no mistake this time, slotting over to clinch the title.

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

in association with

Preparing for the big tests STEPHEN FINDLATER talks to mentor and coach, David Malone, about James Scully, Ireland’s most promising swimmer, ahead of Paralympics 2012 NAC swim club’s James Scully was recently honoured as the Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year, capping a brilliant 2010 with a fourth-place finish in the 200-metre freestyle final at the world championships in Eindhoven.

But the young star is hoping that result is just a stepping stone en route to the London Paralympic Games in September, 2012.

For now, though, juggling his high-performance training is sharing his preoccupation with his Leaving Certificate, making for a hectic couple of months.

Soon after Scully completes the State exams,

the 18-year-old will be straight back into competition, looking to secure a place for Ireland in the London Games through the European championships in Berlin.

ally carded athlete under the Irish Sports Council performance grants so, ultimately, James is preparing for the Leaving but also, just two weeks after, he will go to compete at

--------------------------------------------------------

‘We’re coming into the final bit of the plan. It’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way, and then the priority will be London 2012’ --------------------------------------------------------

And club coach, as well as Irish team manager, Dave Malone says the major issue is getting the balance between the twin concerns just right.

“He’s an internation-

the European championships in Berlin. That’s a phase of qualifying for the London Games in September 2012.

“He’s risen slowly through the ranks in the

James Scully receives his Swim Ireland Disability Swimmer of the Year award

past three or four years to achieving that fourthplace finish in the world last year.

“Obviously the exams are incredibly important.

It’s quite a tricky year and James is at that age where he has really learned a lot over the last couple of years to get to this point.

“He’s been balancing the time management around studying and training to the standard of a performance athlete.

Balancing act “For James, it’s about balancing the books and getting the rest and recovery in as well and take in a bit of a social life, too, to keep the life balance together.

“It’s difficult to manage but James receives support from the Irish Institute of Sport, working with athlete executive, Ken Lynch,” said Malone Their plan for this tricky season has seen Scully compete closer to home, more recently entering the National long-course championship, held at his home pool in the NAC. While the event is an able-bodied gala, disabled entrants were allowed enter, helping get more experience of a large meet with high-quality opposition – something which is hard to come by in the current period.

“It was an opportunity for him to swim in a high-

level event. With the commitments at school this year, we’ve limited James’ travel exposure to events around Ireland. He competed in Limerick in February while he was due to take part in the Welsh championships, but it was cancelled because of the conditions at the times.”

As for the route to London, individual qualifying proper begins on January 1, 2012 but countries are currently scrambling to secure places for themselves, a process which goes right up to March, 2012.

Next month’s Europeans act as the first opportunity to gain an Irish place and Malone – one of Ireland’s most decorated Paralympians and a gold medallist – is hopeful over his protege’s chances.

“With James, we’re happy with the way he has approached the last number of months and kept himself organised.

“He’s very much in line to qualify. It’s a major performance meet at the Europeans but, to an end of preparing for London, this is just a stepping stone.

“We’re right in the preparation of a four-year plan but we’re coming into the final bit of that plan. James is very much on track and it’s a matter of getting the Leaving Cert out of the way and then the priority will be London.”

FastSport

Show your allegiance to Leinster (like the editor) WITH the last phases of the Magners’ league and the Heineken Cup final this month, fans everywhere (including Gazette editor, Cormac Curtis, pictured above right at the RDS last week) are going blue with anticipation, and can now show their support with teamcoloursonline.com.

Team Colour’s range of waterless, press-on temporary tattoos with Leinster colours and slogans are now available. Charities, sporting clubs and schools involved in fundraising can have tattoos commissioned with their own crest to either generate profits from sales or simply raise awareness of their brand.

For more information, see www.teamcoloursonline.com or visit their Facebook page.

Iconic camp set to take place in July BASKETBALL Ireland have announced that their popular basketball camp, Gormanston 2011, will take place in the week of July 10 to 15 at Gormanston College.

The camp will once again cater for residential and day campers and the cost will remain the same as in 2010.

The national basketball camp is renowned for delivering only the best in coaching with past coaches hailing from America, Canada, and Europe, as well as the best Irish coaches. Campers get a rare opportunity to experience the valuable knowledge

from some of the best in the game.

The camp has become renowned as the place to be each summer for prospective basketball stars of the future.

Some of Ireland’s top players have come through the ranks at the camp, and it attracts the best coaches from home and abroad.

Past coaches have included some of Ireland’s greats, including Danny Fulton, Joey Boylan, and Gerry Fitzpatrick, along with a medley of extraordinary coaches from abroad, such as Brian Hill, Lazlo Nemeth and Serge Clabau.

Attendance costs €375 for residential attendees, while daycampers can take part for €200. For more information, see www. basketballireland.com

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 12 May 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Luttrellstown hosting special Singles’ day

Riding for charity: Geraghty announces Blanch Centre event MEATH jockey Barry Geraghty was on hand, with Evan Dowling and Kate Fitzgerald, recently to announce that Mulhuddart’s Tech Group Europe has chosen St Michael’s House, one of Ireland’s largest providers of community-based services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, as their charity partner. The staff of the company will be cycling the distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head, 500 km, on stationary bikes at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre on Friday, May 20.

AUL SUNDAY SENIOR: FOUR POINTS WILL SEAL TITLE FOR CLUB

LUTTRELLSTOWN Castle Golf Club is hosting an Open Singles Day on Wednesday, May 18.

The course, which is one of the best inland courses in Ireland, is in fantastic condition and will offer a true test of competitors’ golfing ability.

Green fee and competition entry is only €35, and substantial prizes are on offer.For more information, and to book tee times, contact (01) 860 9602.

back the Open Kelly one of five todewin Espana title he back in 2008 Brigid’s stars won faded late on day three last weekend, for Jackies making for a difficult ST BRIGID’S Elaine Kelly kicked four points last Saturday in Parnell Park to see Dublin return to the top league tier as ladies’ football division two champions.

She was joined in the side by clubmates Noelle Healy, Ailish McKenna and Sorcha Furlong while Colleen Barrett was on the bench in the 3-15 to 2-9 final victory over Meath.

With the Royal county the opponents in the Leinster championship semi-final, the big victory was a strong psychological boost for the Jackies.

Lawrie fails to bring back 2008 form PETER Lawrie’s bid

final round.

Speaking about the tournament, the Castleknock golf club member said of the closing round: “It was not a lack of motivation but two early bogeys saw me slipping even further back down the leaderboard.

“I did fight back well playing my last 14 holes in two under par to finish with a level 72 but did feel that I missed out on something.

“I played a lot of good golf during the four days in Barcelona and just felt that I should have finish higher than in joint 22nd place.”

He returns to Dublin this week to attend the birth of his fourth child with his return to the European Tour currently on hold.

FC Blanch will take the title on the back of two wins, which could come as early as this Thursday

Blanch close in on league AUL SUNDAY SENIOR FC Blanch CIE Ranch ROB HEIGH sport@gazettegroup.com

4 1

FC BLANCH put themselves in pole position to claim the AUL Sunday Senior league title in their tenth anniversar y year when they defeated their nearest rivals in the division, C I E R a n c h , 4 -1 i n Damastown last weekend.

Having suffered only their second defeat of the season the previous week against Dominic Celtic, and having been put out the Mullen Cup 1-0 against CIE only

days before, this top-ofthe-table clash took on extra significance for the FC Blanch side.

Picking up and showing their bouncebackability was priority, and manager Dave Meehan made five changes from the side who had lost to Dominic Celtic.

Like the match against CIE the previous weekend in the Mullen Cup, FC Blanch were dominant in possession and in threats on goal, but could not turn it into a clear advantage on the scoreboard.

It was a new team who came out in the second half, however,

and FC Blanch put on a show worthy of league champions.

Ten minutes into the second half, they had taken the lead when a corner from Danny Bradley was met by Michael Mooney’s bullet header at the near post.

Over the top Shor tly af ter ward, from possession in their own back four, a ball was played over the top to Mooney, who entered a race with the centre half that Mooney won, and he put the ball into the net with a powerful finish.

With Blanch cruis-

ing at that stage, CIE changed their formation to 3-5-2. FC kept faith in their formation, but changed direction on how they wanted to play, intentionally attempting to turn the CIE Ranch back three and making them play against the run.

T his strateg y paid dividends and led to a mix-up in the CIE defence, and Glenn Morgan skilfully played the ball over the centre back’s head before finishing, giving a threegoal cushion with ten minutes remaining.

CIE saw their change in formation result in a goal when they were

able to capitalise on an indirect free-kick inside the FC penalty area, beating John Hines in the FC goal.

The last Blanch goal, though, was the best of the game.

A move dow n the right hand side saw Paul McCullagh jink his way past two CIE defenders, and his square ball out to the left saw Stuart Beattie’s strike from 25 yards fly into the bottom corner of the net.

Blanch still need a win and a draw to seal the title, but their comeback and belief should see it being a matter of when, not if, they claim the league crown.

12 May 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

SFC: ST BRIGID’S BOUNCE BACK FROM TSS DEFEAT

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S CONGRATULATIONS to Elaine Kelly,

3.30pm in Porterstown. Many more

Noelle Healy, Ailish McKenna, Sorcha

fixtures on website.

Furlong and Colleen Barrett on the NFL final victory over Meath.

Paul Winters scored 0-6 for the Dublin minor hurlers win over Wexford.

wins over St Mark’s and Ballymun.

Junior B and C footballers beat Star-

glory.

lights and Ballyboden.

We also had Aoibheann Lynch, Katie

Annual fundraising club golf classic

Nyhan, Niamh O’Neill and Ann-Marie

takes place on Friday, May 27,in Royal

Troy playing.

Tara; to enter a team, contact Phil

their win over Sligo.

Junior hurlers face Parnell’s on

St Brigid’s 2-14 St Mark’s 1-4 sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRIGID’S senior footballers bounced back from their SFC first-round disappointment against Templeogue Synge Street with a dominant and decisive victory against fellow first-round losers St Mark’s at O’Toole Park last week.

W i t h Te m p l e o g u e shocking the Russell Park faithful, it was vital for Mark Byrne’s charges to make a statement in the championship, before returning to league action next week against Ballymun Kickhams.

Byrne’s side are keen to make their return to the top flight a productive one, already sitting in third place in the league behind St Sylvester’s and Na Fianna.

But their championship campaign is also vital, and their showing against Mark’s was

the scoreboard for the entire 35 minutes, and Declan Lally and Paddy Andrews registered 0-3 and 1-3 respectively to show that Brigid’s mean business in this competition.

Andrews will be disappointed not to have made more of his contribution, as he hit the bar with one effort and drew impressive saves from Declan Kearns in the Mark’s goal who prevented his side going even further behind.

St Brigid’s will be keen to see who their next back-door opponents will be, but Byrne and the team will be heartened to see that their opening tie loss and league defeat by Fingal Ravens has not diminished their hunger for the fray.

St Peregrine’s At the same venue, Stuart Lowndes scored a penalty in the second period of extra-time to put St Brigid’s neighbours, St Peregrine’s,

into the last 16 of the championship against St Anne’s.

In a hard-fought battle that saw nothing between the sides in regulation time, St Peregrine’s were pegged back from victory by a late free that forced extra time.

David Ly nch and Shane Sweeney were solid in defence and kept Peregrine’s in the tie in spite of a dominant performance by the Anne’s forward line, and the Blakestown side were relieved when Lowndes kept his nerve to net late in the day.

Eight points from Alan Brogan, four from frees, were enough to see St Oliver Plunkett’s progress to the next round of the competition as well as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Erin’s Isle at Parnell Park, with perennial Plunkett’s playmaker Jason Sherlock adding three ponts of his own in the 0-17 to 1-7 win.

Club Lotto takes place in Russell Park this Thursday with a jackpot of €13,000.

Junior hurlers fundraising Trad/

hurlers face Crumlin away on Satur-

Ballad Night is on May 20 with Celtic

day at 6.15pm. Junior hurlers face Civil

Wings. Tickets are €10 from Tim O’Leary

Service on Saturday at 6.15pm in Rus-

or from any of the Junior hurlers.

on Sunday at 11am in Russell Park.

convincing from the off, Ken Darcy scoring an early goal and establishing a lead that was never relinquished, Darcy tapping in as Mark’s defence provided an interception.

With Philly Ryan dictating the play from corner forward, it seemed as though this would be a rout before the first buzzer sounded, but Mark’s Barry Redmond struck past Shane Supple in the Brigid’s goal to bring matters closer, finishing an impressive move that started in Mark’s half with point scorer Barry Kennedy, who provided John Kelly with the opportunity to split the Brigid’s defence for Redmond to score in the corner.

Having come back from 1-6 to 0-2 to 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time, it looked as though the second half would be another case of nip and tuck, but what transpired was something else.

Mark’s did not bother

Kelly on 086-7733.

Thursday at 7.15pm in Belcamp. Senior

sell Park. Junior hurlers face ’Boden

DUBLIN SFC

barrs. Senior 1 and 2 footballers had

aged the Dublin U-14s to Leinster

Mick Cussen who starred for Fingal in

Brigid’s back to SFC winning ways

Castleknock. Minor hurlers beat Fin-

Well done to Ken Nyhan who man-

Also well done to Aodhan Mc and

St Brigid’s put themselves back in championship contention with a good win over St Mark’s

U-13A and B footballers had good league wins over St Sylvester’s and

U-16 footballers face Castleknock in A Shield semi-final on Saturday at

We need your old mobile phones.

To get a second defibrillator, the club needs 360 old phones. Phone drop-off inside the bar

ST PEREGRINE’S VOTE for our very own unsung hero

ship this week at home.

Albert ‘Albie’ Pierson. As we all know,

Well done to the U-16 boys who

Albert is a hero among the club and

have reached the semi-final of the

needs our votes.

Shield after a great win over Pat’s

Please long onto www.unsunghero. com/ourheroes.

(P); well done to all concerned.

Club lotto was not won; numbers

Another brilliant win for our senior

drawn were 2, 3, 20 and 21. Next

footballers last Saturday evening

week’s jackpot is €3,600. Any mem-

over St Anne’s in SFC. Great league

ber not buying lotto tickets, visit

wins for Junior B and C footballers

CNP.ie and support your club for

this past week.

only €2 a week. Lotto is also avail-

Attention now turns to hurling and ladies’ football this week; our Senior

able to play on-line using the link on the club website.

hurlers play Kilmacud Crokes away

Entertainment in clubhouse this

on Saturday in the Inter Hurling

Saturday in club from Smashing

Championship.

Monkeys.

The Juniors play Croabh Chiarain

Club shop is open on Mondays

at home on Sunday. The Senior ladies

Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to

play their first game in champion-

7pm, and on Saturdays, 10 to 12pm.

ERIN GO BRAGH THANK-YOU to all who made our annual street leagues and community festival such a huge success.

A special thanks to Sean Flood who is still a winner even though he lost in the over-35s league final.

There was no winner of last week’s lotto jackpot.

This week’s draw jackpot will be €11,300.

The draw will be held this Friday in The Paddocks.

Annual club dinner-dance is tak-

To be in with a chance to win the

ing place on Saturday, November 5,

jackpot, please return your com-

in Park Plaza, Tyrrelstown.

pleted lotto tickets to the box in the

T i c ke t s a r e € 6 0 p e r p e r s o n

Paddocks before 9pm this Friday.

(strictly over-18s). Five-course

It is so easy to forget to return

meal, band, DJ. Bar extension until

your lotto tickets, so why not sign

2am. Deposit of €20 required and

up to the annual draw member-

people can pay in instalments over

ship.

the coming months.

Contact Natasha on 087 959 5048 or Carol - Ann on 087 629 2024.

T h e c l u b w o u l d l i ke t o w i s h Diarmod Hynes the best of luck in his new career down in Cork.

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

BRIGID’S BACK: Saints grab an SFC lifeline with comfortable back door win P31

MAY 12, 2011

DOUBLE DREAMS: Scully tackles Leaving and Europeans P29

GazetteSPORT

Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles, former Argentina and Tottenham heroes, have been signed up to face Huntstown-Hartstown FC

Argentine legends set for D15 friendly Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles signed up to take on Hartstown-Hunstown selection in Dalymount Park STEPHEN FINDLATER blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com

HARTSTOWN-Huntstown United will host Argentine heroes, Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles as part of a Legends XI selected by John Aldridge to play an exhibition match in Dalymount Park on Saturday, May 21 (kick-off, 3pm).

The event is in aid of Irish Autism Action and Hartstown-Huntstown United FC, with a string of top names already lined up with a club selection facing the likes of Aldridge, Jason McAteer, Alan McLoughlin and Keith Gillespie, as well as a host of former stars of the top flight in England.

Villa and Ardiles provide incredible star factor, following their memorable spells in England with Tottenham in the 1980s.

Speaking about the event, club chairman, David Byrne said: “On behalf of Hartstown-Huntstown United, we are delighted to have the Legends come across to help us in our fundraising efforts to build the all-weather facility badly needed for the area.

“Our club are delighted to work with IAA and we welcome the Legends to our community in what we hope will be a marvellous weekend for everybody.

“Not only is this match a fundraising day for Irish Autism Action, but it will be a great day out for any fan of the game.

“The games we organise are friendlies but we always find that the competitive streak comes out in the players as soon as they step foot on the pitch.

“The Legends stars may be a bit older but they haven’t lost their drive for winning or skill with the ball, it’s just remarkable to watch.

“Any fan would enjoy a day like this! We are delighted to be involved with Hartstown-Huntstown United FC and hope it will be a really successful event for them and the charities they are fundraising for!”

John Aldridge has been busy putting together a Legends side of footballing greats over the past few months, and along with the latest Argentine

additions to the squad, fans can also expect to see Liverpool legends Alan Kennedy, Gary Gillespie and Paul Walsh as well as, Manchester United stars including Clayton Blackmore, David May and Lee Martin.

And former Irish striker Aldridge said he is delighted with the players he has co-opted to play: “I have to say this is one of the best squads I have put together for the Legends so far, and with players like Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardiles on the lineup I have no doubt that we will be walking away from Dalymount Park with smiles on our faces.

“Myself and the rest of the lads are really happy to be involved in this event; the work Irish Autism Action does is amazing and these charities need our support. We hope that the fans will agree and come out on May 21 and support us in raising some money on the day!”

Match tickets cost €10 and can be purchased from any club official or from Irish Autism Action.

Contact David Byrne for further information 0863727825.