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MAY 17, 2012
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BLANCHARDSTOWN • BLAKESTOWN • HARTSTOWN • COOLMINE • TYRRELSTOWN • DUNBOYNE • CORDUFF • MULHUDDART • ONGAR
Check out your local county council news P4
TREATY: Peter Matthews (FG) on
voting Yes for a fiscal ‘safety net’ P6
Up and running: Raising money for youth group IRELAND’S largest youth organi-
Football: Boost for Dublin as Brogan set for SFC return Page 32
sation, Foroige, is organising Blanchardstown’s first ever 5k Run which is being sponsored by computer software company Symantec. The event will raise some much-needed funds for Foroige’s work with young people in the area. The run will take place on June 10 at 10am and will start at the Symantec offices in Ballycoolin Business Park. Full Story on Page 2
Rugby: Former Coolmine coach Jackman on his French future Page 29
ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ......................8 BUSINESS .................... 19 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26
Work starts on new Tyrrelstown Park Facilities to be phased in over four years
I LAURA WEBB
WORK has begun on the much-anticipated Tyrrelstown Park with the first avenue of trees planted and work on playing pitches set to begin. The overall development of the community park is scheduled to be constructed on a
phased basis over the next four years. The first avenue of trees was planted in late March 2012, while drainage work on the playing pitches is hoped to begin this month in order to have the pitches playable as soon as possible. According to a spokesperson for FCC, over the next four
years, in line with the provision of capital funding on a year-by-year basis, the council is planning to provide a variety of facilities including a children’s playground, extensive pedestrian pathways and sports pitches. Full Story on Page 7
2 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
EVENT: READY, STEADY, GO – FOR FOROIGE
FLOWER POWER Enjoying a garden fair in Huntstown
5km run to raise money for youth body
Colin, Deborah and Shannan Matthews sold
Award-winning landscaper, Peter Donngan, with organisers Sharon Farrell,
I LAURA WEBB
vegetables and herbs. Pictures: Ania Sherlock
Sile Nicol and Bernie Kennefick
lwebb@gazettegroup.com
FOROIGE, the national youth development organisation, has joined forces with Symantec Ireland to launch its first 5km run for Dublin 15 that will raise funds for young people. Symantec, based in Ballycoolin, is sponsoring the event to raise muchneeded funds for Foroige’s work in the area. Foroige manages and provides youth projects and services throughout D15. They are now calling on all runner, joggers, walkers and strollers to take part in the event which takes place on June 10 at 10am. Facilitated by Dublin 15’s Metro St Brigid’s Athletics Club, the run starts at Symantec’s offices in Ballycoolin Business Park. The route covers Rosemount and Northwest Business Parks and will finish at Symantec’s Irish base. Foroige established the Blanchardstown Youth Service in partnership with County Dublin VEC 30 years ago. Commenting at the launch, Miriam Ryan, manager of Foroige Blanchardstown Youth Service said: “We’re delighted to announce this event as a first for the area. It marks a milestone anniversary of providing youth work and programmes to young people in the community, at a critical stage of their
lives.” Miriam went on to thank Symantec Ireland and local businesses which are sponsoring the run and also that of the local gardai and authorities for their assistance. Austin McCabe, managing director, Symantec Ireland, also attended the launch as lead sponsor for the event and said: “We’re proud to support Foroige Blanchardstown Youth Service in this endeavour that in turn supports so many young people and their families. Symantec’s products ensure our online safety, we therefore understand the importance of Foroige providing a safe environment for young people to develop.” Symantec is currently celebrating 21 years of working in Dublin 15. John Delaney, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland, endorsed the run saying: “Since the FAI moved to Abbotstown in 2007, we have been running many of our programmes in the local area. Our work has often brought us into direct contact with Foroige. The work that they undertake is invaluable to the local community. I would like to wish Foroige the best of luck with their 5k run and with their vital work also.” Registration costs €20 and is currently available on www.runireland.ie, spaces are limited so early registration is advised.
Support grows for local centre A WARD-WINNING Irish gardener, Peter Donnegan, was a special guest at a recent garden fair in Huntstown Community Centre. The event was organised to raise funds for the centre. Local garden centres and shops played their part in making the event a great suc-
Joan Kidd and Eva Susilova
cess. A wide range of plants and flowers was on display to the delight of local gardeners who were looking for that special purchase to brighten up their garden or home. It was also a great opportunity to get some advice and gardening tips from Peter.
Maria O’Reilly and Maria Cummins
Megan McCarty and Linda
Maire Kielty and Mary
David Farrell and Niamh
Sylvester
Collins
Devine
A happy customer
Bride Travers and Mary O’Connell
Shannon Matthews
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 3
LAUNCH New book pays tribute to achievements
Great sport celebrating Fingal heroes I NATALIE BURKE
THE Fingal Local Studies and Archives Department launched a brand new book last week, which features a selection of some of Fingal’s most celebrated sporting heroes. Fingal Sporting Heroes, is a tribute to the great achievements of sports men and women from the area, both past and present, whose dedication, ability and talent inspired generations of people both locally and nationwide. Following on from the success of the popular series of Fingal
Sporting Heroes talks, which were held during Heritage Week 2010, the Fingal department asked former county librarian, Paul Harris, to produce a book of the same title. “I was asked to give a talk on the many sporting heroes of Fingal during Heritage Week in 2010 as it coincided with Dublin being chosen as the European Capital of Sports,” said Paul. “I had a great interest in sport and the talks were really well received so from that, I was asked if I would consider writing a book on the same theme. “I chose just a selec-
tion of sporting heroes because there are so many of them; it wasn’t possible to do a complete comprehensive list. I went out and talked to the heroes that were still alive and researched those who have passed away since. “I think the sporting heritage of a county is really important and doesn’t get recognised as much. So the book is really to remember and celebrate the achievements and the sporting heroes of Fingallians.” The book includes a wide selection of inspirational sportspeople including golfers Joe
Ollie Campbell, 1982 Triple Crown Winner, Malahide Rugby; Mayor Gerry McGuire (Lab) and the book’s author, Paul Harris
Carr, Mary McKenna and Jimmy K insella, GA A s t a r s S e a m u s McGuiness and Bobby Beggs, cricketer Eoin Morgan, rugby legend Olly Campbell and soccer player, Con Martin, to name just a few. Fingal Sporting Heroes was officially launched by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gerry McGuire (Lab), on
T h u r s d ay n i g h t , a t a special event held a t C l o n m e l Ho u s e , Swords, where some of the book’s own heroes were in attendance. Fingal Local Studies and Archives Department houses an impressive collection of materials relating to the overall history and heritage of the county including: books, maps, newspapers,
directories, estate papers, photographs and parish registers. Investment in the service is ongoing and the continued expansion of the collection is a central priority, which according to the Fingal Department, includes investing in local history publications, such as Fingal Sporting Heroes. Full Gallery on Pages 8-9
SCIENCE
Day fairs to display projects HUNDREDS of secondlevel students showcase their impressive scientific discoveries and explorations at SciFest@ITB. SciFest@ITB is part of a series of one-day science fairs taking place at Institutes of Technology nationwide. Over 120 projects will be on show at Blanchardstown IT with a range of students showing their take on science. One of the many projects included is a life science project on “An investigation of the attitude towards emigration among first years in a secondary school” from students in Coolmine Community School’s physical science project. The science fairs are funded by Intel Ireland and Discover Science and Engineering as project partners and hosted nationwide by the Institutes of Technology and the University of Ulster.
4 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 5
HEALTH Pilot scheme to be extended to 50 public playgrounds
Smoke-free playgrounds are on the way THE success of a pilot scheme in a Dublin 15 playground has led Fingal county council to roll out a smoke-free playground policy across all its 50 public playgrounds. T he local authority is now proposing to adopt a council-wide nosmoking policy for public playgrounds across the county. According to a spokes-
woman for the council, the proposal is set to go on public display “very soon”, with the public consultation process taking six weeks. Once complete, it’s hoped to adopt the scheme as council policy at the July full county council meeting. The spokeswoman said: “It’s important to understand that the current scheme that applies
in Millennium Playground, Blanchardstown and hopefully soon to all of the 50 or so public playgrounds in Fingal is based on research, best practice and the pilot study. It arose from an initiative of the HSE who approached us to discuss areas of health promotion and it was out of this that the idea of the smoke-free playgrounds as a health
promotion initiative came about. “We partnered with the other agencies to carry out the pilot in Millennium Park Blanchardstown and the findings of the pilot showed clear and measurable advantages to the normalisation of not smoking to children and young people. First hand primary
data (the results of the pilot) showed there was a significant reduction in smoking among the young people who visited the playground and a significant reduction in litter,” she added. The smoke-free initiative was put in place at the playground in Millennium Park on May 27, 2011 aimed at discouraging people from smoking in
a childrens’ environment, to denormalise tobacco use and reduce litter from cigarette butts. During a presentation to representatives on the Strategic Policy Committee in April, key findings pre and post the pilot initiative showed numbers in favour of no smoking in the playground had increased from 77% to 95%.
Council signs up to combat gum litter I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com
FINGAL County Council has joined the national campaign to reduce gum litter by encouraging the public to dispose of their gum responsibly. The 2012 FCC Gum Litter Awareness campaign was launched in Blanchardstown last week by Mayor Gerry McGuire (Lab). The campaign is run by the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) in association with local authorities throughout Ireland. The aim is to reduce gum litter in the most sustainable way, by changing irresponsible disposal behaviour and encouraging people to dispose of gum responsibly. Speaking at the launch, Edwina Dunford, environmental education officer said: “The key to tackling the gum litter and all forms of litter is education. This approach to education builds awareness and influenc-
es behaviour in order to deal with the problem at source and stop people from disposing of gum irresponsibly. The campaign has delivered very impressive results in the past in terms of reductions in gum litter levels and I hope to see similar success this year.” This year’s theme is, Bin It Your Way, and features a series of professionally choreographed and highly innovative dance moves which show responsible disposal of litter in a different way. Residents are encouraged to go online at Facebook.com and search “Bin it your way” to view the dance moves and record and upload some of their own. GLT chairman, Paul Kelly, thanked Fingal County Council and the other local authorities taking part saying “their work is critical to achieving our goals”. This is the first year of a new three-year programme of activity by the GLT.
A great result: Sean savours award for top time in run competition BLANCHARDSTOWN athlete, Sean Mac-
Seoin, was presented with his prize pack at Gazette HQ in Lucan recently in recognition of his impressive performance in the SPAR Great Ireland Run last month.
His time of 34.39 was one of the best showings in Gazette country, and was indicative of the commitment Sean has to his sport since only taking up running in recent years.
DRAIOCHT: ONE-MAN SHOW
Touching tribute to war veterans M A R C H Aw a y M y Brothers, a touching tribute to the lives and music of Irish men who served in the First World War, plays at Draiocht Theatre this month. Written and performed by Brendan MacQuaile, this one-man show is taken from the book of the same name, also by MacQuaile. It follows the journey of Lawrence Kelly, aka Larry, from Dublin’s Liber ties during the war. MacQuaile says: “It is hard to imagine the part that songs played in the lives of soldiers in the First World War. Lacking recordings of any kind, they learned songs from sheet music. “Unlike today, musical performances were not available on a personal level just at the touch of a button, soldiers sang to each other in the trenches or billets at night and even on the March.” This performance is on Wednesday, May 23 at 8.15pm further information is available at www.draiocht.ie
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6 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
TREATY A Yes to the Stability Treaty provides safety net
Forcing EU countries to adhere to the rules PETER MATTHEWS (FG) on how this treaty is pre-approval for another bailout if we need one and how it addresses the EU’s economic mistakes
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E U R OPE i s attempting to learn from its economic mistakes. It was unwise of Greece and Italy to maintain huge national debts since the introduction of the euro. It was wrong of France and Germany to flout the rules and spend far more money than they were raising in taxation. The Stability Treaty addresses these mistakes. If this Treaty had been in place when the euro was launched, Greece and Italy would have been forced to reduce their national debts during the calmer times of the past decade. This might have enabled them to weather the storm when the financial crisis spread to Europe. Germany and France would not have been able to abuse their position as large countries and ignore the rules because this Stability Treaty strengthens the rules. It contains two basic rules about how countries must manage their finances. National debts must be kept low and a strict limit is placed on the amount of money that countries can borrow. These rules force Eurozone countries to adhere to sensible housekeeping rules. It ensures that, over time, less taxpayers’ money will go towards paying interest on debt and more will be available for schools and hospitals. It compels countries like Greece and Italy to reduce their national debts so that their public finances cannot affect the stability of our currency. Most importantly, voting Yes to the Stability
Treaty provides Ireland with a safety net as we face into an uncertain future. Voting Yes guarantees Irish access to a new European bailout fund should it be needed in the future. Access to this fund is our insurance policy as we work our way out of the current crisis. If we don’t vote in favour of the treaty, we have no guaranteed funding for a future bailout should it be needed. We have already borrowed more than we are entitled to from the IMF. If the IMF agreed to provide us with further funding, the rate of interest on IMF loans would be higher than the interest rate on funds from the new European bailout fund. Fur thermore, it is likely that we would only receive IMF funding for a brief period of time. This means that the budget would have to be balanced in a crash-course short period. The level of cuts and tax hikes that would be necessary would almost certainly be on a scale incomparable with anything we have experienced before. The economic hardship entailed would be extremely sudden and severe. It is important that foreign multinationals do not fear such an economic crisis in Ireland. Twitter, Intel, IBM, CocoCola, Apple, Pfizer, MSD, PayPal and Fidelity are among the global giants that have invested in Ireland since the general election. Voting Yes eases any fears these companies would otherwise have and will encourage further investment in Ireland. The referendum shines
Fine Gael TD , Peter Matthews
a spotlight on Ireland over the next few weeks until May 31. In this context, I commend Central Bank Governor Patrick Honohan’s recent comments that national governments shouldn’t be forced to pick up the bill for bailing out bank bondholders. This bill should be shared by our European partners. The Stability Treaty is a first step in addressing the enormous problems in the Eurozone. At the same time, all the leaders of Europe need reminding that the over-arching, imperative priority is resolving the European banking and financial crisis. For Ireland, the refer-
endum provides us with a timely opportunity to demonstrate that the ECB’s insistence that Irish citizens pay and suffer for the foolish investments of European banks was wrong and should be reversed. This is an opportunity we must not miss. We should use it in every possible way, by meetings and correspondence with the ECB and EU institutions, in public forums, in panel discussions, in the newspapers and on television and radio to drive this point home. The choice facing us in this referendum can be put quite simply. Imagine a personal situation and the possibility that you
may need a loan at some stage in the future. Voting Yes will ensure that you are pre-approved for a loan with a low interest rate that can be repaid over a reasonable time period. Voting No means that if you need a loan in the future, you would be forced to search for a lender, apply for a loan with a higher rate of interest that must be repaid within a much shorter period with no guarantee that the loan application will be accepted. This is the choice we face on May 31.
Peter Matthews Fine Gael TD, Dublin South
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 7
OPINION Three new community ‘assets’ are to benefit the local area
A landmark day in the lives of local residents FRIDAY, April 27, was a landmark day in the lives of so many of the residents, young and old, of the Ongar/Castaheany area. We launched not one but three community ‘assets’ that morning. First, my colleague Joan Burton, officially
opened the new Educational Campus housing the VEC Primary School, Scoil Ghrainne, as well as the new Community College, Scoil Setanta. Immediately afterwards, the Mayor of Fingal launched the new Community and Sports Centre.
This centre will be available to students by day and to community groups and sports clubs in the evening. These new facilities, while welcome, are overdue. The huge area from Hansfield in the south, to Littlepace in the north, a town of almost 6,000
dwellings, has seen remarkable change in the last 12 years. The fields around Ongar House were stud farm lands for 150 years. In time, however, as Dublin expanded westwards, the land was designated for housing and thousands of new hous-
es covered the parkland. At times, residents and councillors alike were frustrated at the mismatch between the very welcome delivery of new homes and the much slower delivery of community and educational infrastructure. The new five-year
school building plan provides certainty about school places for the future. The D15 area does better than any other area in Ireland in this plan, with new primary and secondary schools provided for as well as a new Gaelscoil for North Blanchards-
town. As a local councillor, I am delighted that the plan is in place and as chairperson of the Board of Scoil Setanta, I warmly welcome the opening of our new school.
Michael O’Donovan Labour Councillor
Repairs on class rooms are started
REPAIR work has started in some of the water damaged classrooms that were left destroyed after thieves removed lead flashing from a local school’s roof. Paddling pools were brought in to catch heavy rain-fall coming through the ceiling of classrooms at Scoil Mhuire Junior School in Blakestown on May 1 and 2. The removal of the lead flashing saw slates and tiles dismantled from the roof leading to a number of leaks in classroom ceilings. It is not known exactly when the vandals took the lead flashing. At the time, principal Charlotte Mac Munn appealed to anyone with informa-
tion to contact gardai. Speaking to the Gazette this week, principal Mac Munn said some students were back in their normal classroom, but not all of them. “We are in the process of repairing classrooms. It is still disruptive for them [the students].” The main damage caused by the leaks was to carpets and the classrooms’ “very” costly interactive white boards. The exact cost of repairing the damage is not yet known as assessments are still being carried out. The school community was left upset by the event, but the school’s principal says they are all just trying to get on with it by “keeping their best foot forward”.
Local councillor, Michael O’Donovan (Lab)
TYRRELSTOWN: FIRST AVENUE OF TREES PLANTED
Phase one of new park gets underway I LAURA WEBB
WORK on the first phase of a new community park in Tyrrelstown has started with the first avenue of trees planted and work on playing pitches set to begin. The development of Tyrrelstown Park is scheduled to be constructed on a phased basis over the next four years. The first avenue of trees was planted in late March 2012. In a report to local councillors, a spokesperson for FCC said: “It is also hoped to begin drainage works on the playing pitches during May 2012 in order to have the pitches playable as soon as possible.” Fingal County Council has also invited tenders for the construction of a new pedestrian path network for the park.
According to the spokesperson, over the next four years, in line with the provision of capital funding on a year-byyear basis, the council is planning to provide a children’s playground, extensive pedestrian pathways, playing pitches for GAA, soccer and cricket, passive areas for seating, picnics and viewing, wetland and boardwalks, entrance feature footbridges, tree planting, wildflower areas and a park pavilion. “Once the pathway system has been constructed, it is hoped to bring the community of Tyrrelstown into the park to facilitate the progression of the design on a collaborative basis,” the spokesperson added. The FCC report followed a question put down by local councillor, Michael O’Donovan
(Lab), requesting a timescale on the development of the park. Speaking to the Gazette this week, Cllr O’Donovan said he was very pleased with the progress. “We are finally playing catch up in Tyrrelstown with facilities like this,” adding that it would be a great facility once finished. “The council has planted Lombard poplars, which are good for an avenue of trees, they grow up quite high and I think the idea is to start off with a good visual feature.” The council has been in constant consultation with clubs and societies in Tyrrelstown, and although the council sees playing pitches being available soon, Cllr O’Donovan isn’t as sure. “I doubt very much if that is possible. At the
moment clubs are taking advantage of a temporary field where the post primary is going to be built. Our intention is they will have use of those temporary pitches while the permanent pitches are being constructed, so there will be no time that they wouldn’t have a playing pitch. “The main groups working up there are soccer, GAA and cricket – cricket is quite popular there. I have asked about the possibility of putting a running track around the proposed cricket crease. “It’s a fine piece of parkland, adjacent to where a new post primary school will be, and beside Tyrrelstown Educate Together and where Mulhuddart NS is currently being built,” the councillor added.
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8 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
EVENT Government ministers and local politicians join
Campus officially opened OAN Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection, officially opened the Phibblestown Community Campus in Dublin 15 recently. The Phibblestown campus is a new educational model which consists of the community primary school - Scoil Ghrainne, post primary school - Colaiste Pobail Setanta and Phibblestown Community Centre co-located on one campus. The accommodation includes a new 24-classroom primary school including special needs unit, a new 1,000 pupil post-primary school including special needs unit and a shared community facility including an all-weather pitch under the auspices of Fingal County Council.
J
Principal of Scoil Pobail Setanta, Eileen O’Rourke and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton with pupils. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan
Second-year students
Minister Burton is joined by Deputy Mayor Ken Farrell Principal Eileen O’Rourke gave an inspirational speech
(Lab) as she plants a tree for both schools
sdsd
Councillor Mags Murray (FF) attended the event
Scoil Grainne CNS students await the Minister
Members of the Veronica Thomas Irish Dancing troupe
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 9
celebrations of a unique community project
Minister Burton meets members of the Clare Colaiste Pobalscoil Setanta students
Connolly School of Dance
Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, were joined by Patrick Nulty TD and Deputy Mayor Ken Farrell at the official opening of Phibblestown Students at the opening
Community Campus
10 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
EVENT Guests enjoy a charity lunch at Brasserie 15
Denise Warren, Suzy Warren and Oonagh Foran
Sophie Browne, Ann Marie Fay and Penny Warnock.
Winner of The Voice of Ireland, Pat
Pictures: Ania Sherlock
Byrne, John Quinn and Conor Quinn
Teresa Rocca, Celine Brady, Rosemary Duffy, Monica
Gill Pilkington and Louise
McGinn and Sharon Mohan
Rainey
Jackie Curly, Susan Lawlor, Alan Breslin, Louise
Pat voices support RASSERIE 15 in Castleknock, welcomed The Voice of Ireland winner, Pat Byrne, who took time out of his busy schedule to support his mentor and new best friend Bressie during a charity lunch held
B
in Castleknock. Pat played to a packed-out house at the event in aid of LARCC (Lakelands Area Retreat and Cancer Centre) hosted by the Voice judge Bressie.
Hughes, Brigit Hughes and Steve Hughes
Brian Kennedy and Bressie
Mairead O’Keefe and
Una Waters and Carmel
Mary Browne
Muller
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 11
AWARDS Entries sought for contest
Growing enthusiasm for allotments rewarded THE RDS has announced the launch of the 2012 RDS Allotment Awards. Now in its third year, the awards have a total prize fund of €3,000, and strengthen the society’s commitment to promoting bio-diversity in Ireland. Demand for allotments has never been higher, and the desire to grow fresh food at an affordable price is now stronger than ever. The RDS Allotment Awards aim to recognise the hard work, dedication and attention to detail being undertaken by those involved in allotment gardening, and also to promote an area that encourages people to become more aware of rural issues. The first award recognises the individual allotment gardener, and is divided into two categories: Experienced, and Novice Gardener. With the aim of promoting excellence in allotment gardening, the winner in each category will receive €500, and an RDS silver medal. The runner-up will be awarded €300, and
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Last year’s RDS Allotment Award winners, Jim Spain and Sean de Barra, of Rathbeggan, Co Meath
third place, €200, with each receiving an RDS certificate of merit. The second award recognises the work of allotment providers, and is open to local authorities, allotment societies, community gardening groups and individuals who are providing allotments. The winner of this award will receive a cheque for €1,000 and an RDS silver medal. This award seeks to recognise the work that has been carried out on the overall allotment
site, as well as the supports that are provided to the individual growers. David Wiggins, chairman, RDS Committee of Agriculture, said he is looking forward to meeting this year’s entrants. He said: “Whether it’s for reasons of health or self-sufficiency, allotment gardening has never been more popular in Ireland. Allotments provide fresh and healthy food, as well as many other benefits to those involved, such as
relaxation, enjoyment and recreation. “Last year, the standard of entries was extremely high, and we are anticipating that it will be just as good, this year,” he said. Founded in 1731, the RDS continues to fulfil its commitment to furthering the broad economic and cultural development of Ireland. The RDS Allotment Awards are part of the RDS Foundation’s programme, which aims to promote excellence in
Irish agriculture through its diverse range of activities and awards. Application forms are available on the RDS website at www.rds.ie/ agriculture, by emailing agriculture@rds.ie, or by calling the RDS Agriculture Foundation on 01 240 7215. The closing date for entries is Friday, June 8. Judging of the allotments will take place over the summer, with an award ceremony taking place in the RDS in autumn.
12 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
MENTAL HEALTH Breaking silence
Depression is treatable, stresses GP in new book I NATALIE BURKE nburke@gazettegroup.com
DESPITE being so prevalent in our lives and communities, there is still a lingering reluctance to talk about depression and its effects. Approximately 400,000 people suffer from depression in Ireland and, between 2004 and 2008, 527 people died by suicide in Co Dublin alone. Dr Harry Barry, a GP and board member of Aware, the support group for those affected by depression, is determined to break the silence with his latest book, which offers practical advice to those suffering from depression as well as their families and friends. Flagging Depression: A Practical Guide, is the fourth instalment in Dr Barry’s bestselling Flagging series and, with a foreword by Paul Kelly, of Console, the national organisation supporting people in suicidal crisis and those bereaved by suicide, Flagging Depression lays out a practical four-step approach based on Dr Barry’s mantra, “feel better, get better, stay well”. The newest book not only reaches out to those dealing with depression but also offers vital assistance to those close to them. Dr Barry told The Gazette: “I look after a lot of people with depres-
sion, and quite a number of them and their families asked me to create some kind of simple, practical guide. “When you’re depressed, your whole energy and concentration is down, and you’re struggling to focus. “It’s a bit like you’re stuck in quicksand – you keep trying to move, but keep sinking, so you need something very hands-on that you can go to, immediately.” With Flagging Depression being a guide primarily aimed at sufferers themselves, it shows an insight into the disease
it’s not ‘just a bad day’ – they’re living in this terrible situation. Their mood is so down that they’re stuck at the bottom of a well, and they don’t know how to get out. “There’s a difference between being stressed, or depressed ‘with a little d’ – which we all get – and actually suffering with depression. “Lots of people misunderstand these conditions, so it’s important the symptoms are well laid out and easy to see,” said Dr Barry. A medical doctor, Dr Barry has extensive experience in the practice of
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‘There’s a difference between depressed “with a little d” and actually suffering with depression’ --------------------------------------------------------
Dr Harry Barry, author
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for both the person with depression as well as those around them. “The person living with someone with depression doesn’t really understand it completely, and the book goes into the mind of a person suffering, and all the negative thoughts that can roll around their mind. “Normally, a person could have a bad day, but their logical brain would switch back on and come up with a way of dealing with it,” he said. “For a person with depression, however,
dealing with issues such as depression, addiction and anxiety and, as a board member of Aware, he is also a regular contributor to the national media on the area of mental health. He said: “I was always very interested in the whole area of mental health and I suppose it was triggered by a very tragic suicide that took place in Drogheda, and I decided to write my first book to try and highlight depression. “It started from there, and I was asked to join Aware shortly after-
wards. “This book itself is dedicated to two lovely young guys who I knew, who both took their lives very tragically, and their families,” he said. The practical, four-step approach outlined in the book by Dr Barry looks at ways of changing a person’s lifestyle so they start to feel better; taking exercise, nutrition and avoiding alcohol, into account. It also looks at drug therapy for those unable to function with practical methods, and talk therapy to discover the issues that may have contributed to the person reaching such a low point. “What people don’t realise is that it is a really treatable condition. People often think that if they’re depressed, that it’s for life and there’s nothing they can do about it. “[But] for people who treat it properly, most people can be back feeling better within two months, and can be completely better and off all forms of treatment by nine months, so it’s a real message of hope,” said Dr Barry. With such a high rate of the population suffering from depression at any one time in Ireland, Dr Barry admits the poor economic climate has played a role in the increasing figures. “We’re beginning to see a lot of older people – men, for example – who
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 13
on illness that affects 400,000 people
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Flagging Depression author, Dr Harry Barry, with Paul Kelly, Console
have had major issues of unemployment, have lost their jobs and are in financial difficulty, and are starting to get very down. “Maybe they would have been more resilient before, and less likely to get into difficulties, but we
are definitely seeing people who might not have appeared with depression up to this point, so there’s no doubt in my mind that it’s coming more and more to the fore,” said Dr Barry. Flagging Depression raises awareness of the
issue that has taken such a strong hold of our society, for both the sufferer and their families, and Dr Barry said it was important to watch for warning signs when it comes to those suffering silently. “The key things to
watch out for would be if someone was retreating back into themselves and becoming quieter, maybe withdrawing a bit and spending more time in their room or on the computer, being tired all the time or not sleeping. “If there’s anybody who
makes throw-out comments about the world being a better place without them, always zone in on them. Watch out for those warning signs.” Flagging Depression: A Practical Guide is available now from Liberties Press, priced €13.99.
Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.
14 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
COUPLES: €10,000 PRIZE ON OFFER FOR THE BIG DAY
EVENT A BioBlitz challenge to find the most species
Wedding fair at Red Cow I SUZANNE BYRNE
PLANNING on walking down the aisle sometime soon, but worried you won’t be able to afford the kind of special day you always dreamed of? Well, the Red Cow Moran Hotel has good news for you. As part of its upcoming wedding fair jamboree, it has organised an online competition – at www. r e d c ow m o r a n h o t e l . com – to win a free wedding gown from bridal designers, House of Tamem Michael; a honeymoon of your choice with Thomas Cook, and a reception at the Red Cow Hotel, for up to 100 people, in a prize valued at up to €10,000. The winners will be announced at the fair. Goods and services on display will include florists and invitation
companies, while car and limo firms will be there to offer transport that will not only get the bride and groom to the church on time, but also in style. And, of course, the icing on the cake for any wedding is the cake – bakers with years of experience in designing cakes, from the modest and traditional to the outrageous, will be there to discuss what you want for your big day. Also at the fair, visitors can enjoy front row seats at the Tamem Michael 2013 bridal collection. To top it all, any wedding that is booked at the Red Cow Moran Hotel showcase will get a €1,000 discount. The Red Cow Moran Hotel Wedding Fair 2012 takes place on Sunday, May 20, between 2pm and 5pm.
President Michael D Higgins will launch the BioBlitz at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre on May 18
Things to get a bit wild at Aras an Uachtarain I LAURA WEBB
lwebb@gazettegroup.com
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WILDLIFE living in the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain will be surveyed for the first time as part of Ireland’s BioBlitz 2012. President Michael D Higgins will launch the BioBlitz at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre this Friday, May 18. Throughout a 24 hour period, from May 18 until May 19, over 200 scientists and wildlife surveyors will gather at four locations nationwide to participate in Ireland’s BioBlitz 2012, to see which group can record the most species of wildlife.
This is the third year of the event which is organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre. Last year a record 1,088 species were recorded in Killarney National Park over 24 hours in 2011. Parks involved in this year’s blitz include Glengarriff Nature Reserve, Co Cork; Lough Boora, Co Offaly; Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and, for the first time, surveyors will gain access to the grounds of Aras an Uachtarain to record its biodiversity. Director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and organiser of the event, Dr Liam Lysaght said: “One of the objectives for hosting the event is to open
up the wonderful world of wildlife to people, and to demonstrate that there is an amazing richness of diversity all around us. “If we were to diminish this diversity in our surroundings, we would greatly diminish our quality of life also,” he added. Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn, Chair of the National Biodiversity Data Centre added: “This is a massive effort on the part of experts who are all participating in the event in a voluntary capacity to raise awareness of Ireland’s rich biological diversity resource, a resource that is estimated to contribute €2.6 billion each year to the Irish economy. Vital sectors
such as agriculture would be seriously impacted should this biodiversity be lost.” Residents are being encouraged to take part in the recording effort by coming along on Friday 18 to one of the four sites. The amount of species recorded within the day will be announced at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and all recording will cease at 5pm after which the winning team will be announced. A programme of events at each site to introduce people to aspects of Ireland’s biological diversity, such as bat walks, dawn chorus, pond dipping, bee and butterfly walks,
botanical walks, moth trapping and small mammal trapping. Further details and live streaming during the event can be accessed on a special BioBlitz Websites http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/ set up for the event. The National Biodiversity Data Centre www. biodiversityireland.ie is the national centre dedicated to the collation, management, analysis and dissemination of data and information on Ireland’s biological diversity. It serves as a hub for the exchange of data between governmental organisations, NGOs, research institutions and volunteer recorders.
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 15
GazettePETS PETS
Brought to you by Miriam Kerins of the DSPCA
THE FACTS: AN ANIMAL-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT CAN BRING MANY BENEFITS
Man’s best friend making a difference in the office CCORDING to an article in this week’s Sunday Times, lucky staff at Google’s European HQ in Dublin are allowed to bring their dogs to work. Apparently this policy is already in operation at other Google offices around the world. What a brilliant idea and well done Google for being so animalfriendly because, instead of saying goodbye to sad doggies in the morning, owners can bring their precious pooches into the office with them. I know from personal experience working in an animal-friendly environment the happiness, positivity and joy that will shine from those offices; not to mention what a privilege it will be for staff. So, with that happy sentiment in mind, if any dog lovers out there are lucky enough to be able to take their best friend to work with them or who may be trying to convince their bosses to follow Google’s example; here are a few of my Pet-iquette, (sorry,
A
couldn’t resist) guidelines for you to follow; just to make sure the experience is a positive one for you, your dog and your colleagues.
give him a clean bill of health. If you think he’s having an ‘off day,’ call the vet and allow Fido to stay at home and take a sickie.
Before you set out Make sure your dog travels safely in the car with a secure doggy seatbelt or in an appropriate pet carrier.
Do your research Chat with colleagues and make sure nobody suffers from dog allergies, dog phobias, or just doesn’t like dogs. And yes, I know it’s hard to believe but sadly, dogs are not everyone’s cup of tea.
Dog proof your work area Before you bring your dog into the office tape up loose electrical wires, put markers, tippex, glue, plants and any other tempting items out of Fido’s reach. Once you’re happy, take another quick look around then lie down on the floor to get your dog’s eye view. What hazards have you missed? Supplies Bring along sufficient food, water, feeding bowls, paper towels and so on. Vaccinations Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date and have your vet
Behaviour Your dog should be socialised and happy to get on with other canines as well as humans. If he’s a tad, er, over active, then why not take him for a long walk before you head into the office to let him use up some of that excess energy. Make it familiar If your dog has a favourite toy, blanket and bed, take it into the office with you to keep things familiar for him. Also, make sure to create a safe haven for him so that he can retreat from noise, other dogs and the hustle and bustle of a busy office.
Monitor Carefully monitor what your dog eats during the day and make sure coworkers understand not to feed him a variety of treats that may make him ill, may cause him to over eat or may give him an allergic reaction. I personally do not allow anyone else feed my dogs and have trained them not to take food from strangers. Proper ID Make sure your dog is microchipped, wears an identity collar and tag, is fully vaccinated and is given a clean bill of health from your vet before taking him into the office. Regular walks Take your dog outside for regular pee and poo breaks and make sure to bring along a pooper scooper to pick up and dispose of any mess in a responsible manner. Rubbish Dogs can’t resist the delicious smell of an office bin so make sure you discard all unwanted and uneaten food outside and
Lucky staff at Google’s European HQ in Dublin may bring their dogs to work
in an enclosed bin where your pet can’t get at it.
Inspiration Your dog-less colleagues may be inspired
to head for their nearest animal welfare shelter and adopt a dog thanks to seeing what lovable and good natured companion pets they make.
For more informa-
tion, log onto w w w. dspca.ie or contact your vet or email me at miriam.kerins@dspca. ie
16 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY
Edited by Laura Webb
Top tips for radiant skin with a lasting faux-glow R
ADIATE this summer with help from Lancome make-up artist, Shehla Shaikh. This week, she shares her secrets to perfecting the faux-glow radiance in a few simple steps. • Apply La Base Pro all over the face; the silkysmooth texture of this primer will ensure that make-up lasts all day. • Using a foundation brush, apply Lancôme TeinteIdole Ultra 24hr foundation. Start on the cheeks and apply in a buffing motion, bringing the remaining product into the T-zone. Ensure to blend into the neck for a flawless finish. • Brighten and correct
under the eyes by applying Lancome Teint Miracle concealer, which has an illuminating finish. Apply this in an upsidedown triangle under the eyes, and using one shade lighter than your foundation. Brush some product across the eyelids and set with a little translucent powder, which helps to balance and brighten the eyes as well as creating a base for eyeshadow. • Apply Lancome’s Star Bronzer to the face where the natural light falls, across the temples, cheeks and under the jaw line. Start with a little and build it up, blending and buffing in a circular
motion to mimic a sunkissed look. This is a great way to add glow and contour to the face, making the cheekbones pop. • For a radiant, smoky look, smudge Lancome Kohl pencil in bronze into the lash line. Lancome Kojl pencil in aqua is perfect against hazel eyes. Ensure you smudge softly into the lash line. • Illuminate around the eye area using Lancome’s OmbreAbsolue Moonlight, blending lightly under the eyebrows, along the lower eyelid and into the inner corner of the eyes for an instant lift. Press a little of the eyeshadow on the water-
line, which will reduce any redness, making the eyes appear fresher and brighter. • For long, luscious lashes and a wide-eyed look, start using Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara on the outer corner of the lashes, and work the brush from the roots to the tip. • Finish with a gorgeous coral lip for the summer. Rouge In Love 322M, a soft coral, is perfect to add colour to the face. Apply with your fingers to give a natural finish, or straight from the bullet for a real injection of colour. • To achieve a soft, candle-lit glow on the face,
Lancome make-up artist, Shehla Shaikh
highlight using Lancome Eclat Miracle. Work a little into the bronzing brush and dab
where the light hits the face, top of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead and chin.
Meet Shehla Shaikh at the Lancome Counter, Brown Thomas, May 17 to May 19.
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 17
GazettePROPERTY PROPERTY
RENOVATION: GETTING READY FOR AN EXTENSION NEEDS PLANNING AND PREPARATION
Extending the scope at home I GERHARD HEYL
THE process of undertaking any building project in your home is a mix of mental adjustment, planning and hard labour. If you’ve grown tired of limbo dancing around the gap between the dining table and the sofa and the kids’ toys are steadily invading the adult living space, then you have probably made the decision to seriously investigate how to go about building some extra living space. First things first, in order to enlarge your home you will need to ensure you have sufficient space to extend the property. Perhaps you can go up
into the attic? Or maybe you have a good size garden that will take a rear or a side extension. Next, you need to get a plan drawn up. It’s a good idea to try and match the new build to the lifestyle of the occupants of the home, to ensure a good fit of space, to use. There is no point in building a new games room if it can’t accommodate that new snooker table you have your eye on. Your architect and builder can advise on the best set of plans for your home. You will need to ensure any works carried out on your home comply to planning permission guidelines. These are considered on an indi-
Expanding your living space at home can make a huge difference to your quality of life
vidual basis and the size of the extension and the size of your garden/location of boundary walls will all have an impact. Your engineer, architect or builder will advise
you on this matter. With clever planning, it is possible to generate excellent changes to your internal living accommodation in a cost effective manner. Once the plans
and budgets are agreed and in place, it’s time for the hard graft to begin. You need to approach the period of the build in as calm a way as possible while visualising the end
goal of improved living space. Your home will be a building site for the next while and it’ll be dirty and messy. Take into consideration that
you may have to pack up possessions or even move out for the duration of the build. In future articles, we will discuss steps to avoid common pitfalls in the planning, tendering and costing stages of a building project When work moves from outside to inside, the place will begin to look a bit more like a home then a building site and you can begin to imagine living in your new space. Once kitchens and bathrooms are installed and your new down lighters in the sitting room are in place, you are nearly there. All that’s to be done now is to decide what colours to put on the walls.
BabyBABY
18 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
YOUR GUIDE
TO EVERYTHING FOR YOUR BABY
KidStuff
Udderly Gorgeous Maternity range from Cowshed WE all know our babies are the most innocent, beautiful and flawless creatures on the planet – but we also know they have a tendency to make their mothers look slightly less so. Which is why bath and home care specialists, Cowshed, decided to develop the Udderly Gorgeous Maternity range and Baby Cow Organics. The 100% natural range is designed not only to help protect babies’ delicate skin, but also to help mums keep their skin as soft and smooth as their babies. And they’re now available in Ireland. Since its launch in 1998, Cowshed’s philosophy has been to create a complete range of honest, natural and therapeutic products, using the best organic and wild-crafted plants. The Udderly Gorgeous range is totally natural and made from wild-crafted sea buckthorn oil. It’s also rich in vitamins, carotenes, minerals and fatty acids, which provide your skin with all the nourishment it needs. The Baby Cow Organics range is made from meadowfoam oil and is specially formulated to pamper, protect and soothe your baby’s delicate skin. For mums, check out the Udderly Gorgeous stretch mark oil at €19.95, or the Udderly Gorgeous Cooling Leg and Foot Treatment for €17.95. But at the end of a hard day, it has to be the Udderly Gorgeous Bath Salts at €23.95. Cowshed products can be found at retailers nationwide.For full list of their products and prices call Naturelle De La Riche 01-8903070.
The Saturdays’ star, Una Healy, shines as a new mother I NATALIE BURKE
nburke@gazettegroup.com
JUST hours before the Gazette’s interview with the beautiful and talented Una Healy, one-fifth of girl band sensation The Saturdays, instructions arrive from her management that requests we refrain from asking certain questions. Such a request is just one reminder of how far the 30-year-old singer/ songwriter from the town of Thurles, Tipperary, has come. But after chatting to Una about her most recent role as a new mum, how she and her rugby star fiance, Ben Foden, have adapted to parenthood and the inspiration behind the name of their new baby girl, Aoife Belle, it’s clear that this particular celebrity mum hasn’t forgotten her roots and has her feet set firmly on
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‘My father suggested Aoife, as I was struggling for a name and I really liked it but I wanted something to go with it. As my mother’s maiden name is Bell, I decided that would be a great name. It’s nice for her to have an Irish name because she’ll always have her Irish identity there’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the ground. Having just given birth to her and Ben’s first child eight weeks ago, Una is already back at work, launching the band’s brand new single, which was released last week. “It’s only really the last week or two that I’ve really been back working, I was just spending all my time with the baby before that,” Una told the Gazette. “Going back to work isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do and I’m really, really tired. But
that’s the nature of the business, its like anyone who is self-employed – it’s not something you can take a lot of time off from; its not as easy as that, but I’m coping well.” Una was reunited with her band-mates Frankie Sandford, Rochelle Wiseman, Vanessa White and Mollie King last week, when they started promoting their latest single, 30 Days. “It’s a really fun pop song and it’s uplifting. The sentiment is actually quite sad, as the song is
counting down the days until you see the person that you love but when it comes to the tune, it’s definitely one that would get you up on the dancefloor,” said Una. “We’ve been really busy doing radio interviews, photo shoots and other things to promote the new single, so between that and spending time with the baby, it’s been really busy.” Health scare
Following Aoife’s birth on March 13, Una and her fiance have adapted well to their new roles as parents, despite their baby suffering a health scare just hours after being born. “There was some fluid on her lungs when she was born which is actually quite common but, at the time, she was making little grunting noises and then suddenly started choking so we were really concerned. She spent 24 hours in the neo natal unit but she was looked after so well by everyone and she’s perfect and healthy now!” The new parents were spotted out for the first time last week, when they attended the Rugby For Heroes charity event held in the UK. “Our whole life has changed since we had the
baby. It used to be Una and Ben and now suddenly there are three of us, there’s Una, Ben and Aoife so it’s a bit crazy. It was great to spend some time together at the event as it was our first night out together since having the baby but we were excited to get home to her. It was nice to have some romantic time together, you need to be able to do that.” Following an early music career playing guitar and singing in venues across Ireland, Una joined the band in 2008 and has always taken fame, and the pressures associated with it, in her stride, so it comes as no surprise that when it comes to losing baby weight, the singer hasn’t succumbed to the celebrity obsession. “I didn’t really feel a lot of pressure to lose baby weight but I was quite fit and healthy when I was pregnant so I didn’t really gain a lot,” she said. “Aoife was 7 pounds 13 ounces when she was born so she wasn’t a big baby, but as soon as I came home from the hospital I lost one of the two stone I gained during the pregnancy. I’ve also been really active and busy looking after the baby over the last few weeks and have been eating healthy and doing a lot of walking.” Heritage
With many celebrity mums fighting to top the unusual baby name chart, Una admits she wanted to make sure her daughter held on to her Irish heritage.
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 19
KidStuff All About Baby Fair to feature leading products and services THE All About Baby Fair 2012 is set to take place this July, when new parents and mumsto-be will have the chance to buy, try and test all the products and services they need for their new baby. The fair will take place on Sunday, July 29 at the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght and will offer expert advice, professional services, shopping, entertainment and a guaranteed fun-filled day out for all the family. Leading professionals in the industry will be available on the day to offer expert advice and information with a demonstration from Baby Wearing Ireland on all things sling and baby carrier related, breastfeeding information from Certified Lactation Consultants, Claire Bulfin and Nicola O’Byrne, nutrition information for during and after pregnancy by Gaye Godkin, infant first aid with Theresa Dwan and a demonstration of baby sign language by Miriam Devitt. Many stalls will feature products and services unavailable on the highstreet with great discount offers, while Gymboree Music and Play will also be on hand with a dedicated Kid Zone to keep the youngsters entertained. The event will be held from 10am to 4pm and admission is €5 for adults, while children under 16 are free. For more information, see www. allaboutbabyfair.wordpress.com.
New mum Una Healy, one-fifth of girl band sensation The Saturdays, and her little one, Aoife Belle (inset) nset)
“My father suggested Aoife as I was struggling for a name and I really liked it but I wanted something to go with it. As my mother’s maiden name is Bell, I decided that would be a great name. It’s nice for her to have an Irish name because she’ll always have her Irish identity there.” After just two months of maternity leave, Una says The Saturdays already have a hectic schedule for the summer ahead. The band are set to return to Una’s hometown of Thurles for the first time next month, when they will take to the stage at Thurles Greyhound Sta-
dium on Friday, June 3, in what will be Una’s first performance since having her baby. Excited
“I’m so excited about it. It’s the first time I’ve performed with the girls since we did the tour back in December so it’s the first post-baby gig. The girls have never seen where I grew up so it’s nice for them to see the sights of Thurles and where I’m from. It’s also nice to be able to perform in front of my home town and to bring the music back there.” “We’re also planning on going to LA this summer to film a pilot for a
reality show so that trip will be really good. The Wanted and One Directon are over there and are doing really well so we’re hoping a girl band could do well over there too. It’s the next step for us.” Broody
And what about baby Aoife Belle? “Of course she will be coming with us!” insisted the new mum. “The other girls love her and are so good to her. They’re always buying gifts for her and I’ve made them all really broody!” 30 Days is out now and is available from iTunes and all good music stores.
20 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS
Supported by AIB
Interview: Tom Egan, Harris Heating
Tom’s turning up the heat COPING WITH DEBTS Q – Having taken my child out of a fee paying school, pared back on all costs til I can pare no more, the debts including our home loan (in negative equity and in arrears) seem to be mounting and never ending. We are at our wits’ end juggling the finances but seem to be getting nowhere. Have you any advice ? David – Dun Laoghaire A - I really empathise with you and know that you are not alone. There are thousands and thousands in the same boat. Essentially, it is all about budgeting, planning, prioritising and implementing. We have a three-step process for those wishing to address their financial issues called EAR – Evaluation, Action and Representation. The first step, Evaluation : On agreement of this process, a Fact Find ( ALL financial advisers MUST comply legally with this Central Bank of Ireland directive every time they meet clients so that appropriate and personalised recommendations, strategies, solutions and action plans can be given.) is sent to the borrower. On completion and return of same by the client, a meeting is then arranged and all aspects of the issues discussed and evaluated. An email outlining the discussion outlining the strategies and recommendations is then sent to the client after this c. one hour meeting. The second step, Action: This covers the completion of the Standard Financial Statement – a mustdo if negotiating with a mortgagee in particular. This is a comprehensive generic document that must be completed and also requires a list of attachments to corroborate those details. This generic form can be used for all creditors. An itemised schedule of those additional requirements for the mortgagee is also included. This process will take at least 45 minutes. The third step, Representation: On your behalf or with you to the mortgagee if necessary- some clients want professional support when meeting mortgagees or creditors. We all need support and no matter how bleak your situation may seem, not only is there a solution, but there is a manageable solution. Please email me for details. Contact John with your money questions at
jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor
HARRIS Heating was established in Dublin in 1979. Now 33 years in business, it has served over 40,000 commercial and domestic customers. “There is still a great family feel to the business, we are a local Dublin company serving our community,” says Tom Egan who has been the commercial and domestic development manager for Harris Heating for the last 10 years. “It is challenging at present but we have adapted to suit the market and are getting a fantastic response to our current, We Love Boilers, campaigns as well as our Gloworm Gas Boiler and Firebird Oil Boiler campaigns. We are also about to launch our, Oh Solar Eco, campaign which will be a Firebird Solar package for the summer. “The majority of our service engineers and plumbers are more than 10 years with the company. “We have experienced professional staff, repeat business and competitive prices. To sum it up in one sentence? It would be trying to keep it simple.” Tom Egan, commercial and domestic development manager
Q&A When you were a kid, what did you want to be? I am 51 and still don’t know what I want to be.
day do you “delegate”? I like a win/win situation and will delegate and love to see initiative by all stakeholders…
What was your first job? Picking spuds in Rush.
What sport do you follow? All, but Bohs and the Dubs are extra special.
And your first pay check? £11. When did you start your present job? 10 years ago. What is the best thing about your job? Definitely the people and the broad spectrum of challenges. What part of your working
What sport can you play? Just walk these days, I need to shift a few stone!
Who do you follow on Twitter/ Facebook? Again it’s all family and friends. Describe your dream meal? Los Abrigos in Tenerife. Scappetas Italian mushrooms in coconut vegetarian rissota, cheese cake and Italian sparkling water.
What is your guilty music, TV or movie pleasure? Action movie every time.
Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously? On our grandchildren. Our granddaughter only has to say how special the my little pony magazine is and I buy it.
What music/pictures/movies do you have on your iPod/ iPad? All of our six (adult) children and two grandchildren.
How many pairs of shoes do you own? Two pair of black shoes and one pair of runners and one pair of crocs (the kids hate them)
What was your worst holiday experience? A holiday is as good as my head is. In Ireland, Carraroe, Co Galway and abroad, Medano, Tenerife. Describe your dream holiday? Where ever I can get peace of mind. In Ireland, Carraroe, Co Galway, abroad, Medano, Tenerife. What would be your dream job? I never chose a career. In 1978 you took what you could get. So where I am is where I’m meant to be. What do you plan to do when you retire? Prefer to use the phrase “change direction”, continue enjoying life.
www.gazette group.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away
17 May 2012 GAZETTE 21
GazetteMOTORS MOTORS RoadSigns Road Signs TOP MARKS FOR OPEL: IN the
The Renault Kangoo Maxi Crew Van ZE has an ex-VAT price of €18,200
Kangoo goes electric I CORMAC CURTIS
THE recent surge in fuel prices is showing no signs of abating, and, as a result, a dramatic shift is taking place in the buying trends of motorists. Any car dealer will tell you that people are opting for the most economical engines possible, both in new and used cars. Car manufacturers have been quick to react to this shift in the market - scarcely a week goes by without new, more efficient and economical technologies being introduced to make every drop of fuel go that little bit further. In parallel to developments of the traditional combustion engine, electric vehicles are becoming a very realistic alternative for many drivers. Personally, I support any initiative that allows people to avoid paying hundreds of euro per month in fuel bills simply to drive to and from
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‘Once you get used to the silent running of the electric engine, it’s as straightforward as a golf buggy to operate’ --------------------------
work. And let’s not forget that half of those euros go to the Government, thank you very much! So, what electric cars are available that will work in the real world? My first experience of an EV (electric vehicle) was a wonderful week with the Renault Kangoo Maxi Crew Van ZE. The Kangoo is aimed squarely at the business sector, with tradesmen a particular focus, but it slotted into my family’s lifestyle perfectly. I’ll admit from the outset that I do love driv-
ing vans, so I am a little biased. But, the fact is that you can accommodate a family and an enormous amount of stuff into this Kangoo. If you simply consider what you need in a car, as opposed to what you think you want, the Kangoo ticks just about every box. This car is easy to drive, with acres of windscreen and mirrors giving an almost panoramic view of the road. It won’t break any records in the acceleration department, but it easily moves, even full of family members in the back and gear in the boot. The interior isn’t luxurious, but it is both modern and attractive in its simplicity, and very, very comfortable. Side access to the rear seats is via sliding doors which makes getting the kids in and out a joy. The enormous boot has a split, two-door access,
the downside of which is the slightly impaired view in the rear-view mirror as a result of the door frames. But, it’s a small price to pay for such a useful payload - this thing can carry as many bikes, scooters and ‘Flikers’ as you can throw at it. Obviously, one of the real attractions here is the savings you can make on fuel. Once you have a charge point at your house, you can “fill up” this car for between €2 and €3. A full charge will translate into a range of about 170km. If you plan on taking the Kangoo on holidays, you would certainly need to plan your route very carefully. Not all electric vehicles can take a fast charge (a quick, 25-minute boost at certain charge points) and unfortunately the Kangoo falls into this category. For any kind of distance, it is important to plan a stop of a few hours at a charge point along
the way. As it happens, the charge point at my home was not working properly the week I had the car, and I was left with only 25km of range left in the “tank”. I was really stuck, as the depot where the car needed to go back to is on the other side of Dublin. There are charge points around the city, but I couldn’t find my swipe card to use them, and I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Renault’s shiny new Kangoo at a public charge point unattended. Enter Airside Renault in Swords. They are a few miles up the road from me, and when I called ahead, my new BFF, Paula, very kindly arranged for me to leave the Kangoo safely charging at one of their charge points. I have to send a big thank-you to the team at Airside for their help on this one – they really did dig me out of a hole there!
So, the Kangoo van can carry loads of people and stuff in comfort, and it has no problem getting around – what’s the catch? Even though the actual fuel cost is quite low, currently electric vehicle owners need to pay about €75 (ex VAT) per month to lease their car battery. Considering most people pay at least this much for a single tank of petrol at the moment, this is not an awful lot of money, but it does feel like a kind of stealth tax to keep the sticker price low. Speaking of sticker prices, the ex-VAT price of the car is a very affordable €18,200. No doubt these vehicles will be the van of choice for surfers, campers, and all sorts of festival-goers in the future. But, for now, it would be very encouraging to see people embrace electric vehicles and to see more of them on the road.
recently published ADAC (German Automobile Club) breakdown statistics for 2011, all five Opel models listed achieved above-average results, with the Opel Meriva leading the way. The Opel Corsa also achieved a top result: receiving the best ADAC rating in the registration years 2007 to 2009 and 2011 (2006 and 2010: second best grade). The best evaluation grade in the ADAC breakdown statistics was also achieved by the Opel Astra, which also scored best in the individual ranking as the vehicle with the fewest faults according to the results of the “DEKRA Used Car Report 2012”. The compact van, Opel Zafira and Opel Insignia for registration also received top scores.
22 GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteTTRAVEL FastTravel Exploring the famous gardens of Normandy Get your shimmying shoes on for Shakefest in Tullamore
FORGET Electric Picnic. The place to be for dance nuts and culture fiends this year is Charleville Castle, Tullamore, Co Offaly, where one of the most intriguing festivals on the community calendar – the Shakefest – kicks off on Saturday May 26. A celebration of multicultural dance stylings - in particular those from the Middle East and the Orient -- the day-long event will also include a series of cultural and artistic workshops and performances. This year, the special guest instructor will be acclaimed Egyptian Oriental dancer Joana Saahirah, who’ll be giving a workshop on Egyptian history and folklore, together with performances of some dazzling and interpretive Oriental dances. Having delighted audiences with her shows in Cairo and around the world, this is one to watch for serious dance fans. While catering to visitors of all ages, Shakefest has also cast its eye over the younger dance enthusiasts, who can look forward to a special workshop ‘Dance like Michael Jackson’ hosted by Jacko tribute act Declan Kiely. Kids can also look forward to a bouncy castle, juggling and stiltwalking show by Stagecraft Ireland, and a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. For the more adventurous dance fans, there’ll also be demonstration of Poi (involving swinging tethered weights through a variety of rhythmical and geometric patterns) and Ribbon dancing (similar to rhythmic gymnastics, where the dancer twirls ribbons), Bachata (a hip-based three-step that originated in the Dominican Republic) and Argentinian Tango. New to Shakefest this year is a live history section – where medieval re-enactors will be treating audiences to combat simulations of the Crusaders Knight’s Templar. As the day draws to a close, visitors can enjoy the annual multicultural Hafla, followed by a spectacular fire show from The Red Embers and some 40s swing from The Bugle Babes. Playing the day out the day will be the North Strand Kontra Band, with a mix of original and traditional material, influenced by the music of Romania and Bulgaria. Tickets for Shakefest can be purchased on www.shakefest.net or www.brownpapertickets. com and range from €10 general admission, €10 camping, €20 family day pass or only €15 for evening entertainment. Gates open at 12pm. All proceeds will be going towards Charleville Castle Restoration Fund.
DAVID PHILLIPS
BEYOND the D-Day beaches and within easy reach of a rental car, Normandy offers a unique side of France, with its medley of hidden gardens and chateaux steeped in colour and history. Claude Monet’s house and garden, where he based himself for over 40 years, is a must see. Located 80km outside of Paris, the tiny village of Giverny can be visited on a day trip from Paris. A stunning array of tulips, gladioli, and irises colour the garden in front of the house. “This is an ongoing project,” explains head gardener, James Priest. “Since 1976, we have been restoring the gar-
--------------------------
‘Dotted through Normandy there are plenty of hamlets and villages to stay’ --------------------------
dens based on Monet’s designs and from the memories of people who had visited. It is a constant process of interpretation and reinterpretation.” A second adjoining garden boasts the pond and bridge made famous through Monet’s Water Lilies paintings. The house, with its bright pastel interiors, is also open to the public, and as well as commanding views of
the gardens, offers a rare insight into the family life of one of the fathers of French Impressionism. A half-hour drive from Giverny, with the aid of a GPS or a good map, you’ll find the 18th-century Château de Miserey. On the 20 acres that surround the house, a garden has been cultivated that represents a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven – with all manner of spiked and poisonous plants giving way to an impressive alley of roses and apple trees. This is a much wilder space than the carefully preened gardens of Giverny, and Mme De Romilly, the current owner, is an excellent host and a mine of information on the plants
Château du Champ de Bataille offers a glimpse of the splendour of pre-Revolution France
and symbolism found throughout the property. Another must visit is Château du Champ de Bataille, which has to be seen to be believed. The owner, interior designer James Garcia, has worked for 20 years to restore this 17th-century castle, and the result is an interior and exterior that offer a glimpse of the splendour of pre-Revolution France. While privately occupied, the house and gardens are open to the public at weekends and throughout the summer, and provide a rare opportunity to access an unparalleled collection of antiques and art, where every inch is filled with history. For more contemporary art, the Jardins de BoisGuilbert and Château de Vascoeuil both act as open air sculpture galleries set in stunning locations. The former hosts a collection by Jean-Marc de Pas, and presents an amazing balance between art and nature, with the art pieces elegantly accentuating the wooded landscape. There are many ongoing projects at work here: statues slowly being coated with moss will take decades to develop and age; while a ring of Giant Redwood, the purpose of which is to give a telescope effect into the night sky, will come to full effect around a cen-
Claude Monet’s Gardens,
tury from now. The Château de Vascoeuil boasts outdoor works by Vasarely, Cocteau, and Dali against the backdrop of a 15th-century manor. The pieces here are modern, colourful, and bold and the interior also serves as an indoor exhibit space and museum. T here are dozens more parks, houses, and gardens to visit in close proximity, which will offer something to cater for all interests. The Parc du Bois des Moutiers is an impeccably preserved house rich in esoteric symbolism and history, the Shamrock Garden has the world’s largest collection of hydrangea, and Les Jardins Suspendus in Le Havre is a multi-million euro horticultural redevelopment of a First World War fort. Dotted through Nor-
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 23
Edited by Mimi Murray
TravelBriefs Denmark the destination for epicures AFTER years in the culinary doldrums, Denmark has finally taken its rightful place alongside the world’s most mouth-watering destinations for foodies. Boasting 13 Michelin-starred eateries and the capital Copenhagen’s famous Noma restaurant (voted San Pellegrino’s World’s Best for the past three years), it’s now the place to be for people who are serious about their food. And this summer, the famous New Nordic Cuisine will take centre stage with exciting culinary festivals cropping up countrywide. Whether island hopping in the archipelago or staying at a classic seaside hotel you’ll find new and inspiring palate pleasers - from Scandinavian island cuisine to local artisanal cheeses and homemade Danish cherry pie. First up on the itinerary is Copenhagen’s gastronomical quarter.
near the village of Giverny, were made famous by the artist’s Water Lilies paintings
mandy there are plenty of hamlets and villages to stay, which function as great bases for exploration, and offer excellent cuisine. The expansive green countryside gives perfect soil and weather for apples, so you’ll find the tipple is cider rather than wine. Cheeses are a regional speciality and as you’re never far from the coast, fans of seafood will be in their element. Aer Lingus operate daily flights from Dublin to Paris Charles de Gaulle. One-way fares start from €39.99. For more information, visit www.aerlingus.com Particularly recommended is Hôtel Le Grand Cerf in Lyonsla-Foret, a sleepy picturesque village where you’ll feel completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the port towns http:// www.grandcerf.fr/
The Château de Vascoeuil boasts outdoor works by Vasarely, Cocteau, and Dali against the backdrop of a 15th Century manor
Once the capital’s meat packing district, it is now home to a trendy culinary scene where unconventional bars and hygge (the Danish term for cosy) restaurants are front and centre If only the best will do, Noma in the capital (Strandgade 93 1401. Ph: 0045 32 96 32 97) is a must see — but book in advance to avoid disappointment. Failing that, check out the dynamic Geranium restaurant (Per Henrik Lings Alle 4, 8, Copenhagen, Denmark. 0045 69 96 00 20) which also features on the list of San Pellegrino’s world’s best – and the gastronomic Relae (Jaagersborgaade ( 44 2200 Koenhawn N Ph 0045 369 66609), voted Copenhagen’s best new restaurant in 2011. SAS fly twice daily from Dublin to Copenhagen from €75 one way, including taxes and charges. To book, log on to flysas.ie.
24 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT
GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Hairy Maclary and Friends
OUT of the gate and off for a walk, went Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy. Anyone with young children will recognise these immortal words instantly as the opening lines of the book Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd. With music, singing and several of your favourite Hairy Maclary stories, this show is a must-see for the whole family. Running for two shows on Saturday May 19 at 1.30pm and 3.30pm, tickets are priced at €10 and €8.
MILL THEATRE 01 296 9340 The Importance of Being Earnest IN its 21st Anniversary year, Rathfarnham Theatre Group is delighted to stage this timeless and much loved classic in its most lavish production to date. Wilde, at his sharpest, weaves a tale of deceit regarding the courtship between two young men about town and two beautiful strong minded young ladies, which is laced with wit, elegance and paradox. The show takes place at 8pm from Tuesday May, 22 to Saturday, May 26. Tickets are priced at €15/12 For full list of dates for the great shows, see www.milltheatre.ie.
CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Just a Song At Twilight COME and have a good sing along to the Irish songs of a gentler era when Fil Campbell plays at the Civic. Fil presents an affectionate tribute to the Irish folk songs that generations of Irish grew up with – songs that were recorded by women like Delia Murphy, Bridie Gallagher whose lives Fil documented in her RTE documentary series Songbirds. The show runs on Tuesday, May 22 for just two shows, with a special Bealtaine performance at 3pm and a show at 8pm with admission €16/€12 conc.
DRAIOCHT 01 885 2622 Chalk & Cheese ERIC Lalor and Gearoid Farrelly are two of Ireland’s most in-demand comedians. While they’re both funny chaps, they couldn’t be more different. On this tour they will fight over the music in the dressing room, slag each others driving and say “you’re not wearing that on stage are you?” a lot. The only thing they agree on is that the audience will have a great night of comedy - two headliners for the price of one. Catch this show at 8.15pm on Thursday, May 24, with tickets costing €12.
Jeff gets out of the house, trying to prove his brother’s wife (Judy Greer) is playing away from home
Home sweet home Jason Segel is the man of the moment, but is this offbeat indie flick able to match Kermit and company? I PAUL HOSFORD
HAVING stuck close to the biggest film of the week for the last fortnight, I felt it was time to stretch my indie legs a little this week. That means that while Tim Burton and Jonny Depp rule all in Dark Shadows, my watching has consisted of a Zac Efron movie (the a l m o s t- ave r a g e T h e Lucky One) and a sweet little indie movie, Jeff Who Lives At Home. Coming from the Duplass brothers, Jay and Mark, this rather odd drama comedy follows the style and pace of their 2010 effor t, Cyrus. In that film a member of the Judd Apatow travelling comedy show played a socially awkward, bordeline narcissist who really should have left home by now. In Jeff... a member of the Judd Apatow travel-
FILM OF THE WEEK: Jeff Who Lives At Home ### (15A) 82 mins Director: Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass Starring: Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer, Susan Sarandon, Rae Dawn Chong, Evan Ross
OUR VERDICT: IT CAN get cumbersome at times and the pace can sag a little, but sticking with it is a reward in itself. Underneath the slackers pace is a heart of gold as Helms and Segel have a real chemistry, displaying a tenderness towards each other that reveals the true nature of brotherhood. Watch also for a star turn from Susan Sarandon as their mother.
ling comedy show plays a socially awkward, bordeline narcissist who really should have left home by now. Ok, so the boys stay with what they know. T his time around, however, it is Jason Segel taking the lead from Cyrus’ Jonah Hill. In Cyrus, Hill was the obstacle to mother Marisa Tomei’s relationship with John C Reilly. In Jeff... Segel is the obstacle to basically every relationship there is. An unemployed man-child who lives in
his mother’s basement philosophising on life, the universe and everything in it, up to and including the prospect that maybe there are no wrong numbers. Jeff is unhappy that he has not found his purpose in life and is desperate to attain his destiny. A chance, or maybe not, meeting with his brother gives him a an opportunity to maybe, just maybe, do something big for the first time in his life. But, just what that is remains elusive for both
Jeff and the audience. Though it looks good and contains some funny moments, the story itself never really settles into a rhythm. Indeed, that is to suggest there is a story beyond the basic premise that Jeff lives with his mother and has not yet found his destiny. From the moment Helms arrives on screen, however, a lot of that can be forgotten, such is the warmth and depth of his relationship with Segel. Helms has begun to carve himself a decent career as Hollywood’s go-to prissy but ultimately lovable square and here it is no exception. While Jeff has yet to leave the familial home, Helms Pat isn’t exactly faring much better. He is, according to Jeff, “just drifting through this life”, being suckered into buying a Porsche while his wife (Greer) may or may not be having an
affair. The brothers’ attempts to expose the infidelity bring some of the film’s highlights as their farcical efforts at ensnarement become more and more desperate. Susan Sarandon, playing a supporting role as the (man)boys’ mother is outstanding. She gives the film the emotional anchor that allows Segel and Helms the latitude to indulge their comedic sensibilities. There is a sub-plot involving a secret admirer for Sarandon that feels shoehorned in purely to fill out the meagre running time, but any excuse to keep these character’s on screen is welcome. Segel is fast-establishing himself as comedic giant, with The Muppets establishing him on the A-List and this film will do nothing to harm that as the big lovable lug works his charm again.
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25
GazetteGAMING GAMING Bytesandpieces Something to really get stuck into
Hebridean islands are not an obvious choice for a videogame setting, yet the multi award-winning PC title, Dear Esther, sets out not just to redefine what a ‘game’ can be, but also to create a new type of player-engagement
Exploring a concept SHANE DILLON
SEEING as my other pieces here this week have been connected to buildings and landscapes (with Angry Birds, below, about shattering them, and Minecraft, right, about exploring and constructing), I thought I’d pick out a fairly recent PC title that’s also well worth exploring. There’s a long-running debate that games can’t be regarded as “Art”, although, in recent years, several key titles have greatly strengthened the case that they can, and are, with one such critically-acclaimed title, Dear Esther , both opening eyes and raising
eyebrows, for some, at its engaging, atmospheric presentation. For those with a powerful PC rig – and, make no mistake, Dear Esther makes some serious demands for enough graphic and processing power to reveal her mysteries – the title creates a bizarre yet beautiful trip around a remote Hebridean island. Remote, deserted and abandoned ... yet not quite an empty island, as the player/protaganist discovers on his travels, with minor events having perplexing weight, adding to his confusion about why he is there – and who’s Esther, anyway? Whether wandering
past ruined boats on wind-blasted beaches, picking a path along narrow cliffside paths, watching the cold waters of the North Atlantic lap under a pale moon, exploring crumbling cottages by torchlight or stumbling through eerie caves, Dear Esther creates a sense of physical, relatable space that few titles can match, with the barren landscape around the small island feeling tangibly real. However, what makes the title so memorable are the triggered scraps of story and character monologues that one hears at certain points around the island; an overall story that’s randomly revealed
Anotherweebyte... Something Angry that will make some people happy AS THE public face (for many) of casual gaming, and as a love-it-or-hate-it brand that practically everybody’s grandmother has played at this stage, Angry Birds has flapped onto this page with regular updates. Now, in not-entirely-surprising news, its developer, Roxio, has something to really squawk about – the overall franchise has been downloaded one billion times, thanks to appearing on (approximately) 2,347 platforms in lots of iterations. Angry news to make some people happy, indeed.
in scraps and whispers. In the end, the player – if “player” and “play” are the right words for the actions of exploring an open world with no objectives, no conflict, nothing more to do than to explore, to see and to learn – undertakes a journey with more thought, and lasting effect, than a dozen loud shooters. It has been this aspect that struck a chord with many critics, as well as with a range of non-gaming media who also picked up on Dear Esther’s charms, ranging from leading psychology magazines to some heavyweight business press; all fascinated by “an experience”, rather
than by “a game”. That’s an impressive amount of respect for a title which originally started out as an exploration of what a standard first-person game engine could achieve, or if it could be pushed to create another type of player-engagement. In creating a modern ghost story, of sorts, for a character who may be as haunted as the ethereal, cold, solitary landscape around him, Dear Esther has crafted an experience that somehow transcends the medium, and makes a solid case for the Games As Art debate. Dear Esther is available via Steam digital download.
Zynga’s move to draw some extra value from sponsorship deal ANOTHER app that generated lots of interest recently, Draw Something has kept millions busy since being bought by Zynga for an estimated $210 million. Perhaps in a reaction to the sharp drop in users following the purchase (with daily active users dropping from 14.3 million to
10.4 million), as well as being an interesting marketing move, Zynga is working on sponsored challenges, with players being asked to draw well-known brands, and their imagery, ranging from KFC to Nike. It could be a great way to reinvigorate the user base, as well as being a useful way to generate revenues, if Zynga can draw more companies into the project.
READERS may feel like kicking me into a deep, deep cave for mentioning this title yet again, but Minecraft has just been released on the XBox 360, priced 1600 Microsoft Points, marking a strong highlight of the 360’s notable LIVE Arcade series As this is probably about the 2,714th time I’ve mentioned Minecraft here, I’m sure many readers already know that it’s probably the greatest “sandbox” game ever, with gamers left to make up their own gameplay on randomly-generated worlds full of cube-shaped materials, as they chop down trees, explore caverns, mine metals and craft all kinds of tools and items to make their world ever more impressive or do whatever they want to do – so, I need hardly repeat such noteworthy points again, here. Not quite as expansive or as open as its PC big brother, the XBox 360 is, however, a much more accessible beast, with simplistic yet distinctive graphics, freeform gameplay that the gamer creates, and, best of all, multiplayer fun, all of which makes it a title well worth digging into ...
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GazetteSPORT
JACKMAN BEGINS: Leinster legend on his life in Dublin’s rugby scene: Page 29
ATHLETICS: ANNUAL MEMORIAL RACE SET TO SEE 400 RUNNERS TAKE TO THE ROADS
Olympic tickets on offer at the Tom Byrne race sport@gazettegroup.com
THE prize of a lifetime is on offer at this weekend’s Tom Byrne Memorial race, which is taking place at 11am on May 20 in Lucan. One lucky entrant will recieve, in his or her goody bag after the race, a pair of Olympic track and field tickets for London 2012. This special prize comes courtesy of Cadbury, an Olympic Games sponsor.
With race entry limited to just 400 athletes, early entry is strongly advised, especially with such a unique prize up for grabs. The 5km race route takes in 3km of Griffeen Park in Lucan, and it finishes on the Lucan Harriers track on Newcastle Road. Senator Eamonn Coghlan and local TD Derek Keating will be starting the 2012 race, which is held in honour of one of the founding members
of Lucan Harriers, Tom Byrne. The race starts and finishes on Esker track in Lucan and is one of the few, if not the only, road races in the country which finishes on a track. This really adds to the atmosphere at the finish, since the race is often still undecided as the leaders come onto the track for the final sprint in front of a big crowd. This 5k is an event for anyone, from fun runners
The Tom Byrne Memorial road race takes place from 11am this Sunday (May 20)
to elite athletes to keep fit enthusiasts to walkers, footballers, joggers, and everyone in between. Amongst previous men’s winners have been Olympians Gerry Healy and Cormac Finnerty,
and Peter Matthews of DSD who has represented Ireland on many occasions at World and European Cross Country Championships. Women’s champions have included Lucan Har-
riers’ own Niamh Beirne (multiple international for Ireland track and cross country), Emer Martin of Sportsworld and Irish cross country international, Orla O’Mahony of Raheny Shamrocks.
The online entry at www.runireland.ie is only €12 or €15 on race day. Visit www.tombyrne memorialrace.com or call Derry McVeigh at 086 8322214 for more information.
28 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteSport Sport FastSport
Capital of European rugby ’13 DUBLIN is set to become the capital of European club rugby next year after it was announced that the city will host both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finals in May 2013. Tournament organisers, ERC, announced that the RDS will be the venue for the Amlin Challenge Cup final on Friday, 17 May, 2013, with the Heineken Cup going ahead the next day at the Aviva Stadium. With both 2013 finals being played in close proximity, up to 70,000 supporters will have the opportunity to visit the city on an unmissable weekend of European club rugby.
CYCLING: LATEST ROUNDS OF CRITERION RACES SHOWCASE NEW FACILITY
Corkagh hosts ladies’ league sport@gazettegroup.com
ROUNDS four and five of the Wheelworx Orwell Ladies CritLeague were held in the new Corkagh Park purposebuilt cycling track near Clondalkin last week. Round four saw a large turn-out of riders eager to try out the impressive new track. Garda CC and Cuchulainn shared the main
spoils in both races. The B Race saw a strong scratch group work well together to reel in the limit groups and secure the top six spots. Annette Dawe (Cuchulainn) rode away at the end to secure the win, with Sorcha McKeating (U/A) in second, and Isabel Cogan (Orwell) in third. Newcomers Sorcha and Isabel have
Sandra Fitzgerald happy on her return to racing
Eve McCrystal from Garda CC went on a solo run in the CritLeague event at Corkagh Park
impressed by consistently registering high placings in the B Division, and will be battling it out for the overall B title coming into the end of the league season. Lynda Haran from Orwell was in great form on her return from a training camp in Majorca to take fourth place, with Ciara O’Hagan (Orwell) taking her best placing to date in sixth. The A race was also hotly contested, with the welcome return of Sandra Fitzgerald from Garda CC to the racing scene following recent injury. She wasn’t showing any ill effects from her enforced break and, with new team-mate and former Cuchulainn
rider Eve McCrystal in the limit group, the stage was set for Garda CC to dominate. McCrystal initially worked well with a strong limit group to stay away from scratch, but left nothing to chance by attacking solo with four laps remaining. Meanwhile, Fitzgerald had attacked from the scratch group and only Anne Dalton (Orwell) was able to go with her. The duo worked well together to reel in the limit group but, by the time they made contact, McCrystal was already clear. W i t h F i t z g e r a l d ’s team-mate burning up the road, it was left to Dalton to lead the chase
of McCrystal, but even with the assistance of Orwell team-mate, Lucy Soden, the lead proved to be insurmountable. McCrystal used her time-trialling skills to secure a well-deserved win, with Fitzgerald taking the sprint for second and Dalton third. Fine weather for Round 5 in Corkagh Park made up in some way for the rained-off night it was replacing. With reduced numbers, the track lent itself well to running the A and B races together, with the Bs getting up to one full lap of a head-start. T he handicapping worked well, with all of the groups coming together in the final four
laps, and though there was a brief lull in the action, it burst back into life with two laps to go when Anne Dalton used the crosswind stretch to launch an attack. Roisin Kennedy (ESB) was quickest to react and almost managed to catch Dalton’s wheel, but just couldn’t quite close the gap, leaving Dalton to solo in for an impressive victory. Patricia Buckley (Orwell) set off in hot pursuit in defence of her jersey, but the gap was already too large, and Kennedy held on for a well deserved second, with Buckley finishing up third and holding on to her overall lead for one more day.
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17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 29
Dark blue knight on club crusade
FastSport
His heart remains with Leinster, but Bernard Jackman is set to face the biggest test of his career with Grenoble, writes STEPHEN FINDLATER LEAVING home is not likely to leave Bernard Jackman with too many headaches over his now divided rugby loyalties. The former Coolmine head coach will once again leave his home province next year in pursuit of a new rugby challenge, this time taking on the top job at Grenoble. The 2009 Heineken Cup winner will step up to the head coaches’ position, having worked this season as defensive coach on a consultancy basis for the French side. Working with the club for eight days each month paid dividends for Grenoble – they went from conceding 30 tries a year to letting just 13 slip this term – and now Jackman
is getting ready to face what will be the biggest test of his career. But he remains an ardent Leinster fan, making the last few weeks exceptionally busy, dividing his time between setting up home in Eastern
playing. “Human nature is you want to be playing. But last year’s semi-final got me back as a fan again,” he told GazetteSport at the Heineken Star Saturday media day. “Now I’m coaching
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‘You have to break out and compete on an international stage and be the best. That’s the challenge’
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France and getting set for May 19’s Heineken Cup final. He travels to Twickenham as a fan, but there was a dilemma he initially struggled with when he stepped back from
Former Heineken Cup winner Bernard Jackman was in Dublin to officially launch Heineken Star Saturday which takes place this weekend, on May 19
professionally, I have to have my coaching head on with Grenoble and, with my heart, Leinster are my team and I hope they win it again.” Getting the Grenoble gig is part of Jackman’s coaching progression, one that he has been meticulously building. His CV includes two big years at Ashbrook with Coolmine between 2007 and 2009, helping the club’s progression to Leinster League Division One and within touching distance of senior rugby. Along with spells with Newbridge and Tullow, it is a time of which he speaks with fondness, all three clubs winning promotion during his tenure. “I like coaching junior rugby. It’s very honest and uncomplicated. You give the guys a plan and a goal and you work towards it. “Big steps, small steps, it depends on the players you have. Coolmine had very good skill levels, so it
was basically giving them a collective hardness. “Once they got that, they could beat anyone. I really enjoyed it, a really young club with no politics.” He adds that he feels, with Donal Crotty taking the coaching reins, the Dublin 15 club have what it takes not just to get into the Ulster Bank league, but also to move up to Division 2A. Since his Ashbrook time, he has stepped up incrementally, taking on the top job at Clontarf before linking up with Grenoble. They will play next season in France’s top 14, offering a superb top-level opportunity, especially with big posts limited in Ireland due to the provincial system. “Getting that opportunity in Ireland is hard because there’s only four teams and all are on an upward curve. They don’t want to take a risk on a guy who is just starting off. “I’ve always been willing to travel or drop down a level to learn. I went to Connacht twice to improve. I went to Sale to improve. I coached Coolmine, Newbridge, Tullow because I wanted to develop. “To get a chance to go to France at that level is huge. To coach in a foreign language will be a challenge, but the lack of French will hopefully make me a better commu-
nicator long-term. I want to use France to develop myself and come back to Ireland as a good coach.” While many lament another Irish coach leaving these shores in order to get a high-grade posting while outsiders fill the top provincial jobs, Jackman is not overly perturbed. “The reason they are going for these guys is because they have the top grade experience. The Irish provinces are under so much pressure to deliver results that they won’t take a chance. “But if I have the experience from France or England, I’d expect a fair crack at it but I’d only want to get a job if I’m the best candidate, not because I’m Irish. “You’ve got to be prepared to move to build an international profile. There’s no reason we can’t go over to New Zealand or Australia, as long as you bring some skills and are good enough. “You have to break out of the Leinster bubble and compete on an international stage and be the best of those. That’s the challenge.” Heineken invites rugby and soccer fans to enjoy the UEFA Champions League final and the Heineken Cup finals in the pub - the best stadium on earth. For participating Heineken Star Saturday venues across Ireland check out: www. heineken.ie/starsaturday
Legend Keino to open Africa Week athletics FORMER Olympic champion, Kip Keino will fire the starting gun for what will be an exciting and unique athletics meet at Morton Stadium next weekend, which forms part of Africa Week 2012. SARI are partnering with the Dublin Multicultural Resource Centre, Cradle, Integrated Academy for Athletics Performance and the Integration Centre for the One Race Human Race Africa Week athletics event. The aim of the event is to introduce the sport of athletics to the community through this intercultural family event. Africa Week 2012, which will run from May 21 to 27, will provide a high-profile platform for the unique athletics meet on the penultimate day, May 26, from 9am to 6pm. Over 500 people are expected to gather at Morton Stadium to hear the gun start a full day of track and field events. Most of the athletes will be drawn from the African diaspora, but in true intercultural style, the line-ups will be inclusively global and local. The organisers, that include a host of sports and community NGOs, hope to raise awareness among the public of the benefits of joining their local athletics clubs. It is no coincidence that two of the invited guests of honour hail from the Horn of Africa. Former Olympic champion, Kipchoge Keino (www.kipkeinofoundation.co.ke ), will fire the first starting gun, while current World champion, Mo Farah (www.mofarahfoundation.co.uk) is on Olympic duty, but said: “As a sportsman, I can think of no better way to celebrate Africa Week.” As part of the fundraising intiative for the One Race Human Race event, SARI are holding a prize draw with the very special prize of roundtrip flights for two to the African island of Zanzibar, with seven nights at the Kichanga Lodge, a beautiful hotel on the east coast. Tickets are €20 each, and the winning ticket will be drawn on May 26 by guest of honour, Kip Keino. For more information, see www.sari.ie.
30 BLANCH GAZETTE 17 May 2012
GazetteSport Sport FastSport
SOCCER: 17 WINS IN A ROW SECURES UNDER-14 E DIVISION
Hurling Skills Tour on course for Parnell CENTRA are set to bring their Hurling Skills Tour to Parnell Park on Saturday, May 26, with Dublin and St Pat’s, Palmerstown, star Liam Rushe and Waterford’s John Mullane (above) in attendance to give Ireland’s future hurlers the chance to train with the best in the game at the free event. The Dublin event will be supported by local Centra retailers in Dublin including McHugh’s Centra and Gaskin’s Centra, and will feature an array of family entertainment, including live music, a hurling simulator to test your hurling skills, face painting and a hurling skills session for children. To register, email centragaa@centra.ie or Freetext CENTRA followed by DUBLIN and your name to 50050.
Santos 15 came back from two early defeats to run up a remarkable set of results and claim the league crown
Santos bounce to league title sport@gazettegroup.com
SANTOS 15 claimed the NDSL U-14 E title last week after their incredible run of 17 straight wins saw them bounce back from a tricky start to the season in sensa-
tional fashion and claim the ultimate honours from the division. With four players from last year’s selection moving on, and eight new ones coming in, they initially struggled with the transition between seasons and players, falling to defeats by Clonee United and Clontarf. But after those two opening losses, they did not drop another point throughout the entire campaign, scoring over four goals in each of their games from the moment on. In addition, goalkeeper Conor Redmond kept
12 clean sheets during the run as the Dublin 15 side ran up an incredible goal difference of plus 65 from their 19 games. They were expecting to close out the campaign last Sunday morning but the recent rain saw the council close the pitches in the area but Clontarf’s 4-0 win over Clonee meant that the league went the way of Santos without having to kick a ball. It capped a memorable year for a side who had finished fourth in their equivalent division at U-13 a season before, handing manager Paul
Doyle – sharing the workload with Martin Lynch – his first title in the process. They did it playing an expansive game, built on width with Dean Telford marauding down the left wing while Mark Byrne was the key man on the right. Getting on the end of the ammunition they supplied were the likes of Conor Noonan – who ended up with over 30 goals to his name – and the diminutive Ian McDermott who used his wiles to get away from bigger, more physical opponents. Through the spine of
the team, Dylan Pluck and Dylan Doyle were key members, too, but the overall victory was a tribute to the collective effort of the panel who all weighed in at different stages of the season. They will now look forward to receiving their league winners medals in the NDSL offices in the Oscar Traynor Complex when the league’s season eventually comes to a close after a late season burst of inclement weather which has delayed the denouement of a number of divisions.
ICC host coaching course
sport@gazettegroup.com
GAA pundit Val Andrews, along with 11 teachers, students and parents attended an ICC introduction to coaching course in Corduff, Blanchardstown recently. Reinhardt Strydom (Fingal Cricket Development Officer) delivered the course at the Corduff Sports Centre. Andrews is currently course coordinator, Sports Management and Coaching Degree at the Institute of Technology in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, and thought highly of the course and had great fun dur-
ing the day’s activities. Andrews looked like he was back in his prime again, running around, hitting the ball like an experienced cricketer, and even picked up wickets as a bowler. Speaking about the course, he said: “The Introduction to Cricket Course was very enjoyable and informative both for myself and the students who attended. The strengths of this course are the content and its interactive nature. “One coaching outcome of the course ensures that the participants are equipped and confident
enough to introduce cricket to local national schools. Our students (50 second year students) will in time introduce cricket to local national schools, supported by mentors.” Fingal will be running a similar course towards the end of May at ITB for the other 50 students. The students who complete the course will assist Strydom at local summer camps over the summer and other cricket events in order to gain further experience, giving cricket in Dublin 15 a great boost as the students become confident enough to run cricket sessions in local schools.
17 May 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 31
HURLING: RUSSELL PARK SIDES IMPRESSIVE
.
CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S Register online now for the Summer mini-leagues festival on June 11 to 16. Big week of adult football cham-
end. Huge day of live sport this Saturday with special €3 drinks promotions in the club bar.
pionship ahead with the junior Bs
Membership deadline for players
facing Raheny on Sunday, the sen-
has now passed. Members of the
iors facing Thomas Davis on Thurs-
executive will be double-checking
day and the inter 1s facing Cuala on
all players have paid this week.
Friday. See website for more.
Final call for the annual club golf
Well done to our senior and inter
classic which takes place in Royal
hurlers who recorded great cham-
Tara on May 25. For more informa-
pionship wins over the weekend
tion, contact Phil on 086 773 3693.
while our U-13A, U-14A and U-14B teams also recorded wins. Congratulations to St Brigid’s
Club lotto is still € 15,000, and takes place in the Roselawn Inn this Thursday.
National School who were crowned
New players are always welcome;
Corn Marino champions in Croke
pease contact our club coach, Paul
Park last Wednesday.
on 087 915 4748.
Best of luck to our U-14A and B hurling teams in Feile this week-
Send your match repor ts and photos to info@stbrigidsgaa.com.
ST PEREGRINE’S St Brigid’s senior hurlers took the spoils when Crumlin were the visitors to Russell Park last weekend
St Brigid’s take the spoils in Crumlin tie DUBLIN SHC GROUP B St Brigid’s Crumlin
1-15 2-10
I sport@gazettegroup.com
FOURTEEN-man St Brigid’s battled past Crumlin in their Dublin Senior Hurling Championship Group B tie at Parnell Park last Friday night. The Russell Park side were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Daire Doyle in the 21st minute, but his team-mates knuckled down to hang on in what proved to be a tight finish. St Brigid’s had made a great start when Doyle and Paddy McAvinue pointed in the early minutes, before Kieran Kellett kicked home their goal. By the break, the Dublin 15 side led 1-7 to 1-4, with Crumlin’s goal coming from Shane Martin, with the accuracy of Wesley O’Brien keeping the visiting side
very much in touch. Crumlin were level within seconds of the restar t, when Shane Ryan fired the sliotar into the Brigid’s net, but the home side responded with four points in a row which proved to be crucial in their eventual victory. In the Junior B championship, St Brigid’s inter hurlers claimed a dramatic one-point win over Naomh Fionnbarra last Sunday morning in a windswept John Paul Park. In a game that never saw more than three points separating the sides, it was Brigid’s who finished the stronger to claim a 1-8 to 1-7 victory. Both goals came in the opening five minutes, with Brendan O’Halloran pouncing on a through ball before expertly crashing the sliotar into the net after Finbarrs had taken an early lead.
A sublime Willie Madden point left only a point between the teams at the break, before points from Shane Egan, Stephen Moore and Cian O’Mahony left the Russell Park men in the ascendancy with only minutes remaining. Finbarr’s tried in vain to claim something from the game, but in Fingal manager Willie Bourke, David Brooks and Keith Fox, they met a stubborn defensive unit who ensured that it was Brigid’s who emerged victorious.
Minor assist Elsewhere, the club’s Paul Winters hit 1-7 in the Dublin minors 4-24 to 0-3 victory over Carlow in the quarter-final of the Leinster hurling championship at Dr Cullen Park. The Dubs were in a different league from first whistle to the last, and progress to meet
Kilkenny in the provincial semi-final on Saturday, June 23. Wexford and Laois will meet in the other semi-final. Cian Boland grabbed two of Dublin’s goals with Paul Winters and Oisin O’Rorke hitting the others in this onesided clash. Dublin were quickly into their stride with a string of early points a n d w h e n O ’ R o r ke scored the first of the four goals in the 15th minute the visitors moved 1-6 to 0-0 clear. Five minutes later James Roche played Boland through on goal and the St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh man took his opportunity with aplomb to help the Dubs to a 2-11 to 0-2 lead. The procession continued in the second half with Winters and Boland raising further green flags as Carlow failed to score from play over the hour.
WELL done to our senior camogie
Details and contacts on the club
team who had a great win over
website CNP.ie which will be finished
Kevin’s last week.
shortly.
Well done to Eric Lowndes and the Dublin minor hurlers on their win over Carlow last weekend. Condolences to the Corry family on their recent bereavement.
Follow us on Twitter at @peregrinesgaa. Music this Saturday night is from Flipside. This Saturday watch the play-off
Lotto: Jackpot was not won. Num-
final, the Heineken Cup final and the
bers drawn were 1, 2, 6 and 27. Next
Champions League final on the big
week’s jackpot is €3,000.
screen.
Tesco for Schools initiative is now
Congratulations to the winner of
up and running please see club-
the bingo last week, and it contin-
house for details.
ues every Wednesday night in the
Club shop vouchers are now available.
clubhouse from 8.30pm and this week’s jackpot is €500.
ERIN GO BRAGH MANY thanks to Leo Varadkar, TD,
087 606 4125.
Minister for Transport, Tourism
Lotto: Numbers drawn were 5,
and Sport, who launched our new
18, 20 and 23. There was no jackpot
Strategic Development Plan last
winner. Next week’s jackpot will be
Sunday, along with Dublin County
€5,300. The draw will be held in The
Board chairman, Andy Kettle, and
Paddocks. We would encourage all
chief executive, John Costello.
members to support our weekly
Thanks to everyone who helped
lotto; tickets are €2 per ticket or 3
make our street leagues and com-
for €5. This is a key fundraiser for
munity festival such a success last
this club.
week. Photos will be on Facebook later this week. We are holding a fundraising clas-
There are tickets behind the bar in the Paddocks or contact John Kinsella on 086 818 4054.
sic music event on Friday, May 25
Annual membership is now over
in the Vineyard, Blanchardstown
due. Please contact Sinead at edge-
village. Music will be supplied by DJ
lys@gmail.com for more informa-
Sean Fagan and will bring us all back
tion.
to the 60s and 70s. Tickets are €10 each and for more information, contact Pat Keenan on
Fo l l ow u s n ow o n t w i t t e r at https://twitter.com/#!/Eringobraghgaa.
Follow GazetteSport on Facebook and Twitter and online at www.gazettegroup.com
ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 27-31
BRAZILIAN BEAT: Santos youngsters claim league title with 17-win run P30
DARK BLUE KNIGHT: Leinster hero bound for Grenoble stint P29
GazetteSPORT
Bernard Brogan is looking forward to returning to the Dublin team for the first time in nine months. Picture: Fergus McNally
MAY 17, 2012
Brogan’s return a big spur for Dublin Plunketts’ man on the comeback trail from injury as Leinster championship nears for Dublin’s footballers blanchardstownsport@gazettegroup.com
BERNARD Brogan is hoping he can build on his recent challenge match appearance for Dublin against Carlow as he aims to be fit for the county’s championship entry in early June. He missed out on the entire National League campaign due to a mixture of holidays and injury but his recent return to the training paddock has him looking forward to trying to get back into a competitive Dublin jersey for the first time since September’s All-Ireland victory over Kerry. “Having played a challenge game against Carlow last week, the body felt good playing the whole game,” he said at the Dubs meet and greet event in Fingallians last Friday evening. “I have done a lot of training over the last couple of weeks, it is about planning and trying to get the right work and as much of it as I can.” In his absence, Dublin endured a mixed
campaign in the league, missing out on a semifinal berth but Brogan says it’s a matter of picking out consistency ahead of a date with either Louth and Westmeath in the Leinster quarter-final. “The league was up and down with some great performances and some poor shows as well, I think we all had to have a chat and put the mindset right and let lads know that it is not going to be easy “It will be twice as hard to get any sort of decent result, whoever we face in the first game is going to be a great test and it will really let us know were we stand but we are really looking forward to it. “Teams always raise their game against Dublin, it is a big day out in Croke Park for a lot of teams and they have the chance to knock the Dubs off their perch but we thrive on that as well. “But we need to keep giving everything in the tank and we can’t become complacent because if we do we won’t come out with results.
“That is our big challenge this year, if our mindset is right and the work and intensity is there again that we brought last year.” As All-Ireland champions, the Dubs will once again be one of the big shows in a jampacked summer of sport, vying for attention with Euro 2012 and the Olympic Games. But Brogan says that the tour of the city Sam Maguire went on since September means the fanbase is likely to remain captivated. “Dublin fans have always been great. We see the reaction when we brought Sam back, I think we went to over 400 schools and the smile it put on people’s faces. “That’s what the GAA is about and trying to get the kids involved and getting them active and playing, that’s where I met all my friends through GAA. “Obviously, I love it and this summer is very competitive for the kids with so many sports events taking place but the GAA are making a stand promoting the game and trying to get kids playing and supporting GAA”.