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INSIDE: Employees enjoy competing for gold for charity P8-9

NEW SEASON: Draiocht delivers diverse autumn programme See Page 5

A true blue: Niamh nets fan award NIAMH Tobin, aged 11, from St

Soccer: Saint Mochta’s new floodlights on the way Page 30

Football: Castleknock push forward AFL4 title claim Page 31

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES ..................... 2 BUSINESS .................... 18 MOTORS ....................... 20 TRAVEL......................... 22 ENTERTAINMENT ........ 24 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 26

Peregrine’s GAA Club, Blanchardstown, was announced as the winner of the Dublin’s Finest Supporter for 2012 competition.

The competition is run by Dublin sponsors Vodafone to recognise those fans who go to extraordinary lengths to support the Dubs. The winner was chosen in a public vote after over 100 entries were shortlisted to five nominees. Niamh was presented with her award by Dublin goal keeping legend Paddy Cullen and former Dublin dual star Shane Ryan

390 jobs set to go with Target closure Company unable to reach deal with Revenue

I LAURA WEBB

WORKERS at the Mulhuddart branch of Target Express were facing an uncertain future this week when the closure of the national haulage company was announced.

Management at Target Express announced that the company had ceased trading

on Monday, August 27.

The decision was made following a move by the Revenue Commissioners to place an attachment on the company’s bank account because of unpaid taxes.

Some 400 workers are affected, and staff members at a number of depots across the country have staged sit-

ins, while a protest outside the company’s office in Dublin has also taken place.

It is understood that the company had been in ongoing negotiations with the Revenue, but were unable to reach an agreement before the attachment was placed on their account.

Full Story on Page 4

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

LEISURE: RUGBY CLUB HOSTS TRADE SHOW

FARMLEIGH GALLERY Ceramics exhibition now on show

Open day to attract over 1,000 I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

WESTMANSTOWNRugby Club is hosting an open day, a taste of Irish food fair and a trade show this weekend.

On Sunday, September 2, over 1,000 people from across Dublin 15, Lucan and as far as Meath are expected to attend the fun day at Westmanstown Sports Centre in Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

The event, which runs from 12 noon until 5pm,

gives residents a chance to see the facilities at We s t m a n s t ow n a n d get a taste of what is on offer for club members.

Highlights Highlights on the day include the trade show, a food fair, a Heineken Cup photo session, an autograph session with Leinster players, a cake sale, and the launch of a special needs rugby project.

It is expected to be a really successful event.

For information, visit www.gardarugby.com.

Ten-year-old Ella Keilthy talking to artist Nuala Goodman at her installation, Gardens. Pictures: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

Artists with the wow factor HE work of some of Ireland’s foremost ceramic artists is on display at the OPW’s Farmleigh Gallery in Phoenix Park. Bricks in the Rain is a collection of work by ceramic artists who were selected in 2011 by international jury to

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undertake a five-week residency at Fule International Ceramic Art Museum in X’ian, China.

The artists enjoyed an incredible journey, and created a body of artwork, using local materials and facilities.

Maeve Sweeney next to Neil Reid’s Distant Memory II

Ella Keilthy and her mother Mary Moroney looking at Nuala Kathleen Moroney with her work, When Shadows Exhale

Goodman’s installation, Gardens

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30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 3

LEVY ‘You can’t ask people to pay if they can’t pay’

Property tax must be fair Cllr McCamley I LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

ANY plans by the Government to introduce property tax based on market value needs to be implemented in a fair way that is affordable for everyone.

That’s according to local councillor, Mary McCamley (Lab) who understands the need for the tax to be introduced, but says it should be calculated in a way that does not hit the most vulnerable the hardest.

“You can’t ask people to pay what they can’t pay,” she said. “I am assuming it is based on income, too, because how

can you pay it if you are not earning enough?

“I am a bit worried about basing [the tax] on the valuation because it could mean valuing your house every year.

“I am not sure what they are going to do, if they are doing it on the value of the house or the square footage of the house – I will have to wait and see how it will impact people this area.

“They need to look at what will be the best way and most equitable way for people to be able to pay it. There has to be a fair way of doing it. This tax is used all over Europe, we are one of the last countries to intro-

duce it. It is supposed to be equitable and fair for people, so we’ll wait and see,” Mary added.

Meanwhile, councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) said if the tax is introduced, it should be up to the local authority to value the property.

“The charge and the amount that should be paid by each house, I am firmly of the belief that it should be up to each local authority. If it is to be a local authority charge, then it should operate in the same way that commercial rates do.

“The valuation system is done by the national valuation office all over the country, then each

Property tax looks set to be implemented by next year, and inset, Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) has concerns about the way it may be calculated

local authority decides what rate to charge depending on income needs and spending decisions.

“If the minister, as he says, [has the] intention to restore more responsibility to local government, then I think it is important that each

local authority will be able to determine what the charge will be in their own jurisdiction,” Cllr Dennison added.

While the Government insist that no decision on the implementation of a property tax has been made yet, documents released last week

revealed that the Government has informed the troika that the property tax will be based on valuation.

The Cabinet is due to give further consideration to the issue at its first meeting after the summer holidays, which will be held next Tuesday.

CRIME

Witness appeal in murder probe GARDAI are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the fatal stabbing of a man in Mulhuddart last week.

The 28-year-old man, named as Gerald Burnett, received stab wounds following an altercation just before midnight on Tuesday, August 21, at Castlecurraghvale in Mulhuddart.

He was taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 1am on August 22.

A murder investigation was launched and gardai are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01-6667000.

At the time of going to press, a Garda spokesman said the investigation into the case was still ongoing and that no arrests had been made.

4 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

SCHOOLS State funding for post and post-primary levels

More classes for local pupils with special needs

I LAURA WEBB

A NUMBER of mainstream schools in Dublin 15 will open new special needs classes this September.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has announced four new classes for children with special needs at schools in Blanchardstown and Castleknock.

The classes will cater for children with special needs in

mainstream primary and postprimary schools.

The four schools in Dublin 15 are Colaiste Pobail Setanta in Phibblestown, Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School, Sacred Heart of Jesus NS in Huntstown, and St Francis Xavier Senior NS Roselawn Road, Castleknock.

Dublin West TD and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton welcomed the announcement of the new

classes “which will support the education of children with special needs”.

“These additional classes will enable students with special needs to move from primary to post-primary schools. While most of these classes have been allocated at primary level, there has been an increase in the number of special classes available at post-primary level.

This Government continues to prioritise and invest in sup-

ports for children with special needs”.

This announcement is part of a bigger allocation nationwide. The NCSE announced that 91 new classes for children with special needs will open in September. They will cater for over 500 children with special needs in 88 mainstream primary and post-primary schools.

Special classes are provided for children who cannot currently be educated in a main-

stream class setting, for example children with autism or specific speech and language disorders.

These classes have lower pupil-teacher ratios than mainstream classes, ranging from one teacher for six pupils to one teacher for 11 pupils.

The NCSE helps with planning and co-ordinating the provision of additional education supports to schools that enrol children with special

A chance to have your say on radio LOCAL radio station Phoenix FM is set to broadcast a series of programmes allowing individuals or organisations a forum to freely air their views on issues that they want to express – with no interruption.

“We will give individuals up to 14 minutes to express their views or raise questions or issues that perhaps make their blood boil or upsets them most. For some it may take two minutes. Others may need to develop a whole thesis for up to 14 minutes,” said station manager, Irina Belova.

“There will be no opposing argument. This type of programme is in line with Phoenix FM’s licence commitment to reflect the special interests and needs of the listenership of the Dublin 15 community “We expect lots of applications – our programming committee will make the final decision on what topics are aired.

If interested, submit your idea by email to info@ phoenixfm.ie. There will, of course, be terms and conditions. Our Constitution also states that it is an offence to publish or utter blasphemous, seditious or indecent material, so applicants will need to bear that in mind,” Belova added.

Interested par ties should send a short description to the station of about 200 words before September 7. Visit www.phoenixfm.ie.

educational needs.

Chief executive at NCSE, Teresa Griffin, welcomed the continued co-operation of schools in establishing these classes “to support the education of children with significant special needs”.

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

Joe show: Canning at GAA launch GALWAY hurling legend, Joe Canning, was on hand at the recent launch of the Opel Kit For Clubs GAA day at St Pat’s Palmerstown GAA club to pass on some words of wisdom to nine-year-old Eoin Heart from St Peregrine’s GAA Club in Dublin 15.

For more information, see www.opelkitforclubs.com Picture: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

JOBS BLOW: REVENUE MOVE CITED AS MULHUDDART AMONG DEPOTS TO CLOSE

Workers protest as 400 jobs set to go with Target closure ONE of Ireland’s biggest haulage companies, Target Express, which has an office in Mulhuddart, has ceased trading with the loss of almost 400 jobs.

Management at Target Express announced that the company had ceased trading on Monday, August 27.

According to reports, the decision to cease trading was made following a move by the Revenue Commissioner to place an attachment on the company’s bank accounts. No staff member has been paid as a result.

A number of staff members at the depots in Dublin began protesting out-

side the gates on Tuesday, August 28, while Limerick and Cork employees have staged a sit-in protest.

One employee from Cork told RTE radio that staff are angry at the lack of information from both the company and the Revenue.

The failure of politicians, contacted by the employees in Cork, to intervene with the Revenue was also a matter of concern for employees at the company.

Dublin West TD and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said the job losses are regrettable.

“I regret the loss of

jobs at the haulage company and the impact it will have on the employees, their families and the communities both here [in Dublin] and countrywide.

The Minister went on to say: “I would like to remind people to contact their local social welfare office for advice on any entitlements they might have.”

The company, which is a trading name for College Freight Ltd, was founded by businessman Seamus McBrien.

The company, which has an address at Damastown in Mulhuddart in Dublin 15, is the largest

privately-owned transport and distribution company in Ireland, with 12 operating depots throughout Ireland and four within Britain.

It is understood that the company had been in ongoing negotiations with the Revenue, but despite this, the commissioners had placed attachments on the company’s bank accounts, which effectively froze the account, the week before it ceased trading.

It is still not clear if the company will seek the appointment of a receiver. This could lead to the sale of the company as a going concern and some

jobs could be saved.

Local Minister Leo Varadkar said that he hoped that, “a solution can be found and that the jobs can be saved.”

“I understand that Target Express has an issue with the Revenue Commissioners. Of course, all taxpayers have an obligation to pay their taxes.

“The company was in touch regarding this matter with my office last week.

“My office then got in touch with the Revenue Commissioners but was unable to pass on the company’s concerns, unless the company waived its confidentiality,

which it hasn’t done,” he said.

Target Express owner Seamus McBrien told RTE that the company had paid the Revenue the sum of €214,000 last Monday (August 20), and had offered to pay a further €80,000 by Friday.

However, he told the national broadcaster that the Revenue attached their accounts last Thursday, making it impossible to pay staff.

Some of the company’s high-profile clients include firms like Smyths Toys, L’Oreal and A-Wear.

It is still not known what impact this will have on those businesses.

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 5

COUNCIL Locals urged to champion problem areas

‘Adopt a patch’ plan aims to combat litter I LAURA WEBB

GR AFFITI and litter are one eyesore many residents most want to see the back of. So in a bid to combat such antisocial behaviour, Fingal County Council (FCC) has come up with a novel initiative that sees people “adopt a patch”.

Groups across Fingal are being asked to adopt a location or “patch” in their area if there are reccurring problems such as graffiti and littering taking place there.

If a group decide this is the right action for them, once they have agreed to adopt the area with FCC, they will be in charge of keeping that area up to standards set out by a maintenance programme. This is a set of standards established by the local council that each residents’ association or business must agree to before they can officially adopt an area.

The maintenance programme involves collecting litter, painting

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the area, or maintaining flower beds. The local authority supplies the adopters with reflective vests, litter pickers, graffiti kits and paint, and they will also arrange for the bags of litter to be collected.

According to a council spokeswoman, the scheme has been proven to work “very successfully”, with many groups adopting par ts of a beach, a bottle bank, or litter black spots elsewhere around the country.

“Fingal County Council recently launched the scheme whereby, if graffiti or littering is a problem in the area, residents’ associations, businesses or community groups could ‘adopt a patch’.

“Once the patch is being maintained, a sign may then be erected, which advertises that a business or group has adopted the area.

“This scheme is operating very successfully, with about 25 groups signed up across the

county, who have adopted parts of a beach, estate walls, walkways, open spaces or litter black spots in housing estates,” the spokeswoman said.

The council is keen to see this initiative work, and is trying to get as many community groups and organisations involved and turn an eyesore area into a public area that residents will enjoy looking at.

“As this is a relatively recent initiative, we hope that it will spread through word-of-mouth, and the council is certainly promoting it as much as possible,” the spokeswoman added.

If anyone is interested in adopting a patch they should visit www.fingalcoco.ie or contact the environmental awareness team at 01-8906236, or email enviraware@ fingalcoco.ie Meanwhile, the council recently announced that two thirds of Fingal schools are now green schools, with many of

Fingal County Council offices in Swords and, inset, locals clean-up an area as part of the ‘adopt a patch’ scheme

them taking an interest in the An Taisce Green Schools programme.

A total of 224 green f lags are f lying high across Fingal schools, with 86 of 130 having at least one flag. Delighted with the statistics, the council congratulated students and staff for making Fingal a cleaner and green county.

RIGHTS

Call to support same-sex marriage LOCAL councillors have been called on to support a motion that calls for civil marriage equality.

Dublin West representative Paul Donnelly (SF) has written to every Fingal councillor asking them to support marriage equality and put their support on public record.

“I have written to every councillor on Fingal County Council and asked them to co-sign this motion and to fully and unequivocally support it.

“Every same-sex couple and their children deserve equality; this is a civil-rights issue, plain and simple.”

“I am hopeful that this motion will not only make it on to the agenda of the council’s meeting, but that it will be passed with a very strong majority,” Donnelly added.

6 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

CHARITY EVENT Local performers step up with fund-raising showstopper

Dance school raises €2,000 for autism centre I LAURA WEBB

A LOCAL dance schoolhas helped to raise over €2,000 for Hope Autism Centre after they showcased their talent at a recent fundraising event.

The event, which took place at Phibblestown Community Centre, saw

dancers from Clare Connolly Dance put on a performance as part of a variety night for Hope Autism Centre. The audience also enjoyed a performance from a local choir and a display by a martial arts group.

A student of Clare Connolly Dance’s adult begin-

ners class, Sonya Mulvaney, who is a speech and language therapist at the centre, approached the dance school’s founder, Clare Connolly, about a fundraising event.

Clare was delighted to help and within just two weeks, students rehearsed in spaces

donated by Phibblestown Community Centre and Ongar Community Centre.

Dancers as young as two years old performed, unassisted at the event which, Claire said, displays “the huge benefits of dance” that include self-confidence, enjoy-

ment, imagination, and social and emotional well being.

Performances featured different age groups including two- and threeyear-olds, a mother-anddaughter performance, beginner adults and also five- to seven-year-olds wowing the crowds. Over

€2,000 was raised on the night.

Amanda Downey, who returned to ballet earlier this year, said she loves the adult class and would “go every day” if she could. “My friend Sinead and I go two nights a week, and Clare brings in extra guest artists to keep

us on our toes.”

Amanda performed on the night with her three-year-old, Roisin, also a student. “I am so delighted I have a chance to dance again, it was fantastic to get to dance with Roisin. I still can’t believe I am standing here in a tutu again.”

Duo brave Camino trail to aid hospice

PARISH Priest Father Mick Cullen of St Thomas the Apostle in Laurel Lodge and Joe Pitcher of the same parish will be walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela next week to raise funds for St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown.

The walk, which begins Saturday, September 1, and which will last a full week, will see the pair traverse just over 106 miles and involves an ascent of some 17,500ft over the seven days.

The walk, to raise funds for St Francis Hospice, has already seen sponsors contribute almost €4,000.

Fr Mick and Joe are aware of the hardship being experienced nationally, but are hopeful that they can attract enough

sponsorship to make a significant contribution to the Hospice as a result of their efforts.

The toughest day of the Camino is a walk of 19 miles and a climb of 2,300 ft. Think about walking from Dublin to Bray and then climbing the Sugar Loaf Mountain on the hottest day in an Irish summer and you get the picture.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or to sponsor the walkers in their efforts should contact Fr Dan Joe O’Mahony at the Oratory, in the yellow entrance of Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

You can also phone the parish office at St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge, at 01-8208112.

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Comedy trio The Nualas are part of Draiocht’s line-up for next season. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

COMMUNITY: ARTS CENTRE UNVEILS ITS NEW SEASON

Draiocht conjures up some class acts I LAURA WEBB

DUBLIN 15’s flourishing arts centre Draiocht has announced its new season of events that will have something to entertain every generation in the family throughout autumn.

With 44 shows, three exhibitions, two evening classes and 15 workshops, Draiocht continues to provide Dublin 15 with an impressive programme of the arts.

Some of the highlights this season, which runs from September to December, include a gig by acclaimed stand-up Des Bishop, comedy trio The Nualas, and a gig by musician Sharon Shan-

non, on her first visit to Draiocht.

The season features three shows as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Beyond the Brooklyn Sky, Dubliners by James Joyce and a childrens’ show from Theatre Lovett.

Outlining the new programme of events, Emer McGowan, director at Draiocht said: “We also have Tuesdays with Morrie and Heroin, a show by TheatreClub developed in collaboration with the staff and clients of Rialto Community Drug Team.

Bradan Players Leixlip bring us the hard-hitting How I Learned to Drive.

“For all our Stars Wars fans, we have One-Man

Star Wars Trilogy. Coolmine Drama Circle are staging Hugh Leonard’s A Life. Rebecca Vaughan (who created Austen’s Women) brings us her new show, I, Elizabeth.

“And we’re very much looking forward to welcoming Clive Francis reprising his renowned R o y a l S h a ke s p e a r e Company performance as Ebenezer Scrooge in a unique one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol,” Emer added.

There are also three childrens’ shows: Tic Teac Tic Teac, a lovely show that Emer has already seen and loved. “The House that Jack Filled from Theatre Lovett, who were here last with

The Girl who Forgot to Sing Badly and, from the UK, we have Jason and the Argonauts, as part of Spreacha 2012 for children aged nine and up.”

Emer was enthusiastic about Draiocht’s artistin-residence project. “Our theatre artist-in-residence project with Liam Halligan will come to a finish with a final performance by the group of You, Yes You!, a piece of community theatre developed

by Liam and numerous members of the local community from Dublin 15.”

The next theatre artist in residence will be Veronica Coburn. For the full programme list, visit www.draiocht.ie.

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 7

CHARITY: VOLUNTEERS FOR BALLROOM DANCE CONTEST AIM TO HELP ISPCC

AMENITIES

Residents celebrate 35th year of estate

Strictly training for glam event I LAURA WEBB

lwebb@gazettegroup.com

DUBLIN 15 residents will see hours of rehearsal time pay off when they take part in a Strictly Come Dancing event in aid of the ISPCC this weekend.

ISPCC staff member Carol O’Reilly from Roselawn and Mano Bob from Clonsilla are just two of the volunteers taking centre stage on Saturday, September 1, at the Burlington Hotel for the ballroom dancing showcase.

Over the past eight weeks, volunteers and staff members have been learning to dance the mambo and do the chacha-cha at Draiocht arts centre two nights a week for four hours. In the runup to the show, they will be rehearsing every night

to make sure that practice really does make perfect.

The event, organised

by Childline volunteer Danny Toher, was created to help raise much needed funds for the ISPCC services. In co-ordinating this event, Danny enlisted the help of Let Us Entertain You choreographer Aisling Toher. Dancers on the night will be made up of ISPCC staff and volunteers and other dancing enthusiasts.

Nicola MacDermott, regional volunteer organiser for the ISPCC, said: “We are delighted to support this Strictly Come Dancing event and we commend Childline volunteer Danny Toher for organising the show, as well as the commitment, dedication and energy being put into the event by the volunteers and dancers to make this

night a reality.”

Amateur and social dancers are also invited to take part as wild card entries, and they will have the opportunity to compete centre stage along with the other dancers.

Even people with two left feet can contribute to the night by supporting the cause and purchasing tickets for the event.

Other performers on the night include Riverdance leads Damien Doherty and Marcus Maloney and dance professional Thomas Spratt.

Renowned choreographer Siobhan McQuillan will join Doherty and Spratt on the judging panel.

This event starts at 8pm and tickets cost €20.

For more information on tickets and wild card entries, email nestor.hazel@gmail.com

Game for a laugh: Two friends on a drive to enjoy Captain’s Prize night PICTURED at the recent Captain’s Prize dinner and awards presen-

tation at Hollystown golf club recently were Siobhan Cassidy and Una Duignan. They were part of the packed house on hand to see Ken Finnegan receive the men’s main prize for his exploits on the course over the three-day event while Rita Kearns took home the top prize in the women’s competition.

SHEEPMOOR residents are getting set for a milestone birthday party this weekend, when they celebrate the estate’s 35th anniversary.

On Saturday, September 1, the big party will take place on the green in Sheepmoor with great music, fun games and some nibbles from 2pm.

A mural painted by local children over the summer will also be unveiled on the day.

Events have been taking place throughout the year to honour the birthday, such as a tree-planting ceremony last February and a number of clean-up days in the estate.

The colourful mural painted by the children appears on the wall at Sheepmoor Green. Fingal County Council offered advice, support and funding to the project..

8 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

R1

SYMANTEC Employees enjoy a special summer Olympic

Competing for gold at work event HE grounds of the Symantec office in Ballycoolin Business Park in Blanchardstown were filled with plenty of sporting prowess as the company held a special summer Olympic event for employees. Around 700 took part in a variety of fun games which saw teams go up against each other in the bid to win gold, silver or bronze. The event was also held to raise both awareness and funds for autism with the Charity Irish Autism Action.

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Tommy takes on the bucking bull

The team captains celebrate. Pictures: James Devon

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30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 9

event and raise much-needed funds for autism

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Annette Dempsey and Tommy McShane

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10 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

HEALTH Outdoor garden opened for young hospital patients

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

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

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

Y

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

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

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

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CINEMA Shorts, features, workshops – Dun Laoghaire has it

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

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

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

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

of the underground film cavalcade.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Denise Pattison, assistant festival director at Underground Cinema

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

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

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

“We gave that movie its Dublin premiere and it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, see www.undergroundcinema.com

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 13

RDS FESTIVAL: CRAFT BREWS ON SHOW

FUNDRAISING: OVER €100,000 FOR PET CARE

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

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

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

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

legend Ronan O’Gara.

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

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

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

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

Cheers!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

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

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

Advertising Sales: 01 6010240 email: sales@gazettegroup.com Gazette Group Newspapers Ltd. Terms and Conditions for acceptance of advertisements Reserve the right to omit or suspend or alter any advertisement(s) in any of its publications. We also decline any responsibility in the event of one or more of a series of advertisements being omitted for any reason whatever, nor do we accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement. If your advertisement appears incorrectly, contact the Advertising Department immediately, as responsibility cannot be accepted for more than one week’s incorrect insertion. Responsibility cannot be accepted if the complaint is made more than two weeks after insertion. If one places an advertisement for more than one week and then cancels it after the first week, no refund or credit will be given for weeks cancelled. The advertiser undertakes to indemnify the Proprietors against any liability for any civil action arising out of the publication of the advertisement or any other matter printed or published in the Blanchardstown Gazette, Castleknock Gazette, Clondalkin Gazette, Dundrum Gazette, Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Lucan Gazette, Malahide Gazette and Swords Gazette. The placing of an order or contract will be deemed an acceptance of these conditions.

The local stories of the day

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

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

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

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

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

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

DIARY Dublin’s North Wall Quay.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 15

RENTING Property market slump prompts surge

22-year winning streak

Guide aims to simplify rental journey I ROB HEIGH

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

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

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

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

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

“Even the recent Cen-

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

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

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

GAME SHOW

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteMUSIC MUSIC ELECTRIC PICNIC: LOCAL ACTS SET TO ROCK LA0IS

Dublin’s finest on Picnic’s playlist

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Dublin acts include Cloud Castle Lake, Squarehead,

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

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

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

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

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

couldn’t come at a better time.

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

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

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

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

Another Electric addition, The Barley Mob

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

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 17

GazetteBEAUTY BEAUTY

Edited by Laura Webb

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

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

G

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

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

Here are just a few that we recommend.

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

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

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

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

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

Make up to leave you made up

Embellished pencil

One shoulder maxi

Embellished evening

dress, €79

dress, €109

maxi dress, €134

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

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

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

Littlewoods Ireland also has a great collec-

tion and has a fast and easy delivery service.

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

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

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

This store has fabu-

asdf sdaf sdaf asdf asd

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

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

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

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

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

18 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteBUSINESS BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

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

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

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

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

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

Contact John with your money questions at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: What was your first job?

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

Q: And your first pay cheque?

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

A: Nope I’ve been really lucky!

Q: When did you start your present job?

A: Late November 2011 and

A: Opening the shop before

A: Should probably go to bed

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

far earlier than I do

thing to with design, business or travelling

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

A: New Girl with Zooey

Q: What was your last tweet/ status update?

A: Announcing the winner of

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

our latest competition on our Facebook page!

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

Q: Describe your dream meal?

A: Sushi... in Japan!

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

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

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

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

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

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

opened the doors on December 3

Q: What sport do you follow?

Q: What is the best thing about your job?

A: It’s constantly changing new

mugs in the shop

stock, suppliers, trends I love it.

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

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

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

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

Q: What habits would you like to lose?

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

Q: Who do you follow on Twitter/Facebook?

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

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

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

Q: Where do you enjoy spending money frivolously?

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

Q: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

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

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

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 19

20 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CORMAC CURTIS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Its presence is undeniable.

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

GOT A STORY? TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCAL EVENT, CELEBRATION OR FUNCTION Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com The sheer size of this car demands attention

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

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

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

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

Admittedly it was a much older incarnation, around 1998.

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

thing else – we really didn’t get along.

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

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

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

The Jeep Grand Cherokee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 August 2012 GAZETTE 21

Edited by Cormac Curtis

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

E300 BlueTec Hybrid coming to the Irish market

Overland carries a price tag of €79,050

effect trim.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Driving in it, looking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

matter of fact.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies will arrive in volume beginning early next year.

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

22 GAZETTE 30 August 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Old Ground Hotel in Ennis offering summer last-minute retreats

Unwind in a country retreat in Skibbereen

BAIRBRE NI BHRAONAIN

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

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

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

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

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

Explore

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

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

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

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

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

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

One of the finely appointed rooms at the Liss Ard Estate

enon and Ireland’s first marine reserve.

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

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

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

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

of an adolescent sacrifice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prices start at €135.20 per night.

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

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 23

Edited by Natalie Burke

TravelBriefs

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lough Abisdealy and Lake Lodge

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

Children are catered for at the estate, with various

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

land and lake-based activities

ADVERTISE WITH THE GAZETTE CALL 60 10 240

24 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT

GoingOUT THE PAVILION THEATRE 01 231 2929 Tuesdays With Morrie

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

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

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Am I really that shallow?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deciding that the day has finally come to

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

This does not sit well with Merida.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

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

Groovily glorious gear I SHANE DILLON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The HT-CT260 sound bar and wireless sub-woofer

The VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector

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

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

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

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

However, lots of gam-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bytesandpieces Job losses to hit at Dublin studio?

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

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

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

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

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

GAZETTE

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

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FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission sought for: (A) Single storey extensions to side/ front including bay window, (B) Associated roof canopy over the bay window to extend across to the hall door area, (C) infill of the existing internal porch and to ‘square off’ the existing arched door head. (D) A first floor extension over the existing and proposed single storey element to the side, (E) Conversion of the attic space for storage use to include 5 no. velux roof windows to the front roof area. All at 52 Luttrellstown Way, Castleknock, Dublin 15. For Rosemary & Donal Brady. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

I, Mary Quinn, intend to apply for permission for development at this site, No. 12 Dunsandle Court, Castleknock, Dublin 15.

The development will consist of new entrance gate providing vehicular access off Dunsandle Court along with associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

We, Homestart Blanchardstown intend to seek Planning Retention for an existing Creche facility with a capacity for 29 children at Homestart Blanchardstown ( 162 sqm total) - contingent on previous Planning Reg RefF01A/0467 at Homestart Blanchardstown,10 Blakestown Cottages Blakestown Road Dublin 15.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of Fingal Co Council during its Public Opening hours and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

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PLANNING NOTICE

PLANNING NOTICE

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL I, Kathleen Atkinson, intend 9.30 - 16.30 Monday - Friday to apply for Retention per- at, Fingal County Council, mission and permission, Fingal County Hall, Main for development at this site Street, Swords, Fingal, Co. address, No. 58, Lily’s Way, Dublin (to inspect Planning Ongar Green, Clonsilla, Applications on all lands Dublin 15. The develop- except those lands to the ment consists of the reten- west of the N2), or Fingal tion of existing “Naíonra” County Council, Grove (pre-school through the Road, Blanchardstown, Finmedium of Irish), as grant- gal, Dublin 15. (to inspect ed permission with condi- Planning Applications on tions under previous plan- all lands west of the N2). A ning application reference submission or observation F07A/0881, permission is in relation to the applicaalso sought to change the tion may be made in writing existing operating hours to the planning authority on of 8.45am – 11.15am and payment of the prescribed 12:15pm – 2:45pm to new fee (€20.00) within the operating hours of 8.30am period of 5 weeks, begin– 11.30am and 12.15pm – ning on the date of receipt 3.15pm, catering for a total by Fingal County Council of 10 children and to carry of the Application, and such out all associated site and submissions or observaancillary works. The Plan- tions will be considered by ning Application may be the planning authority in inspected or purchased making a decision on the at a fee not exceeding the application. The planreasonable cost of making ning authority may grant a copy at the offices of the permission subject to or Planning Authority during without conditions, or may the public opening hours of refuse to grant permission.

We, M50 Concessions Ltd, are applying to the above named council for permission to redevelop an area of 0.98Ha to the West of the M50 Motorway, which was previously part of the West Link Toll Plaza site. The redeveloped area will be used for parking of road maintenance vehicles when they are not in use.

The proposed works include full site clearance and site coverage with a hardcore base; security and acoustic fencing; lighting poles; an increase the height of the existing automatic access gates onto the M50; new access ramp from the site down onto the Porterstown Road and all ancillary and associated ground and site works, all at the site at Luttrellstown Road, Diswellstown, Castleknock, Dublin 15 The application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its’ public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

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30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 27

GazetteSPORT

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

DUBLIN MARATHON: TWO CHARITIES OFFICIALLY NOMINATED FOR MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENT

LauraLynn and ISPCC sign up for marathon

sport@gazettegroup.com

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

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

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

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

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

year’s Dublin Marathon.

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

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

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

in the space of just two years.

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

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

Philomena Dunne, chief executive, Laura-

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

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

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

28 BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

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

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

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

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

The book itself is divided into three sections.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paralympic dreams sport@gazettegroup.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010 heralded Scully’s

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

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

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

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

The Ballinteer woman competed at Beijing 2008

and reached the quarter finals of the team event.

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

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

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

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

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

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 29

DublinGazetteNewspapers 2012 DUBLIN SPORTS AWARDS - AUGUST NOMINEES

FastSport

# STARof the MONTH

MOSES IPKEFUA

KATIE TAYLOR

ANNALISE MURPHY

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

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

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

# TEAMof the MONTH

FOXROCK CABINTEELY

LUCAN FUTSAL

ST SYLVESTER’S

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30

BLANCH GAZETTE 30 August 2012

GazetteSport Sport FastSport

Dublin U-18s girls are through to All-Ireland DAVID Dolan, above, claimed the best gross prize from the Hollystown golf club’s Captain’s Prize recently, coming out on top of a field of 72 club members.

He was pictured with captain Mark Lawlor following the conclusion of the three-day competition. Michael Clancy was awarded the captain’s plate while Ken Finnegan took the captain’s prize, itself – the main award on offer.

On the women’s side, Rita Kearns took the top honour.

Meanwhile in the President’s Prizes, Grainne Tuohy was the women’s winner with David Clifford claiming the men’s equivalent.

Corduff seek new O-35s CORDUFF Over-35s are back in training for the new season with training now back to Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 7.3pm at the Corduff sports centre.

They are welcoming a couple of additions to the panel. To be eligible, you must be born in 1977 or before.

David O’ Hara is the contact and you can get him on 085 1128757 or email corduff.fc@gmail. com.

Garda to host family fun day GARDA rugby club is hosting a family fun and open day at

Westmanstown on Sunday, September 2.

The day will include a food and trade fair, with a number of Leinster players and the Heineken Cup being present.

Also present on the day will be Irish Grand National 2012 winning horse Lion na Bearnai together with jockey Andrew Thornton.

The Special Needs Programme, the Westmanstown Taggers, is due to be launched on the day, providing a new home for special needs rugby in Dublin.

If you are interested in this programme, contact Gerry McCleery at ger.mccleery@leinsterrugby.ie for contact names.

SOCCER: PORTERSTOWN CLUB ON COURSE FOR NEW FLOODLIGHTS

New era on the horizon for St Mochta’s as they are raising funds to help continue developments of their Porterstown Park home

Mochta’s Friday night lights I sport@gazettegroup.com

SAINT Mochta’s are looking forward to bringing Friday night lights to Dublin 15 as they aim to install floodlights at their Porterstown base.

Formed over 60 years ago, the club have been based in Porterstown for the majority of their existence and are looking forward to a new era in their storied history.

T he club recently appointed a 17-member executive committee which is currently in the process of raising funds for the installation of a state-of-the-art floodlighting system at

the club’s base in Porterstown, and are well on the way to reaching the required amount.

Shane Nulty, a member of the committee and a lifelong member of the club, is hugely excited about what the future holds for St Mochta’s.

“Myself, Brian McCarthy, Christina Darcy and, in particular, Mick Keating, have been working hard, in tandem with the rest of the executive committee, to raise funds for the installation of floodlights at our pitch in Porterstown, and so far we have managed to raise over €40,000.”

Nulty went on to talk

Hot chip: Kalinecki takes second in Phoenix Park race THE WARD resident Gregor Kalinecki finished second last week in the Phoenix Park races in his new Sportchip Lancia Delta Integrate.

He is pictured here outside the Restaurant Cottage Cafe in Blanchardstown where a night was held for the car’s sponsors, organised by myrally.ie, including other local businesses like Turbo-Tech. The team head to England next week as part of a series of 10 races in the coming weeks with an event to come in Mondello Park.

about some other future projects the club also have in the pipeline, with all weather facilities also on the agenda, if the club has its application for a funding grant accepted.

For the moment though, the club’s most pressing ambition is to raise money for floodlights and Friday night football, and all donations, no matter how small, will be gratefully accepted.

On the pitch, St Mochta’s currently field three adult teams, over 20 schoolboy teams, and also run a prospering academy for children from the ages of four to

seven.

The strength of the underage set-up was demonstrated in the recently held mini-leagues, sponsored by Blanchardstown 4x4, when over 300 children took part.

The academy is run expertly by the experienced Brendan Kennedy, and he is looking to continue St Mochta’s long tradition of unearthing and nurturing young talent, as was done in the past with former Irish internationals Mark Kennedy and Glen Crowe.

The senior team is currently competing in the Leinster Senior League Division 1B, and after a

difficult start to the last campaign still managed to finish in a respectable seventh place.

David Simpson heads the senior coaching team, and hopes are high that, with a better start, this season the first team can mount a serious challenge for promotion.

St Mochta’s football club is constantly looking for new members of all ages, and anybody interested in playing, helping out with teams or looking to assist with fund raising efforts should contact Shane Nulty on 087 6508827, or get in touch via the club’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

30 August 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 31

FOOTBALL: BALLYMUN BEATEN IN DIVISION FOUR

CLUB NOTICEBOARD ST BRIGID’S SAINT Brigid’s club nursery has

ballers. The junior B footballers drew

restarted after the summer break

with Thomas Davis. The inter hurlers

for four to seven year olds and runs

face Finbarr’s in the league on Sunday

every Saturday morning from 9.30am

at 10.30am away.

to 11am. New members and families

The club lotto is on a break for

welcome. Contact Paul on 087 9154748

August. The next draw is in Russell

for more info.

Park on September 6. The jackpot

Great wins this week for our senior and junior camogie teams, U-16 hurlers, U-14 A footballers and inter foot-

remains €10,600.

Our second club defibrillator is now located beside the main entrance.

TYRELLSTOWN WE always look forward to welcoming

There was no winner of the club lotto

new members, along with mentors and

this week. The winning numbers were 7,

anyone else who is in a position to help

15, 17 and 32. Next week’s jackpot rolls

out in this rapidly growing club. Why not

over to a whopping €3,300.

come along, get fit and, most of all, have some fun.

Castleknock’s intermediate footballers took another big step towards promotion last weekend

Castle knocking on AFL promotion door AFL DIVISION FOUR Castleknock Ballymun Kickhams I PETER CARROLL

0-14 0-4

sport@gazettegroup.com

CASTLEKNOCK’S footballers are looking on course for back-toback promotions following their win over Ballymun Kickhams at Somerton last Saturday buoying them at the top of the AHL 4.

The game saw the travelling Kickhams line out in the defensive formation that has brought success to Donegal of late.

But despite the side being hard to break down, Castleknock used quick passing passages on the break to open their opponent’s system up, going in at the half time break with a sixpoint lead, 0-7 to 0-1.

Unwavering in their approach, K ickhams came out with the same mindset in the second stanza, adding a bit more

pace to their attack when they got possession of the ball but, despite taking a further three points from the half, they were well beaten with the owners of the league’s top spot matching their first half tally with a further seven points.

Next up for the Dublin 15 side are Kilmacud Crokes in the first week of September, after which the decisive encounter with second position’s Scoil Ui Chonaill will take place, with the Clontarf men currently sitting three points behind Castleknock with a game in hand.

However, with the big game against their main rivals looming, manager Tom McCormack has underlined how important it is for the team to keep their eye on the task at hand, rather than look forward toward the Scoil Ui Chonaill tie.

“We just need to keep a complete focus on the

Kilmacud game.

“Of course, it’s very difficult to for everyone involved considering what’s riding on the Scoil Ui Chonaill match.

“If we take our eye off the ball for a second in the Crokes’ game, we could be playing for nothing when the next match comes around so we’ve said it to the lads and I’m sure they’ll be focused,” said McCormack.

After only one year in the AFL4, Castleknock have found themselves on the verge of another promotion, and this

must be, in some way, down to the positive attitude of their coach McCormack.

“We wanted to gain promotion again at the start of the campaign, it was the primary objective from the start and it’s exactly the same goal as we had the year before, and we’re on target for it again.

“Everyone involved in the set-up believes we can do it again, and if we do, we’ll be looking for promotion from the AFL3 in our first year too. It’s the only way to play the game,” said the determined coach.

This is vital funding for the club, which helps in the purchase of training equip-

For more information on helping out,

ment, facilities etc. Please keep this

or to register your child’s name please

support going, and you never know you

contact James on 083 4086173.

might just be lucky.

ALL OF YOUR BLANCHARDSTOWN SPORTS COVERAGE FROM PAGE 29-31

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Saint Mochta’s Friday night lights to shine P30

AUGUST 30, 2012

SPORTING HEROES: Nominations for August awards revealed inside P29

GazetteSPORT

Verona’s U-15 side celebrate their success in Sportslink and are looking forward to impressing as their league season approaches

Sweet Harmony for fair Verona Coolmine club prepare for 2012/13 league season in superb style following Harmony and Lynch Cup shows PETER CARROLL

sport@gazettegroup.com

VERONA Football Club kept their relationship with the Harmony Cup in good order, being the hosts of the inaugural preseason tournament years ago, with the U-15 side winning the well renowned competition recently at the Sportslink complex in Santry.

Growing in terms of teams, divisions and spectators, this year’s tournament needed the larger Furry Park venue to fit all parties from the boys, girls and other select leagues that had been put together in conjunction with the Fingal County Council and the Football Association of Ireland.

Tony McEvoy’s U-15 unit found themselves drawn in a group of four alongside local rivals Castleknock Celtic as well as fellow Dubliners Swords Celtic, with Lisnaskea Rovers from the north finishing off the competitive group of four.

“Our club had always been represented at this tournament,” said McEvoy. “Even last year we played the same side, most who were only U-14s

at the time, with the older lads and though we didn’t qualify from the group, we did very well in the shield and managed to get through to the semi final.

“This year, I was hoping for some improvement, to get out of our group and maybe see what would happen from there, so I was delighted with how the lads performed in the end.”

Verona went straight about their business in the opening group game with Castleknock Celtic and despite the local opposition putting in a strong performance of their own, but the Blanch side came out 1-0 winners in a very tight game.

Finding a solid rhythm in the second game, Verona kept the ball on the deck and played like they do best, grabbing a convincing 3-0 result against Lisnaskea who were maybe feeling the effects of their journey from the north.

Swords Celtic couldn’t live with the pace McEvoy’s men put on them either and the Coolmine contingent displayed their confidence and eye for goal that had a lot of teams sweating while the semi-final draw was made.

It was Castleknock again who would stand in their way in the final four and Verona managed to improve their original result by three goals in their penultimate tie, continuing on to the final after a 4-0 win.

Santry-based Woodlawn played with the home advantage in the final but their Dublin 15 opposition were just too good on the day, and a 3-0 win confirmed them as the side to lift the Harmony Cup. “We played very well and we’re obviously very happy with the league fixtures beginning in a couple of weeks.

“The Lynch Memorial Cup was very good to us too, with only the hosts Corduff beating us to the trophy over that weekend.

“Our league campaign wasn’t the best last year.

We played great football, which I believe to be the most important thing, but we couldn’t string results together.

“This year, I think the lads have a great chance of a high finish if they continue to play the way they have in the preseason,” said McEvoy.