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YOUR COMMUNITY • YOUR PAPER

INSIDE: Students present The Sound of Music P8 & 10

March 1, 2012

TRANSPORT: Reduction in board members delays decisions See Page 4

Leaping for joy: Local sisters celebrate their birthday in style Rugby: Coolmine XV win league title and set up double Page 32

LOCAL sisters Robyn (4) and Lara

(8) from Clonsilla got to celebrate their first and second leap year birthdays with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague, during a special ceremony at the Mansion House this week for people born on February 29. The duo not only celebrate their birthday on the same day, but they also have to wait four years to celebrate the actual date.

Full Story on Page 6

Gaelic Games: Local side go from strength to strength Page 30

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 MOTORS ........................18 BUSINESS .................... 21 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

New home is found for Youth Service Negotiations have secured place at community centre

I LAURA WEBB

THE Tyrrelstown Youth Service has found a new home, following an agreement with Fingal County Council to move the vital service to the newlyopened community centre.

The service was operating out of a vacant commercial

unit at Tyrrelstown Shopping Centre for over a year with the consent of the developer. Concerns that the service would have to cease came recently, when it was told they had just weeks to leave the premises.

However, the developer said they could stay on until they found alternative premises.

Thankfully, the service didn’t have to wait too long to do that.

After successful negotiations with FCC and management at Tyrrelstown Community Centre, the service has a place at the newly-opened Tyrrelstown Community Centre.

Full Story on Page 3

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 March 2012

SWIMMING: LONDON OLYMPICS

NAC is chosen for training THE National Aquatic Centre is fast becoming the place to be this summer, with the announcement that five more countries have chosen the state-of-the-art facility as a training base for the London Olympics.

South Korea, Poland, Venezuela, Surinam and Cayman Islands are the five countries set to train at the NAC. The South Korean Olympic swimming team will train in the N AC i n D u b l i n i n March, while individual swimmers from Poland, Venezuela, Surinam and Cayman Islands will train here in July.

According to Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, this is “fantastic news for Dublin West and the NAC”.

“It shows once again that we have a worldclass facility on our doorstep. I’m delighted that so many international teams have chosen Blanchardstown as their training base for the Olympics.

“Thirty swimmers and seven coaches from the South Korean swimming squad will train in the NAC from March 11 to 20.

“The South Korean team will stay locally in Blanchardstown at the Carlton Hotel.”

Meanwhile, The US Synchronised Swimming Team is holding a training camp from April 10 to 18 at the centre and will return in July and August for further Olympic training.

EVENT Recognising the amazing commitment of family carers

Residents urged to nominate for awards I LAURA WEBB

RESIDENTS are being urged to nominate local carers for this year’s Carers’ of the Year award, recognising the amazing work and commitment of family carers throughout Ireland.

The Carers’ Association is asking residents from Blanchardstown and Castleknock to take

time out to make nominations and highlight the invaluable work family carers provide.

The Carers’ of the Year Award 2012 was recently launched by patrons of The Carers’ Association, Mary Kennedy and Marty Whelan. The Carers’ of the Year Awards and the Young Carers’ of the Year Award 2012 celebrate the dedication

shown by family carers who provide care at home to loved ones throughout Ireland, including those in Dublin 15.

The awards are based on a national nomination process that invites the public to nominate their chosen local family carers.

All entries receive a commemorative certificate and four regional

winners are chosen.

The award recipients will be announced at a special ceremony being held in Dublin this May. Jacqueline Millman, Blanchardstown Centre manager of The Carers’ Association said: “While caring for family members and loved ones can be very rewarding, the cost of that care in

physical, emotional and psychological terms can be immense. At a time when Ireland’s family carers are under increasing pressure with State cutbacks, the awards are an opportunity to highlight and recognise the invaluable work they provide, saving the state billions. “ We u r g e p e o p l e across Blanchardstown

to nominate their carers of the year.”

To nominate a family carer for the Carers’ of the Year Awards 2012 log on to www.carersireland. com or drop into the local carers’ association centre in Blanchardstown at The Rise, Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 or email carersblanchardstown@carersireland.com

Man jailed for stabbing guest at party

Leading the way: Clare’s clearly over the moon after winning an award CLARE O’Neill, Clonsilla, is congratulated by Phoenix-Tara Toastmasters’, Dunboyne, president, Marion Smyth, on receiving her Competent Leadership award at a recent meeting.

Clare is currently the club’s education

officer. Phoenix-Tara Toastmasters have members from Dublin 15 and South Meath, and meet on the second and fourth Monday each month (excluding bank holidays) in Dunboyne Castle Hotel at 8pm sharp.

AN uninvited guest stabbed a man twice in the stomach after been thrown out of a party, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

David Quinn (25), was sentenced to four years after he forced his way back into the house swinging a knife at guests.

He wrestled with one of the guests, Matthew Miller, stabbing him twice and leaving him with two deep wounds in his stomach.

Quinn of Wellview Park, Mulhuddar t, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and threatening to use violence at Coolmine Law ns in B l a n c h a r d s t ow n o n January 19, 2010.

Garda Stephen Byrne told prosecuting counsel, James Dwyer BL, that Mr Miller and his friends were invited to the house party and arrived around 3am.

They knew all of the guests, bar three strangers, including Quinn, who were in the kitchen and not known to the party host.

One of the host’s friends told all the guests they should leave, including

the uninvited guests.

Quinn left but tried to push his way back into the house through the front door. He began waving a knife with a sixinch blade at guests and swung towards Mr Miller’s brother.

Mr Miller wrestled with Quinn on the ground and Quinn swung the knife towards his stomach, stabbing him twice in the lower abdomen.

Quinn, who has 37 previous convictions, ran from the house and was arrested by gardai a short time later.

He told gardai he “couldn’t remember much” about the incident as he had been drinking and taking drugs but claimed he was “acting in self-defence”.

Judge Martin Nolan suspended the last two years of the sentence and said it is “lucky more serious consequences did not ensue” as a result of the stabbing.

“Any crime with a knife is a serious crime,” he said but noted that Quinn has “good prospects of rehabilitation.”

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

MOVE Service hopes to move in two weeks

Agreement with council will see Tyrrelstown Youth Service move to the newly-opened community centre

Youth Service has found a new home I LAURA WEBB blanchardstown@gazettegroup.com

TYRRELSTOWN Youth Service has found a new home, and is staying within the local community.

The good news follows an agreement with Fingal County Council to move the vital service to the newly-opened community centre.

The service was running out of a vacant commercial unit at Tyrrelstown Shopping Centre for over a year with the consent of the developer.

Concerns were raised a couple of weeks ago, when the youth service was told they had just weeks to vacate their premises. However, in a

kind gesture the developer said they could stay until they found alternative premises. Thankfully, the service didn’t have to wait too long to do that.

After successfully negotiating with FCC, management at Tyrrelstown Community Centre said, the service has a place at the newly-opened, stateof-the-art facility.

Tyrrelstown Youth Service, which is part of the Blanchardstown Youth Service, is hoping to move in to their new premises in two weeks time.

Welcoming the news, local councillor David McGuinness (FF) said the future of Tyrrelstown Youth Service has been

“secured” through “quick, committed negotiations between the council, management of the centre and Blanchardstown Youth Service”.

“I stressed the need to find a longer term solution to this issue. Blanchardstown youth Service, FCC and County Dublin VEC have simply been fantastic and are a credit to themselves in the effort they have shown over recent weeks,” said McGuinness.

The councillor went on to say: “The management of the new Community Facility in Tyrrelstown has now established itself as an efficient and caring body which has put the needs of the community

to the fore on this issue.

This is a good-news story for Tyrrelstown with the youth services entering the community facility in two weeks time.”

Ty rrelstow n Youth Service was established four years ago and has been, and will now continue to be, a vital service in the area. Speaking to the Gazette before the new premises was secured, Miriam Ryan, o f B l a n c h a r d s t ow n Youth Service said: “It is one of the only services for young people, bar the sports services, catering for young people in the area; to not have a presence would be quite devastating for the young people.”

FCC’s support for planning website FINGAL County Council is supporting a new website that maps planning data over the four Dublin City and County Councils.

The website, w w w. mypp.ie, aims to make planning information easier and faster for all users looking for planning files that are of interest to them.

It lists planning applications for all Dublin City and County Coun-

cils in the one place.

According to the website, it “takes planning data from Fingal, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin and Dublin City Council, and presents this information in a clear and concise format on one map”.

Mypp.ie was founded by engineer and project manager, Ciaran Gilsenan.

A spokesperson for

Fingal County Council said that while this is not a council initiative, “the website has been enabled

by FCC initially publishing planning application information as open data for reuse by others through Fingal Open Data website http:// data.fingal.ie and subsequently the four Dublin local authorities each publishing their planning application information through the Dublinked

website http://w w w. dublinked.ie” Adding: “The council supports this initiative and any similar initiatives to maximise the economic potential of public sector data through its reuse.

“This is the reason that we organised the Apps4Fingal competition http:// data.fingal.ie/apps4fingal in which mypp.ie has been shortlisted in the Enterprise category.”

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 March 2012

CHEQUE: PRESENTATION

TRANSPORT Facility is idle due because of no access road

Delay for Hansfield Train Station ‘another setback’ I LAURA WEBB

Major boost for hospice THE Blanchardstown St Francis Hospice received a welcomed boost when a cheque for over €12k was presented to the service by Hermitage Medical Clinic.

The clinic hosted a charity ball in the K-Club last November and raised an impressive €12,380.

The cheque was presented to CEO of the hospice, Ethel McKenna last week by Eamonn Fitzgerald, CEO of the Hermitage Medical Clinic.

Speaking at the presentation, Eamonn said: “We are delighted to be able

to help St Francis Hospice in a very practical way by helping to raise funds for their work”.

Ethel Mc Kenna commented: “The support of the management and staff of the Hermitage Medical Clinic for St Francis Hospice Blanchardstown has been fantastic and is very much appreciated by all at the hospice.

“We are all facing challenging times in the current financial climate and to receive a most generous donation is very welcome indeed.”

THE temporary reduction of board members at An Bord Pleanala has led to delays in deciding whether a car park at Hansfield Train Station will be built, another set back for a community waiting for the promised station to open.

An Bord Pleanala were due make a decision on a planning appeal against the construction of a temporary car park facilitating 300 spaces at the vacant train station at Hansfield.

The state-of-the-art station is complete, but has been lying idle since 2010 because an access road to the station was not built.

Following a series of discussions between Fingal County Council,

Mulhuddart councillor Michael O’Donovan at the Hansfield Train Station

Irish Rail and two local developers last year, an agreement was reached between the parties on building the access road and car park.

However, a planning appeal against amending the area’s strategic development zone to facilitate a temporary 300-space car park was lodged to the planning authority in October, 2011.

This halted plans to

construct the car park, and also the much-needed access road.

A decision was due to be made on February 21, but in a letter this week, the planning authority is hoping to “determine the appeal before April 4, 2012”.

The letter explains the reason for the delay, saying it will not be possible to determine the case within the statutory

objective period (within 18 weeks) “due to a short-term delay being experienced generally in determining cases, arising from a temporary reduction in the number of board members available to assess and determine cases.”

It added: “The Board will take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that the appeal is determined before that date.”

Commenting on the delay, Mulhuddart councillor Michael O’Donovan (Lab) said it was another “setback” for the community.

Luckily the park and ride along Clonsilla Train Station is in and the 100 spaces there are being used.

But 300 spaces [at Hansfield station] will make a huge difference to the community there, Hansfield, Barnswell and Ongar. It would encourage people to leave the cars behind and take public transport.

Puzzled by the delay, Cllr O’Donovan said: “I would imagine, at this present time, that An Bord Pleanala have less business now than before.

“They would have far fewer applications and appeals to get through.

I don’t really understand the delay.

“It [Hansfield Train Station] is not going to open until this and the access road is built. It’s another setback for the people of Dublin 15,” he said.

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1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

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DAMAGE

Areas are to be reseeded LOCAL grass areas used as Christmas Tree Recycling facilities are to be reseeded, after being damaged because the trees were set on fire.

Labour councillor Mary McCamley asked Fingal County Council to ensure the surrounding grass areas at the recycling centres for Christmas trees will be reseeded, in particular at Littlepace where the trees were set on fire.

In response to the c o u n c i l l o r, c o u n c i l spokesperson said: “All of the damaged areas have been examined. They will be rotovated and reseeded once ground conditions have improved.”

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PARTY Mayor invites locals to celebrate at the Mansion House

D15 girls’ leaping birthday bash LAURA WEBB

TWO local sisters got to celebrate their first and second leap year birthdays with the Lord Mayor of Dublin during a special ceremony at the Mansion House this week.

Lana (8) was born on February 29, 2004, and four years later, her sister Robyn (4) arrived on the same leap day, marking a very rare situation.

The duo not only celebrate their birthday on the same day, but they also have to wait four years to

celebrate the actual date.

To mark this year’s leap year day on February 29, Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague, who celebrates his eleventh leap year birthday, hosted a special birthday party at the Mansion House. He invited other people with birthday’s on that day to celebrate with him. Accepting the invite were the Dublin 15 leap year girls, Lana and Robyn.

Speaking to the Gazette this week, their mother, Suzanne, said

Local sisters Lara (8) and Robyn (4) McKeon both celebrate their birthday on February 29. They are pictured with leap year birthday boy, Lord Mayor Andrew Montague

their birthdays were definitely not planned.

“Lana was due on February 25 and its normal on the first child to go over and she arrived four days after. Robyn was also due in February. I

didn’t want them to have the same birthday, but not in a million years did I think it would happen on the February 29.”

When asked how they feel about having the same birthday, she said:

“They don’t mind, but Robyn, the youngest, is under the impression that everyone celebrates their birthday with their sister, while the eldest is “a bit miffed” by it and asks why she can’t have

her own birthday.

“They are very much chalk and cheese. When they are older I want them to decide what date they want to celebrate their birthday each year,” she said.

ARTS: INAUGURAL EVENT ATTRACTS 300 ENTRIES

Fingal set for film fest LAURA WEBB

news@gazettegroup.com

THE inaugural Fingal Film Festival attracted nearly 300 submissions from budding film makers at home and abroad, with some making their way to the event’s exciting line-up.

The eagerly anticipated festival will take place for three days this month.

The festival celebrates the art and business of making films and aims to bring the Fingal community together with national and international film makers.

Over the past few months, festival officials have been inundated with creative and interesting submissions for the three-day event. “We have received nearly 300 submissions from Ireland,

Fingal, America, Brazil, Nigeria, India, all over the place really,” Dave Byrne, creative director, Fingal Film Festival said.

“There are really some good ones in it. A lot of documentaries and feature films, the standard is very high; we have selected the submissions for screening and the winners were notified on Saturday. The public will have to wait until next week to find out the festival’s exciting line-up, when the festival puts up the schedule online. I am really proud of the schedule. It’s going to be an interesting three days.”

This event takes place from March 21 until 23.

Visit www.fingalfilmfest. com to keep an eye on the schedule, get further information or become a member of the festival.

COMMERCIAL FEATURE

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

Michelin man gives Discount Tyre and Auto Services the thumbs up STAFF at Blanchardstown-based Discount Tyre & Auto Services are celebrating being named as Irelands first Michelin Certified Centre – a prestigious new accolade being given to Europe’s best performing tyre and service centres.

Michelin is rewarding those specialists who meet exceptionally high standards of customer service and expertise with a mark of excellence, and inviting them to join the Michelin Auto Profes-

sional network.

To attain the tyre manufacturer’s official approval, Discount Tyre & Auto Services had to undergo a thorough audit which examined every part of the business from the cleanliness of the workshop to the quality of advice given to customers.

Checks were also made on the standard of equipment used and the level of training staff receive.

Managing Director, Robert Ferguson, says: “Being named

a Michelin Certified Centre reassures our customers that we are the very best at what we do. It’s an exclusive seal of approval from one of the best known brands in the world, and to achieve it has required a lot of hard work at all levels – it’s been a real team effort.

“The independent audit was rigorous and left no stone unturned.

We are delighted to have proved ourselves and display the Michelin mark with pride.”

Robert adds: “The tyre market is fiercely competitive and initiatives like this help customers to easily recognise top performers.

We’re immensely proud of our new Michelin Certified Centre status and we’ll be working hard to maintain it.”

Mark Coleman, Programme Development Manager at Michelin, explains: “Michelin approval is only given when an organisation is among the best in its field. It is a guarantee

of quality service and professional standards and which will be reassessed on an ongoing basis.

Located in Rosemount Business Park, close to the National Aquatic Center, Discount Tyre & Auto Services is the first Irish tyre specialists in the Michelin Auto Professional network. All members benefit from full access to Michelin’s extensive training programmes, rated among the best in the industry, as well as a range of business support services.

Discount Tyre & Auto Services was established in 2005 and operates the largest fast fit and car servicing centre in Blanchardstown, and has a strong team of staff responsible for maintaining your car, van & 4x4 vehicles with real customer care.

Further information on Discount Tyre & Auto Services is available from www.discounttyres.ie

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 March 2012

LIVE Mount Sackville students present The Sound of Music

Show is music to their ears

FTER all the months of preparation, the time had finally come for the students at Mount Sackville’s Transition to perform their production of The Sound of Music. The assembly hall was packed with family and friends who had come to lend their support as well as to enjoy a great show. The show tells the story of Maria Rainer, who captures the hearts and minds of the seven children she is asked to govern, as well as their strict father, Captain Von Trapp. It was great entertainment for all ages with the audience enjoying some classic songs, such as Do-Re-Mi, Favourite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and the title song, The Sound of Music.

A

For more pictures, see Page 10

Dancers Lauren Farrell and Anna Peters. Pictures: Ania Sherlock

Castleknock College students Luke Reilly and Colm Tara and Aisling Breen

Malik, Adeh and Zaynab

Anita O’Brien, Cillian Dervan and Kate Donegan

Niamh, Nicola, Laura and Jennifer

Hawkes

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

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LIVE More memorable moments from The Sound of Music

Students performing on-stage

Aideen and Maura Walsh

The event was a joy for all, especially all the students who had put huge efforts into preparing for the show

1 March 2012 GAZETTE 11

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EVENT City gets ready for pageantry, culture, carnivals and

Exploring science of fun A host of colourful characters were on hand in Dublin this week to launch our national holiday celebrations A HOST of colourful characters were on hand in Dublin this week to launch St Patrick’s Festival 2012, which will take place from March 16 to 19.

Drawing inspiration from Dublin’s status as The City of Science, the Festival parade and ever-popular city Treasure Hunt are this year inspired by the how, what and why of science.

Celebrating the very best in Irish and international talent, Dublin will come alive with pageantry, culture, carnivals and free entertainment.

With an audience of over one million, Ireland’s leading pageant companies will animate a selection of science questions posed by children, such as “How is a rainbow formed?, What makes the weather change?, How is electricity made?’’ and each will present their imaginative, colourful, remarkable and thought-provoking creations on the streets of the capital during the festival parade.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said: “St. Patrick’s Festival is a fantastic showcase for Ireland and for Irish tourism, and a centre piece of our tourism calendar.

“This festival makes the most of the unique international profile of St Patrick’s Day. “There’s a great schedule of free events taking place over the four days of the festival with the very best of Irish and international talent.

“It will reinforce Ireland’s reputation as a friendly and fun destination for visitors.”

Susan Kirby, CEO of St Patrick’s Festival, feels the 2012 programme of events will have something for everyone: “Our St Patrick’s Festival is one of the largest artistic presentations of its

kind in the world and the atmosphere in the city is always electric.

“This year, we will be hosting some of the best events that the capital has ever seen, with something for all ages, nationalities and tastes and the majority are free!

“The collaboration with Dublin City of Science 2012 also links us to a year-long celebration and will open up the city in a whole new way for many people, with the parade in particular answering everyday questions in a colourful way.

“Above all, this is a national celebration and a chance for everyone to come along and enjoy all of the fun of the festival.”

In preparation for the big day, primary school children from across the country have also joined the fun, with discussions based around science questions in the classroom.

Responding with drawings, stories and video, a selection of their interpretations will be available to view on the festival website.

Everyone can take part by downloading the resource pack from the festival website, www. stpatricksfestival.ie, from March 1.

The How? What? and Why? resource pack explores child-centred answers to the questions being animated by the pageant companies.

Professor Patrick Cunningham, chief scientific adviser to the Government, feels the theme to the parade and treasure hunt is an exciting platform for science.

“What better way to demonstrate the reach of science into our everyday lives and culture than through Ireland’s national festival.

“We are delighted to be working with St Patrick’s Festival, combining science and creativity in a

Pictured are Emily Parkes, aged 5 (left), and Mia Parkes (right), aged 7 from Dunboyne, Co Meath and Jake Murron (centre), aged 3, with characters from the Artastic street troupe who will be appearing in this year’s parade, Moe Coakley (far left) and Emily Archer (far right) joined by Leo Varadkar, Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Susan Kirby, CEO of St Patrick’s Festival

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‘There’s a great schedule of free events taking place over the four days of the festival with the very best of Irish and international talent’ --------------------------------------------------------

new and exciting way,” he said.

This year’s jam-packed St Patrick’s Festival lineup aims to cement the world-class reputation of the Irish national holiday with four days and nights of celebration and entertainment, for young and old.

New initiatives have been added to this year’s festival, such as I Love

My City, a distinct celebration of Irish culture during the festival.

This special programme of unique, free Irish cultural events takes place in the beautiful surroundings of some of Ireland’s prestigious cultural institutions, venues and spaces in the Georgian Quarter from Merrion Square to Kildare Street.

Artists, performers and collectives, such as Donal Dineen, Dublin Laptop Orchestra, UNESCO City of Literature and many more, will perform on March 16 and 17.

I Love My City headline events will take place in The National Gallery, The National Museum, the RHA, The National Concert Hall, The National Library and Leinster House, while city-wide, cultural institutions and venues will also be offering a variety of activities and interesting events that are a must-see at Festival time.

The programme will also see an eclectic Trad

Stage in Meeting House Square, a busy outdoor music and street performance schedule and an Irish Craft Beer and Artisan Food Market in Custom House Quay.

On March 16, Dublin’s Creative Quarter (from Georges Arcade via Powerscourt Townhouse to South William Street) will be bustling with activity and the best of Irish design and making will be on show.

The full I Love My City programme will be launched on March 6, headline events are free but reserve spaces early to avoid disappointment, check www.stpatricksfes-

tival.ie for updates.

Other Festival favourites, such as the St Patrick’s Festival Ceili are back in the line-up for 2012.

Kicking off the festival in style on March 16, visitors will be immersed in Irish culture and craic at this outdoor celebration of traditional Irish dancing.

This popular event offers a unique and funfilled way to spend an afternoon dancing on the streets of Dublin.

Expert callers will lead the crowd through dances such as the Siege of Ennis, the Walls of Limerick and lots more.

1 March 2012 GAZETTE 13

free entertainment to run from March 16 to 19

for St Patrick’s Festival Emily, Jake and Mia take a closer look at what’s coming up at this year’s festival

Characters from the Artastic street troupe help to launch St Patrick’s Day Festival

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GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY FastBeauty Iron warning: Look out for signs of deficiency

A RECENT study by the Department of Health and Children has found that Irish women were twice as likely as men to have an iron intake below recommended levels.

The latest figures show that as many as 91% of women aged 16-64 do not get their recommended daily allowance of iron in their diets.

Staff at Lucan Village Pharmacy advise that iron is used to make haemoglobin, which carries energy around the body, and that symptoms of iron deficiency can include tiredness, poor concentration and dark circles under the eyes. If you require further information regarding iron supplements, consult your local pharmacy or doctor.

Chic event: At BT’s store BROWN Thomas’s French beauty experience, Vive la Beaute, is running until Sunday, March 4, celebrating Parisian beauty and style.

Exclusive product launches, bespoke themed events and fabulous gifts with purchases are adding to the stylish celebrations. For further information, see www.brownthomas.com.

by Laura Webb

Kiehl’s keeps skin healthy and youthful HE Kiehl’s brand has been on the market since 1851 and is renowned for its skincare products that give men and women healthier-looking skin.

Taking care of the skin is probably the most important daily routine a person should try to keep on top of, and with the

T

extensive skin care range at Kiehl’s, everything a person needs to keep skin healthy and revitalised is supplied under the one roof.

The brand’s latest product, Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, is Kiehl’s first serum that promotes youthful clarity, while reducing the appearance of dark spots, discolourations, post-acne marks and hyper-pigmentation. It also helps to prevent the formation of new discolourations.

The product can be used all year round, and the good thing about it is, it’s suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin.

Key ingredients in the product include white birch extract. This is a sugar derived ingredient known to reduce the signs of photo-damage, while restoring hydration. Activated C, another key ingredient, works with white birch extract

to support and facilitate the appearance of discoloration correction.

Activated C also helps to prevent new forms of discolouration from appearing.

Youthful

Enhanced skin clarity, to even out skin tone and give a more youthful appearance, is provided by peony extract. This is a traditional Chinese medicinal antioxidant that also helps to protect against damage to the skin.

It’s recommended to use the product for at least eight weeks to see visible results. The useup rate of this product is 30-45 days.

Kiehl’s found that 87% of women clinically demonstrated more even skin tone, while 89% clinically demonstrated a reduction in dark spots. The recommended retail price for Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is €41.

Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

The original familyrun Kiehl’s pharmacy was located in New York City in 1851. Using natural ingredients, its products are formulated to assure the highest quality of skin care for customers all over the world.

The extensive range of Kiehl’s products can be found at their dedicated stores in Wicklow Street, Dublin 2 and at Dundrum Town Centre.

To view their products online, log onto www. kiehls.co.uk.

Brushing up on those make-up skills BRUSHING up on DIY make-up is something many of us can raise our hands high and admit we need some help, and, thankfully, it is out there.

LA Creative Academy is Ireland’s leading training institution for make-up, fashion, beauty,

designing and photography.

Art studio

Based in Dublin’s Chatham Street, it is now running Sunday classes in make-up, fashion and beauty in their state-of-the-art studio.

Participants will learn the latest tips from international catwalks, and could be the next big catwalk or bridal make-up artist.

For further information on the Sunday course, call LA Creative Academy on 6751999 or visit www.lamakeupacademy.com

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GazetteMUSIC MUSIC FastTunes with Radio Nova’s Dee Woods THE ANNUAL guilt-fest that is Lent has kicked off, and seeing as you’re supposed to give up something that’s hard to do, I think I’ll give up paying for stuff. Actually, it’s easier than it sounds — if you look for free entertainment, you can find it.

One great example is Hard Rock Rising, which is taking place every Thursday until March 8 at The Hard Rock Cafe, Temple Bar. There is no cover charge so it’s basically a free gig as you’ll witness bands battling it out for the chance to perform at The Hard Rock Calling Festival in London’s Hyde Park.

The Saturday night at Hard Rock Calling will be headlined by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and is set to be a great platform for the successful band to share the stage with one of the best in the business.

And they’ve made it this far, so you can be guaranteed decent music from the likes of Johnny and the Beep Beeps and Eazy Tiger.

For more information, log on to www. hardrock.com and search for the Dublin location.

The Australian Pink Floyd played three shows at The Olympia last week, and they didn’t disappoint. Okay, you didn’t think you were looking at David Gilmour or Roger Waters but they sure did a good impression of sounding like them. They may have been singing someone else’s songs but they sure were playing like they wrote them.

If you missed Australian Pink Floyd, then be sure to catch the splinter group, Brit Floyd, at The O2 on May 4. They played a blinder at The Grand Canal Theatre last year and return to the bigger venue, apparently with the infamous Floyd inflatables. I’ve High Hopes!

Listen to Dee Woods from Radio Nova every weeknight from 7pm to 12am on 100.3FM

Pink Floyd’s The Wall in concert

Monsters of rock: Local band take stage at RDS show DUNDRUM band, Cry Monster Cry, were certainly not drying their eyes last weekend when they were asked to play the Hot Press 2FM stage at the RDS Music Show.

The band, who are set to release their debut EP, The Fallen, in May, were one of the top ten acts out of 600 who took part in a Hot Press competition to get a showcase spot at the RDS. You can keep up with the band on Facebook and Myspace.

LOCAL TALENT: A GATHERING OF TALENT MAKING THEIR MARK

Songwriter Club united in creativity I ROB HEIGH

LOCAL supporters of the Dublin music scene, radio presenter Keith McLoughlin and singer Sinead McNally, are set to host the next session of the The Songwriter Club on Saturday, March 10 at the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square West.

The idea for The Songwriter Club came about in late 2011 when Sinead and Keith spoke to each other about setting up a meet-up group for people involved in the music industry to bring them together to chat about all aspects of the industry, including songwriting, gigging, recording and promoting their music.

Sinead said: “The idea for the Songwriter Club came about in late 2011.

I wanted to be able to meet with people in the industry to chat informally about all things related to my work as a singer/songwriter.

“Although it’s so easy to connect and network with people across the internet and at gigs, I thought that a meetup group for us to meet face to face every cou-

Members of the Songwriter Club gather at the last meeting of the collective

ple of months would be very beneficial.

“The first-ever meeting was held at The Village on Wexford Street.

The club is now set up so that songw riters, musicians and professions connected to the industry can meet face to face to share information and advice and to discuss topics and issues of importance to us.”

After the success of the previous meetings,

the club has had to move to bigger premises for this next meeting to allow the number of people interested in attending a place in the conversation.

“There has been a lot of interest expressed from songw riters in Cork and Galway regarding a similar club being set up in those cities.

“It is hoped that over the next 12 months, there will be at least two

other locations in Ireland where The Songwriter Club will exist so that people who want to be part of the club don’t always have to travel to Dublin.

“There has also been a lot of interest expressed at the meetings that Songwriter Club gigs should be considered in which members of the club come together to perform at a suitable venue occasionally throughout the year.

“As you can see, there are lots of topics and issues to be addressed and we hope to cover as much as possible in the coming months,” said Sinead.

All musicians, and people involved in the music industry are welcome to attend, and the Songw riter Club posts its news its own Facebook page at w w w.facebook.com/ pages/The-SongwriterClub/228119757249977

1 March 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazettePETS PETS

Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA

THE FACTS: MICRO PIGS HAVE VERY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO CARE

This little piggy is not going to market THEY’RE mini-pigs with a massive price tag, and, although these gorgeous little porkers are not going to market, I’m concerned for their welfare. You see, now that the designer “handbag dog” phenomenon is soooo last month, these adorable, pint-sized creatures look set to become the latest fad.

Therefore, following a number of calls to the shelter, some of which I’ve taken personally from people asking such questions as: “Eh, do you know where I can get my hands on a micro-pig for my mate’s 18th birthday?” to: “Can I bring my micropig out in my handbag?”

My answer to both questions by the way is “No” and, er “Absolutely not.”

If you read on, you’ll

grown. However, as not every human is the same height, this is obviously difficult to judge.

A micro-pig has been bred over generations to be smaller than other species of pigs

understand why.

I’m going to outline a few guidelines, which I hope prospective micropig parents will take into account before they decide to purchase one of these animals and then find out, when it’s too late, that they are unable to provide for their well-

being and very specific requirements.

What is a micro-pig?

It is quite simply a pig that, over generations, has been bred to be smaller in adulthood than other species of pigs. They are usually described as being “knee-height” when fully

Can anyone own a micro-pig?

No. A pig is a farm animal. This means in accordance with the legal requirements; before you purchase your pig, the Depart of Agriculture Food and the Marine will need to be contacted in order that the local District Veterinary Office, (DVO), can arrange an inspection of the owner’s premises to establish suitability. You will then need to be registered as a “herd owner”. A herd owner is someone who has just one pig or several pigs. According to the Department’s guidelines,

“Only persons registered with the Department and issued with valid pig herd numbers are allowed to own or trade in pigs. This provision applies to anyone who wishes to own pigs, however few.”

Can I bring my pig out with me when I’m socialising?

No. You will need to contact the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and fill in a dispatch document to notify them of a pig movement.

So, if your pig becomes ill, how do you take him to see a vet if you don’t have a legal permit stating you’re a herd owner or a dispatch document giving you permission to move him? The vet will need to visit you, so do take into

account expensive, outof-hours, house calls.

This brings me to veterinary care.

Will my local vet be able to provide care for my pig?

Unlikely. Local vets are highly equipped and trained to deal with domestic pets like cats, dogs, rabbits, etc., When it comes to dealing with pigs, however, you will likely need a more specialised professional.

What is the average life span of the micro-pig?

Approximately 10 years, although some live until they are 25 to 30 years, and that’s a lot longer than a cat or a dog.

So, you see, pigs are wonderful, intelligent ani-

mals, but, sadly, they are often purchased by people who are not equipped with the proper knowledge or facilities required to care for them. Owning a pig takes skill, a proper budget, land and a good deal of time and understanding.

Also, as social animals, pigs require the company of other pigs and that means if you only purchase one, he is likely to become depressed.

Where can I obtain more information?

Check out www.agriculture.gov.ie and I would advise reading their Pig Welfare Requirements Booklet.

For more info log onto www.dspca.ie or email miriam.kerins@dspca.ie

18 GAZETTE 1 March 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

Edited by Cormac Curtis

RoadSigns Road Signs MERCEDESBENZ LET THEIR STARS SHINE: MERCEDES-BENZ have said that “all the stars will be out” this weekend, when members of their main dealer network are set to host a used car sale.

Recognising that March can be the best time for customers to source a top-quality used car, every Mercedes-Benz dealer in Ireland is remaining open from 9.00am until 6.00pm on each of the four days of the event, (12.00 noon – 4.00pm on Sunday).

All cars presented for sale will be covered by MercedesBenz’s own Star Select Approved used car warranty.

It is estimated that some 500 cars will be offered for sale over the four days of the event, from Thursday, March 1, until Sunday, March 4.

Mazda have rebuilt their award-winning Mazda5 from the ground up. The Sport version of the car comes with incredibly useful powered rear sliding doors, and an incredibly comfortable leather interior. Folding seats offer plenty of load capacity when needed

Changing expectations CORMAC CURTIS ccurtis@gazettegroup.com

XPECTATIONS have a way of really messing with your perspective.

I can’t tell you how many nights I was dragged kicking and screaming to some party or other, swearing blind that I was going to have a miserable night. Then, lo and behold, the night turns out to be a real humdinger – the kind against which you measure all other nights.

The question then remains, was it that good in the first place? Or did it simply surpass some pretty low expectations?

Well, I must admit that, for me, the Mazda5 was kind of like one of those nights.

On paper, there is not a whole lot to get excited about – family car, sevenseater, 1.6-litre diesel engine. Yawn.

T his car was first released to the public

E

SPECS: MAZDA5 SPORT Engine: 1.6L (115ps) diesel Transmission: 6-speed manual Economy: 5.2L/100km CO2 emissions: 138g Road Tax Band: B Price range: €25,495 €30,495 (model driven)

back in 2005, and Mazda gave it its very own classification – Compact Multi-Activity Vehicle, or C-MAV for short.

Don’t get me wrong, this car has been a success for Mazda, with over half a million sold worldwide, 175,000 of those here in Europe.

It has picked up no less than 37 automotive awards, and has consistently been voted one of Europe’s most reliable and safe vans.

Which begs the question, how come I wouldn’t recognise one if it jumped

up and waved its motoring awards in my face?

Well, even as a father who needs to ferr y around my kids, their friends, and bags of toys, bikes and sports gear, I wouldn’t really be too bothered about the look or image of the family car – I’m just interested, quite rightly, in the practicalities.

Which means I am also left feeling a little resentful when I am forced to buy a car I need instead of a car I want.

This is all a very drawn out way of saying that the latest incarnation of the Mazda5, well, surprised me.

I took a moment to consider the looks of the car, and, to be honest, I had to nod in approval – I may have even grinned a little.

Even in the original Mazda5, the designers went to some lengths to keep the sliding rear doors look as non-commercial as possible, by

keeping the rail they move on nicely hidden.

In the new model, Mazda’s award-wining Nagare-flow design elements have given the profile an attractive, sculpted “wind and wave” feel.

The model I tested boasted the Sport spec.

Among other features, it included attractive 17” alloys, air con, very efficient bluetooth connectivity (it hooked up to my iPhone a good deal more easily than a few premium saloons I have tested), cruise control, power rear sliding doors, rear spoiler, side skirts and front fog lights.

All this, and a very fuel efficient 1.6 litre diesel engine delivering a claimed 5.2L/100 miles, or 54mpg in old money.

Either way, that’s attractive fuel economy by any standards.

So, it sounds like the whole package, but I still wasn’t looking forward to driving it (those pesky expectations still hanging

around).

I was wrong to be so negative.

This fairly big tank had no problem moving when asked, and the six-speed gearbox was very well matched to the 1.6-litre diesel motor.

You’re never going to take any quick corners in this car (which begs the question, why do they call it the Sport model?), but it drives a hell of a lot better than I was expecting.

Add to this the leather trim, with very eyecatching red piping, well laid-out dash, strong air con with air vents that you can point anywhere, heated seats, arm rests, big rear view mirrors and even a reverse parking sensor – you really begin to see what all the fuss is about.

Mazda could have given the old model a nip, a tuck, and a few botox injections and jacked up the price – they did, after all, already have a winning

formula on their hands.

But in fairness, this car was rebuilt from the ground up, and you can feel it.

Of course the real litmus test is what my kids say.

My six-year-old said: “Papa, this is a very handy car.” Her younger sibling, after some thought came out with: “I love these doors,” and I’m forced to agree with both of them.

This is a terrific family car. It leaves you wanting nothing (apart from, perhaps, automatic transmission), but it has classleading extras, and acres of carry space, with the option of folding all the seats in case you ever need to move half of IKEA’s store room.

The electric sliding doors made me smile – and they really are useful, but I felt the boot should have a hatch option so you can just open the glass section; that would have made it that little bit more complete.

1 March 2012 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 1 March 2012

GazetteMOTORS MOTORS

Plug in to the appeal of electric vehicles

www.gazette group.com

All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away

Edited by Cormac Curtis

LECTRIC vehicles are becoming a more regular sight on Dublin roads, and now you now can test-drive the Renault Fluence ZE saloon and Kangoo ZE mini van at Bill Cullen Liffey Valley to see if “electric” is up your street.

Robert Dunne is the Electric Vehicle (EV) ambassador for the South Dublin region, and is based at Bill Cullen Liffey Valley, where he is dedicated to the Renault range of electric vehicles.

His role is to help build awareness and assist customers in making informed choices about owning an EV. He says: “Renault has made EV attainable and affordable for everyone.

The first 2,000 customers who purchase an EV will have a free home wall box installed at their home or business, providing them with their own fuel station.

“Home charging is the preferred method of charging an electric car or van, and an overnight charge of six to eight hours will cost around €2, based on night rates.

“Renault believes that EVs should be affordable to all and, with the SEAI offering grants of up to €5,000 to purchase an EV, people are very interested in learning more,” “We are currently offering free extended test drives of the Kangoo ZE van and Fluence ZE, and I would definitely recommend that people who believe an EV vehicle may suit their lifestyle should drop in and have a drive.

“It’s an incredibly smooth driving experi-

E

Robert Dunne, Electric Vehicle (EV) ambassador, Bill Cullen Liffey Valley, is ready to advise everyone on whether “electric” is right for them, depending on their lifestyle, while (inset) Al Pacino is one of those already enjoying the EV experience

ence, and we can advise on costs and savings to be made by owning an EV, and also how to finance your EV,” says Dunne.

He has a long history with Renault, and started off his career at 12, washing and cleaning out cars as they arrived into the country. He joined CityGate Renault in 2006 as a sales consultant, before taking a year out in 2007 to travel the world.

In 2008, he returned and took up a position in Bill Cullen Motors Liffey Valley, before becoming an EV ambassador in 2011.

Dunne has taken part in a charity white-collar boxing fundraiser in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital, with Crumlin Boxing Gym, and, from this, he has developed a passion for the sport.

Benefits As an EV ambassador, he is faced with the challenge of informing customers on the benefits of the EV range, determining whether EV is the right fit for them, and demonstrating the vehicles.

A personal highlight for him was his trip to the Seville Motor Show last October, where he drove the full Renault ZE range for the first time.

The range is to be expanded later in 2012, when Renault will launch the Twizy – an urban twoseater quadricycle, and the ZOE – a stylish compact hatch.

Renault is the only manufacturer to introduce a range of electric vehicles from light commercial vans to passenger cars, and aims to be the leader in the field of electric vehicles.

1 March 2012 GAZETTE 21

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported by AIB

Interview: Stephanie Sinnott, owner of Baby Body Fit

Finding her niche in the fitness industry BABY Body Fit was started in December, 2010, by Stephanie Sinnott, after she spent three years working in the fitness industry.

This week, Stephanie spoke to the Gazette about how she started her business. “I gave birth to my daughter in March, 2008, and while trying to lose that weight, I decided to learn more about fitness, and retrained as a fitness instructor and personal trainer.

“I quickly found my niche within the fitness industry. I decided to turn my passion for fitness and pregnancy into a career, and conceived Baby Body Fit. “Noticing the trend for pregnancy yoga and pilates, I saw a gap in the market, as there was a lack of a maternity exercise programmes available. I wanted to provide women with a safe and effective exercise routine for during and after their pregnancies,” she says.

Stephanie was keen to develop a wide-ranging and beneficial programme for her clients.

“In Baby Body Fit’s prenatal, Prepare classes, we combine light cardio work with strength and toning exercises. We

work on strengthening legs, arms, upper and lower back, along with core muscles and posture. The classes help to control excessive weight gain through light strength training, “In our post-natal, Regain classes, we use a mix of interval and circuit training, brisk walking and light jogging, and body-toning exercises to give you a fun, full body work-out. The beauty of this is that you can bring your little one in their buggy, saving you getting a babysitter! This has become a great social time for the mums, with lots of coffees had afterwards.

“We have also launched our ‘Maintain’ classes, which are held on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings. Maintain classes are open for females of all ages and all classes are suitable for all fitness levels.”

Baby Body Fit have classes running, or starting soon, in Dun Laoghaire, Cabinteely, Stepaside, Sandymount, Firhouse, Lucan, Phoenix Park and Swords.

To find out more, visit www.babybodyfit.ie.

Q: What was your first job?

A: Lounge girl in local pub.

Q: And your first pay cheque?

A: It was £12 for a seven-hour shift! I thought I was loaded!

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: I started the business in

Bank compliance and regulation requirements to ascertain this information, so relevant advice and recommendations can be given. Therefore age, family situation, income details, current commitments, future commitments ( e.g. did you know in a recent bank study that the cost of sending your child to third level education alone, excluding fees, exceeds € 42,000 per child ! ) your present rainy day fund (ideal to have between three to six months’ net annual income in a totally accessible account ) all count in making that decision where to invest that €10,000 ! So, let’s presume you are under 30, single, no commitments, no debt and you really do not need this money for two years… the two best rates going to print are: 1. Investec Bank – 18 months fixed account ( gross 6.85% but equivalent to 4.52% Annual Equivalent Rate ) 2. Permanent TSB – two years and two months (gross 9.5% but equivalent to 4.47% AER)

Stephanie Sinnott, owner of Baby Body Fit

April, 2011, and quit my job to build it in July, 2011.

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: Working for myself and teaching the classes.

Q: What part of your working day do you ‘delegate’?

A: Although I love teaching the classes, I am slowly handing over most of mine to the other instructors.

Q: What sport do you follow?

websites, anything relevant to the business.

ing Tallafornia and My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. Both hilarious!

Q: What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? A: Mainly indie rock – Interpol, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire, Oasis, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Joy Division, Nirvana, but I like almost everything except bubblegum pop.

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

A – As the saying goes, how long is a piece of string ?

Find must be completed in accordance with Central

there’s no escaping that!

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

A: I’ve recently started watch-

touch it for two years. Pat – Cork St D 8

professional independent financial advisers, a Fact

A: Parenting and maternity

tlebells, home work-outs and weight training.

safest and best place to put it ? I don’t want to

know some of the background circumstances. For

A: I live with a soccer fanatic so Q: What sport can you play?

A: No sport, but I run, do ket-

Q – I have € 10,000 to put away. Where is the

With these type of requests, it is really important to

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

A: Actress.

INVESTING €10,000

Q: What was your last tweet/ status update?

A: Announcing the new franchise in Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary.

ing money frivolously?

A: Dundrum Town Centre! My family and friends say my car knows its own way there!

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

A: About 50.

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Scallops, black pudding and

Q: What was your worst holiday experience?

A: Being told that the bus

pea puree for starters, venison for main, and poached pears for dessert.

journey from Koh Samui to Singapore was only 16 hours.

It turned out to be 34 hours!

Q: Who would you like to have dinner with?

A: Kurt Cobain. Failing that,

Q: Describe your dream holiday?

A: Seeing the Northern Lights.

Jillian Michaels.

The Money Doctor’s Tip of the Week CREDIT CARD DEBT If you cannot manage your credit card debt, have spent up to your limit, are easily tempted with the accessibility of a credit card limit, perhaps you should switch to a prepaid card. With the Money Doctor prepaid MasterCard 1. Government stamp duty is only €5 per annum ( normal visa card duty is €30 ) 2. Discounts abound ( e.g. Ryanair flights charge €12 when you use a Visa card – use your Money Doctor prepaid MasterCard and there is no charge ) 3. You can only spend what you lodge into the card – there is NO credit.

Q: What would be your dream job?

A: Pilot! But I do love what I’m

Contact John with your money questions at

doing right now.

jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at

but I’d say Jedward represent the Under-15’s population.

Q: What do you plan to do when you retire?

A: Travel, staying in nice hotels,

www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the

Q: Where do you enjoy spend-

I’ve had enough hostels!

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

A: I would hope David Norris,

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZET TE CALL 60 10 240

Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

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22 GAZETTE 1 March 2012

GazetteTTRAVEL Travel EXTRA Take a ‘Oui’ holiday to Disneyland DISNEYLAND Paris is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is offering some great deals, with free children’s places for the celebration party, starting from Sunday, April 1.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris, Abbey Travel is delighted to offer up to 40% off Disneyland Paris hotel and park passes – plus, children under seven stay and play free.

Abbey Travel is offering family stopover packages starting from €85 per adult per night. The price is based on two adults and two children under seven staying for four nights in Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne, and five-day park tickets, for arrivals on selected dates from March 29 to November 7, with the sale ending on April 30.

This package excludes flights and transfers, and the offer is subject to availability, terms and conditions. To book, call Abbey Travel on 01 804 7160, or see www.abbeytravel.ie.

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

Family fun at the lodges in Fota Island Resort I CORMAC CURTIS

ID-TERM breaks take a little getting used to. They seem to just creep up on you, and they shouldn’t.

Especially, if like me, you already have two kids in school.

I really should have a clearer idea of when the holidays are – but I don’t.

The idea of taking two days off half-way through February just doesn’t have a very “mid-term” feel to me. In late January we’re still talking about the Christmas break we just enjoyed!

On top of all that, at this time of year, I like to

M

live in denial.

I especially like to pretend that there is nothing on the horizon that will actually cost me anything, as I desperately do what I can to balance the overdraft/credit union/credit card bill from the festive season.

But a mid-term is a midterm, so, at the beginning of February, along with every other family in the country, we tried to think of something fun to do with the kids for a couple of days.

The answer, as it so often does with my lot, involved a trip to Cork.

We tend to grab any opportunity to spend a little time in Cork with both hands – but one thing we hadn’t tried in Ireland’s “real capital” before was self-catering.

The Fota Island Resort was our destination for three nights in an incredibly well-appointed threebed holiday home.

I’m sorry… that’s an unfair understatement.

The self-catering houses at Fota Island Resort are stunning.

Ours looked like a show-home that was kitted out in the very best fixtures and fittings.

Leather furniture, big f lat-screen T V, spot-

Offer: Go wild with the family this Easter COME face-to-face in county Cork this

Easter mid-term to children aged 4-12)

April with free-roaming animals and

where they will be kept entertained with

birds, as kangaroos cross your path and

plenty of fun activities, including arts and

ring-tailed lemurs jump down from trees.

crafts, swimming, picnics and soccer.

Book an Easter family package at the

Hot chocolate and cookies in the Amber

five-star Fota Island Resort and enjoy

Lounge complete this family friendly

two nights luxury accommodation with

package, which is available from €268 per

breakfast each morning, an early bird

night for adjoining or interconnecting

dinner on one evening, an in-room movie

rooms, subject to availability.

and tickets to one of Ireland’s top ten visitor attractions, Fota Wildlife Park.

Back at the resort, mum and dad can

Fota Island Resort also includes Irish Open Championship golf courses and Academy, self-catering lodges, fitness

also head off to the spa for some R&R with

classes, and walking trails. There is sure

a treatment or time in the hydrotherapy

to be something every member of the

suite, while the kids go wild in the Cheetah

family will enjoy. For more, visit www.

Club kids’ camp (open every day of the

fotaisland.ie or call 021 488 3700.

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

‘It was a joy to settle in to such a warm and comfortable environment and plan our activities for the coming days’ --------------------------------------------------------

lessly clean double oven, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, en-suites off each bedroom, downstairs toilet, heated towel rails all over – this place had everything, and tastefully decorated to boot.

Not only that - but guests can use the hotel’s fitness centre, including the all-important swimming pool.

The houses are tucked away, just off the long,

tree-lined drive that runs up to the main hotel.

It was a joy to settle in to such a warm and comfortable environment and plan our activities for the coming days – not forgetting an appointment in the hotel’s luxurious spa for a certain wife of mine.

Usually we would have a pretty good idea of the kind of facilities and activities available at a hotel like this, long before we get there. But,

this time we hadn’t got around to it. The result of this lack of planning was that we were pleasantly surprised to find one of the houses in among the holiday homes was specifically for a supervised Kids’ Camp.

Even after our first day of swimming, walking, and even a visit to a local jungle gym-style activity centre called Go Safari – our two little adventurers were only too keen to meet up with other kids for some arts and crafts and a movie at the free kids’ camp.

Once the movie was over, we strolled around to pick up the girls, who fell fast asleep as soon

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

Edited by Mimi Murray

FastTravel Celebrate St Patrick’s day in style – in lovely Malta JET off to Malta to celebrate St Patrick’s Day this year – with direct flights from Dublin and just over three hours away, Malta is a great destination for a weekend break, especially around Paddy’s Day. Spring has a lovely mild climate in Malta, and getting around the island is easy.

Malta will celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Irish style, which will see Irishmen and “honorary Irishmen” flock to their local Irish pubs to drink Guinness and listen to traditional Irish music.

Prices for accommodation only with Belleair are as low as €41 pppn in the 5-star Radisson Blu, St George’s Bay, B&B based on two people sharing.

Mercury Direct offers a stay in the 3-star Porto Azzurro, St Paul’s Bay, in a studio on B&B basis for three nights for €315.71 per person, including flights, transfers and luggage.

Concorde Travel offers excellent packages of direct flights plus a threenight stay in the 4-star Hotel Cavalieri, St Julian’s, based on two sharing standard room, B&B for €469 pp, including all taxes and charges.

There’s lots of information, and you can book accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets, on www.visitmalta.com, or visit your travel agent.

Becky and Sarah Curtis prepare for their visit to the Kids Camp and the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, left, as the all-important swimming pool awaits the arrival of a horde of fun-loving families

as they got back to the house.

This was the end of a pretty perfect family day.

Ordinarily, I would have been happier if I could have squeezed in some time at the hotel’s driving range – but seeing my better half practically float out of the beautiful spa following her Comfort Zone facial, I couldn’t complain.

It would be difficult not to feel relaxed at Fota Island Resort, such is the attention to detail and thought they put into a

family’s requirements requirements, but the spa really is the icing on the cake for a little destressing.

It features a full fitness suite, an indoor heated swimming pool and a superb hydrotherapy suite, home to Ireland’s only “walking river”, which is apparently renowned for assisting in healing sports and fatigue-related injuries. The spa is home to 18 spacious treatment rooms and offers over 60 treatments.

I know I said that this was a self-catering holi-

day, and we did have most of our meals in the house, but one morning we couldn’t resist popping in to the clubhouse to have breakfast served to us.

Receiving such charm and warmth from the staff, even when you arrive at a golf club with two excited little girls, really is a treat.

But we needn’t have worried, as there was a table with a few very excited Corkonians, one of whom had hit a holein-one on his morning round, and they were only too happy to share

the good news with everybody!

Families visiting the Fota Island Resort should make certain to visit the nearby Fota Island Wildlife Park – it is the kind of place that kids simply adore.

The only reason we didn’t pay a visit this time around, is because we had been lucky enough to spend time there late last year – and our two girls were having far too much fun with the other kids at the resort to even consider going anywhere else.

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 March 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT PAVILION 01 231 2929 Macbeth

ONE of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays will be brought to vivid life by the Icarus Theatre Collective, as the noble’s progressive lust for power gradually escalates in his bid to usurp the kingdom ... The award-winning British theatre company will bring their considerable skills to bear in an eclectic production, bringing the original verse to life in a number of imaginative ways. See Macbeth at 7.30pm on Monday, March 5 or at 10.30am on Tuesday, March 6, with tickets priced €12/€16.

MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 Paddy Laughs - Heat 2 THE craic will be mighty – with a little luck and skill – thanks to the finalists taking part in Heat 2 of the Paddy Laughs comedy competition. It’s the next stage in the four-step contest, seeking to find and crown the best local comedian, with would-be comics, aged 18 and over, invited to come along and break a leg – or, better, some funny bones – with their very best (and worst) gags! Come along and enjoy Heat 2 at 8.05pm on Saturday, March 3, with admission priced at €5.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 885 2622 A Murder of Crows HANSEL and Gretel get in a flap with an exciting production for children aged eight and over. Based on the classic tale, actors/musicians will weave a gothic tale of two lost (but ultimately resourceful) children – but seen from the perspective of a chorus of raucous and rowdy crows, whose antics will delight children as they flap about. Wing your way over to the Civic Theatre for this lively play on Thursday, March 1 and Friday, March 2, with shows at 10am and 12.30pm. Admission costs €7.50, group rate.

DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 David O’Doherty THE shy and retiring founding member of Destiny’s Child, little-known inventor of the iPad, instantly recognisable star of 2Fast 2Furious, and 1990 East Leinster Under-14 triple jump bronze medallist, David Doherty takes time out from his remarkable global achievements to star at Draiocht with little more than his wit, a keyboard, anecdotes, and lots of experience from performing at comedy festivals around the world. Catch David at 8pm in Draiocht on Friday, March 2, with admission costing €16.

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Daniel Radcliffe tries to magic up a break away from Harry Potter as he stars in The Lady In Black; Natalie Portman returns in the re-released Star Wars: Episode 1, which has gained an extra dimension for its 3D release; and Liam Neeson wolfs down another tough-guy role in The Grey

Assorted servings This week, a look at some of the films on general release that may – or may not – deserve your consideration ...

KATE CROWLEY

FACED with a notexactly-thrilling rota of titles for your consideration, this week, I’m sorely tempted to crack open the emergency bottle of Mother’s Ruin – AKA gin – that clinks every so often at the back of my drawer where it hides behind unwanted Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston DVDs – any of which make excellent coffee coasters, I can exclusively confirm.

However, given that pouring oneself a stiff drink at the workplace is A) only permissible if one is a master whiskey maker, and B) perfectly routine if starring in TV’s Mad Men, I’m faced with the sobering fact that there’s nothing new of worth to urge you all to trot off with your recessionist roubles to catch at the cinema, this week.

Instead, here’s another one of my irregular

FILM OF THE WEEK: Various to Directors: Various Starring: Harry Potter, Darth Vader, Oskar Schindlier – or, at least, the actors well-known for these cinematic characters

OUR VERDICT: WHILE Adam Sandler’s latest offering lurks at cinemas, rubbing shoulders with Nic Cage’s latest, here, instead, are a number of marginally better films to consider viewing, as cinemas and film distributors sink into their annual early-spring slump.

round-ups where I cock a snoop at some of the currently showing films, which I haven’t previously covered.

First up, and it’s Harry Pott–errr, I mean, Daniel Radcliffe, starring in The Woman In Black ( , 15A, 95 mins). Oh, and this time around, he ain’t the titular character, folks.

Sent to one of those creepy old mansions that only the rich and insane could afford to build and live in, outside a grim little town, the young solicitor is soon in no doubt as to why the locals fear the house by the marsh.

After all – and, as I

love saying, “the clue’s in the title!” – the film’s titular character is not only haunting the crumbling old place, but proving quite capable at killing the locals’ children in her supernatural quest for vengeance, of sorts.

And, Blimey O’Reilly, Radcliffe’s character only has a child of his own, hasn’t he? Err, yes, he does. It’s time for the mutton-chopped young man to face up to this spooky lady, before she strikes again ...

Based on the criticallyacclaimed 1980s book, which has also enjoyed an equally well-received play, the film fails to

complete the set, with Radcliffe proving particularly miscast in the role of Earnest Young Ghostbuster Solicitor Dad. Magic, it ain’t, but at least it’s not particularly awful ... ...which neatly leads me on to Star Wars: Episode 1: 3D ( , PG, 136 mins), which has returned like Obi-Wan to our screens. In 3D. This, of course, means that the film has finally gained an extra dimension, which is pretty neat, considering how utterly two-dimensional it was without this gimmicky extra bunged on top.

Star Wars fans will lap this up, and of course the 3D polishing adds an oooh-shiny layer of gloss to the impressive visuals.

However, as one of those old-fashioned people that like films with elements such as “plot” and “characterisation” – not to mention being

one of the six billionor so people that hated Jar Jar Binks, first time around – I sense a great disturbance in The Force regarding this one.

As with the previous film, Liam Neeson stars in The Grey ( , 15A, 117 mins). Oskar Schindler seems ever further behind him, as he coasts through a pretty daft film of Man Versus Wolf!

Here, the ever-decreasing numbers of survivors of a plane crash in a freezing, hostile landscape get picked off for lunch by some hirsute hunters – wolves – while Neeson tries to get them all back to safety, which is as daft, yet deftlymade, as I’ve probably just made it sound.

Finally, Adam Sandler’s latest – oh no, I’ve run out of space. Sorry, Adam. It was going to be a review for you, anyway. But then, aren’t they always? That’s all, folks!

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces The last word on The Last Story?

Once again, Alan Wake’s most useful defence comes from his trusty torch, as another unlikely, bizarre adventure begins to unravel around him.

However, the torch isn’t the only source of light relief in this downloadable sequel to his earlier title, with several fun moments, too.

Plenty of fun, schlockhorror moments here SHANE DILLON

YOU’LL understand that I have a certain symapthy for writers. While I wait for Hollywood to discover what a literary genius I am, I’ll have to settle for getting my literary kicks in the gaming world with Alan Wake, the unlikely hero, of sorts, of the hit XBox 360 title of the same name.

Actually, at the time of writing, I note that the recently-released port of Alan Wake to PC, via the digital distribution channel, Steam, recouped its PC development and marketing costs in just 48 hours.

It just goes to show that a great game needn’t be format-exclusive, and Alan’s bizarre adventures in a sleepy lumberjack town that’s anything but, could be a hit with any gamer interested in something a little different.

I’ve previously praised the XBox 360 version of

the title, as I really liked its graphics, coupled with the imaginative setting (coming on like a cross between Twin Peaks, The X-Files, The Twilight Zone and a vintage Stephen King tale), creating a title that took an awful long time to get made – five years – but which exceeded expectations.

Now, once again, Wake returns to the XBox with the next chapter in his tale – Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, presented as part of XBox 360’s “House Party” of downloadable titles.

Here, the unlucky protagonist has swapped the surprisingly violent setting of rural Bright Falls for a new tale in an unfamiliar new landscape.

While its parent title had a broad, wide-ranging plot with some literary pretensions – only to be expected from dealing with a character whose twisted words seemed to be coming to horrible life

around him – its sequel of sorts has swapped the highbrow appeal for popcorn shlock, reimagining Wake’s world as seen by, say, a collaboration between David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino.

The result is a game that’s familiar for Wake veterans, yet reimagined with a healthy dose of menace and threat, creating plenty of schlockhorror moments that will feel instantly familiar to any Alan Wake veteran or newbie alike.

Here, Wake has left the forests and lakes of Bright Falls far behind for the dusty plains of Arizona, as he finds himself once again out under a dark night sky, with little more than a torch for company.

It’s not long before Wake’s running for his life to the “safety” of a nearby motel, with a nearby diner also providing a thin slice of bright, welcoming safety from the

dark landscape, where oil derricks tirelessly bob up and down, and The Taken – mysterious, homicidal people swathed in swirling, oily smoke – lurk in the helpful darkness, ready to put Wake to sleep. Permanently.

Wake knows that Mr Scratch, his evil doppelganger (occasionally seen on TV sets in live footage, using the same actor for the Alan Wake model) is behind the nefarious goings on around him, and that, following his adventures in Bright Falls, his ability as a writer to manipulate reality with his words makes him the only person able to thwart such plans.

Now, all Alan has to do is find Mr Scratch – and to survive the darkness that’s all around ...

A sequel that’s not a direct sequel, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is a highly enjoyable piece of action-horror-hokum.

Not for children (with

scenes of implied violence, murders, and more), my description of something that’s Lynchian and Tarantinoish seems pretty apt for this slice of paranormal Americana.

Still, although the game has its faults – Alan again controls like a tank, suffers from a “roadie-run” posture when he moves, and fights the camera almost as much as The Taken – it’s good fun, with a number of blackly amusing moments, too.

Its presentation, too, is notable, with the series’ Twilight Zone homage, “Night Springs”, framing much of the action in style, with a narrator’s distinctly dulcet tones occasionally describing Wake’s latest decisions.

Although not exactly the depeest or longest adventure in the world, this is an enjoyable return for Wake, while its occasional bursts of action certainly won’t send gamers to sleep ...

NINTENDO’S Wii troubles continue, as the console continues languishing at retail. It’s a pity as, although its successor is on the way, the Wii never quite hit the stride that it should have; not helped, perhaps, both by a few too many simplistic titles hitting the market, as well as not always being supported with any great enthusiasm by retailers, as a cursory walk into any games’ retailer around Dublin shows, with small Wii sections .

It’s unfortunate, then, that a richly imaginative title with much to appeal to gamers looking for a bit more “oomph” for their Wii, The Last Story – a highly-imaginative and beautifully-presented action-RPG – has been dropped by GAME, removed from the retailer’s website, and won’t be available to buy in the chain’s Irish stores, as I confirmed with a number of outlets by telephone.

While the retailer’s well-publicised trading difficulties continue, its seems counter-intuitive that key, flagship and console-specific titles would not be stocked by the chain. This would be akin to, say, going to your supermarket and being told that, no, sorry, they don’t sell milk. Not a critical problem, but not very helpful, at the same time.

Of course, The Last Story is available from other outlets, and is well worth seeking out and paying the asking price for a challenging, fun and frequently beautiful, Wii title.

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GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Ronan and son set for Great Ireland Run RONAN Keating and his son, Jack, were on hand last week to help to launch the 2012 SPAR Great Ireland Run, and to show their support for the run’s nominated charities, the Marie Keating Foundation and the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation.

The SPAR Great Ireland Run 2012 will take place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday, April 15, at 1 pm, with up to 12,000 entries expected.

Every entrant will receive an exclusive technical T shirt before the event as well as a generous goody bag after completing the run.

Dublin Gazette Newspapers is delighted to announce that, once again, we have teamed up again this year with the SPAR Great Ireland Run to recognise the top runners in each of our newspapers’ local areas.

This year, the Gazette will recognise the fastest man and woman from each paper’s circulation area with a specially designed plaque, as well as prizes of sports gear. After the Run, we will also be publishing a results list of the top local male and female finishers.

The 2012 Run will once again incorporate the Irish 10k road championships and will feature most of Ireland’s top distance runners. To further incentivise elite Irish athletes and raise the standard of 10k running, a prize fund is being put in place for the first ten Irish men and women.

A star-studded field of international and national distance runners will compete on the day. Last year’s winners were Jesus Espana of Spain and Charlotte Purdue of Great Britain in 29:26 and 32:42 respectively.

Entries can be made online at www.greatirelandrun.org. More details and up-to-date news on the event is on Facebook and Twitter.

CRICKET: LOCAL INFLUENCE BRINGS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Euro Under-19 player Paul Stirling with Brian O’Rourke, who received the Outstanding Contribution to Coaching award recently

O’Rourke honoured sport@gazettegroup.com

BRIAN O’ROURKE’S tireless efforts for Cricket Ireland have earned him the prestigious ICC Europe Coach Award ‘Outstanding Contribution to Cricket Coaching’ for 2012.

The 41-year-old Leinster Development Manager has played a pivotal role in the promotion of cricket in the country for the past 17 years - developing talents such as Eoin Morgan, the O’Brien brothers, John Mooney, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling and George Dockrell.

It was under O’Rourke’s influence that Dockrell switched from a medium pace bowler to spin, a move which has turned him into one of the most highly rated youngsters in world cricket.

Clearly delighted that his hard work has been acknowledged by the ICC, O’Rourke said: “It’s a fantastic honour not just for me personally but also Irish cricket. There’s a real buzz in the country about cricket at the moment, and the game is clearly on the rise.

“The numbers of coaches and participants are growing significantly, and there’s still a lot of talent out there to be unearthed. There are a lot of opportunities now for young cricketers and I’m confident that Ireland will continue to be a major player on the world circuit for generations to come.”

O’Rourke has fulfilled a variety of roles since 1995, coaching Ireland teams from Under-15 through to Under-19 level, taking charge of Under-19

World Cup campaigns in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

During that time he has also been heavily involved at inter-provincial level, leading Leinster Under 15s at every tournament since 1997.

O’Rourke has also instigated a comprehensive tour programme for Leinster youth sides, giving them opportunities against quality representative sides from the UK - to date 50 such tours have taken place for Leinster teams aged 11 to 19, with notable wins against county opposition, including Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

The Pembroke club man has gained experience by working in Australia and South Africa, forging valuable pioneering partnerships between those countries and Irish

cricket – indeed no fewer than 20 youngsters have been placed in South African schools since 2003.

He has also organised training camps in India and Spain, helping future Irish cricketers obtain valuable overseas playing experience.

Brian O’Rourke has been involved in the establishment of many new clubs over the past two years, including Adamstown, Dundalk, Swords, Tyrrelstown, Cabinteely, Carlow, Clonee and Greystones.

O’Rourke’s innovative work in school’s cricket has seen thousands of children introduced to the game, and the emergence of the Leprechaun Cup has seen the game at the crucial Under-11 level go from strength to strength.

Indeed such has been

the popularity of the primary school competition that it has been necessary to introduce an additional Super League element for schools in the Dublin and Wicklow regions..

National Development Manager, Tim Simmonite, knows just how important O’Rourke is to Cricket Ireland.

He said: “Brían continues to play a key role in the creation of future coaches as part of a much greater workforce. He is a proud and passionate man, and Ireland would simply not be where it is on the world cricket stage without him.

“Brian’s record, achievements and abilities speak for themselves and I’m delighted that he has achieved recognition through this prestigious award - he fully deserves this accolade.”

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - FEBRUARY NOMINEES

FastSport

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

# STARof the

Superbike superstar added to Bavaria line-up

MONTH

SHANE DAGG

LESLEY O’HALLORAN

REBECCA MCDONNELL

THE Malahide exile was a crucial part of British Columbia’s victory in the Las Vegas Rugby Sevens’ championship, scoring in both the semi-final and the final.

DUN LAOGHAIRE tennis star O’Halloran came back with four medals, including gold, from the ITF Senior World Championships in San Diego last month.

REBECCA from Westmanstown Gaels became the first representative from the club to be picked for a Dublin team this month.

THREE ROCK ROVERS

CLONDALKIN GYM

BALLYBODEN U-21S

THE Rathfarnham hockey club proved their mettle and resilience in the EuroHockey indoor championships in Turkey, claiming promotion.

THE Precision Display Squad made history by becoming the first club to claim back-to-back titles at the City of Leeds Gymfest.

THE St Enda’s side claimed their fourth title at this level in five years in an epic final against Kilmacud Crokes in which they prevailed in by a point.

# TEAMof the MONTH

Lining out for Calcutta: Charity race’s 14th running IRELAND rugby stars Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Donnacha Ryan lined out last week to launch the Calcutta Run which takes place on Saturday, May 26.

The 14th running of the race will see funds being raised for the Peter McVerry Trust and GOAL’s work with homeless young people in Dublin and Calcutta.

The 2011 race raised €160,000. For more information, see www.calcuttarun.com

IRISH World Superbike star Eugene Laverty is the latest big name from the world of motorsport to confirm their participation at Bavaria Dublin City Racing extravaganza that comes to the city in June.

The 25-year-old from Antrim finished fourth in the World Superbike Championship in 2011 and has since teamed up with the Max Biaggi at the Aprilia team to push for the top spot.

Laverty will ride his Aprilia Superbike along the Bavaria City Racing city track, which starts at the Convention Centre, continues along Customs’ House Quay before crossing Butt Bridge, chicanes at D’Olier Street, zips past College Green and the Central Bank on Dame Street before reaching the chequered flag on O’Connell Bridge.

The Aprilia team joins an ever-growing line-up of international and domestic motorsport talent that includes the Vodafone McClaren F1 team and the Breezemount Motorsport GP2 team at the event.

Bavaria City Racing Dublin will take place on Sunday, June 3, and is a free public event and over 150,000 people are expected to line the streets to enjoy the best the world of motorsport has to offer.

For those who want to get closer to the action, there are three ticketed premium performance zones on the track at Customs House Quay, O’Connell Bridge and at the Main Paddock on North Wall Quay. Tickets for these areas are priced from €75.90 and are available from Ticketmaster.

Ireland three for three in T20 series IRELAND’S cricketers finished their tour of Kenya with a whitewash in the Twenty20 series against the host nation in Mombasa last weekend.

The third match proved a close-run encounter, that Ireland came out of vic-

torious by only two runs.

Ed Joyce and Gary Wilson were the main scorers for the visitors in their innings, that saw them run up a total of 107 for 9.

Kenya ran the match close, ending on 105 for 7, with wickets being claimed by Alex White, Boyd Rankin and George Dockerell proving the difference between the sides.

30 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 March 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

IT Blanch claim the CUFL Division 1 title IT BLANCHARDSTOWN’S soccer side claimed the CUFL Division One crown last week following a tense tussle with IT Carlow in Tullamore.

In a tight game, the only goal was scored

by Darren Kehoe, who netted from Jordan Nelson’s corner on 22 minutes.

Carlow tried hard to level the tie, with Pierce Donnachie, John Yeates and Robert Sweeney all coming close to scoring the equaliser.

Man of the Match Jordan Nolan should have put Blanchardstown two up but after a good run he was stopped by the excellent Neville for Carlow.

Blanchardstown had Paddy Brophy to thank time and time again as he was outstanding at the heart of their defence throughout the game and ran Nolan close for the man of the match award.

GAELIC GAMES: LOCAL CLUB GROWS AND TRADES ON TRADITION

The Na Gaeil Oga first team pictured recently have started their 2012 season with a positive set of results

Gaeil Oga building for future I sport@gazettegroup.com

PHOENIX Park-based Na Gaeil Oga CLG are one of the fastest-growing GAA clubs in Dublin, and possibly even the country.

Founded in 2011, they are an all-Irish speaking club that has grown from one male football team in 2011 to the present setup of two male and one female football teams, with plans well underway for a hurling team in 2013 and camogie.

They have managed to buck the trend that has seen many clubs around the country struggle for numbers and seen entire

teams emigrate.

The club was first envisaged when Ciaran Mac Fheargusa, a Dublin native, noticed a lack of opportunities to use Gaeilge in Dublin. This got him thinking about a GAA club run fully through Irish and, eventually, with the help of Ciaran O Feinneadha and Daithi De Buitleir, the club got off the ground. Training started off in venues of varied suitability but eventually a team emerged from the new recruits.

Training and playing out of Pairc Cholaiste Mhuire and the Phoenix Park, Na Gaeil Oga have

Corking Coolmine: Trip down south for Under-12s COOLMINE RFC’s Under-12 and 13s

travelled to Cork recently to play against Middleton Rugby Club, and played a total of six matches against their hosts, both sides giving a great display of fine competitive rugby.

Middleton gave Coolmine a great welcome and showed the local club members great Munster hospitality, while the young players represented Leinster well. The clubs hope to repeat the trip next year.

gone from debutants to championship contenders under the watchful eye of trainer, Marcas O Leanachain.

“It’s still early days, but everything is going well. The first year was a steep learning curve as regards the football and the administration,” says Kilkenny native and cathaoirleach, De Buitleir.

“Many of the committee were new to the GAA or had been on an extended hiatus, so it took a bit of getting used to, especially for me as I missed the hurl and sliotar!”

So far this year, Na

Gaeil Oga’s first team have performed very well and have won three matches from three, while the second team are still working away, looking for their first win.

“We had a long wait for our first win last year; hopefully, our second team won’t be so long this year,” says Eoin O Murchu, Na Gaeil Oga’s PRO. “The ladies’ team is building up for its season and they had a second win in a friendly recently.

“We have over one hundred members now, but the next couple of

years are crucial for us as a club so our doors are always open.”

The club has recently circulated posters aiming to attract new members to the ladies football team. “The posters are a bit of fun and we hope that we will get people talking about the club,” says O Murchu.

Na Gaeil Oga are looking for people interested in playing, or helping out in any way; coaching, selectors or assistants, no previous experience necessary.

For more information, see w w w.nagaeiloga. ie or facebook.com/ nagaeiloga

1 March 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

in association with

FOOTBALL: LOCAL SIDES RECORD OPENING WINS .

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S THE club regrets to announce the

ballers. See website for more info.

death of our current vice-president

Club bar will be open this Saturday

and hero of our 1958 intermediate

from 1pm for a big day of sporting

winning team, Eugene Tully. Funeral

action live on the big screens.

details are on the website. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.

Members are reminded that the deadline for 2012 membership is fast

Our junior C footballers are looking for a new coach / selectors. If you are interested please e-mail info@ stbrigidsgaa.com.

approaching, and should be paid

Tradesmen and volunteers are still

online, in the club bar or between

needed for work on our new gym. If

7 and 9 everyday this week at the

you can spare a few hours, email

entrance to the all-weather pitch.

martincahill1@gmail.com. Work to

Great weekend for our adult football teams, with five of our six teams recording opening league wins.

begin soon.

Best of luck to Philly Ryan and the Dublin U-21s v Wexford.

Our three adult hurling teams

Club Lotto is still €15,000 and takes

begin their league campaigns this

place in the Vineyard this Thurs-

weekend, along with our minor foot-

day.

ST PEREGRINE’S St Brigid’s footballers recorded five out of six wins as they started their 2012 league campaigns. Picture: Chris Lynam

Brigid’s footballers back in business I sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRIGID’S adult football teams started their 2012 campaigns in impressive style last Sunday with five of the club’s six adult teams recording opening league wins.

The senior footballers came away from their encounter with Parnell’s in Russell Park wondering how they managed not to claim victor y as four unconver ted goal chances resulted in a harsh 1-10 to 0-12 defeat.

Stephen Cluxton made the key intervention when he made a late penalty save to see the Coolock side over the line.

In AFL 3, meanwhile, the inter 1 footballers produced a courageous display to overcome Naomh Fionnbarra, 2-10 to 1-10, with Stephen Mo o r e a n d Wa r r e n Finnegan grabbing the headlines for very dif-

ferent reasons.

Finnegan clinically conver ted two oneon-one goal chances, one from an exquisite 50-yard Colin Lynch pass, while Moore brilliantly saved a Finbarr’s penalty kick in the final quarter with the game tied.

In AFL 4, the inter 2 footballers recorded an excellent 1-12 to 0-06 win over St Finian’s, Newcastle, with Paul Whitty (1-3) , Daniel O’Mahony (0- 4) and the Campbell brothers (0-2 each) in fine form.

Cassidy’s men dominated throughout with the three Hughes brothers of Tony, Allan and Gerry superb in defence.

In AFL 5, veteran Brian Donovan, Mossie Foy and Eoin Thynne grabbed a goal apiece as the Junior As dismantled St Anne’s with ease in Bohernabreena. They were in control from beginning to end and ran out comfortable

winners on a 3-17 to 1-8 score line.

Finally, Neil Plunkett was the star of the show for the Junior Bs in AFL 7, as his 1-4 saw Silver Dunning’s soldiers defeat Robert Emmets by the narrowest of margins, 1-7 to 0-9 in Green Trees Park.

The Junior C team received a walkover from Skerries Harps in AFL 10N. Meanwhile, five points from Gareth ‘Nesty’ Smith, powered St Oliver Plunkett’s to an opening day victory over perennial AFL1 challengers, St Sylvester’s, at Broomfield last Sunday.

The Malahide men have made the heights of the regular season their ow n in recent years, taking the overall laurels most recently in 2010, while they came up just short in the 2011 play-offs.

But they came unstuck on home turf last week-

end against a star-studded opponent who have since added Dublin senior player Declan Lally to their ranks, switching from Navan Road neighbours St Brigid’s over Christmas.

He entered the fray after 25 minutes while Player of the Year Alan Brogan was a tormentor-in-chief throughout.

They got off to a flier, starting at a fierce pace and grabbing three points before Syl’s got into the game.

Syl’s ended the period in the ascendancy but the scores were not coming at this stage as Ror y O’Connor and Paul Brogan did well to rush Syl’s into snatching at shots. It left two in it at half-time, 0-5 to 0-3, in favour of Plunkett’s.

But Cavan star Smith was finding his range, while the older Brogan brother showed recent injury has done little to dim his fire in the New Year.

WELL done to our senior and junior A

due. Please make sure membership

footballers on their league wins last

is paid, as you cannot take the field

Sunday.

without it being paid.

Cup games again this weekend and best of luck to our inter hurlers in their first League game this Sunday.

The nursery is being re-launched, details to follow.

Entertainment in the club this Saturday is from Who’s Eddie.

Club fundraising draw is now up

Club shop vouchers are also avail-

and running, and all members should

able. Details and contacts on the

now have their tickets. Tickets to be

club website, CNP.ie which will be

returned to club by March 21.

finished shortly.

Congratulations to Anto Lyons who won the club lotto jackpot of €4,800.

Numbers drawn were 3, 5, 18 and 21.

Follow us on Twitter @peregrinesgaa.

Bingo continues every Wednesday

Next week’s jackpot is €2,000.

night in the clubhouse from 8.30pm

Membership for the year is now

and this week’s jackpot is €950.

ERIN GO BRAGH OUR junior 7 team lost by one point

lotto draw. Numbers drawn were 13,

against Bank of Ireland in the league

15, 16 and 26. Next Friday’s jackpot

last Sunday. Our second junior

will be €4,200. Draw to be held in The

team made their debut last Sun-

Vineyard.

day against Clann Mhuire. Plenty

We would encourage all members

of aching bodies around Littlepace.

to support our weekly lotto tickets

Training this Thursday at 9pm in

are €2 per ticket or 3 for €5. This is

Setanta.

a key fundraiser for the club. There

Our U-11s (born in 2001) are look-

are tickets behind the bar in the

ing for new players for both football

Paddocks, or contact John Kinsella

and hurling. Training takes place in

on 086 818 4054.

St Benedicts Hall on Tuesdays from 6

Annual membership is now over-

to 7pm. Contact Karl at 087 235 2074

due. Please note, all members fees

for more information.

go directly to insurance, the day-

Our U13s (born in 1999) are look-

to-day running of the club and to

ing for new players for both football

the long-term development of the

and hurling. Contact George at 087

club. Subscriptions are paid annu-

328 7022 for more information.

ally in advance in December for the

Thanks to all kids and parents of our nursery and U-8s who travelled to the annual Gormanston indoor tournament last Sunday.

There was no winner of last week’s

calendar year. Members subscriptions cover insurance costs.

Children and adults are not insured to participate unless their subscriptions are fully paid.

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ALL OF YOUR BLANCH SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 28-31

STARTING ON TOP: St Brigid’s sides claim victories on opening day of season P31

MARCH 1, 2012

FEBRUARY FLYERS: Dublin Sports Awards nominees announced P29

GazetteSPORT

Coolmine RFC’s second XV took the league title with a game to spare after their 48-13 victory over Skerries

Coolmine set up a Seconds’ double Ashbrook side claim league title after sweeping win against Skerries and prepare for Byrne Cup decider MARK LYNAM-LOANE

blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com

A WEEK after Coolmine RFC brought home their first silverware of the year with the Spencer Cup title being claimed against near-neighbours, Garda, the club’s second string claimed their league title with an emphatic victory over Skerries at Ashbrook.

Skerries got off to a great start, showing intent at the breakdown, and picking and going at every opportunity. This gave them numbers out wide which, in time, they took full advantage of to score a try in the corner and take the lead in the opening minutes.

Skerries continued to frustrate Coolmine with clever positional kicking over the next few phases of the game.

However, Coolmine seemed to get going after ten minutes when a grubber kick bounced kindly to the hands of Paul Feeney, and he broke 60 yards up the field. From the resulting play, a penalty from

Coolmine bisected the posts bringing the score to 3-5.

From the restart, a quick tap-and-go penalty led to the ball being spread to the right-hand side and, as the ball went through the hands, Brian Smyth crashed over in the corner to get Coolmine’s first try of the evening.

A great touchline conversion from Paul Feeney left the score at 10-5.

However, lack of discipline in the ruck brought a penalty for Skerries which they put over the bar to leave the score 10-8 at half time.

Coolmine got off to a great start in the second half, after James King stole the ball in the ruck and Fionn Lacey managed to score in the corner after quick hands. The conversion left the score at 17-8.

This seemed to spur Coolmine on and a great break from within their own 22 by Steo Connolly, with great linking play from John McCole, gave Coolmine quick ball in the attacking zone, leaving Colin Durkan left with little work to do to touch down. Skerries stepped it up and scored in the

corner, but the conversion was unsucessful, leaving the score at 22-13.

A scrum on the halfway line to Coolmine was swept right to Feeney, who broke three separate tackles, and then a fourth from the fullback was about to bring him down but he still had the wherewithal to pop a pass to Colin Durkan for his second try under the posts.

A Skerries’ lineout brought fast ball to John McCole on the left wing, who beat five would-be tacklers with a great jinking run and score under the posts. Lacey broke on the right to touch down under the posts to leave the score at 41-13 after the successful conversion once again from Feeney.

The try of the game came next with a scrum to Coolmine in the centre that gave number eight Connolly an opportunity to break from the back of the scrum to touch down under the posts.

This result gives Coolmine the league victory with a game in hand, and they will now try to secure a historic double when they take on Guinness RFC in the Byrne Cup final.