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Month XX, 2012 Blanchardstown • Blakestown • Hartstown • Coolmine • Tyrrelstown • Dunboyne • Corduff • Mulhuddart • Ongar

INSIDE: Community Counts Fashion show at the Crowne Plaza Hotel P6

Football:

St Peregrine’s finish AFL6 run with a flourish Page 31

Soccer:

Former Verona player makes Watford debut Page 32

ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES.......................6 DUBLIN LIFE....................11 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................27

Referendum: Minister Varadkar on why a Yes vote is crucial for children Page 8

Connolly slips as site for hospital

 Laura Webb

St James’s Hospital is favoured as the best site for the much-anticipated National Children’s Hospital, by passing Dublin 15’s Connolly Hospital as a preferred location.

According to reports, the unpublished Dolphin Report considers the city centre hospital as being the location that best meets the criteria to be the co-located adult hospital for the

children’s facility.

Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown remains a contender, but the report says it would need substantial investment of human and capital resources and could take several decades to achieve the standards of clinical and research excellence required.

The report’s recommendation on the location of the NCH is due to go before Cabinet next week.

Charity: Raising funds and spirits with pop-up shop The Hot Fuzz Leadership Group recently opened a pop-up shop in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre’s Superquinn.

The group sold many items such as belts, bags, bangles and ties with all funds raised going to

respite services at the Daughters of Charity.

Pictured here are some of the team who helped on the day. The group is open to anyone over the age of 16 with a learning disability.

Full Gallery on Page 6

2 BLANCH Gazette 1 November 2012

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council ‘Patronising’ stance criticised

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Councillor Ruth Coppinger says: “We shouldn’t be lecturing parents”

Walking bus ‘impractical’ for Dublin 15 parents

LOCAL councillors calling for parents to encourage and facilitate “walking buses” to schools throughout Dublin 15 have been accused of being “patronising” to parents who may have no choice but to take their children to school by car.

At a recent area committee meeting, the subject of a walking bus facility - a group of primary school children who walk to and from school, supervised by adults - in schools in Dublin 15 was brought up.

According to Fingal County Council, there is no walking school bus in the D15 area, even though efforts have been made with “several schools to

 laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

encourage set-up”.

A number of councillors commented that parents need to be encouraged to get their children involved, and that they should speak directly with Parents Associations and schools to discuss the benefits of such a scheme.

However, Socialist Party Councillor Ruth Coppinger said she found comments “utterly patronising” that council-

lors think parents need “a good old talking to” about the issue.

Labour’s Castleknock Councillor Peggy Hamill said it was a shame schools had not considered the walking bus to try to promote “healthy lifestyles”: “Parents need to be encouraged. The council can only do so much… parents need to understand it is the best.”

Councillor Eithne Loftus (FG) said she has noticed a drop in the number of people walking to school in Castleknock since the start of the new school term, but said “by nature”, people will take their cars if it was raining and that more parking is needed for schools.

“We live in an age where people use cars all the time. With parents working, they don’t have time to walk their children to school… I don’t know how [Fingal] can promote [the walking bus] but perhaps we should do a better job, maybe we should go to the school and try to promote it.”

Reacting to the comments, Cllr Coppinger said some parents have no choice but to drive to school: “Cllr Loftus did hit on a point, there is a reality that parents don’t have time to walk to school because they live so far away from their schools, that’s one key problem for some

areas. To walk from Mulhuddart to Tyrrelstown, you would be risking life and limb because there is no proper footpath… so we shouldn’t be lecturing parents when the planning system partly created by councillors here has lead to this situation.”

She went on to say some parents in areas across from St Mochta’s school have to travel to bring their children to school elsewhere because they couldn’t get their child in because of catchment restrictions, and parents from Castleknock were travelling to that school, leading to a “car crossing” situation there.

Free music workshop to be held in Blanch library HIBERNIA Academy of Music is offering a free music workshop in Blanchardstown library on November 10 at 2pm.

The workshop is suitable for children and adults, and is an introduction to a host of musical instruments and the sounds

they produce. It aims to give participants an opportunity to listen to the instruments played and even try them out.

Academy teachers will be on hand to answer any question on music or just to see what instrument may best suit par-

ticipants.

On the day, the academy is offering discounted lessons for those who show interest.

Hibernia Academy of Music is based in Dublin 15 and offers music lessons to all ages and abilities. Its teachers are

fully qualified, experienced and enthusiastic, and lessons can be one-to-one or in small groups. Contact 087 645 0549 for further information, or email hiberniaacademy@gmail. com to book a place at the free workshop.

1 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 3

exhibition

loans: plans to lend up to €25,000 set to create 7,700 jobs

Library to host art show

Small firms urged to use €90m fund SMALL local businesses that have been refused credit by the banks are being urged to apply to a new microfinance scheme which is being offered by the Government.

T he €90 million scheme was first made available in the beginning of October, and businesses can apply for loans up to €25,000.

Mulhuddart Councillor Kieran Dennison (FG), who is also a director of the County Enterprise Board, is urging small local businesses to avail of the scheme.

According to Cllr Dennison, over the 10 year lifetime of the scheme it

is expected that over €90 million will be provided to 5,500 small businesses, with the creation of up to 7,700 jobs.

“The Government recognises the challenges facing small businesses which are desperately struggling to stay afloat.

Access to credit has long been identified as one of the biggest hurdles for micro-enterprises.

Target “Through this new scheme we are directly targeting those small businesses and traders who want to grow their business and create jobs, but who are finding that they are being blocked

from credit,” he said.

The local councillor went on to say: “Small businesses play a vital role in our economy.

They are an outlet of innovation and creativity, as well as being an essential source of employment in local communities.

“County and City Enterprise Boards will actively help applicants to get their business cases together, and I am confident that thousands of small businesses across the country stand to benefit,” he added.

Further details about this new scheme can be found at www.microfinanceireland.ie.

What a ball: A night of glamour and glitz for charity in Dublin 15 pictured at the recent charity masquerade ball in aid of St John’s

Ambulance Castleknock, Blanchardstown and Ongar are glamorous duo Ashleigh and Ally Howard.

Up to 140 people from across Dublin attended the fundraising ball at the Carlton Hotel in Tyrellstown.

There was a lot of elegant fashion on the night, and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by all as the guests had fun while helping a charitable cause.

DublinGazetteNewspapers Advertising Sales Professionals Dublin Gazette Newspapers is Dublin’s fastest growing community weekly regional publisher, with 8 titles covering the M50 from Swords to Dun Laoghaire.

We are currently looking to recruit: We are now seeking experienced media sales executives to work in our advertising dept in our Lucan head office on a number of Dublin Gazette titles. Experience in newspaper advertising sales is preferable. Full clean driving licence and own car required; fluent written and oral English essential.

Excellent package on offer to suitable candidates.

If you can work on your own initiative within a team environment, are motivated, enthusiastic with an excellent work ethic, please send your cv to: mmcgovern@gazettegroup.com

DIFFERENT Strokes Amateur Art Group is showcasing their work in a free exhibition at Blanchardstown Library in the coming weeks.

The art exhibition takes place from November 2 to 17 in the local library.

The art group meets every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm in the Huntstown Community Centre.

The local amateur community based art group is for people wishing to improve their skills in the art world. It is open to new members with similar aims who might bring something new and exciting to the group.

For more information, contact Janice on 086 821 0174.

4 BLANCH Gazette 1 November 2012

FastNews

health ‘Feasibility study to establish costs’ Gaelscoil: student Numbers

School post appeal upheld

Dunboyne Castle gets first artist in residence THE first ever artist in residence at Dunboyne Castle Hotel has been announced as acclaimed Dublin artist, Deborah Donnelly.

As part of her residency, Deborah will host special painting classes and her work is being exhibited in the hotel’s Ivy Brasserie.

Deborah’s work has gone global and she graces the walls of art enthusiasts including Keanu Reeves, Pat Kenny and Louis Walsh.

Deborah is hosting her popular ‘Paint & Pinot’ classes in the hotel on November 9 and 10 at 7.30 pm. She will also host her Coffee and Cupcakes class on November 8 at 10.30am.

For more information see www.dunboynecastlehotel.com.

 laura webb

Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty (Lab): “The public private partnership model has been tried without success in Corduff by the last Fianna Fail government”

Road upgrade works have commenced WORK on the Mulhuddart N3 interchange upgrade has commenced, as the council gets set to construct a new two-span bridge and a looped ramp onto the N3.

These are just some of the works that will take place during the upgrade.

The upgrade is hoped to address a number of issues, including removing current queues which tail back to the eastbound N3 carriageway, with the intention to reduce journey time for traffic travelling between the N3 and the Blanchardstown Road north and south.

Further details of the upgrade and a full list of what works are involved is available at www.fingalcoco.ie

HSE begins process for Corduff centre  laura webb

THE HSE is now considering the “optimal solution” for the provision for a long-awaited primary care centre in Corduff, which residents have been waiting some 30 years for.

To assist in their decision-making process, the HSE is progressing a “feasibility study to establish costs” which, once completed and after a suitable location for the centre has been identified, the HSE say they plan to meet with the relevant local stakeholders.

According to a spokesman for the HSE: “Progression by way of direct HSE capital funding is one of the options currently being considered, and the HSE do own a site in Corduff which

would be suitable for such a development,” he said.

In June of this year, the health centre proposed for Corduff was ranked 13th in the Department of Health’s top 200 primary care locations to be delivered, before it moved to number 14 after a revised list was conducted in July.

It was also revealed that it would be delivered by way of direct investment, rather than under a public private partnership (PPP), which could see it delivered quicker than under a PPP. The list of top primary care locations was composed by former Minister Roisin Shortall and her team at the Department of Health and the HSE. “Of the original list, the first location selected

to be delivered by way of public private partnership was Wexford at number 23,” a Department of Health spokesperson said.

“Corduff was ranked at number 13 in June. In that original list, Corduff was to be delivered by way of direct investment.”

A new list was then devised in July by Minister Shortall based on a multiplied effect of deprivation. In that list Corduff was ranked at number 14 and the proposed delivery method was still by way of direct investment.

“In July, there were six suggestions for public private partnership in the first 20 rankings. These changes were made by Minster Shortall’s team at the suggestion of the director of estates in the

HSE.” Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty (Lab) commented on the issue saying: “It seems crystal clear that former Minister Shortall believed direct public funding to build the health centre was necessary. The public private partnership model has been tried without success in Corduff by the last Fianna Fail government.

“The community has waited 30 years for a health centre which is needed and this should be built directly by the government to create employment and get the health centre built as soon as possible – anything short of this equals further delay, something which should not be tolerated by the local community,” Deputy Nulty said.

AN APPEAL to get a second teaching post at a Dublin 15 school has been provisionally upheld by the Primary Staffing Appeals Board, which will consider filling the post.

That’s according to Dublin West TD and Minister for Transport, Spor ts and Tourism Leo Varadkar, who welcomed news that Gaelscoil Ui Chuillinn in Tyrrelstown has a chance of obtaining the second teaching post.

The Minister explained that the Tyrrelstown school required 20 pupils at the end September to get a second post. At present, it has just 14 pupils.

Gaelscoil Ui Chuillinn submitted an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board because it expects a further seven pupils to be enrolled by December 31.

The appeals board have agreed to reconsider the application if pupil numbers do increase.

“This is a positive step for Gaelscoil Ui Chuillinn which now has a good chance of obtaining a second teaching post, to the benefit of all its pupils,” said Minister Varadkar.

“Although it only had 14 pupils by the agreed deadline of September 20, the Primary Staffing Appeals Board has provisionally upheld an appeal from the school because pupil numbers are set to rise. This is a positive move and shows a welcome degree of flexibility,” he said.

1 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 5

6 BLANCH Gazette 1 November 2012

gazetteGALLERIES

The Hot Fuzz Leadership group sold a range of items in their pop-up shop to help raise funds for the Daughters of Charity

charity: hot fuzz raises funds with their own pop-up shop

T

HE Hot Fuzz Leadership Group recently hosted their own pop-up shop in the Superquinn in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to raise funds for respite services at the Daughters of Charity.

The group sold many items such as belts, bags, bangles and ties.

Membership of Hot Fuzz Leadership Group is open to all individuals over 16 years of age who have a learning disability. The group allows members to explore opportunities, learn new skills, develop talents, think for themselves, get involved in their community while having fun and making friends.

Aoibheann, Ailbhe McGonagle, Trisha Enright and Aoife Branigan. Pictures: Una Williams

CATWALK: Community Counts Fashion Show

Puttin’ on the ritz for charities T

HE Community Counts Fashion show recently took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown.

The glamorous event helped raise funds for the Hope Foundation, Concern, and Suicide Awareness Dublin 15.

98FM’s Teena Gates took her turn on the catwalk with organiser and hostess of the moment, local WeightWatchers’ leader Vera Baker. They are both flying to Uganda next month to embark on a tri-adventure challenge in aid of Concern.

Aisling O’Mahony and Laura Byrne

Laura Byrne with her mother Mary

Jack Conneely and John Feighery

Nadya Gaughran and Annalie Conneely

Jerome Moran, Paul Mullen and Conor Howe. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan Laura Dempsey, Marian Rafter and Niamh Dempsey

Maureen O’Halloran, Vera Baker and Teena Gates

1 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 7

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Annia and Stephanie Marsella

Melissa Moloney and Septa Igoe

Valerie McGann, Lieutenant Martin Durkin, Fionnuala Sugrue and Lieutenant Commander Stephen Murray

Adrienne and Leah Mc Loughlin and Katie Ryan

Sandra Howard and Rhonda Dillon

Margaret, John and Jonathan Dempsey

8 BLANCH Gazette 1 November 2012

FastNews

opinion Ballot to protect children from neglect

Pizza bases in competition

PIZZA lovers are being asked to cast their vote for their preferred pizza base as part of an interactive campaign from Chicago Town by Dr Oetker.

The campaign, which is currently running in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, uses interactive posters to allow passers-by to vote between the two alternative pizza bases, Sauce Stuffed or Classic Thin Crust.

Free dog dental check-ups BLANCHARDSTOWN Veterinary Hospital is supporting Dental Care Month, an oral health campaign for dogs, by offering a free oral check-up.

The campaign is supported for Pedigree DentaStix and is dedicated to improving the health of dogs’ teeth and gums.

Free oral care check-ups to dogs are being offered in Dublin throughout the month of November.

Get writing for Fingal festival FINGAL’S annual writing festival gets under way this week with events happening across the county.

Writing 3.0 takes place from November 2 to 10, and focuses on the writing process.

This is the eighth year of the festival.

The programme includes workshops and performances on comedy and improvisation, songwriting, screenwriting, and performance poetry, as well as the festival’s traditional focus on writing and reading poetry and fiction.

Log on to www.fingalcoco.ie/yourlocalcouncil/events to see what’s on in the area.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is pictured (above) at the Fine Gael launch of the Children’s Referendum Campaign with Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald; chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Charlie Flanagan; An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter

A Yes vote will ensure a more child-centred approach ON Saturday November 10, you can make an important decision for the children of Ireland. That date is polling day for the Referendum on Children’s Rights. We will all have a chance – for the first time ever - to change the Constitution for the sake of all our children.

All referendums are impor tant, but ver y few will have the same positive impact on thousands of young lives, far into the future. Most of us are fortunate enough to grow up in a loving and caring environment.

However, the reality is very different for a small minority of children who are abused and neglected. This referendum will offer a second chance to those children, and to those that follow. Ninety-nine per cent of Irish children never come into contact with State care.

But for the 1% that do,

your Yes vote will make a real difference.

This referendum has some simple goals: to protect children from abuse and neglect, to support families through early intervention, and remove inequalities in adoption. Geoffrey Shannon, the Government’s Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, has made it clear: This referendum won’t bring more children into the State care system. It will mean that the right children come into the system.

The referendum sets out clearly how the State can only intervene in a child’s upbringing in exceptional cases. This would occur if a child was being abused or neglected. Any action by the State would have to be proportionate to the risk facing the child.

This means that a proper assessment would have to be conducted in

every single case to find out whether the child is in danger. And because the focus is on early intervention, the care services will be able to address problems when they happen in families, rather than afterwards.

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

‘We will all have a chance - for the first time ever - to change the Constitution for the sake of all our children’ --------------------------

This should help to keep children in the home, and out of State care.

A Yes vote would also remove inequalities in adoption. As things stand, the marital status of a child’s parents will determine how that child is treated with regard to adoption. This means

that even if a child has been abandoned, they can still be denied the chance to be adopted into a safe and happy home.

More than 90% of children in State care in Ireland live with a foster family, and 2,000 children have been living with the same foster family for more than five years. Voting Yes will give many of these children a second chance to be adopted into a secure and loving environment.

Importantly, a Yes vote will allow everyone one of us, and the country as a whole, to respond to all the damning child protection reports. These reports have left us feeling shocked, disgusted and ashamed. Voting Yes certainly won’t solve all of the problems revealed in these reports, and it won’t erase the past.

But it will ensure that in the future, a more childcentred approach will be

taken. Children will be listened to, and their best interests will be central to every decision about their welfare.

I know there is genuine interest in this referendum. I have attended meetings in west Dublin with crowds of more than 200 people.

However, this level of positive interest isn’t necessarily reflected in the media, because there hasn’t been much of a debate so far. That’s why we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

By this stage, a referendum booklet should have been delivered to most households. And we want to make sure that everyone has all the information they need, because we need a good turnout on the day.

So I would urge all readers of the Gazette to cast their ballot on polling day. If we all to say Yes to this referendum, we are taking a very important

step for our children.

Some of those who are opposed to this referendum, those who don’t want children’s rights to be strengthened, claim that voting Yes will give the State too much power. For an answer to that, we should turn to groups like Barnardos and the ISPCC, which work on child protection issues every day. These child protection groups are unanimous in their support for a Yes vote.

On Saturday November 10 we all have a chance to make a difference. By voting Yes we can ensure that we play our part to protect v ulnerable children, support families and give every child a second chance of a life in a safe and loving home.

 leo varadkar Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

1 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 9

sport Teens’ alternative social night

Safe fun at Late Night Soccer Leagues lwebb@gazettegroup.com

THE Late Night Soccer League initiative continues to be a success as it promotes sporting activities in the area while helping to reduce antisocial behaviour.

The FAI, in conjunction with local authorities such as Fingal County Council, youth groups and local community Garda, set up the Late Night Soccer League, which is open to boys and girls aged 13 to 15 and 16 to 21. It aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative for teenagers on Friday nights.

Speaking to the Gazette this week, FAI development officer Paul Keogh said the initiative has really taken off.

“It was set up about four years ago, when it was piloted in Ballymun. The gardai linked

in with it early on, and saw the benefits of the programme – late on a Friday night, [having] youth off the streets and having them all in one place doing something productive rather than anti-productive.

“It was quickly expanded to the areas in Fingal, such as Skerries and Balbriggan – with Balbriggan being one of the most successful to date, with up to 100 youths on any given night. It has grown from one of two little pockets of late-night leagues to a co-ordinated programme – now, it is being rolled out in 18 to 20 different venues across the city at the same time.”

The Blanchardstown programme started over two years ago and it rotates from sports centre to centre in the area.

“We run it two to three times a year, so in Mulhuddart, then it could be Corduff,” said Keogh.

Calling all bookworms BOOK enthusiasts are being called on to go to their local library to find out more about book clubs, and in Blanchardstown Library, there are several such book clubs.

The Wednesday club meet on November 7 at 11am to will discuss When God Was a Rabbit

by Sarah Winman.

The Thursday club meet on November 8 at 6.45pm to discuss The Painted Veil by W Somerset Maugham, and the Thursday morning club meet on November 15 at 11am to discuss Mistaken by Neil Jordan.

Manga class in library A MANGA art workshop takes place at the Blanchardstown Library on Friday, November 2. The workshop will cover the basics of the Japanese comic book art, and will include the construction of body and face, proportions of the body and the facial features. The event is open to children aged 11 to 14 years.

Places are limited, and they can be booked at the library’s reception desk or by calling 01 890 5563.

THE Late Night Soccer League initiative promotes sporting activities in the area

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

‘[The initiative] aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative for teenagers on Friday nights’

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

A survey conducted last year demonstrated a drop in the number of calls made to the gardai during the time the Late Night Leagues were being played across Dublin.

“There is evidence out there that calls have been down 25% in terms of incidents at many hotspots, so the gardai are keen to get involved and keep promoting it.”

Funding is based on sports capital and from local councils, but the group are always actively looking for companies or organisations with social responsibilities to offer sponsorship.

Niall McGuirk, senior sports officer with Fingal County Council said: “The joint partnership between FCC, the FAI, An Garda Siochana and our venue providers has enabled the programme to develop around the county. Late Night Soccer provides a positive sporting activity for young people to take part in; studies have shown it has helped in reducing anti-social behaviour and it gives the youth of Fingal something to look forward to on a Friday night.”

Tyrrelstown for warden scheme T Y R R E L S T OW N N a t i o n a l School is being considered as a suitable location for introduction of a Junior School Warden programme for the Dublin 15 area.

Currently the programme is in operation at Rush National School, and has been there for 13 years.

The aim of the scheme is to promote civic responsibility and pride amongst the participating

children.

The Junior School Wardens are made up of five teams of six pupils, aged 11 and 12 from fifth and sixth class.

They are trained and equipped with specialised PPE (personal protective equipment) to carry out their crossing duties, but they have no authority to stop traffic on the roadway.

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According to Fingal County Council, for this reason, location is “the most important factor when setting up the service” and to date, no D15 school has been identified as suitable for the service.

However, the council’s road safety section is currently assessing Tyrrelstown National School as a possible candidate for the introduction of the service.

Dlr Leisure Services has been using Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on our programmes. We find the service we received excellent and they always offer us good value for money. The personal touch of having an account manager makes our life so much easier. The Dundrum & Dún Laoghaire Gazette covers the areas in which our centres are located. Dlr Leisure Services would have no hesitation recommending the Gazette to others to promote their company.

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 laura webb

FastNews

B e c a u s e L o c a l M at t e r s

10 BLANCH Gazette 1 November 2012

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Singer Mary Byrne

Adam Dalton was top banana in the stands, with friends Mikey Lovett, Matthew Nolan and Jack Dalton

Bainisteoirs kick off in a fun final

W

ITH the continuing popularity of Celebrity Bainisteoir, there was everything to play for when the final rivals hit the pitch at Parnell Park recently, with Roz Purcell’s Newtown Cashel team going head to head with Calum Best’s Moy Davitt’s.

With everything to play for between Tipper-

ary and Mayo, the RTE show mixed things up a bit in this series with its The Rivals, which saw each celebrity paired against a rival celebrity from their own world, so that, for example, X-Factor took on The Voice, with singer Mary Byrne against Richie Hayes, and so on.

Amy Murphy

Calum Best and Roz Purcell. Pictures: Una Willliams

Martina Maheady and Sarah Cruse with Dermot and Karen Washington

1 November 2012 GAZETTE 11

ASDFSDAF BUSINESS P27 P16

SCHOOLS P14

DUBLINLIFE

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools

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GAZETTE

COOKERY SCHOOL P13

COMPETITION: €10,000 FOR OVERALL BEST ENTRY

Uniquely Dublin contest seeks original entries DUBLIN City Council and the Little Museum of Dublin are offering local people the opportunity to win an overall prize of €10,000 in a new competition to find what makes Dublin so unique.

The Uniquely Dublin contest is a search for the most creative demonstration of what makes Dublin so special, and entrants can depict this through any of seven creative

methods of music, film, animation, photography, graphic design, visual arts and the written word.

The judging panel will make a shortlist of 14 entries of two from each category, and these entries will be displayed in cinemas, on buses and on billboards all over the city and will be put to a public vote.

There will be €1,000 for each of the winners of

the seven categories, and the overall winner will be chosen by the public and will have their work displayed in Dublin throughout 2013.

Last week, author Roddy Doyle set the whole thing off by supplying the first competition entry with his homage to the Why Go Bald sign on South Great George’s Street.

George Boyle, found-

er of creative business association Fumbally Exchange and Maeve Higgins, comedian and author, artist Robert Ballagh and economist David McWilliams are among the judges of Uniquely Dublin which also includes and more.

You have until January 28, 2013 to get your entry in, and can do so by going online to uniquelydublin. ie.

Fiona Ross, left, of the National Library with comedian Maeve Higgins, both judges for Uniquely Dublin

12 Gazette 1 November 2012

Gazette

dublinlife Bookmark dates for Book Festival

BIBLIOPHILES across the city should take note – the Dublin Book Festival is set to open its pages later this month.

The festival, which will feature book launches, debates, inter views, readings and workshops for adults and children, is centred around the Smock Alley Theatre in Temple Bar, which historically was a home to printers and publishers.

Running from November 13 to 18, the festival

features an array of mostly free events featuring an impressive array of speakers and contributors, including Roddy Doyle, Patricia Scanlan, Fintan O’Toole, Vincent Browne and Jimmy Magee.

There will also be events for children, with readings, treasure hunts and a cartoon workshop with author and cartoonist John Joyce, as well as literary walking tours of the area around the theatre.

For more information and the full itinerary of events, log on to www. dublinbookfestival.com

french film festival in ifi THE Irish Film Institute will be hosting its French film festival this month, which is set to take place from November 14 to November 25.

The festival will open with Love by controversial director Michael Haneke, and gallic star

presence will be out of this world, with special guests including actress Beatrice Dalle, who will introduce a rare screening of cult classic Betty Blue, and Oscar winner Juliette Binoche, who stars in Another Woman’s Life.

Other highlights include Cannes successes Laurence Anyways, Xavier Dolan’s vivid melodrama of an impossible love story, and the engaging documentary, The Invisibles. The packed itinerary also features the documentary Step up to the

diary

Get a unique view of the literary life in the city when the Dublin Book Festival kicks off at the Smock Alley Theatre on November 13

Plate and the animated Ernest and Celestine.

The festival is supported by the French Embassy in Ireland, the Institut Francais, Uni-

france Films, and the IFI’s principal funder the Arts Council. For more information on films and events, visit www. ifi.ie.

Knitting and Stitching show in rds for dsPCA THE DUBLIN Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has reported an infestation of cuddly mice and other furry little creatures at their Rathfarnham hub as craft-makers flood the shelter with knitted toys for pets.

Supporters of the Knitting and Stitching Show, which takes place in the RDS this weekend have responded ‘pawsitively’ following an appeal by the shelter for knitted toys which help socialise kittens and dogs housed in the centre.

As part of ‘Pawsitive Knits’ campaign, easy-tofollow patterns for cat’s toys - including knitted mice - have been available to download on the Knitting and Stitching Show website, www. twistedthread.com, and at the DSPCA home page, www.dspca.ie.

The knitted toys and coats can be brought to the RDS during the show, or sent directly by post to the Dublin SPCA. T he K nitting and Stitching Show is the largest, family-focused textile and craft event in Ireland.

It is expected to attract a record 23,000 people this year.

1 November 2012 GAZETTE 13

COOKING

Dinner made easy at cookery school  HIROMI MOONEY

AFTER a long day in work, you’re most likely not in the mood to cook up a meal at home. But sometimes you simply just don’t want the junk food option and would prefer to have something healthy, as long as it’s quick and easy to make.

But what can you make and where do you start?

These questions were in my head until I got the answers at the new Robyn’s Nest Cookery School in the Town Centre Mall in Swords.

The cookery school has just recently opened, and is run by mother and daughter Linda and Emma Callan. Linda told me that their cookery school places “emphasis

on relaxed learning and it’s sociable”.

On arrival I was greeted with a choice of tea or a glass of wine by the owners and the teacher for the night, Lily Ramirez-Foran. Lily writes her own blog, A Mexican Cook In Ireland, in which she shares both her own Mexican recipes and her family’s traditional recipes.

She sells many of the ingredients necessary for Mexican dishes from her online food shop, MyMexicanShop.ie.

The menu for the class that evening was a variety of healthy tacos, refried Mexican beans, homemade green tomatillo and avocado salsa served with tortilla chips, and a frozen strawberry marga-

rita to top it all off. Now, I am no Jamie Oliver, so at first all of this seemed impossible to make. But I do know the basics of what to do in a kitchen, so that was a good start to the cookery class.

The class was very interactive as it was a combination of watching Lily’s demonstrations and cooking some of the dishes yourself.

My favourite dish of the evening was the courgette flower and sweet corn tacos. Lily demonstrated how to cook this by frying up an array of ingredients, which included dried oregano, feta cheese and a finely chopped onion. I was surprised by how easy it was to prepare and make these meals. Not only

The impressive interior of Robyn’s Nest, with inset, owner of the Cookery School Linda Callan during a demonstration on how to bake scones

were they healthy, but they were bursting with flavours and very quick to make.

Every week there will be baking classes and

guest chefs at The Cookery School. There are courses to suit all levels.

For bookings and more information, visit www. cookerycourses.ie.

GOT A STORY? Call our NEWS TEAM on 60 10 240 or email news@gazettegroup.com

Gazette

14 Gazette 1 November 2012

dublinlife

schoolLife Get involved with our new Gazette schools pages As part of the relaunch of the Dublin Gazette Newspapers, we are reaching out to all the schools in our catchment areas to become a closer part of our community than ever before.

Schools are the beating hearts of communities, one of the last places around which a community can gather.

We are calling on budding writers and photographers from all of our schools to help fill the pages and, in order to encourage the next generation of journalists and snappers to get involved, we are partnering with Harvey Norman to present the Dublin Gazette Newspapers Cub Reporter and Cub Photographer of the Year awards.

For more details, contact me at rheigh@ gazettegroup.com, or on 01 601 0240.

schools

fair: experiments

Celebrate science in our lives  eleanor o’dea and

erica ryan Notre Dame School

SCIENCE Week is Ireland’s biggest annual promotion of science to the general public. The aim of the week is to promote the relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in our everyday lives, and to demonstrate just how important it is to the future development of Irish society and

the economy.

For the week beginning November 12, Notre Dame School will be running a series of events to promote Science Week.

These events will include all staff and students of the school and surrounding primary schools.

The events will include a science fair, exhibiting a range of projects, and interactive, fun experiments along with many competitions.

Even a soft drink has a role to play in science, as will be revealed at Notre Dame

O n We d n e s d ay, November 14, the Transition Year students will be hosting the science fair in the hall. There will be a variety of different interactive experiments for everyone to try.

At the fair, there will be 18 projects covering biology, chemistry and

physics, exploring all the mysteries of life that you always wanted answered - from electricity and magnetism to the human mind, all of which have an interactive element.

There are prizes to be won, and fun to be had for everyone who gets involved.

On top of all this, there will be a quiz for the whole school to enjoy. We have invited a large number of primary school students from our local area, so it should be a great day.

It’s going to be a fastpaced science extravaganza, and you won’t want to miss a second of it!

1 November 2012 Gazette 15

Gazette

feature

Hot tips to stay warm in an energy-efficient way WITH November likely to feature some belowaverage temperatures as a whole, and the weather set to become progressively colder as we go through the month, the winter chills are here, and keeping warm is definitely going to be a priority.

These cooler periods of weather could be accompanied by snowfall across higher ground, and these are also likely to develop across some lower levels of the country at times – so, don’t think you are going to get away without being affected by the cold

conditions.

Keith McGouran, of Topaz Local Fuels, is well aware of the cold weather, and passed on some tips about energy efficiency at this time of year.

He said: “Our customers depend on us most in adverse winter weather conditions. We understand that the oil distribution business is an integral service all year round, but especially so when it’s colder.

“Our promise to customers is that we will not leave them in the cold, and this year will be no

exception.

“With Christmas edging ever closer, getting the expense of home heating out of the way now will leave you with a clearer view of your financial position come the festive season – not to mention the reassurance it brings that you and your family won’t run out of oil on a truly cold winter night.”

With that in mind, here are a few cost-saving energy efficiency tips that you can follow.

Programme your heat – get a programmable thermostat, or program-

mable radiator control, so you can vary temperature throughout the day, keeping the heat down when not needed.

Service your boiler each year, and improve your overall efficiency by 10% – the benefits of an annu-

al service include a longer life, and the reduced likelihood of breakdown, along with added safety and maximum efficiency.

An efficient boiler creates more heat from less fuel, reducing energy costs.

Follow the 30-minute

rule – set the heating to switch off 30 minutes before bedtime, and set it to turn on 30 minutes before you get up in the morning.

Keep radiators and heaters free from obstructions, to allow maximum

benefit.

Only heat the rooms you are using – turn off the heating when you’re not there, or if you’re going away for a few days.

For further information and advice, see www. topazlocalfuels.ie.

GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 1 November 2012

DUBLINLIFE

Q&A

TARA SHORTHALL, HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE

Setting standards in home care excellence TARA Shortall is the owner and managing director of Home Instead Senior Care.

“Our vision is that everyone should be entitled to remain in their home for as long as possible with comfort, independence, and dignity,” she said.

In five years, the company has proven there is a great need for its service,

working with private pay clients, as well as acting as an approved home care provider to the HSE. Home Instead Senior Care is also proud to be a significant local employer.

For further information, or for a free confidential care assessment, contact Shortall directly at 01 895 0010, or see www.homeinstead.ie.

How long have you been in business?

for their loved one at the right price.

We started our Home Instead Senior Care office in March 2007. My husband, Ken, and myself now run the business alongside our wonderful office team and 100-strong team of loyal, trustworthy and caring care givers.

What makes your business successful?

Firstly, we are passionate about caring for and serving our clients and their families, giving them the opportunity to live in their homes for longer than would otherwise be possible.

Secondly, we are always looking to improve our business and standards of care we provide. Thirdly, rigorous business planning and disciplined cost, cash and financial management.

What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?

We offer a premium home-based care service, ensuring we match the most compatible caregiver to the client’s personality and care needs.

We also work in partnership with our clients and families to deliver care, advice and support at, what is for most, a very difficult time

How has the recession impacted your business?

We’ve grown our business year on year since 2007. There is a growing need for our services, in light of Government cutbacks and the desire by families to get the best possible care

What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?

We have a culture of continuous improvement. In an industry that is currently unregulated with no barriers to entry, we are at the forefront of leading the development of standards and processes in the industry.

We take very seriously our role of “thought leader” in the global and Irish home care industry.

What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?

Regulate the home care market and register all home care workers so there are only reputable and approved operators and care staff in the market, ultimately meaning that vulnerable older adults in our society are protected to the maximum.

How do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn, etc) to help your business?

We use Facebook and Twitter daily with updates and feeds. We use Facebook for many promotions, and special initiatives we are working on.

We also have a blog on our website, and this also feeds into Facebook and Twitter. I have my own personal LinkedIn account, which I am currently working on to reconnect with the large group of great people I’ve worked with and got to know over the past 20 years.

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

When negative equity strikes DID you buy in the boom? Wanted to get on that housing ladder at whatever price, no matter what the obstacles were?

Perhaps you bought an apartment that was more than adequate seven years ago, but you have since had two children and you only have two bedrooms in your apartment.

The biggest obstacle, to date, for young families looking for a larger home is negative equity – that’s when you owe more than the property is worth.

Blackrock, the US company which analysed €100 billion-worth of mortgages for the Central Bank, believes that negative equity is the primary predictor of arrears. Negative equity seems to play a bigger role than even unemployment, which used to be the main cause of arrears.

Moody’s recent report says that loans with high negative equity have an estimated default rate of 21.7%.

The bond credit rating experts expect default on all mortgages to peak at 20% in early 2013, and have calculated that negative equity makes a mortgage holder 1.7 times more likely to default.

“Principle modification” (which is a nicer way of saying “debt forgiveness”) is, according to Moody’s, the only solution, and endorsed by Blackrock.

My view is that it’s not “debt forgiveness”, but “debt reality”, and the sooner we face up to this, the easier it will be for us to take the medicine.

Of the 780,000-plus mortgages in Ireland, half of

them are in negative equity, and 11% are in arrears. If you fall into these categories – you are not alone.

If you are young (under 40), have permanent employment, and you are happy where you are living, then you don’t have a problem. As long as those repayments are being made every month – capital and interest, not interest only – your mortgage will inexorably diminish and, eventually, be paid off.

Even if that is in 25 years, this is not a problem and, please God, values will surely have returned by then, and you will have an unencumbered – mortgage-free – home for your twilight years.

Trouble raises its ugly head when you either a) lose your job, or b) need to move because the current accommodation is inadequate.

So, what happens then?

Part Two continues next week.  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

CONSUMER ACTIVITY: ELECTRONICS FARE BEST

Retail sales disappoint as IT, computing dip 20% RETAIL sales continued to disappoint during the third quarter of 2012 (Q3, 2012), according to Retail Excellence Ireland’s (REI) Irish Retail Industry Performance Review for the period.

The worst-performing sectors for Q3, 2012 included IT and computing (down 19.90% on Q3 in 2011), garden centres (down 8.54% on Q3 in 2011), and photography and camera stores, which were down 7.10% on Q3 in 2011.

The recent digital TV changeover gave a small boost to some industries, as the best-performing retail industry sectors included consumer electronics and home appliances, both increasing sales levels in Q3, 2012

compared with Q3, 2011.

Overall, year-on-year sales levels fell by an average of -1.04% during Q3, 2012. This continued the longstanding trend of falling sales in Ireland’s retail industry, and saw Q3, 2012 become the 14th consecutive quarter of consecutive sales decline.

Speaking at the publication of the Q3, 2012 retail figures, REI chief executive, David Fitzsimons said: “There were mixed fortunes experienced by different sectors in Q3, 2012.

“It is no surprise that non-discretionary sectors, including grocery, pharmacy and hot beverages, enjoyed a reasonable trading period, while the inclement summer weath-

Continuing the trend of falling sales in Ireland’s retail industry, levels fell by an average of -1.04% during Q3

er negatively impacted on ladies’ fashion sales and garden centre activity.

“Consumer electronics enjoyed a buoyant period, helped for the most part by the digital switchover, while computing sales were hit with price deflation and purchase postponement.

“It is disappointing that the quarter gradually disimproved – primarily due to Budget 2013 specula-

tion – indicating that a return to growth is less likely than first thought.

“Home-dependent sectors, including furniture and flooring, and home and giftware, continue to suffer, due to the lack of a functioning residential property market. If matters do not significantly improve in the run-up to Christmas, further failure is assured,” said Fitzsimons.

1 November 2012 Gazette 17

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

MOTORS P22

OUT&ABOUT Never be out of the loop on what’s happening in Dublin! Let Out&About be your guide to all that is stylish, cultural and essential across the city and beyond this week



Gazette

MUSIC P19

Pets DSPCA’s PET of the week: BOA

The cast of the American Idiot musical will take to the Dublin stage this month

music: green day’s american idiot show to rock bord gais energy theatre

From Broadway to Dublin  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

IF you’re feeling the new kind of tension all across the alien-nation, and if you know where that line comes from, the place to be this month will be the Bord Gais Energy Theatre when American Idiot, the hit Broadway musical based on the music of rock heroes Green Day, runs from November 5 to 10.

Dublin is one of only eight venues chosen for the tour of the show, which has won two Tony awards and a Grammy, and the Gazette caught up with one of the stars, Alyssa diPalma, ahead of the show’s arrival, and she explained her journey into the spotlight.

“I got into performing because my mother was a singer in a band called Northern Lights for 13 years. They were

very popular around the New Jersey area, and I used to love seeing her rock out every night. So she and I would then do acoustic duets together.”

Alyssa is of Irish, English and Italian descent, and is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Though she claims some Irish heritage, it’s very minimal but she says that a small drop of Irish blood is better than none.

She was keen to join the show when she saw it in New York: “I’ve only been involved with the show since July and it’s really a dream come true. I saw it [on Broadway] and turned to my friend and said, ‘I’m going to play that part’ and it came true. It’s incredible, but with hard work and belief you can make your dreams come true.”

According to Alyssa, the themes

American Idiot deals with are very relevant to today’s youth. “It absolutely speaks to my generation. Because it was written after September 11, with all the media saturation that existed, everyone was glued to their TVs and afraid to go outdoors. I was 12 years old when it happened so I grew up amid fears and all my memories are of fear and anger.

The show tells us that it’s okay to break through and make mistakes and find your way back to who you’re meant to be.”

Although Alyssa was new to the cast, and not around last year when Green Day singer Billy Joe Armstrong played the lead, she met the band in New York.

“We were back from tour and had some time off and got to meet Billy Joe. He was so kind and humble and it was truly

a surreal night.”

A movie of the show has been mooted on many media websites, with Tom Hanks named as producer. If it goes ahead, Alyssa would love to reprise her role for the silver screen.

“I would audition for it, for sure. I love the character I play [Whatsername], she’s way cooler than I am. She’s very urban and passionate and headstrong.

She’s a freedom fighter and a survivor.”

She regards the show as bringing a message of hope to the audience. “In the final monologue, there is a question about whether it’s the end or the beginning. It’s really saying that as one chapter ends another begins and the next time, you can make different choices.”

Tickets are from €20 and are available through Ticketmaster at 0818719377.

BOA is two years old and as you can see he’s a very handsome chap!

In his own words: “I’m black and white in colour and a very friendly fella who is full of chat and loves to make new friends.

“I was very scared when I first arrived here in the DSPCA, but it didn’t take me long to see that this was a nice place and the folks here were giving me plenty of TLC! “I can’t wait to be part of a loving home and I know I am sure to melt the heart of anyone who takes the time to get to know me.

“I love to follow you around and watch what you’re doing - I am a great companion.”

The DSPCA is Ireland’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity and was founded in 1840. It takes in stray, sick, injured and cruelly treated animals.

You can see more of the animals looking for a home and the DSPCA’s adoption policies by visiting www.dspca.ie/ AdoptaPet.

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 1 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

BEAUTY news

Awear €60

Slant Black

Smoky Layers

Dunnes €50 Farfallina

Pure Luxur y

as us fabrics such . o ri xu lu ly p ee s for €55 dollars with d r from Dunne ze Feel a million la b is th e lik ssories velvet, trims and acce d le lace, fur and el w je h it adence w Add ex tra dec

Get J-Lo’s sexy eyes with the Shu Uemura eyelash range

Debenhams €34

 LAURA WEBB

Marks & Spencer €47.50 Next €81

ONE of the world’s biggest recording artists Jennifer Lopez was in town recently to stage her Irish concert debut, but before the big performance her make up team headed into Brown Thomas to pick up 10 pairs of Shu Uemura false eyelashes.

False lashes are a great way of enhancing the eyes, there are subtle kinds, outrageous kinds and the fancy dress kind, so there is a style for everyone. This week Gazette Style found out just what J-Lo bought, so we can try to copy her eyelash style!

Oasis €TBA

• Three pairs of Shu Uemura Dazzling Diamante false eyelashes. Inspired by Shu Uemura ’s diamond-lined false eyelashes, this classic false eyelash design with a black diamante band helps create a voluminous lash effect, with a delicate flare.

Penneys €15

Penneys €40

• Three pairs of Shu Uemura Farfallina false eyelashes. The triple layers of brown and black tones boast different levels of curls and longer lashes toward outer edge, enabling a natural delicate look and ideal volume on the lash.

• Two pairs of Shu Uemura Smoky Layers, layers of thin black lashes, which add volume to the lash line, creating a sultry eye look reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour.

Next €111

Dune €120 Next €19

• Two pairs of Shu Uemura Slant Black, a full set of dramatic lashes that extend and flare outwards.

Alternating lengths and delicate wispy lashes add a touch of subtlety for a voluminous and feminine finish.

Check these great lashes out for yourself at Brown Thomas.

1 November 2012 Gazette 19

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtaches

Are you ready to grow a mo for cancer research this year?

It’s not music but it is an essential announcement: men of Dublin — prepare for Movember, when moustache is king and knowledge is power.

This is the fifth and biggest year yet for the Irish Movember mission, which is the month to raise awareness and funds for men’s health.

All Irish Mo Bros have to do is simply register at Movember. com, start the month clean shaven then work on your fine moustache stylings for the remainder of the month.

Compton’s latest discovery, Kendrick Lamar, who has released one of the rap records of the year

MUSIC REVIEW: a modern odyssey from the hood

Coming straight outta Kendrick

CONCEPT albums are still occasionally in vogue, though thankfully have progressed out of the prog-rock arena and into a less stratified realm.

Even rap occasionally offers up concept classics, like Kanye’s College Dropout, but few maintain a consistent theme throughout.

That’s where Kendrick Lamar’s official debut release, Good Kid, mA Ad City, diverges from the path. Described on the cover as a “short film about Kendrick”, it essentially and compellingly takes you on a journey through the life of this prodigal star in the making.

A prodigy of Dr Dre and signed to his After-

 ROB HEIGH rheigh@gazettegroup.com

math Records imprint, Lamar takes a microscope to the concerns that fuelled the fury of the breakout album by Dre’s NWA, Straight Outta Compton.

Kendrick comes from the same streets as EazyE, MC Ren, Ice Cube and DJ Yella, but that was then, and this is now... or so you would think.

There is the same aural density and invention on Good Kid that marked Compton out as some-

thing unique in rap at the time - what was, in 1988, an East Coast version of the channelled rage of Public Enemy, but with a call to arms being a real call to arms, not a call to vote and be politically proactive and aware as Chuck D was advocating.

Racist cops, gang violence, the catch 22s and traps of living in the poverty gap with its attendant narcotic escapes - all the concerns from 20 years ago are patently still there for Lamar, and he approaches the description of life and how it’s lived with a dynamic and precise flow and one of the best and most focused productions on a rap album in many years.

Good K id, mA Ad City is easily one of the records of the year. coming close but just missing out on catching the tails of Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange.

The production work by the likes of Pharrell, Just Blaze and Scoop DeVille is exemplary, evoking the journey that young Lamar takes and that is best summed up by the voicemail message from his mother on penultimate track, Real: “If I don’t hear from you by tomorrow, I hope you come back and learn from your mistakes...

When you do make it, give back with your words of encouragement. And that’s the best way to give back to your city.”

All of the money raised here in Ireland will go directly towards the Irish Cancer Society’s initiative, Action Prostate Cancer.

Movember is not just for the boys. Girls can get in on the action by taking on the role as a Mo Sista for the month and encouraging the men in their life to grow the Mo. Amongst some of the men joining the Irish Mo Bros are Irish rugby international players, Jamie Heaslip and Cian Healy, Italia 90 stars Ray Houghton, Packie Bonner and Tony Cascarino.

Gazette

20 gazette 1 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

more

theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929 Port Authority

A young boy leaves home for the first time, a man begins a job for which he is not qualified, a pensioner receives a mysterious package. As each man confronts the significance of these events, they are forced to take stock of themselves, their feelings, and of the decisions they have made. Painting a vivid picture of life in contemporary Dublin, this is a gripping tale of love, loss and family.

November 2 and 3, tickets are priced at €18/€16.

Draiocht 01 885 2622 I, Elizabeth

Dano and Kazan indulge in what appears to be the opposite of skinny dipping

At a vital crossroads in history a young queen steps from the shadows to unburden herself of her many troubles and reveal her innermost thoughts on marriage, succession, religion, war, and the challenges to her throne. But time is against her... Elizabeth I, queen at 25, political phoenix and famously unmarried, she was the most educated woman of her age – but who was the woman beneath the crown?

November 8 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €18/€14.

cinema: Paul dano and zoe kazan star in this offbeat romantic comedy

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 Ride On

A Honda 50 bike-run forms the background of a hilarious new play by writer Seamus O’Rourke.

Five members of the Drumkarren Honda Club are sitting in a run-down shed in Co Cavan, ready to embark on a bike-ride, awaiting the other 20 members (seemingly “stuck” in a pub in Killeshandra).

Running from November 6-10 at 8pm, tickets are €20/€16.

This Ruby sparkles THE idea of perfection is a tough one to nail down, particularly when it comes to a relationship.

The idea of the perfect man or woman is, essentially, a fallacy perpetuated by Hollywood.

The notion that there is a person with all of the positive items on a checklist who comes free of negatives is, quite honestly, ridiculous.

Most people know that, yet somehow romantic comedies still turn great business and Matthew McConaughey still makes a better living than me from them.

In Ruby Sparks, the notion of perfection is taken and turned on its head, and it makes a cautionary tale.

S c r e e nw r i t e r a n d star Zoe Kazan turns

 paul hosford

phosford@gazettegroup.com

in a script that is deftly nuanced, star tlingly assured and refreshingly different.

Kazan, the daughter of screenwriters Nicholas Kazan (Payy Hearst) and Robin Swicord (Matilda) and the grand daughter of Elia Kazan (who directed the seminal On The Waterfront and A Streetcar Named Desire), shows that the talent for writing is certainly a hereditary thing.

Writing her first film, Kazan gives the leads to both herself and her

real life boyfriend, Paul Dano.

The pair are directed

by Dano’s Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Faris, who are helming their first picture since the 2006 breakout hit.

Any doubt that the pair would turn away from their indie roots is quickly dispelled in this tale of a frustrated writer whose latest creation comes to life, as his girlfriend.

Dano’s Calvin originally puts Ruby’s appearance down to a mental breakdown of sorts, giving the film some of its funniest moments.

But, as it becomes clear that Ruby is not just a figment of his imagination, he settles into the relationship.

Of course, telling his cynical older brother

Film of the Week: Ruby Sparks h h h h (12A) 103mins Director: Jonathon Dayton, Valerie Faris Starring: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening, Chris Messina, Steve Coogan, Elliot Gould

OUR VERDICT: THE biggest concern that there was around this film was whether the quirky rom-com had run its course, or whether you could make one without Joseph Gordon Levitt and still succeed. However, Ruby Sparks is more honed in on its darker side and in creating a perfect girlfriend, creates some imperfect characters. If you can get past that, you’ll love it.

(Messina) that he is dating a character he made up is somewhat difficult.

As the pair go through the early stages of a relationship, complete with parental introductions, the film sparkles.

The hope that these two characters can be as perfect as they appear on paper is part of the pull of the film.

But, as the film eases into the third act, Ruby Sparks sets itself apart

from its indie-romance brethren.

As the obvious cracks in the relationship start to deepen, Calvin reveals himself to be not entirely sympathetic.

It is a brave move on Kazan’s part to make her male lead so cloying and needy.

Many won’t root for him as his girlfriend pulls away, leaving him with the option of writing to control her or letting her

excercise her free will.

As he pursues the former, the film comes uncomfortably close to the bone.

Watching two people effectively set out to hurt each other is grim, but it is carried off with enough charm and imagination to cover most, if not all, of the film’s flaws.

In the end, this is less a romantic comedy than it is a study of the nature of relationships and compatibility.

If you could draw up a list of perfect characteristics for a partner, would it match your current beau?

Chances are, it wouldn’t, but sometimes things that shouldn’t work on paper do anyway, just like Ruby Sparks.

And that’s just fine.

1 November 2012 gazette 21

Gazette

GAMING tech: ipad’s ‘tablet-tablet’ challenger finally arrives

Apple’s mini commotion  shane dillon

THE biggest story of the tech week, and one of the biggest for the year, had to be the unveiling last week of the long-awaited iPad mini (or mini iPad, as I’d bet my bottom dollar it’ll be called by most people from now on, but I’ll just call it the mini for the remainder of this feature).

In a move which surprised precisely nobody, anywhere, Apple finally produced its champion to tackle the growing tablet market.

Sure, tablets devices have been around for ages – just look at the bazillion sales of the iPad, and all its iterations, for example – but sales of what I’ll call the tablettablet (or, a more portable-friendly tablet, with a typical screen size around the seven-inch diagonal mark) have grown legs and started making bigger impacts in the past 18 months in particular.

So, although it’s coming a little late to the tablet-tablet party, Apple has finally waltzed through the door and immediately grabbed all the attention with the mini – though

 shane dillon

sdillon@gazettegroup.com

not necessarily for all the right reasons, as I’ll explain ...

Firstly, the mini is very much what it sounds like – a smaller version of the iPad, drawing on many of the legacy elements that made that tablet such a success.

Ranging from a very similar physical style to its compatability with all iPad apps (while having beefy enough power under the hood), the mini is, in many ways, “just” a smaller iPad. However, in recognition of markets that don’t necessarily think that bigger is better, its smaller size gives it a greater appeal for some markets, making it a more

portable-friendly device to take off to work.

With this launch, Apple has finally moved to tackle rival tablet-tablets, such as the Kindle Fire HD, or the Nexus 7, which have been slowly but surely carving out a reliable market share for themselves in the past year.

Indeed, once rarer than hen’s teeth, such devices are now commonplace on Dublin Bus, the Luas, etc, with

eBook readers also quite commonplace, now I could continue, but you get the point – the mini seems like a sure-fire winner for Christmas, and beyond, as Apple prepares to muscle in on Google and Amazon devices.

However, despite its charms, there have been criticisms, too – for starters, its price point, which is notably more expensive than rivals, hasn’t impressed many, as analysts and consumers alike

had expected something more budget-friendly.

Instead, this premium product retains a premium price.

Techheads also noted that there’s little that’s truly revolutionary about the mini, which shares similar specs to the iPad 2, but doesn’t have a dramatic design on its own basis.

Still, despite having an air of “me-too”, there’s no denying that the mini should make a big impact when it goes on sale from this Friday, November 2.

SPECS THE iPad mini shares many traits with its big brother, incorporating a number of legacy features that have served Apple so well. Its specifications make for interesting, if predictable reading, including:

• Colours: Black and white • Available in 16, 32 and 64GB models • Wi-fi (with 3G, 4G models to follow, soon) • H: 7.87in (200mm), W: 5.3in (134.7mm), D: 0.28in (7.2mm) • It’s a notable lightweight, weighing in at just 308g • 7.9in (diagonal) LED-backlit touch screen, with 1024 X 768 resolution at 163 PPI (Note: not Retina-quality display) • Full HD recording, with a 1.2MP front-facing camera, and a 5MP rear-facing camera; tap for focus/exposure controls • Rechargable battery offers potential 10-hours of use • Finally, its price – from €339 (16GB model) upwards ...

Despite being seen by some as a bit of a “tweener” device - lying between a smartphone, and a full-sized tablet device - the iPad mini will appeal to a great many consumers, and help Apple attack their rivals’ territory

BYTES&PIECES

meet the new-new ipad

Suprise reveal of an updated platform SINCE this week’s page has turned into something of The Apple Show – and why not, for a change, as tons of people use their tech – at the same launch of the iPad mini, Apple surprised lots of people with the unexpected reveal of the iPad 4.

Barely half a year on from the release of the iPad 3, the iPad 4 was also revealed at the mini event, with the main difference from its predecessor being its greatly souped-up power, which will doubtless be exploited by developers soon after its imminent release.

While consumers are, by now, used to Apple’s periodic updates of its tech, the swift reveal of a new iPad was not automatically welcomed by everyone, given that the vast majority of people buy such a device in the expectation that it won’t be superseded soon afterwards ...

22 GAZETTE 1 November 2012

GAZETTE

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

DS5 Hybrid4 named Best Eco Car EARLIER this year I drove what was probably the coolest car of the year, the Citroen DS5.

Now to add to its already bulging awards cabinet, the distinctively styled flagship has another exciting achievement as the DS5 Hybrid4 was named Best Eco Car at the recent Scottish Car of the Year Awards, as voted for by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers.

“Out greening” three other contenders to the title, the DS5 stood apart from the competition with its innovative and ecologically considerate drivetrain, which delivers impressive performance combined with fuel and CO2 efficiency.

The advanced, 200hp full hybrid diesel powertrain combines several technologies to deliver outstanding CO2 emissions as low as 91g/km.

John Murdoch, president at the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: “Making the most of every drop of fuel is the perpetual quandary of car makers. Whilst some try to go further by skimping on equipment or driving pleasure Citroen DS5 offers all this and much more.”

The Citroen DS5

CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED FOR CAR AWARDS: A FIELD of 36 candidates for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 awards was announced by the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association (IMWA) today.

The Continental Irish Car of the Year and Continental Irish Van of the Year will be revealed at a gala event in the Convention Centre, Dublin, on Thursday, November 22.

Gerry Murphy, chairman of the IMWA, commented: “In spite of the general economic slowdown, we are still seeing the arrival in Ireland of a lot of innovative new car models brim full of

new automotive technologies and the field of runners for the 2013 title certainly doesn’t disappoint.”

The 28 voting members of the IMWA assess each vehicle, attributing points on the basis of criteria ranging from innovation and safety, to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality and value for money.

“As with each year, the IMWA car jury provide a great service for Irish motorists in helping them to make sense of the bewildering array of new cars that has been launched in Ireland this year”, commented Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland, Irish Car of the Year sponsor.

The Ecoboost engine was hailed as remarkable and won International Engine of the Year with a record score

CAR COMPARISON: FOCUS ECOBOOST AND THE FOCUS TITANIUM X

Experiencing the best of both Fords

 CORMAC CURTIS

TWO exceptional cars came on the market from Ford this year – both very similar, but at the same time very different indeed.

To be clear, I’m not saying Ford just released two exceptional cars, but for me these stand out.

I am talking about the Focus Ecoboost and the Focus Titanium X models. Fortunately, I was able to test these cars one after the other to get a real feel for what each had to offer.

I was lucky enough to test the Ecoboost model for a day back in July when it first landed here – and it was a revelation.

The experience really drove home to me just

how different two individually spec-ed models can be.

The engine was hailed as remarkable by the jury that this year awarded it International Engine of the Year with a record score, and it’s no surprise.

This engine simply flies in the face of accepted wisdom, it is a 999cc direct injection turbopowered engine, but offers a choice of 100PS and 125PS output and is the most fuel-efficient petrol engine in its class, with the 100PS version promising 4.8litre/100km (58.9 mpg) and emissions of just 109g/km, or 22g fewer than the current 1.6 petrol.

The lively 125PS version claims a top speed

of 193kmh (120mph) yet with a frugal appetite of just 5litre/100km (56.5mpg) and emissions also in Band A, at 114g/ km. And it doesn’t half move.

Ford believes that this engine in this car will help keep the Ford Focus as the No 1 selling car in Ireland, and I wouldn’t care to bet against them.

Generally speaking, cars striving for serious economy tend to go with diesel engines, but Ford feel there is a latent demand out there for a petrol-engined car in this segment which can match a turbo diesel for punch and economy, but which is quieter and has less vibration, and the Focus fits that bill to the letter.

The EcoBoost range starts from €21,485 for the Focus 5-door entry level model, rising to €22,335 for the Focus Edge. The EcoBoost 125PS debuts on the Focus Zetec, from €24,235.

At the same time, there is always an appetite for a car that offers the driver high levels of comfort and specification, something that sets it apart from the crowd – enter the Focus Titanium X. This is a model with a distinctively sporty and premium feel.

The new Focus Titanium X provides an additional level of premium quality to the Focus range.

It is available in four and five door models and is powered by the same

1.6 TDCi diesel engine as the Zetec S and has a 95PS output. The Focus Titanium X spec includes the features such as 17” titanium alloys; deflation detection system; active park assist (Ford’s automatic parking system for getting the car into tight parallel parking spots); visibility pack; Bluetooth voice control and USB connectivity; and full size spare wheel.

This is the kind of car that will appeal to a loyal Ford customer who wants to reward themselves with something a little bit special.

This limited edition has been carefully thought out by Ford, and goes far beyond simply bolting on accessories; it is a distinctive and stylish motor.

1 November 2012 BLANCH gazette 23

24 BLANCH gazette 1 November 2012

Gazette

&ABOUT OUT fast

Bournemouth: England’s south coast offers more than beaches

TRAVEL

Spectacular setting for a deserved break

Autumn is not the season for hibernating but a time when Ireland looks at its very best. As one of the country’s most spectacular settings, the mountain resort of Aherlow House Hotel and Lodges in the Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary, has breathtaking views of the Glen and the Galtee Mountains and is the perfect destination for a well-deserved break. Enjoy two night’s accommodation and a full Irish breakfast each morning at a hotel full of character and warmth.

The hotel’s special autumn package includes a warm picnic for exploring the surrounding forests, mountains and unspoilt countryside as well as a delicious evening meal by chef Jose Vega. End your day of exploration with a complimentary hot toddy next to an open fire.

The autumn package at Aherlow House Hotel & Lodges is available from €129 per person sharing. For more information, visit www. aherlowhouse.ie or call 062 56153.

Enjoy some seaside tradition with a twist

 Dave Phillips

Gohop’s got great offers to portugal: Portugal has always been a favourite for Irish holiday makers, thanks to the amazing architecture, sublime beaches and charming countryside towns.

Whether it’s the picture perfect beaches of the Algarve, the beauty of the Lisbon Coast or the breathtaking Island of Madeira, Portugal can offer the ideal break away even during the winter months.

Gohop.ie are currently offering flights from Dublin to Portugal, with four nights

accommodation on a room-only basis from just €115, travelling during December 2012. Travel in January 2013 and spend five nights on a room-only basis from just €295 per person or spend 12 nights in February from just €316 per person. Price includes return flights from Dublin, accommodation as stated in three and four-star hotels and all taxes and charges. These prices are based on current airline prices and are subject to availability and dates of travel.

For more information or to book, visit www.gohop.ie.

British seaside holiday. Once heard, this unlikely combination of words can trigger an array of mental images w h i c h m ay i n cl u d e striped deck chairs, knotted handkerchiefs on bald heads, and a young Barbara Windsor.

But a recent trip to Bournemouth revealed that England’s south coast has left behind the stereotypes to embrace a revived seaside experience that stretches far beyond the beaches.

Under two hours from

London, Bournemouth has long been a popular spot for a break from the city, and with a recently revitalised airport and new Aer Lingus Regional route, it is now a great getaway option for Dubliners.

Aer Lingus Regional run daily flights from Dublin and one immediate appeal of flying direct to Bournemouth is that you bypass the lengthy queues found at larger airports.

The town itself is a unique space and, since its beginnings in 1810,

has been cultivated as a place of bathing, leisure, and relaxation.

A 10-minute walk through the Victorian Pleasure Gardens divides the town centre from the pier and seafront that throng with people in the summer months.

The 12km of beach is kept busy year round with walkers, cyclists, and surfers. A colourful, cutting-edge restaurant Urban Reef serves locally procured food stylishly, while next door Sorted Surf Shop offers

The Norfolk Royale Hotel is just a 10-minute walk from the promenade

Bournemouth’s 12km beach is kept busy all year round

rental and tuition.

From its current ultra-modern and vivacious state, it’s difficult to imagine the Boscombe pier area derelict - around four years ago major funding went into rejuvenating the area.

The idea of marrying the traditional seaside holiday with a more modern and nuanced feel has been carried over into much of the accommodation and food on offer in the area.

The Green House is a popular hotel which sits in a quiet residential area within comfortable walking distance of both Bournemouth town and Boscombe.

It operates a strict eco-friendly philosophy, but refreshingly achieves this in a very upmarket way.

It is enlightening to see the lengths the owners have gone to in order to retain the green ethos.

From the chemicalfree paint used throughout the hotel to the bar stocked with beers from nearby micro-breweries, local trade and business are always a priority and style and comfort are in no way compromised.

T he Green Room, a restaurant housed within the hotel and open to non-residents, is definitely one of Bournemouth’s culinary highlights and features a menu which changes on the organic ingredients available daily.

Right in the centre of Bournemouth town, the Norfolk Royale is another four-star hotel which is guided by a philosophy, this time to embrace its Edwardian heritage and offer guests a distinctly indulgent seaside experience.

Especially recommended are weekend high teas where you’re encouraged to spend the

1 November 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

Travel

fast

TRAVEL

Citalia’s offers for a fantastic winter city break

with walkers, cyclists, and surfers

afternoon relaxing in the sumptuous lounge with tea, coffee, or a Martini cocktail and enjoy enormous platters of cake.

The summer months offer lunchtime specials of lobster and chips, and champagne is half price every Fizzy Friday.

While the sea and beaches remain the main attractions, there is still plenty to see and do on a weekend trip.

Fans of history and literature will enjoy a visit to St Peter’s Church, which houses the remains of Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, along with the heart of her husband.

While being a convenient walkway to the pier, the Victorian Pleasure Gardens also house a tethered hot air balloon, which rises to 500ft to give a brilliant, but potentially terrifying view of Bournemouth, the seaside, and its sur-

rounds.

There is a lot in the immediate area to see, and while Bournemouth makes an ideal weekend break from Dublin, it could also serve as a base for a longer stay in the region.

A short drive inland is the New Forest area, a 56-hectare national park, famous for its wild ponies, which can be explored by foot or by hiring bicycles.

Another worthwhile day trip explores the Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural World Heritage Site, where fossils are common from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Bournemouth is one of the most popular areas in Britain for retired people to settle, but also boasts a growing surf community and an active university population, making for an interesting mix of old meets new.

The result is a place that is at once mature and full of history and at the same time fresh and modern.

It’s this air of “tradition with a twist” that makes Bournemouth a great tourist destination.

Coupled with the regular affordable flights, mild south coast weather, and year-round attractions, it’s a short trip that can offer a far different seaside experience.

Aer Lingus Regional operate daily flights from Dublin from €29.99, www.aerlingus.com.

Rates and information for the Green House hotel and Green Room restaurant at www.thegreenhousehotel.co.uk Rates and information for the Norfolk Royale hotel www.peelhotels. co.uk For more information on Bournemouth and surrounding area www. bournemouth.co.uk

The Victorian Pleasure Gardens house a tethered hot air balloon, which rises to 500ft to give a brilliant view of Bournemouth

WHETHER it’s taking a cruise on a gondola in Venice, visiting the famous sites of the Italian capital or seeing an opera in northern Verona, Italy’s favourite destinations could be the ideal location for a much-needed winter city break.

And with fantastic offers from Citalia by Travelmood up for the taking, the only thing left to do is to pack your weekend bag.

Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks and is a city which is in its entirety listed as a World Heritage Site.

Visit St Mark’s Basilica, take a gondola trip down the Grand Canal and see the Piazza San Marco from just €299 per person.

Travelling on November 17, 2012, the price includes a three-night stay at the four-star Bonvecchiati Hotel on a B&B basis.

Or visit Italy’s capital of Rome and see some of Europe’s most beautiful and renowned historic sites including the Colisseum, the Sistine Chapel and the Pantheon.

Travel on December 1, 2012, and spend three nights at the three-star Augustea Hotel on a B&B basis from just €264 per person.

Verona is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans.

The city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO due to its urban structure and architecture.

Travel on December 8, 2012 and spend three nights at the three-star Mastino Hotel on a B&B basis from just €276 per person.

All prices include return flights from Dublin, taxes and charges.

For more information or to book, visit www.travelmood.ie, or call their dedicated team on 01 4331020 or visit the Travelmood store in Duke Street, Dublin 2, just off Grafton Street.

26 blanch gazette 1 November 2012

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planning Notice Fingal County Council

planning Notice Fingal County Council

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advertise your business to our readers call 60 10 240

planning Notice Fingal County Council National Sports Campus Development Authority intends to apply forpermission For development at this site National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin 15 The development will consist of alterations to existing agricultural barn including demolition of lean-to structure on North side of shed, construction of new external walls, internal alterations, the provision of new car parking on existing concrete slabs and a change of use from agricultural barn to athletic training facility. 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 (€20)within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

16800

National Sports Campus Development Authority intends to apply forpermission fordevelopment at this site National Sports Campus, Abbotstown, Dublin 15. The development will consist of a revision to existing masterplan, permission granted Reg Ref FW09A/0061, consisting of retention of existing agricultural shed and toilet block previously proposed to be demolished, change of use of agricultural shed to athletic training facility, external refurbishment works to roof and doors of agricultural shed, internal refurbishment to agricultural shed and toilet block, internal alterations to agricultural shed and the installation of 8 windows in north elevation of agricultural shed and provision of new car parking on existing concrete slab.

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 (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application 16801

We, Littlepace Developments Ltd., intend to apply for permission for development at Littlepace Shopping Centre, Littlepace, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, consisting of change of use of Unit 2 Block 2 from use as a dental surgery to a café. 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.

16774

planning Notice Fingal County Council We Lituanica Ltd apply for planning permission for modifications to the existing approved planning permission FW12A/0018.

The modifications include only the revision and additions to, the external signage placed to the front and side elevations at Unit 400, Northwest Business Park, Dublin 15. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9.30 - 15.30 Monday – Friday at: Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15. A submission or observation in relation to the Application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee of €20, within the period of 5weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application.

planning Notice Fingal County Council

16807

DataPlex Irl are applying for permission for a change of use from factory unit to data centre, with raised parapet height, boundary fencing and office extension at Building B10, IDA Business Park, Ballycoolin Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20 euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

16799

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1 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 27

boxing P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

dublinsport Let the Gazette keep you up to date with all the best local sporting action from around the city as we cover all the stories that matter to you and your community



Gazette

athletics P29

FastSport kennedy wins handball title:

Sara Lawlor with her Bus Eireann women’s national league player of the month award for September/October

soccer: United’s star striker honoured for her five goals in three games

Peamount’s Lawlor named women’s player of the month PEAMOUNT UNITED striker Sara Lawlor has been named the Bus Eireann Women’s National League Player of the Month for September/October.

Lawlor was voted player of the match when she scored for her club in the recent FAI Umbro Women’s senior cup final against Raheny United.

The 24-year-old has three Ireland caps and was presented her award by Republic of Ireland women’s international team manager Sue Ronan.

Dubliner Lawlor scored five goals in her opening three games in the Bus

Éireann Women’s National League, which sees Peamount top on goal difference from their rivals Raheny United in the preliminary phases of the marquee competition.

Lawlor admitted she was honoured to get the award but felt that a number of her club-mates could have been in consideration.

“It’s lovely to get an award like this but I was a little surprised because lots of the girls played very well over the last month,” she said.

“We were very disappointed not to

win the cup but the great thing is that we didn’t let it get to us and we’re very focused on the Bus Eireann Women’s National League.

“Our next game is on Saturday November 3 at Raheny so we have an excellent opportunity to bounce back and look to maintain our 100% start to the season.”

Lawlor also scored three goals in two FAI Umbro Women’s Senior Cup games in the same period.

“Bus Éireann congratulates Sara on winning the player of the month award.

“Sara has continued her incredible form from last season with some important goals in Peamount’s unbeaten start to the 2012–2013 season,” said Andrew McLindon, Bus Eireann PR manager.

Peamount’s Chloe Mustaki and Emma Cahill were both part of the Republic of Ireland U-19 side that won their UEFA U-19 Women’s European Championship group, winning all three of their games to qualify for the next phase of the competition. They beat Cyprus, Latvia and Serbia in order to advance.

EUGENE Kennedy, father of multiple All-Ireland winning St Brigid’s star Eoin, completed the double last week as the world handball championships in Citywest.

He claimed the diamond masters (Over60) singles title while he grabbed the doubles, too, in tandem with Wexford’s Ned Buggy.

Played over 10 days in west County Dublin, over 2,000 players contested the championships over a host of grades across the fantastic purposebuilt Citywest Arena, where an amazing cauldron of action and excitement was created for the 3,000 additional fans who pack into the amphitheatre style seating for the event.

c o n ta c t s Acting Sports Editor: Stephen Findlater sfindlater@gazettegroup.com

For more information or to send in news and photos: sport@gazettegroup.com Phone: 01 651 6205

Gazette

28 BLANCH gazette 1 November 2012

SPORT

DublinGazetteNewspapers

boxing: neilstown man triumphant once more

2012 dublin sports awards october winners

H STARof the MONTH

Kenneth Egan was one of four Irish boxers to land a winner’s prize at the Tammer Elite Multi-Nations event

john brophy THE Phoenix striker’s recent form with his club and with the Leinster senior league panel was good enough to earn him a first-ever Republic of Ireland amateur call-up, a just reward for his excellent start to the season with the Scribblestown club

TEAMof the MONTH H

Egan lands gold again in Finland  sport@gazettegroup.com

kilmacud crokes THE Glenalbyn club bridged a 27-year gap to claim the Dublin senior hurling championship in excellent style. They came within one step of a rare double as the club’s senior footballers fell at the last hurdle in the Dublin county final on Monday evening

NEILSTOWN’S Kenneth Egan claimed his fifth gold medal in five tournaments on Finnish soil as he was one of four Irish winners at the 33rd Tammer Elite Multi Nations.

The 2008 Olympic silver medallist was joined on the winning rostrum by David Oliver Joyce, John Joe Joyce and Conrad Cummings while Con Sheehan and Ross Hickey took home silver from an exceptional team performance.

For Egan, it completed the

hat trick of wins over the hosts at the expense of Tomi Honka.

The 10-time Irish elite champion, boxing well within himself, was rarely troubled in this lightheavyweight decider en route to a 16-8 decision.

It followed earlier wins over England’s Lawrence Osueke in the quarter-finals tonight to book his ticket into the semi-finals where he met Finland’s Niklas Räsänen who he duly beat by 10-points.

“The entire squad boxed superbly all week and it is fantastic to be taking home four gold

and two silver medals in our first Elite tournament since the Olympic Games in London, he said.

“Overall, the entire squad produced some fantastic displays – young Michael Nevin also won one bout here – and we’re delighted with their performances.”

Talented Portlaoise BC prospect Michael Nevin – appearing in his first Elite tournament – won one bout for Ireland in Tampere.

D av i d O l i ve r J o y c e a l s o scooped the Best Boxer Award in Finland.

O’Conaill lands European and London Open wins  peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy’s Darragh O’Conaill celebrates his victory at the London Open

DARR AGH O’Conaill, Ireland’s youngest brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, continued his fantastic recent form by claiming two gold medals in the middleweight division – one at the London Open and the other at the Nogi European Championships, which was also held in the English capital.

As well as his personal glory, O’Conaill’s East Coast Jiu Jitsu Academy - based in Dun Laoghaire - took another haul

of medals as Dean Barry and Stephen Byrne took gold, John Sheridan won four more including one silver and Marcus Phelan and Daniel Ha claimed bronze honours too.

O’Conaill, who had been eyeing these tournaments all year shared his disappointment that the challenge was over.

“I’ve just been building up to this tournament all year,” said the European champion. “Every training session and every competition was just a warm up for this and now that it’s over I’m genuinely sad.

“It’s a strange feeling that I haven’t had before, I loved every second of action in the matches and I could see a huge improvement in my game when I faced off against some people that I had fought before.”

Now in preparation for the Nogi World Championships in Los Angelos, O’Conaill is in confident mood, despite the organisation of accommodation still being left up in the air for the Dun Laoghaire coach.

“I’ve been in great form all year and I think I’ll be able to keep it up. To stay there, I’ve

been enquiring with friends of friends – a life of competing is an expensive one to live,” he said.

With his constant jet setting and his commitment to his students competing, O’Conaill believes that jiu jitsu is his calling and the 25-year-old believes he is going some way to turn his lifestyle into a career.

“If I wasn’t competing so much, I would be living comfortably. It’s just an expensive sport, but what I’m trying to do at ECJJA is allow people to make the sport their career.”

1 November 2012 BLANCH gazette 29

Local runners produced a series of superb runs at the Dublin marathon last Monday with athletes from DSDAC and Rathfarnham AC medalling in the Irish championships IT WAS something of a family affair for Maria McCambridge, the former Dundrum South Dublin AC runner, as on the day she claimed the women’s Woodie’s DIY Irish national marathon title on the streets of Dublin her 17-month-old son Dylan completed his first marathon.

He was pushed around the track in a buggy by her husband Gary for the entire 26.2 mile route, albeit three hours slower than McCambridge’s time, a personal best of 2.35.28, one second better than the time she produced in Paris in 2009.

It was good enough for seventh place overall for

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

the 37-year-old and created a new record for any Irish woman in the Dublin marathon, bettering Sonya O’Sullivan’s time from 2000.

Speaking about the race in its aftermath, McCambridge – who has run in Letterkenny AC colours for the past couple of seasons since relocating there – explained that it was a “very satisfying” outcome in the wake of a tough year

that saw her miss out on a place at the Olympic Games despite achieving the qualifying time.

“As soon as the Olympics weren’t on, for me, I just put it behind me, and put my head down in preparation for this,” she said.

“So it is very satisfying, and that’s the great thing about being a runner – there’s always another race. It’s not the Olympics but I’m delighted,” added McCambridge.

Barbara Sanchez, (Raheny Shamrock AC) took the silver medal in 2.42.10 and Pauline Curley, (Tullamore Harriers) took bronze in 2.45.49. The women’s race in Dublin was won

Maria McCambridge, left, with her son Dylan and Georgina Drumm

by Magdaline Mukunza of Kenya in 2.30.47.

On the men’s side, Rathfarnham AC proved one of the stand-out clubs on the day as Sean Hehir took second in the men’s Irish national title while club mate Barry Minnock claimed third

Dublin team categories as Brian Furey also ran well to finish in 2.33.06 to finish 27th overall.

The men’s race, from an Irish perspective , was won by Paul Pollock who had earlier raised much cheer when he raced into the overall lead eight

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‘That’s the great thing about being a runner. There’s always another race. It’s not the Olympics but I’m delighted’ - Maria McCambridge

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place.

It laid the base for the club’s ultimate success in both the national and

miles into the marathon.

The Annadale Striders runner had to settle for ninth place in the end as Kenyan and Ethiopian runners dominated the event won by defending champion Geofrey Ndungu of Kenya in 2.11.09.

This was a big breakthrough performance though for Pollock who won the Woodie’s DIY national Titleincorporated in the Dublin event in 2.16.30, the fastest time in Dublin by an Irish athlete in 13 years.

Both Paul Pollock and Maria McCambridge now plan on turning their attention to cross country. Both athletes have ambitions to gain selection on the Irish teams for the European Cross Country Championships in Budapest in December.

Gazette

Marathon success for local runners

FastSport

Glenn Whelan at last year’s launch

Late night leagues back in action in November FRIDAY Night late night soccer leagues will kick off on November 2 across Fingal.

Open to boys and girls aged 13 to 15 and 16 to 21, the games will take place in Corduff Sports Centre, Round Tower, Lusk; Skerries Community Centre, Rivervalley Swords and Glebe North FC Balbriggan, on Fridays from 9pm to 11pm.

The leagues will run for five weeks with the winners from each group qualifying for the Dublin finals, which will be held in early December.

The Late Night League (LNL) is a fivea-side tournament that has taken place in numerous venues around Fingal over the last number of years and has proven very successful.

It is run in conjunction with local authorities, youth groups and Community Garda policing units, and aims to provide a safe, fun and healthy social alternative to teenagers on Friday nights.

Niall Mc Guirk, senior sports officer with Fingal County Council added “The joint partnership between Fingal County Council’s sports office, the FAI, An Garda Síochána and our venue providers has enabled the programme to develop around the county.

“Late Night Soccer provides a positive sporting activity for young people to take part in; studies have shown it has helped in reducing anti-social behaviour and it gives the youth of Fingal something to look forward to on a Friday night.”

Interested participants just need to turn up on the night to register their interest and there’s no cost to participate.

For further information on the Late Night League initiative, or any football programmes, contact the local FAI development officer: Balbriggan/Lusk/Skerries area - Paul Keogh (FAI) T: 086 044 4435 E: paul. keogh@fai.ie; Blanchardstown Area – Sharon Boyle (FAI) T: 087 132 3260 E: sharon. boyle@fai.ie; Swords area – Mick Pender (FAI) T: 087 127 3258 E: mpender@fai.ie.

Gazette

30 blanch Gazette 1 November 2012

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: corduff continue unbeaten run in the AUl

Dublin clubs encouraged to get involved in FAI awards DUBLIN’S football clubs are being encouraged to get involved and put themselves forward for the Aviva club of the month competition that was launched last week in Dublin by Irish internationals David Meyler and former Portmarnock AFC, Stephen Ward.

The overall club of the year award was won

by St Joseph’s Boys in 2008, with monthly awards going to Rivervalley Rangers FC (2006), Peamount United (2008), Crumlin United (2008), Skerries Town (2008), Firhouse Carmel FC (2009), Esker Celtic FC (2009), St Paul’s FC (2010) and Kilbarrack United (2012).

The awards have become the benchmark for how clubs are performing up and down the country and are run from October through to May with a different club selected every month, receiving €1,500 to assist in their overall development.

Each of the monthly winners then goes forward as finalists to the club of the year which is chosen at the FAI Festival of Football and AGM. The clubs will then have a final opportunity to submit presentations on their clubs to the judging panel before the winner of the club of the year is announced and a cheque of €5,000 presented.

The judging panel for the award, which is headed up by Donal Conway, chairman of the FAI underage committee, includes representatives from FAI club development, Dublin City Council and Aviva, select the winners based on six different criteria including administration, coaching, participation numbers, performance and contribution to the community.

The FAI’s John Delaney said of the scheme: “Since its inception eight years ago, it has been clear that the importance of the Aviva club of the year award comes from the fact that it reaches out to the football family all across Ireland.

“It provides our clubs with an incentive to improve and a reward for the efforts of many fantastic volunteers to make their clubs better.

Each winner of the Aviva club of the year award has been justly proud of a fabulous achievement and the FAI places great value on the award.”

More information about the Aviva club of the month awards and details on how to submit an entry are available of www.FAI.ie and www.

Aviva.ie/localsports

Corduff’s Premier B side have now gone two months since their last league setback following some excellent recent results

Duff thrash Dingle aul premier b Corduff Dingle United  peter carroll

3 0

sport@gazettegroup.com

THE CORDUFF seniors have bolstered their chances of getting back into the top flight of the AUL, remaining unbeaten since August with another win last Friday over Dingle United who they beat convincingly 3-0, with all of the goals coming in the second half on a cold night in the ITB grounds.

There was no lack of commitment to the cause as Corduff put

their opposition on the back foot from the first whistle. Six attempts that smashed the bar and an outstanding performance from the United goalkeeper had Dublin 15 manager Keith Mooney scratching his head as the two sides went in level at half time.

With nothing really to change as far as the Blanchardstown side’s approach was concerned, once again the side attacked from the beginning of the second instalment, but this time they enjoyed some fruits for their labour.

Coolmine swimming Local coach Creedon excels in open water Eamonn Coghlan was on hand last week-

end at Coolmine swimming pool to present club coach Afric Creedon with the Dun Laoghaire Harbour race first prize which she won last month in a time of 44.15 minutes.

The presentation took place in conjunction with the Coolmine SC’s annual Halloween gala where the majority of the club’s 100 youth members took part in a series of races.

Paul McCullough broke the parity on 55 minutes for Corduff, but not before Jay Morgan gave the bar another rattling when he got on the end of a Robert Burke pass. McCullough got on the end of a loose ball and finished to give the home side the edge.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Paul Power, a man who has been with the club since nursery, dinked the ball over the flailing United stopper with a deft touch from the creative midfielder.

Eighty minutes were on the clock when

Corduff finished their scoring, and this time it was substitute Larry Harmon, brought on for Burke, who volleyed home a spectacular effort that rooted into the top corner after getting on a cross that zipped in from the left hand side.

Speaking after the game, manager Mooney seemed confident of his team’s chances of bouncing back up to the Premier A league.

“The objective at the start of the year was to go straight back up, and we can certainly do it the way we’ve been playing. The work from John

McGuinness, Sammy Donnelly and Declan Quinn has helped a lot and we’ve put some results together.

“We have a few games in hand because we were playing in all of the cups.

“Obviously we want to do well in the likes of the FAI Junior Cup, but I’d prioritise the promotion over any Cup. “Collinstown are the last team to beat us back in August, they’re a great team but I don’t think they’ll get the same result against us when we play them at home next time,” said Mooney.

1 November 2012 blanch Gazette 31

Gazette

ASDFASDSAF Brigid’s minors ease past Ballinteer Club Noticeboard  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST BRIGID’S minor A footballers put in a superb team performance in their championship to defeat Ballinteer in a must win game away in Marlay Park last Sunday.

They got off to a great start to the game with a well taken goal by Kieran O’Sullivan setting the

foundations of a dominant Brigid’s performance.

This was followed up with some excellent points by Mark Kavanagh, Keelan McAnerin, James O’Reilly, Liam Campbell and Fiachra O’Meara to give Brigid’s a half time lead of 1-7 to 0-3.

Ballinteer responded

in the second half with a goal of their own but the Russell Park men gave a great display of team tacking to turn over the ball numerous times, led in part by the excellent Eoin Kyne.

Vital scores in the second half then came from O’Reilly, Campbell and O’Meara to seal victory with a 1-12 to 1-4 final

scoreline. St Brigid’s will complete the group stage of this competition against Naomh Barrog on Sunday, November 11.

St Brigid’s: K Mc Govern, R Fox,

st brigid’s GREAT wins this week for our junior

Contact Paul on 087 9154748 or see the

hurlers in the league, U-14B hurlers

website for more info.

in their league final and to our minor

A new GAA show featuring a weekly

footballers who beat Ballinteer in the

Brigid’s round-up every Monday

A championship.

evening is on Phoenix FM at 7.30pm.

C Murray, C Hawkes, M McDonald,

Several important fundraising

The club lotto is €12,400 this week and

E Kyne, S O’Malley, M Kavanagh,

events coming up: November 9 – wine

takes place in Myo’s on Friday evening.

C Dolan, J O’Reilly, F O’Meara, K

quiz night and November 16 – race

Plenty of important games this week

McAnerin, K O’Sullivan, L Camp-

night. Tickets now available from

with our U-14 and U-16 camogie girls’

bell, B O’Malley.

Michelle at stbrigidsgaa.treasurer@

championship finals on Saturday, while

gmail.com for the wine night or from

our U-16 hurlers are also in champion-

Tim O’Mahony for race night.

ship final action on Saturday.

football: blakestown club soard into afl5

Please make sure you support each

Our U-21 hurlers also face OPER on

event. St Brigid’s GAA Club Nursery

Saturday in round one, see website

for four-to seven-year-olds runs

for more. Our club AGM takes place on

every Saturday from 9.30am to 11am.

November 25; nominations/motions

New members and families welcome.

must be in by November 3.

saint peregrine’s WELL done to all connected to the

The Penguin Ball is on December 8 in

last Sunday, defeating Finbarr’s in

the Carlton Hotel; tickets are €50 and

their final game to clinch the title, just

deposits need to be paid asap to Lor-

rewards for all the hard work during

raine, Ciaran or Fiona.

the year.

available. Details and contacts are on

who lost out to Clanns in a great league

the club website CNP.ie. Follow us on

final; the girls were brilliant and will be

Twitter @peregrinesgaa. Entertain-

back stronger next year.

ment this Sunday comes from Desire.

semi final against St Mary’s this Saturday at 3pm in Hartstown Park.

Friday, November 9 is Player’s Night;

Perergrine’s Harte praises huge effort  peter carroll sport@gazettegroup.com

ST Peregrine’s chairman, Paul Harte heralded the “fantastic achievement” of the AFL6 league winners, both players and coaching staff, as the club have gone one step further to completing their goal for their football scheme – one team representing the club at junior level, another at intermediate and another senior level.

Gaining promotion two weeks ago with a victory over St James Gaels, the Blanchardstown side claimed the

league title with a win over St Finbarr’s last weekend.

Set to play AFL5 ball next year, the team are now one league away from intermediate competition and manager Robbie Keogh’s belief that the side can gain another immediate promotion has been echoed

by Harte.

“We’re looking forward to a big year next year, and the lads are very enthusiastic and capable of gaining back to back promotions.

“We were in that league for nine or 10 years and I think we’ve

come third on three occasions – it was vital we got out.

“We had a division 10 team a few years back now, and they were stuck in a similar situation for years. Eventually when they won the league, they went on to gain promotion from the ninth division the year after so I have every faith,” said Harte.

T he Blakestow n boss also commended the work of the “brilliant” coaching team of Bernard Owens, John Nolan, Declan Patton and managerial debutant Robbie Keogh.

“There was a lot of work done toward this brilliant achievement.

Declan Patton from Donegal came in recently and his defensive subtleties helped the side no end. Bernard is one of the longest serving managers at the club, a great servant and John Nolan came up from the minors and made a big difference.

“Robbie, in his first year as part of the managerial set-up, was very good. He worked so hard for the team and he went out of his way to help the cause,” he said.

Our club shop vouchers are now

Hard luck to our senior camogie side

The U-13 footballers have a League

Conor Mackey and Ben Keyes celebrate with the AFL division six trophy last weekend

the night from Dakota 5.

junior A footballers on winning AFL6

all members welcome and music on

Bingo continues this Wednesday at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,000.

Ladies night this Wednesday, music from Mr Hollywood games and prizes on the night.

garda/westmanstown THE end of year fund-raising event takes place on Saturday, December 8 from 7.30pm.

All club members are required to

weekend against Ballyboden.

The U-12 girls play in a blitz competition hosted by Na Fianna on November 4.

get at least one minor sponsor for

Congratulations to Paul Curran

the night. The deadline is November

and his Ballymun Kickhams charges

10. Good luck to the U-14 boys play-

for their Dublin county final win and

ing in their divisional semi-final next

good luck in Leinster.

castleknock THE club’s nursery is run every Sat-

And hopefully they can keep up

urday in Tir Na nOg, the green out-

that winning habit in their poten-

side Castleknock Community Col-

tial league decider against Scoil Ui

lege, at 10am, and we would like to

Chonaill in Somerton next Saturday

welcome all new players and families

afternoon.

to join in.

Another very successful weekend for both minor football teams, with

Throw in time is to be confirmed during the week and, as always, all support is very welcome.

the first team getting a good win

Our U-13 girls are also in the cam-

against Naomh Barrog in Somer-

ogie division one final at 1.30pm this

ton, and the second team securing a

Sunday in Trinity Gaels.

place in the quarter-final with a good win away to Scoil Ui Chonaill.

This is the first team from Castlekock to reach a division one final in

Our intermediate footballers also

camogie with many more to come.

kept their provincial hopes alive with

They will play Lucan in a repeat of the

a good win against Kilmacanogue of

opening group game. Please support

Wicklow.

the girls.

GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 27-31

november 1, 2012

peregrine’s grin: Blakestown club presented with Dublin marathon delight: Annual race around the city the AFL6 silverware after big Finbarr’s victory P31 sees local runners star P29

Former Verona FC player Connor Smith in Watford colours recently - he made his full debut for the Vicarage Road side last weekend. Picture: watfordfcpics.co.uk

Home-grown Hornet Former Verona star Connor Smith graduates again as he makes full debut for Watford FC in the Championship after journey from Grove Rd  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

Former Verona Football Club player, Connor Smith, made his full debut for Watford last weekend in a 1-0 loss for the Hornets when they travelled to Blackburn Rovers in an N-Power Championship clash at Ewood Park.

Smith, who grew up close to the Blanchardstown club in Mulhuddart, played for Verona from U-8 level to U-12 under manager Dave Perdisat before moving with his family to Mullingar, where he continued to pursue his ambition to become a professional football player.

When Smith appeared on Sky One’s reality TV show, Football’s Next Star, the young Irish

teen’s talent was clear to see, and he donned the famous black and blue stripes of Inter Milan as part of the show, scoring regularly and keeping himself in the running right until the end.

Former manager Perdisat remembered the young talent immediately when he saw him on the television programme, and claims he always knew that the talented 19-year-old had what it takes to reach a high level in the beautiful game.

“As soon as I saw him on the television, I knew it was him,” said Perdisat. “He was a fantastic talent, even at a young age. He played as a centre forward or as an attacking midfielder in my team, and I’m happy to see he is still used in a similar role at Watford.

“Connor made numerous appearances for the [Verona] team and he scored plenty of goals.

He stood out in comparison to a lot of the players he was playing with and against, and it’s no real surprise that he’s gone on to do so well for himself.”

After the reality TV show, Smith went on to be signed by Watford. Perhaps not quite ready for the championship pace, the teenager was loaned to the local north London side, Wealdstone, where he assisted the team during a fantastic unbeaten run, scoring three goals along the way.

Capped at U-17 and U-19 for the Republic of Ireland, Smith made his debut for the Hornets in August of this year when he came off

the bench in place of Sean Murray and, having now clocked a full appearance, the future looks bright for the young Irishman.

Speaking on behalf of Verona Football Club, coach Ann Colgan spoke of the club’s pride in the heights that Connor has reached and how all at Verona hope that his achievements will go on to inspire a new breed of Irish internationals.

“We are all delighted here at Verona,” said Colgan. “Connor is a fantastic talent and having shown great development in his early years training at our club, it’s no surprise that he’s gone on to play professionally.

“Verona wish Connor all the best in the future and we hope that he will inspire local children from the area to get into the game.”