Lucan

Lucan GAZET TE FREE

‘Lose yourself in luxurious Liss Ard estate in County Cork’ TRAVEL: P22 AUGUST 30, 2012 Find us on

LUCAN • PALMERSTOWN • CELBRIDGE • LEIXLIP • ADAMSTOWN • DODSBORO • LIFFEY VALLEY • BALLYOWEN

INSIDE: Check out a Back To School fashion show at Liffey Valley SC Page 8

POPTASTIC: Jedward are just the medicine at children’s hospital Page 2

Fury’s happy: Local boxers meet champion Futsal: Community Games side finish fourth Page 30

WBO Intercontinental champion Tyson Fury was an unmistakable figure when he called to Barnhall Rugby Club recently, where he joined locals to take in several bouts from Esker Amateur Boxing Club’s show, which featured boxers from age 10 upwards, and women’s boxing.

Tyson is pictured congratulating Jason Kirwan, Sacred Heart Boxing Club and Paddy Headon, Angels Boxing Club, who both displayed impressive skill.

Picture: Ian Fleming

Gaelic Games: Top stars visit Palmerstown and Lucan Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .................... 18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

End of an era as St Andrew’s to move Work has begun I PAUL HOSFORD

on a new school at St Edmundsbury

WHEN the junior infants enter St Andrew’s National School this week, it will potentially mark the last time the current school building will see such a sight.

Some 40 years after moving into the school buildings on

Chapel Hill in Lucan, work has begun on a new school on land at St Edmundsbury.

Reverend Scott Peoples, who is the chairman of the school board, said that the school were happy that South Dublin County Council had granted planning permission for the new school, which is

aiming to be open for the first school day of 2013.

“The current site is about 0.8 of an acre, and we have 220 students. If you close your eyes, you can imagine how crowded it can get,” said Rev Peoples.

Full Story on Page 6

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SCHOOL: PRIMARY NS IN ADAMSTOWN GAINS FROM STATE SCHEME

TALLAGHT Hospital welcomes pop duo to garden launch

Pupils with autism are promised extra class I PAUL HOSFORD

ADAMSTOWN Castle Educate Together National School (ETNS) is set to benefit from a new Government scheme aimed at increasing the number of classes available for children with special needs.

Dublin Mid West TD, Derek Keating (FG) this week welcomed the announcement of 91 new classes nationally, scheduled to begin this September.

Deputy Keating welcomed the establishment of an additional special needs class at Adamstown Castle ETNS, and added that the overall allocation of the classes nationally is proof of the Government’s strong commitment to children with educational and learning difficulties.

“The announcement this week by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) of an additional 91 special needs classes will see targeted support being delivered to more than 500 children in 88 mainstream primary and secondary schools.

“The children of Adamstown are also set to benefit, with the allocation of a special educational needs organiser at Adamstown Castle ETNS to [arrange] an autistic spectrum disorder class,” said Keating, who added that the move provided an example of his party’s commitment to children.

“Ensuring that supports are in place to guide and assist those with special educational needs has been a priority of this Government. The maintenance of special needs assistants in these straitened times, when all sectors are seeking

to do more with less, is evidence of the Government’s commitment to our children.

“The importance of supporting learning in mainstream education cannot be overstated.

The provision of special classes for children with autism or those who are struggling with speech and language difficulties in mainstream schools allows children to continue to learn in a conventional school environment.

“T his approach is conducive to advanced development and facilitates an easier transition from primary to secondary level,” said Deputy Keating.

“Despite our difficult economic situation, we must continue to seek out the best ways of delivering supports to those who are most in need. I am delighted that the NCSE has managed to sanction these classes as part of its annual allocation to the benefit of more than 500 children.

I am delighted that children in [Adamstown] will benefit in the process,” he said.

Teresa Griffin, chief executive of the NCSE, said: “The NCSE, through its national network of special educational needs organisers (SENOs), has sanctioned these classes as part of its annual allocation of supports to schools. These classes will enable students with special needs to transition from primary to post-primary settings.

“We are delighted to be in a position to sanction these classes and that the Government continues to prioritise and invest in supports for children with special needs,” she said.

Jedward with little patients at the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, in the new garden designed by architect Dermot Bannon

OMG, you guys! It’s Jedward P OP sensation Jedward paid a special visit to The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght, recently to mark the opening of a new outdoor garden. The state-of-the-art redesigned space, which adjoins the existing indoor playroom, comes complete with a stage, storytelling booth, art and craft area as well as a chill out zone and customised fish tank.

Last year, staff at the hospital approached leading

Jedward with fan Colin Grassick

Jedward making their surprise entrance

architect Dermot Bannon to take on the challenge of designing a fun and vibrant outdoor area that would allow young patients enjoy fresh air and find respite from their medical care.

The entire process behind the planning and development of the outdoor garden has been filmed for RTE’s programme Room to Improve presented by Dermot Bannon and will be aired on RTE One in the autumn.

Jedward looking at the aquarium with an excited Kate Quinn

Jedward signing the shirt of young fan Alex McEleney

Alex McEleney showing off his Jedward with architect Dermot Bannon

shirt which Jedward signed

Jedward signing the T-shirt of Kate Quinn

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 3

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COMMON CAUSE New network focuses on village profile

Groups unite around aim to make Lucan lovely A NEW Lucan Village Network has been formally established to bring together local groups with a collective interest in the betterment of Lucan village.

The Lucan Village Network came together with the aim of making Lucan “a great place to live, to do business and to visit”.

The groups involved in the network include Lucan Chamber, Lucan Tidy Towns,

Lucan Planning Council, Sarsfield Park and District Residents’ Association, Liffey Valley Park Alliance, Lucan Festival and Lucan St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.

Historian Local councillors are also involved, as is local historian, Mary Mulhall.

Councillor William Lavelle (FG) was selected to chair

the Lucan Village Network, which was set-up on foot of an initiative which he led at council level to support Dublin county’s villages.

He said: “On foot of a proposal by my colleague, Cllr Emma Coburn [FG, Rathfarnham Village] and I, South Dublin County Council established a working group on ‘Traditional Urban Centres’ aimed at examining approaches to supporting the

commercial life of our county’s villages, including Lucan village.

“As part of this initiative, a workshop was recently held by the council with a small number of key stakeholders with an interest in the commercial and civic life of Lucan village and, out of this, the new Lucan Village Network was established.”

The primary task of the new network will be to iden-

tify measures to “Make Lucan Lovely”, and to work with the council and local stakeholders to make this happen.

The network has identified a number of priorities, including supporting development of a Lucan village website and a unique branding for Lucan village; examining measures to improve parking, traffic management and public transport; improvements to the public realm, and devel-

Winging it: Happy to launch a facility

Local forecourt in line for top award THE Maxol/Mace store in Adamstown will join 44 finalists announced for the seventh annual Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer (IFCR) Awards 2012, supported by PostPoint.

Hosted by TV3’s Sinead Desmond, the industry awards will take place at the Shelbourne Hotel on Friday, September 7.

The 450 individual award entries received from throughout Ireland were whittled down to 44, following rigorous judging by mystery shopper specialists, Spotcheck.

Reaching the final of these awards signifies a major achievement for the retailers nominated, including the Adamstown store.

Bill Penton, publisher of Ireland’s Forecourt and Convenience Retailer, was delighted with the calibre of entries.

He said: “Now in their seventh year, the IFCR Awards continue to grow.

They are a fantastic example of how Ireland’s forecourt and convenience retailers continue to play a vital role in their communities, and set industry standards higher each year.”

The IFCR awards are the country’s only specialist awards for the forecourt industry, and provide an essential showcase for the businesses.

This event helps to raise industry standards in the forecourt and convenience retailing industry throughout Ireland.

oping the tourism potential of the Liffey Valley.

Cllr Lavelle said that the idea was a good one because it brought together an array of stakeholders.

“By bringing everybody around the same table, I hope our network can make a real difference in promoting and developing Lucan village as a vibrant heart for our expanding community in Lucan,” he said.

FIVE-and-a-half-year-old Ella

O’Keeffe (and a feathered friend) were joined by Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, and patron, John Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Hotels, for the official opening of the €1.5 million Children’s Activity Centre at Barretstown. The centre, which was entirely funded through philanthropic donations, will provide some much-needed indoor activity space.

SOCIAL PROTECTION: ACTION IS ‘ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL’ – O’BROIN, SF

Single mum may lose home as rent allowance is cut by 30% I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

A SINGLE mother of two will be made homeless this week after a rent supplement review cut her payment by almost 30%, leaving her unable to afford her rent.

Claire Doyle, of Collinstown, has been served a notice to quit by her landlord and will be homeless from the end of August.

Claire had been receiving €646 in rent supplement, before a review by the Department of Social Protection cut that payment to €460. Claire says that the Department told her that, regardless of the

cost of rent, she would be required to make up the difference of €395 a month, money she says she simply cannot afford.

“They’re asking me to put away €100 a week, that’s money I don’t have.”

Following consultation with her landlord, it became clear that Claire would no longer be able to pay her rent, meaning that, as of this week, she will be without a place to live.

“I can’t go home because my mother’s house is already overcrowded, so the only option is a homeless shelter.

“I haven’t a clue what

else I can do. I went to the council, but they could only give me the number of a homeless shelter.

“I’m trying to get another house, but I know that, no matter what I do, I can’t afford it,” says Claire.

Sinn Fein Dublin MidWest representative Eoin O’Broin has described the situation as “absolutely disgraceful”, and “one of a growing number of cases in which rent supplement reviews are leaving people unable to pay their rent”.

O’Broin said that the entire purpose of the payment was to help people meet the cost of private rent, and that this move

was counterintuitive to that.

“Rent supplement is meant to assist people unable to meet the full cost of their rent in the private sector. That a rent review should result in a young family being forced out onto the street, or into homeless accommodation, is absolutely disgraceful,” he said.

“It also makes no financial sense, as the cost of emergency accommodation for a family will be significantly higher than the original rent supplement payment.”

O’Broin said that in his work in the Dublin Mid-West constituency, he has come across a

growing number of such cases, with, he claims, the Department of Social Protection keen to cut spending.

“This is not the first case of significant payment reductions following rent supplement reviews that I have come across. In recent months, it has become increasingly common.

“The Department of Social Protection is clearly intent on reducing its spending on this area, irrespective of the cost to families.”

O’Broin said that he will be making contact with the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, in order to rec-

tify the situation, as well as reviewing the entire structure of the benefit, as he feels it is being wrongly utilised.

“I will be writing to Minister Burton in September asking her to intervene in this case. I will also be calling on the minister to review the application of the benefit.

“It is simply unacceptable that a benefit designed to keep people out of homelessness is having the opposite effect,” said O’Broin.

The Department of Social Protection had not responded to a request for comment at the time of The Gazette’s going to print.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 5

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GO FOR IT A share of €300,000 could make huge difference to your local club

Older people’s groups urged to apply for funds SOUTH Dublin County Council has encouraged local groups to apply for a share of almost €300,000 which has been allocated for the 12th annual Go For Life grant scheme.

The Go for Life programme was developed

by Age and Opportunity and the Irish Sports

Council, and gives members of older people’s groups around the country the information and skills which enable them to lead sport and physical activity sessions within their own groups.

Groups and clubs of older people all over the country can apply for

grants to spend on equipment, to hire an instructor, or to organise a sporting festival in their area.

Typical amounts awarded are between €300 and €700, and the grants generally go to active retirement associations, senior citizens clubs, ICA guilds, day centres and commu-

nity centres.

Go For Life’s Sue Gildea said: “Thousands of older people who get active with Go For Life every week tell us that variety is the spice of life.

This small grant helps to spice up Go For Life sessions.

“Over the years, peo-

ple have used the grants to do various physical activities such as Tai Chi, archery, pilates, hip-hop and swimming, or to get sports equipment, and all kinds of other things besides,” said Gildea.

“They’ve also used their grants to get a bit of competition going with

different groups in a local sports fest, attracting new members in the process.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what people request in their grants this year, and to hearing about the difference that the money can make.”

Application forms are now available from Go

For Life, Age and Opportunity, Marino Institute of Education, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9.

For further information, telephone 01 805 7733, email gfl@ageandopportunity.ie, or download a form from the website at www.ageandopportunity. ie.

Council backs Esker Boxing Club grant SOUTH Dublin County Council managers will recommend a €1,500 equipment grant for Esker Amateur Boxing Club at the next meeting of the Lucan Area Committee.

The announcement was made at the Esker Boxing Club show in Barnhall last weekend, where Councillor William Lavelle (FG) announced the good news.

Cllr Lavelle extended his congratulations to the club, and said: “Esker Boxing Club is providing a valuable sporting outlet for many local boys and girls.

“Following the superb success of Irish boxers at the London Olympics, I have no doubt that we will see an increased

focus on amateur boxing.

“We are very fortunate in Lucan to have two fine clubs working with so many young people. I wish to commend Ed Griffin, Martin O’Connell and all involved in developing Esker Boxing Club,” said Cllr Lavelle.

“In recent weeks, I had pressed council managers to provide some funding to the club, and I have now been advised that, on foot of my request, a recommendation will go the next meeting of the Lucan Area Committee seeking approval for a €1,500 grant to support the club in purchasing equipment. I am delighted to have been able to support the club with this grant,” he said.

After 40 years at Chapel Hill, St Andrew’s National School’s new batch of junior infants may be its last at the current site, as it hopes to have moved to a much more spacious school on its new site at St Edmundsbury by this time next year

EDUCATION: BUILDING HAS STARTED AT NEW SITE

St Andrew’s is set to relocate in 2013

I PAUL HOSFORD phosford@gazettegroup.com

WHEN the junior infants enter St Andrew’s National School this week, it will potentially mark the last time the current school building will see such a sight.

Some 40 years after moving into the school buildings on Chapel Hill in Lucan, work has begun on a new school on land at St Edmundsbury.

The existing school is at capacity and cannot expand, due to the small site that it currently sits on.

Reverend Scott Peoples, who is the chairman of the school board, said that the school were happy that South Dublin County Council (SDCC)

had granted planning permission for the new school, which is aiming to be open for the first school day of 2013.

Rev Peoples said: “The current site is about 0.8 of an acre, and we have 220 students. If you close your eyes, you can imagine how crowded it can get.

“It is a school of its era.

It was much more suited to the 1972 landscape.

Back then, classes were smaller than they are now, and we had fewer students.

“Nowadays, kids take up more space and class sizes are bigger, so it can become very crowded at times,” he said.

Even with five portacabins provided by the Department of Educa-

tion, the school has no room for expansion, and all school activities, such as sports days, are difficult to run, given the limited space.

However, space is something that will be in abundance at St Edmundsbury.

Rev Peoples added: “What the new site means is that we will be able to run all school activities on our own grounds.

“It means that everything will be integrated in the same place, and will create a much better working environment for students and for teachers.

“It will allow us to deliver on the full curriculum, as set out by the Department. The current one presupposes that you

have certain things – a lot of space being one of them.

“It means we can do PE, particularly,” said Rev Peoples, who added that the school was indebted to the entire Lucan community.

“Within St Andrew’s, we are indebted to the entire Lucan community. We have the use of St Mary’s car park, without which it would be extremely difficult for parents to get to and from the school. We’ve been treated in such a respectful and supportive way by all at St Mary’s.”

The school aims to be in the new building by this time next year, with no firm plans in place for the use of the current building.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 7

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LIFFEY VALLEY Enjoying the Back to School Fashion Show

Anita McKane her mother Alannah and godmother Adrienne Carroll after she modelled

Competition winners. Pictures: Tony McLean

Runway revelry IFFEY Valley Shopping Centre marked August as Back to School month and celebrated with lots of fresh fashions and family fun to help their shoppers make the most of their final weeks of the

L

summer. The event included a special fashion show where winners of the centre’s Evening Herald competition got a chance to strut their stuff on the runway showcasing the very best of fashions from stores

such as Skechers, Next and Pumpkin Patch. The event also featured healthy lunch box demonstrations and a visit from Liffey Valley’s Mad Scientist who gave exciting, high energy science shows.

Megan Malone, aged 10, with her sister Charlene after she modelled

Lee Dunne, aged 10, with Strutting his stuff on the

his mother Janet Keller

Samuel Chew, aged eight, with his mother Rosemary

catwalk

after he modelled

after he modelled

Sean Clarke, aged 11, with his dad Eamonn and brother Patrick

Showcasing the very best of fashions

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 9

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HEALTH Outdoor garden opened for young hospital patients

After a moment or two of exploration, cystic fibrosis patient Lilly May Browne decided she really liked the new garden for young patients (right))

Jumping for joy at facility

OUNG patients at the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght were delighted to help celebrate the opening of a new outdoor garden designed especially for them. They had fun watching the mesmerising fish, playing with toys, and enjoying the colourful space.

The state-of-the-art space was designed by architect Dermot Bannon, with the aim of

Y

Sophia Murray, Gina Murrray, RTE presenter Dermot Bannon, Alex McEleney and Lauren McEleney celebrate the garden’s opening

creating a fun and vibrant outdoor area that would allow young patients to enjoy fresh air and find respite from their medical care.

The entire process behind the planning and development of the outdoor garden has been filmed for RTE programme Room to Improve, presented by Dermot Bannon, and will be aired on RTE One in autumn.

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 11

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CINEMA Shorts, features, workshops – Dun Laoghaire has it

Festival plans to reel in buffs for third year I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE THIRD Underground Cinema Film Festival in Dun Laoghaire is gearing up to get under way on September 13.

The festival will present a mixture of short films and feature films from independent producers and filmmakers from Ireland and around the world, along with free workshops from some of the most renowned writers, directors and actors from home and abroad.

The Gazette spoke to the assistant festival director, Denise Pattison, about this year’s line-up, as well as the development of the idea

of the underground film cavalcade.

“Dave Byrne [festival director] came up with the idea four years ago. He’s an actor and director and has been in many plays, and has a lot of contacts in the film world.

“He started off showing little short films made by many of his friends in a monthly cinema club in the Kingston Hotel.

It acted as a forum for local film makers, and it provided them with an audience to view their work,” said Denise.

T h e c i n e m a cl u b proved so successful that, three years ago, Dave decided to make it into a mini-festival.

“Dave hired a screen and a selection of films and set up again in the hotel. People really enjoyed going there, paying their €5 in, having a pint and watching the films. The calibre of films was very high, and there were discussions held after each showing.

Then, two years ago, he called out for volunteers for the festival.

“I took over devising the programme of guests and workshops. We had a lot of contacts and I asked people I knew to contribute. [Novelist and screenwriter] Ferdia McAnna and others gave the first free workshops; Roddy Doyle came for a 20th anni-

Denise Pattison, assistant festival director at Underground Cinema

versary screening of The Commitments, and Jim Sheridan came.”

Since then the festival has grown in confidence and reputation to such a degree that it can raise the

profile of an otherwise forgotten or neglected film. This was the case with Terry McMann’s Charlie Cassanova.

“We gave that movie its Dublin premiere and it

Money Doctor is the trading name of Providence Finance Services Limited and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

was subsequently picked up and distributed by Studio Canal. It has gone on to have huge success and we recently partly sponsored Terry’s trip to Melbourne for Charlie Casanova’s opening night there.”

The festival is sponsored by the Irish Film Board and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, and will run along four different themes for each day of the event - Women in Film, then, Underground Film, Horror and Screen Adaption.

Some of the workshops are very technical, such as using techniques like the RED digital video camera, and others more creative, with

filmmakers sharing their experiences. “People like Jack Sargeant will provide a full day of discussion and shorts never seen before, so it’s very exciting,” said Denise.

One of the highlights of the festival will be a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, with an introduction

by Bram Stoker’s great great grandnephew, Dacre Stoker.

The festival will be held over four days across three different venues; Pavilion Theatre, The Royal Marine Hotel and Irish Multiplex Cinema (IMC), Dun Laoghaire.

For more information, see www.undergroundcinema.com

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 13

RDS FESTIVAL: CRAFT BREWS ON SHOW

FUNDRAISING: OVER €100,000 FOR PET CARE

Charity funds get tails up THE results are in: Irish dog lovers have raised a whopping €100,000 in cash and food donations for animal rescue centres across the country as part of the fifth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive, with €2,000 of this year’s grant being awarded to Cat and Dog Protection Association, North Brunswick Street; and North Co Dublin.

The campaign, which ran from Wednesday, April 11 through to May 31, saw Pedigree donate money for every pack of its dog food sold.

In addition, dog lovers across the country showed their support by becoming a fan of the Pedigree Ireland Facebook page, w w w.facebook.com/ PedigreeIreland. For every new fan, Pedigree donated a bowl of dog food to a rehoming centre.

“I am delighted Pedigree’s Adoption Drive has managed to raise €100,000 in cash and food donations for dog welfare organisations across Ireland,” said campaign spokesperson and dog lover, Irish rugby

legend Ronan O’Gara.

“Most shelters and rescue organisations are in desperate need of help, that’s why I want to thank everyone who has supported this campaign and helped Pedigree help dogs find loving homes.”

Speaking on behalf of Cat and Dog Protection Association, Kathleen O’Higgins said: “We are delighted that the Irish public has again given such an overwhelming response to animal welfare by supporting the fifth annual Pedigree Adoption Drive. This money will go a long way in helping us to re-home hundreds of dogs in Dublin and beyond.

“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s Pedigree Adoption Drive and helped to further raise awareness of abandoned and homeless dogs and promote the understanding of dog ownership.”

To find out more on dog adoption, from how the adoption process works, from training to everyday care, visit www. facebook.com/PedigreeIreland.

Cheers!

5,000 to enjoy beer fest I BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN bnibhraonain@gazettegroup.com

Five-star move: Emirates Airlines announce sponsorship of hit RTE program EMIRATES Airlines this week put the

spotlight on its catering capabilities as it announced its newest sponsorship in Ireland. Emirates have been unveiled as the sole sponsor of RTÉ’s MasterChef Ireland, ahead of the much-anticipated return of the award-winning culinary programme to TV screens on RTÉ Two in October. Once again, successful MasterChef applicants will

attempt to impress Michelin-starred chef Dylan McGrath and top restaurateur Nick Munier, while being put through a series of intense and highly pressurised tasks and challenges, which will test their culinary skills to the limit. Pictured here are MasterChef judges Nick Munier (left) and Dylan McGrath along with Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airlines.

THE RDS is set to play host once again this September to the ever-popular All-Ireland Irish Craft Beer Festival.

The festival features products of 20 local and guest craft brewers, showcasing niche brands as well as providing technical advice on brewing and opportunities to meet the brewers.

Music will also be on tap at the event and organisers are expecting around 5,000 attendees over the weekend.

A new addition to the festival is the introduction of a beer and food pairing evening on September 6, which will experiment with the individual traits of the craft beers and a selection of foods that complement them.

The festival will be held in the RDS, Dublin from September 7 to September 9. Tickets are €10 for a day and €15 for the whole weekend.

To book, contact carley@greydogevents.com and for more information, visit http://www.irishcraftbeerfestival.com.

14 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteContacts SNAPSHOT Block 3A, Mill Bank Business Park, Lucan Tel: 01 6010240 Fax: 01 6010251

Managing Director: Michael McGovern email:mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Acting News Editor: Rob Heigh email: rheigh@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater email: sport@gazettegroup.com Picture Editor: Paul Hosford email: picturedesk@gazettegroup.com Ad Manager: Louise Fitzgerald email: lfitzgerald@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@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.

The local stories of the day

ISPCC bags prove that Elverys is a good sport THE ISPCC and Elverys Sports this week launched the sale of the ISPCC Back to School Backpack in Elverys stores nationwide.

These fun and useful backpacks are ideal for children to carry their books and lunch or sports gear when they return to school later this week.

Priced at €21.99, Elverys Sports will donate €5 of the selling price to the ISPCC, raising vital funds for the children’s charity.

This is Elverys Sports third year supporting the ISPCC, raising over €170,000 for the children’s charity in the previous two years.

The backpacks can be bought in all 54 Elverys Sports stores and on www.elverys. ie.

Career options on display in this Zoo CAREER ZOO, an event for those hoping to diversify or propel their careers in new directions, is set to be held on September 22 in the Convention Centre on

DIARY Dublin’s North Wall Quay.

The Career Zoo event promises to be the biggest yet, is entirely free, and will be attended by a host of Irish businesses looking for talented, eager professionals and graduates from all fields.

There will also be plenty of course choices from colleges and other education providers for those wishing to up-skill or begin on an entirely new career path.

At the event, there will also be career workshops and seminars given by industry leaders, as well as a career clinic hosted by Hays Recruitment.

Interview and networking areas will be in place, and an interactive zone from Ireland’s most innovative organisations will showcase products and provide a bit of fun too.

Career Zoo takes place on Saturday, September 22, from 10am to 5pm and admission is free.

Charity fundraiser worth jumping for HAVE YOU ever wanted to do a parachute jump? Well, now there’s a great way to cross it off your bucket list and help a very worthy cause at the same time.

Multiple Sclerosis Ireland is looking for 50 people to do a parachute jump for their fundraising 2012 Skydive Challenge.

The jump will take place at the Irish Parachute Centre in Offaly on October 7, and all proceeds raised will go towards physiotherapy and exercise classes for people with MS. MS Ireland , the national organisation which provides information and support to the whole MS community, provides a range of services and resources such as individual and family support.

If you’d like to experience the thrill of leaping out of a plane for the first time or are a seasoned jumper, you can sign up to join Team MS and raise money for the charity at www.ms-society.ie or by calling 01 678 1600.

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 15

RENTING Property market slump prompts surge

22-year winning streak

Guide aims to simplify rental journey I ROB HEIGH

AS THOUSANDS of college students prepare to search for rental a c c om mo d ati o n fo r the new term, and the number of people looking to rent instead of buy a property in the current climate rises, a new book written by Lucan businessman, John Leahy, has been launched to help potential tenants at all stages of their rental journey.

Renting in Ireland - The Tenant Survival Guide aims to provide specific advice for anyone seeking rented accommodation, highlighting the pitfalls to avoid, and

attempts to guide tenants through the process of trouble-free renting.

Speaking to the Gazette last week, John, a director of Irish Property Solutions which provides training and marketing services to the property industry and the founder of website www.renting. ie, said: “The idea of the book came about in the rapid growth in the rental market since the collapse of the property market.

The sales market doesn’t exist any more, and there are increasingly more people making the conscious decision to rent, especially with the due lack of mortgage finance.

“Even the recent Cen-

sus figures have shown that the number of people renting in Ireland has doubled since 2006. Indications are that this will be the ongoing trend.”

Speaking at the recent launch of the book, Minister Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, whose department has overall responsibility for housing matters, said: “With the increasing popularity of renting in Ireland, this book will be a very useful resource for anyone living in rented accommodation.”

John went on to outline some of the problem areas for potential

GAME SHOW

John Leahy of www.renting.ie and author of Renting in Ireland with Minister for Local Government Phil Hogan

renters: “The increase of people entering the rental market, and the increased regulation of the market - the new legislation in terms of the quality of rental properties, for example, outlaws the traditional bedsit from 2013 - means there is a lot of confusion for

potential tenants. I saw there was no resource or book out there to provide them with straightforward advice.

“As the rules and regulations for rental properties are quite complex and were not really written for the lay person, this book takes all

of that complexity and puts it into simple terms and language for anyone on the rental journey.

It’s designed as a handbook for people at any stage of renting a property - whether looking for a property or when it comes time to move out.”

IRELAND’S most loved game show is returning to the small screen this September.

Marty Whelan is back on Winning Streak, which returns on September 1 with the top prize being €500,000 on the TV game show’s wheel of fortune.

This season, Marty’s co-host on the popular game show is Geri Maye.

The first programme of this series marks 22 years of Winning Streak, which is Europe’s longest running and most successful TV game show. Since it began in September 1990, the National Lottery has given away over €133 million in cash, cars and holidays to players from all over Ireland.

Winning Streak Scratch Cards are now available in agent stores countrywide. The Winning Streak TV Gameshow returns to RTÉ One on Saturday September 1 at 8.10pm.

16 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC ELECTRIC PICNIC: LOCAL ACTS SET TO ROCK LA0IS

Dublin’s finest on Picnic’s playlist

Picnic fodder for the ears: La Galaxie and, inset, Tieranniesaur, will rock the stages at Stradbally I ROB HEIGH

COMPANIES across Ireland are united in emphasising the need to support home-grown business and produce, so this week the Gazette looked to see if music festival Electric Picnic is keeping in with the local trend by supporting local bands.

Next weekend, thousands of music lovers will descend on the law ns of Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, where they will set up tents at the beautiful 600-acre estate, just 50 minutes from Dublin, for a weekend of music and fun.

Headliners like The Killers, The Cure and Christy Moore will, of course, bring in the crowds, but many of the other acts, some less well known than others, will undoubtedly blow the roof off and surprise a lot of revellers with their talent and fresh sounds.

Of the hundreds of acts listed, there will be many from around the world, but who are home-grown and from the capital?

For those who don’t know, there is a surprisingly high number from the city of Dublin, with 34 acts listed to play

over the three days of the festival, which is run by music promoters POD. Readers probably already know mainstream musicians like Cathy Davey, David Kitt, Villagers, Delorentos and The R iptide Movement but up-andcoming acts are set to find some new fans through the festival.

Here are a few worth looking out for – Tieranniesaur’s self-titled debut album was Choice Music Prize nominated and written and recorded at home by husband and wife Annie and Padraig.

They are storming sets wherever they go and have built a reputation for delivering exciting live shows, which is what Electric Picnic audiences can expect to enjoy.

Another Dublin band making waves on the music scene is The Barley Mob. This sevenpiece group have created fresh sound that delivers rock riffs, soulful melodies and folk jigs, definitely worth a look - even to see how all seven of them fit on stage.

Other Dublin acts include Cloud Castle Lake, Squarehead,

FastTunes Radio Nova’s Dee Woods FREDDIE Mercury once asked “Who Wants To Live Forever?”, and nearly 11 years after his death, the Queen frontman seems to be doing just that.

Next Wednesday would have been the singer’s 66th birthday while on September 3, Mercury’s Barcelona album is turning 25.

A special 25th anniversary release of the 1987 record will also be followed by a documentary focusing on Freddie’s life outside of Queen, featuring some previously unseen interviews and footage (where do DVD makers find all this “unseen” stuff? I’d sure love a rummage through that skip).

A virtual performance of Freddie Mercury’s sing-off with the crowd from Queen’s 1986 Wembley gig at the Olympics’ closing ceremony, coupled with a real-life rousing performance from Brian May and Roger Taylor, has seen a renewed love for the band’s music. And it

Bats, White Collar Boy, Solar Bears, Land Lovers, Le Galaxie, Hidden Agenda, Fat Lady sings and Homebrow and the Bad Examples, to name just a few.

couldn’t come at a better time.

Queen will rock Dublin next year when the We Will Rock You musical hits The O2 in April. 2013 sees the show celebrating its tenth year with a world arena tour, and audiences are guaranteed hit music with 24 Queen favourites on the bill, all under the watchful eyes of music supervisors...oh them again: Brian May and Roger Taylor.

The show promises laughs too, as it’s written and directed by comedian Ben Elton. We Will Rock You tells the story of young kids fighting musical oppression and searching for a hero. Incidentally they find two: Galileo and Scaramouche. Not sure if they do the fandango...

(Speaking of birthdays, Radio Nova turns two this week. Thank you for two years of support, and for having great taste in music!)

For a full list of this y e a r ’s l i n e u p ove r the three day festival in Stradbally, and to see when the acts are playing, log onto the Electric Picnic website

Another Electric addition, The Barley Mob

www.electricpicnic.ie Electric Picnic takes place on August 31, September 1 and September 2, tickets are still available through ticketmaster.ie.

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Laura Webb

Your guide on where to clothes shop for your Debs R ADUATES acros s I rela nd are getting ready to celebrate the end of school by getting suited and booted for their debutante ball so, this week, Gazette Style is showing readers where to go for the dress or suit that will have you looking like a million dollars.

The one thing that ever yone should remember when picking out a dress or suit is to make sure it fits your body like a glove, and stick to what suits your body shape.

G

Don’t go too t ig ht u n less you have t he b o d y t h a t m a ke s it work – nobody wants to feel restricted in the outfit that is supposed to make you look your best.

There are hundreds of shops across Dublin and websites that are tailored for Debs dresses and suits so do shop around.

Here are just a few that we recommend.

Debenhams in the Blanchardstown has a great variety of men’s and women’s clothing for such occasions.

Dresses that are shor t, midi or ma x i, whatever style you may be looking for, can be found here.

For the men, renting is probably the easiest opt ion, but why not invest in a suit?

Now that school is out job interviews and college balls will follow, so such an investment w ill be wor thwhile.

There is a great range of men’s suits in Debenha ms. If you wa nt something less pricey, head down to Penney’s - many men are sur-

Make up to leave you made up

Embellished pencil

One shoulder maxi

Embellished evening

dress, €79

dress, €109

maxi dress, €134

prised by the quality of the fabric that has a bargain price-tag.

lous designer dresses available to rent for a fraction of the pr ice you would pay to buy the dress.

Their website is currently under construction, but they do have a Facebook page with all their information.

Littlewoods Ireland also has a great collec-

tion and has a fast and easy delivery service.

From designer to highstreet it is definitely wor t h check i ng out before making a decision.

Choose from colour blocks, patterns, glitz and glamour, it has everything under one roof for women and men.

High end If girls want to look a million dollars in a million dollar dress, then look no fur ther than Cari’s Closet in Malahide.

This store has fabu-

asdf sdaf sdaf asdf asd

IN KEEPING with the Debs theme this week, here is another tip from Gazette Style and Beauty.

Most make-up counters will have special rates for Debs’ customers, and there are many counters throughout Dublin.

Benefit, Mac and Lancome are just some of the many that offer this service.

LA Creative Academy, Chatham Street in Dublin offers a Debs package for €69.

What’s even better is that if you book with three of your friends they will treat you for free. Call the LA team on 01-675 1999 for further information.

18 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

Interview: Jen Cleary, owner of Dundrum-based interior style store, Moss Cottage

TRACKER MORTGAGE PAY-OFF Q – I have a tracker mortgage of €93,000 and have recently inherited €200,000. Would I be better off to repay this loan – there is only nine years remaining and it is well within my earning capacity? Mary Jane – Milltown A - Your tracker mortgage will probably have a total rate of 1.5% ( 0.75% ECB rate and 0.75% “margin” – the lender’s profit ) These low tracker rates not only are likely to stay for up to another three years, but it is also possible that a further 0.25% reduction in the ECB rate may be on the cards before too long.

Therefore, when you can obtain 3.23% NET on the best three-year deposit investment (NTMA’s savings bond in all post offices ) and your repayment capacity is sufficient to meet the monthly commitment, it makes sense to stay liquid and avail of the greater return. You are earning more from the investment rate than you are paying on the mortgage rate. Even the best one-year fixed deposit rate of 4.15% ( from KBC Bank ) returns a net 2.905% after Deposit Interest Retention Tax DIRT – of 30% into your hand each year. Cash is king – stay liquid … for the moment.

PRIZE BONDS Q – A number of my friends boast they have prize bonds. I haven’t really studied them. Are they worth it and, more importantly, are they safe ? Jenny - Howth A - Prize bonds can be a most effective way of diversifying your wealth. First of all from the safety aspect, they are part of the State savings suite of investments, managed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA - a government body that also looks after the National Pension Reserve Fund, NAMA, to name but two) As such, they are a direct unconditional obligation of the Government of Ireland and regarded as sovereign debt – ranking equally with all other sovereign debt. In other words, you would have to have total anarchy in this country before you lose your money.

As regards value, it is a little like going into a bookies’ office, placing a bet knowing that whatever the outcome, you will get your original stake back ! You do not receive interest and, instead, you are given the chance of winning a weekly or monthly prize – greater chances than you would have in the Lotto. Those prizes range from €75 to one weekly prize of €20,000 and one monthly prize of €1,000,000. Minimum subscription is €25 (they cost €6.25 each) and there is no limit to the amount you can buy ! Interestingly, the most indebted nation in the world is Japan – its national debt to GDP ratio is 233.1% ! However, 95% of the debt is to its own people – they all bought long-term bonds patriotically, hence this situation is not as bad as it looks. We would do well to follow their example and instead of jumping ship, stay on board and help keep us all afloat. So, to answer your question on whether prize bonds are worth it – they are!

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

A stylish store gathered at Moss IF YOU are a fan of home decor with a decidedly retro twist, Moss Cottage on Main Street, Dundrum, is the place to visit for an unique stylish experience.

Owner Jen Cleary, a self-confessed interior design fanatic, opened Moss Cottage, named in honour of her grandfather, Mossy, in December 2011 at the quaint red-brick Pembroke Cottages on Main Street.

Jen studied interior design and sculpture and worked in the retail industry for years before opening the store last year. She uses her experience and her own unique style to fill the shop with a mix of vintage and new treasures for her customer’s homes.

She sources her eclectic products from the UK, France and Sweden, and also gathers the best of home-grown talent for the shelves of the shop.

As well as managing and stocking the treasure trove at Moss Cottage, Jen is currently designing a new greeting card range, taking influences from her travels to Peru, Mexico and Sweden.

Moss Cottage is open from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Their Facebook page features news and updates, and Jen can also be found on Pinterest.

Alternatively you can email hello@mosscottage. ie if there is anything you’d like them to source for you.

Free gift wrapping is also available, and if you can’t make up your mind what to buy they have gift vouchers, too.

Jen Cleary, owner of Moss Cottage, in her eclectic store

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

A: An explorer, I used to watch travel documentaries with my dad and make lists of where I was going to travel to!

Q: What was your first job?

A: Working in a fruit and veg shop in Cornelscourt.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: No idea Q: Have you ever done a job you loathed?

A: Nope I’ve been really lucky!

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: Late November 2011 and

A: Opening the shop before

A: Should probably go to bed

Christmas. I had lost my job in early November so it was a giant push to open so quickly.

far earlier than I do

thing to with design, business or travelling

Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure?

A: New Girl with Zooey

Q: What was your last tweet/ status update?

A: Announcing the winner of

Deschanel, it’s very girly but I think it’s hilarious

our latest competition on our Facebook page!

Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward?

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Sushi... in Japan!

Q: What part of your working day do you “delegate”?

A: Anything to do with paper work, it’s not my favourite!

Q: What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be?

A: A travel guide to Antartica, it’s just a distraction!

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you would like to set the record straight on?

A: Yes – not all of my salary goes on shoes

opened the doors on December 3

Q: What sport do you follow?

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: It’s constantly changing new

mugs in the shop

stock, suppliers, trends I love it.

I always have a billion things to do but I’m in my element!

Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off?

A: Rugby, hence the Leinster Q: What sport can you play?

A: I enjoy walking and hiking but have been meaning to magic up some time and try climbing

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

A: Neither Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: I love Hitchcock, Rear Window being my favourite and for music I love everything from Kimbra, Angus and Julia Stone to The Smiths also The Musgraves! Saw them on Graham Norton a few weeks ago and thought they were fab, looking forward to their new album coming out soon!

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A: Selina Lake, Nomadic Matt, Entrepreneur Magazine; any-

Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?

A: Enda Kenny, I’d like to have a “chat” with him!

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

A: On vintage anything or plants for the garden which inevitably the slugs will devour but I’m very optimistic!!

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: Not enough Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: It involves a tarantula, a power cut and a lot of screaming! I still shudder!

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS The all-new RoadSigns Road Signs Cherokee is nothing short of a marvel TomTom launches new hands free kit

MOTORING technology company TomTom has launched the TomTom Hands Free Car Kit for smartphones with the highest quality audio for loud and clear hands-free calling and navigation.

The new car kit features an advanced noise and echo cancellation system, which dramatically reduces background noise for the caller and removes ambient noise for the driver.

New mounting options make smartphone use on the move safer and more convenient. The newly designed Car Kit has an adjustable grip to fit any smartphone with or without its cover.

An extendable microphone can be clipped to the sun visor to ensure conversations are louder and clearer.

According to Corinne Vigreux of TomTom: “The new kit has been designed for safety and convenience. With fantastic audio quality and new mounting options, we are making it easier and safer for drivers to make calls and use navigation applications on the move. With advanced new features, our aim is to help drivers keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.”

The TomTom Hands Free Car Kit comes in two versions to support iPhone and micro USB compatible smartphones such as Android phones with the possibility to automatically pair two mobile devices simultaneously.

When connected via Bluetooth, voice recognition functionality can be activated; enabling drivers to navigate and dial without taking their hands from the wheel.

The TomTom Hands-Free Car Kit for iPhone or Smartphone is available in selected retail stores and from the www.tomtom.com\smartphone and priced at €99.95. The TomTom Hands-Free Car Kit for iPhone with Western EU navigation app is priced at €149.95

CORMAC CURTIS

“CAN you name the truck with four-wheel drive, smells like a steak and seats 35?”

No, Simpsons fans, I didn’t get to test drive the mythical Canyonero – but I got very close.

In fact, it was the closest I have been to being a gangsta rapper or an R&B star, and it came on four enormous wheels.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland – it is nothing short of a marvel.

I f I e ve r b e c o m e incredibly wealthy and decide to don a dark

costume and fight crime at night, this will be the car I use as I roam the streets dishing out my own form of rough justice.

“12 yards long, two lanes wide, 65 tons of American Pride!”

Ok, I will be the first to admit that I had just spent a week road testing a far smaller vehicle, so it’s possible that I was more easily impressed than usual – but this car just took my breath away.

Its presence is undeniable.

The sheer size of it demands attention, but the incredibly simple

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 The sheer size of this car demands attention

style and design of the car gives it a quiet confidence.

It doesn’t require any kind of bling to grab the eye – it just uses its own gravity to draw looks of envy and admiration.

What makes my affection for the Cherokee even more unusual is that I actually used to own one.

Not only that, but it was the one car in my back catalogue that I would happily forget.

Admittedly it was a much older incarnation, around 1998.

It lasted nine months with me before I traded back in against some-

thing else – we really didn’t get along.

It was everything the new model isn’t; it rattled, the engine was lumpy, bits fell off and it required a painful amount of expensive servicing.

The new Jeep Grand C h e r o ke e O ve r l a n d couldn’t be further from my old nemesis.

You can easily compare it to other seriously premium vehicles in the segment, and it will just grin with selfsatisfaction as it rolls on down the road, or field, or beach, or mountain… because this is a vehicle with serious off-road

The Jeep Grand Cherokee

pedigree that has been worked into its ver y make-up.

But make no mistake – this is still a luxurious car.

T h e i n t e r i o r i s n ’t huge, but it is simply gorgeous.

Leather wraps you in comfort and it will adjust to every aspect of your lumber – if you play with the buttons just right you can practically give yourself a massage!

Everything about the interior design oozes a sense of reassuring security.

The first thing you grab on to – the steering wheel – is the chunkiest I have ever experienced, to an almost comical proportion, but I loved it.

Points of contact are enormously important to me, and about 70% of this wheel is covered in leather, with the rest boasting a beautiful, polished, glossy, wood-

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs The E300 Hybrid uses 4.2-litres of diesel per 100km

E300 BlueTec Hybrid coming to the Irish market

Overland carries a price tag of €79,050

effect trim.

This wood effect is nicely carried across the dash as well as the door panels, complemented nicely by some satin-finished metallic materials and chrome trims.

In keeping with the Jeep’s overall approach, the controls and buttons are a straightforward affair – with an array of navigation, climate, audio and telephone controls laid out simply across the centre console.

One of my tests for a car with Bluetooth is how well it integrates with the music on my phone – and the Jeep linked up very nicely.

Just forward of the driver’s armrest is a set of controls to set the car up for different driving terrain, for my purposes “auto” was sufficient.

What I couldn’t resist, was setting the car’s ride height to maximum – it drops down again once your speed increases –

but as I navigated the hoards of Bruce Springsteen fans in Ballsbridge – two nights in a row – I felt I needed to be as intimidating a presence as possible, and it worked.

Again, in the words of the Simpons: “She blinds everybody with her super high beams, She’s a squirrel-crushing, deer-smacking, driving machine!”

That might be overstating the point a little, but I decided that if I had the choice between the Grand Cherokee Overland and the Mercedes Benz M-Class, there wouldn’t be a competition – it would be the Jeep any day.

Don’t get me wrong, I road tested the M-Class, and it was a stunner in every way, but you just cannot escape the character of the Jeep.

This thing put a smile on face wider than the Grand Canyon.

Driving in it, looking

The interior isn’t huge, but it is simply gorgeous

at it in my driveway, and – most of all – seeing how people reacted to it, I couldn’t get enough.

For this spec level you will spend almost as much as you would on the Mercedes, but as far as I’m concerned it’s worth it.

The driveability is something I could easily wax lyrical about for hours, suffice to say that the power is gorgeous, the engine hums like a kitten (American kitten, obviously) and the fuel consumption is some-

thing you don’t really want to think about too much.

You don’t throw this around corners, but it will eat up the motorway while you sit back in luxury and see the world from a pleasant perspective with the cruise control set to the legal limits.

In practical terms, the rear seats folded flat very easily, even if the cross bar that holds the boot cover was a bit of a nuisance, I did have lots of room for gear, 1,554 litres of it as a

matter of fact.

It’s also worth mentioning the powered boot – something I have grown to love since first seeing it on the Ford C-Max. You can trigger it from the key fob and let the hydraulic arms do the hard work for you, opening and closing. Believe me, once you start using it, you’ll never stop.

So, if you’re like me, and you are looking for the right crime-fightingmobile, look no further.

MERCEDES-BENZ are set to introduce their new diesel-powered E300 BlueTec Hybrid onto the Irish market.

Claiming to be the world’s most economical luxury-class model, the new E300 Hybrid delivers fuel consumption of just 4.2-litres of diesel per 100km – a return close to 70 miles per gallon in old money – and low emissions of just 109g CO2/ km.

Available in saloon and estate, the E300 Hybrid combines the power of a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine developing 204 bhp with the energy of a 20 kW electric motor.

Powered and charged by its own motion, without need of any external charging points, and unrestricted in terms of driving distance, the E300 Hybrid is a self-contained unit that links the fuel economy of a diesel engine over long distances with the advantages of an efficient hybrid in city and stop/go traffic.

Positioned between the engine and the sevenspeed automatic transmission, the lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor gives a “boost effect” to the diesel engine when accelerating whilst increasing braking energy when in alternator mode. The car can also be driven under electric power alone.

Based on the E250CDI - which has a price tag of €47,500 - the new E300 Hybrid is expected to launch here at a price some 10% above this figure with annual road tax of just €160.

Commenting, Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars said: “This small price differential will be more than offset by increased fuel economy and the savings in fuel costs that owners will make over a short ownership period.”

Two units will hit our shores initially, one of which will be set aside for press testing purposes.

Supplies will arrive in volume beginning early next year.

In a further comment, Ciaran Allen said that alongside the many other environmentally positive models in the Mercedes-Benz range, the E300 heralds the beginning of a new era in hybrid drive systems.

22 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Discover ancient Turkey this November with Abbey Travel ABBEY Travel are inviting classical travellers to discover ancient Turkey this October mid-term break.

The region contains some of the most impressive and most historical sites in the ancient world, including the Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia Museum, Troy and Ephesus.

The tour takes in Istanbul for three nights, Canakkale for one night, Ayvalik for one night and Kusadasi for two nights.

The trip departs on October 27 for seven nights for just €979, including tax. The price is per person based on two people sharing and includes flights from Dublin to Istanbul outbound and Izmir to Dublin via Istanbul on November 3.

For full details, call Abbey Travel 01 8047100 or visit www.abbeytravel.ie

Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa is the perfect summer escape SET in picturesque tree-lined grounds, and located just minutes from Dublin, the four-star Dunboyne Castle Hotel and Spa is the perfect summer escape. Enjoy the Summer Spa Getaway offer from just €150 per person sharing midweek (€169 pps sharing at weekends) with overnight accommodation in a deluxe king room.

The getaway package includes a full Irish breakfast and evening dinner at the hotel’s Ivy Brasserie, as well as a one-hour spa treatment at the hotel’s award-winning Seoid Spa and free Sabbia Med Beach Experience, where you can enjoy the sun, despite our Irish weather! This offer also includes complimentary access to the spa’s thermal suites. The Seoid Spa is one of Ireland’s most extensive thermal treatment facilities, set over three floors, with two relaxation areas and an outdoor jacuzzi. The Summer Spa Getaway offer is valid until September 30, 2012. For more information, call 01 8013500 or visit www. dunboynecastle.com.

Old Ground Hotel in Ennis offering summer last-minute retreats

Unwind in a country retreat in Skibbereen

BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

THE LISS ARD estate in Skibbereen, County Cork, is a country retreat full of gentle grace, where it is virtually impossible not to unwind and clock out from all things stressful and unkind.

The estate is made up of a Victorian manor house, a lake lodge and a garden mews. While the lodge is a Victorian Dower House, the Manor House dates back to 1850, as does the mews, which was a former stable block.

Staying in the lake lodge, I was surrounded by the gardens and the lake, which were truly outstanding in their natural beauty and subtlety of

landscaping. Everything the eye met was soft and beautiful and the ideal complement to a meditative experience.

On the first evening, we had dinner in the dining room of the main house, where the food was sourced locally and cooked expertly. The atmosphere in the dining room was relaxed and informal, just like a country house of character should be.

Explore

The estate offers plenty to do during the day if you want to explore the grounds themselves or the surrounding area.

Taking a coach, we paid a visit to nearby Lough Hyne, a natural phenom-

WITH the summer coming to an end, the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis has a special Summer Experience offer as a last-minute treat. The Summer Experience includes a three-night stay in luxury accommodation with breakfast each morning, lunch in the Town Hall Bistro and dinner in the newly refurbished Brendan O’Regan Room restaurant on the evening of your choice.

The price also includes chocolates on arrival, a mini-facial or back massage at nearby Madeline’s Day Spa and Beauty Clinic, as well as a guided Burren National Park walk. The walk departs from the Burren Centre, Kilfenora, at 2.30pm from Tuesday to Sunday and will take you through an area of outstanding natural beauty, with limestone pavements, turloughs, and wild goats.

The Summer Experience package is available from just €169 per person sharing, subject to availability, while terms and conditions apply.

For more information, call 065 682 8127 or visit www.flynnhotels.com.

One of the finely appointed rooms at the Liss Ard Estate

enon and Ireland’s first marine reserve.

The lough is a fresh water lake but at a certain time each day, when the tide changes, the sea seeps into the lake and everything stands still.

When the tide retreats, the lake returns to its natural movements. Because the lake merges with the sea at times, it contains many rare and beautiful species of flora and fauna.

It contains so much phosphorous in its plant life that when night falls, the whole lake lights up.

Another mysterious outing was to Drombeg; the site of an ancient 930BC stone circle steeped in history and legend, one of which tells the tale of the discovery

of an adolescent sacrifice.

Dinner on the second night took us to a local restaurant in Skibbereen, perfectly perched above a rustic pub.

My companion availed of the estate’s masseuse and was so relaxed on her return, she fell asleep for hours. The massage therapist, Magali Lacroix, follows the French massage therapy tradition of “Savatofsky”, a treatment that envelops the entire body and mind. Massages range from €45 to €65.

Fishing is also a popular activity at Liss Ard Fishery with a half day costing €65 and a full day’s fishing for four people costing €190.

Liss Ard is very proud of its connection, lately established, with University College Cork. A Masters programme in organic horticulture in Europe will be run on the 200-acre estate this autumn.

Children are also catered for at the estate, with various land and lake-based activities waiting to be discovered. The estate offers a variety of family packages, ranging in price from €180 per person.

Romantic escapes seem to be the real specialty of Liss Ard and they range from €170 per person per night for a four-night promotion, which includes

The Liss Ard estate in Skibbereen, County Cork, is made up of a Victorian manor house, a lake lodge and a garden mews

dinner in a local restaurant on one evening, dinner at the house on a second evening, bubbly and oysters.

From September 1 to November 3, you can avail of a great opportunity to stay at Liss Ard Estate for five nights for the price of four. The offer includes five nights in a superior room (two adults) while one child under the age of 12 can stay in an extra bed for free. You are also entitled to a three-course dinner each day and the child gets breakfast and a meal each day, too.

Prices start at €135.20 per night.

To make a reservation, contact reservations@ lissardestate.com or call 028 40 000.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs

Let Farnham Estate in County Cavan find the perfect picnic spot for a romantic afternoon HOW many of us have at some stage entertained the romantic notion of packing up a picnic, seeking out the perfect spot in the sunshine and settling down to nibble our way through a summer’s afternoon, then shy away when it comes to putting the preparation in?

Farnham Estate in Co Cavan has taken all of the trouble out of pre-picnic packing by having their talented chefs create a delicious hamper for you, so that all you have to worry about is in which picturesque spot in the 7km of woodlands you choose to enjoy it!

Your picnic basket will contain a snipe of prosecco, mineral water, fresh fruit and yoghurt, a selection of homebaked breads, crisp salads, delicious cheeses and delectable sandwiches. Special dietary requirements can be catered for and, to make the occasion extra special, you can also choose from a selection of wines and champagnes and even hire a buggy, so that you can traverse the estate in style to select your ideal location for a little extra but worth it!

Choose from a waterside spot gazing out over Farnham Lake, a sheltered hideaway among ancient redwood, cedar, copper beech and Scot pine trees, or a soft patch surrounded by wild flowers. After you’ve eaten your fill, you will have the 7km of walking trails right at your feet to explore and work off some of the delicious treats in time for dinner.

The summer picnic package includes two nights luxury accommodation, a super buffet Breakfast each morning, dinner in the Botanica Restaurant on the evening of your choice and a picnic basket from just €178 per person sharing. Offer is subject to availability and is valid until September 30, with one picnic basket per room, per stay.

Visit www.farnhamestate.com or telephone reservations on 049 4377700.

Lough Abisdealy and Lake Lodge

LOCALMATTERS SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS As a landscape feature, The Crater by famed artist James Turrell, has encouraged

Children are catered for at the estate, with various

many landscape architects to make their pilgrimage to Liss Ard over the years

land and lake-based activities

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

24 LUCAN GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Tuesdays With Morrie

THIS deeply emotional drama is the autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch reconnects with Morrie after learning that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. What starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. A heartwarming exploration of friendship and life. Running from Wednesday, September 12 to Saturday, September 15 at 8pm, tickets are €16/14 or €10 for school groups.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The 39 Steps URBANE, bored Richard Hannay meets a mysterious woman at the theatre, returns with her to his London flat... where she ends up dead. With that, Richard is cast into a headlong run for his life as a mysterious spy organisation alternately pursues and is pursued by him, from London to Scotland and back, as he fights to clear himself of her murder. Along the way, he is hindered and helped by many characters but especially by the beautiful, upstanding Pamela who, despite her best efforts, ends up shackled, literally, to a man she thinks is a murderer. Saturday and Sunday September 8 and 9 at 8pm. Admission: €18/15.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477

Pixar certainly hit the target with the character design but can the rest of the film stand up?

Woman and Scarecrow ARGUABLY the finest living female playwright in Ireland and the UK Marina Carr’s Woman and Scarecrow, was first performed by Fiona Shaw at the Royal Court in 2009.

Woman and Scarecrow is a dreamy, if sometimes darkly ironic play about death and the perspective that it can throw upon the life which it is bringing to a close.

The show runs from Tuesday, September 11 until Saturday, September 15 at 8pm. Admission €20 with €16 concessions.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Underage Band Night ONE of the biggest challenges for young bands out there today is trying to find a place to showcase their amazing talent! It’s hard enough for them to get funding to record their tracks and pay for practice sessions without the added stress of not being able to do what they do best, play their songs for their fans. Underage Band Nights aims to allow young bands to share their talent. Friday, September 7, €5.

The Bravest of hearts Pixar’s latest shows that while they haven’t been on form with recent releases they are still the big man on campus I NIALL BERMINGHAM

TO BE perfectly honest with you, I’m a bit perplexed by this one.

Having seen this film I immediately set out to write the review and found myself writing about Pixar as a company.

I compared Brave to the 12 feature length films that Pixar released prior to this one. Is that fair?

Am I really that shallow?

I ditched my previous attempts and tried again, this time, without the bias. I hope.

Brave is a film about a princess and the magical kingdom she inhabits.

Merida is her name and the Scottish highland is her kingdom.

Kelly MacDonald does a fantastic job providing the voice for the sassy independent princess (the first female protagonist in a Pixar film), and makes it very easy to believe the character as a whole.

FILM OF THE WEEK: Brave #### (PG) 93 mins Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman Starring: Kelly MacDonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Steve Purcell, John Ratzenberger

OUR VERDICT:

The best animated film this year perhaps. There is something here for everyone. Young girls will love the fierce independence of Merida and the crafty triplets will definitely sit well with the boys that see it. This isn’t just for the kids though as it is very enjoyable for parents and adults in general.

Merida’s family is made up of her father, King Fergus (Billy Connolly), her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) and her young, devious, and silent triplet brothers who will probably be a favourite amongst many of the younger audience members and many of the older members in the audience too if I’m honest.

The queen tries her hardest (much to Merida’s chagrin) to bring her daughter up as a proper noble woman and a responsible public figure.

Deciding that the day has finally come to

marry their daughter off, the queen makes the king gather the three other clans to their castle so that the leaders can present their first-borns to compete for the princess’s fair hand.

This does not sit well with Merida.

Finding a loop hole in the rules Merida wins the competition, embarrasses the other clans and really upsets her mother.

After an argument Merida runs away into the forest and follows will-o’-the-wisps to a witch’s hut. Here she convinces the witch to help her with the prob-

lem she’s having with her mother, Elinor, and her impending betrothal.

That’s as far as I’ll go with the story because I really don’t want to ruin the remaining plot twists for you. All I’ll say is that what follows is as oddball as you’re likely to find and completely memorable all the way.

The visuals in this film are one of the reasons it will be so memorable (Pixar really have outdone themselves). Merida’s head of hair is one of the most mesmerising things I have ever seen in a film. Truly it is hypnotic. The scenery and sets are all beautifully crafted and the characters all have a lovely charm to them.

A lot of the comedy in this film comes from the fact that all the men are incompetent idiots spoiling for fights and the chance to get one up on each other. They are all played brilliantly.

However despite the comedy, fantasy adventure, and action this film is in fact really all about the relationship between a girl and her mother.

Merida and Elinor bounce off each other for the duration of the film and once again Pixar show that they really know how to develop a relationship.

Another thing they know is real human drama. Whether they bring it to us in the form of sentient toys, or a robotic love story, they bring it and they bring it hard.

Brave has its moments where you’ll probably need a few tissues close by or a shoulder to lean on and that’s one of its biggest selling points.

Infact, it’s one of Pixar’s biggest selling points.

I tried not to talk about Pixar in this review but it proved next to impossible. They are just too good at what they do.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Sony’s NWZE474 series certainly looks fun, but, more importantly, despite this Walkman’s pocket-friendly price, it’s got a lot of features, too, making it a great accessory for music on the go

Groovily glorious gear I SHANE DILLON

NOW that summer is over, once you’ve finished putting your unused barbecues away until next year, why not consider some new gadgets to get you through the next couple of seasons?

For starters, Sony have a great new range of MP3 players, with the Walkman NWZ-E474 series available in a wide range of bright colours.

Since I couldn’t care less if my music player was grey, grey, grey, I should point out some of the E470 series’ more attractive features – of course, as you’d expect from Sony (creators of the original Walkman), despite its diminutive size (just 7mm thick – or should I say thin?), its crisp sound and surprisingly meaty bass make it great for music on the go.

With 8GB storage, there’s tons of space for an awful lot of music,

while its 2in screen, while small, is enough for whatever MPEG4/WMV9 files you want.

Interestingly, drag-anddrop transfer of music, video, photos, playlists and podcasts from iTunes is an attractive feature.

Full charge via USB takes approximately three hours, while its battery life sports 36 hours audio playback, or six hours’, video.

And, best of all for those on a budget – and who isn’t, these days – the pint-sized player has an equally-pocket-friendly price – just €99 rrp.

For those looking for “bigger” sound, the HTCT260 sound bar ( €359 rrp) promises to bring cinema sound to your living room, despite its compact build.

Using what Sony calls S-Force PRO Front Surround technology, the space-saving HT-CT260 sound bar has 300W of total speaker power, while

The HT-CT260 sound bar and wireless sub-woofer

The VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector

its wireless sub-woofer leaves you free to determine where best to get the maximum sound for your audio pleasure.

As a bonus feature, its Bluetooth technology lets you stream music

It’s Wipeout time for another well-known developer EVERY month sees different gaming studios close down, given the high-pressure, fast-moving pace of the industry (as, indeed, another story here about possible layoffs in a Dublin studio demonstrates).

So, it’s fairly common to see studios go bust, merge with another, sell up or be shut down by new owners.

However, lots of gam-

ers will regret the latest casualty, as Sony have announced the closure of Studio Liverpool (originally Psygnosis).

A developer that did an awful lot to cement the PlayStation’s success way back when, Studio Liverpool developed many of the console’s top titles, generating a real buzz in the process – not least with its flagship Wipeout series.

Its other early hits for the heady early days of the PlayStation included Colony Wars, G-Police, Lemmings and F1.

Having done much to help establish PlayStation (back when nobody knew if Sony’s games console could, or would, work), the developer’s days have finally run out, but it leaves behind an enduring legacy of some terrific titles.

from your PC, tablet or smartphone, making it an audio system to integrate brilliantly with all your home’s systems.

Lastly, as a pure flight of fancy for any passing millionaires who’re looking for a new projector, Sony’s VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector has just claimed the Best European Home T heatre High-End Award from the European Imaging and Sound Association, and deservedly so.

While the phrase: “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it” never seemed more apt, its eye-watering price aside, the projector features a wide range of superb features, with its 4K images resolution

most easily explained as being comparable to four times the resolution of full HD. For a projector, that’s not just remarkable, it’s a rare feature – yet in addition to its detail, the VPL -VW1000ES offers massive vistas, too, scaling up to gigantic size with truly superb detail, colour and lightbalancing.

At present, such 4K projectors are rare – aside from their price, there’s little high-resolution content to maximise their potential – yet Sony are at the vanguard of this hightech niche, and it’s likely we’ll all enjoy such tech on a widespread, more affordable basis in the near future.

Bytesandpieces Job losses to hit at Dublin studio?

UNFORTUNATELY, it seems likely that Dublin employees of PopCap may also be caught up in the round of redunancies being rolled out at the developer’s studios in Seattle, Shanghai and Dublin.

While the name PopCap may not mean very much to many, it’s the company responsible for a number of highly-successful titles, including Plants Vs Zombies and Peggle, yet despite its great success on a number of platforms with these two titles in particular, it’s been affected by the change in gaming models that’s quietly beginning to bite at certain vulnerable sectors, as the surprise rise of free-to-play gaming has begun biting into company revenues.

Studio co-founder John Vechey was blunt in a letter to PopCap staff, widely published online, in which he said: “... we’re talking to our Dublin team about the future of that office and whether we can find a path to improve our profitability in Europe without having to close the operation.

“Today’s news is something you expect periodically from a company in a fast-changing industry, but it sucks if you’re one of the people losing his or her job. These people are our friends and we don’t like doing this.”

At the time of writing, nothing’s been absolutely confirmed about the workforce in PopCap’s Dublin studio, but here’s hoping that they escape any bad news as the developer restructures itself...

GAZETTE

26 LUCAN GAZETTE 30 August 2012

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PLANNING NOTICE SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

PLUMBING

We, Board of Management of Scoil Íde Presentation Primary School, are applying for Planning Permission for 2-storey detached building (replacing existing prefab) and associated site works. Proposed building will comprise 3 No Classrooms, 2 No resource rooms and ancillary accommodation at New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. This application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of South Dublin County Council during its public opening hours of 9am - 4pm, Mon-Fri, and a submission or observation may be made to South Dublin County Council in writing and on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt

by South Dublin County Council of the application.

16321

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Imelda Armstrong now on

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30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

SPORT STARS: The nominations for August’s local heroes : Page 29

DUBLIN MARATHON: TWO CHARITIES OFFICIALLY NOMINATED FOR MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENT

LauraLynn and ISPCC sign up for marathon

sport@gazettegroup.com

TWO of Ireland’s best known children’s charities were announced as official charity partners of this year’s Dublin Marathon which will take place on Monday, October 29.

Last year’s Dublin Marathon generated millions for charities and race participation numbers look set to follow the upward trend shown in recent years with entry figures for the end of July surpassing those at the same

stage last year according to race director of the 2012 Dublin Marathon, Jim Aughney.

As such, LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice and the ISPCC have launched an appeal for runners, walkers and joggers across the country to take part in this year’s Dublin Marathon and raise money on behalf of their respective charities.

“We’re delighted to have selected both LauraLynn and the ISPCC as charity partners for this

year’s Dublin Marathon.

Both charities make huge efforts to help and protect vulnerable children and families in Ireland. Any financial support that the Dublin Marathon can generate for them will do so much for both charities”, said Aughney.

Jane and Brendan McKenna began fundraising for a children’s hospice in 2001 as a result of an enormous personal tragedy which saw them lose both of their daughters Laura and Lynn

The likes of James Hempsey, from Clondalkin, will once again bring a vibrant hue to the streets of Dublin in late October for the Dublin Marathon

in the space of just two years.

In 2007, they partnered with the Children’s Sunshine Home to make LauraLynn House a reality. LauraLynn provides hospice care for some of Ireland’s sickest children and provides families

with somewhere to stay during the transition from hospital to home, a place to rest from time to time or a place where their child may spend the last few weeks or days of their life.

Philomena Dunne, chief executive, Laura-

Lynn said “We really are thrilled to be selected as one of the two charities for the 2012 Dublin Marathon. As LauraLynn is dependent on donations and fundraising efforts to maintain services, being involved in such a major event is of huge benefit. ”

The ISPCC is the oldest children’s charity in Ireland and has a long proud history of service delivery and advocacy on behalf of children.

The charity provides 24-hour directly accessible services for children and young people.

28 LUCAN GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

PARALYMPICS: LOCAL ATHLETES SET TO TAKE ON THE WORLD’S BEST

Kilmacud launch club history book in style LEGENDARY Gaelic games commentator Micheal O Muircheartaigh launched A History of Kilmacud Crokes in Glenalbyn last week.

The book was written by Crokes clubman and local historian Peter Sobolewski and published by Orpen Press. Joanne Cantwell, RTE Sports’ Department, acted as MC for the evening.

O Muircheartaigh delighted the large gathering with his many entertaining stories of events both on and off the field of play. Yet, while his stories were entertaining, they were pertinent to placing the role played by the club in the broader context of the development of the GAA in Irish society.

The book itself is divided into three sections.

The first and main part deals with the GAA club founded by Kilmacud curate Fr Robert Walsh in March 1959, and covers the main developments and events in the club over the next 50 years.

One of these developments was the amalgamation of Crokes hurling club with Kilmacud in 1966. It was due to this amalgamation that the name of the club changed to Kilmacud Crokes in 1971.

The second part of the book looks at the history of Crokes hurling club from 1920 to 1966.

The third part looks at another major development in the club’s progress, its amalgamation with Benburb Gaelic Football Club, Clonskeagh, in 1972.

This book is a must for anybody interested in the development of Gaelic games in south-east Dublin. It can be purchased in the club’s shop, or from Orpen Press at info@orpenpress.com.

Photographed at the launch, above, are Tom Murphy, chairman of Kilmacud Crokes, Micheal O Muircheartaigh, Joanne Cantwell, and Peter Sobolewski.

Catherine Walsh, left, will compete in her sixth Paralympic Games while Nadine Lattimore, pictured with Eamonn Coghlan, will take on her first

Paralympic dreams sport@gazettegroup.com

IRELAND’S Paralympic team will hope to follow up the medal-winning exploits of their Olympic counterparts as they contest the pinnacle of their respective sports in London over 10 days.

The Paralympic Games returns to the country of its origin, Stoke Mandeville being the spiritual home of the event that first made its appearance in 1948.

And Team Ireland – featuring a number of stars from the Gazette regions – will be hoping to emulate the successes of Beijing where three gold, one silver and one bronze medal were earned.

Among this year’s crew is Swords woman Catherine Walsh, one of Ireland’s greatest sports people, who previously claimed bronze in Sydney in 2000

in the pentathlon and previously competed in each Games between 1992 and 2004 in athletics.

In 2007, she changed sport to tandem cycling and made her mark quickly enough to gain selection to Beijing 2008.

Walsh became Ireland’s first paracycling medal winner when powering to silver at the 2009 World Track Championships with sighted pilot Fran Meehan.

With subsequent bronze medals at both UCI World Championships in 2011 (track and road) and a sensational gold in the 3km individual pursuit at February’s World Track Championships, Walsh will be among the favourites in London.

In addition to their favoured pursuit event, she will compete in the 1km time trial on the Olympic

velodrome track and the road race and time trial at Brands Hatch.

In the swimming pool, local clubs provide two entrants. Aer Lingus’ Ellen Keane was Ireland’s youngest athlete when she swam in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

At just 13 years old, she competed impressively, placing sixth in the 100m breaststroke.

Now 17, aside from the 100m breaststroke, Keane will also compete in the 100m butterfly and 200m Individual Medley events at the Aquatic Centre.

James Scully, meanwhile, has swum with Dublin’s NAC swimming club since 2006, when he first came under the guidance of current club coach and head of Paralympic swimming, Dave Malone – a Sydney gold medallist.

2010 heralded Scully’s

arrival in Irish Paralympic swimming and saw him claim an impressive fourth-place in 200m freestyle at World Championships in Eindhoven.

In 2011, Scully continued his progress with another fourth place in the 200m freestyle at IPC European Championships, albeit missing out on bronze by a hand touch.

Another returnee is Eimear Breatnach, one of Ireland’s most experienced table-tennis players who went full-time this year to prepare properly for London.

She took up tabletennis at the age of 19 and competed in her first international tournament at the age of 21. During a career now spanning 13 years, she has amassed an array of top-class titles.

The Ballinteer woman competed at Beijing 2008

and reached the quarter finals of the team event.

Finally, Malahide woman Nadine Lattimore takes on the world’s best in the Olympic Arena.

She is a full-time athlete and Irish record holder in the F11 Shot Put (7.68m).

Lattimore decided to get involved with Paralympic sport after the last Games in Beijing. In her first domestic competition in 2010, she threw the qualification distance for the 2011 IPC World Championships in New Zealand – claiming an impressive seventh place.

At this year’s IPC European Championships in Holland, she continued her progress and finished just outside the medals.

When Lattimore competes in London, she will be accompanied by her guide dog Quartz – the first ever guide dog on the Irish team.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 29

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - AUGUST NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

MOSES IPKEFUA

KATIE TAYLOR

ANNALISE MURPHY

CLONDALKIN athlete Moses Ipkefua completed backto-back 100m Community Games titles with a stunning run in Athlone

KATIE Taylor fulfilled her destiny, adding Olympic gold to her wealth of European and World titles in London in some style

THE National Yacht club sailor agonisingly missed out on an Olympic medal after a superb campaign on the Weymouth waves

# TEAMof the MONTH

FOXROCK CABINTEELY

LUCAN FUTSAL

ST SYLVESTER’S

JUST nine years since the formation of the club, Foxrock reached the pinnacle of the Dublin county scene, beating Na Fianna

AT the first attempt in the Community Games, Lucan won both county and provincial titles before ending fourth nationally

THREE years since becoming a single entity, the Malahide club made it three successive promotions with an inter championship to boot

Leinster leaders: Local golfers land interprovincial title THE ISLAND trio Nially Foley, Paul McBride and Gavin Moynihan, Castle’s Jack Walsh and Newlands’ Alec Myles were all part of the Leinster boys’ team that won the interprovincial title at Royal County Down Golf Club.

The side was captained by Forrest Little’s Kevin Raftery. They are pictured with Ardee’s Evan Farrell and David Foy from Laytown and Bettystown and team manager from Royal Tara, John McGrath.

Myles, far right front row, added this success to his recent win in the Leinster boys’ amateur open championship, capping a fine summer for the Newlands’ club member.

Five-year-old Alannah completes marathon ALANNAH McDevitt, age five, recently completed the Mobile Kids Marathon, running a full marathon distance of 42.2kms. She did 1km at a time with her father running around Malahide Castle and along the seafront in Malahide on measured routes.

Each time she marked off a kilometre on her chart. By race day, she had run 40kms and so completed the final 2.2kms with her father on the same course as the Clontarf Half Marathon.

In so doing, she also collected sponsorship money for the Nyumbani Orphanage in Kenya (http://www.nyumbani.org/irish_intro.htm).

This is a charity that helps orphans with HIV in Kenya and all of the proceeds go to the charity with no deductions for overheads. She raised €425 and gave the money to Fr Frank Reburn of Sacred Heart Church, Seabury who is involved in the charity.

For more information on the race, go to http:// www.irishmultimarathon.com.

’Rock ladies hold open day BLACKROCK RFC ladies are hosting an open day on September 1 in Stradbrook from 12pm onwards.

The event will include a day of tag rugby with plenty of food and drinks available on the day while players can stay around to take in the men’s first 15 and J1’s in their Cup games v Greystones (kick off 4pm).

Blackrock ladies are playing in AIL Division 1 and are keen to see new faces.

For more information, e-mail blackrockladiesrfc@gmail. com.

Knockmitten seek players KNOCKMITTEN United are currently looking for new players to join their LSL Sunday Premier One side. Training is every Tuesday and Thursday in Monksfield Lawn with matches each weekend.

If you are interested, contact Peter Ford on 085 7144102. The side’s next game will take place in midSeptember.

30

LUCAN GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

FUTSAL: LUCAN REACH COMMUNITY GAMES SEMI-FINAL

Dublin U-18s girls are through to All-Ireland EUROPEAN Tour players Peter Lawrie, Damian McGrane and Shane Lowry were all on hand to take in the 2012 Hermitage Pro Am at the Lucan club.

They are pictured above with Ann Carr (lady captain, Hermitage Golf Club) and Colm Deignan (captain, Hermitage Golf Club) for the event that acts as one of the major fundraisers for the club’s junior section.

Zaidan breaks into top five LUCAN man Darragh Zaidan got his second top five result of the season in France last week after another great team ride by his VCC Morteau team with whom he is riding for the summer.

Zaidan has come into good form in recent weeks, and regularly features in the main break of the day.

The race was run over a rolling 8km circuit covering 98km of hard racing on the Grand Prix de Bruailles. Zaidan was also in action two days previously taking an excellent 14th place in the Category 1 Race - GP de Louhans.

Into Bruailles, he felt good and was going allout to win. After two laps of the course, he got away in a nine-man break after the climb and they opened a big gap in the cross wind section.

T h e b r e a k aw ay worked well throughout and, with two laps to go, Zaidan was calculating how he was going to land the victory.

He had been caught on the line after an early break a week before so he decided to wait and see how it played out, However, his VCC Morteau team mate attacked and got away with another rider, leaving Zaidan in a defensive role. Darragh finished second of the chasers in the dash to the line, leaving him with fourth prize.

The young rider was disappointed not to get on the podium for the second time in recent weeks, but he is riding well and expects a big result in the coming weeks.

The race to Louhans, meanwhile, was Zaidan’s first full 1st Category 1 race in France.

The course covered 17 laps around a testing 6km circuit.

The pace was fast from the start and Zaidan was comfortable in the line-outs.

There was a short steep climb every lap and he was able to hold his position when the attacks were coming thick and fast.

He attempted a couple of breaks but they didn’t stick and he ended coming 14th.

Lucan’s futsal team claimed fourth place at the national finals of the Community Games last weekend in Athlone

Debut futsal fourth for Lucan I sport@gazettegroup.com

AFTER a thrilling summer, Lucan U-13 boys futsal team’s Community Games run came to an end at the national semifinal stage last weekend in Athlone at the hands of Drum/Clonown.

En route, Lucan had claimed the Dublin and Leinster titles to reach the national stage for the very first time but were ultimately undone by the narrowest of margins in extra-time as the Roscommon outfit found the net with seconds left on the clock.

Lucan went on to meet an experienced Donegal

side in the play-off but couldn’t overcome them.

Lucan returned home with fourth place medals for the team of Ruairi Connolly, Andrew Egan, Shay Curley, Oisin Forde, Dan Kearney, Ross Strong and Alex Pierce.

They had travelled to the midlands with high hopes having produced convincing displays on the way to the finals and, were it not for a magnificent display from the opposing Drum goalkeeper, it could have been different in regulation time.

D a n i e l K e a r n e y, Lucan’s net-minder, also produced a string of fine

Dalton sponsorship: Lucan junior side gets new kit deal THE Lucan Sarsfields junior A footballers were presented with a set of jersies by John Dalton from Dalton & Co, Sales, Lettings and Property Management prior to their AFL8 match against Ballinteer St John’s.

Dalton is pictured presenting a jersey to team captain Kenny Wade and team manager John Costello. The first outing in the new kit did not have a fairytale ending as they lost narrowly to the current league leaders but focus now switches to the champiobnship and Ballyboden St Enda’s on September 16.

saves whilst his opposing number thwarted multiple goal-bound efforts from Strong and Connolly.

Goals were to be of a premium during the finals as an extremely narrow pitch provided for player congestion and a severe lack of width for any creative play. It led to extra time, with only two, threeminute priods meaning a single goal was likely to provide a winner.

It was the Roscommon team who got it as they stole possession and outnumbered Lucan’s goalkeeper to slot home the only goal of the semi and seal their passage to the finals and eventually win

the competition outright.

The Lucan boys returned the following day to compete in a prelude to the final where they were narrowly beaten, by Ulster representatives Donegal in another tight match by 2-1 with Andrew Egan getting the Lucan goal.

After the games, Lucan manager Alan Doyle said he was delighted with the boy’s achievements to attain All-Ireland medals in this their first attempt at the futsal competition and said that he looked forward to defending their Leinster Champions title for next year’s community games.

Elsewhere, the Lucan girls’ U-14 camogie team also returned home with bronze medals after securing victory over Drumgooland, Down.

The girls were defeated by a strong Athenry side who went on to secure gold.

The Lucan team included Katie Feeney, Aine Keher, Judy Kelly, Claire Leonard, Emma O’Flynn, Alanna Porter, Tara O’Connor, Grainne Elley, Kate Britton, Abbey O’Neill, Avril Quinn, Emily McIntyre, Aoife McKearney, Casey Browne, Catherine Carron and Jessica McClelland.

30 August 2012 LUCAN GAZETTE 31

CLUB NOTICEBOARD LUCAN SARSFIELDS ALL roads lead to St Peregrine’s club-

Well done to everyone who took part

house on the Blakestown Road this

in our summer camps this year. They

Saturday, September 1 as our ladies

were our most successful ever with

football team take on Thomas Davis in

over 700 children taking part in our four

the junior championship final at 3pm. All

camps in football, hurling and camogie.

support is welcome.

training after the summer break.

junior A hurlers next Sunday morning

For information on any team contact

as they line out against Crumlin in the

lucansarsfieldspro@gmail.com.

championship semi-final at the 12th Lock at 10.30am.

Joe Canning, Jackie Tyrrell, Colm Cooper also paid a visit to Lucan Sarsfields

Drive your club to victory S T Patrick’s GAA Club had some very special visitors. Jackie Tyrrell, Colm Cooper and Joe Canning made the journey to help coach children from seven different clubs to promote Opel’s Kit for Clubs GAA Day last Saturday.

Opel’s Kit for Clubs is an initiative whereby clubs can earn high quality kit for their teams by test driving or purchasing Opel cars from their local dealers. For more information go to www.opelkitforclubs.com

Jackie Tyrrell, Colm Cooper and Joe Canning don St Pat’s, Palmerstown jersies

Opel are offering high quality kit to all clubs who support the company

Colm Cooper signs an autograph for six-year-old

Jackie Tyrrell, Colm Cooper and Joe Canning at

Adam Roche

the clubhouse in Glenauline

All our juvenile teams have resumed

Support is also welcomed for our

The results for our golf outing in Luttrelstown are as follows: first -

Our nurseries start back this Satur-

Paddy Collings - 38pts, second - Gerry

day, September 1 on our all-weather

O’Grady - 35pts [back 9]; category one

pitch at our clubhouse grounds at the

- Eoin Mullarkey - 35 pts, category two

12th Lock. Football and hurling for boys

- John Murphy - 34 pts; category three

born in 2006, 2007 and 2008 from 1.30pm

- Pearse O’Connell - 27 pts.

to 3pm.

We are inviting local businesses and

Football for girls born in 2005, 2006,

traders to get involved in sponsoring

2007 and 2008 from 1.30pm to 2:30pm

the Lotto, as a very good way to pro-

and camogie for girls aged six and over

mote their business while also support-

is from 2.30pm to 3.30pm. No need to

ing the club. Contact Paul Stapleton if

pre-register.

interested.

ALL OF YOUR LUCAN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 29-31

DRIVING SUCCESS: Tyrell, Cooper and Canning pay visit to Palmerstown P31

SPORTING HEROES: Nominations for August awards revealed inside P29

GazetteSPORT

Lucan man Conor McGregor has seen his hopes of defending his world title go up in smoke this week Pic: Ciaran Maher

AUGUST 30, 2012

McGregor injury ends world reign

Lucan man forced to relinquish featherweight belt as facial injury keeps him from defending title this weekend PETER CARROLL

lucansport@gazettegroup.com

WORLD featherweight champion, Conor “The Notorious” McGregor has been forced to pull out of his first title defence, after he sustained a facial injury during his training camp.

The bout was set to take place on Saturday, September 1 in the New Boxing Arena, King Hussein Youth City, Amman, Jordan at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship’s Fight Night 7.

The first Irishman to win a world title in MMA (mixed martial arts), McGregor secured his featherweight strap against Dave Hill, a veteran of the sport, when they met earlier this year at Cage Warriors 47, which was held in the Lucan man’s home city at the Helix in Dublin.

Well known for his competitive streak, McGregor has not stopped training on account of his injury and instead of sparring, he is now focusing on strength and conditioning training

until his facial wound is deemed ready for contact, with the original timescale being judged as six weeks.

McGregor boasts an impressive 11-2 record with all but one of his fights being finished by knockout or technical knockout, with the one exception coming in June when he won the world title by submission via a rear, naked choke.

Evolution The constant evolution of the Straight Blast Gym fighter’s arsenal has had some of the most well-respected voices in the MMA world taking note of the young Dubliner, including the legendary Bas Rutten who ran out of superlatives for the talent on his American HDNet show Inside MMA, exclaiming: “Conor McGregor, this guy is as tough as they come. He finishes everything, you’ve got to see this man fight.

“I think we’ll be seeing this guy on the big stage soon. Look at this, it’s amazing,” roared the former UFC champion as he watched the

highlights of McGregor’s title winning performance.

“The big stage” that is generally referred to when discussing MMA, is that of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and many believe that the young champion could become a title contender if he is given the chance by the promotion, which Forbes declared “a billion dollar sports empire” in 2008.

In a sport that has been revolutionised by social media, the plucky Dubliner has made it clear that he wants to compete in the UFC, tweeting the outspoken chairman, Dana White, which in turn started an online campaign to gather McGregor’s attention by the powers that be.

It is expected that McGregor will be back to defend his belt before the end of the year or in the early months of 2013, but, for now, Cage Warriors have replaced him with Marcio Cesar to face the original challenger, Jim Alers, while the Lucan man will need to work his way back into title reckoning.