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October 1-7, 2015

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castleknock • Blakestown • Hartstown • Tyrrelstown • Laurel Lodge • Corduff • Mulhuddart • Ongar

INSIDE: Actress Amy Huberman is calling on students to get involved in annual drama awards See P14

what’s the craic, mack? Theatre legend Michael Ball returning to Dublin Page 16

What’s in a name?

Cafe culture kids line up for coffee Hurling:

Plunkett’s land Senior B hurling championship Page 31

no Name Club members Katie Lambert, Sarah Murray, Niamh Murray and David Bergin are pictured at a recent community festival to mark the opening of a youth cafe at the Castleknock Community Centre. The centre is already home to the No Name Club for teenagers and a Foroige club for younger people and the new addition was warmly welcomed.

See Gallery on Page 10

Soccer:

Corduff run up remarkable SFAI Cup win Page 30

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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28

Cash puts bloom into Shackleton’s Gardens Plan valued at €415,000 kicks in after council takes on facility

 Keith Bellew

Fingal County Council will take ownership of Shackleton’s Gardens in Clonsilla in the coming weeks.

A redevelopment plan wor th an estimated

€415,000 is expected to begin soon after.

The gardens were once ranked among the top four gardens for herbaceous borders in Britain and Ireland, but fell into disrepair in recent years.

This plan will see them

restored to their former glory and reopened to the public.

It is hoped that the gardens will be a major tourist attraction, for their links to famous explorer Ernest Shackleton.

Chairman of the Fingal

tourism strategy Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) said the council has been looking to take charge of the gardens for years and he is glad that the long, slow process is now over.

Full Story on Page 4

2 BLANCH Gazette 1 October 2015

competition: trip of a lifetime for local man

parks ‘Parents have to drive kids there’

Brian has a ball in Wales  Keith Bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

Castleknock man Brian Byrne recently returned from the trip of a lifetime to the Millenium Stadium in Wales where he watched Ireland dispatch Canada in their group stage clash in the Rugby World Cup. He won the trip courtesy of Heineken and TV3 after competing in a competition on TV3’s Rugby World Cup show Sin Bin. Byrne said that he got into rugby a number of years ago during Munster’s victorious Heineken cup campaign but hadn’t been to see a game live due to the expense.

“My partner at the time said she’d love to go over to Wales to watch one of the Ireland matches and I said it was too expen-

sive,” he said.

He went on to say he was thrilled with the trip and that there were so many more perks and add-ons than he expected.

“T he people from Heineken really looked after me. Food, flights, everything was perfect,” he said.

He said the highlight of the trip was meeting Ireland skipper, Paul O’Connell, even though he didn’t get much face time with him.

“It was right before the match so he had to go back to the changing room and give his team talk. He was really nice and polite, he shook my hand and stood there for photographs as well.

I didn’t want to bother him too much before the match because he would be trying to focus,” he said.

Riverwood playground in the Castleknock ward was provided by the developer as part of the planning permission conditions

O’Gorman calls for more playgrounds in Dublin 15 the council has said that all developments exceeding 50 units are required to incorporate children’s play facilities into their planning application.

This follows calls from Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) for more small scale local playgrounds to be located around the Dublin 15 area.

He made these calls in the context of the public consultation for the Fingal County Council Open Space Strategy which just ended. This strategy relates to the provision of facilities in the various open pieces of land throughout the county.

“While the council currently maintains some excellent playgrounds in its large regional parks like the Millennium Park or St Catherine’s, most of these require that parents put their kids in

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

a car and drive them there. There needs to be greater facilities for parents to have their kids on swings/slides for half an hour at a location that is within reasonable walking distance of their home,” he said He said that the only good example of such a playground in the Castleknock ward is the one in Riverwood, which was provided by the developer as part of the planning permission conditions.

“While I understand that there is a maintenance cost to such parks and a need to prevent anti-social behaviour, the benefits in terms of

health, and the need in terms of the large young population in the Dublin 15 area, must be taken into account,” he said.

While the council’s stated policy requires developers to provide these facilities, Cllr O’Gorman said that developers are able to buy their way out of these conditions by providing funds or land for larger projects and he believes there should be more emphasis on small local facilities.

In Swords the need for local playgrounds was so great that an independent group called Swords Needs Playgrounds was established to fundraise and lobby the council for more playground facilities. This initiative proved successful with the provision of three new playgrounds for the area.

However, Cllr Justin Sinnott (Ind) said he fully

agrees with and supports Cllr O’Gorman’s assertion that small localised playgrounds should be a prerequisite for planning permission.

He said that Swords Needs Playgrounds was established as a result of the need created by the lack of facilities provided by developers.

“Unless you put in a requirement that the developer build a playground, the developer is probably not going to do that. There are examples where they have, for example Boroimhe.

“There was a nice playground built there by the developer and it’s maintained by Fingal and used by the community. I completely support the idea that when we give planning permission there needs to be a community dividend,” he said.

He said that this prevents a situation where

in privately managed estates, the council cannot provide facilities because it has no authority to do so and in public estates it may not be able to do so due to a lack of funding.

A spokesperson for the council said around half of the public playgrounds provided in Fingal have been developed through planning conditions placed on developers and in the Dublin 15 area, eight such playgrounds have been provided in addition to the playgrounds directly developed by the county council.

“Where specific gaps in provision are identified, the council is available to meet with residents or community groups with a view to addressing any deficiencies in the provision of appropriate play facilities,” said the spokesperson.

1 October 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3

don’sdublin By endurance, a man called Shackleton conquered the world If ever a man lived up to his family motto then Ernest Shackleton is most definitely that man. The words

By Endurance We Conquer were borne out to the maximum as he led all his men to safety during the Antarctic expedition of 1914-17. It is a tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination that is considered one of the greatest achievements in exploration and well presented in the Endurance Exhibition in Dun Laoghaire.

Shackleton was born on February 15, 1874 in Kilkea, near Athy in County Kildare. His father, Henry, decided to study medicine in Trinity College and moved his family into 35 Marlborough Road, Ranelagh for four years from 1880-84. After graduation the family moved to Sydenham, south London where he practised medicine for more than 30 years.

Ernest went to school in Dulwich College, and joined the merchant navy when he was 16. He progressed quickly and in 1901 was invited by Captain Scott to travel aboard the Discovery to the Antarctic.

They failed to reach the South Pole, as did his own 1907-09 Nimrod expedition that got to within 97 miles of its goal.

On his return he received much public adulation and was knighted by Edward VII. He returned to Dublin and gave lectures in Earlsfort Terrace (now the National Concert Hall) and the Gresham Hotel.

For the 1914 expedition to cross the Antarctic, the team sailed in the Endurance on the day Germany declared war. As the ship approached the Antarctic it became frozen in the ice and was eventually crushed and lost. The team headed in three small boats to Elephant Island, and from there Shackleton and five others made the 800-mile journey in horrendous weather to South Georgia. The 17-day journey in an open 20-foot boat, the James Caird, and the safe return of the crew, was heroic and bordering on the miraculous. Endurance, indeed.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Ernest Shackleton: His Antarctic expedition of 1914-17 is a thrilling tale of unbelievable skill, bravery and determination

forum Helping groups to attract new participants

Public input sought on activities  Keith Bellew

The Safer Blanchardstown Forum is hosting a week of public consultation from Friday, October 16 to 23 to increase awareness of activities on offer in the area.

Have A Go Week will also give members of the public an opportunity

to give their input into the development of new activities.

Spaces in classes, activities, groups and courses are provided for free to encourage people to try something they have always wanted to try but were wary of committing to payment for a full course when they’re not

sure about it.

In this way it is hoped to provide community centres, groups and projects with opportunities to fill empty spaces and to attract new participants.

Safer Blanchardstown plans to collate all the information into an online e-zine broken down on a day-by-day basis.

Speaking to the Gazette, forum co-ordinator Philip Jennings said that rather than trying to get community centres to promote their various activities on a different day, he decided that a joined up process would be far more expedient.

“I got the idea that there’s probably spare

capacity in all of the community centres, there’s probably teachers out there for yoga, or for arts and crafts or chess clubs who are looking for a home, and Have A Go Week is about making that connection,” he said.

Visit www.saferblanchardstown.com/safercm/

4 BLANCH Gazette 1 October 2015

Clonsilla Amenity to be tourist attraction

The council will take ownership of Shackleton’s Gardens in Clonsilla in the coming weeks

Shackleton’s Gardens on target for revamp  keith bellew

Fingal County Council will take ownership of Shackleton’s Gardens in Clonsilla in the coming weeks. A redevelopment plan worth an estimated €415,000 is expected to begin soon after.

The gardens, behind Clonsilla train station, once ranked among the top four gardens for herbaceous borders in Britain and Ireland.

They contain a wide range of rare and exotic plants collected from all over the world but in

recent years they have fallen into disrepair. It is hoped that, after the revamp, the gardens will become a major tourist attraction for the area.

Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG), who is chairperson of the council’s tourism strategy, said the gardens would be handed over to Fingal along with Allendale Estate, open space for playing fields beside Hansfield and a number other properties in the area from developer Menolly Homes.

“Fingal County Council have been looking to

take over the gardens for a number of years now so I am pleased that we have got to the end of what has been a long slow process.

“Failte Ireland have approved a grant of €213,000 which the council will match to cover the estimated €415,000 cost of restoring the gardens to their former glory.

“Some of this work has been ongoing with the help of volunteers and we are very fortunate that the design and layout of the gardens is well

documented,” he said.

The gardens were open to the public up until the 1990s and the council believes they have great potential as a visitor attraction.

This is not just because of their collection of rare and exotic plants but also because of their links with the famous explorer Ernest Shackleton.

In the longer-term, it is hoped to develop a visitor centre about the Shackleton family with a particular focus on Ernest Shackleton and his explorations.

The gardens will also be an important tourist stop along the Royal Canal which is now being upgraded as a greenway linking Dublin to the Shannon.

“Garden tourism is a growing niche in international travel.

“Scotland estimates the value at £200m (€272m) so there is potential to grow the market here significantly – particularly in Fingal where we have a number of magnificent houses and gardens open to the public,” said Cllr Dennison.

1 October 2015 BLANCH Gazette 5

6 BLANCH Gazette 1 October 2015

Inglewood Petition to block gap rejected by councillors

Chambers angry as motion falls  keith bellew news@gazettegroup.com

CLLR Jack Chambers (FF) has accused fell ow c o u n c i l l o r s o f turning their backs on residents of Inglewood Road, after his motion to block the gap leading from Inglewood to Shelerin Road was defeated by a majority vote at a recent area committee meeting.

The motion was tabled as a result of a petition signed by around 56 residents of Inglewood Road for the gap to be blocked off. Residents want the

gap blocked due to a number of instances of anti-social behaviour and house break-ins.

A majority of councillors and council officials agreed that the issue should be examined at length before any decision was made.

“Members of nearly every household on the road signed the petition to close the gap, but at the local area meeting a majority of councillors rejected the proposal and decided to put it on the long finger. If the vote had proceeded that would have been

the mandate to initiate the public consultation process, which would have been a formal public consultation which would not have been immediate, but would set the train of process but that train has now been stopped because of the votes of local councillors,” he said.

He went on to say that he believes some councillors are clearly out of touch with the wishes of local residents.

“It was quite bizarre that the others went against it. We’re representatives of residents

a n d o u r ow n vo t e s should be linked to the wishes and needs of residents. The residents have concerns about anti-social behaviour and they weren’t reflected in the vote,” he said.

Cllr Paul Donnelly who voted against the motion hit back at Cllr Chambers saying that he was playing politics with the issue.

“Cllr Chambers unfortunately decided to play politics with it a nd decided to push it forward and push for the vote, which is obviously his right, but it went against the wishes of the majority of councillors who just wanted to get their heads around it and make sure there was full consultation.

He wanted to play politics with it and get his name up there with the residents. I’m the type of person that wants to make sure that there is full, proper consultation carried out,” he said.

He went on to say that he has since carried out a leaf let drop in the area to assure residents that he is not opposing their will, but wants to make sure that everyone affected is happy with

Cllr Jack Chambers believes some councillors are clearly out of touch with the wishes of local residents

the gap being closed.

“There were seven councillors in all that voted against Cllr Chambers’s motion.

We had asked, and it had been requested by the council officials that it be put off for a little while to let us have a look at it, to see

IBM to expand in Dublin West IBM will create about 110 new jobs in its Dublin 15 base with an expansion of its operations. The roles will be in software engineering, and will add to the company’s operations in its tech campus in Damastown.

Recruitment for graduate and experienced computer scientists should start in the com-

ing weeks. Tanaiste, Joan Burton welcomed the announcement as further confidence in Dublin West as a hub cuttingedge companies.

“This is the latest chapter in IBM’s success story in Dublin West. The company’s Irish presence has just grown and grown since its arrival here,” she said.

what kind of consultation needs to be carried out. In all fairness there was only one road that had been petitioned and there’s all the rest of Inglewood and the whole of Lohunda which have access into that which then feeds into the Shelerin road,”

he said.

He went on to say that nobody is majorly opposed to the proposal, but those who voted against it want to consult the residents of surrounding estates to make sure everyone is happy with the proposal.

1 October 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7

8 BLANCH Gazette 1 October 2015

opinion Changing people’s behaviour and attitude

Industry steps up battle against gum By now you will have likely seen the blanket of advertising on the sides of buses, on billboards nationwide, at the train station or on the TV asking you to Bin Your Gum When You’re Done. You may well be asking who is behind it.

The answer is it is part of a wider campaign by the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT); a body funded by the chewing gum industry and established within Ibec whose objective is changing people’s behaviour and attitude towards how they bin their gum.

Earlier this year the GLT e s t a b l i s h e d a

renewed agreement with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government which will see industry fund a national gum litter awareness programme from 2015 to 2017.

It represents a multimillion euro commitment by industry to tackle the issue. Bin Your Gum When You’re Done was then launched this month in a bid to encourage people to dispose of their gum in a responsible way in towns and cities throughout the country.

It is the latest in a series of campaigns which have been running since 2007.

It is proven to work as well. The campaigns have

seen significant results over a period of time with a drop in gum as a percentage of national litter from 26.37% in 2007 to 15.3% in 2014, according to the national litter pollution monitoring system.

According to research carried out by Millward Brown on behalf of the campaign, we’ve seen a continuation of the incremental year-on-year increase in the percentage of people who viewed dropped chewing gum as litter. The figure is now at an all-time high of 93%.

The results show the effectiveness of the campaign in changing consumer behaviour and encouraging people to

dispose of their gum responsibly. The results also demonstrate that education and awareness are a sustainable longterm means of tackling the issue.

Beyond the advertising elements of the campaign, the GLT also promotes a civic partnership element, including sponsorship of TidyTowns competition and An Taisce – Green Schools and National Spring Clean programmes.

A “Bin it!” educational workshop (aimed at 11- to 13-year-olds) has also been running for a number of years, with the addition this year of Bin it! Buddies which

Paul Kelly: “The GLT campaign is an excellent example of how the Government and the private sector can work together in partnership”

extends the reach of the programme to 14to 16-year-old students.

This includes an actorled workshop tour which takes place in schools each autumn and is supported by learning materials for teachers so they can integrate it into the school curriculum. We have reached more than 30,000 students since we started.

This isn’t an initiative just rolled out in the bigger cities, by working in partnership with local authorities throughout Ireland; we’re seeing the message go nationwide and achieving higher levels of engagement with the public.

The GLT campaign is an excellent example of how the Government and the private sector can

work together in partnership.

It’s hoped that the campaign over the next three years will continue to change people’s attitudes for the better and result in cleaner, gum-free cities and counties around nationwide.

Paul Kelly Gum Litter Taskforce

1 October 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9

state funding Electrification of Maynooth rail line is included

D15 to benefit from €27bn plan  Keith Bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

The €27bn Capital Plan which was announced by the Government this week shows some gains for Dublin 15.

One of these is the electrification of the Maynooth rail line which serves the Clonsilla, Coolmine, Laurel Lodge and Ashtown stations, which will see the line served by the Dart.

Making the announcement, Tanaiste Joan Burton said: “These new rail improvements will mean a faster and better service for commuters in Dublin West.”

Funding will also be provided under the plan for the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel.

Commuters will have the option of direct trains

to Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock Stations from next year with the reopening of the Phoenix Park tunnel. The train will not stop at Heuston, however, because the new line is designed to attract commuters destined for south of the city – to the IFSC, for example.

The most significant aspects of the plan for Dublin 15 are centred around the health budget.

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and Minister of State for Primary and Social Care Kathleen Lynch have announced that €3bn will be invested over six years in health.

Of this, €100m has been allocated to the relocation of Rotunda maternity services to Connolly and the Coombe to St

James’s. Part of the €3bn package will also see funding provided for the construction of a children’s unit at Connolly which will serve as a satellite to the National Children’s Hospital at St James’s.

Minister Varadkar said this plan provided funding for a major programme of investment which will support the transformation of health care facilities. “ O ve r t h e p e r i o d 2016-21 a capital allocation of €3.061bn is being provided. This includes additional funding of €568m.

“The welcome extension of the capital planning horizon to 2021, and the increased funding available in the later years provides scope for the commitment of

Part of the €3bn package will see funding provided for the construction of a children’s unit at Connolly Hospital

additional investment concentrated towards the end of the period,” he said.

The Tanaiste said: “In health, Dublin West will be the location for one of the most important

projects. We are making an additional €100m available to fund the relocation of the remaining two Dublin maternity hospitals, which will see the Rotunda moving to Blanchardstown, and the

Coombe to St James’s.”

The exact timing of the delivery of the programmes and projects will be subject to planning, and the overall total funding available each year.

Main Street Clean-up requested for site T h e ow n e r s o f t h e vacant site beside the Ulster Bank on Blanchardstow n Main Street has told Fingal County Council that they intend to lodge a retention planning application to fix up the signs on the site.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) asked the council to look into the matter with a view to requesting the ow ners clean up the site.

The council’s inspectorate division issued a warning letter to the owner who responded, saying they intended lodging a planning application within weeks to regularise the matter.

The matter remains under investigation.

10 blanch Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERIES

Onlookers watching as Tanaiste Joan Burton cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Castleknock Community Centre Youth Cafe. Pictures: Ronan O’Sullivan

clubs: community festival is a big hit

Castleknock celebrates opening of youth cafe A

Carole Goulding, Mary Kilmartin, MarianTreacy, LizWalsh and Deirdre Byrne

community festival was held recently to mark the opening of the Castleknock Community Centre Youth Cafe and was attended by Tanaiste Joan Burton and Health Minister Leo Varadkar.

The Youth Cafe is in a purpose-built extension to the community centre and will provide youth cafe services in partnership with

existing youth clubs No Name, catering for 15 -to 18-year-olds, Foroige, catering for 12to 15-year-olds, and Order of Malta Cadets in the 10- to 16-year-old age group.

The festival included games for children and food stalls outside, as well as face-painting and the local scout troop displaying their scouting skills.

1 October 2015 blanch Gazette 11

Christine King, John Walsh and Emma Gredley

Architect Ray McGinley with wife, Cunchi, son Fionn and daughter Carla

Megan Yeates and dad David

The No Name Club gang are all smiles

Safety officer Osama Omer, Kieran O’Neill and Minister Varadkar

12 Gazette 1 October 2015

gazetteGALLERY

Sinead Burke

Alex and Teodora Coptil. Pictures: Ruth Medjber

A simple message of Hope to carry around

T

HE launch of jewellery designer Margaret O’Rourke’s special fundraising pendant in aid of Pieta House was a lovely success at MoMuse in the Powerscourt Centre, Dublin 2 recently, where her design was greatly praised.

Retailing for €65, with 100% of

Ingrid Hoey

proceeds going to Pieta House, the self-harm and suicide support service, the Hope pendant is inscribed wth the same word – a key message that underpins the work of Pieta House.

The hand-finished pendants are accompanied by a keepsake card, providing an elegant reminder to its

Jenny McGinn and Rosemary McCabe

bearer or gift-giver of the importance of persevering, of reaching out, of providing or seeking support for those in need.

With such an admirable cause to support, there was a steady stream of supporters willing to help support the pendant and Pieta House.

Melanie Morris

Margaret O’Rourke and Brian Higgins, chief executive, Pieta House

Cara Doyle

1 October 2015 Gazette 13

feature P15

asdfsdaf theatre P27 P16

dublinlife Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

a day in the life: xpose presenter, glendA gilson on her busy routine

what’son

A hectic but sparkling life chasing stars  aisling kennedy

XPOSE presenter Glenda Gilson rarely has two days that are the same, as she is constantly on the move covering all types of fashion, showbiz, and entertainment news.

Having just returned from a week reporting as the fashion correspondent for Xpose at London Fashion Week, she took time out to give The Gazette an insight into a day in her life with Xpose.

“Tomorrow, I will get up at 4.30am as I have to fly to London to interview Jessica Chastain, who is starring in the movie The Martian, which is out this week.

“When I get up at that time, it’s way too early to have breakfast so I’ll have a coffee. I’ll wait until I get over to London, get to the Dorchester Hotel where I have to meet Jessica, and then I’ll sit down and have something to eat while I read over my questions.”

Gilson said that as she reads over her questions, she will also put on her makeup before she heads up to a suite where she will interview the Hollywood star.

“The interview will be a standard press junket, so it’s a two-camera set up with each reporter taking turns sitting down to interview her. I’ve met Jessica before,

get ready for speks appeal HAVING played to full houses all across Ireland, the inimitable Speks will bring their unique blend of traditional music and nursery rhymes to The Mill Theatre in Dundrum on Sunday, October 4 at 2pm.

Comprising six members, the Speks are said to hail from a mysterious island off the coast of County Clare called Glasses Island, where everybody wears glasses.

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

‘I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders’

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Glenda Gilson

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and she’s a gorgeous girl; she always has a smile on her face every time you meet her.”

Gilson said that once the interview is over, she then has to make her way over to the film premiere at Leicester Square to meet the rest of the cast of The Martian, which includes stars such as Matt Damon and Kate Mara.

She is then sectioned into the media “pin”, where they place all media on lockdown as they all vie to get an interview with the stars.

“That’s about two hours of being on my tippy-toes with my arm outstretched to get questions to all the stars that walk past me. I don’t usually get changed for the red carpet, because all you see is my head and shoulders.

“I used to wear heels and a dress for



Gazette

diary P14

“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and do it all again the next day,” says Glenda

these events, but now I just throw on flats and get over there and do what I can in those couple of hours.”

Gilson then runs to catch a taxi at about 7.30pm when the red carpet event is over, and she catches the Heathrow Express from Paddington to get to her flight.

“I make sure I get there on time now, because I’ve missed so many flights!

I’ll grab a beer and a bite to eat at the airport, because I’m usually hyper after coming from the red carpet.

“I usually don’t get home to my house until about 12.30am, so I try to unwind for about an hour, get some sleep, and then get up to do it all again the next day.”

Catch Glenda Gilson on Xpose every week day on TV3.

Favourites Their 45-minute show comprises all-time favourite nursery rhymes such as Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Incy Wincy Spider and many more family favourites, set to acoustic Irish traditional music.

Band leader Quince said: “We are so looking forward to playing in Dublin; we’ve been so close, in Kildare and Wicklow, but have never made it to the city, and what a treat for us, and for the children! We’ll have them singing and clapping to their hearts’ content.”

To purchase tickets for the event, see www.thespeks.com.

14 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

dublinlife Hit the trail to help find a cure for sight loss

Fighting Blindness has launched its sixth annual Glendalough Trail, which is open to all levels of fitness with 15.5km run and 10km jog/walk options.

Taking place on Saturday, October 31, at 11am, the event last year saw over 300 people take the challenge raising €17,000

to support research into finding cures and treatments for sight loss.

Fighting Blindness is calling on walkers, runners and joggers to join in this off-road experience, and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the green forest trails of County Wicklow.

Tony Ward, head of

fundraising with Fighting Blindness, said: “The Glendalough Trail is unique, with a carefully planned route through the beautiful valley and a great variety of underfoot terrain. We welcome all supporters to come and join us this year for what promises to be a great day out.”

The entry fee is €20, with a further €50 minimum fundraising target, with all proceeds going to Fighting Blindness.

For more information please visit www.FightingBlindness.ie.

daly does her bit for Childline Cheerios Childline Breakfast week which runs from October 5 to 11 was launched by TV3 presenter Anna Daly at a special series of children’s events in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre last weekend.

Speaking to The Gazette, Daly said: “700,000 calls per annum go into childline from children who have the courage to pick up the phone and look for help.

“When you think about that it’s just so sad. Before I had children I would have thought that was very sad, now that I have them it makes me want to ball crying,” she said.

She went on to say that the funds raised through this initiative enable more staff to staff the phones 24/7 as, if a child calls at 3am and nobody is there to take the call, childline may miss its one opportunity to help that child.

For more information on hosting a Cheerios Childline Breakfast visit www.childlinebreakfast. ie.

lectures to mark 25th anniversary As part of the Carmichael Centre’s 25th anniversary,

diary

Actress and writer Amy Huberman who was on hand to officially launch the Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards

celebrations are due to take place with a series of six public lectures over the winter/spring period.

The Carmichael Centre is home to 47 charities and provides shared services and targeted supports in-house to over 30,000 people from all over Ireland every year.

The lectures will take place in Carmichael House on Brunswick Street from 7 to 9pm and will be on the theme “Irish Civic Society 100 years on from the Proclamation of the Irish Republic”.

Some of the speakers who will contribute include: Sister Stan Kennedy (founder of Focus Ireland) on October 22, John Lonergan (former governor of Mountjoy Prison) on November 19, Fintan O’Toole (Irish Times journalist) on December 3, Sean Healy (director and co-founder of Social Justice) on January 21, Alice Leahy (director and co-founder of Social Justice Ireland) on February 18, and Pat Carey (former Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and chairperson of the Irish Red Cross) on March 10.

The lectures are free for the public to attend and

light refreshments will be served. For information, email ken@carmichaelcentre.ie.

call to take part in theatre awards Bord Gais Energy is calling on students in Dublin to take part in this year’s Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards.

Irish actress Amy Huberman officially launched the annual awards that celebrate drama in schools around Ireland. The actress, and mum of two, will also be joining the judging panel for this year’s awards with additional judges due to be announced later in the year. This year marks the third year the awards have taken place.

Last year there were over 3,300 entries from schools across Ireland culminating in an awards ceremony at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre with 2,000 students representing 57 schools in attendance.

The Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Awards, which has 12 categories, is open to primary school students from third to sixth class and all secondary school students.

The deadline for entries to the competition is 5pm,

Friday, January 29.

For more information log onto www.bgesta.ie

entries sought for music awards Dublin teens can now tune up for the €3,000 top prize as the Fr Frank Maher Classical Music Awards is seeking entries for 2015.

With a €3,000 prize for the winner and €250 for the finalists, it is Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools.

The top prize bursary will be used by the winner to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.

Welcoming the launch of the 2015 Awards, RTE NSO leader Helena Wood said: “As players, we are conscious of the enormous financial and personal investment required for young musicians. This prize money will provide some talented young person with valuable additional financial help in fulfilling their musical ambitions.”

Closing date for entries is October 15. For more information, visit www. topsecurity.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE escape the mayhem: alison comyn, utv ireland

UTV host switches off with beach life

 ian begley

KEEPING up-to-date with the news, alongside having the busy occupation as co-anchor of UTV’s Ireland Live programme, can certainly lead to a lot of stress.

According to TV presenter and mother of two Alison Comyn, working in a very pressurised and competitive environment can take its toll, but finding a healthy balance between work and play is key to keeping the stress levels at bay.

This week, The Gazette caught up with Comyn to see what she does to escape the mayhem of her

day-to-day life.

Aged 44, Comyn lives in Drogheda with her husband, Malachy, and their two children, Holly and Luke.

She said: “At times I find it very difficult to unwind and relax even though I’m aware of how important it is. I’m always running about the place, but for me, I find the best way to switch off is to head to the beach nearby my home.

“I go to the beach whenever I get the chance and my children also like to come with me, along with my two dogs, Izzy and Zach.

“It’s great seeing my

children run loose and get out and about in the fresh air, but for me I find that it’s a fantastic way to get a bit of exercise without even knowing it.

“I also used to run a lot to get fit and to clear my head. I probably should do it a lot more because I find it very beneficial.”

Comyn went onto say that another way she likes to unwind and distress herself is to travel.

“I love to escape abroad whenever I get the time and experience all the different sights and cultures.

“I recently came back from France, and I’ll be going to Prague around Christmas time. Prague is

Bid for Dublin as Capital of Culture gathers pace  Keith Bellew

Around 500 people crowded into the Mansion House recently for a showcase of Dublin’s talents and a series of talks organised by the Dublin 2020 team and centred around the bid for Dublin to be crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2020.

The Gazette spoke with Dublin 2020 director Ray Yeates about how the bid came about, its most popular initiatives and the plans for the last few weeks before judges arrive for the inter view on November 12.

He said that the idea had been tossed around

by Dublin City Council as far back as 2012, but never crystallised.

“Last September is when the serious conversations began.

“It has come together very quickly in comparison to other cities who’ve been a couple of years building their teams. But we’ve caught up very quickly. We got going late last year, so this year has been very high paced,” he said.

T h e r e h ave b e e n numerous initiatives launched throughout the campaign and Yeates says the most popular of these is the Tea and Chat series which sees prominent people, such as Cllr Christy Burke a n d S e n a t o r D av i d Norris speaking about Dublin.

He said that there were two big events planned over the next

few weeks as a final push for the bid.

It is hoped that there will be a huge street party on November 12 to coincide with the Christmas lights being turned on.

This would serve as a finale for the entire bid as November 12 is the day that judges from the Capital of Culture will interview the Dublin 2020 team.

“We’d love to get a big street event with about 5,000 people just around the time of the interview.

“Dublin Town were telling me that they’ll be switching on the Christmas lights on November 12 which is the day of the interview, so we might be able to turn it into a big bid event,” he said.

such a beautiful city, and the Christmas markets they have over there are just incredible.

“I don’t read as much as I should, but I’ve always found it to be a great way to unwind. Actually, when I was away on holidays, I read seven books on my Kindle. I’m really getting into the old classics, such as Ernest Hemingway,” she said.

Alison Comyn has been the co-anchor of UTV Ireland’s weekday news programmes Ireland Live and Ireland Live at 10 since January, and was recently asked to present an IFTA at the upcoming award ceremony.

TV presenter Alison Comyn, who heads to a nearby beach to relax with her children

Gazette

16 Gazette 1 October 2015

dublinlife

features

Michael looking forward to having a ball in Dublin  ian begley

Michael Ball : “The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome”. Picture: Manuel Harlan

Theatre legend Michael Ball is coming to Ireland to showcase the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel and has told The Gazette that he plans to hit his favourite nightlife hotspots while in Dublin.

Ball who plays Mack Sennett, the great comedy director of the silent screen, stars alongside Rebecca LaChance who depicts the real-life story of actress Mabel Normand.

The show tells the tale of a group of pioneering filmmakers who changed

the world surrounded by the great fun of the silent screen.

Speaking to The Gazette, Ball said that he has been to Ireland many times before and always loves coming back.

“I’ll make sure to drop

by Lillies Bordello while I’m here and will do all the good things that I can’t remember from the last time I was here.

“I don’t understand how you guys do it. The craic here is just amazing and you always get the best welcome that can’t be compared to anywhere else.”

Ball went onto say that Mack & Mabel exceeded all of his expectations – he thinks it’s one of the most successful shows he’s ever been in.

“There’s a phenomenal cast and the energy of the dance numbers, choreography and slap stick humour gels together perfectly.”

Asked if he thinks he would survive in the era of silent movies, Ball joked: “Not a chance!

“Rebecca, who is playing Mabel, would be perfect because when you see the close-ups of her and compare them to the original close-ups of Mabel Normand, you can tell that she has the same ability to captivate an audience.

“To be quite frank my character Mack was a bastard.

“He was completely driven and obsessed with this new technology of film and would make people laugh at whatever cost, which is ultimately the downfall of their rela-

tionship.

“Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that ‘Irish Bum’.

“I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well.

“Playing alongside Rebecca has been a joy from start to finish.

“When we were auditioning in the UK I literally took one look at Rebecca and knew that she was meant to play Mabel.

“I’ve come across many talented Irish actors and up-and-coming performers from Ireland over the years.

“I recently saw Ronan Keating in Once and really thought he was terrific. I’ve seen it three times already and it’s one of my favourite shows.

“Killian Donnelly, who was in the Commitments, is in Kinky Boots.

“I really believe he’s going to be a big West End star, but the doors

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

‘Mack is an Irish Canadian and is referred to throughout the show as that Irish Bum. I considered doing an Irish-Canadian accent for the show, but it didn’t go so well’ --------------------------------------------------------

“We narrowed it down to six finalists and I think what did it for her was that she was so calm and natural.”

LaChance also spoke to The Gazette, saying she was really looking forward to performing in Ireland and had no idea that she would be offered the role of Mabel in the first place.

“I was really convinced that I didn’t get the part after I went for the audition and was so surprised when they called me the following day giving me the good news.

“It’s such an exciting experience and I’m delighted to be playing such a big role.”

Asked if there are many Irish people trying to get their big break in the West End, Ball said:

are always open to great talent no matter where they’re from.”

Ball went onto say that nothing was more important than getting experience if you are an aspiring actor.

“Nothing is more important than experience which can come from visiting shows, getting involved in amateur productions and learning and working in the field.

A major new production of the classic Broadway musical Mack & Mabel starring double Olivier award-winning Ball is coming to Bord Gais Energy Theatre from October 27 to November 7.

For more information, visit bordgaisenergytheatre.ie.

1 October 2015 Gazette 17

travel P20

asdfsdaf P27 cinema 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

style P18

Pets a fun-loving Lurcher

Mary Murray, Cara Kelly and Catherine Cusack in Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel. Picture: Ros Kavanagh

Festival: 28 productions spanning 22 different stages across Dublin

Theatrical treats aplenty  Keith Bellew

The Dublin Theatre Festival 2015 kicked off at venues around the city last week, and theatre buffs can avail of all the theatrical treats on offer until October 11.

This year’s programme boasts 28 productions, spanning 22 different stages across Dublin. Eleven new Irish works will premiere over 18 days alongside acclaimed productions from France, Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, the UK and Denmark.

The festival was officially opened at the Gaiety Theatre with the Irish premiere of The Night Alive by Conor McPherson, at the Gaiety Theatre in a new co-production from Dublin Theatre Festival and the Lyric Thea-

tre, Belfast.

This week the Gazette caught up with artistic director Willie White about the highlight’s of this year’s programme.

He said the various plays in the programme are like his children and it is very hard to pick a favourite, but one he believes to be among the main highlights is The Night Alive.

“Conor McPherson is from the northside of Dublin and premiered this play in London in 2013. I thought that was a great show and I was determined that we would have it as part of the festival.

It’s important to get a mix of shows which are high quality, but also reach a wider audience.

“We have people who are fantastic actors but also well known, like Laurence Kinlan who was Elmo in Love

/Hate, Ian Loyd Anderson was Dean, and then Adrian Dunbar, who is a very well-known film, television and stage actor who has performed in the festival before,” he said.

One of the most eye-catching events in the programme is the Gate Theatre’s production of Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, directed by Joe Dowling.

This new production has been put together to honour America’s most renowned playwright on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

White says Dowling has just finished up 20 years leading the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis Minnesota where he had an association with Miller’s work.

“He has directed world premieres of some of Miller’s plays as far as I recall,

and I have seen [a production of] All My Sons that he did at the Abbey. It has opened already and is running throughout the festival and it’s a very strong production. As you would expect it is a red-blooded play of jealousy, loyalty, community and revenge,” he said.

Another anniversary production at this year’s festival is the Lyric Theatre Belfast’s production of Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, at the Gaiety Theatre. The award-winning Annabelle Comyn directs this 25th anniversary production which opens on October 6.

White described Dancing at Lughnasa as a masterpiece and said the festival provides a platform for a whole new generation to see it.

For more information visit www. dublintheatrefestival.com.

The Dublin Gazette Newspaper Group has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs.

Our Dog of the Week this week is Kim, a stunning six-year-old female lurcher. She arrived into Dogs Trust pregnant last year and went on to have a litter of beautiful puppies who have all since found wonderful homes. Kim is quite shy but has a goofy, fun loving and quirky personality that she shows to those who spend time with her.

If you think you could offer Kim a home, please contact Dogs Trust on 01 879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie.

You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook. com/dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Don’t forget that you can also support Dogs Trust by checking out their online shop www.dogstrustshop. ie

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Time for a toccata at Weir & Sons WATCH aficionados, form an orderly queue – the limited edition toccata by Raymond Weil, in association with violinist Nicola Benedetti, is now available at Weir & Sons.

Swiss watchmaker Raymond Weil recently announced its partnership with internationally renowned classical violinist Nicola Benedetti (above) to present the new 34mm ladies watch, the toccata (right).

Now available at Weir & Sons, and with just 300 pieces created, this signature toccata watch features a 34mm rose gold case with chocolate-brown ionised dial, decorated with 11 diamond markers and 80 diamonds set around the bezel.

Also featuring a date window at 3 o’clock, the look is completed by a luxurious chocolate brown satin strap, with the toccata retailing for €2,150.

Benedetti joins Raymond Weil’s impressive roster of musical ambassadors, which includes Labrinth, Milos Karadaglic and 2Cellos.

The arrival of the new toccata at Weir & Sons is perfectly timed as Benedetti took to the stage at the National Concert Hall on September 30.

Artisan lace trim shift dress €87; Fur clutch €31

Denim popper dress €60; Leather trench €375; Brown ankle boot €85

Lumberjacket coat €137; Leather skirt €40; Cable knit jumper €45; Black tassle boots €85

Jacquard pants €53; Sparkle crop tank top €35; Jacquard jacket €75

Boucle scarf €25; Artisan tuft jumper €56; Check marley mini €47

Oasis style for autumn  MIMI MURRAY

CHANNEL your inner 70s goddess with these stylish pieces from Oasis.

From washed denim to Prince of Wales and Donegal check, these are looks

that will take nostalgia to another level.

Clean, lean cuts are layered for effortless effect while pattern is replaced by embellishment including detailed embroidery, full fringing

and opulent jacquard for both day and night.

Check out this beautiful Oasis shoot styled

by Dublin stylist, Judy Gilroy, and shot by Dublin photographer, Kenny Whittle.

White Victoriana dress €75; Black boots €85; Floppy hat €31

Denim popper dress €60; Brown ankle boot €85

1 October 2015 Gazette 19

Gazette

20 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

Some of the best places to stay in Carcassonne LOOKING for luxury?

Try the four-star Hotel Donjon (Best Western – this is where I stayed very happily), or the five-star Hotel De La Cite, both of which operate within the walled city.

They run shuttles to and from the airport – all you have to do is ask. Friendly staff are on hand to help with any information you need.

Accessible Breakfast includes a bit of a fry – if you must! Newspapers are easily accessible if you’re that way inclined.

The hotels have gourmet restaurants attached, so you can eat, drink, then roll home within minutes without a care in the world.

Otherwise, for those on a tighter budget, from November 1 until March 30, there’s a special offer. Bon Weekend a Carcassonne promises the canny traveller two nights for the price of one, as well as B&B at weekends.

To find out which hotels are participating, see http://www. tourism-carcassonne. co.uk/news/exceptional-offer-bon-weekendcarcassonne, and start planning your holiday.  therese caherty

The Hotel Donjon

Glimpses of philosopher Michel Foucault’s home afford a vision of timeless canalside relaxation

The 240km Canal Du Midi has as much charm today as when it was built in 1666 as a crucial waterway

Carcassonne’s wonderful, ancient walls and heritage sites are quite a sight to behold

Carcassonne: a leisurely break in france’s Languedoc-Rousillon region

A medieval treasure that’s great for a relaxing escape  therese caherty

SUMMER was leaving, and so was I. After a minor delay on the runway, the Ryanair craft rose in the early morning fog, direction: southwest France.

Carcassonne, in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, was basking in the early 20s, and shortly so was I, as I was ferried to the golden ramparts of the medieval city.

La Cite Carcassonne The history of this citadel – a UNESCO world heritage site since 1997 – is overwhelmingly broad, deep and fascinating. The long story short is this ...

Situated on a hill between the Atlantic and

the Mediterranean, the Romans instantly recognised the area’s strategic value and built a fortress.

So, around 100BC, Carcassonne found itself on the military map where it sat for a very long time.

Its interior walls, with their stonework variations, tell a story of constant transition. The fortification’s circular design comprises two outer walls, 53 towers (one still known as the Inquisition Tower), barbicans (castle defences), a drawbridge and ditch. Stepping into it is like stepping into a Game of Thrones hologram.

Over the centuries, its authority waned and the city went into terrible decline, to such an extent

that the French government wanted it razed.

Enter architect Eugene Viollet Le Duc in 1849, charged with a restoration which began in 1853. The fruits of his labour didn’t quite create a war, but he took some flak for imposing his own vision on the city – and for outsourcing materials.

However, Viollet Le Duc triumphed. We stood in awe amid the ruins he retrieved. What if the walls could speak? I touched the ramparts that have heard the shouts of Roman generals, the roars of Charlemagne, the wails of Cathars, the mutterings of Viollet Le Duc and today the oohs and ahs of tourists.

They have witnessed

so much victory, defeat, needless bloodshed and misery, and what has been learned? History just goes on repeating itself ...

Back on the winding streets, the force of tourism is a jolt. Everywhere, shops of all hues jostle for your cash – reader, keep your eyes on the architecture and pass by.

Basilica SaintNazaire My afternoon tour ended in the nearby Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, also restored by Violletle-Duc. Its cool mix of Romanesque nave and later Gothic choir held a pleasant surprise: a Russian quartet singing acapella amid the stained glass windows, each car-

How Carcassonne got its name AFTER a five-year siege, Queen Carcas realised food was running out and brains, not brawn, were needed to deliver her city. The artful Saracen took the last remaining pig, fed it the last remaining wheat, and flung it over the ramparts.

Believing the city had food enough to waste on pigs, warlord Charlemagne withdrew.

A jubilant Carcas rang the city bells, causing one of Charlemagne’s soldiers to exclaim: “Carcas sonne!” (“Carcas is ringing!”) The rest is history ... See Dame Carcas on a column near the Narbonne Gate – a modern interpretation! rying its own story.

But should you tire of flickering candles and immaculate conceptions, nip outside for a long, satisfying gaze at the gargoyles.

Whenever I’ve spent too long in a medieval church, my spirit soars at the glorious sight of them snarling at the congregation below, urging us to “feck off out of here”!

1 October 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

TRAVEL

OUIBITES

Miles of vines stretch out at the Vignobles Sarrail in Cazilhac A simple but sublime dessert at L’Artichaut

Tuck in to a dizzying selection of eateries Canal Du Midi The Canal Du Midi – another UNESCO heritage site – is an experience of a different stripe. Built in 1666 during the reign of Louis XIV, this 240km waterway from Toulouse to Sete links the Med with the Atlantic, hence its other name: Canal Des Deux Mers (canal of the two seas).

An original superhighway, it is an impressive example of human ingenuity. Given the area’s scarcity of water, enterprising engineer and canal builder Pierre-Paul Riquet (Baron de Bonrepos, to you) set about taking water from the nearby Black Mountains.

He constructed a 6m cubic metre lake, the Bassin de St Ferreol, which filched water from the hills, then filled his canal.

Back in 2015, these nuggets of prime information were in danger of drifting off forever as we moved along Riquet’s creation for several hours, shaded by great plane trees.

The gates opened slowly, the locks filled with a rush of warm dank water, our barge slid on.

I heard someone say

we were passing the home of philosopher Michel Foucault and, yes, there it was, gliding away to my right ...

“You can’t hurry on the Canal Du Midi,” our capitaine intoned. “There’s just no point.” Firm Bateau le Cocagne’s tour with multilingual guide is to be recommended and is easily accessible outside the Hotel Bristol opposite the train station.

The Bastide de Saint Louis Back on terra firma, a stroll around the Bastide de Saint Louis returned me to my land legs. Built during the time of Saint Louis in 1260, it lies on the left bank of the River Aude. Basically a rectangular grid, it’s laid out around a central square, now the Place Carnot.

While its boundaries are determined these days by the boulevards laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries on the site of the old moats, the Bastide’s grid-like streetscape has survived.

You always knowwhere you are and no matter where you wander, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.

The Canal Du Midi is an inviting 240km Part of Basilica of Saint-Nazaire

stretch of waterway

Gargoyles adorn much of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, glaring out at the world today with the same distinctive fashion as they have done for centuries

For my part, I stumbled on the Musee des Beauxarts’ Raoul Dufy exhibition, the French Fauvist painter who claimed “my eyes exist to erase ugliness”.

Several rooms filled to bursting with his vivid work, including their transposition to ceramic and textile design, were stunning.

Vignobles Sarrail And so, on to the obligatory wine-tasting in

the Vignobles Sarrail in nearby Cazilhac. If you’re curious to know how your wine gets into the bottle, look no further.

As we gazed over miles of vines, Pauline Greefhorst, of Domaine Sarrail, reassured me that machines do the harvesting, not humans. In the production area we saw great vats where grapes are offloaded, the oak tanks where wine ages to perfection, and thence to the public outlet, where

customers – or visitors like me – sample their wares.

Technically, you’re supposed to gargle and spit into the spittoons which stood as high as my shoulder. But I’ve spent a lifetime refraining so instead I swallowed! It seemed wasteful to do otherwise.

Abrupt as ever, the short break ended and I was scudding home. If you’re an ABB (anything but the beach) person, then Carcassonne awaits.

A bientot!

INSIDE (and outside) Carcassonne’s ramparts you’ll find the restaurant choice dizzying – so let me help!

For lunch, t h e r e g i o n ’s traditional cassoulet is a must.

This rich, slowcooked casserole includes pork sausages, goose, duck, sometimes mutton, pork skin (couennes) and haricots blancs – white beans, to you and me.

Reliable sources led me to Le Saint Jean restaurant, Place St Jean.

Our food arrived in cassoles: deep, round, earthenware pots with slanting sides.

Complete with a glass of fine local red, the dish (above, right) was a winner. I’m now officially a fan of cassoulet!

If you’re vegetarian and in the Bastide, L’Artichaut, on the main square – Place Carnot – is the place to go. It delivers a tasty aubergine lasagne, a baked camembert salad and plenty else besides.

The cafe dessert was to drool for –rich chocolate cake, a helping of panna cotta, and a dollop of icecream, all topped off with an espresso. My sinuses

were screaming but what the heck, it was worth it.

For a more gastronomic experience, treat yourself to dinner at the Comte Roger, Rue St Louis, again within the ramparts.

Here I met the chef, Pierre Mesa, who, noting my wheat-free status, delivered one of the best meals of my life. Roast cannette (duckling) arrived and was melt in the mouth. The daintily arranged veg were deliciously al dente.

Dessert, with its lavender theme, was a work of art. And the local wines, recommended by staff, were very more-ish.

The Hotel De La Cite with its one-star Michelin restaurant, La Barbacane, offers a similar gourmet experience.

So, go for it, and bon appetit!  therese caherty

Gazette

22 Gazette 1 October 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

ReelReviews

the scorch trials Running for the top

THE sequel to last year’s The Maze Runners – Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Cert 12A, 131 mins) – sees a group of young people running for their lives (again). Having escaped from a deadly, ever-shifting giant maze and its horrors in the first film, the young leads discover that the outside, ruined world is even worse. Some decent set-pieces help to elevate it into a solidly diverting tale.

walk in the woods Wandering and wondering TWO elderly pals rekindle an old friendship by setting off to hike the 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail in A Walk in The Woods (Cert 15A, 104 mins).

Robert Redford and Nick Nolte make an amiable pair, with their grumbling as they go providing light entertainment, despite some contrived sequences.

Still, it has all the bare essentials for a road trip – via the impressive woods.

inside out

Another pretty Pixar FOR the few people who haven’t seen it yet, Inside Out (Cert G, 102 mins) remains one of Pixar’s best films for years, and has a surprising amount of emotional depths for adults, too. Following the emotions of a small family – with each personified by a different character – and their daughter, it’s a bright, breezy and super colourful family films that takes bold steps into the psyche, too.

In their pairing as an unlikely mentor and student, bored retiree Ben (Robert De Niro) delivers some great life lessons to his new boss, Jules (Anne Hathaway)

the intern: an unusual friendship creates the heart of de niro’s latest

Some fresh lessons on life THE Intern popped up on a lot of people’s radars last week when its co-star, Robert De Niro, took umbrage with the tone of questions being levelled at him during a promotional interview and stormed out.

While the subsequent palaver seems to be more significant than the actual exchange, this skimpy hint of De Niro’s ire stands out as a lone mark on an otherwise spotless (and sometimes infamously mundane) track record of dealing with the press.

After decades of playing tough guys on screen, it is oddly fitting that De Niro should begin to crack during this promotional tour, as his character in The Intern is quite possibly the sweetest character you’ll see in film this year.

Displaying the kind of protestant work ethic

 Dave phillips

that would put the founding fathers to shame, Ben Whittaker is a 70-year-old widower who is quickly realising that there is no substitute for a day at the office.

When a locally-based online fashion company opens its doors to senior interns, he makes sure he is first in line, and he is reluctantly accepted into the fold by the boss, Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway).

Confident and precocious, Jules’s intimacy with every level of her business has her so stretched for time she has taken to cycling around the office, with her coffee

in a handlebar holder and a small army of notaries in tow scheduling in every spare moment.

While it’s a role reversal for Hathaway, you should not expect a reiteration of The Devil Wears Prada – as a character, Jules is more gently moronic than wilfully demonic.

I n s t e a d , we h ave another fine example of what writer and director Nancy Meyers does best.

Meyers has a slew of feelgood romantic comedy successes under her belt, including 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, and 2009’s It’s Complicated, and her latest film almost fits neatly beside them.

The Intern feels like a romantic comedy – just without the romance.

Like in a traditional love story, the characters gravitate to one another because they need one

another.

Jules is capable but overwhelmed in her position, her inability to trust anyone else to do the job is leading to an insurmountable volume of work that is affecting her family and social life.

Meanwhile, Ben requires an order and structure that is lacking in retirement – it is not just the regimen of getting up and going to the office: Ben needs meaning in his life, and that comes through solving other people’s problems.

It is a trial by fire that provides much of the merriment, but the platonic relationship that develops between the two leads is beauti-

ful to watch.

Hathaway in particular is on top form here, bringing great complexity to what could have been an otherwise straightforward role.

De Niro’s character is a little more linear, but he plays it well and provides the fodder for some very well-written fish-out-ofwater comedy.

It is the classic oddcouple pairing, but while things may look light and airy from the outside, there is a hidd e n l e ve l of depth a t p l ay throughout the film.

Despite the simplicity of the set-up, The Intern still manages to go beyond its comedy roots and unfold in some unexpected ways.

Meyers has seemingly mastered the art of tickling you with one hand and tugging on your heartstrings with the other, while every now and then kneeing you hard in the gut just for good measure.

Here we have two hours of great comedy, wonderful dialogue, engaging story, lovable characters and captivating performances – there’s no good reason not to see this.

Verdict: 8/10

Writer and director Nancy Meyers has delivered another feel-good film that may not reach the heights of Something’s Gotta Give, but is still worthy of a look

1 October 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC music video: Cry Monster Cry

Rethinking the bond between music and film

Dublin folk duo Cry Monster Cry have recorded a music video for their track Starling which will feature on Around the World in 80 Music Videos, a global series on music videos, which seeks to rethink the relationship between music and filmmaking, throughout the world.

Created by Brazilian filmmakers Diana Boccara and Leo Longo, all music videos are shot in one take and are presented along with an episode of Behind

the Trip, the web series of the couple, with the making of the videos.

Starling, from the band’s debut album, Rhythm of Dawn, is the 25th in the series and premiered recently on YouTube.

Inspire

Because of the references to certain birds in the lyrics (mocking bird and starling, animals that have the ability to mimic sounds) the music video aims to tell the story of the relationship and exchange

that mankind and nature have, and how they inspire each other, in this case, through music.

The concept of the video also plays with the idea of birdwatchers being watched by the birds, as one inspires the other.

The music video was shot in the Dublin Mountains, in Massey’s Woods, with the presence of friends and family of the band together with friends of Boccara and Longo.

Throughout the

video they don different masks and appear as the creatures of the forest.

The Delorentos also recorded a music video and The Coronas will record a video for their song Get Loose on October 5 as the final Irish contribution to the series.

Boccara and Longo are then moving on to Africa, to shoot music videos there.

Cr y Monster Cr y’s Starling: can be viewed at https://youtu.be/ii5PCo-w3sE?list=PLDB-

Cry Monster Cry’s video was shot high in the Dublin Mountains and was done in one single shot

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24 Gazette 1 October 2015

Gazette

1 October 2015 Gazette 25

OUT&ABOUT

GAMING

technology: dedicated handheld hardware could soon be a thing of the past

Ready for portable gaming’s evolution?

 shane dillon

WITH the inexorable rise of mobile gaming into mass culture, you might expect to see dedicated handheld consoles enjoying a resurgent popularity, following in the notable footsteps left by the likes of Nintendo’s 3DS, or Sony’s PlayStation Vita.

However, the opposite now seems to be true – the ever-increasing rise in mobile gaming makes

it increasingly less likely that new gaming handhelds will appear. Why, you may ask?

Speaking in Birmingham at the just concluded EGX 2015 – the UK’s biggest gaming event – Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, was asked about developing a sequel platform to the Vita.

He said: “People have mobile phones and it’s

so easy to play games on smartphones. And many games on smartphones are free, or free to start.

“I myself am a huge fan of PlayStation Vita and we worked really hard on designing every aspect.

Touch-based games are fun – there are many games with really good design. But having sticks and buttons make things totally different.

“So I hope, like many of you, that this culture

of playing portable games continues, but the climate [for dedicated handheld platforms] is not healthy for now because of the huge dominance of mobile gaming.”

In other words: “Sure, mobile gaming is going through the roof, but the problem is that everyone’s playing games on their phones or tablets, rather than on a dedicated console. As such, the era of walking into a

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios

games shop to pick up a game for a handheld console – or the consoles – is as dead as a dodo.”

The only thing that seems likely is that, from 2016 onwards, a dedicated handheld that’s specifically controlled and curated by a single corporation simply won’t happen.

The major studios and publishers alike are being forced to evolve, facing an evolutionary battle that has already seen a number of gaming giants toppled in 2015, unable to keep pace with smaller and more agile developers nipping about their heels.

To echo Yoshida: “It’s

so easy to play games on smartphones.” This pragmatic statement is almost certain to see itself implemented by the gaming gods porting their biggest names and franchises into the new all-digital frontier, rather than clinging to traditional mobile gaming hardware models.

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 1 October 2015

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28 gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport hockey: dublin clubs endure mixed fortunes on opening day irish soccer international Dunne dies: FORMER Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper Pat Dunne passed away this week after a short illness, aged 72.

A former Stella Maris schoolboy player, Dunne signed for Everton before returning to Ireland and playing for Shamrock Rovers from 1962 to 1964. He was part of the Shamrock Rovers team which won the League of Ireland, FAI Cup, Shield, Leinster Senior Cup and Dublin City Cup in the 1963-64 season.

Dunne then joined Manchester United and won the English League First Division title in his first season and won Player of the Year at Plymouth Argyle in 1968.

He made 45 appearances for Manchester United and 152 for Plymouth Argyle before returning to Shamrock Rovers in 1970.

Dunne also won five caps for Ireland and played in the World Cup play-off against Spain in Paris in 1965.

National league’s new era  sport@dublingazette.com

G A R E T H Wa t k i n s ’ late double saw reigning national champions Monkstown snatch a 2-1 win over Railway Union to raise a dramatic curtain on the men’s EY Hockey

League, the first full season national league for the sport.

His side looked to be in a perilous position after Mateusz Nowakowski’s second quarter deflection had given Railway an early lead.

But Watkins held his nerve from a penalty stroke with eight minutes to go before touching home Jonny Bruton’s pass for the victory.

It was one of a series of high octane opening ties.

Lisnagarvey picked up an

Pembroke’s Alan Sothern lines up a shot

Railway Union’s Niamh Carey, right, on the attack. Picture: Adrian Boehm

important 3-2 win over Ballsbridge side Pembroke in a match laden with international talent.

Timmy Cockram, James Lorimer and debutant Neal Glassey built a 3-1 lead for the Hillsborough side, rendering Alan Sothern’s double ultimately fruitless, his second coming with mere seconds remaining.

Rathfarnham’s Three Rock Rovers, meanwhile, had a similarly comprehensive victory over Tallaght’s Glenanne as Peter Blakeney’s first half brace was augmented by goals from Ross Canning and Daragh Walsh.

On the women’s side, Anna O’Flanagan’s hat trick earned Hermes a 3-2 win against her former club UCD, coming from a

goal behind on two occasions to nick the result in the last play of the game.

Sara Twomey and Elaine Carey’s close range efforts put the students in front at 1-0 and 2-1 but O’Flanagan struck back twice for the Booterstown club before she eventually won the tie following a series of last-ditch penalty corners.

Ulster Elks came from a goal down to beat Pembroke 3-1. Sarah Clarke’s corner strike had the Dubliners 1-0 up at halftime but Shirley McCay turned the tide with a pair of goals before Jessica McMaster completed the victory.

Sandymount’s Railway Union were comfortable 2-0 winners against Cork Harlequins as Emer Lucey

and Niamh Carey scored in the first half to put new coach Colm Blennerhassett and his troops on course for victory.

UCC were the big winners on day one, coming away from Galway with a 4-0 success against Greenfields with Alex O’Grady, Antonia McGrath, Niamh O’Leary and Nicola Kerr among the goals.

Two final quarter goals from Sara Alexander saw Ards produce a famous comeback against Ulster rivals Pegasus.

Their 3-3 draw was one of the highlights of the first day. Pegasus had led 3-0 but Ards captain Caroline Adams gave them a lifeline from a corner before Alexander netted twice in the closing phases to grab a point.

Clontarf maintain winning run in UBL Division 1A  sport@dublingazette.com

Clontarf’s Matt D’Arcy

A SECOND half hat-trick from Mick McGrath saw Clontarf come from behind to beat Ballynahinch 38-17 and maintain their winning start to the Ulster Bank League Division 1A campaign.

Adding to his brace from the opening night against UCD, Mick McGrath turned this game on its head as Ballynahinch’s 10-0 interval lead was erased by the Leinster winger’s trio of scores, with the middle one set up by a Matt D’Arcy

interception.

McGrath’s brother Rob and Ulster prospect Conor Joyce swapped further tries before Michael Brown’s late effort - converted by Joey Carbery completed the table toppers’ third victory on the trot.

Leinster recruit Mick Kearney made a welcome return from injury in the Clontarf second row.

After losing to leaders Clontarf last time out, Old Belvedere got back to winning ways with a 24-12 defeat of a resilient Galwegians side at Anglesea Road.

Ed O’Keeffe’s second league try had ’Wegians just 11-7 behind at half-time and turning with the wind behind them, Matt Brown’s men went on to dominate the third quarter.

However, they could not convert pressure into points and ultimately paid the price.

A Gavin Tynan try had them back in front at 12-11, but Belvo were clinical in the final quarter with their Leinster-capped centre Steve Crosbie scoring a penalty and a converted try.

Yellow cards for ’Wegians locks Aly Muldowney and

Marty Cummins proved costly, and a closing penalty from Shane McDonald wrapped up the home win.

Fourth-placed UCD remain just three points off top spot following a superb nine-try 56-22 dismissal of Young Munster at a sun-splashed Belfield Bowl.

Ireland Under-20 international Billy Dardis helped himself to a hat-trick and Brian Cawley, Mark McGroarty, Adam Byrne, James Tracy, Jeremy Loughman and Jamie Glynn also touched down for the Noel McNamaracoached students.

1 October 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

Olympic marathon hopes move closer Dublin-based Sergiu Ciobanu and Mick Clohisey moved right into contention for a place at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil thanks to their efforts in Berlin last weekend, writes NATHAN KELLY TWO LOCAL runners were among the top three Irish finishers at the Berlin Marathon last weekend as five home-grown athletes ran Olympic qualifying times.

Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers and Mick Clohisey from Raheny Shamrock finished second and third in a 10-man and onewoman Irish contingent.

Olympic qualification time is 2.17.00 for men and 2.42.00 for women and Kevin Seaward from St Malachy’s in Belfast was the first across the line for the Irish with a time of 2.14.52. Lizzie Lee of Leevale AC in Cork was the leading

Irish woman with a time of 2.32.51 Ciobanu wasn’t too long after Seaward as he crossed the line after 2.15.14 while Clohisey soon followed in 2.15.35.

Speaking straight after the marathon, Ciobanu was naturally delighted with his performance.

“I’m delighted to finish as second Irishman,” he said.

The Harriers man, who finished 24th overall in Berlin, spoke with relief of what this result does for him over the next few months.

“Now I don’t have to worry too much about running another marathon in the spring. I can hopefully prove my form

with a half marathon at the world half marathon in March,” he said.

“My plan was to come and improve my personal best,” he added. “ Yo u c a n ’t k n ow exactly how the marathon is going to be. I just thought about starting it and see how I got on. We had a group over here and we worked together.

“I started to struggle a bit on the last 10km to 12km but in my mind I said I must not go slower than 3.20 per km. Up to that my pace was about 3.10 per km so I knew if I finished strong I could do well.”

Clohisey, meanwhile, finished just 21 seconds

Mick Clohisey, Kevin Seaward and Sergiu Ciobanu who all beat the Olympic marathon qualifying standard last weekend

after Ciobanu after initially leading the Irish charge from the start, and the Raheny Shamrocks man admitted to underestimating the distance in Berlin.

“The first half there was a good group of us and I was at the front of it all the way,” he said.

“I thought I’d r un around 2.15,” said the St Malachy’s man. “I didn’t think I could go inside it so it’s a pleasant surprise. I’m absolutely delighted. The first 5km felt really fast but as the race went on it settled and everything felt good from there.”

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

‘You can’t know exactly how the marathon is going to be.

I just thought about starting it and seeing how I got on’ Sergiu Ciobanu

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

“I had a 67.30 half-way pace, well it was either 67 or 67.30 I was looking at, there was a group of us. I thought that was perfect and I was feeling fine up until then.

“Just then in the second half you start to feel it, I actually thought I might be able to pick it up in the second half but in the last few miles I slowed a bit; I underestimated the distance.

“But I hung in there and I have to be a happy with 2.15.32, it’s a twominute personal best, I have to be happy,” added Clohisey who finished 29th overall.

The leading Irishman on the day, Kevin Seaward, also spoke after his 2.14.52 finish and revealed a bit of surprise at his time.

The leading Irish woman, Lizzie Lee, spoke emotionally after her 2.32.51 finish smashed the Olympic standard and her own personal best (2.38.09) from Berlin two years ago.

“I’m absolutely blown out of the park,” she said.

“The last two miles were the hardest thing I’ve ever done; my goal was 2.33.00. Fingers crossed now for selection for Rio.” The other Dublin runners among the leading Irish results were Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham WSAF) in 2.17.48, Mark Kirwan (Raheny Shamrock) in 2.19.30, Gary Murray (Clonliffe Harriers) in 2.21.09 and Tomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght) in 2.22.18.

FastSport

Four-day turnarounds and injury issues abound FOR the duration of the Rugby World Cup, ex-Edinburgh and Marlboro player and IRANZ Level 5 rugby coach Dennis Bowes will give his thoughts on the key battles in the RWC15.

THE battle is over; the war is only starting. This week, the big talking points were the lack of recovery time for the tier two nations like Japan and Fiji with four-day turnarounds between big games.

Last week, we had Japan upsetting South Africa, we could not see the same thing happening again.

The smaller nations just can’t cope with the intensity and it proved so with both teams going down in the last 20 minutes of their second games and it proved a rough comedown after their immaculate opening.

The next big issue is injuries. How many worldclass players are missing from the biggest tournament in rugby already?

Most teams are already calling for the re-enforcements and need to add to their squads after only two games played Nowhere was this more evident than the big game on Saturday night between the host nation England against a Welsh side who were already reeling from the loss of their two star players in the warm up games, Rees Webb and Leigh Halfpenny.

It looked certain to be a tough game but one that England could not lose. A full strength England took a decisive lead before half time and looked like coming out second half to finish off a Welsh team hanging on 16-9 at half time and England in control.

The next 40 minutes of rugby were pure drama nails bitten to the bone. This was unreal stuff. At one stage, there were bodies left lying all over the pitch like a scene from Saving Private Ryan Wales lost three more players to the World Cup and it looked all over for them.

But with steely resolve and pure bloody guts and no little skill they clawed their way back from the edge With five minutes left on the clock they took the lead and never let it go. England defeated at home: an unreal moment as the chariot’s wheels came off.

Lastly, a mention for Ireland; they are building nicely and I think they can keep going all the way to the final; lets see what we get next weekend!

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 1 October 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Soccer: dublin 15 side sweep to handsome win in sfai cup

Coolmine produce clean sweep on league return COOLMINE rugby club’s first, second and third teams all recorded victories in their opening league campaigns.

The senior 15 started their league campaign off with a hard-fought win away to Cill Dara.

Their stronger ball carriers and superiority in the lineout and scrum made the difference in the end. New player/coach Mark Whitehead crossed the line for the first try before Russ Shortt added another five-pointer in the second half with scores from the boot of Conor Hayes also in an 18-15 success.

Tullow are up next at home in Ashbrook for a tie that coincides with the club’s family fun day while the Ireland vs Italy rugby World Cup tie will also be on show.

There will be barbecue food, ice cream and entertainment galore for the kids while the big kids can play in the bar.

Coolmine’s second 15 also started the league campaign in earnest with a 17-5 win over Cill Dara, also in Silken Thomas Park in the Curragh.

The Coolmine team, managed by player/ coach Andrew Wood and Jason Winfield never looked troubled and their stronger match play proved too much for Cill Dara II in the end.

Ken Condon’s third team picked up where they left off last season with a 21-19 victory over Guinness.

Coolmine took the lead with two early tries. Stephen Hanley converted three penalties that gave them a good cushion while Guinness got off the mark with a try in the first half.

Guinness came into the game more in the second half and were awarded a penalty try after a number of penalties had been given away.

They tacked on another at the end but the Coolmine thirds held on to secure the points.

The youth and minis section, meanwhile, had a full schedule of games at all levels and kept their place amongst the strongest clubs in Leinster at these levels with some great displays by all teams.

For further info, go to www.coolminerugby.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

Corduff and Dunboyne line up prior to their meeting last weekend

Corduff U-14s too Good

sfai under-14 cup Corduff Dunboyne sport@dublingazette.com

10 1

CORDUFF FC’s Under14s put in a 10 out of 10 performance as they beat Dunboyne AFC 10-1 in their opening SFAI Goodson Cup game of the season.

The result makes it look like it was all plain sailing but it was Dunboyne who opened the scoring five minutes in after a nervy start from the Blanch boys.

Going behind turned out to be the best thing for the visitors as they settled down immedi-

ately and began to show their quality. They were level just minutes after going behind when Mustaf Hassan, who was man of the match on the day, powered through the midfield and rifled a shot past the helpless keeper.

They took the lead just four minutes later through Plamedie Bazeyi, who was set up brilliantly by Tirone Ayinde on the wing.

Before there was even 20 minutes gone, Corduff had added two more. Ayinde fired in from a corner before Job Bondo-Mongo waltzed through the Dunboyne

support for mnd Kilkenny encouraging Croke Park abseil castleknock’s Ciaran Kilkenny, left, Maeve Leahy, from the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, and Kilkenny’s Richie Power, right, are encouraging people to take place in a sponsored abseil on Saturday, October 10 to raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

They are pictured at the top of the skyline at Croke Park which is the venue for the sponsored abseil.

Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

centre and blasted in from the edge of the box.

Corduff ’s midfield was dominating their Meath opposition who, despite decent effort, just could not get a grip on the game.

Hassan scored his second with an effort similar to his first and within about a minute of that Ibraheem Badruto got the Duff’s sixth when he got on the end of a BondoMongo cross.

Their seventh came just before the break and got the biggest cheer of the day, at least from the away support.

Corduff were awarded a penalty and goalkeeper Cian Mahady took the long run up to take it.

With the help of the post he scored before the ref called a halt on the opening half.

Similarly to the first half, it was Dunboyne who started the better after the restart and played some decent stuff despite only really playing for pride.

It really wasn’t their d a y, h o w e v e r, a n d Corduff’s eight came against the run of play, Bazeyi’s sweeping cross took out the defence and keeper simultane-

ously and all Badru had to do was tap it over.

Five minutes later, the extremely impressive Ayinde grabbed his second after he ran half the length of the pitch before stroking it calmly past the keeper.

The same man completed the scoring and bagged his hat-trick with about 10 minutes to go with an absolute bullet of an effort which the keeper had no chance of saving.

Corduff march on to the third round, along with the club’s Under-14 A side who beat Athboy Celtic 5-0 in their second round fixture.

1 October 2015 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

Erin Go Bragh run up fine win over Pat’s  sport@dublingazette.com

ERIN Go Bragh’s Under-12 footballers picked up an impressive 4 -8 to 2-5 win on Friday night at St Pat’s, Donabate in their penultimate football league game.

The team needed a win to take the fight for second place to the

final league game of year and they got off to a flying start with two quick goals inside the first three minutes.

St Pat’s clawed their way back into the game with a goal and a point b e f o r e E GB s t r u c k again with a third goal.

Rather than take their points EGB continued to look for goals but

could not find the net and it almost backfired as St Pat’s countered on three occasions and picked off three points without reply to leave just two points in the game approaching half time.

But it was the kick EGB needed and they fired over four points before the half time

whistle to lead 3-4 to 1-4 at the break.

T he visitors lif ted their game in the second half and defended with everything they had, countering St Pats at speed.

They outscored St Pats 1-4 to 1-1 in the second period leaving nine points between the teams.

hurling: extra time needed in senior b final

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s THE senior football championship

put in a big effort – thank you for your

returns this week with St Brigid’s

support.

playing St Jude’s in O’Toole Park this Saturday, October 3 at 5pm. Please come out and show your support for Tony, Gerry and the team.

Hard luck to Noelle Healy, Ciara

There was no lotto jackpot winner on Thursday.

Next week’s draw is in Myo’s on October 2 with our €15,000 jackpot still in place. Our reserve is now €9,600.

Trant, Colleen Barrett, Sorcha Furlong

Make sure to have your envelopes in

and the Dublin ladies football team in

the draw. Thank you to all our club lotto

the All-Ireland final last Sunday in

participants for their support and to

Croke Park.

our wonderful lotto committee.

The St Brigid’s nursery runs every

St Brigid’s/Spleodar Irish club runs

Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30 to

on Thursdays in the club hall from

11am. We welcome all four- to seven-

7pm-9pm.

year-olds in the Castleknock and

Open for all teenagers between

Blanchardstown area and new mem-

12-18 and the cost is €3 per week. A

bers and families are always welcome.

great opportunity to practice Irish for

For further information and queries,

important exams and for enjoyment.

contact David on 085 8340169.

More information is available on the

St Brigid’s GAA 1 to 2,500 fundraising

club website.

Initiative continues – see club website

The full range of St Brigid’s GAA gear

for further details. This fundraiser

is available on our online shop on the

will require each section of the club to

club website.

castleknock GREAT win for our adult hurlers in

See details on the website of the

gallant Erin’s Isle team; next up for

Ultimate Ladies’ Night Out fundraiser,

our hurlers is a semi final against St

happening in the Castleknock Hotel on

Jude’s in Russell Park on Wednesday,

October 22. The club are delighted to

October 7.

be hosting Strictly Dancing Part 2 in

Big championship wins also for our U-16’s and U-14s camogie teams and The St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER side celebrate their senior B championship success

Plunkett’s eventually get the best of Boden

Senior b final St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER 1-18 Ballyboden St Enda’s 0-19  sport@dublingazette.com

ST OLIVER Plunkett’s edged out Ballyboden St Enda’s 1-18 to 0-19 in Friday night’s Dublin senior B hurling championship final at Parnell Park after extra-time.

The Navan Road side looked set for victory in normal time when they held a four-point advantage, 1-13 to 0-12, with five minutes remaining.

However, Boden came with a storming finish to force two extra periods of 10 minutes after Austin

Lynch (free), the impressive Matty Weldon and two points from Paul Doherty brought the sides level in added time.

While it might have looked that the southside men now had the momentum it was Plunkett’s who looked the fresher side in extra-time with the likes of Conor McDonnell going strong to the finish.

Points from Liam Corbett (free), the pacy Ronan O’Brien, Corbett again following good work by sub Michael Walsh and a Corbett free before the half-time interval in extratime had Plunkett’s in the driving seat.

Early in the second half of extra-time the Plunkett’s defence had to be on their guard to twice deny Boden keeper Conor Dooley from 20m frees before Ronan O’Brien stretched their lead - it was one they held on to despite late scores from Sean McDonnell and Doherty.

In normal time it was evenly matched with Plunkett’s extra pace in attack helping them to a 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead.

Some of Plunkett’s long-range striking was impressive with both wing backs Aidan Baird and Eanna Boland on

target and centre-forward Niall Murray hitting three points.

However, in the concluding minutes of the half Boden began to exert a greater influence on the game with Ronan Cleary and Paul Doherty closing the gap before the break.

The key switch of the second half was the move of Cian Boland to centreforward and he scored the only goal of the night in the 43rd minute when he brilliantly fielded a long delivery before despatching to the roof of the net.

But Boden kept battling to the end of normal time and reeled Plunkett’s in.

automobiles.

the championship replay against a

our minor footballers against Whitehall.

Our junior footballers play their

Westmanstown on Saturday, November 21.

Dancers wanted – send an email to castleknockgaaevents@gmail.com or call 086 8416431 for further info.

championship final against Ballinteer

Big Castleknock welcome to our

St John’s in O’Toole Park at 11am on

new club coach Paul Hudson; Paul

this Sunday, October 4. Again please

holds both sports science qualifica-

support the lads if you can.

tions and an All-Ireland U-21 medal; A

Hard luck to the Dublin ladies football team who played so well in the AllIreland final against Cork.

unique mix of practical and academic experience.

The club nursery is up and running

A big thank you to all who travelled

at Tir na nOg (beside Castleknock

into the game and to those in the club

Community College) every Saturday

who organised trains, buses and

morning from 10am to 11.30am.

Naomh Peregrine WELL done to Eric and the Dublin footballers on another great AllIreland win.

narrowly beaten by Naomh Olaf.

Some key games this weekend; the senior footballers play Whitehall in

Some great performances on the

the senior B championship replay

pitch last weekend; the U-14 girls

on the club pitch at 5.30pm on Sat-

qualified for the championship final

urday.

after topping their group; the U-14

On Sunday, the minor hurlers play

boys had a great win over Vincent’s.

Round Tower (C) at 11am in Blanch IT.

On the adult side, the minor foot-

There are also key games for our jun-

ballers had a great win over Skerries

ior A footballers at home to Clontarf

in the championship; a great second

at 11am and junior B away to Bally-

half from them.

boden at 3pm.

Our junior B footballers captured

Senior camogie are also in cham-

the Sheridan Cup after a pulsating

pionship action on Sunday at home,

1-13 to 1-11 win over St Pats (D) .Hard

11am. Please support all teams where

luck to the senior hurlers who were

you can.

32 BLANCH gazette 1 October 2015