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April 28, 2011

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Football: Templeogue tie is SFC opener for St Brigid’s Page 32

Sports Awards: April stars and team nominees are announced Page 29

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ................8-10 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .....................21 PROPERTY ................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ......... 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Major plan for park – but no money Q LAURA WEBB

A MAJOR new masterplan, aimed at transforming Hartstown Park into a more attractive recreational area for public use, is set to go on public display in spite of the fact that no funding for the plan is in place.

Details of the scheme were presented to local councillors at a recent meeting.

Fingal County Council pro-

poses to create a new car park facility, and a 4km of a pathway system in the park will be developed as a Sli Na Slainte that shows walkers how far they are walking.

Labour Cllr Patrick Nulty said: “It looks great on paper and we want to talk to the public about what we want to do there, but is funding available?

Full Story on Page 4

Fashion sense: Local designer is crowned Best Irish Newcomer SINEAD DOYLE, from Sheepmor in Blanchardstown, has been crowned Best Irish Newcomer at a prestigious awards ceremony that celebrates Irish fashion designers. She has been making her mark in the fashion world since she first launched her own collection in 2009. Her cloth-

ing line, Sinead Doyle Designs, has been catching the attention of many fashionistas ever since. Pictured at the ceremony are John Claffey, of Killarney Crystal, Sinead Doyle and model, Grace Madden.

Full Story on Page 7

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

Laurel Lodge Carpenterstown

With Jim Lacey Phone: 087-2401308 Email: jimlacey@eircom.net

Residents get set for big cleanup OULD you believe coincidentally, the same weekend that Castleknock Community College is having its plant sale, neighbouring Carpenterstown Park Residents Association are having their cleanup day.

The Carpenterstown Park Residents Association are asking local residents to turn out on Saturday, May 7 at 10am armed with shovel, rake, broom, lawnmower, spade or hoe and remove every nasty

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weed, clip every hedge, mow every green, cleanup all the rubbish and have the estate brand new spanking clean by 4pm.

Well, not quite – but if you can spare some time between 10 and 4pm on Saturday, May 7 and help with the general cleanup and weeding in the area close to your home, it would help to enhance the appearance of the area.

Not every one is as agile or available, so it

may mean doing an extra bit for a neighbour that can’t. The end result is the lift you get the following morning when you see the results of the work.

Psychologists say there is a boost people get from doing something of a voluntary nature – they have a name for it which escapes me at the time of writing, but it’s as good a reason as any to get out and help with the cleanup.

Incidentally, Dabney

Melia, acting chairperson, Carpenterstown Residents Association, tells me that their new website will be launched in the Castleknock Community Centre, Laurel Lodge on Monday, May 9 at 7pm.

Refreshments will be served and she tells me, mysteriously, that there will be a special guest of honour to cut the ribbon.

Not Barak surely, maybe Betty? Who knows? You will have to come along and see.

The Royal Canal. Picture: Fr Eugene Kennedy

Walking and talking and the history of the Royal Canal N Saturday, May 14, Fingal South West Heritage Society will be hosting a walk from Kirkpatrick Bridge (near Coolmine Railway Station) to Clonsilla. Those wishing to participate are requested to assemble in the car park beside Coolmine Railway Station at 2 pm.

All are welcome to participate and there is a fee of €10 to cover insurance and other expenses. This fee will entitle the participants to attend the Society’s outings for the remainder of the year.

The walk will be along the canal towpath; it can be uneven and a bit bumpy in places so strong shoes are advisable.

I will be leading the walk and talking about the history and heritage of the Royal Canal and pointing out some local features of interest on the way. The walk will conclude at the gates of St Mary’s Church, Clonsilla, about 4pm.

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The girls from Casteknock Celtic who raised funds for St Francis Hospice recently by bag packing in Dunnes Stores

HE 14th Annual Plant Sale in aid of the support and development of Castleknock Community College will take place on May 7 and 8 in the Community College on Carpenterstown Road.

Doors open at 10am till 5pm on each day. This sale attracts a huge gathering each year and has become an important date in the gardening calendar and

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is famed for the quality of its produce.

The quality of the Hanging Baskets and Planters prepared by the students and their families is superb.

There will be a large selection of bedding plants, annuals, biennial and perennials and some shrubs. There will also be a range of garden accessories on sale, including plastic and terracotta pots in a range of colours

and sizes and topsoil and peat moss.

Coffee, tea and home-made cakes will be available at the Plant Sale Cafe.

For those wishing to chance their luck there will be an opportunity to buy tickets in several raffles, with fantastic garden prizes.

So, do drop by and pick up some plants to beautify your garden and, in the process, help a good cause.

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28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

VISIT Dublin prepares for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II

The royal visit will include a stay in Farmleigh House, above, and a reception with President McAleese at Aras an Uachtarain, below

The Defence Forces’ Army Ranger Wing will assist in Queen Elizabeth II will fly into Dublin’s Casement Aerodrome on May 17

protection of residences where the monarch will stay

Our guest, the Queen Q PAUL HOSFORD

news@gazettegroup.com

A MAJOR security operation will get underway in the coming weeks, with the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II set to get underway when she arrives in Dublin on May 17.

The Queen will arrive in Casement Aerodrome with her husband, Prince Philip, around midday on Tuesday, May 17, before heading to Aras an Uachtarain for a ceremonial welcome, meeting with President Mary McAleese and her husband, Martin.

Speaking to the Gazette, Minister for Tourism Leo Varadkar, said that the visit will give West Dublin a chance to showcase itself.

“West Dublin will be centre stage when Queen Elizabeth II is formally greeted by

President McAleese in Aras an Uachtarain on her arrival. The reception, hosted by President McAleese, will be one of the British monarch’s first official engagements in the Republic.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present Dublin, and the whole of Ireland, to the world. It gives us a chance to remind our traditional core markets in the US and Britain of our unique qualities.

“The tourism agencies are actively involved in the preparations for the visits and intend maximising the associated promotional and marketing opportunities. And, with the world’s media focusing on Ireland, even for only a brief period, we can extend our focus to new markets throughout the world,” said the Minister.

Although Garda officials are remaining tight-lipped about

the actual details of the scale of the operation, it is expected to be one of the largest security details in the history of the state.

Officers from London’s Metropolitan Police provide a royal-protection unit, which travels with the monarch at all times.

Close protection is expected to be provided by Garda special units, while the Army Ranger Wing will be deployed for close protection of residences where the monarch will stay.

The visit is the first of a ruling British monarch since King George V, Queen Elizabeth’s grandfather, visited Dublin in 1911, making this the first visit of a British monarch since Irish independence.

Some commentators have

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‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to present Dublin, and the whole of Ireland, to the world’ -----------------------------------------------------------------

Minister for Tourism, Leo Varadkar

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called the visit an important moment in Irish society’s coming of age and, while there is vociferous opposition amongst hard-line Republican groups, the majority of Irish people are either in support of the visit, or don’t feel strongly one way or the other.

After visiting the President at the Aras, the Queen will then visit the Garden of Remembrance, where she will lay a wreath, before moving on to view the Book of Kells in Trinity College.

On Wednesday, the Queen will visit the Guinness Store-

house, Government Buildings and the Irish War Memorial in Islandbridge, where she will lay a wreath in honour of the many thousands of men who fought for the British Army, before she will go on a tour of Croke Park and then attend a State dinner at Dublin Castle.

This being a royal visit, it was inevitable the National Stud would be visited, with that and Farmleigh House taking up Thursday.

The monarch then leaves Dublin for Cashel and Cork before flying home from Cork Airport.

The visit is expected to be a boost to tourism across the country, with Tourism Ireland planning a huge operation.

In order to maximise the tourism potential of the country, there will be press briefings by Tourism Ireland for the visiting journalists, before and during the visit.

It is expected that up to 1,000 members of the media, including print, TV and radio stations, will cover the visit.

Tourism Ireland will supply footage of the various locations on the itinerary to expand the media coverage around the globe in advance of Queen Elizabeth’s arrival.

The organisation will also encourage the visiting journalists to soak up some of the atmosphere and explore some of our many tourist attractions during their time here.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

CAMPAIGN: CHANCE TO WIN DONATIONS FOR CHARITY

24 Unsung Heroes get nomination Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

THE campaign to give Unsung Heroes in the community a chance to shine for the work they contribute to the community has seen 24 heroes nominated from across west and north Dublin.

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

Hopes

The North Dublin company hopes to raise €125,000 for different community groups and charities in a campaign, with 40% of money raised going to the D15 St Francis Hospice.

The campaign now has 24 candidates from across north and west Dublin nominated, including

Dr Danny Bell, founder of Friendly Call Service D15; The Leaders of the 104/144th Blanchardstown Scout Group; Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony, for his work with the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown; Ellen Gogavin, operational bed manager at Connolly Hospital and president of Dunboyne/Kilbride SVP; Mick Lynch, founder of Castleknock GAA club and Valerie Murphy, scout leader for East Finglas Scouts.

Over 3,670 votes were cast at the start of the week, but voting is continuing and these local heroes need more support.

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

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PLANNING Masterplan for Hartstown Park is approved

Park plan displayed despite no funding Q LAURA WEBB

news@gazettegroup.com

A MAJOR new masterplan aimed at transforming Hartstown Park into a more attractive recreational area for public use, and which has been approved by local councillors, is set to go on public display in spite of the fact that no funding for the plan is in place.

During a recent area committee meeting in Fingal offices in Blanchardstown, details of the masterplan were presented to local councillors.

In the plan, Fingal County Council proposes to revise entrances to the park, including the entrance at Blakestown Road, which is set to be relocated to be a safer and welcoming gate.

Exercise

Meanwhile, a new car park facility will be provided and a 4km pathway system in the park will be developed as a Sli Na Slainte that shows walkers how far they are walking. Also, along this route the council proposes to install outdoor exercise equipment.

Other items proposed in the masterplan are formal gardens, changing facilities, an allweather pitch and pavilion, which would be shared with Hartstown Community School.

A dog run is also being considered to be included in the masterplan.

Although councillors were united in welcoming the proposal, there was one question on everyone’s mind, and that was if there was funding for the project.

Speaking at the meeting, Labour Party councillor Patrick Nulty said: “It looks great on paper and we want to talk to the public about what we want to do there, but is funding available? We

The new masterplan is aimed at transforming Hartstown Park into a more attractive recreational area for public use

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‘It looks great on paper and we want to talk to the public about what we want to do there, but is funding available?’

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Labour Party councillor, Patrick Nulty

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need to be able to tell people if it is a long-term project, because I don’t think it is responsible to say they are coming down the line and then

they won’t come for a long time.”

In response, a council spokesperson said it was “true to say there is no funding in place”, but

despite that, the council “need to be clear and show this is how we want the park to develop” and as the plan evolves, the council will look at ways to fund it, which could i n cl u d e H a r t s t ow n Community School sharing the cost for the all-weather pitch.

“We are happy to bring plans to communities, but we have to have something in place.

There is a financial situation, but it shouldn’t stop us from trying to put plans in place so, when we have the money, we can start straight away.”

The Hartstown Masterplan was approved by councillors and is set to go out on public display for a six-week period and will be available for inspection at the council offices in Blanchardstown.

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

SPORT: BRITISH AND HUNGARIAN TEAMS TRAIN

Two polo teams to train at the NAC Q LAURA WEBB

Top talent: Chloe wins a bronze medal at the ITB World Championship in New Zealand CONGRATULATIONS to Chloe Aboud, from Alderbourke, Ashbourne, who won a World Bronze Medal for Taekwon-do at the ITB World Championships held in New Zealand recently. This is a fantastic achievement for 15-year-old Chloe, and is just reward for an extremely dedicated and talented athlete. Chloe has also shown what a caring person she is by shaving her long black hair to help those with cancer.

THE British and Hungarian water polo teams are to train at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin 15 this summer, local TD and Minister for Transport, Sports and Tourism Leo Varadkar has announced.

The two teams will arrive in June for training and international fixtures, the Minister said.

The two high-profile men’s senior squads will use the NAC for a training camp and two international matches between June 5 and 8 in co-operation with the Irish Water Polo Association and Swim Ireland.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Varadkar said: “It’s a great boost for water polo in Ireland to attract athletes of this calibre. The 22-man Hungarian senior squad has more than 40 Olympic gold medals.

I would like to congratulate the National Aquatic Centre, the Irish Water Polo Association and Swim Ireland for attracting these world-class athletes.

“The National Aquatic Centre is an integral part of the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, which also hosts the new FAI headquarters and the Institute of Sport.

“I can confirm that I have asked the Sports Campus Authority to continue developing the site on an incremental basis, at a low cost. There will be no Bertie Bowl.

But we already have an important National Sports Campus.

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‘There will be no Bertie Bowl. But we already have an important National Sports Campus’ --------------------------

Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Sports and Tourism

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“Talks are also underway to hold a four-team tournament next year for a new Dublin Cup of Water Polo, with Hungary and Serbia already expressing interest,” Minister Varadkar said.

The National Aquatic Centre is becoming a hit with water sports training, as it is already booked to host the USA Sy nchronised Swim Team for up to six weeks in advance of the London Olympics. The aquatic centre, located in D15, will also host the British Paralympic Swim squad for a training camp later this year.

INITIATIVE: TO LEARN AND SHADOW

Austin gets the chance to be a Minister Q LAURA WEBB

A GENERAL assistant at a major supermarket chain got a taste of what its like to be a Minister, when he shadowed Dublin West TD and Minister, Joan Burton, recently as part of National Job Shadow Day. Austin Lynch, who recently scooped the title of National Employee of the Year at the Irish Association of Supported Employment Best Practice Awards, got the chance to shadow the Minister on Wednesday, April 20.

Speaking to the Gazette, the Minister said she was “delighted to be participating in National Job Shadow Day”.

“Today, hundreds of people with disabilities throughout Ireland will have the opportunity to shadow a workplace employee, as they go through a normal working day in hundreds of employment locations across the country. It gives me great pleasure to be a part of this truly worthwhile initiative and to welcome Austin to work with me in Leinster House today.”

The Job Shadow Initiative, which is organised by the Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE), gives people with disabilities the opportunity to Job Shadow in a job of their interest and gain a greater understanding of what is involved in that particular area of work.

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

ACTION Local youth making a difference in community Young people to be rewarded for work at citizenship awards LAURA WEBB

YOUNG people in Dublin 15 making a positive difference in their area will be rewarded for their work at the Blanchardstown Youth Citizenship Awards this May. The 30 youth groups involved in the programme have been busy working on citizenship projects within their communities for the awards ceremony, due to take place this May 3.

Talents shows, fundraising lights for Corduff Park, raising money for the DSPCA and doing bob-a-job in aid of St Vincent de Paul are just some of the projects that have been undertaken by the youth groups.

Taking action

The initiative, which is part of the Foroige Permanent TSB Youth Citizenship Awards, aims to make young people more aware of their community, and take action to improving it by

taking part in various projects under a number of different categories.

Certificates will be given to each group on the night of the award ceremony, where winners will also be announced. Several local talented groups, including the Cronics Crew dance group from Corduff, a musical performance from young people who are involved in an Easter programme, and the winners of Blakestown Got Talent, will provide entertainment on the night.

Speakers at the event will include the chairperson of Foroige National Council, Mairi McMahon, and the chairperson of the judging panel for the awards, Martin McEntee, Youth Officer with County Dublin VEC, while comedian, John Lynn, will also be on hand to provide some light entertainment.

Following the awards, the 30 clubs and groups will proceed to take part in the Foroige permanent tsb Citizenship Regional Awards later in May in

the Crowne Plaza.

At a later date in the year, some of the projects will be showcased on national television on a programme dedicated to the Foroige permanent tsb Citizenship Programme.

Blanchardstown Youth Service is provided by Foroige in partnership with Co Dublin VEC. The Blanchardstown Youth Citizenship Awards will take place on May 3, 2011 at 6.30pm in Draiocht, Blanchardstown.

Going for the gold ONE lucky Dublin couple could have their dream wedding with goldenpages.ie offering a Gold Wedding worth â‚Ź30,000.

The nationwide search has begun for one lucky couple, who will be in with a chance to win a wedding worth â‚Ź30,000.

A call is now on for Dublin couples wanting to get married to make themselves known and enter the interactive competition on goldenpages. ie by creating a profile on the site, which is linked to Facebook and Twitter.

The three couples with the highest number of votes will go through to the grand final, where one very lucky couple will be crowned the winners.

This campaign will highlight and demonstrate the many resources and advantages of goldenpages.ie.

Couples can enter now, and the voting deadline is Friday, April 29.

Getting technical: ITB wants to know if students are pink or purple DEBORAH Kinanga, from Blakestown Community College, left, and Siobhan Carey, from Hartstown Community College are pictured here as ebay and Paypal assist Blakestown and Hartstown Community School as they take part in Are You Pink or

Purple - Young Women and Technology, which is organised by the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown. The project is for female students in second-level schools in Dublin 15 and its aim is to create awareness about technology.

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28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

EVENT Local fashion designer is crowned Best Irish Newcomer

BYS host table quiz for charity

A top award for Sinead’s fashion sense

Q LAURA WEBB news@gazettegroup.com

A Dublin 15-based designer has been crowned Best Irish Newcomer at a prestigious awards ceremony that celebrates Irish fashion designers.

Sinead Doyle, from Sheepmor in Blanchardstown, has been making her mark in the fashion world since she first launched her own collection in 2009. Since then her clothing line, Sinead Doyle Designs, has been catching the attention of many fashionistas.

The former winner of the RTE/Taispeantais Young Designer of the YearAward for most commercial collection, has now another award to add to her collection after she was announced the Irish Newcomer Awards at the Kerry Fashion Weekend.

The weekend event was judged by some of Ireland’s best loved fashion gurus, including Image Magazine editor, Melanie Morris, Irish Independent Weekender Fashion editor, Bairbre Power, and designers Eilis Boyle land Peter O’Brien.

This year was the first year the newcomer award was open to designers throughout Ireland and the petite stylist stole the show with her amazing

A dress from the Spring/ Summer collection

tailored spring/summer collection.

Speaking to the Gazette she said she had a great time during the weekend ceremony and was thrilled to have scooped the top award: “I am so happy with it. It was the first time it opened nationally, so I am just delighted.”

Couture

The 28-year-old studied in Limerick School of Art and Design before heading across to London where she studied tailoring and couture finishing in Venice. She heard about the competition through a friend and then saw on the Style Bible website that the newcomer award was open nationally.

“I just sent in my own portfolio. I knew people

who were involved in it previously, when it was only open to designers based in Kerry, and they got great feedback from it. When I heard it was countrywide, I decided to apply.

“The weekend was great. Upfront model management did a great job, everything was really well organised and I just want to thank them.”

Although winning an award for her work is a great recognition, she says that having loyal customers come back, over and over, to buy your collection is the greatest feeling.

“I started with my spring/summer collection in 2009 in a shop in New Ross, and when people want to spend money on your collection it’s like ‘wow’. It is satisfying when people are buying from you, and it is really more rewarding when a customer comes back to you a few times, it means you are doing something right and not just being able to create show pieces,” the talented designer said.

The annual Kerr y F a s h i o n We e k e n d (KFW) Fashion Awards took place in the Brehon Hotel, Killarney, on Sunday, April 17. Other winners included Tralee-based womenswear

FUNDRAISING

John Claffey, of Killarney Crystal, with Sinead Doyle, from Sheepmor in Blanchardstown, and model, Grace Madden

designer, Karyn Moriarty, who was named KFW Kerry Designer of the Year and well-known milliner, Carol Kennelly was named KFW Irish Accessory Designer of the Year Sinead’s colour ful spring/summer collection for 2011 is available in stockists, including Chic Unique, Killegland Street in Ashbourne and Marion Cuddy, at Powerscourt Town Centre, South William Street, D2.

For further information about Sinead Doyle Design, log onto www. sineaddoyle.com

A TABLE quiz in aid of the Blanchardstown Youth Service, to help raise money for the numerous projects it runs for local youths, will take place next week.

On Thursday, May 5, the local youth service will hold its table quiz in Castleknock Hotel and Country Club at 7.30pm.

This event costs €10 per person with a maximum of five per table. On the night there will be a great raffle and spot prizes.

Everyone is welcome to join a night of entertainment and fun.

BYS work with young people aged 10-18 years in Blanchardstown and provide educational-based programmes and additional support through a full range of targeted services.

If you require more information, or to book a table, please call Jacki or Carol on 01 8212077 or email bys@foroige.ie

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

EVENT The Crowne Plaza plays host to a joint Fingal Dublin

The social side of business HE Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown was the venue for a recent Business After 6 Network Evening hosted jointly by the Fingal Dublin Chamber and D15 Chamber. The event gave Chamber members an opportunity to make new business contacts and socialise with other business people in a relaxed setting and catch up on topical and relevant issues for businesses in the area.

Sean Weafer, of www.SeanWeafer.com, who is an international speaker, author, workshop leader and mentor, was the special guest speaker. Sean has worked for over 25 years in sales and leadership and his expertise is in training people in the psychological and emotional dynamics of sales and leadership and how to use them to develop compelling business relationships and referrals.

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Mark Brennan, Fingal Skillsnet; Siobhan Moore, president, Fingal Dublin Chamber, David Donnelly, president, D15 Chamber, and Sean

Dave White and Keith Mooney

Sara Farrell, Waterside House Hotel, and Tony Edward Powell, Eugene Haines and John Lambert

Julie Griffin and Damien Heaney

Eamonn O’Brien, Joanne Moody and Martin Keogh

Lambert, CEO Fingal Dublin Chamber

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

Chamber and D15 Chamber Network Evening

Sean Weafer, the main speaker at the event; Siobhan Moore, president, Fingal Dublin Chamber, Tony Lambert, CEO Fingal Dublin Chamber and David Donnelly, president D15 Chamber

Weafer, speaker at the event

David O’Neill and Alvaro Blasco

Colm O’Maolmhuire and Mary Boland

Pat Cussen, Radisson Blu Dublin Airport; Siobhan Moore, Elaine Stratford, D15 Chamber, and Lil O’Breen,

president, Fingal Dublin Chamber, and Tony Lambert, CEO

Fingal and North Dublin Skillsnet

Fingal Dublin Chamber

Main speaker, Sean Weafer

10 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

EVENT St Benedict’s pupils brush up on some art work

Ridwan and Kevin

Maria and Ioana Rauca

Ayo and Ope. Pictures: Peter Doyle

Pupils’ talents are picture perfect rom faces and flowers, to animals and houses, a recent exhibition at St Benedict’s school in Ongar had it all.

The young students displayed their creative works as part of the

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school’s first art exhibition in their new state-of-the-art building.

The art was proudly put on display in the school hall so that all could appreciate the hard work the children had put into their efforts.

Sean and Deirdre Deery

The children’s parents were suitably impressed by the beautiful colours and designs their little ones had produced. Many parents also purchased the work that was professionally framed for all to see.

Anne Marie Malone, Helena McCormack, Adam McCormack, Lisa Smith, Joshua Okagbue, Julie Murray, Mariam

Clara O’Callaghan

Emma Murray, PTA Members

David

Ci Xin and Sharon O’Callaghan

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 11

12 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

FETAC

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

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National Framework of Qualifications

Great employers know… there are over one million reasons to choose FETAC! EVERY business aims for highly skilled flexible employees who can not just do the job in hand, but who can take one new learning and challenges too.

You want to choose the best person for the job and then make sure they stay ahead.

Choose applicants who have quality assured FETAC awards that are part of the National Framework of Qualifications.

The National Framework of Qualifications is a ten level Framework that makes it easier to understand awards in education and training in Ireland. FETAC, the Further education and training Awards Council, makes awards at levels 1-6 of the National Framework of Qualifications.

The National Framework of Qualifications allows for different award types which ensure that achievement in learning can be appropriately recognised and understood, step by step.

Major awards recognise a large amount of learning, resulting in the achievement of Certificates. Certificate titles include the level of the award, for example, Level 5 Certificate Business Studies.

Minor awards recognise smaller amounts of learning and are coherent in their own right. Minor awards are the essential building block for FETAC awards.

Minor awards lead to

Component Certificates.

Special purpose awards recognise a narrow range of learning that is typically specifically focused on employment, for example Level 5 Road Winter Maintenance. Special Purpose Awards lead to Specific Purpose Certificates.

Supplemental awards, leading to Supplemental Certificates, recognise the learning that follows other awards. They update prior learning, and help employees stay ahead of the curve or to comply with new leg-

islative requirements.

For more information on the Framework, view www.nqai.ie .

Making recruitment easy When you choose a FETAC award, you can be confident that the skills are relevant to today’s employment standards.

Applicants will have a knowledge base that enables them to keep on learning and to up-skill as required to help your

business stay ahead. Key competences valued by employers such as communications, team working and interpersonal skills are built into award structures.

Awards requirements and standards are published on www.fetac.ie in the Awards Directory so you can check for yourself what lies

behind the certificate.

If you are recruiting staff, check out our Employers page on www.fetac.ie. It provides advice on how to frame advertisements so as you get the best information from potential employees.

For example, many employers now frame recruitment requirements according to the Framework: ‘Successful applicants will have a level 4 qualification or equivalent.’

You may also want to

understand how qualifications achieved outside of Ireland relate to Irish qualifications. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) provides a free service to employers to assist with this. View www.nqai.ie A FETAC award is generally achieved through further education and training provision and is quality assured.

FETAC awards can be achieved following programmes offered through VECs, FÁS, Fáilte Ireland, Teagasc, a wide variety of private providers / training companies, including in the workplace or in a community setting.

Further education and training in Ireland is known for its dynamism and innovation, but also because it is genuinely accessible to learners nationwide, in over 1,500 centres.

One Million reasons…

In 2010 FETAC celebrated over one million people achieving a FETAC award. This means that roughly one in three people of working age have a FETAC award.

Most are adults, who have taken the time and

made that commitment to continuously learning, tackling gaps in experience, stretching ability, engaging with new ideas and knowledge. FETAC people with this kind of energy are just what your business needs.

President McAleese described FETAC learners as people who take ‘control, adjusting to the changing economic conditions, getting ready for the new labour market requirements, using their time well and investing in the optimism that comes from doing something positive. It is people with that cool mixture of realism and optimism and ‘can do’ attitude that will help Ireland become a stable and prosperous economy in the months and years ahead.’

A unique celebration was hosted in Dublin, among the audience were some leading employers who found that providing training on site as part of the workplace not only increased staff commitment to quality, but also increased compliance with essential health and safety requirements.

Learners themselves give the FETAC system the ‘thumbs up’; Timothy Forde completed his Level 6 Supplemental Certificate Domestic Gas Installation with FÁS so as to be fully equipped to start his own business in a niche market.

Timothy saw learning and awards as ‘stepping stones to future suc-

Over one million people have a FETAC award. Enrico Jennings, Tsvetolina Tonova, Timothy Forde and

cess…It is very important that I undertake learning in my relevant expert field.’ Yaoweii Sun achieved the Level 5 Certificate Information Technology while working as part of the management team at Dominos Pizza. ‘Education opens doors and opportunities. It gives you options and helps you think differently.

Completing my FETAC course helped me develop both career and life skills. It has given me perspective and helped me improve my ability to communicate effectively.’

FETAC - taking people further….

FETAC provides an important route into higher education for many learners, including those in the workforce. In 2010, almost one in five learners applying through CAO to Higher Education indicated that they had a FETAC award.

Institutes of Technology and Universities continue to expand entry routes for FETAC award holders. Michael Cloo-

nan from Inishbofin built on the local rich tradition of hospitality by taking a Fáilte Ireland programme in the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology first in Bar Skills at level 5.

Now Michael has progressed and is studying for his Bachelor in Business in Bar Management. Participating in ‘programmes and awards give me a great foundation not only for industry but for life’ said Michael.

Employers such as Monaghan Mushrooms use programmes leading to FETAC awards to ensure consistency across work practices and to provide structured career paths within the industry. If you think this is what your staff or organisation needs, consult the Employers Page on www.fetac.ie. FETAC is glad to work with employers to ensure Ireland is ready and skilled to shape and make opportunities for all of us.

There are one million reasons to choose FETAC. Are you one?

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Mulcahy, Michael Cloonan, Carmel Boylan, Seรกn Walsh, Ann Marie BrettJoseph Barry celebrate.

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 13

14 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

FastNews PROGRAMME A total of 300 placements available Don’t miss your chance ONE lucky Dublin couple could have their dream wedding as goldenpages.ie are offering a Gold Wedding worth €30,000.

Voting is about to close for couples who have entered the competition on goldenpages.ie.

The three couples with the most votes will go through to the final where one very lucky couple will be crowned the winner.

The winning couple will receive a Gold Wedding worth €30,000 on two conditions: 1, they must get married on Saturday, September 10 this year, and 2, they must accept a second “mystery condition”, which will be revealed when the winning couple is announced. Voting deadline is Friday, April 29.

Getting back to work with beginagain.ie Q STAFF REPORTER

EXPERIENCED and professional individuals in Dublin, who are eager to rejoin the workforce, have the opportunity to take up some 300 work placements provided

by Begin Again (www. beginagain.ie), a career advancement programme developed by the Irish Centre for Business Excellence (ICBE).

The programme, which was launched in 2010, has already placed over 400 unemployed people in work placements throughout Ireland.

Over 240 of these have now returned to employment, providing the

exchequer with an additional estimated €4.8m on an annualised basis.

The programme is a mix of certified training, internship and mentoring, with four central themes; employment and employability, resilience and wellbeing, innovation and enterprise and life-long learning and training.

Having recently completed the programme, Dubliner Clare Curtin said: “The Begin Again programme has not only helped me secure employment, it has also very professionally blended my expertise with the company’s requirements.

Begin Again is the only programme that has

offered me anything concrete in terms of employment opportunities.’’

Over 300 Companies have taken part in the programme to date, with established companies such as Supermacs, Boston Scientific and Bewleys all providing work placements and full-time employment opportunities.

Funded by the Labour Market Activation Fund, the Begin Again programme has enabled people who were experiencing both short-term and long-term unemployment to gain that crucial foothold back into the workforce. To date, 41% of participants

Mike Gaffney, of Begin Again, and programme supporter, Mark Fielding of ISME

have obtained employment, 19% have gained self-employment or contracts, with a further 5% re-entering the education system. A further 21% are currently in workplaces with real job prospects.

Begin Again participants retain all of their social welfare benefits during the work placement programme.

Explaining the impact of Begin Again, Pat

O’Connor, CEO of the ICBE said: “We have seen participants come from a broad range of backgrounds and educational levels, including engineers, accountants, quantity surveyors, sales and administration professionals and operational level people. Having had a successful outcome for over three-quarters of our 400 participants, 49% of whom were long-term

unemployed, we believe we are providing a valuable service for the Irish public and the Irish State.

We estimate that Begin Again is costing less than 50% of any previous government-sponsored labour market activation programme.”

For further information on the Begin Again programme go to www. beginagain.ie or call 061 371753.

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 15

FESTIVALS Foodies, rejoice – Taste of Dublin is coming up

Vogue Wilson

Sheana, Eabha and Molly Lewis can’t resist following Ross Lewis’s fruity fare

Tempting event to tickle taste buds ...

HE sixth annual Taste of Dublin is set to once again tickle taste buds, when the outdoor food and drink festival takes place from June 9 to June 12 in the serene surrounds of the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin 2.

The festival will feature al-fresco dining, wine tastings, live chef demonstrations and the chance to meet more than 100 artisan food producers, as well as a number of well-known

T

foodie faces and celebrities, including Gino D’Acampo, Derry Clarke, Conrad Gallagher, Catherine Fulvio, Ross Lewis and Neven Maguire, to name but a few.

With Superquinn once again on board as headline sponsor, tickets are now on sale from the ticket line at 0818 300 030. For further information on the delightful, delicious festival, see www.tasteofdublin.ie.

Eabha Lewis

Vogue Wilson was helping to promote the event

Top foodies, Ross Lewis and Catherine Fulvio

Molly Lewis

16 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

Gazette Contacts

SNAPSHOT The stories of the day

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

Managing Director: Liam Holland email: lholland@gazettegroup.com Editor: Cormac Curtis email: ccurtis@gazettegroup.com News Editor: Dawn Love email: dlove@gazettegroup.com Financial Controller: Carly Lynch email: clynch@gazettegroup.com General Manager: Michael McGovern email: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com Production Editor: Jessica Maile email: jmaile@gazettegroup.com Sports Editor: Rob Heigh email: sport@gazettegroup.com Advertising Production: Anita Ward email: ads@gazettegroup.com Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com

Every little face...

PICTURED launching the Face of Tesco – a competition to find three staff members to model in the company’s 2011 Autumn Winter Clothing Campaign, are the judges - model agency boss Rebecca Morgan, fashion editor Bairbre Power and fashion expert Darren Kennedy along with models Ellie Murphy and Carl Shaaban. Prizes for the winner include modelling in the Autumn Winter Clothing photo shoot, a Tesco wardrobe, a professional hair and make-up consultation, and more.

Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

Get your hats out for a right royal Dublin do WHY NOT celebrate Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton, this Friday, April 29, at Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, with an afternoon to remember?

Guests can enjoy a glass of Prosecco on arrival, then sit back, relax and view the royal wedding on screen, while enjoying a delicious three-course lunch. Come along with friends and watch as history is made, when the heir to the British throne marries his college sweetheart.

Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is located just a stone’s throw from Dalkey, and enjoys stunning views over Dublin Bay. The Royal Wedding Lunch Package costs €29.95.

To make an enquiry, or booking, please contact reservations on (01) 2305556 or email reservations@ fitzpatricks.com

Acting for beginners AN Acting for Absolute Beginners course starts on May 15 and runs for 10 weeks in Dublin city centre.

With students from Lucan and Swords already signed up for the course, tutor Ronnie McCann says he is looking for students from all over the city to take part.

DIARY The course introduces students to the basics of acting and offers a hands-on practical approach that will get the creative juices flowing and explores new and inventive ways to become the next De Niro or Winslet.

Ronnie McCann has been a professional director and actor for 20 years and, as an actor, he has been in many television dramas and is also a regular in Casualty.

He has also been in several feature films and has worked on camera and stage in Europe as well.

He trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Lee Strasberg in New York.

He also teaches acting for camera and directing at several leading drama colleges, including the Gaiety School.

“There will be lots of laughter, excitement and fun. If you think ‘I wouldn’t have the talent’, but your instincts tell you differently, this is the course for you. It is a great way to meet new people, explore new ways to communicate and develop new skills that you can use in life,” Ronnie says.

The course takes place on Sun-

days from 2pm - 4.30pm in the church just off Frances Street. It costs €140 for 10 weeks. Contact 086 7838619 / 01 6293976 to book.

Support Norris and Aware A QUIZ night will be held in aid of AWARE and Senator David Norris in the Grand Hotel in Malahide this Friday, April 29.

Sheila Byrne, who is a fundraiser for Senator Norris’s presidential campaign said: “I have met with the CEO of AWARE and he is delighted that they will be part of this fundraising night. A lot of charities are finding it difficult to get funds due to the downturn of this wonderful island of ours. Fortunately, with positive thinking and helping each other it won’t be long before we get this country up and running again.

“During the course of his election campaign, and if he is elected as the next President of Ireland, Senator Norris will focus on three key areas in our society and will shine a light on the key issues associated with these three areas: Mental Health and Wellbeing, Culture, and Enterprise,” Sheila said.

The quiz night kicks off at 8pm.

All are welcome.

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: IT’S IMPORTANT TO RESPECT A DOG’S INSTINCTS AND ITS FEARS

Keep your child safe around strange dogs E all know that man’s (and woman’s) best friend is the dog! Dogs love us unconditionally and their level of gorgeousness goes right off the, well, the gorgeousness scale. You can tell I’m a doggie kinda gal?

However, even the nicest doggie has been known to bare his gnashers and, quite often, it’s a small child who bears the brunt of his anger.

All parents know that kids go off the rails when they spot a dog. Their natural instinct is to run up and pet the animal, try to hug it, pick it up and scream and squeal with excitement, often upsetting the poor pooch, albeit unintentionally.

Now, to a small child and even an adult, this

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type of adulation is a normal reaction and appears cute – to a dog it spells something entirely different. Sudden movements and loud, ear-splitting screams often cause the poor dog to feel fear and could promote an aggressive response in the friendliest and most easygoing of canines.

So, as a parent, what can you do to protect your child from strange dogs?

Well, here are a few tips I hope will come in handy.

• Teach your child to respect a dog’s instincts and most importantly, its fears. When around a strange dog, ask your child to speak quietly and to move slowly – no running around making mad flapping movements.

• Never allow your child

to ride a bike, a flicker scooter or skate too close to a strange dog. Some dogs feel scared because they are not normally used to these things, and may even chase the moving object because such behaviour can trigger a dog’s natural prey instinct.

• If a strange dog gets too frisky or excited around your child, then teach the child to behave like a statue. Your child will need to drop any food or toy they’re holding and stand still, like a statue or a tree. Statues are boring for dogs – they will usually come over, sniff and go away. Practise this with your kids, so they know exactly what to do if a dog rushes at them.

• Teach your child to

Even friendly dogs can be aggressive when provoked

never, never, and again I stress, NEVER pat a dog without the owner’s permission. I’ve lost count of the times kids have rushed up to me in the park to try and grab hold of my dogs’ heads and attempt to rub them and, when I pull my

dogs away, the parents get stroppy. There is a reason why you must seek the owners’ permission. Some dogs, two of mine included, do not like strangers patting them and may become aggressive due to nervousness. Teach your

child to respect a dog’s personal space and his right to refuse to be patted by strangers.

• If the owner gives permission, teach your child to approach the dog slowly and quietly and allow the dog to sniff the back of the child’s hand – then gently pat the dog’s chest, sides or back. Dogs don’t generally like to be rubbed on their heads. Keep your face away from the dog and never stare into its eyes. For very small dogs, your child may need to kneel down, keeping the top half of the child’s body straight and not bend over the dog.

• Tell your child it’s a big no-no to sneak up on a dog that is eating or sleeping. If a dog is eating, your child must wait until he has moved away

from the feed area before approaching him. If the dog is sleeping, your child needs to stand back and call the dog out of his bed if they wish to give him a cuddle.

• Puppies! Never allow your child pick up a puppy. Mummy dogs are very protective of their babies, just as humans are, and may bite the child if she thinks they will hurt them.

•Make sure your child doesn’t approach or pat a dog that has his head sticking out of a car window. It’s likely the animal is protecting and defending what he perceives as his space.

For more information, log onto www.dspca.ie or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs VW GROUP GROWS TO RIVAL TOYOTA:

V O L K S WA G E N has reported that its first quarter delivery of new cars rose by 13.7% to a record 1.97 million vehicles. VW also reported record deliveries for March, with sales of more than 767,200 cars, up 8.1% from a year ago.

VW aims to pass Toyota as the world’s best-selling car brand by 2018.

In 2010, VW group sold a record 7.14 million units, ranking it third behind General Motors with 8.39 million and Toyota with 8.42 million.

The Germanbased company has reported that car sales growth in regions such as China, India or Russia produced a strong performance.

The company’s core VW brand sold 1.23 million cars between January and March, a rise of 10.4%.

The new BMW X1 xDrive28i uses the first of the new generation four-cylinder petrol engines to give improved acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, taking just 6.1 seconds, as well as a 16% improvement in fuel economy. Inset: The BMW-designed electric motor, which will be used in BMW electric cars in the future. The motor is claimed to be over 90% efficient and produces in excess of 160bhp for fast acceleration

Impressive engines MICHAEL MORONEY visits the BMW headquarters in

Munich, where he got a glimpse of things to come MWhas set a name for itself with its Efficient Dynamics technology that has boosted diesel engine performance far ahead of where people would have believed possible 10 years ago.

I was in Munich last week to hear and discuss with BMW engineers where the next move will be.

There were three areas where BWM focused on during what they call their annual Innovation Day. These were new engine designs, the development of the electric car and new lightweight car components.

The target remains the same – giving enhanced driving pleasure in quality cars consistent with reduced fuel consumption. That’s the basis of the Efficient Dynamics concept and development director at BMW, Dr Klaus Draeger, said that this remains true as

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the core principle of the company.

The big news was the announcement of a complete new line-up of engines that will be fitted to BMW cars in three to four years time. BMW has invested €300 million in this new enginedesign concept that will give them huge savings through new economies of scale.

BMW expects that, while the move to electric cars will accelerate, the sales of electric or even hybrid cars will not be more than 20% of the total market.

That’s why the company continues to put a lot of effort into to increasing the lead that the Efficient Dynamics approach to conventional car engine design has given them. That has been confirmed by the fact that, in 2010, and for the sixth time in a row, the BMW Group was named the most sustain-

able automobile manufacturer in the world by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

There will be a new family of three, four and six-cylinder engines in diesel and petrol format, all using the same basic design. This will mean common parts, such as engine structures and fittings, even pistons and camshafts, making engine assembly easier, and bringing big savings in terms of economies of scale.

But the changes are not big enough to expect a drop in prices, according to the company; it will be more of a situation where they will give better economy and performance without increasing the prices into the future.

These new engines will feature a new BMW TwinPower turbo-charging system that ensures more power and lower fuel consumption in both

petrol- and diesel-fuelled cars. We had an opportunity to take a short test drive in the first of these new engines, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was fitted to the new X1. In the new BMW X1 xDrive28i, this engine has improved the acceleration of the vehicle from zero to 100 km/h, taking just 6.1 seconds. The new engine delivers 245bhp.

This is over 70bhp more powerful than BMW’s previously most powerful four-cylinder engine.

The engine produced a huge level of torque for a petrol engine and even more impressive is the fact that it does so at a low 1250rpm engine speed.

BMW claims that the new TwinPower Turbo engine even surpasses a BMW six-cylinder engine in terms of response and pulling power.

On the electric car front BMW has created

what it calls a new subbrand, called the Megacity vehicle. The company will have two models on offer in 2013, a full electric car, the i3, and a plug-in hybrid petrol car, the i8x.

BMW told us that they are developing their own electric motors, voltage invertors and high voltage storage systems. The aim is to develop a system that achieves flexibility for future hybrid and electric vehicles.

Each battery storage unit of the future BMW hybrid or electric vehicle comprises a different number of modules, which in turn, each consists of a specific number of battery cells.

These are interconnected in series in order to match the power and energy capacity needs of each vehicle.

The new lightweight technology being planned for future BMW cars aims to cut the over-

all weight of the cars.

That, too, will improve fuel economy. Plastics are going to be used to a greater extent, along with carbon fibres, some developed from agricultural crops, to produce vehicle body panels and insulation materials that incorporate new types of resins that make them strong, yet light.

BMW is researching every aspect of the cars for the future to make them more sustainable in terms of economy and easier to build in a process that causes less lasting damage to the environment.

T hat means using products in their manufacture that can be grown within Europe.

These of their own accord can mean new opportunities for farm crops and some of the materials show during the Innovation Day provided real evidence of this.

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs Skoda sponsors Tipperary GAA SKODA is the new GAA sponsor of Tipperary GAA. The three-year sponsorship agreement, which begins following the 2011 National Leagues, will see Skoda Ireland invest approximately €200,000 into the Premier County per annum. As part of this sponsorship agreement, Skoda and Tipperary GAA officially unveiled the new 2011 Jersey at Croke Park on April 19. AllIreland Hurling Champions Eoin Kelly, Brendan Cummins, Padraic Maher and Conor O’Mahony were on hand to showcase the new strip and discuss Tipperary hurler’s prospects of defending theirAll Ireland crowns as the 2011 championship season approaches. The full sponsorship of Tipperary GAA covers both the hurling and football codes and includes all grades from minor to senior inter-county teams over the next three years. As part of the sponsorship agreement, the new-lookTipperary jersey was unveiled displaying the Skoda brand name.

Pictured at the announcement is Ray Leddy, marketing manager of Skoda Ireland, centre, with Tipperary hurling manager Declan Ryan, left, and Tipperary football manager John Evans

MERCEDES BENZ IN TALKS ON FUEL CELLS: MERCEDES BENZ is involved in a partnership with Renault and Nissan to develop new fuel cell technology for cars for the future. This comes a year after both companies formed a global alliance in which both companies swapped stakes in each other to co-operate on the development of small cars, commercial vehicles and future engine systems.

FIAT WANTS A CROSS-OVER NOT A GOLF: FIAT hopes that reshaping the Bravo hatchback

into a crossover will lead to a surge in European sales.

Fiat has decided to replace its slowselling Bravo compact hatchback with an all-new high-roof cross-over inspired by the popular Nissan Qashqai.

Fiat had originally planned to relaunch the Bravo as a rival the Volkswagen Golf, which is Europe’s bestselling car. The current Bravo and Qashqai were both launched in Europe in 2007. Their sales results were close at first but last year the Qashqai outsold the Bravo by a 5-to-1 margin (216,091 to 44,850).

The new Volkswagen Beetle is built to be one of the safest cars on the road, thanks to features such as standard ESP and six airbags

New VW Beetle goes back to its roots VOL K S WAGE N unveiled the latest generation Beetle at the Shanghai Motor Show in a style that moves away from design of the New Beetle of 1998.

This latest generation Beetle draws on cues from the original.

This new Beetle, due here later this summer, is longer, wider and lower, giving a more masculine and dynamic appearance.

The Beetle now measures 4,278 mm in length (+152 mm), 1,808 mm in width (+84 mm) and 1,486 in height (-12 mm).

The track width front and rear, as well as the wheelbase at 2,537 mm, is also increased.

The car’s new proportions mean the roof extends back further, the windscreen is shifted back and the rear section is now more akin to that of the origi-

nal Beetle.

The boot capacity is a practical 310 litres, up from 209 litres in the 1998 model. The Beetle has four seats, with a split-fold rear seat for added versatility.

Inside the cabin, the Beetle’s designers created a modern, practical and distinctive appearance with easy to identify and ergonomic controls.

Certain features, such

as the glove box and colour accent panels, hark back to the original.

Three trim levels will be available – Beetle, Design and Sport – and each will have its own individual character and features. There will be a wide range of optional equipment available.

It is expected that, in Ireland, there will be a choice of four engines: three petrol – a 1.2-litre TSI 105bhp,

a 1.4-litre TSI 160bhp and a 2.0-litre TSI 200bhp; and one diesel – a 1.6-litre 105bhp with BlueMotion Technology. Thanks to the addition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems, the Beetle 1.6-litre 105bhp is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 23.8 km/litre (4.2l/100km) and a low CO2 emissions rating of 112 g/km.

Porsche returns to southside of the city PORSCHE has long been one of the most prestigious brands in the world and Porsche Centre Dublin is delighted to announce its return to South County Dublin, introducing some exceptional cars that are exclusive to this centre in Ireland.

Whether window-shopping or otherwise, you don’t even necessarily need to be a Porsche obsessive to appreciate the Porsche Boxster Spyder

PDK. This is the first and only car of its kind in the country, and now on display at Porsche Centre Dublin, Rochestown Avenue.

This new Porsche Service Centre retails the full range of Porsche Approved used cars and provides customers in the Republic of Ireland with the only authorised facility that caters for all Porsche aftersales requirements.

All Porsche-approved used

cars are inspected using a 111-point checklist and come with a 24-month, manufacturer-backed Porsche Approved Warranty, with no mileage limit, and a 24-month Porsche Assistance policy, offering Europe-wide breakdown assistance.

Experience Brand manager Ryan O’Connell, has a wealth of experience with the Porsche brand and

is one of the most experienced Porsche experts in Ireland having overseen an impressive 350 deliveries to Porsche customers across the country.

Porsche Ser vice Centre Dublin is located at Joe Duffy Ltd, just off exit 16 of the M50 at Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Customers can contact the Porsche Centre Dublin on 01 2353375 or by email at info@ porschedublin.ie.

28 April 2011 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Graham Costigan, general manager, Room To Room

Furnishing what customers want DUCA Furniture, trading as Room To Room, started business more than 10 years ago as a furniture wholesaler.

Given the tough economic conditions prevailing in the country, the company decided to take their furniture directly to the public, with a benefit for the customer being the excellent value the company says it offers all year long.

Talking to the Gazette this week, general manager Graham Costigan told us about his career and the company.

“I was born what seems like an eternity ago in Dublin, I spent seven years living in Germany, and came back to Ireland 12 years ago.

“Since leaving school (Joey’s in Fairview) I’ve run pubs, an accounts department and a freight company before joining Duca Furniture about a year ago.

“I enjoy work, golf, travel, a couple of drinks now and then and relaxing with [partner] Karen, but not necessarily in that order!” Graham says.

“Duca Furniture started business over 10 years ago as a furniture wholesaler.

Based on the outskirts of Dundalk, we have a state-of-the-art 75,000 sq ft warehouse facility. Our showrooms in Santry, Fonthill and Leopardstown are decked out in the best of furniture.

“We sell quality and pride ourselves on this. There are plenty of furniture retailers, but we feel we have some of the

ANSWERS TO YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE QUESTIONS DECIDING ON PAYING PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS Q – My new employer will pay 5% into my defined contribution pension if I match it. I am only 26 – do I have to agree to this, or can I put it off until I am at least in my thirties? Mary – Stillorgan A - THERE are currently more than 420,000 Irish citizens over the age of 65 and, by the year 2050, there will be 1.8 million citizens over this age.

By 2026, a total of 767,300 such citizens are expected, meaning that 16 years from now, more than 16% of the population will be in retirement.

Another fact is that half of the current earning population of Ireland does not have a pension. They are obviously hoping that the State Pension (which is currently €230.30 per week) will be enough to tide them over at that stage, AND that the Government will still have

Graham Costigan, general manager at Room To Room

the funds to be able to pay it when they reach retirement age.

best furniture out there. And, as we’re a wholesaler by trade, the price is fair as there is no middle man.

“We stock most of the floor items and have a wide range of customised furniture. Why not slip by if you’re in the market?”

According to Graham, Room To Room don’t mark up prices to enable them to mark down in a fake sale.

The company is keen to promote its core belief of providing the customer

with an excellent level of service and quality at a fair price.

Room To Room carries stocks of leather, bedroom, dining and occasional furniture, with most of these items available for immediate delivery.

Added to the its extensive range of custom-made fabric suites, the company believes it has something to suit every taste and every pocket.

Customers can find all of the company’s details at www.roomtoroom.ie

With the pension funds being decimated over the last few years, and the ageing population ambivalent about saving for their retirement, something had to give.

The Government, through the recent National Pension Framework plan, has addressed this issue and, by 2014, all employees and employers will eventually have to contribute to a pension fund of some sort, plus the retirement age will be raised gradually to age 68 in 2026, with one uniform standard rate of tax relief applied to all contributions – 20%, by 2014.

So, if you are currently on the higher rate of tax, it will certainly be worth your while making that 5% contribution, as your employer is also making a 5% contribution.

This is a win-win situation for you, while you are never

Q&A

too young to start a pension!

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

A: I wanted to be a foot-

Q: What part of your job do you dislike the most?

A: Doing the accounts –

baller.

boring.

Q: What was your first job?

A: I worked in Dunnes in the northside, stacking shelves and sweeping floors.

Oh, how I miss those days ...

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: It was from the same place.

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

A: Loads. Sometimes too many, sometimes not enough.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: The greatest thrill is getting things organised and not having any problems with deliveries.

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

A: Generally Aer Lingus or Ryanair, whichever is best value.

Q: What car do you drive?

A: I drive an old Audi.

Q: Can you swim?

A: I can, and try to, as much as possible.

Q: Would you ever bungee jump?

A: Nope; I don’t like heights.

Q: Do you play any sport?

A: I play golf.

Q: What is your favourite food and drink?

A: My favourite food is stew;

my favourite drink is coffee.

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

A: Brian Cowen. I’d love to give him a slap up the side of the head.

Q: How many times a week do you go to the ‘hole in the wall’?

A: Way too often.

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

A: As seldom as possible. I don’t like shopping.

Q: What is the name of your favourite shop?

A: Room to Room, of course! But, really, it’s Macy’s in New York.

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: About 15, I think.

Q: Where is your favourite holiday destination?

A: Portugal.

Q: Have you ever met Brian Cowen?

A: Nope.

Q: What other job in the whole world would you really like to have?

A: A professional golfer; otherwise, I’m very happy with my work.

Q: When do you wish to retire?

A: As soon as I have the means to do so, comfortably.

Q: What will you do then?

A: I haven’t got a clue. I will read books and take it easy for a while, and just spend some time smelling the flowers – I don’t get a chance now.

Even at 20% tax relief, the full 10% contribution (5% from you and 5% from the employer) is only costing you a net 4% of your income.

Ask for a report each year from the trustees to ensure the fund is on course to pay you what the original estimates hope to.

Quite simply put, a pension is a must. It is a savings plan which attracts three specific tax breaks.

Firstly, tax relief on the contribution that you make to your pension at your marginal rate –in 2014, it reduces to 20%.

Secondly, tax-free growth in the pension fund.

And, thirdly, the availability of a tax-free lump sum, currently 25% of the fund, on retirement age, with a cap of €200,000.

Independent, authorised and experienced advice is essential, and it would be preferable to pay for it, to ensure that independence. Do it!

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

22 GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY CLONEE: RANGE OF APARTMENTS NOW ON SALE NEAR BLANCH

Ard Cluain hits the market

Allendale Glade offers three-bed living in D15

CLONSILLA: ASKING PRICE OF €204,950

Allendale is cosy in Clonsilla

WILSON Moore have made a final reduction to encourage an immediate sale on No. 4, Allendale Glade, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, a stunning three-bedroom mid-terrace home in immaculate condition throughout and very well maintained by its present owners.

The accommodation consists of entrance hallway, living room, kitchen/dining area, guest wc /utility room, three-bedrooms (of which the master is en-suite) and a family bathroom.

To the rear is a good size garden with seeded lawn and conservatory.

Special features include a feature fireplace and coving in the living room with double doors leading to the dining area, cream-fitted kitchen with tiled splash-back and doors leading to a large conservatory; Egyptian Travertine flooring in the conservatory and semi-solid wood flooring throughout the ground floor. There are fitted wardrobes in all bedrooms, and the attic is fully floored with Stira stairs.

The property features a south-facing rear garden with outdoor tap and outdoor electricity sockets and is wired for outdoor lighting; gas heating, PVC windows and new PVC guttering and fascias, an alarm system and offstreet parking.

This property is conveniently close to the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre with all its amenities – schools, shops, N3 and M50 motorway, Clonsilla Train Station and, well serviced with an excellent bus route to the city centre. Viewings are by appointment only and can be arranged via Wilson Moore on 1890 808080.

THE ARD Cluain apartment complex in Clonee is now available for viewing by appointment through Wilson Moore Estate and Letting Agents.

The apartments feature professional, landscaped open areas and courtyard; high-speed lifts serve all floors from ground floor car parks, and there is an intercom entry system.

There is a a good electric specification, including each apartment has at least two telephone and TV points and an ample number of double sockets throughout. Smoke and heat detectors are fitted in each apartment and all units are wired for security alarms and downlighters in living room and

Ard Cluain apartments are on sale now

kitchen.

The bedrooms have high-quality fitted wardrobes, and the majority of the two-bedroom apartments will have en-suites off the main bedroom.

Bathrooms feature high-quality, white sani-

tary ware, as well as floor and wall tiles to dado rail height throughout all the bathrooms and en-suites as per show apartments.

Chrome towel rail, toilet roll holder and large fitted vanity mirrors, as per the show apartments,

and thermostatically controlled high-pressure showers. All apartments are covered by a ten-year Homebond scheme.

This apartment development is situated just off the N3, within easy access of the M50 motorway, with Dublin city centre only a short distance away.

The selection of amenities within walking distance include various restaurants, pubs and a wide choice of shops. A variety of sporting facilities are available in the vicinity, including the conveniently situated Clonee Tennis club right next door.

There is a choice of local golf courses as well as horse-riding facilities

close by and numerous sport clubs.

The Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, with its own multiplex cinema and extensive range of retail outlets, is only a short drive away.

This impressive development has two attractive courtyards with designer-landscaped open spaces.

Ard Cluain is a onestop-shop and offers first-time buyers and investors an opportunity to secure both real value and top-class quality in one simple step.

Viewings are by appointment and can be arranged via Wilson Moore on 1890 808080.

RATHMORE, MEATH: FIVE-BEDROOM LUXURY HOME FOR €595,000

A designer home at a price to dream on

CARTY Properties have brought Carraig Rua, Rathmore, in Co Meath, to the market once again with a significant reduction to the price, making what is already an elegant spacious home even more attractive to potential buyers.

Carraig Rua, on the market for an asking proce of €595,000, is a detached, dormer-style residence standing on approximately 0.6 acre of landscaped grounds w i t h a n i m p r e s s i ve entrance. The property itself is nestled in scenic surroundings.

This designer home extends to c 3,200 sq ft and offers generous proportions, an abundance of natural light with attention to quality and detail.

The kitchen, living and dining rooms are interconnected and all

have French doors leading onto patio areas.

The property comprises entrance hall with a double hardwood front door with leaded glass panels, recessed lighting and porcelain-tiled flooring, a lounge with a nine-foot ceiling, a raised feature fireplace with granite hearth, a large, bow-style window, and solid oak timber flooring.

T he dining/family room has a mahogany fireplace, large bowstyle window and steps down to the kitchen/ living room, which features built-in wall and floor cherry units, complete with stainless steel sink, pull-out larder, built-in double oven, electric hob, integrated dishwasher and fridge freezer, with a large centre island.

There is also a utility

Carraig Rua in Rathmore, Co Meath is on the market for €595,000

room and shower room.

There are five wellproportioned bedrooms, the main being en suite, with a mixture of carpeted and wooden floors, and built-in wardrobes. The family bathroom has a jacuzzi bath, with velux window and recessed lighting.

The location is second

to none as it is within walking distance of Rathmore church and school while Athboy, Kells and Navan towns are only minutes away with their wide choice of educational, leisure and shopping amenities. The property is less than 10 minutes to the new M3 access point. This pro-

vides an easy commute to Dublin making this an ideal home for families looking for a serene, idyllic country location while offering a wealth of amenities close at hand.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Carty on 046-9486860, or see www.carty.ie.

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel

The impressive cliffs of Moher are only one of the many attractions in Co Clare

HOLIDAYS AT HOME: A VAST OFFERING IN ENNIS BEYOND THE BURREN

Much Moher than just cliffs in Ennis BARRY HARTIGAN

T’S only when you get to see the Cliffs of Moher for yourself do you truly realise how breathtaking they really are.

The famous tourist attraction has featured in a number of films, including The Princess Bride, and has even made an appearance on the small screen in an episode of Father Ted, but you really should try to see them for yourself.

The cliffs are in the final 28 of the New Seven Wonders of Nature competition and, once you view them, it’s not hard to see why.

The reason for my trip to Co Clare was an invitation from the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis to visit the hotel on the 50th anniversary of its opening and to sample the delights of the town and surrounding county.

Ennis is the very definition of the term “picture postcard” and it’s not

I

hard to see why it won the Tidy Towns competition in 2005 and placing second in 2008. It’s very picturesque, with narrow winding streets and it still maintains the feel of the market town it once was.

There is still a market in operation each Saturday, albeit somewhat reduced in size, and there was quite a range of stalls on offer the weekend I visited.

Saturday morning was spent on a walking tour of Ennis, and a very pleasant spot it is to amble around. The centre, made up of medieval streets and laneways, give it a small town feel.

However, Ennis actually has a population of around 25,000 making it the largest town in Munster and the sixth largest town in Ireland.

I found several fine book stores to browse in while the women on the trip were more than happy with the number of shoe and clothing stores that Ennis has to offer.

The Old Ground Hotel

itself dates back to the early part of the 18th Century when it was built as a private dwelling and, in 1895, it was transformed into a hotel.

It has had a very chequered past and Sinn Fein used the premises as their campaign headquaters from 1917 onwards.

One of the more interesting parts of its history is the fact that, in 1936, famed pilot Charles Lindberg stayed at the hotel while scouting for locations to open a transatlantic gateway.

Today the hotel has a wonderful combination of both old and new and, while the public areas have a pleasant ‘olde world’ feel, it also boasts all mod cons.

The hotel’s Town Hall restaurant is clearly one of the most popular in Ennis as it was packed the night we dined there.

Without going into elaborate details about the food all I will say was that I enjoyed one of the finer meals there that I have eaten in recent years.

I f y o u f a n c y g e tting some exercise and fresh air this spring the hotel is offering walking weekend breaks around the Burren. The Saturday consists of a full day guided walk from Black Head to the Burren Coast taking in stunning vistas of Galway Bay, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands and the majestic, rocky Burren itself.

Sunday is a gentle halfday walk in the Burren National Park, one of the last great uncontaminated landscapes in Ireland, and includes the ascent of one of the country’s most eccentrically shaped hills, Mullaghmore, as well as interestesting sights off a famine relief ef road, herds of feral goats,, and the seasonal Tu r l o u g h lake. The weekends also coincide de with the world-famous orld-famous wildflower season in

the Burren so there will be beautiful blooms all around.

There are three walking weekends to choose from, taking place on April 29, May 6 or May 13.

The two-night break, including two nights luxurious accommodation with full Irish breakfast both mornings, a fivecourse dinner on the evening of your choice, a packed lunch and the guided walks (including transfers) is just €195 per person sharing, subject to availability.

For further information check http://www. flynnhotels.com/Old_ Ground_Hotel_Ennis/ Welcome .

A killer of a night out in Louth at murder weekend in Darver Castle DARVER Castle, Ardee, Co Louth, is hosting A Knight of Murder by Murder Mysteries Ireland on Saturday, May 7. This entertaining medieval murder dinner show starts with budding detectives being greeted by the show’s shady cast at the welcome reception.

Keeping their eyes peeled for clues, guests will then enjoy a sumptuous four-course dinner with wine as a murder is played out in the castle’s banqueting hall.

After the killer is caught everyone can dance the evening away and enjoy the late bar.

Tickets for A Knight of Murder are €65 per person, there is a group booking discount available for bookings of 10 seats and over. Fancy dress is not essential but preferred to help you get into the spirit of things.

Sleuths can also stay in the Castle’s guesthouses for €100 for two sharing, including breakfast.

Contact info@darvercastle.ie for more details, and, to book your medieval murder mystery dinner show tickets, please call 085 2828 420 or book online at www.murdermystreriesireland.com.

US and Canadian tourism agents see Ireland’s offering first-hand OVER 30 top American and Canadian travel agents arrived in Galway last week to meet with representatives of the Irish tourism trade to discuss business opportunities for the season ahead and looking beyond into 2012.

The agents represent high-end travel groups from across North America and Canada and have delivered significant amounts of business to Ireland over recent years.

Speaking after the event, Gillian Binchy, trade marketing manager at Fáilte Ireland said: “Events like these provide wonderful opportunities for overseas agents to come and taste the culture and heritage of Ireland for themselves, and has such a key role in encouraging these agents to consider Ireland as a holiday destination and promote Ireland to their customers.”

The workshop, which took place at the Ardilaun Hotel, provided valuable business and networking opportunities for the Irish trade at a fraction of the cost of an individual sales trip.

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

1

GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Little Gem Love, sex, birth, death, dildos and salsa classes: Little Gem sees three generations of Dublin women on a wild and constantly surprising journey.

April 29 and 30 at 8pm. Tickets: €15.20/€16.80/€19/€21.

The Pride of Parnell Street In a series of intercutting monologues, Janet and Joe chart the intimacies of their love and the rupturing of their relationship, as well as their enduring love affair with Dublin city itself. This is an intimate, heroic tale of ordinary and extraordinary life on the streets of Dublin.

May 3 to 7. Tickets from €15 to €23.

SEAMUS ENNIS CULTURAL CENTRE 01 802 0898 T with the Maggies Triona, Maighread, Mairéad and Moya, T with the Maggies, all come from the same corner of County Donegal and all have illustrious career histories. Each individual brings a unique and varied interpretation of their musical heritage.

April 29. Commences at 8:30pm. Admission: €25.

Ger Wolfe In the company of a new line-up of top-class players Edel Sullivan (violin), Paul Frost (double bass) and Richard Lucey (button accordion), the man who brought us The Curra Road will take us on an unforgettable musical adventure from older gems such as The Lark of Mayfield and No Bird Sang, to exciting new songs inspired by his time as writer in residence listening to the stories of the older members of the Muscrai Gaeltacht in Cork.

April 30 at 8:30pm. Admission: €16.

THE HELIX 01 700 7000 The Not So Grimm Fairytales All your favourite Grimm characters... Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Tom Thumb, a handful of princesses, a whirlwind of witches and one weally, weally wicked wolf... are all brought to life in this energetic, colourful, laugh-aminute show, with music, surprises, a touch of magic and lots of fun for all the family.

April 30 and May 1. Tickets: €12.50.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Pajama Game The story deals with labour troubles in a pyjama factory, where worker demands for a seven-and-a-half cents raise are going unheeded. In the midst of this ordeal, love blossoms between Babe, the grievance committee head, and Sid, the new factory superintendent.

May 3 to 7. Admission: €18/€15

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Hot Mikado This hilarious musical comedy is a 1940’s style update of Gilbert and Sullivan’s, The Mikado, and features highenergy dance routines with great vocal arrangements of blues, swing, hot gospel and scorching torch songs.

April 28 to 30 at 8pm. Tickets €21.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 4627477 Vladimir and Classical Twist Vladimir’s main musical focus at the moment is his small ensemble, Classical Twist, (two violins, viola, double bass, piano and drums) and their wonderful fusion of classical music, jazz, pop & rock. From Bach to Bowie and from Mozart to the Rolling Stones via Lynard Skynyrd, Classical Twist puts a fresh, contemporary spin on some of the greatest melodies ever written. Classical Twist’s inventive and dazzling musicianship and rhythmic arrangements are delivered with verve in an accessible and approachable style.

May 5 at 8pm. Admission: €18 and €16 concession.

Fred (James Marsden) finds himself looking out for EB (Russell Brand); the runaway son of the Easter Bunny who’d rather be a drummer in LA than take over his father’s job of running Easter each year. But Easter Island needs EB to come home, quick – or a coup d’egg-tat could occur ...

A bunny awful film ...

Another week, and another sub-standard CG film leaves Kate hopping mad, thinking ‘Up’ never seemed so far away

Q KATE CROWLEY

WELL folks, as the month of April prepares to dash out the door, quickly grabbing its coat and chucking a Gone Fishin’ sign in the window, it’s fair to say that the film industry has done pretty much the same thing.

Oh, sure, there are plenty of films trundling along towards Dublin’s screens, but not many of them are much cop, as April/May is traditionally the annual time for Gone Fishin’ fever to hit Hollywood’s head honchos, who start to hold back their bigger, “better” films until the summer season.

Why, just consider some of these films – “The Joy of Wicker”, “Go, Donkey, Go!”, “Escape from Luton”,“Charlie and the Lost Slinky”, “Grandma’s Got A Gramaphone”, “My Favourite Cheese” and “Too Many Bow Ties”.

I just made ’em all up, but they still sound like

FILM OF THE WEEK: Hop ++ (G) 94 mins Director: Tim Hill Starring: Kaley Cuoco, James Marsden, Russell Brand, Hugh Laurie, David “The Hoff” Hasslefhoff

OUR VERDICT: DIRECTOR Tim Hill was responsible for “Alvin And The Chipmunks” – four words designed to strike fear/rage into the soul of parents everywhere. And it shows, as Hop takes more-or-less the same formula of “adorable” cute CG animals having “zany” adventures with “goofy” adults to “hilarious” effect. The film is likely to feel like all stick, and no carrot, for viewers wishing to hop away ...

oddly plausible titles, compared to some of the Easter offerings rolling around out there.

Still, one such deliberate (and very real) Easter-related film is Hop; a family-friendly film that’s been on release for a couple of weeks now, yet which I thought would be better served by reviewing now.

After all, who isn’t filled with the joys of just-passed Easter at the moment?

Which, in Hollywood’s eyes, is nothing to do with anything vaguely religionconnected, but is all about cute ickle wabbits and

CG-enhanced romps, of course. Well, duh. And duh-at’s eggs-actly what Hop’s directors are keen for you to swallow, along with your gulps of chocolate, this Easter season.

The Easter Bunny (Hugh Laurie) has spent his life preparing his son, EB (Russell Brand) to step into his shoes, and carry on the family business of bringing the joy of Christm– err, Easter to the world, with lovely Easter baskets made at their busy Easter Island factory (where else).

However, once EB has all growed up a little

bit, the appeal of being the Easter Bunny versus, say, a rock drummer, has peeled away like the thin wrapping around an Easter egg, and he runs away from Easter Island to Los Angeles (again, where else), where a talking, drum-playing rabbit isn’t going to raise many eyebrows.

It isn’t long before EB crosses paths with Fred (James Marsden), who’s a bit of a shmuck, and yet is soon an unwilling minder of sorts for the wascally wabbit, who knows very well that dad has dispatched an elite ninja rabbit squad to find his son, and drag him back home.

Of course, if EB doesn’t come home, someone else will have to step into making sure that Easter runs smoothly, and a long-suffering Easter Chick, Carlos (Hank Azaria) may finally have the chance to take over running Easter.

Actually, by this point it all starts to get a little

convoluted, as the likes of Hugh Hefner, David “The Hoff” Hasslehoff and Brand, in a live-action cameo, start adding to the mix.

They, and the Easter Bunny, rabbit ninjas, cunning chicks and a coup d’egg-tat all combine to create what’s probably supposed to be a sweetly charming film, yet is, perhaps, more than many viewers can stomach.

Sure, the animation is pretty nice, but the story is flat, flat, flatter’n tin foil, and Marsden’s mugging, coupled with a film that’s even less convincing of being anything to do with the meaning of Easter than the sight of a certain stunning cinema reviewer wearing rabbit ears, all combine to create a colourful mess.

Hop could be a perfect punishment to pack off older children to see, with younger siblings in tow, but otherwise, it’s more or less a bunny awful film.

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

Household fee instead of TV licence ADAM MAGUIRE

IN THE past, anyone who wanted to watch RTE One needed a television set and some kind of signal coming into the house, either via aerial, cable or satellite.

Today, all you need is a computer – or phone – and a half-decent internet connection.

This massive shift is causing a lot of problems for a lot of people, not least programme makers, who are finding it harder to sell adverts and bring in big audiences.

The effect of the trend is also being felt by the Irish Government, which is now trying to understand how it will impact on the TV licence fee.

If a household has a device capable of receiving television signals, the

though it does not require a licence to do so.

residents are obliged to pay the annual licence fee of €160.

This is the case even if they do not use the television, or watch public service broadcaster channels such as RTE on it.

How new technology gets around this As the definition of a “television” requires the device to pick up signals via an aerial, most types of computer and phone are excluded.

They can allow a user to watch TV in other ways – generally, over an internet connection – even

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Doomsday scenario At the moment, only a tiny minority of users have completely replaced their TVs for computer screens. However, it is a growing number.

If left ignored, there is a very real possibility that the amount of money being taken in via the licence fee will eventually become dangerously low, even though the number of television watchers has not dropped at all.

The solution ... ?

No decision has been made as to how this problem is to be solved, but the Government has suggested the introduction of a household charge instead of the licence fee, which will see every

house pay an annual rate, no matter what devices they do or do not own

The argument for This system would make the process cheaper for the Government, as there will be no need to have inspectors trying to prove a person has a TV set but no licence.

The argument against Some people do not have televisions, and this will unfairly force them to pay for something they get no benefit from.

When a decision will be made A review is currently under way to try to find a workable solution, and full recommendations are expected within the next few months.

HTC Desire S As the latest in a growing range of HTC’s “Desire” phones, the Desire S takes the best of its predecessor and makes t h e m even better.

With t h e original Desire being a really great phone, t h i s follow-up has a lot to live up to, but promises much in its specifications.

With a lighter, slimmer but stronger body, the phone looks and

feels great, while its 3.7inch screen is stunningly bright to look at.

It runs on Android, and is layered in HTC’s o w n “Sense” interf a c e , which is really easy to use and gives a user loads of information in a small space.

All of the features you would expect are there, and they are done extremely well – the phone also feels great to use, and its touchscreen is responsive and quick.

If there is a downside to the device, it would have to be its battery, which can struggle to last as long as you would like.

This can be put down to that super-bright screen, for a start, not to mention all the other bells and whistles stored within.

However, the battery is not so bad as to ruin the phone, and HTC have again come up trumps, showing they are the masters of Android.

The Desire S is a powerful competitor to anything its rivals have to offer.

The HTC Desire S is available on O2 and Meteor from €39.99.

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

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PLANNING NOTICE

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Retention Permission is sought by Mr & Mrs Gerard Carr for single storey extension at the rear of existing dwelling at No. 94 Georgian Village, Castleknock, Dublin 15. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

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I, Sean O’Reilly, intend to apply for Planning Permission for development at 22 Hollystown Park, Hollystown, Dublin 15.

The development will consist of a single storey extension to the eastern elevation of the house which will include a bathroom, an office, a store room and the associated site works.

The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 09:30-15:30, Monday - Friday at Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application.

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WELLBEING

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

TAKE NOTICE that on Wednesday the 11th day of May 2011 at 10:30am an Application shall be made to the District Judge sitting at Court No. 23,The Old Records Building, Four Courts, Dublin 7, for the renewal of a Certificate of Qualification to hold an Auctioneers Licence on behalf of Peter Quinn Auctioneer whose principal place of business is at 1 Luttrell Park Close, Carpenterstown Road, Castleknock, Dublin 15. Dated this 8th day of April 2011 SIGNED: P.J. Walsh & Company . Solicitors, 12 Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

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26 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

SPORT AWARDS: GazetteSport’s April nominees are announced: Page 29

HOCKEY: LOCAL PLAYER SET TO TAKE PART IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Gormley gets real as Madrid side get ready STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

CLONSKEA man Ronan Gormley will become one of a rare breed next month when the Irish men’s hockey captain will contest the semi-finals of the EuroHockey League – the sport’s equivalent to the Champion’s League.

Gormley switched from Dublin-side Pembroke Wanderers last summer to play on a semi-professional basis in Madrid

with Club de Campo.

And last weekend they won both their last 16 and quarter-finals ties in the competition at the EHL’s KO16 stages in Amsterdam.

Ironically, he ended up facing his former club last Friday and swept to an 11-0 victory against the Dubliners, who had lost several Irish internationals to European clubs in the close season, as well as enduring injuries to Scottish star Paddy Conlon

and former Irish striker Gordon Elliott.

For Gormley, it was bittersweet. “It was tough playing against my old side. I played for them for 13 or 14 years but you come out to win. We’ve got objectives in the tournament and you have to think of it as another team.

“They’ve had a very tough year with the players that have left the club, eight or nine of the starting eleven, and a coach,

Ronan Gormley will be representing Club De Campo when they take their place in last four of the EHL

so they’ve done very well to push an Irish team into the last 16, so fair play to them “We aimed to start well, we didn’t quite achieve that and I think they won the first short corner but, once we got into our game,

we played some good hockey, put good moves together and played some three-touch stuff at a high tempo and managed to stick some goals in.”

That victory set up a quarter-final tie with Spanish rivals, Atletic Ter-

rassa, on Easter Sunday. A cagey affair, normal time ended 1-1, as did extratime leading to a penalty shoot-out, which was won 2-0.

It sets up a semi-final date in June with English club, Reading, who

feature Irish player Chris Cargo and is a challenge Gormley cannot wait to meet: “Every match now is do-or-die, there’s top teams involved so it will be tight margins. We’ll fight for every ball and see where it takes us.”

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazetteSport Sport Rugby

FastRugby

COOLMINE: FIRSTS AND SECONDS BOW OUT OF CONTENTION

French touring side’s Ashbrook welcome

COOLMINE’S Under-17s recently hosted French touring side, Bourges, in Ashbrook.

The 27-strong touring party were here in Ireland for a quick three-day visit. They stayed in Dublin city centre and enjoyed all the sights including a tour of the Aviva Stadium.

The city of Bourges is located in the heart of France, and the club has large minis and youth’s section, while their senior side play in Division 5 of the national league.

The match against Coolmine was their only game of the trip and the first-half turned out to be a very tight affair, with neither side scoring any points going into the break.

However, after the restart, the scoreboard started to tick over, with Coolmine coming out the eventual winners at 27-10.

Bourges presented Coolmine with some fine wine from their region which was much appreciated and extended an open invitation for a return visit.

Race night on the cards at Ashbrook COOLMINE are holding a race night in their Ashbrook clubhouse on Friday, May 20, starting at 8.30pm.

There will be Tote betting, a jackpot with a guaranteed prize of €200, and a raffle on the night.

Races can be spon-

sored for €150, which includes a full-page ad in programme. Place a full-page ad €100 (half-page €50). Buy a horse costs €20 and name the horse, owner and Jockey.

To support the event in any way, contact: Robin Cunningham on 087 254 5680, Niall Peake on 087 616 7558, John Prunty on 087 763 5618, or Andrew Wood on 086 888 8381.

Coolmine’s Alan Cousins attempts to evade the long arm of the opposition but Garda were the side to progress to the Spencer Cup final

Double disappointment SPENCER CUP S-FINAL Coolmine Garda

17 28

sport@gazettegroup.com

COOLMINE’S first XV came out on the losing side of a localk derby in the Spencer Cup semifinal against Garda last weeke at Ashbrook.

These local derby’s are always closelyfought affairs, but Coolmine have had the upper hand in recent meetings.

However, the home side knew they would be facing a very different side to the one they had beaten at the start of the season. with Garda winning their league title comfor tably several weeks ago.

Coolmine were missing some of their first choice players due to

other commitments, but this didn’t hamper their performance as they ran from deep and spread the ball wide from the off.

F i r s t b l o o d we n t to Coolmine after six minutes of sustained pressure, Conor Hayes converting a penalty in front of the posts.

But Garda pulled the three points back almost immediately with a penalty of their own after a high tackle.

Hayes’ second penalty attempt went wide of the posts, but Coolmine’s back line were up quickly and very nearly regained possession to snatch a try.

With seventeen minutes gone, Garda pulled ahead with another penalty. Then, 36 min-

utes into the half, Brian Moran scored a fine individual try, beating four players to score the first try of the game.

Both sides missed penalties leaving Coolmine leading 10-6 going into the break.

Garda pulled ahead soon after the restart, a quick tap-and-go penalty inside Coolmine’s 22 put them over the whitewash, and they went ahead for the second time in the game.

B r i a n Mo r a n w a s soon causing more problems up the centre with another blistering run, but was called back by the referee for crossing deep into the opposition half.

But they maintained the valuable territory and, a minute later, Eoin

Mullen crashed over to put the home side back in front.

23 minutes into the half and another Garda penalty cut Coolmine’s lead to a single point.

With five minutes left, Garda scored a wellworked try and lead by six points with the minutes ticking away. Coolmine fought back but Garda ran in another try in the dying seconds to secure the victory.

Garda’s recent promotion to Leinster Division 1A ensures plenty more of these local derbies to look forward to next season.

Meanwhile, Coolmine’s seconds hopes of a treble were dashed last Saturday after losing to Clontarf in Castle Avenue.

After the initial onslaught, Coolmine started to settle into the game. Clontarf had a big pack and played eight man rugby for most of the match while Coolmine played a contrasting game spreading the ball wide at every opportunity.

Clonarf however took their chances and went into the break 13-6 ahead.

Coolmine clearly had a superior back-line and continued to play open rugby however their last touch let them down on several occasions much to their frustration.

Although disappointed, this is only the second defeat for the side this season and they still have a Byrne Cup final to look forward to.

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

in association with

FastSport

ASDFASDF: SASDF ASDFASD FDSAF SDA

2011 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - APRIL NOMINEES IN ASSOCIATION WITH

+ STARof the

2011 Matchplay entry now available to golfers

MONTH

ENTRIES for the 2011/2012 City Matchplay Championship, played throughout winXxx yyll xxyyl zxyxzz zz x xxylyx.

Xxx yyllthe xxyyl zxyxzz at Castle Golf Club, are now available. zzter x xxylyx.

Picture: Xxxxx Zzzzzz

PETER CARR

JAMES CLUSKEY

DAVID MALONE

CARR has been in stellar form for both Swords RFC and for the Dublin Eagles rugby league side at local level, and has represented Ireland in league colours at several levels, being picked for RLI’s Four Nations campaign in Scotland this month

SWORDS tennis star Cluskey has been on a roll this month, his outstanding performances on the ITF Futures tour netting doubles victories in Liechtenstein and Switzerland with playing partner, Frenchman, Fabrice Martin

PARALYMPIC pool legend Malone received another Olympic accolade to add to his medal haul this month when he was named as the team manager for Ireland’s swimmers for their London 2012 Paralympic Games campaign.

+ TEAMof the

The Mens’ Championship is open to men with a handicap of 18-or-under, and the Ladies’ Championship to ladies with a handicap of 28-or-under.

Entry costs just €55 to cover competition fees and green fees for the entire tournament.

The first round will be played in August through the following months to a final in April.

Entry can be made by sending the entrance fee, name, address, mobile phone number, e-mail address, club and handicap to Castle Golf Club, or via e-mail at info@ castlegc.ie. For more information, contact Castle Golf Club on 4904207

asdf asdf sa dfdsasd fdas fdasf dasdfd Softball Ireland call for new recruits

MONTH

COLAISTE IOSAGAIN

CLONDALKIN RFC

DUBLIN LIONS

COLAISTE Iosagain’s young footballers claimed the first All-Ireland title for a Dublin school at this level when they defeated Holy Rosary College of Galway to be crowned the Senior B Second Level Colleges champions in Roscommon

CLONDALKIN ladies’ rugby team made history when they defeated a tough Edenderry outfit to claim the club’s first ever womens’ trophy at the home of nearby rivals, Barnhall, in the Leinster championship

DUBLIN Lions’ basketball club made club history this month when all three of their senior mens’ teams became champions in the Men’s Top 4s competition at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght

WELCOME to the 2011 Dublin Sports Awards, as we mark our local sportsmen and women’s April sporting achievements across the capital and, indeed, across the nation.

With spring’s awakenings making way for summer sun, we’re delighted to once again

be able to celebrate the finest achievements in Dublin sport, with some huge efforts at local levels coming to our attention in a variety of wellknown, and some less prominent sports.

Ever y form of sporting achievement, at any level and in any sport, is valuable and

gives an impression of the diversity of sporting commitment there is around our fair city at all times of the year.

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 in the month of May, 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

for the sport, and they are keen to recruit new players to this burgeoning, inclusive sport.

Softball is a unique and social sport for players of all ages, genders and abilities. It caters for every level and standard of player from those wanting a recreational knockaround to those wishing to compete at the highest level of international competition.

There are some 30 teams playing across Dublin at present, and for those who are interested in finding out more information about the sport, and about joining a club in their local areas, can do so at Softball Ireland’s website, http:// www.softball.ie

300 wds

THE softball season for 2011 commenced recently with an allday start-of-season blitz held at ALSAA Sports Grounds.

All money raised on the day was to assist the National Squad in their fundraising for attending the European Championships later this year.

For anyone interested in playing softball, teams are looking for new recruits at any time.

Please check out www.softball.ie for information.

Softball Ireland is the national governing body

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 28 April 2011

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Quilty quality at Tyrrelstown: Dublin star helps out at Easter Camp NA FIANNA player and Dublin hurler,

Martin Quilty, was on hand to give some guidance and first-class tips to the young players of Tyrrelstown GAA club, when they hosted their annual Easter camp recently.

Martin showed off his skills ahead of the national league final, which takes place this weekend between Dublin and Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Players called on to join in the FAI Fives’ league competition REPUBLIC of Ireland assistant manager, Marco Tardelli, launched the FAI Fives’ leagues in Aviva Stadium.

The new three-year partnership will see ten-week leagues operate four times per annum in up to 32 centres nationwide. In Blanchardstown, the Fives’ competition will be held at Coolmine RFC. The programme will target the vast number of recreational players throughout the country and encourages participation at all levels. Each game will be monitored by official referees.

Teams will comprise eight players each with entry costing €450 per team for the 10-week programme. This equates to €5.63 per player per match.

The inaugural tournament, starting from May 13, will see teams compete for the opportunity to play in the Aviva Stadium in August.

The national semi-finalists and finalists will use the Aviva Stadium dressing rooms, walk the tunnel, and play on the worldfamous pitch, with the winners being immortalised for their achievement with their own Aviva Stadium Walk stone.

Each of the eight winning team members of the inaugural national league will also be awarded FAI season tickets for the 2011/2012 season in Aviva Stadium.

Sharon Boyle, FAI Development Officer for Dublin said, “There are huge numbers of recreational footballers playing five-a-side in Dublin. This league will give those players a great structure in which to grow and develop. Every player dreams of walking out into Aviva Stadium. With this competition, the dream can become reality.

“There is a club player standard league on Wednesday nights and a Recreational player standard league on a Monday night.”

Teams are invited to sign up as soon as possible on www.5s.ie, or by calling 0818 501555.

DANONE NATIONS CUP: MOUNTVIEW TAKE PLACE IN COMPETITION

Mountview United defeated Cabinteely in the Danone Nations Cup to reach the national finals of the competition

United reach the finals DANONE NATIONS CUP Mountview United 3 Cabinteely FC 2 STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

MOUNT VIEW United’s Under-11s edged a cracking match last Wednesday night to take their place in the National Finals where they will represent the DDSL later this year following their victory over Cabinteely.

It was a superb performance from the Blanch side with midf i e l d m a e s t r o M i ke Nzingo pulling the strings from midfield as they held the lead three times but were twice

pegged back.

Nzingo broke the deadlock inside a minute when he stole the ball in the centre of the park, drifted to the right of goal before calmly slotting in low for a great start to the tie.

But Cabo were back on terms soon af ter when Sean McDonald found Alan Cusack who found the net despite a decent initial save from Ian Batdon.

From there, Mountview enjoyed the better of the chances but it remained 1-1 into the break as Alex Carr drilled one low in at the near post, which Sean

Galvin found too hot to handle but recovered well at the second attempt.

Carr also blazed a spectacular effort just over while Mzingo’s free-kick found Sebastian Dobos who drove just off target.

Comeback Cabo, though, still had plenty of life in them and Harry Donnelly showed as much with a shot destined for the top corner, which Barton did well to save.

Mountview, though, had the lead back, though in the second with a screamer. A bout of head-tennis needed

someone to take control and Mzingo was the player, letting the ball bounce invitingly before half-volleying in with some venom.

It looked like it might be the winner as time ran down and the Dublin 15 side seemed to be in control.

But they were undone by a long ball which McDonald got to first and nodded through to Jim Kennedy. His initial shot was brilliantly saved by Batdon down low but the ball bounced up off the turf onto Kennedy’s head and he carefully nodded it into the welcoming net for 2-2.

T he response was instant, however, as Mzingo used his height to get in a key header in which offered Carr the chance to delicately nudge the winner.

Having reached the play-off stage three days earlier, Mountview had been due to play St Joseph’s Boys but they were unable to attend the DDSL play-off stages for the international competition.

It gave Mountview a straight chance at progressing against a side who had already shown their ability on the night with an impressive 1-0 success against Templeogue United.

28 April 2011 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

FEILE: DRAMATIC VICTORY SEES LOCALS TAKE TITLE

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S MEMBERS can now pay their mem-

Quiz night fundraiser for the adult

bership online at www.stbrigidsgaa.

ladies camogie takes place this Fri-

com.

day at 8pm in the lounge. Table of

Russell Park will host the boys’

Club lotto takes place in The Vine-

Best of luck to the boys and man-

yard this Thursday with a jackpot of

agement.

€12,600.

Seniors face Synge Street on Saturday at 4pm in Newcastle.

Well done to the junior camogie side who beat Faughs to make it three from three in the league.

Wings. Tickets are €10 from Tim O’Leary or from any of the junior

The Club History Committee will

sport@gazettegroup.com

W E S T M A N S T OW N enjoyed a landmark occasion in their young history of girls football w h e n t h e y cl a i m e d the division four Feile crown last Sunday in Ballyboden’s Pair Cui Murchu.

It was just their second time entering the competition – the highlight of a player’s juvenile career – and they came out on top in the most dramatic of circumstances in a thrilling final against St Anne’s.

It was a low-scoring affair, adding to the drama for the evergrowing crowd as the competition extended into a fourth period of extra-time as nothing could separate the sides.

Normal time ended locked at 0-3 to 1-0 while a first set of halves of extra-time could still produce no winner.

But Rebecca McDon-

son, they’re unbeaten in their league and every time they go out, they just seem to find something extra and every time we ask them to do it again, they raise it again. At this moment in time, they are my personal heroes.

“It was some battle; while it was a lowscoring game, it was hugely enter taining.

Both teams gave it their all and were out on their legs at the end of it. Neither side gave up and neither wanted to lose it obviously.

“The two sidelines

were going ape, the poor girls on the pitch couldn’t hear a thing from the crowd. It was a good crowd out there and a great match, a fair game and all credit to Anne’s; they never gave it up and kept chasing but, thankfully, the resilience of our backs kept them out.”

O’Boyle managed the team in tandem with mentor Danielle Hendrick, while Martin McDonnell and Brian Mallon were also part of the set-up that helped the side to this momentous achievement.

Junior hurlers’ fundraising Trad/

Russell Park.

Sunday vs Kilkenny.

nell popped up with a point in the first half of the second series of time added on while Niamh Mallon added an insurance point in the second period to finally seal an amazing decider.

It completed a journey that saw Westmanstown overcome St Monica’s, Boden’s C team and host club, Naomh Mearnog, in Saturday’s group stages.

They subsequently edged past Skerries Harps in the semi-final to set up a final date on Sunday morning.

And, speaking about the performance, manager Grace O’Boyle was fulsome in her praise for the group who came together two years ago.

“The umpire said to me on the sideline, that one score could win this and how right was he? “ I w a s m a s s i ve l y impressed with how we played in extra time, I thought we played our best football. From the beginning of this sea-

Michael.

this Thursday at 7pm vs Lucan in

Best of luck to Alan and Daire on

STEPHEN FINDLATER

ise on the birth of their first child,

Ballad Night on May 20 with Celtic

and Declan on their loss to Cork.

Gaels girls’ fire to Division 4 title

Congratulations to Inter footballer Mick Gahan and his fiancee Den-

The U-16B footballers’ replay is

Hard luck to Barry, Sean, Paddy

Westmanstown Gaels defeated St Anne’s in a close final to claim the Division 4 Feile crown

four costs €40.

Feile this Saturday from 10.30am.

hurlers.

Our Junior Camogie Girls have started off the season with a bang as they notched up their third straight win in the league beating Faughs.

meet on May 9 at 8pm; anyone who

We need your old mobile phones. To

would like to be part of the commit-

get a second defibrillator, the club

tee please do not hesitate and come

needs 360 old phones. Phone drop-

down on the evening.

off inside the bar.

ST PEREGRINE’S Senior race night was a brilliant

numbers drawn were 3, 13, 16 and

success, thanks to all who sup-

26.

ported.

Best of luck to the senior footballers who play Lucan in the Championship this coming Friday at 7pm in Russell Park (St Brigid’s).

The club also host Feile this bank holidayweekend on Saturday and Monday. Please see clubhouse for details.

Next week’s jackpot is €3,400 and is also available to pla y on-line using the link on the club website.

Club shop is open on Mondays, Wedne sda ys and Frida ys fr om 6pm to 7pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm.

Bingo is on Wednesday night at 8.30pm.

Any member not buying lotto tick-

if anybody within the club would

ets visit cnp.ie, and support your

like to make a difference and join a

club for only €2 a week.

committee please see club website

The lottery jackpot was not won,

for details and contacts.

WESTMANSTOWN GAELS/GARDA THE senior men’s teams: Interme-

prepare to participate in the club’s

diates play in the championship on

first ever boys’ Feile next weekend.

this week against Ballyboughal at Parnell Park.

Junior 1s’ next league fixture away to Templeogue Synge St on May 8 at 11am.

The Gaels will host Templeogue Synge St, Naomh Fionnbarra and Clann na Gael. Good luck to the boys!

A big welcome too to Michael Ahern

Junior 2s away also on May 8 in the

who starts as the juvenile club’s

league to St Francis’ Gaels in Cab-

first ever full-time GPO from next

inteely at 3pm.

week.

Ladies play Clontarf away in league this week.

Good luck to Eugene O’Sullivan, who retires from An Garda Siochana at the end of this month after more than 30 years service.

The GAA skills Easter camp runs to Friday 29 and costs €40 per participant (that’s €10 per day!).

Visit http://www.westmanstowngaels.ie for more information.

Finally, please support the grow-

Fortunately, Eugene will continue

ing number of teams here at West-

to play an important administrative

manstown, and participate in our

role at the senior club.

fund-raising table quiz evening on

Westmanstown Gaels’ Boys’ U-14s

Thursday, May 26, from 8pm.

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31

SUMMIT IN SIGHT: Mountview reach the finals of the Danone Nations Cup: P30

APRIL 28, 2011

SPORTS AWARDS: April nominees are announced: P29

STEPHEN FINDLATER sport@gazettegroup.com

MEETING one of the emerging sides in Dublin senior football is not the ideal start for St Brigid’s as they make their SFC bow this Saturday in Newcastle against Templeogue Synge Street (4pm).

That’s according to manager Mark Byrne, who says that his side has everything to lose in this tie, in which many outsiders might pitch the Russell Park outfit as big favourites.

“We’re all systems go, but it’s a very tricky one. We’re sort of in a no-win situation, because people are expecting us to beat them but, if we lose, then it’s a major shock.

But Templeogue are a good, solid team, a division one team who are holding their own, which people may not realise at the moment.”

With both sides being promoted last term from AFL2, Templeogue have confounded many with a

couple of wins from their four league outings to date, notably beating St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER. “It was a little bit of a shock that they got promoted but they’re a difficult team to break down, they work hard for each other and we’ll be under no illusions. It will be a tough dogfight of a game, and we won’t be under-estimating them, definitely not.

“There’s O’Gara and Bastick, but they’ve a number of other good players. They very much play as a team, very club-orientated.”

Absentees Byrne will be without injured duo Cian Mullins and Peader Andrews, while Collie Carr is in America.

But he will have Paddy Andrews and Barry Cahill back available following last week’s National Football League final, and says they will have few problems slotting back in.

“We haven’t trained with the Dublin contingent but, in fairness, Pat Gilroy released them and they played against Ballyboden in the league last Sunday, so at least we got a match under our belts.

“The likes of Barry and Paddy are good enough, even if they aren’t training with us, they’re very much part of it.

“But that won’t be a problem; we have no excuses. We’ll be going out nearly full-strength, having trained hard and worked hard. If we’re not good enough on the day, then so be it.”

St Peregrine’s, meanwhile, have a large task in front of them as they take on Lucan Sarsfields on Friday night in Russell Park (7pm) hoping to cause a bit of a surprise.

The Blakestown club bring mixed form with them into the tie but Robbie McCarthy has been in strong form while Stuart Lowndes has shaken off an injury that laid him low earlier this term.

St Brigid’s will hope for a bright start to the campaign

GazetteSPORT

St Brigid’s face SFC test