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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER
INSIDE: Local competes in Dublin Rose of Tralee search P2
June 30, 2011
SPARKLING ROYAL: Volunteers clean up the canal route See Page 7
Celebration time: Bosnian club join with locals to hail Irish links
ESMA Smajic and Juanita Wilson,
Athletics:
Flynn picked for European Championships Page 32
the award-winning filmmaker for the film on Bosnia, As If I’m Not There, were all smiles at the recent party in the North West Business Centre as the Bosnaclub of local Bosnian nationals living in the area marked the arrest of Ratko Mladic, and celebrated the ties between the two countries. The event saw a great turnout that included many local politicians. Full Gallery on Page 8-9
Sports Awards: June’s nominees are announced inside Page 29
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ........ 8, 9 & 10 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26
Six new schools to be built in Dublin 15 Minister Quinn announces new national initiative
Q LAURA WEBB
THERE was a major boost for parents in Dublin 15 this week following the announcement that six new primary and postprimary schools are to be built in the area, which has undergone a population explosion in recent years, causing a massive
demand for school places. The announcement, made by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, will see 40 new schools created nationwide over a sixyear timeframe. The €380 million project will see six new schools established in Dublin West within the six years. These will include new
primary schools in Blanchardstown West (Educate Together), Mulhuddart (Educate Together), Mulhuddart Gael Scoil and Carpenterstown. The new post primary schools will be located in Mulhuddart and West Blanchardstown. Full Story on Page 4
2 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
ROADS: FINGAL SAFETY INITIATIVES THIS YEAR
EDUCATION: TWO NEW SCHOOLS PROPOSED FOR DUBLIN 15 AREA
Events planned for road safety Q STAFF REPORTER
news@gazettegroup.com
A NUMBER of road safety initiatives will take place in Fingal this year. These will include the provision of cycle training in schools; the provision of Junior School Warden training; the fourth year of the Annual Road Safety Roadshow in November, held in association with Axa in the Helix auditorium in DCU for an audience of approxi-
Support growing for new schools
mately 1,500 Transition Year and Youth Group teenagers. Other events include the Annual Road Safety Poster Competition, aimed at second-level students, where artwork is used in future road safety campaigns and information stands and competitions as part of the Community Safety Week, September 2011, in conjunction with Safer Blanchardstown and Safer Balbriggan.
Q DAWN LOVE news@gazettegroup.com
Rose of Tralee: Hannah delighted with the ‘wonderful experience’ CROWNE Plaza Blanchardstown-sponsored Food & Beverage Assistant, Hannah Timmins, entered the Rose of Tralee Festival this year for the very first time. Hannah competed at the Dublin Rose final, which took place last Saturday in Citywest Each event is like a mini-Rose of Tralee in its own right, with entrants being interviewed throughout the day, both on their own and with groups. “It has been a wonderful experience, I have made so many friends over the past couple of weeks and there is a real bond among all of the roses,”, says Hannah. “Everyone has been amazing and the social outings with the other roses have been a fabulous.” Twenty-seven Roses competed in the Dublin Final, and although Hannah wasn’t chosen on the night to represent Dublin in Tralee, she did fantastically well. Her family, friends and colleagues from the hotel were all there to cheer on her Irish dancing party piece, which she performed to the popular and lively tune of I’ll Tell Me Ma. Having just turned 19, Hannah was the baby Rose this year, but there’s no doubt that we haven’t seen the last of Hannah in this competition in the future.
SUPPORT for a second -level Educate Together School in Dublin 15 is gathering momentum, with over 400 people now weighing in behind the campaign. According to campaigners, the list of Expressions of Interest is growing. If the school goes ahead it will be the first second-level Educate Together School in the country. Following events in all Educate Together primary schools, and in The Blanchardstown Town Centre, the campaign group is now planning to expand their efforts to the broader community to maximise the opportunity for all parents to support the development of one, if not two, new second-level schools in the area. The campaign group said the reality of such a school has also moved closer with the publication on the Government’s etenders website of documents relating to the design of new secondlevel schools in Dublin 15. “The campaign has got off to a great start with over 400 signatures from all around Dublin 15 and many more from Dublin 7, Meath and other areas. “It is clear that people are looking for more diversity and greater choice when it comes to their second-level school. “We are very confident that we have enough interest to provide num-
bers for enrolment for the two proposed new schools in Dublin 15 and, given the current balance of provision in the area, the Department of Education must seriously consider this. “An Educate Together Secondary School would be truly multidenominational and be at the cutting edge of thinking with regards to education in terms of teaching methods, the built environment and parental involvement,” said Michael McLoughlin, a local parent from Carpenterstown and chairperson of the campaign group. “The recent publication of tenders for the design of two new schools in Dublin 15 is very good news. “It will be very important that a clear and transparent process is set out regarding the patronage of these schools and that diversity and choice is maximised for local parents. “Importantly, the Educate Together Blueprint for second-level schools puts a strong emphasis on a new approach to the design and layout of the school building. “We will be contacting the Department of Education to ensure that such an approach will be possible under the tenders that have been published and we will be seeking to work in partnership with them on this. “Overall there is a tremendous opportunity for a new departure in local educational provision, which is good news,” he said.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3
OPENING St Benedict’s National School and Ongar Community Centre COUNCIL:
WELCOMES APPLICATION
Double cause for locals to celebrate Q LAURA WEBB
THE Mayor of Fingal, Ken Farrell, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Most Reverend Dr Diarmuid Martin, officially launched St Benedict’s National School and Ongar Community Centre’s new facilities recently. The special guests were greeted by a guard of honour from the pupils of St Benedict’s National School and 300 invited guests from various State bodies and the local community. The school is a Catholic co-educational school, which opened on August 30, in 2006, with just 58 students. When opened, it was located in prefabs in the grounds of Mary Mother of Hope National School. Over the past five years the school has moved locations, but it finally reached its destination at a wonderful facility in the heart of Ongar Village on November 1, 2010. The new facility, to facilitate the community surrounding the area, is a 24-classroom school, catering for classes from junior infants to sixth
class and it has increased in numbers with the current enrolment figure at 373 up to third class. At full capacity, the school will have a pupil p o p u l a t i o n o f 70 0 . However, the school is not alone in its growth. Right next to it, is the Ongar Community Centre, which is open to the whole community to use.
Needed sports hall on its way
FOLLOWING a lengthy campaign by parents and school management, the County Dublin VEC, has lodged a planning application to create a muchneeded new sports hall and extension, consisting of 10 classrooms, at Castleknock Community College.
Mary Ward, Board of Management, addresses the guests. Pictures: Peter Doyle
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‘The new facility is a 24-classroom school catering for classes from Junior Infants to Sixth Class’
council identifies school sites and assists in their acquisition. The saving is then re-invested into the site to enhance the facilities provided to both the school and community, resulting in many new modern developments constructed in relatively new areas across Fingal.
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Heart
Both the school and the community centre are part of the Fingal’s School Model. T his model was developed to fast track the delivery of schools and communities through the growing county of Fingal. Five years ago, in 2006, Fingal County Council signed an agreement with the Department of Education and Skills, that the
Located in the heart of the local community, St Benedict’s National School and Ongar Community Centre opens its gates to the whole community, encouraging and supporting personal growth and development for all. An excellent and exciting new development, it will provide the much-needed primary education along with
community facilities required by any young fledgling community. Noreen Behan, Principal, said at St Benedict’s NS said: “While creating outstanding learning opportunities is paramount for St Benedict’s National School, this unique partnership provides state-of-theart recreational facilities for the children during school hours and provides a multitude of social and recreational opportunities for the wider community by increased access to topclass amenities in one single location.” The shared facility is managed by a board of directors, who oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility.
Father George, Noreen Behan, principal, and
Application The application has been welcomed by local politicians, including Labour Councillor Patrick Nulty, who said: “School management, staff, parents and pupils alike have campaigned hard for this extension and, in particular, the much-needed sports hall. “I welcome this application and hope it can be dealt with speedily and work commence on site as soon as possible,” he said. “It is really positive to see the VEC lodging this application with Fingal County Council,” said Cllr Nulty.
Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin
Cllr Mags Murray, Mayor Cllr Ken Farrell, Cllr David McGuiness, Cllr Kieran Dennison and Archbishop Dr Diarmuid Martin
Facilities The application for the two-storey extension includes provision for a new sports hall and changing facilities, the provision of 10 new classrooms and a specialist technology room. There is also a provision for 26 new car parking spaces in the forthcoming planning application.
4 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GOT A PICTURE? SCHOOLS Parents, teachers join forces
SHARE IT WITH US! Group to fight cuts to Special Needs Teachers
Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email picturedesk@ gazettegroup.com
LAURA WEBB
SPECIAL Needs Assistants (SNAs), parents and teachers in Dublin West have joined forces, forming a new campaign group vowing to resist all cuts to special needs in schools. During a special meeting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, over 100 Special Needs Assistants, parents
and teachers (SNAPT) in Dublin West launched the campaign. The group said any cuts to special needs in schools will be strongly resisted. Speaking at the meeting, Mulhuddart Socialist Councillor Ruth Coppinger, who is also a teacher, said the meeting “nailed the lie from the Government that there will not be cuts to chil-
dren in need of the most learning support”. “Some special needs assistants (SNAs) have already been told their jobs are gone and are extremely upset at leaving the students they have bonded with. “Principals in Dublin 15 believe they are losing an average of two SNAs, 10% of resource teaching and language support teachers.
“If we allow this to happen, education will be set back decades. Children who need help will be left struggling. “SNAPT will be part of a national campaign against these education cuts, which, I believe, will take off in the Autumn.” Its first action will be to protest at the Dail on July 13 when a motion on special needs is being debated. However, this
meeting made clear a Dublin West focus on Ministers and TDs will be paramount as well, she said. The meeting was initiated by Socialist Party representatives Cllr Ruth Coppinger, Cllr Matt Waine and Joe Higgins TD, who visited schools in the area in advance to find out what was happening to their SNAs and resource teachers.
EDUCATION: BOOST
Six new schools planned LAURA WEBB
Making a splash: Enjoying the 53 Degrees North Open Surf Championships DANIELLA Moyes enjoying a splash at the launch of the inaugural
53 Degrees North Open Surf Championships in Blanchardstown, in association with O’Neills, which took place from June 22-26. The event was the first of its kind in Ireland and was held on an artificial wave, which is created by a machine called a Flowrider. Picture: Brendan Duffy
THERE was a major boost on the schools front in Dublin 15 following the announcement that six new primary and postprimary schools are set to be built in the area, which has undergone a population explosion in recent years causing a massive demand for school places. The announcement was made by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn and will see 40 new schools created over a six-year timeframe nationwide. T he €380 million project will see six new schools established in Dublin West within six years. These will include new primary schools in Blanchardstown West (Educate Together) , Mulhuddart (Educate Together), Mulhuddart Gael Scoil and Carpenterstown. The new postprimary schools will be
located in Mulhuddart and West Blanchardstown. The new schools will mostly be 16-classroom primary schools and up to 1,000 student postprimary school places. The multimillion euro programme of delivery will include some Public Private Partnership projects as well as school extension projects. Local TD and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, said the schools boost would “help facilitate the growing population of Dublin 15”. Fine Gael’s Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar said he was “delighted” that the Government had committed to the new schools. “This is great news for Dublin West, and particularly for the parents in Carpenterstown, Porterstown and Swords,” Minister Varadkar said.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 5
BUSINESS There’s €25,000 at stake with Jump Start
It’s all things American...
Do not miss the deadline Q LAURA WEBB
THE clock is ticking fast as the deadline for entries to the annual business competition, Jump Start 2011, is approaching, giving local entrepreneurs just days to enter and be in with a chance to win the prize worth €25,000. T he final call for entries is nearing from the Learning and Innovation Centre (LINC) at the Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown, AIB and Fingal County Enterprise Board. Entrepreneurs have until July 5 to get their entries in to the competi-
tion. The prize includes the cost of the incubation space for 12 months at LINC, the varied and fantastic mentoring support available to the winning company from industry experts, and €2,000 in cash. The competition is judged by a panel of wellknown entrepreneurs and the Jump Start 2011 shortlisted entrants will get the unique opportunity to present their ideas to Dragon Den’s Gavin Duffy, yourlocal.ie managing director Emer Jameson, Silicon Republic Editor, John Kennedy;
EVENT: INDEPENDENCE DAY AT CAPTAIN’S
Aliande Andrade is pictured at the last call for LINC’s Jump Start competition
Lucia O’Riordan, Regional Retail and SME manager, AIB, and Oisin Geoghegan, Fingal County Enterprise Board. Judge Emer Jameson said of her judging role for Jumpstart: “I will be looking for a business that will capture an audience within Ireland and at glo-
bal level and will have the capacity to offer employment within Ireland during these economically challenging times.” Last year’s winner, John Hughes, of Innovation Zed, said of their win: “Winning the LINC JumpStart Competition really helped us get our project
into gear. Although we had been making some steady progress prior to that, much of what we needed to impress potential investors, customers etc, was missing.” Application forms are available to download from www.thelinc.ie/ jumpstart.
IT’S celebration time at Captain America’s this weekend and, for the popular restaurant and music venue’s first birthday, it will host a festival for Independence day. This weekend Captain Americas celebrates all things American with lots of things to do for all age groups. Live music in Captain’s Live will kick off the celebrations on July 1, from 8pm with entry free. Live music will continue over the weekend. On Saturday and Sun-
day, the restaurant is hosting the ultimate family day out, with clowns, face-painting and inflatable air baseball for the kids. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy music from the American-style school bus that sees local bands belting out hit tunes from the roof. For the car fanatics, American-style muscle cars are on display, courtesy of Midland American Auto Club. For more information visit www. captainamericas.com or call 01-8262340.
6 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
Laurel Lodge Carpenterstown A special Open Day THE new St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown is having an Open Day on Saturday, July 2 from 10am to 4pm. It is exactly what is says, An Open Day – no invitation needed, just drop down and you will be given a conducted tour of your new hospice. Yes, your new hospice – you the people of this area raised €5 million, so drop down and see for yourself. The organisers suggest you arrive on the hour or shortly beforehand, as the tours will commence every hour on the hour. The location of the hospice is adjacent to Blanchardstown Hospital just over the new bridge before the former Total Fitness complex.
With Jim Lacey Phone: 087-2401308 Email: jimlacey@eircom.net
A walk in the Phoenix Park with John McCullen AST Sunday week, upwards of 50 people participated in the Walk in the Park in aid of the charity, Aware. It was a walk with a difference – the difference being John McCullen, chief superintendent of Phoenix Park and author of An Illustrated History of the Phoenix Park Landscape and Management to 1880. John is not only a world renowned horticulturist but a formidable historian, so who better to have as a companion for a walk in the
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park. Martina Kealy, who organised the walk, was raising funds for the charity, Aware, or, as she said herself, she wanted to make people “aware of Aware and if a few bob was raised for the charity all the better”. She told me that Aware was launched in 1985 under the direction of Dr Patrick McKeon and its aim was to assist people suffering from depression and Bipolar Disorder. Apart from fundraising and other supportive
Over 50 people took part in a walk in The Phoenix Park recently in aid of charity Aware
activities, the charity is concerned with removing some of the stigma that, even in these enlightened times, attaches to mental illness. There are several different types of depression – endogenous depression that comes from within oneself, reactive depression and personality depression amongst others. Of particular concern at the moment is the rise in the number of people presenting with reactive depression. Reactive depression occurs when the person
becomes ill following a traumatic event or a series of events. Job loss, financial failure, bankr uptcy, problems with debt are factors that can trigger reactive depression. Impact
Anyone in day-to-day dealing with members of the public, be they customers, clients, patients, parishioners, employees, debtors, creditors, even pupils, will recognise what the impact the financial crisis has had on health generally, i.e. blood pressure, stomach
problems etc., and mental health in particular. Charities like Aware need support – to give support at a time when support is never more needed. They can be contacted at 1890 303302 or at www.aware.ie. The walk in the Park was a great day out and John McCullen spoke about the various species of trees and flora and fauna along the route on the Chesterfield Road from Castleknock Gate to the Phoenix Column. He also told the story of the Invincibles who
assassinated Mr TK Burke and Lord Frederick Cavendish on a May evening in 1882. During the course of the walk he told the group that the deer give birth to their fawns in July and August and at that time they were very vulnerable and requested that dogs be kept on leads during the fawning season. All had an enjoyable day out with benefit to a very good charity. What a good idea how to present a cause; well done Martina and all your helpers on the day!
Arts and crafts exhibition HE CastleknockArts Group are holding an exhibition of arts and crafts in the Church of Ireland Parish Centre Castleknock on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 8, 9 and 10. The exhibition opens officially on Friday, July 8, with a wine reception at 8pm to which all are welcome and the exhibition will continue on till 10pm that night. The following day Saturday, the exhibition will be open from 10am till 5pm and on the Sunday from 12 noon till 4pm. The art works on display are mainly the works of local artists
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who are members of Castleknock Art Group, but, other artists from further a field will also be exhibiting their work. The Castleknock Art Group is very active and the quality of their work is well-known. The group have been extremely generous directing the proceeds of their exhibition over many years to various worthwhile causes and charities. This year the group are donating the proceeds of the exhibition to that most laudable cause – Pieta House. Pieta House work in the area of prevention of selfharm and suicide.
Coincidentally the name Pieta refers to an artistic work, the Pieta, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture executed by Michelangelo. It depicts Jesus lying on his mother’s lap after the crucifixion. It derives its name from the Italian word, Pieta, meaning pity Over the years I have gathered a small collection of paintings from this group and can testify to the quality and excellence of work that this talented group produce. Don’t miss this opportunity of picking up a really nice painting or object d’art.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7
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COMMUNITY Greens and friends roll up their sleeves
A golden chance
A Royal cleanup on canal
Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com
DUBLIN West Greens show they are continuing to represent and care for the community by holding its third annual Royal Canal Cleanup. On Saturday, June 18, the Green Party rolled up their sleeves to start the annual Royal Canal cleanup with a little help from local volunteers. Speaking to the Gazette, Dublin West Green Party representative Roderic O’Gorman said over 25 people were on hand to pick up rubbish of all sorts. Annual
“The Dublin West Green Party held our third annual Royal Canal Cleanup on Saturday, June 18. “We had 25 volunteers out, who picked cans, plastic and glass bottles, paper and general rubbish from in and around the canal bank. “ We c ove r e d t h e stretch between the 12th Lock pub and Coolmine train station. “By the end of the
afternoon, we had about 20 bags of rubbish collected, divided between recyclables and nonrecyclables. “We also ended up with about three bicycle wheels.
Q STAFF REPORTER
news@gazettegroup.com
Roderic O’Gorman (fourth from left) pictured with the cleanup team
Resource
“The Royal Canal is a huge resource for Dublin 15 in terms of boating, fishing, walking and cycling. --------------------------
‘We covered the stretch between the 12th Lock pub and Coolmine train station’
All ages did their bit to clean up the canal
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“It’s something we need to protect, which is why the Dublin West Greens organise a cleanup each year. “I want to thank all the volunteers who joined us and Fingal County Council, who picked up the rubbish from us when we were finished,” said O’Gorman.
There was a great turnout to help in the cleanup
JOBS: SYMANTEC ANNOUNCE 60 NEW POSTS
New software jobs for D15 area Q LAURA WEBB
THE announcement of 60 new jobs at Symantec in Dublin 15 has been welcomed by the Dublin 15 Chamber President as being “great news for the locality”. Last week, Symantec announced the creation
of the jobs at its European Headquarters based in Ballycoolin Industrial Estate in Blanchardstown President of Dublin 15 Chamber, David Donnelly said: “This is great news for the locality. “It again reinforces Ireland as being very well
NEW OPENING: HATTON GOLDSMITHS IN CLONEE
positioned for foreign direct investment and why it so important to maintain our corporation tax rate at 12.5%. “This tax rate, coupled with a highly educated and flexible workforce, gives us many advantages despite the challenges in other areas that the coun-
try faces. “Symantec’s investment is an endorsement of the many positive and competitive aspects of the Irish economy,” Mr. Donnelly added. The internet security firm produces a range of anti-virus and security software and currently
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employs 725 staff at the Blanchardstown facility. The 60 new jobs will in developing Symantec’s identity and authentication software, as well as operating technical support and client services. Symantec is represented in 40 other countries around the world.
LOCAL
MATTERS
A PROFESSIONAL and established goldsmith business has opened its doors in Clonee, offering a professional service to its customers. Hatton Goldsmiths is an Irish company with 21 shops nationwide, from Letterkenny to Bandon, offering customers a fast and professional service in every store. The newest edition to the chain is located in the Mall, Main Street, Clonee, and is headed by local, man Ross Higgins. The store provides a free professional valuation to any person looking to value their old, broken or unwanted jewellery. Cash offers are provided immediately if customers have appropriate photographic identification. Evaluations are discreet and there is no obligation for customers to sell their
jewellery. Store spokesperson John McKay has reported that people are amazed at how much their unwanted gold is worth. “People are bringing in gold jewellery that they don’t want to wear. Silver has become more popular in recent years. Some people bring in a bagful of old jewellery, broken jewellery, chains and bracelets, and many customers are delighted with the extra cash for summer holidays and back to school costs.” Anyone with old, broken or unwanted jewellery can bring it in to one of the local shops, where the highest prices will not be beaten. People are welcome to bring in their gold in any condition for a free, no-obligation, valuation, where an immediate cash offer is made. Hatton Goldsmith, Clonee, is open 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays).
8 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
EVENT Members of Bosnian Community in Ireland marking
‘Ireland of All Places’
Q ORNELLA PASTUSHOK
EMBERS of Bosnian Community in Ireland recently marked the arrest of Ratko Mladic and the Irish role in this regard. The party was called “Ireland of All Places” celebration party – after a leaked comment from a top-level EU meeting last autumn expressed the infuriation of some of those present that “Ireland of all places” was holding up ratification of Serbia’s Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) due to its failure to arrest Mladic. The Irish role was acknowledged in an email from the office of Serge Brammertz, the chief prosecutor of the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague on June 3: “The Prosecutor wishes to thank the Ireland action for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the support given to our work.”
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The KUD Bosnia dancing group
”Ireland of All Places” cake
Bronagh’s Solidarity biscuits
Esma Smajic and Juanita Wilson, award-winning filmmaker for the film on Bosnia, As If I’m Not There
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 9
the arrest of Ratko Mladic and the Irish role in this regard
Peter Walsh, former Ireland Action for Bosnia, and Maureen O’ Sullivan, Minister Joan Burton
Independent TD
From left: Roderic O’Gorman, Green Party representative for Dublin 15; Valerie Hughes, former Ireland Action for Bosnia; Juanita Wilson, award-winning filmmaker, Elvedina Dizdarevic, main organiser of the party and spokesperson for the Bosnian community
KUD Bosnia dancers
Donal Lowry, constituency secretary of Sean Barrett TD, and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton
Fadila Plakalo hands out Bronagh’s Bosnia-Irish solidarity biscuits
Elvedina Dizdarevic -organiser of the party and spokesperson for the Children having some fun
Bosnian community on the arrest Mladic campaign
10 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
EVENT New financial advisor, Moneysave.ie, offering FREE financial advice
James is on the money
HERE was some good news for local people looking for some financial advice as a new Blanchardstown-based financial advisor, James Durkan, has opened his doors to the public in the last number of weeks. Located in a new retail premises across from the Vet’s in Blanchardstown Village, Moneysave.ie is an Aviva broker offering free, no-obligation advice on a number of financial products, including health, life, home, motor and travel insurance. Moneysave.ie will do a full financial review and advise people on all areas of finance, which is a real help given our current financial environment. There is no fee for the service and households in the Blanchardstown area are seeing massive savings.
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D15 Chamber president, David Donnelly, James Durkan and Minister Joan Burton. Picture: Peter Doyle
Margaret Butler and Karl Bowe
Sharon Butler and Carol Murray
Michele Muller and Liz Hanratty
Dave Curry and Keith Murphy
Gerard, James and John Durkan
Gerard Durkan, Kate Ostrzolek and James Durkan
The Durkan Family
Michael, James and Peggy Durkan
30 June 2011 GAZETTE 11
12 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
HEALTH Therapies being used to deal with life problems
Offering support as you figure out best way forward
Q GILLIAN BUCKLEY
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
challenge you, according to counsellor and psychotherapist, Gillian Buckley
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‘The therapist will offer you support when you try to figure out the best way forward when dealing with some of life’s problems’ --------------------------------------------------------
talk to. The therapist will offer you support when you try to figure out the best way forward when dealing with some of life’s problems. It would not be possible to go through life without some upset or a particular time of uncertainty. The reasons why people attend therapy vary. Some people may attend due to unexpected current events taking place in their lives. To name a few – redundancy, fertility difficulties or illness. Others may have been considering therapy for some time, as they are aware of events in their past or present that are affecting the quality of their lives. These could include abuse, events in their childhood, bereavement or ongoing conflict in their relationships. Or, maybe, you or someone you know, is experiencing an overall sense of frustration and helplessness. Perhaps a number of things have compounded leaving you or your friend feeling over-
whelmed. Seeing a therapist is not about being weak or unable to cope. It can help you overcome life’s obstacles and come out with solutions. It is helpful to anyone. Therapy offers a safe opportunity to speak freely of your thoughts, opinions and experiences without judgment. The role of a therapist is not to make decisions for you, but to support and challenge, so that you’re able to come up with your own solutions. Through listening to your story the therapist will encourage you to look at aspects of your life, they can offer you insight and perspective to your situation. Therapists work on the belief that people have the power to work out for themselves what is true for them. The therapist helps the process of self-discovery and the development of new life skills. Contact Gillian at hello@gillianbuckley.ie or visit www.gillianbuckley.ie
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The role of a therapist is not to make decisions for you, but to support and
OFTEN people are hesitant when they hear the word psychotherapy. Some think it’s like psychology or psychiatry, others imagine lying back on a black leather chair while a therapist takes notes. The truth is psychotherapy has very little in common with either. Psychotherapy is centred around offering perspective and support, it’s not about analysing someone’s mind or taking notes, but rather it is focused on what the client wants to achieve. Counselling and psychotherapy are two terms that are often heard being used interchangeably. Both of these therapies are used to deal with life problems, and the skills used by the therapist are very similar. Although these two practices have common characteristics, there are some differences. Counselling can be defined as focusing on a specific life problem, whereas psychotherapy tends to deal with deeper, more long-term issues that may have stemmed from the past. Psychotherapy can offer an opportunity to
bring about welcome change. The differences between counselling and psychotherapy need not concern anyone seeking help. The practitioner will discuss the desired outcome of attending and will want to ensure the help they offer is appropriate for the individual concerned, before a commitment is made. For the remainder of this article I will refer to counsellors and psychotherapists as therapists and the service they offer as therapy. Therapy offers a unique opportunity to speak to a person in confidence about your life experiences and feelings in a way that is not always possible with friends or a family member. Perhaps speaking with someone close can be more confusing than helpful. Maybe you only share part of your situation with them, not wanting to burden or worry them. Or perhaps you are concerned what they may think, or they may advise you on what to do. They may not know what is best for you, fuelling your own confusion. When faced with obstacles that occur in life it can help to have someone impartial you can
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30 June 2011 GAZETTE 13
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A few simple steps to tackle the effects of debt THE Phoenix Process is a group of individuals who came together with a vision of National Recovery. The Phoenix Process articles will focus on different issues, the intention behind all the articles will be to encourage, inspire, motivate and to bring muchneeded hope. Each writer is a professional, who has been affected by the economic crisis in different ways.
Five-point Recovery Plan:
FIRST, write down a list of all unsecured loans (name of creditor and amount owed) Make a ring binder file for each of these creditors and name them, then put these files in a box named ‘Courage under Fire’ ( For example). Make a separate file for mortgage and household, personal/family bills. Name this file ‘LIFE’ One file is about looking after You, Your loved ones and Your Home. The other is not! Now make an Income and Expenditure List: (These forms are available from MABS offices) Remember to include EVERYTHING you, and or your dependents, need on this list. Include EVERYTHING that is essentially and necessarily beneficial to your, and your family’s, well-being. Do this as a sixmonth forecast. 1. Make at least 30 copies of your Income and Expenditure Form – put these forms in another file called ‘Action Plan’. 2. For every file you make, set up a folder on your PC with the same name. 3. For every file you make, set up a folder in your email account with the same name. 4. Now make a diary named ‘Life after Debt’ and make a first entry 1. ‘Make an appointment with Debt Management Agency’ – you will carry out tasks the day after you enter them in the diary. 5. Write to all creditors to let them know that you are in financial difficulty and will write again enclosing an income and expenditure form, as well as all other relevant details. 6. Enter one task in your diary per day that you will carry out on the following day, and so on. So, that’s it: A ‘Life’ File A ‘Courage under Fire’ File A ‘Life after Debt’ Diary An 'Action Plan' File This will lead to …… Recovery A five-point plan that will happen and will work. Remember to be honest with everyone around you and receive support with all of this. There should NEVER be shame around being in debt – especially when there is a National debt crisis.
One of the most important aspects of dealing with any crisis is positive and proactive support systems. This column will be printed weekly, and if you feel you would like to join in this process, please contact www.phoenixprocess.ie This week, we hear from Tara O’Grady. Tara was a restaurateur who lost everything financially in recent times, following the closure of her business.
She has actively been seeking debt law reform to protect people’s homes, minds and lives for some time now. Having suffered from a stress-related disorder due to the pressures that were put upon her, she decided to put together a survival package for those suffering from debt despair. She is positive and proactive about dealing with the ramifications of debt, both on an individual and national level.
Tara O’Grady
14 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY
Edited by Dawn Love
Get ready to improve you beach confidence Q KATHLEEN ROWLEY
W
E Irish love the sun – we wait impatiently for its arrival then lose the run of ourselves once it’s here! However, there is one word associated with our welcomed visitor that is guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of Irish women … bikini. After a very tough winter spent wrapped up under numerous layers of clothing and clinging to radiators, most of us will have bluey-white skin that has taken on a slightly bumpy feel. Fear not ladies, there are a number of things you can do that will improve your beach confidence. Brushing
Body brushing each morning before your shower has numerous benefits for your body – its helps improve circulation, remove dead skin and can reduce the appearance of our worst enemy, cellulite!
It’s a relatively cheap way to improve skin tone with the Body Shop’s Round Body Brush coming in at a pursefriendly €11.95. Using long sweeping strokes, go from toe to head making sure to brush gently and towards the heart, go softer on areas where the skin is thinner. Scrubbing dishes and floors is not my idea of a good time, but I adore giving my body a good scrub! Regular exfoliation softens rough skin, sloughs away dead skin cells, leaving skin softer and allowing sun cream to work more effectively. It has become a real beauty staple, so there are loads of options. L’Oreal Exfotonic Skin Revealing Exfoliator (€13) has just the
right amount of grit to refine the skin and has a fresh scent. Green Angel Sunrise Body Smoother (€25.95) feels like a real treat for the skin, it contains natural salt, lemon, grapefruit and Irish seaweed extract and l e av e s s k i n soft and rejuvenated. Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash (€7) is a nice introduction for those who have never used exfoliating products before. Moisturising
The next step is moisturising! Moisturising regularly is the most important thing, so there is no need to spend a fortune. Apply straight after your shower when pores are still open and can absorb the lotion better. The Vaseline Sheer Infusion (€6.50)
range aims to moisturise deep into your skin without being sticky. For the green queens out there, Voya’s Softly Does It combines a silky blend of wild seaweed extracts and organic essential oils for a deep moisturising experience. Personally, I’m nuts about nuts, so Palmers Cocoa Butter (€6.50) and legendary Body Shop Body Butters (€17.95) are my favourites. Fake tan
If you’ve been doing your damnedest to shape up, but still don’t feel like a truck load of dollars, then a bit of fake tan can help. If you can’t tone it – tan it! For gradual tans without that fake tan scent, Dove’s Summer Glow (€6.30) and St Tropez’s Gradual Tan Everyday (€20) have been praised for their pleasant fragrances. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze range has creams, gels and lotions, so they suit most skin types ranging from €13 to €20.
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There are a number of things you can do that will improve your beach confidence this summer
Smoothest feet ever with the Micropedia home spa DO you tend to suffer from dry, cracked heels or rough skin on your feet? Well, don’t even think about slipping into high heels and gladiators without taking care of your footsies this summer! Most of us tend to neglect and abuse our feet, getting a pedicure once every leap year and squeezing into shoes that look gorgeous, but feel torturous. There is a good solution to resolve this problem forever. Now you can get super smooth holiday feet with Lifes2good’s amazing new Micropedi and put your best foot forward this summer, whether you are staying home or going abroad.
Home spa The professionalat-home pedicure system works quickly and effectively on all areas of your feet, removing
The Micropedi is ideal for smoothing dry, rough, calloused skin on feet
the dead skin cells safely and leaving your feet feeling soft and looking like you just stepped out of a spa. The Micropedi is ideal for smoothing dry, rough, calloused skin on feet, its unique roller spins 360 degrees at 30 times per second. It’s safe and gentle action give immediate results and it is portable and easy to use. and is
just €39.95. Lifes2good claims that it’s the perfect way to get a professional spa-like pedicure in the comfort of your own home. Holiday footperfect in just a few minutes! Micropedia is now available at the leading pharmacies and health stores nationwide or, alternatively, visit www. lifes2good.ie.
30 June 2011 GAZETTE 15
GazettePETS PETS
Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
THE FACTS: PURCHASING A ‘DESIGNER’ DOG CAN LEAD TO NOTHING BUT MISERY
Although not from puppy farms, the Dublin SPCA rescued these three pups, Chipstick, Bruno and Georgie, which only look this healthy due to their care and veterinary treatment
Do you know where your new puppy came from? V E RY DAY, through my education programmes and my work on the mobile clinics, I speak with people regarding animal welfare issues and it concerns me when I meet pet parents who tell me they’ve purchased so-called “designer” dogs from some puppy farmers – often spending as much as €500 per puppy! These dogs, they inform me, often become “very ill, very quickly,” and they cannot understand why this has occurred. Really? Ok, let’s not beat about the bush…if you buy a dog from some puppy farmers you’re buying TROUBLE! You’re buying HEARTACHE! Now, please don’t get me wrong, I must point out, immediately, that there are many responsible, registered, humane breeders out there who are appalled and dissociate themselves totally
E
from those who farm puppies in a cruel and inhumane manner – where the poor animals are treated as commodities. A responsible breeder will always invite you to visit his/her premises and allow you inspect them, and will be equally interested and concerned about your bona fides and want to know where the puppy is going and the type of person who will become his new parent. A responsible breeder is one who cares about animal welfare. However, let me educate you regarding the reality that is the inhumane puppy farmer: Each year, approximately 90,000 puppies are born in this country – around 45,000 of these are exported overseas, usually to the UK and, as you can imagine, this is a very lucrative business, pulling in around €29m. Therefore, in order to identify the origin
of each puppy, prevent the unscrupulous overbreeding of animals in appalling welfare conditions, i.e. puppy farms; protect you, the consumer, ensure traceability as well as accountability and prevent the spread of disease and enhance the credibility of responsible breeders, a very necessary piece of legislation was required. That legislation is called The Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010. This is an act to regulate the operation of dog breeding establishments, which requires local authorities to establish and maintain registers of dog breeding establishments and to prohibit the operation of unregistered ones. The Act was welcomed by the Dublin SPCA, and other animal welfare groups, because some puppy-farmed animals spend their lives in squalid conditions, often in underground oil drums
or standing on painful wire flooring, are matted with their own faeces. Often this is all they have to eat – their own faeces – and are forced to drink their own urine because little or no sustenance is provided for them.
Inhumane
They are too ill to move because of their cramped, over-crowded, inhumane conditions and suffer horrendous injuries and illnesses and receive little or no medical care. In fact, in most circumstances the only care they ever receive is just enough to keep them alive to breed again and again and again. Oops, did you think the cute little farmed puppies slept in warm beds and frolicked around in open fields, like something out of a Disney movie? Well, get real and think again. Remember, often when dogs in some puppy farms
are no longer capable of breeding, they’re callously discarded. So purchasing a puppy from one of these places is the best way of supporting this shameful practise, adding to the misery of these animals and condemning them to a life of suffering and abuse. This is a plague and it’s spreading – don’t feed it! Again, I stress responsible, registered, breeders are not the cause of this situation! So, take the following into consideration as a guideline before you buy. Better still, adopt from an animal shelter. We have numerous, wonderful dogs looking for loving homes. • Research dogs that interest you and find out which breed is right for you and your family/ environment. • Insist on seeing the puppy’s parents – examine temperament / mental and physical condi-
tion/eye problems/other related health problems specific to your breed of choice. • Inspect the environment where the puppy was kept and never, ever agree to meet the breeder half way or in a car park – insist on visiting the premises. • Ask about inherited conditions from parents/ grandparents. • Does the puppy come with a veterinary certificate of health? Speak to the vet. • Dogs are adults longer than they are puppies, so make certain you are familiar with the adult type of your chosen breed. If the breeder is responsible, he/she should ask certain questions such as: • Have you researched this breed/ why do you want this dog? • What hours do you work/who will care for this dog when you’re at
work/on holiday? • Do you have children/their ages? • Describe a typical day/week at your house • What will you do if you can no longer keep this dog? • Will the dog be spayed/neutered? • Will the dog be allowed into the family home or be kept outdoors? • Do you have other pets? Remember it’s important you maintain good contact with your puppy’s breeder and understand you’re committing to this animal’s care for the rest of its life. A responsible breeder will welcome your commitment. If you’re uncomfortable, or have any concerns, contact your local animal welfare shelter.
For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at Miriam.kerins@dspca.ie
16 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
SNAPSHOT The stories of the day from across the capital
Over the hurdle Invincible Ash wins the Woodie’s DIY Sapphire Stakes: Pictured at the presentation was Ray Colman, and his wife Dolores, with winning connections PJ & Bernadette Condron, their daughter, Aislinn Swanick, Trainer Michael Halford and jockey, Gary Carroll.
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Opening of Martello Towers’ exhibition
DUN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN County Council has launched its 2011 Summer of Heritage programme with the Martello Towers’ of Dublin exhibition. And to celebrate the start of Summer of Heritage 2011 the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. John Bailey opened exhibition at County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, this week. The exhibition will be open to the public from July 1 at 9.30am. The iconic buildings along the Dublin coast are familiar landmarks. But how many people know anything about them? The exhibition will, for the first time, tell the story of Dublin’s Martello Towers that were built to defend the capital from French invasion. It will also tell the story of why they were called Martello Towers. People will learn how they worked as a military unit, how they were the first fortifications for centuries built to defend Dublin from attack, how they are being treated in the 21st
DIARY century by brave owners (one of whom has spent nearly €2m of his own money on restoring one) and how Stately Plump Buck Mulligan rooted the towers in literary legend. In addition to the exhibition the Seapoint Martello Tower has been restored and is open for tours throughout the summer! The Martello Towers of Dublin Exhibition is part of The dlr Summer of Heritage programme, which runs throughout the summer until Sunday, September 4.
of July 4. The celebrations will run from Friday to Sunday. All three nights are completely free and feature a host of talented bands from all across Dublin. Friday night will see the hotlytipped Gypsies On The Autobahn headline. Meanwhile, The Late Fragments, who packed Captain Americas only a couple of months ago, are also on the bill, with many more acts to follow as well. Saturday will see more great local acts in Stone Motion and Jerome’s Law heading the proceedings. Sunday has more local heroes with HyperGiants topping the bill, along with The Million Dollars, Last Second Magic and Any Mans Gang. For more information on the festivities and the acts performing, log on to their website now: www.captainslive.com
The Captain celebrates in style Dragons invade Fingal Enterprise week CAPTAIN AMERICAS in Blanchardstown is set to come alive this weekend A three-day festival is planned celebrating the 40th birthday of the restaurant chain as well as American Independence Day,
FINGAL businesses will be
pitching against each other in a Dragon’s Den-style competition to decide the overall winner of the 2011 Fingal Enterprise Awards, as part of Fingal Enterprise Week this September. Bobby Kerr, from RTE’s Dragon’s Den series, will sit on the judging panel alongside Ben Dunne and 11890’s Nicola Byrne. Four local businesses are expected to go head-to-head in front of the Dragons, for a chance to win a share of the €6,000 cash prize, with mentoring support and the chance to represent Fingal at the National Enterprise Awards later this year. For the first time, audience members will also get a chance to have their say on the best business pitch. Audience voting will take place in a special Audience Winner prize category. The Fingal Enterprise Awards are expected to be one of the main highlights of this year’s Fingal Enterprise Week. Fingal Enterprise week runs in various locations throughout the county from Monday, September 26 to Friday, September 30.
30 June 2011 GAZETTE 17
POLITICS He talks to the Gazette about life, family, career
Why I would like to be President - Cox
PAT Cox is seeking the Fine Gael nomination for the Presidency. The Party will hold its Selection Convention on July 9. Here, he answers a number of questions about his family, values and career. Who influenced you most in life? My parents, whose main legacy was to encourage a belief that a good education was a key to a successful life. Tell us a bit about your family. Our family consists of seven children, six of them young adults and our daughter, Mary, who was tragically killed at the age of six in a traffic accident in 1988. Did you miss out on family life/ children growing up due to your political commitments in Dublin and Brussels/Strasbourg? Political life is very demanding on family life with a lot of time spent away from home. Staying in touch constantly and ensuring some family time each week got us through. What has been the most testing
time in your life? Undoubtedly, coping with the loss of our daughter Mary. What, to date, is your greatest regret in life? I have two. The fact that Mary died so young and that I never really got to know my father as an adult. How much is your current income? Approximately €180,000 gross before tax. What is your vision for the upcoming Presidency? Today, too many of our citizens have no jobs, too many young people are worried about their prospects and too many parents are anxious about their children’s future. The next Presidency needs to strike a balance between recognising this reality and promoting hope in our future. I would like to be a strong advocate for our country and to use all my skills and contacts to be a champion for Ireland’s cause abroad. Would you forgo your public
service pensions during your term if elected? Yes, very definitely. Do you agree that our current Corporation Tax rate of 12.5% is non-negotiable? Yes. Ireland is entitled to defend our corporate tax rate. We are also entitled to remind President Sarkozy that, politically, he was a key author of the legally binding guarantees given to us to that effect initiated during the French Presidency of the EU in 2008. Is the Europe project now doomed to fail? No, it is not doomed to fail, but it is under more pressure now than for some time. This relates especially to the Eurozone crisis which, since its onset in Greece early in 2010, has witnessed the failure of the EU and key national political leaders to move beyond reactive policies and get on top of the problem. So far the EU policy response has addressed some key symptoms of the problem but has yet to solve the underlying debt crisis.
Pat Cox is seeking the Fine Gael nomination for the Presidency
18 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs
MOTORISTS DISTRUST SPEED CAMERAS: A NEW survey in Britain showed that less than a third (29%) of motorists think that speed cameras are only used at sites with a bad record of crashes and injuries, and 50% think that raising money is their primary aim. And are we any different here in Ireland? The survey showed that support generally for speed cameras was high at 79%. Seventy percent of motorists agree that speed awareness courses are a better idea than prosecution. The greatest support for this is among 17 to 24-year-olds, with 82% in agreement.
IRELAND IS SIXTH SAFEST COUNTRY IN EU: A NEW report published by the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) based in Brussels shows that Ireland has made remarkable road safety progress over the last decade and is now the sixth safest country out of 27 EU Member states. The report shows that, since 2001, Ireland has seen a rapid improvement in road safety. A total of 411 people were killed on Irish roads in 2001, compared to 212 in 2010, which represents a 48% cut in road deaths. Only 10 other countries, out of 27 EU member states, managed to achieve or improve on this level of reduction in road deaths.
Volkswagen’s new Amarok double car pick-up is a big machine with a modern, twin-turbo diesel 2.0-litre engine that delivers good power and economy
Volkswagen Amarok is here Volkswagen is widening its scope as it aspires to be the world’s leading car. MICHAEL MORONEY checks it out. OLKSWAGEN’S Amarok is here and, on first impressions, this is one big machine. It almost has an American pick-up feel to in terms of size, yet under the large bonnet is a thrifty 2.0litre, turbo-diesel engine that provides some running cost comfort. It is unmistakably a Volkswagen, with that big VW badge up in front. But, it also combines the solid design features with a strong chassis that’s designed to combine work and play. It has a wide stance on the road, giving it extra stature and making it
V
SPECS: VOLKSWAGEN AMAROK 2.0T
Top speed: 181 km-hr 0 – 100km/hr: 11.1 secs Economy: 12.8 km/litre (7.8 l/100km) CO2 emissions: 206g/km Road Tax Band: N (€614) or commercial tax €288 Scrappage Eligible: Yes Warranty: 2 years Entry Price: €34,110
very noticeable on the road. It’s 100mm wider than the Nissan Navara, and you can feel that from behind the wheel. Volkswagen has chosen this modest size engine for the Amarok to
combine enough power with the best-in-class economy. There are two power options for the new Amarok – either the entry level 122bhp or 163bhp version. Volkswagen expects that the higher power version will be the most popular because the price differences are not that significant. And that was the Amarok Highline version that I drove, which had the benefit of attractive styling and comfort features. The modest-size engine is impressive. Volkswagen has achieved this by combining the effect of two exhaust, gas-powered
turbo-chargers. It can develop 163bhp, which is more than a match for any of the 2.5-litre pickup competition in terms of power and torque output. The Amarok accelerates impressively. I would rate it as the fastest crew cab 4x4 pick-up on the market, marginally faster than the 2.5-litre Nissan Navara, which, along with the Toyota Hilux, is its main competitor.
Economy The bonus comes in terms of fuel economy. The new Amarok comes with a rating of 12.8 km/ litre (7.8l/100km) which,
on any comparison, is rated as the best in its class. That’s because the Amarok can sit on the road at 2000rpm and in sixth gear achieve the motorway speed limit of 120km/hr with absolute comfort. The economy figure will drop significantly with trailer work, but it’s still ahead of the competition. The Amarok range is rated at 1,000km on a full 80-litre tank of diesel. While I covered more than 1,300km in a week’s driving, I achieved closer to 900km on a full tank. On road, the Amarok is very comfortable due
to its big size 3,095mm wheelbase. The bigger 17-inch alloy wheels added to the comfort, even though, like all pickups, the rear suspension is a leaf spring design. Take it across field and hills and the Amarok lives up to its claims. The ground clearance is second highest at 249mm, just slightly lower than the Toyota Hilux. There is a simple to operate 4x4 engagement system that includes the option of a low 4x4 drive and the option of including a differential lock. The system is a mechanical one that electrically engaged at low speeds.
Driving in Europe – ignore the rules at your peril MOTORING on the continent can work out expensive. In Europe, speed cameras, over-zealous policemen and on-the-spot fines await the unwitting Irish driver. An EU directive began in March allowing European countries to share driver information. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas said: “Foreign
drivers account for 5% of traffic on Europe’s roads, but 15% of offences. If you are that driver, I have bad news. It’s about to stop.”
Penalties Irish drivers are being forced to hand over €90 for not displaying an IRL sticker or failing to carry a high-visibility vest.
Not having a warning triangle or spare bulbs can cost another €90. In France, licence and vehicle confiscation is another possibility. Ignore the rules and drive at your peril. There are frequent police checkpoints at the exits of the major ferry ports to check whether drivers have the required safety equipment, so it is best to ensure
that you have all the necessary equipment before travelling to France. Different countries have various rules on what you need to keep in your car. Check out the Department of Foreign Affairs website www.dfa.ie for full details on what you’re obliged and advised to take. Ignore the rules and drive at your peril.
30 June 2011 GAZETTE 19
20 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
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GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY Wool carpets: Nothing else compares
Castlethorn’s Adamstown development
ADAMSTOWN: WIDE RANGE OF PROPERTIES
Discernible value for house-hunters For discerning property buyers looking for real value, Castlethorn’s popular development at Adamstown Square, in Lucan, is well worth a visit. £135,000 is the competitive price of the twobed apartment that boasts an extremely high level of specification, and is also located close to the main amenities of Adamstown, including local shops, schools and train station. For those looking for a larger home, there are new large three-bed duplex units located on the second and third floors, with over 1,000 ft sq accommodation and a spacious balcony at prices from £165,000. Similarly-sized, groundfloor three-bed duplexes with private amenity areas start from €185,000. In addition, there are a small number of three- and four-bed houses available from €235,000 and €249,950 respectively. In total, there are six fully-fitted showhomes on view at Adamstown Square, so there is plenty of choice for the price-conscious home hunter. All homes come with the standard of quality and finish synonymous with the Castlethorn brand. All master bedrooms are very generous in size and are en suites. In addition, purchasers will benefit from modern, fitted kitchens complete with oven/ hob, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer/ dryer. The BER (Building Energy Rating) rating of each home is very high. The Adamstown marketing suite and show units are open every day, weekends from 3 to 5pm and on weekdays from 10am to 5pm. For further information, phone Leahys on 601 1800, or log onto www.castlethorn.ie
WOOL Carpets are still tops with homeowners! That’s according to TC Matthews, who are the biggest sellers of wool carpets in the country. According to their MD, Brendan Cumiskey, the demand for quality wool carpets has never diminished – even in these severe recessionary times. He claims: “People are prepared to look at wool carpets as a future investment, rather than a casual discretionary purchase.” Carpets woven from man-made fibres do not offer the same degree of quality, luxury and long-term wear, he advises. “Wool carpets have, in fact, recently come down in price, in relative terms. This obviously makes them more affordable. And, at TC Matthews, we are always delighted to pass these savings onto our customers,” says Brendan. Certainly, it would appear that Cumiskey’s company is cashing in on the “wool” demand. He has just opened a €1million expanded and
refurbished branch in Walkinstown. “Like Feargal Quinn, we believe the customer is king, and we have always offered a very personal service to our customers,” he says. “Carpets still account for a big slice of home furnishing spend, and we feel we owe it to our customers to personally advise on what is the best investment for them, in the longer term. And, because we buy big
volumes of wool carpets, we get them at very keen prices, and can then pass these savings on. It means more people who thought they couldn’t afford wool, now can!” Certainly, the current TC Matthews Summer Sale seems to offer astonishingly good value across a wide range of quality household names. Savings of up to 65% in some cases.
DUNSANY: FIVE-BEDROOM LUXURY HOME IN COUNTRY FOR €595,000
Opulent accommodation in rural County Meath FOR homeseekers looking for something special in the countryside of County Meath, Carty Properties, in Trim, are bringing Rolling Hills Lodge, at Boycetown, Dunsany The property is an architecturally-designed five-bedroom detached dormer bungalow set on a landscaped site of c.75 acre, to the market for €595,000 This property is located down a country lane in peaceful rural setting approximately one mile off the Trim to Dublin road, four miles from Trim and just 24 miles to Dublin city centre. The house comprises entry hall with Chinese slate flooring, a formal dining room with two windows to the front of the property, and a solid teak wooden floor. Also downstairs is a family room with two
windows to the front, a feature fireplace and s o l i d t e a k wo o d e n floor. The kitchen/breakfast room features maple fitted kitchen units, an island, a sliding door to the outside decking area, and a Chinese slate floor. There is a utility room plumbed for washer and dryer. The lounge has three cathedral-style windows to the side, and two windows to the front, a wood-panelled high ceiling with recessed lights, and a wood pellet stove. There are five bedrooms in the property, all of which are en suite, with carpeted or wooden floors, and three of which feature walk-in wardrobes. The attic area is partially converted, with a bedroom, bathroom and games room all accessed
Rolling Hills Lodge at Boycetown near Dunsany is on the market for €595,000
by Styra. The property is approached by a sweeping gravel driveway and is surrounded by landscaped lawns to the front, side and rear. The third bedroom downstairs comes complete with a separate
kitchen and outside access, providing an ideal granny flat, or suitable for renting with a potential rental income of €450 per month. Features of Rolling Hills include underfloor heating, a solid teak wood staircase, a double
detatched garage, and its peaceful rural location with panoramic views of the local countryside. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Carty on 04694 86860 or see www.carty. ie.
30 June 2011 GAZETTE 21
GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
Interview: Eimear Connolly, Area Sales Manager for Carlton Hotels, Dublin.
The success behind Eimear Connolly of Carlton Hotels EIMEAR began her career as a HR Administrator in ntl and eventually decided to move into a sales role with the company. This gave her a taste for selling and she spent many years growing within sales divisions in a couple of large multinational telecoms and IT Companies, including ntl and BT. Eimear decided in 2007 to put her career on hold and pursue her life-long ambition of doing a world tour for nine months. On return, she decided to move into a new industry with new challenges, and joined the Burlington Hotel as corporate sales manager. She then joined the Carlton Group in June 2010, where she took up the position as sales and marketing manager for the Carlton Dublin Airport Hotel. Eimear recently received a promotion to area sales manager Dublin, when the group took over their new addition to their expanding Irish Hotel Group, Carlton Blanchardstown, formerly known as Park Plaza Tyrrelstown. Having two properties to look after, Carlton Dublin Airport and Carlton Blanchardstown, Eimear’s new role is challenging. However, coming from a strong sales background, it all comes natural to her. Loving the excitement and challenge of each day, Eimear spends most of her time out on the road meeting new people and developing new working relations with business clients. Eimear is enjoying the challenge of her new role
FINANCIAL ADVISER OR SALES REPRESENTATIVE? Q – I am finding it hard to see the difference between a so-called financial adviser and someone who is just trying to sell you a product like an insurance policy or mortgage. Is there any way of telling and what is the best route to take ? Mairé - Bray
Q&A Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be? A: A nun, and then I spent 14 years in convent schools, and discovered boys.
Q: What sport do you follow? A: GAA – Come on Down! Q: What sport can you play? A: Tennis, when I find the time.
Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook? A: Anyone that lets me.
Q: What was your worst holiday experience? A: Nearly falling over a cliff
Q: What was your last Tweet/ status update? A: Haven’t updated anything in
edge in a jeep in Bolivia.
Q: Describe your dream holiday? A: Sun, sea and ... sangria!
Q: What was your first job? A: McManus Shoe Shop.
Q: What is your guilty music/ TV or movie pleasure? A: Well, I love my soaps and
Q: And your first pay cheque? A: £1 an hour – slave labour.
I could watch Pretty Woman over and over and over....
Q: Describe your dream meal?
Q: When did you start your present job? A: June, 2010.
Q:What’s currently on your desk that shouldn’t be? A: A box of mince pies that
Q: Who would you rather have dinner with – Enda Kenny or Dame Edna?
Q: What is the best thing about your job? A: I guess I love the fact that
have been there since Christmas...
A: Can I not have dinner with
Q: Who best represents modern Ireland – David Norris or Jedward? A: Jedward all the way!
someone else?
in Peru, it was tough and I never in a million years thought I could do it...especially as I did no training for it!
Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously? A: Clothes, shoes and furniture
Q: What would be your dream job? A: I think I have it!
no two days are the same, and managing our Blanchardstown and Dublin Airport Hotels gives me the opportunity to meet a lot of new people.
Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’? A: Well, I just hired three new staff so still working out what I can delegate!
Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Don’t have an iPad, but would like one, and I lost my iPod when I was away travelling and have yet to replace it.
a while.
A: Anything hot and spicy
shops.
Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own? A: Funny you should ask; I arrived home last night and my husband had lined them all up, as I suggested I needed more... 67 pairs!!
ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS
Q: Have you achieved anything that you once thought you could not pull off? A: I completed the Inca Trail
Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?
A - GOOD question Maire. One way of telling the difference is the fee you pay. If you DON’T pay a fee, you should ask: How does the adviser earn their income? When you then realise the ONLY way the adviser earns income is by selling a product, you can ask further questions. The second question to ask is: Does the adviser have a vested interest in the product? All financial advisers are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and about 400 of them MUST give the best advice, irrespective of agencies held (yours truly is one of the 400). They MUST give you a TERMS of BUSINESS which states who they act for and what they charge. There are stringent regulations now governing financial advisers, and when you meet they MUST obtain all financial information from you, so that appropriate recommendations, action plans and solutions can be found. This is a legal requirement. There is a difference between servicing a need and forcing you into a financial product – a true financial adviser will know that difference. Currently we are offering 20-minute Money Doctor consultations for €65 – the same fee as you would pay your local GP.
Contact John with your money questions
A: Retirement is a bit far away,
at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website
but I think I would like to move somewhere hot, catch up on some much-needed sleep and just enjoy doing nothing!
at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
New web business offers virtual shop for Irish-made goods
Siopa.com is a new web business providing a virtual shop window for quality and unique Irish-made crafts and goods. It is expected that the launch of siopa.com will help to create 100 local jobs in indigenous Irish craft and gift businesses, and small local producers across Ireland by tapping into the vast international Irish diaspora market in order to profile the very best Irish products abroad.
With the Irish crafts industry estimated to be worth €500 million annually in economic terms, siopa. com expects to generate in excess of €10 million annual turnover before their third year of operation. Siopa.com’s supply partners range from some of the long-established popular Irish gift brands such as Waterford and Tipperary Crystal and Carraig Donn Knitwear, to many of the smaller craft and jewellery mak-
ers, such as Dublin-based Alan Ardiff, Baby Elegance, Boru Jewellery, Breda Haugh Jewellery, Gaga Baby and Tipperary Crystal. This 100% Irish-owned company, run by Irish online entrepreneur Lulu O’Sullivan, who has over 15 years online retail and global delivery experience with giftsdirect.com, has been developed with the support of Enterprise Ireland. The site acts as a conduit to inter-
national markets for smaller artisan producers across Ireland. Currently, siopa.com supports more than 100 indigenous Irish craft and gift businesses, giving them opportunity to market their wares to the world in a cost-effective manner, by tapping into the extensive experience of online marketing skills and world-wide logistic capabilities that the siopa. com team have. Lulu O’Sullivan, CEO of siopa.
com, commented: “With siopa.com we bring you the very best of Irish giftware with a level of personal customer service that is second to none. As part of siopa.com, my team and I travel extensively around Ireland to source the best quality traditional products and we can now provide an extensive outlet for unique Irish products.” For more information, please log onto www.siopa.com
22 GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Brittas Bay in County Wicklow. Photo courtesy of Wicklow County Tourism
With 84 Irish beaches awarded blue flags for great bathing areas, now is the perfect time to enjoy an Irish summer holiday RECENTLY 84 beaches around the country were awarded blue flags for their top-class seaside bathing areas and what better way to celebrate the Irish summer than with a “staycation” to one of these spots. Excellent water quality, lifeguards on duty, and clean and safe facilities are just some of the things to expect when visiting these golden strands, and Hotels.com is offering some good deals on hotels around the country. Just keep everything crossed for blue skies. In Wicklow, The Grand Hotel in Brittas Bay, comes complete with a nightclub and fitness centre. Local attractions include gold-standard beach Brittas Bay, Wicklow’s Gaol and Mount Usher Gardens. Prices starts from €105 per night, from July 1 to 3. On Inchydoney Beach, in Cork, the Quality Hotel starts from €110 per night. Situated in Clonakilty, just a short drive from Inchydoney, the Quality Hotel is an ideal spot to relax after a day enjoying the surrounding attractions. Long appreciated as a picturesque and romantic location, make sure to pack a picnic and enjoy the ocean views while there. Positioned in Castlebar, close to McHale Park, the Harlequin is a family-friendly property. Visitors can enjoy the private surroundings of Old Head Beach or climb Croagh Patrick for something a little different. Prices for The Harlequin Hotel, on the Old Head in Mayo, start from €79 per night. Lahinch Golf and Leisure Hotel in Clare is a famous golf and leisure hotel, which is located right on the beach making it the perfect summer holiday destination. Surf lessons can be taken at the beach and local attractions include the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Prices start from €105 per night from July 1 to 3.
GETTING AWAY: REJUVENATE THE MIND AND THE BODY
‘This is not like any other part of Dublin’ PAUL HOSFORD
HE promise of h e ave n w i t h i n reach of the city centre will sound more like an ominous warning than an advertisement for Celtic Tiger sur vivors, burned by the notion of commuter belts and supposedly ideal surroundings. Luckily, however, sometimes marketing is capable of simply summing up a place succinctly. Pulling into The Village At Lyons, on the grounds of Celbridge Abbey, you are immediately struck by the other-worldly charm. This is not like any part of Dublin I have ever been to. Quaint brick buildings, the twisted chimney stack on The Shackleton House, the absolute tranquillity. On checking in, we were brought the short distance to the residences, where we would spend the night in The Grace Morrison Suite, a beautiful ground-floor lodging. Tucked away behind wrought iron gates, the residences feel secluded,
T
peaceful and calm. An emphasis is on silence and the result is a stay so peaceful, that it will rejuvenate the weariest of bodies and minds. Having got our bearings, we decided to take a walk around the spectacular surrounds. The layout of The Village feels perfect. The residences are a short walk from the centre
thing to keep us going. While on the surface, it looks like a regular cafe, the food is just that notch above. The Girlfriend tucked into a potato and pesto soup while I plumped for honey roasted ham on a brown health loaf with Gubbeen cheese and spicy apple chutney. Now, as a veteran of many GA A matches
evision completed this feeling. Although, given it was the night of the Champions League Final, this was a blessing and a curse but, being the intrepid reporter I am, I bore my burden of missing Messi and Co. Following a short rest, we walked to dinner in La Serre. The beautiful restau-
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‘Tucked away behind wrought-iron gates, the residences feel secluded, peaceful and calm. An emphasis has been placed on silence and the result is a stay so peaceful, that it will rejuvenate the weariest of bodies and minds’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
area, which includes the Canal Cafe, NP2 Jewellery, Renaissance Designs and the Clodagh M c K e n n a C o o ke r y School and General store. T h e j e we l i n t h e crown, however, is La Serre Restaurant, which was to be visited later in the evening. Feeling slightly peckish, we stopped by the Canal Cafe for some-
and days out to Thurles, I consider myself a connoisseur of the “hang sangwich”, but this was like nothing I’d ever tasted. It will be hard to return to tin foil from a car boot, anyway. Taking the chance to explore the Grand Canal walking path, we were struck by just how relaxed a place this is. Indeed, the absence of anything resembling tel-
rant, set under a conservatory, is remarkably relaxed, but gorgeously adorned, with food to match. I opted for a monkfish and bacon starter that was beautifully balanced and cooked to perfection, while The Girlfriend’s crab risotto was sweet and light, bordering on perfect. As the mains of fillet of beef and roast chicken
The Village at Lyons boasts
breast arrived, the immediate impression you get is just how fresh everything is. The vegetables feel freshly picked and the presentation of both dishes was truly impressive. The flavoursome beef, served with a truffle oil, was perfectly done, while The Girlfriend was highly impressed with the chicken. Desserts of white chocolate parfait for herself, and an amazingly done apple pie panacotta with blackberry jam, rounded out a glorious meal. The next morning we were so comfortable in bed we missed breakfast. But, whether it is the noise of a town, breakfast or a football match, it is hard to feel you miss anything when the surroundings are this impressive.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 23
Edited by Mimi Murray
TravelBriefs
Experience a city fjord cruise in beautiful Oslo this summer OSLO is beautifully situated at the very head of the spectacular Oslo Fjord, making it the perfect location for an introduction to cruising. The proximity to unspoiled nature lends a special atmosphere to the city and a two-hour guided boat trip provides a unique perspective on Oslo city centre, the busy harbour, and the fjord with its islands and inlets. Cruise by the stunning Opera House, through narrow sounds, idyllic bays and through a maze of islands with small summer houses as well experiencing fantastic views of the Akershus Fortress. Fly direct from Dublin to Oslo from as little as €69 one way, including all taxes and charges with SAS. For more details go to www.flysas.ie.
Castle Durrow - Midweek Summer Pamper/Garden Package
spectacular surrounds, as well as a fantastic cafe and restaurant
SPOIL yourself in one of Castle Durrow’s luxurious individually-styled bedrooms, and indulge with amazing food and wine served by friendly, efficient staff in relaxed country surroundings Dinner, bed and breakfast costs from €210 per couple, with a delicious evening meal in the Castle’s dining room Complimentary tea/coffee, and mineral water available throughout your stay. Guests can be pampered in the tranquil beauty salon and receive two treatments for the price of one from their full range of facials, massages and body wraps, or receive a guided tour from the head gardener, Bart, through the extensive gardens of the castle including its walled kitchen garden. The beds are so comfortable you may miss breakfast
Music lovers and sun worshippers can enjoy both this September PAUL Claffey, the well known presenter and managing director of MWR (Mid West Radio), has been involved in the entertainment business all his life and has been organising music holidays in Ireland and abroad for over 17 years. Music and Fun in the Sun with Paul Claffey packages to Portugal include entertainment from some of Ireland’s best known bands and entertainers. For more information, call Joe Walsh Tours on 01-2410800 or visit www.joewalshtours.ie
24 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT
1GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Irish Youth Dance Festival
Dublin Youth Dance Company, in partnership with dlr County Council Arts Office, presents, The 11th Irish Youth Dance Festival. The Irish Youth Dance Festival Is Ireland’s leading youth dance event. Held over two days, the programme will showcase the wealth of youth dance talent from around the country and abroad. At the event, Dublin Youth Dance Company premieres their latest choreography, Lilith. Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 Tickets: €10/€14
SEAMUS ENNIS CULTURAL CENTRE 01 802 0898 Fionn Regan Acclaimed singer-songwriter Fionn Regan, with two albums under his belt, brings his unique live show to The Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre. With a new album coming later this summer, this show is not to be missed and is your chance catch this talented artist that is still on the rise. Saturday, July 9 at 8:30pm. Admission: €16.
THE HELIX 01 700 7000 National Youth Orchestra of Ireland Summer Proms The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland returns to The Helix’s Mahony Hall for Summer Proms on July 2. This performance will feature guest conductor Garry Walker and pianist Sophie Cashell, who, along with the orchestra, will perform Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2 and Mahler Symphony No. 1. Saturday, July 2 at 8pm. Tickets: €15 or €10 with concession.
Liz Taylor Film Season The Helix begins its Liz Taylor Film Season on Wednesday July 6, with the opening film, Cleopatra. The season will run until July 16 and will also show National Velvet, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and A Place In The Sun. Season tickets are €20, or €12 concession. Entry to each showing is €4/€6.
MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Waiting for Ikea
Director Alan King brings his production, Waiting for Ikea, to Dundrum’s Mill Theatre for two nights on June 30 and July 1, after sell-out runs in the past. This comedy has been lauded as full of laughs as it follows the everyday lives of Jade and Chrissie, two single mothers in Dublin. Thursday, June 30 and Friday, July 1 at 8pm. Admission: €18/€15
DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Syncopated Tempos of Time
Syncopated Tempos of Time is the new show from the students of Dance Fusion who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their first performance in Draiocht. The show is promised to be a “rhapsody of imagination, celebration and inspiration”. Sunday, July 3 at 2.30pm and 8pm. Admission: €18/€15
CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 Don’t Dress for Dinner Beezneez Theatre Company presents this new comedy, Don’t Dress for Dinner for two nights in the Civic Theatre. Don’t Dress for Dinner is story of one man’s attempts to entertain his mistress while his wife is away for a weekend. Laughs are guaranteed. Monday, July 4 - Wednesday, July 6 at 8pm. Admission: €20/€16 with concession. Super Saver: All tickets €10 on Monday July 4.
Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake are the focal points of the film
Too cool for school Cameron Diaz struggles a little in the role of Bad Teacher but still delivers some silly laughs Q JONATHAN KEANE
“LEAVE your brain at the door” comedy is an exhausted phrase but sometimes it’s just necessary, and, in the case of Bad Teacher, it’s right on the money. This is director, Jake Kasdan’s, return to the big screen after 2007’s Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, in that time though, he brought the hit series, Californication to our smaller screens. Bad Teacher, unfortunately, does not, in any way, scale those same heights as the series. In one sense, the plot of Bad Teacher is strange one. Cameron Diaz is teacher Elizabeth Hasley, a young gold digger who thought she had left the teaching profession behind when she met the loaded hubby of her bank account’s dreams. However, things go
stale for Ms Hasley when she is found out and dumped. Crestfallen, she must return to the doldrums of teaching junior high school, where the classroom acts as her retreat for mouthing expletives, knocking back a few drinks and getting high – the traits of any great teacher, of course! Several comparisons can be made to Bad Santa, the 2003 Billy Bob Thornton flick that saw him dawn a Santa outfit in a haze of drunken and misanthropic misbehaviour. What made that film work was Thornton’s commitment to the role with no give in his explicit rambling and actions. Diaz, on the other hand, is half-baked in the role of the crude Ms Hasley. The odious and, intended, offensive remarks and gestures throughout just don’t have that same
bite. She is not the most suitable, when an array of the other actresses would have slotted into the crass character with ease. The film is salvaged, somewhat, by the other characters of Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) and Russell Gettis (Jason Segel). They can distract from some of the more overly-dim moments throughout, the former more so. Timberlake’s Scott Delacorte character is a key element in the plot. He plays the young substitute teacher, who just happens to be an heir to a wealthy fortune, so of course he catches the eye of Ms Hasley. With that, she begins to stalk her prey in the hope of wooing young Scott and landing the ludicrously wealthy husband and cushy and worryfree lifestyle of yore that she so craves. But she
FILM OF THE WEEK: Bad Teacher +++ (16) 00 mins Director: Jake Kasdan Starring: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Lucy Punch
OUR VERDICT: BAD Teacher is a relatively decent comedy flick, just with a few mishaps in casting here and there. But there are plenty of moments that filled with silly laughs. Justin Timberlake is the film’s true redeeming factor in his role of Scott Delacorte and meshes well with Jason Segel and Lucy Punch too. Bad Teacher is certainly good summer comedy movie.
has competition in the form of Ms Amy Squirrel (Lucy Punch), something of a polar opposite to Hasley. Justin Timberlake is the shining light of the film. The guy has proved a handful of times in the past that he has the chops for comedy roles of this nature. Of course, he’s not going to change the face of comedy anytime soon, but when held up against the rest of the cast, he’s a godsend to the film. To be fair to both Diaz’s
role and Kasdan’s leadership, Bad Teacher is not an utter failure. There are laughs to be found, and good ones at that, and as far as simple comedies like this go, there are far, far worse out there. Granted, it’s not essential viewing by any means. Bad Teacher might be the kind of film worth renting out when it lands on DVD, opposed to making the heroic trek to the cinema, when this summer movie listings are littered with some truly must-see movies.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 25
R1
Google’s extra tech for searches ADAM MAGUIRE
WITH its Android system for phones, and its “Chromebook” laptops coming to market in the US, you might think that Google had forgotten that it is a search engine at heart. However, this could not be further from the truth. T he company still makes the majority of its massive profits from its search engine, and ensuring people that keep using it is vital to its success. But, with Microsoft and others nipping at their heels, they need to keep what they offer fresh and fast to stay attractive. A number of new features announced for Google.ie in recent weeks is the proof, if any were needed, that they intend to do that. Here is what the search engine can do, now ...
Voice Search Already a feature on mobiles, Google will now allow users to search using their voice alone (though only when they use Google’s own Chrome web browser, coupled with a microphone). Assuming you are using Chrome, you will now see a microphone icon every time you are on Google.ie, which you just have to click to activate. The idea is that using your voice will be quicker and more intuitive than typing – but how good a job the voice recognition will do with Irish accents remains to be seen! Search by image While searching for an image has been a common feature of Google for years, you will now be able to search with an image, too. This means that you can point Google to a picture, and it will help
you find out more about it. So, for example, you might have a holiday snap where you cannot remember the name of the building in the background – drop that image into Google, and it should be able to tell you what it is.
Instant pages A big part of what Google wants to do is make searching faster – that is the main reason why search results now come up even before you’ve entered your
entire request. However, as Google points out, once you find what you want and click on it, you might have to wait a few more seconds for it to load. Now, with a new feature called “Instant Pages” this wait will be reduced. Google will now load the top few pages in the background before you even click on them. This means that if, these pages are what you are looking for, they will be ready to load instantly by the time you realise that.
Samsung Galaxy S II
WITH the first Samsung Galaxy S proving such a hit world-wide, its successor was always
going to have a lot to lose. However, the Galaxy S II hits all the right notes. Samsung had a bit of a spluttering start with the Android platform when it launched its Galaxy device, which looked cheap, and felt rushed. But the Galaxy S w a s a m a s s i ve i m p r ove m e n t o n that, with good looks and a great interface, which made it a real competitor in the smartphone market. Thankfully, the Galaxy S II takes that quality and brings it on to
a significant degree. The first thing you
will notice when you pick up the device is just how large its screen is – it dwarfs the iPhone 4, for example – but just how thin and light it is, despite this. Indeed, when balanced on a fingertip, the phone has barely any weight at all, while it fits neatly in even the tightest of pockets. Aesthetics aside, the operating system’s interface is simple but user-friendly. The large touchscreen
is extremely responsive and vibrant, while its 8MP camera, with flash, delivers as much as you would expect it to. Overall, this is one of the better Android phones out there – only HTC has done as good a job as this. It is also up in the big leagues when it comes to smartphones in general, putting up a decent challenge to the iPhone. The Samsung Galaxy S II is available from free on a contract with Three. Visit teic.ie for the latest tech news, reviews and views.
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26 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
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PIANOS O’BRIEN PIANO’S Small professional business specialist in good 2nd hand
up right pianos, for sale from €700 regulated, tuned, delivered and guaranteed. Pianos from as little as €450 sometimes available. We also sell new Pianos, trade-ins accepted. We offer a home tuning & repair service. Phone: 01 2983284 10am8pm www.obrienpianos.ie
RECRUITMENT SITUATIONS VACANT Administrator required, applicants must be Fluent Chinese, know fully L.M.E And B.R.C. Cat. 4 info@stewartfoil.com GERMAN TEACHER WANTED for conversation and grammar classes - ph Anna 087 2334288
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30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 27
GazetteSPORT
STARS FOR JUNE:
Dublin Sports Awards nominees for month are announced: Page 29
RUGBY: IRELAND FAIL TO IGNITE IN TOURNAMENT AGAINST WORLD-CLASS OPPONENTS
’Rock boy takes top scorer title in U-20 World Cup sport@gazettegroup.com
IRELAND’S Under-20 rugby side, who were filled with an array of local talent, were only able to claim eighth place in the IRB Junior World Championship, played recently in Treviso, Italy. The tournament saw impressive performances across the board from the whole playing panel, but their opponents in many of the matches were among the elite of world
rugby, as was reflected in the results. The team started off with a close game against England, which saw Ireland come within seven minutes of an historic win in the competition, following Blackrock College’s Andrew Conway’s try, Ireland’s only fivepointer in the game. However, a late fade from the boys in green allowed England to steal victory and a late penalty denied Mike Ruddock’s
side even a losing bonus point. The Under-20s then put in a brave performance that saw Conway once again the try-scorer, but ultimately the Baby ‘Boks’ size and power proved too strong as they ran out 42-26 winners in the side’s second Pool C match of the tournament. Ireland’s only win in the tournament came in their final pool game against Scotland, scoring
Former Blackrock College students, Jordi Murphy and Andrew Conway, along with Paddy Jackson
three late tries against the Blues, to register a 30-13 win that saw them into the fifth-eighth place play-offs. Unfortunately, their first match again was against South Africa, who recorded an even higher margin against
Ireland, but their hopes of back-to-back wins were not to bear fruit against the strong and slippery Boks. A final match against Wales saw Ireland come close again, but the Dragons were not to be extinguished and Ireland were
outscored by five tries to three, going down 38-24 in the seventh-eighth place play-off. Despite the defeat, it was still a memorable afternoon for Ireland full-back Andrew Conway whose first half try saw him draw level
with New Zealand’s Zac Guildford in the all-time top try-scoring stakes at the championship. Conway, who turns 20 next month, has scored 10 tries in as many matches - five each in the 2010 and 2011 tournaments.
28 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteSport Sport
Tariq Singh goes for the big swing
Luttrellstown Success at Captains’ Day Golf contest
Maureen Flood in action at the Luttrellstown Golf Club
APTAINS’ Day at Luttrellstown Golf Club was a huge success last week, with new men’s captain, Irish sporting legend Eamonn Coghlan, hailing it as a great day for the club. The event, which was a strokeplay tournament that saw almost 70 of the club’s mens and ladies members take part, saw successes for John Cahill in the men’s contest, seeing off the constant challenge of Jim Fergus. In the ladies’ event, Maria Smyth came through on the second day to take the title from Moya Ridge and Yvonne Coughlan. The club are holding a captain’s charity golf day on Friday, July 15, and teams and individuals are invited to take part. For more information, see www.luttrellstowncastleresort.com or call the club on 01 860 9602.
C
Geraldine Burke presents the award to winner, Maria Smyth
Spectators watching on
Mary Burns, Pat Desmond and Carmel Horgan
Winner of the men’s Captains’ Day prize, John Cahill
Sue Hannon
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 29
in association with
2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - JUNE NOMINEES
FastSport
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
+ STARof the
Peamount discover draw for UEFA qualifiers
MONTH
LIAM RUSHE
LEEANNE ROYLE
MARIA MCGRATH
ST PAT’S hurling star Rushe was a pivotal player for Dublin as the Blues claimed their place in this weekend’s Leinster final. His showing when injury forced him into a positional switch earned him a well-deserved man-ofthe-match award.
THE Corduff karate star registered a first for the sport in Ireland when she was awarded the prestigious Charles Naylor Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding child competitor at the Karate Union of Great Britain’s National Championships.
BALLYBODEN St Enda’s Maria McGrath was awarded the player-ofthe-match award when she helped guide Dublin Under-16 ladies’ footballing side to the Leinster title after a deluged and delayed final against Meath.
MALAHIDE CG TEAM
LORETO HC
MOUNTVIEW BOYS
THE Malahide Community Games’ team celebrated a bumper medals haul following the Dublin Community Games’ Athletics finals in Santry, which saw the group bring home 13 medals, including three golds.
LORETO stormed to European glory in Lille when they claimed gold at the EuroHockey Club Champion’s Challenge II, with tournament top-scorer Nikki Symmons, Cathy McKean and Naimh Small all scoring in the final.
MOUNTVIEW Boys’ Under-11s triumphed in the national final of the Danone Nations’ Cup held in AUL Complex, beating 900 teams from around the country to the title. They now travel to Real Madrid’s Bernabeu to contest the world title.
+ TEAMof the MONTH
WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s June sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation. We’re delighted to once again be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dub-
lin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of well-known, and some, less prominent, sports. Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and gives an indication of the diversity of sporting commit-
ment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.
Let us know! Let us know about your achievements in sport, so that the Gazette can tell the rest of Dublin — and give you, or your team, a chance of being one of our monthly stars.
Contact us on 01 601 0240 or sport@gazettegroup.com to tell us all about your successes, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ gazettesport. You can also check out the latest stories from GazetteSport at our new website, www.gazettegroup.com
FAI Women’s Cup holders, Peamount United, have been drawn in Group 3 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Qualifying Round. The draw, held in Nyon last week, paired the Clondalkin club were paired with Spanish side Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, ZNK Krka of Slovenia and Purnu FC from Estonia. The group matches are to be played in Slovenia from August 11 to 16. Spanish champions Rayo Vallecano will be favourites to top the group having come within a minute of beating Arsenal LFC in last season’s quarter-finals. Coached by Eileen Gleeson, Peamount are bidding to join the Gunners and the other 22 top seeds in the round of 32, but must get through one of eight mini-tournaments that will be played. All eight group winners plus the two best runners-up will proceed to the draw for the rounds of 32 and 16 on 23 August, with the two-legged knockout phase beginning the following month. Holders Olympique Lyonnais are among those entering in the last 32.
30 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 June 2011
GazetteSport Sport FastSport
Break for ’Knock mums: Castle’s ladies on hiatus THE highly-successful Gaelic 4 Gals programme at Castleknock GAA club is taking a break for the summer. Since November 2010, the group has mastered many skills under the excellent coaching of Tony Foran and are now playing a match at each training session. If anyone is interested in joining when the club restarts in September, contact Mags 086 2577461 or Eilish 086 8901147.
Track racing opportunity ERIN GO BRAGH: DUBLIN 15 SIDE AIMING FOR PROMOTION for training coming up CLONEE United soccer stars, Conor Keogh and Lorcan Quigg, pictured here with Arnold Muhren, the former Manchester United and Ipswich Town star at the recent Ajax Youth Coaching Workshop, have been selected for the NDSL squad to play in the upcoming Foyle Cup event taking place in Derry. This will be the 19th running of the special cup event that draws teams from all over Ireland. It runs this year from July 19 to 23, with an opening parade from University of Ulster on the opening day of competition. This caps off a fantastic season for both players who have represented Clonee United with style and flair all season. Both players attended the Ajax Youth Coaching workshop in Dublin recently and found it to be very instructive.
Peamount holding trials this weekend PEAMOUNT UNITED are inviting ambitious young players from across Dublin to try out for one of the club’s schoolboy teams this weekend and become part of Ireland’s most exciting football project. The West Dublin club are holding trials this Saturday for the array of teams they have competing in top divisions in the Dublin District Schoolboy League from Under8s all the way up to Under-18s – boys and girls. Even youngsters born in 2005/2006 are welcome to join the
club’s 2011Academy, which is under the guidance of the club’s UEFA A Licence Director of Coaching. Located in Greenogue, Newcastle, the club’s now-renowned football complex is an ideal location for players from Lucan, Clondalkin, Leixlip, Celbridge, Tallaght and almost anywhere in Dublin if they are ambitious enough. The club are now looking to create the top schoolboys/girls’ section in the country to go with the best women’s section and welcome all players along this weekend. For specific times each age group are holding trials at Peamount FC on Saturday, July 2, go to www.peamount.com
Erin Go Bragh prepare for their championship game against Round Towers of Lusk
EGB double up for wins sport@gazettegroup.com
Erin Go Bragh’s junior footballers showed good resilience and character after a demoralising defeat to St Joseph’s OCB, to bounce back with two important victories in the space of a week. Round Towers of Lusk were defeated in St Catherine’s Park last week in the first round of the Junior D championship by a wide margin, 1-19 to 0-4, and this was followed by a 2-10 to 2-7 win over Park Rangers last Sunday morning, also in St Catherine’s Park. The game with Round Towers turned out to be something of a mismatch,
but Erin Go Bragh still managed to play some tidy football despite the heavy rainfall. There were impressive performances from many on the home team. With captain Tony Evans leading by example in the full back line, and Conor Quinn dominant around the half back line and midfield, Round Towers faced an impossible task in trying to break the Erin Go Bragh defence down, and were restricted to a handful of points. Tom McHugh’s booming kick-outs were fielded well in midfield by Steve Walsh and Mark Welbourne, and they provided good ammunition for the forwards.
Paul Nulty and Darren McFaul pointed well and Dylan Stephens contributed from frees and from play. Mick Moroney, showing great commitment to the cause by travelling down from Donegal for the match, was rewarded with the only goal of the game and, in the end, Erin Go Bragh ran out easy winners.
League grindstone It was back to the grindstone on Sunday morning after the excitement of championship football with an AFL8 fixture against Park Rangers. With Bragh’s bid for promotion in danger of
grinding to a halt after defeat against St Joseph’s a fortnight earlier, a victory was a necessity to get the season back on track. Straight from the throw-in, Erin Go Bragh showed their desire and will to win and were first to every ball. Dylan Stephens was hugely inf luential in the forward line, popping over some sublime points and also providing a superb pass for the second goal. McFaul again weighed in with a few important points and Seamus Bradley worked tirelessly to try and regain possession whenever it was lost. M a r k Mo o r e a n d
Quinn contributed both to defence and attack from the half-back line, Tom McHugh was faultless at fullback, and Padraic Callaghan provided a physical presence with fair but crunching hits at important times. Although the margin of victory was only three points in the end, the Erin Go Bragh performance probably merited a wider gap on the scoreboard, but late lapses in concentration almost gifted Park Rangers a route back into the game. Erin Go Bragh are serious about gaining promotion to AFL7, as their performances here displayed.
30 June 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 31
in association with
LADIES’ FOOTBALL: MID-SEASON FRIENDLY TIE
.
CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S A VERY sad week for the club with
Senior footballers’ fundraising
the passing of Yvonne Campbell;
night featuring the Irish trad band,
wife of Dave and mother to James,
The Players Brigade takes place
Sean and Liam. Our deepest sympa-
on Friday, July 8. Music starts at
thies are extended to the family.
9pm. Tickets are €10 and there will
Congrats to Paul Winters and the
be a big raffle on the night. Framed
Dublin minor hurlers on reaching
signed Dubs’ jersey and many more
the Leinster Final.
spot prizes.
Also congratulations to Daire
Summer camp dates are as fol-
Plunkett and the Dublin U-21 hurl-
lows: July 18 to 22, August 15 to 19
ers on reaching the Leinster final.
and August 22 to 25 (four days). Get
Well done to Barry, Sean, Declan and Paddy on their win over Kildare. Best of luck to Daire, Alan and Paul Winters in their Leinster finals in Croke Park on Sunday. Minor footballers beat Naomh Barrog in the league.
your application form from www. stbrigidsgaa.com. Plenty of games in Russell Park this week. Check out the club website for details. Club lotto takes place in Myo’s, Castleknock, this Frida y with a Jackpot of €14,400
A challenge match against local rivals, St Brigid’s, proved a good work-out for Peregrine’s ladies
Peregrine’s show their progress LADIES’ CHALLENGE St Peregrine’s St Brigid’s PETER CARROLL
2-14 2-4
sport@gazettegroup.com
ST PEREGRINE’S ladies got the better of rivals St Brigid’s last week, with a victory over the Dublin 15 club’s B team in a challenge match in Hartstown Park. Originally, Peregrine’s were due to take the field against Skerries Harps in the Adult Division 2, but due to postponement, the Brigid’s side stepped in to keep the Blanchardstown ladies sharp, in a season that has yet to see Peregrine’s register a competitive win. St Brigid’s B’s have been battling away in the Adult Division 4, taking three wins and two losses from their opening five encounters. Using an experimental squad, including a number of fresh faces who may make their way into the Peregrine’s first team - Fiona Connell at full forward, Megan
Leach at corner forward, Danielle Pugh at right wing back and Grainne Hughes at corner back showing great passion in their first performances for the Blanchardstown side. After a slow start to the game, the score was 1-2 to 1-1 in favour of Brigid’s 15 minutes in, with the early goal for Peregrine’s coming from Amy Kavanagh. Brigid’s then got some scores to put a significant gap between the two sides.
Comeback Peregrine’s came back into the game, however, grabbing a well-struck goal from the boot of debutant Megan Leech just before half-time, as well as some points from play. A substitution at halftime saw the arrival of Louise Kidd, a Peregrine’s and Dublin ladies’ veteran, who changed the game from her role in centre half back. With Kidd’s presence, Peregrine’s came into
their own, playing some fast-paced football which caused the Brigid’s side trouble. Peregrine’s pulled away over the course of the second half and, in the end, won by a considerable margin of ten points, the score finishing up 2-14 to 2-04 in their favour. Manager Conor Barry shared his feelings on his team’s season so far when he spoke to GazetteSport last week. “With us being without a win in our first two matches, the games against Margaret’s, Skerries, Raheny and Sylvester’s will show us where
we are going to be at the end of the season,” said Barry. “We were knocked out of the championship two weeks ago by St Maur’s, but the problem was that we didn’t perform. We should have done a lot better against Croi ro Naofa, we missed a few chances in the closing minutes of that game. “I think our performance against Brigid’s could be a big turning point. A lot of players proved their worth out there, and the movement and support play I saw can only lead to better things for us.”
ST PEREGRINE’S FOUNDATION award course for new
bers drawn were 2, 5, 17 and 24.
mentors and parents, juvenile play-
Next week’s jackpot is €2,400.
ers over 16 years and adult players
Any member not buying lotto
with an interest in coaching should
tickets, visit CNP.ie and support
register for the course. This course
your club for only €2 a week.
is now compulsory for everyone
Lotto is also available to play on-
involved with juvenile teams, so
line using the link on the club web-
please encourage anyone who has
site.
not completed it to attend. Senior and junior hurlers were unlucky in their league games last week.
Entertainment in the clubhouse this Saturda y is from Smashin’ Monkeys. Club shop is open on Mondays,
Back to football this week: Senior
Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6 to
footballers play Fingallians at home
7pm, and on Saturdays from 10am
and are away to Naomh Mearnog
to 12pm.
on Saturday at 6.30pm. Junior football teams are also in
Bingo is on Wednesday nights at 8:30pm.
action this week, details on notice-
If anybody within the club would
board and email will be sent to club
like to make a difference and join a
mailing list.
committee please see club website
The club lotto was not won. Num-
for details and contacts.
ERIN GO BRAGH ERIN go Bragh Summer camps: Foot-
a camel, and €100 to sponsor a race. If
ball camp is on July 18 to 22, from 10am
you fancy yourself as a camel owner,
to 2.30pm each day. Hurling camp is on
please contact John Kinsella on 086
August 8 to 11, from 10am to 2pm each
818 4054. You can view the fun at www.
day. Surprise trip on a double decker
camelracingireland.com.
bus is planned for the Thursday. Com-
Annual club dinner dance is tak-
pleted application forms and full/part
ing place on Saturday, November 5, in
payment can be given to your school
Park Plaza, Tyrrellstown. Tickets are
teacher or any of the mentors, or
€60 per person (strictly over 18s). Five-
David Needham, GPO, or contact him
course meal, band, DJ. Bar extension
on 086 310 1034.
until 2am.
Our junior hurlers are looking for
Deposit of €20 required, and peo-
new players. Training is at 7pm on
ple can pay in instalments over the
Wednesdays in Beech Park. Please
coming months. Contact Natasha on
contact Pat on 087 060 1567.
087 959 50 48, Maria on 087 238 0741 or
Fundraising camel race night is on Friday, July 8 at 8.30pm, upstairs in the Paddocks. It costs €20 to sponsor
Carol - Ann on 087 629 20 24. There was no winner of last weeks lotto jackpot.
ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31
FLYING FORM: St Peregrine’s find their
winning stride in local friendly match P31
JUNE’S JEWELS: Sports Awards nominees revealed P29
GazetteSPORT
David Flynn in action at Tullamore last weekend, where he obliterated the field to claim the 3,000m steeplechase title
JUNE 30, 2011
Flying Flynn takes place in Euro Cup Impressive recent placings see local athlete claim berth in national squad travelling to Izmir in July
STEPHEN FINDLATER blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com
BLANCHARDSTOWN’S David Flynn has Europe in his sights after a couple of impressive performances in recent weeks saw him confirmed his place in the continent’s Under23 championships which are set to take place in Ostrava in a fortnight’s time. He will take part in the 3,000 metre steeplechase following a recent, fine performance at the European Cup in Izmir, as well as a good showing at last weekend’s Under-23 All-Ireland championships in Tullamore. In the Tullamore race, Flynn obliterated the field by 15 seconds, despite the presence of a couple of rising Irish stars in the steeplechase pack. European youth 2,000 metre silver-medallist Noel Collins, from Finn Valley, was wiped out, as was Dundrum South Dublin’s Emmet Jennings, a recent qualifier for the world junior championships.
The home win came hot on the heels of Flynn’s impressive run in Turkey, in which Ireland finished eighth from 12 countries, with the Dublin 15 man matching his pre-race ranking of eighth. The field consisted of three Olympians, while Flynn was the youngest to take the starting line.
Big boost Speaking to the Gazette about that performance, he said that battling such tough opposition will be a big boost going forward this season into this high-quality European chase event. “I was ranked 8th coming into the race and finished 8th, so you can’t really complain about that. “I have learnt a lot from this race, and have got a lot of experience from it.” Off the back of these results, Flynn has now qualified for the European U-23 championships in the Czech Republic from July 14-17.
In so doing, he becomes the first Irish man to earn a place at the event in this discipline. Between now and then, Flynn take in one more race over the hurdles at the British milers club elite race in Solihull. Based in America, Flynn has risen to be currently ranked in the top 12 in Europe with his time of 8.52 minutes ran in Stanford, California earlier this year. That result came at the Mount Sac races where he came third and saw him dip below the nine minute mark for the first time, bettering his previous mark of 9:01.57 achieved at the same meet last year. His target in the coming months is to dip below the 8.50-minute barrier in England with a first national Senior All-Ireland medal in August the next step on the agenda. Already this year, Flynn has impressed in America where he has been competing in the Colorado Western State College jersey and was a winner at May’s 2011 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.