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see pages 17, 19 November 8, 2012

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

INSIDE: A masquerade ball for St John’s Ambulance is a huge success P6

fun extinguished: Vandals set fire to new €70k playground tower Page 2

Burning ambition: Foroige Flames make TV debut the foroige flames from Huntstown

Soccer:

St Mochta’s bow out of Gilligan Cup to Joey’s Page 30

Football:

St Peregrine’s young heroes march forward Page 31

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

did themselves and their community proud in their TV debut as part of Ireland’s Top Teens TV Show on TV3 recently. The programme showcased 10 outstanding groups of young people who undertook projects to impact positively on the lives of others. Pictured at the awards are (centre) Sarah Lambe with fellow Foroige Flames members receiving their trophy from David Byrne, Permanent TSB (left) and Paul Maher, chairperson, National Council of Foroige (right).

Disappointment as hospital hopes fade St James’s chosen as location for new €484m national children’s hospital

 laura webb

There was disappointment for Dublin 15 this week when it was announced that the National Children’s Hospital will be located at St

James’s Hospital.

Blanchardstown’s Connolly Hospital was a serious contender in the race to find a suitable site for the long-awaited National Children’s Hospital.

T his week, Minister

for Health James Reilly announced St James’s Hospital in Dublin 8 as the preferred location. It is set to cost in the region of €484m.

Local Labour TD Patrick Nulty said he believed

C o n n o l l y wo u l d h ave been the “best option”, while Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison said the announcement was “very disappointing for those of us in Dublin West”.

Full Story on Page 4

R1

2 BLANCH GAZETTE 8 November 2012

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The slide is now closed for safety reasons and the council is waiting for a report detailing the necessary repairs

Vandals set fire to new €70k playground tower

VA N D A L S have destroyed part of a new €70,000 playground tower slide which was recently installed at a popular Dublin 15 park.

The tower slide in the Millennium Park in Coolmine was set alight on Saturday, October 27.

It is understood that vandals deliberately set a fire underneath the stairs of the newly installed playground equipment.

In a statement, Fingal County Council said they “strongly condemn” the person or persons who “maliciously vandalised a brand new piece of playground equipment at Millennium Park in

 LAURA WEBB lwebb@gazettegroup.com

Blanchardstown”.

The tower slide was installed two weeks before it was damaged and, according to FCC, in that short space of time has been a “fantastic attraction for the thousands of young children who use the facility”.

The slide is now closed for safety reasons and the council is waiting for a report detailing the repairs which will be necessary. The slide cost €70,000 and was only

the second such tower slide in a Fingal County Council playground.

A spokesperson for the council said: “It’s ironic that two days before National Recreation Week, someone intentionally decided to set light to a brand new play facility like this, and it’s only down to the quick response of the Dublin Fire Brigade that the slide wasn’t completely destroyed. “ S o m e o n e k n ow s who committed this act of pointless destruction, and we appeal to anyone who has any information to contact the local gardai in Blanchardstown at 01 666 7000.”

He continued: “The real victims in this are

the many local children who have thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic play facility over the past two weeks.”

Dublin West Sinn Fein representative Paul Donnelly said he is “shocked and angered” by the arson attack.

“I visited the park and I was dismayed to see at first hand the significant damage that has been caused by the action of the perpetrators.

“The new slide was a superb addition to what is already one of the best parks in the city.

“I cannot commend Fingal County Council Parks Department enough for the constant upgrading of the parks facilities,” he said.

The local representative went on to say that the slide is a wooden structure and it caught fire “very rapidly” causing “massive damage”.

“I would like to commend the Fire Brigade who were on the scene in minutes and succeeded in preventing the total destruction of the slide.

“We as a community must play our part in ensuring that our facilities are not damaged or destroyed.

“I am calling on anyone who has any information to please pass it on. This attack on our community facilities must be challenged and those who did this must be held accountable,” he added.

Ethnic Network information event THE Fingal Ethnic Network (FEN) will host an information showcase event at council offices this November.

The major event is for service providers of interest to ethnic communities in Dublin 15 at Fingal County Council Civic offices on

November 14 from 1pm to 4pm.

It provides information on the range of services available in the area for the various new communities now living in Dublin 15.

Translation and interpretation services will be provided at the event by a local voluntary group.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Cian O’Callaghan (Lab) will open the showcase and launch FEN’s three-year plan at the event, which is supported by Fingal County Council’s Community Office, Safer Blanchardstown and An Garda Siochana.

8 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 3

connection Reaching out to young people

Foroige Youth Service celebrate 60 years  laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

The Foroige Youth Service celebrates its 60th birthday this year and it has fast become an empowering and informative tool for young people, including many in Dublin 15.

Not only is it a special year for Foroige, but the Blanchardstown Youth Service in Blanchardstown is celebrating 30 years.

Known in Dublin 15 as the Foroige Blanchardstown Youth Services and Associated Projects, there are many different clubs and groups across the community that are having a positive connection with young people.

This week, the Gazette caught up with youth officer, Emma McNeely, to chat about the service.

To honour Foroige’s birthday, they are conducting research on the needs of young people in Dublin 15 and how they as a youth service can respond. The Youth Perspective 2.0 will have youth participating which is one thing that, according to Emma, is “imperative” to the work the youth service does.

“We want them to tell us what best suits their needs,” she said.

The last time this research was conducted was 10 years ago and, as modern life takes a different direction through technology and social online forums, the service feels it is time for an update.

“The key themes will be education and prospects for young people, crime and safety, drugs and alcohol, relationships and sexuality. There will then be a consultation day in December, where 80 young people from different areas will mesh out all the research we found and come together to go through it.”

Successful

Last year, Foroige set up in Phibblestown which is proving successful, adding to other successful clubs in Tyrrelstown, Hartstown and Castleknock.

The ser vice offers young people an array of programmes including performing arts club, a homework club, NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship), a youth cafe, a Big Brother Big Sister programme, a

Local sports?

FastNews Girls only night for Crumlin Get the girls together and support Girls Only night at Dunboyne Castle Hotel in aid of Crumlin Hospital’s Fix Crumlin Appeal on November 16 at 8pm. Music on the night is from Sisters of Sound and there will also be a DJ until late.

There are cocktails on arrival and finger food, alongside the chance to win some great raffle prizes. Tickets for this event cost €25.

For more information, see www.facebook. com/hazelspilgrims or email hazelspilgrims@ gmail.com

Me and My Girl at Draiocht

Paul Maher, chairperson Foróige and Sean Campbell, CEO at Foroige’s Got Talent in June in Phibblestown

relationship and sexuality programme and a computer club house.

Serious talent

The computer club house helps members e x p r e s s t h e m s e l ve s through music thanks to the recording studio that is available. “There is some serious talent here in Dublin 15, and the youth service offers them the mechanism to express themselves for free and get advice on it,” Emma continued.

One group, the Foroige Flames from Hartstown, are currently starring in TV3’s Ireland’s Top Teens programme. They were chosen as one of the top 10 in the country to be part of the programme that will lead to one being crowned Ireland’s Top Teens.

Programmes offered by Foroige aim to “empower young children to make an impact in their community”.

“They are all outcomefocused and we have

proven they work. Mental health is very big issue at the moment. We have a positive health and wellbeing programme.

“One part [of the programme] is bullying and cyber bullying. Times are tough and it’s particularly tough for young people.

It is up to us to give them a positive outlook and help them see a brighter future.

Learning

“Everything we do is about learning skills in the right environment and having fun along the way,” Emma added.

Volunteering is a vital piece of the service because without dedicated volunteers it wouldn’t work and they are always looking for new volunteers. “We do provide training; just a one- or two-hour commitment is needed,” Emma said.

For further information on Foroige, log onto www.foroige.ie or just drop in to the club in your local area.

Call our SPORTS team on 60 10 240 or email sport@gazettegroup.com

tell us about your local competitions, events or winners!

A cast of locals are set to wow audiences with their rendition of Me and My Girl at Draiocht Theatre. From November 13 to 17, Coolmine Musical Society brings the acclaimed musical to the Dublin 15 stage.

There have been some last-minute changes with director Colin Hughes stepping into play the role of Bill Snibson after ill health meant Karl Dawson had to step down from the lead role.

Tickets priced €20 and €17 are on sale now at www.draiocht.ie

4 BLANCH Gazette 8 November 2012

it’s your story: hot fuzz raises funds

Paul Mullen (centre) with Jerome Moran and Conor Howe

Group raises €1,200 in charity sale A new start: Local company’s boost  Paul Mullen,

Treasurer, Hot Fuzz Alps Group

Our Special Olympics Hot Fuzz ALP’s group held a big sale on Saturday, October 27, in a unit in Superquinn Shopping Centre in Blanchardstown, where we sold bags, ties, belts and bangles galore.

We spent a few weeks collecting the items for the sale and we put up posters in the local shops, schools and churches.

Our sale was a great success, and we raised in the region of €1,200 which will be given to local respite services.

Some members of the Hot Fuzz ALP’s group avail of these services.

Many thanks to all who supported us on the day and all who helped us collect the items for the sale.

Hot Fuzz ALP’s group

is a group of young people with an intellectual disability; we are all members of the Special Olympics Sports Club 15.

We m e e t o n c e a month in Crosscare in Blanchardstown Village.

Each member has a mentor. Our mentors help us to become socially and personally more confident and to help us gain new skills.

We do this in a number of fun and interesting ways.

This sale was our way of volunteering our time to raise funds and to help contribute to our community.

We are always looking for new mentors so, if you think you might like to become a mentor or would like some more information about Hot Fuzz Alp’s group, please contact mentorsdublin15@gmail.com

to Mountview Boys and Girls FC local funeral home Jennings were delighted to lend

their support to Mountview Boys and Girls FC, with John Kennedy of Jennings funeral homes on hand to present a new set of gear to Jason Carr, the kit director of Mountview Boys and Girls FC.

Mountainview are one of the largest schoolboy/girl soccer clubs in the Dublin 15 area. For the 2012/13 season they currently have 15 teams ranging from U8-U17 and an academy section for four- to sevenyear-olds. For more info, see www.mbgfc.ie

James’s pips Connolly for NCH  Laura Webb

St James’s Hospital will be the site for the National Children’s Hospital (NCH), and not Blanchardstown’s Connolly Hospital.

Connolly Hospital was tipped to be a front runner for some time before St James’s Hospital in Dublin 8 took the preferred spot, which was confirmed on Tuesday.

According to Minister for Health James Reilly, the original site at the Mater Hospital, which was refused planning permission by An Bord

Pleanala, was ruled out because “significant risk” surrounds planning permission at the site.

He said ultimately the St James’s site will be a trilocation with a maternity hospital, and it is estimated to cost €484m.

However, Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty believes Connolly is the still the best site.

“It is my understanding is that the Dolphin Report makes clear that the Connolly site would be able to build the hospital up to nine months faster than the James’s site.

“It is still my view that

the Connolly site would have been the best option but, obviously, you have to respect the views of the expert analysis that was done as well,” he said.

“I think what is important is that the Dolphin Report is published, and I believe it was a mistake that the decision was made at cabinet without the report being made public for a debate about the site.

“I think ever yone involved in Connolly Hospital should be very proud of the bid they put together and it is a

tremendous credit to everyone involved that Connolly was given such serious consideration.”

He went on to say that he believes it was “totally unacceptable” that the Government has said the hospital won’t be built before 2016.

“There is an urgent need for a NCH and that should be the priority. The planning process needs to be fast tracked to make sure we have a state-of-the-art world class facility.”

Minister Reilly said it could be built by the end of 2017 or early 2018.

Santa Claus makes his way to Blanch Centre

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he is arriving in style this weekend at the Blanchardstown Centre.

The man in red will touch down in a helicopter in the car park opposite the blue entrance at Blanchardstown Centre at 11am on Saturday, November 10.

Everyone is invited to give him a warm welcome.

8 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 5

sculpture Land Art project under way in Hartstown

Students show flair, naturally  laura webb

The project will culminate with the work being combined into a sculpture in St Catherine’s Park

Dublin 15 students are getting arty and earthy by creating environment art for St Catherine’s Park as part of National Recreation Week.

Transition Year students at Hartstown Community School are creating a Land Art/Earth Art project with artist Elaine Griffin. The project consists of three classroombased design workshops with Elaine and will culminate with their work being combined into a sculpture construction at St Catherine’s Park on November 15.

The sculpture will consist of natural materials gathered throughout the park, organic elements such as logs, branches and leaves and also natural materials such as soil

and stones.

According to a spokesperson for Fingal County Council, Land Art is inspired by and inextricably linked with the landscape, where the piece of art is created in harmony with its surroundings and left to change or erode

under natural conditions.

The renowned British artist Andy Goldsworthy pioneered many approaches to Land Art and is recognised as one of the most influential artists in this genre.

Funding for the sculpture was granted under

National Recreation Week funding through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

National Recreation Week 2012 took place between Monday, October 29, and Sunday, November 4.

Members of the public have been invited

to attend the event on November 15 and witness the construction of the sculpture by the local students.

For further information, contact Ray Conway, Fingal County Council on ray.conway@fingalcoco.ie

6 BLANCH Gazette 8 November 2012

gazetteGALLERIES

Ciaran Treacy, Julie May Morris, Erica Hennessy, Kyle Whelan, and Bronagh Martin

James O’Higgins Norman, Ciaran Treacy and Robert McGrath

Olivia Murray, Stephanie Murray, Lauren Hollingsworth and Joanna Leonard

masked ball: evening for St john’s ambulance

No disguising good intentions S

T JOHN Ambulance recently hosted a Masquerade Ball in the Carlton Hotel in Tyrrelstown to fundraise for more life-saving equipment for the Dublin 15 area. Both women and men of all age groups donned their glad rags and fancy masks

at the glamorous event, and they partied while knowing that they were helping to raise money for two Cycle Response Units.

The attendees enjoyed a sit down meal and danced until all hours with a DJ rocking the beats until late.

Máire Caffrey, Áine Cody and Gráinne Ui Amanda Johnson and Michelle Costello

Chaomhanaigh

8 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 7

Have you seen yourself in the Gazette? Buy photos online from only â‚Ź6.99 at www.gazettephotos.com

Lizzy Tormey and Edel Tormey

Karl Wilkins and Simone Doyle

Ashleigh Howard and Ally Howard

Luke Williams and Jennifer Tormey

Bronagh Martin and Cormac Doyle

Lauren Gillan, Dervla Keane and Jen McCarthy

8 BLANCH Gazette 8 November 2012

Got a Picture? parenting Advice on facing a teen issue Call our news team on 60 10 240 or email picturedesk@gazettegroup.com

For many parents, the discovery that their child may be using drugs is likely to be a traumatic experience – so, how can you address this?

What to do if you learn your child uses drugs  philip jennings Safer Blanchardstown

FOR many parents, the discovery that their child has become involved in using drugs is very traumatic.

This discovery can happen the very first time your child begins to experiment with drugs, but it is more likely that it will be much further down the line.

Young people are very good at keeping secrets from their parents, and it is only when they have some kind of accident associated with their drug use, or when they get into trouble as a result of drugtaking, that parents first become aware that their child is taking drugs.

Some people think that smoking a bit of hash is not too bad – after all, “they could be doing worse” [may be the perceived thinking], which generally means the young person could be taking cocaine or heroin.

Unfortunately, parents need to be aware that there aren’t many heroin

SAFER Blanchardstown is a local organisation that aims to increase communication, trust and relevant

addicts out there who did not begin their addiction with smoking hash.

At 12 or 13 years of age, a young person passes through an awkward and sometimes difficult stage of development.

For some young people this can be a fairly smooth transition from child to young adult. Others may rebel against parents or home rules. At this stage, their circle of friends will be very important to them and, more especially, how they themselves appear in the eyes of their friends.

To become and remain a member of this significant peer group will necessitate keeping to the rules of the group, with the most important rule of all being: “Don’t tell.”

If the circle of friends is beginning to experiment with drugs, then this rule will ensure that adults

information exchange between local residents and appropriate authorities. The forum also aims to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to take part in shaping policing priorities for their area, in

will not become aware of the behaviour until something happens.

When parents become aware that their child is taking drugs, their knowledge of the issues and how they respond is crucial.

One sinister form of behaviour that has directly emerged from the use of drugs is intimidation.

Intimidation This intimidation is of a particular type, in that it is, in the main, carried out by young people intimidating other young people and their families as a direct result of owing money for drugs.

How can parents and people being intimidated respond? How can people overcome the paralysing fear that intimidation can instil in parents when their child, family, home

order to help tackle issues of crime, drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and other criminal activity. In this feature, they discuss how parents may approach the troubling issue of drug use among teenagers.

or property is threatened?

We must be honest and admit that the law is very black and white in regards to intimidation, and the gardai, and Fingal County Council, can do very little if people are afraid to stand in court and point out the individuals concerned.

However, we are not defenceless against this type of behaviour – both the gardai and Fingal County Council have Freephone Confidential numbers to contact (see below), and they will welcome any and all information you feel comfortable with leaving for them.

These reports to the Garda and the council may add to information already held on file relating to the person doing the intimidation. If not, it may highlight someone

they should be looking more closely at.

Both the Garda and Fingal County Council work very closely; they regularly meet and share information relating to intimidation and drug dealing, and will be very grateful for your information.

Confidential It is important to note that neither the Garda nor Fingal County Council will ever disclose any information you wish to remain confidential without your express permission.

For further information, see www.saferblanchardstown.com, or contact them on 890 5406, 890 5017 or 890 5410.

They also have an outof-hours confidential Freephone number, at 1800 333 444.

8 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 9

query: development debts revealed

FastNews

€2.25m made available Exchange your toys and support Enable Ireland for youth services THE Department of Children and Youth affairs has announced €2.25 million in capital funding for youth cafes and youth projects.

It was announced that €500,000 will be provided to youth cafes in 2012; €1.5 million in 2013 for youth capital projects, and €250,000 for play and recreation initiatives in 2013. Youth organisations can apply for the 2013 funding scheme through an application process. Further details will be made available in the coming weeks.

Deputy Joe Higgins (SP) said he, and party colleagues, want to find out which developers owe money to the council, and what is being done to recover it

Council is owed €89m in levies

FINGAL County Council (FCC) has confirmed that development levies still outstanding and owed to it are currently €89 million – a €40 million reduction since 2010.

Last week, The Gazette reported that €129 million in outstanding development levies was owed to FCC in 2010.

T h e f i g u r e s we r e revealed by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, following a parliamentary question by Dublin West Deputy Joe Higgins (SP).

This week, a spokesperson for FCC accepted that the sum of €129 million was outstanding as of October 31, 2010, but said the current amount outstanding is €89 million, €8.8 million of which is recorded as “in arrears”.

According to the spokesperson, it is policy for FCC to issue invoices in the full amount of the applicable levy on receipt

of commencement notices.

However, the accounts cannot be “reconciled until planning permission has expired and [the] site left in a safe and satisfactory condition”.

“The amount recorded as outstanding also included a substantial amount that is due to be offset when final accounts have been agreed, in respect of public works carried out by developers on behalf of the council.”

The spokesperson went on to say that FCC’s policy is to invoice the “full amount”, saying it is best practice for them and is considered to be the “better accounting policy”.

This has resulted in “substantial invoices” recorded as outstanding, even though work may take years to be completed, “and, in recent years, large-scale developments are suspended or abandoned entirely”.

The current outstanding sum is mainly due to single-house and domestic extension developers, and lenient payment plans have been agreed with the householders.

The FCC spokesperson said: “Where no such payment plans can be agreed, legal proceedings are instituted. The number of cases involved in the legal process varies considerably on a daily basis, as payment plans are agreed or broken.”

Last week, Deputy Higgins said his party colleagues in Fingal are seeking to find out which developers owe money to the council, and what is being done to recover it.

He said: “We think it is outrageous that they are sending out letters to ordinary taxpayers [looking for household tax] which is even more a burden on them when such huge amounts are outstanding in levies.”

Compost containers are binned  laura webb lwebb@gazettegroup.com

FINGAL County Council (FCC) has announced that it will cease the sale of compost bins after their current allocation is sold.

According to a council

report, FCC has over the past few years run various promotions on the selling of compost bins, but since the introduction of the brown bin service to householders, “there has been a marked reduction in the number of compost bins sold”.

“Since August, all compost bin stock has been moved to Estuary Recycling Centre, where it is being sold off at half price.

“We were selling bins at cost price – even at that, it was difficult to sell them,” said the report.

ARGOS has joined forces with Enable Ireland to raise money for the charity by offering customers a toy exchange.

Anyone who donates old/unwanted toys to Argos or Enable Ireland for resale or recycling to assist the charity, will be rewarded with a voucher to save €5 when you spend €40 on toys in store.

Ask for further information at the local Argos Store in Blanchardstown’s West End Retail Park, or see www.enableireland.ie.

10 blanch Gazette 8 November 2012

gazetteGALLERY

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Ciara Hickey

Sean De-Claine

Winner of the national women’s marathon championships Maria McCambridge, and her son Dylan, with Georgina Drumm, vice president, Athletics Association of Ireland. Pictures: Sportsfile

So far, so good for Gary Condren

Stepping out to make a marathon effort for fun

T

HOUSANDS of people took to the city centre recently for the annual bank holiday marathon, which attracted runners from every city in the region, as well as from all across the island of Ireland, and,

indeed, all corners of the world.

While a number of dedicated athletes had soon taken the lead in a bid to win the Dublin Marathon 2012, most were running simply for the fun and the pleasure of doing so.

Thousands of spectators cheered on the tired but determined runners, walkers and fundraisers taking part, while the clear weather, and wacky costumes sported by some, added to the upbeat mood.

Oliver Geoghan offers an encouraging high-five to Karen Thomas, from Portland, Oregon

8 November 2012 Gazette 11

health P14

asdfsdaf BUSINESS 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, as well as the latest from our schools

hugh lane: gallery’s concert season

Classical ensemble will have audiences flying high As part of the 36th series of free concerts taking place in the Sculpture Gallery of the Hugh Lane Gallery, classical ensemble Concorde will play on November 11.

The Sundays at Noon concerts were set up to offer the best of Irish and international musicians who would play the most beautiful music in elegant surroundings for free to the public.

It is run each year from September to June and its popularity is such that the gallery is always full so those wishing to attend are advised to go early to get a seat.

Concorde is made up of Madeleine Staunton on flute, Paul Roe playing clarinet and bass clarinet, Elaine Clark on violin, Martin Johnson on cello, Dermot Dunne on accordion and Jane O’Leary,

the artistic director of the group.

On November 11, the Concorde group and special guests will play a selection of pieces under the umbrella of Up Close with Music.

Among the pieces included in the concert programme are a cello solo called Five Hofer Photographs by Dave Fennessy, Hhmmmm, a bass clarinet solo by

Elaine Agnew, and Con Coro, a violin, cello and tape composition by Rhona Clarke.

Concorde: Up Close with Music is on November 11 in Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Square North.

If you’d like to find out more about the event, you can call 01 222 5550 or email info.hughlane@ dublincity.ie.

The Concorde group who will play at the Hugh Lane Gallery



Gazette

disney on ice P12

Gazette

12 Gazette 8 November 2012

dublinlife

Travel with Mickey and friends to Hawaii

Skate into The temperatures are starting to plummet, so why not get the kids ready by taking them to see Disney on Ice this weekend?

The ice-skating spectacular show, Passport to Adventure, is set to take centre stage at the RDS until Sunday.

This show takes audiences on a fun-filled tour of four exciting destinations filled with their favourite Disney friends.

With Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as tour guides, guests will visit the enchanting worlds of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Lilo And Stitch.

“It’s an extraordinary

show and a family vacation all rolled into one incredible night,” said producer Kenneth Feld.

“You really get a sense you are travelling right alongside Mickey, Minnie and their friends.”

The show runs from November 8 to 11. Tickets are available from the Ticketmaster desk in the Dublin Discover Ireland Centre, Suffolk Street, online at www.ticketmaster.ie, and Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

a real treat for everyone If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a chocolate factory then you need dream no longer, as But-

lers Chocolate Factory is now running tours at its Dublin headquarters.

Butlers Chocolate Experience allows the public to explore the inner workings of one of Ireland’s longest-established chocolate factories.

Children and adults can learn what really goes on behind their doors, discover how chocolate is made, and how Butlers create their different assortments.

Visitors also get the chance to make their own chocolate creations in the Butler’s kitchen.

There are two types of tour on offer: The World of Chocolate Tour, which takes in the Chocolate

8 November 2012 Gazette 13

Gazette

diary

winter with a happy face Museum, The Chocolate Movie and the Chocolate Gallery, and The Ultimate Butlers Chocolate Experience Tour, which also offers access to the mysterious Chocolate Experience Room. Tour prices start at €10 and €12.50 respectively.

Butlers is located in the Clonshaugh Business Park in Dublin 17.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1997 and is based on the 1994 animated film of the same name.

The music is by Elton John, and the show features actors in animal costumes as well as giant puppets. It has toured all

Musical roars into theatre The musical production of Disney’s The Lion King is coming to Bord Gais Energy Theatre in April, 2013, and the launch took place last week in the Project Arts Centre in Essex Street.

Explore the inner workings of one of Ireland’s longestestablished chocolate factories

over the world since its initial Broadway run, visiting places as far flung as Rio, Sydney, Russia and Singapore.

At the Dublin launch, cast members performed famous songs from the show in full costume and Thomas Shumacher,

president and producer of Disney Theatrical Group was on hand for the celebrations.

Tickets for the show

are already on sale and are available from the box office at Bord Gais Energy Theatre, www. bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Gazette

14 Gazette 8 November 2012

dublinlife

Psychologist and author Jason O’Callaghan

Turn over a new leaf and live the life you want  natalie burke

IF YOU’VE ever wondered what it is you want out of life, or, more importantly, how to get it, a new book recently launched by journalist, psychologist and founder of the D4 Clinic Jason O’Callaghan, could be the key to a new and enlightened future.

Get The Life You Deserve: 29,000 Days – What Will You Do With Yours? aims to help readers discover the secret to positive living and offers motivational tips to inspire people to get the life they deserve, whether that is to lose weight, find love or get the job they always wanted.

Using research into psychology and hypnotherapy, Jason O’Callaghan uncovered his interpretation of positive living.

He discusses how, through taking responsibility, readers can release themselves from the shackles of their old lives and gain the motivation and inspiration to fulfil their dreams.

Readers of the book are advised on how stress can kill you faster than junk food, how smiling can help you live longer, and how what “number” of child you were in your family

may affect your success in life.

Fellow author Ruth Field was on hand to help with the launch, and praised the newly published book.

She said: “[It] really brings home the fact that we don’t have very long on this earth, and yet we are wasting days, months and years being stuck in jobs we hate, or in bodies we loathe, or in relationships that are making us unhappy.

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

‘Readers of the book are advised on how stress can kill you faster than junk food, or how smiling can help you live longer’

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

“Through a combination of visualisation techniques and inspiring stories of famous successful people, Jason highlights the value of failure as a necessary stepping stone to success,” she said.

Get The Life You Deserve: 29,000 Days – What Will You Do With Yours? is available from all major Irish book shops, with a RRP of €16.99.

With autumn passing us by, and winter just around the corner, it’s time to consider what you can do to stay healthy during the months ahead

health: some top tips to avoid piling on the pounds

Avoid the winter bulge AS THE clocks change and the dark evenings set in, the gloomy weather leaves us yearning for comfort foods, big fires and neslting in front of the TV. Clothes have gone from shaped to shapeless, and the last thing we want to do is face the elements and get active.

Shorter days and a lack of sunshine reduce our body’s production of serotonin – a hormonelike substance that promotes feelings of relaxation and happiness.

A natural reaction to this is that many people start to eat more carbohydrates, such as pasta, potatoes and rice, helping to raise serotonin levels.

With our bodies naturally craving starchier comfort food, it’s easy to pile on the pounds as the weather turns colder.

But autumn doesn’t

have to mean adding inches to your waistline, and help is at hand.

Motivation Weight Management is best known for its success in helping thousands of Irish people to reach and maintain their ideal long-term weight.

Motivation’s success is founded on the company’s approach to weight management, which focuses not just on what people eat, but why.

With that in mind, here are some tips from Motivation on keeping your waistline under wraps while you wrap up for winter.

1. Cold comfort: The cold weather makes it the ideal time to start cooking for your autumn diet plan.

Use seasonal vegetables to create big pots of warming soups and stews, which are not

only low in fat, but are also cheap and hassle free.

2. Start as you mean to go on: If breakfast has never been a priority, change that now by making it part of your autumn shape-up diet.

Short winter days can make us sluggish, and we need that extra energy boost to set us up for the day. Porridge oats are perfect for releasing energy throughout your morning.

3. Shape up: Make the most of the bracing, crisp autumn air. It is a well-known fact that the body expends more calories in the winter to keep warm, so you already have a head start!

Take your exercise outside, with long walks or bicycle rides.

Change your routine to keep your body on its toes, and to keep it interesting.

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

‘With our bodies craving starchier comfort food, it’s easy to pile on the pounds as the weather turns colder’

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

Also try to do your exercise in the morning to start your day. If you wait until evening, it will be dark and your motivation might be gone.

4. Spice up your body: Introduce some heatgenerating foods into your diet in these cold months. Use spices such as Cayenne or chilies to help keep your circulation moving.

5. Wonderful Water: Drink two mediumsized glasses of water

with each meal. This will not only serve to hydrate your body, but is also now proven to help with weight loss, according to Discovery News, and the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Their study shows that obese dieters who drank two cups of water before each meal lost five pounds more than a group of dieters who didn’t increase their water intake.

6. Don’t buy it! Junk food is really no good for anyone, so if you don’t buy it – then you can’t eat it!

Special occasion or Christmas treats should be the very last thing purchased, because chances are that if you stock up and buy in advance, it will be eaten in advance, too.

For further information, see www.motivation.ie.

8 November 2012 Gazette 15

 laura webb

WHEN people think of Ireland, one thing that comes to minds is of course, a leprechaun, but what many might not know is that there is a museum dedicated to their magical and fascinating world.

The National Leprechaun Museum is located in the heart of the city centre, in Jervis Street, and has been there since 2010.

The first attraction of its kind to be dedicated to Irish mythology, the museum takes visitors through a story of 12

chapters, with each chapter reflecting Irish mythology, or recreates experiences that people would typically associate with leprechauns.

People actually get a taste for how life can be for the wee folk, as many items on display are much bigger than average, to help people think like them.

Tom O’Rahilly, founder of the museum, talks about why he set up the museum, and what people can expect from it.

“T he lepr echauns wouldn’t let me go – they kept coming back to me, so I had to do something

about it,” he joked.

The museum was set up as a way of telling the enchanting stories of leprechauns.

Tom said: “When I started, I didn’t know much about leprechauns and, the more you dig in, the more you find out about the leprechauns and all the other characters in that other world. So, how would you talk to people about it?

“That is where the museum came in. If we can chat to people about them, show them some stuff, and get them to do some things, then we

can begin to explore the whole area.

“People come in with different backgrounds and different depths of knowledge from different countries, so it is really about trying to engage people in different ways,” he said.

According to Tom, everyone has a different opinion or idea of what the museum might be, and so people get a unique experience.

Small groups are set up, and it is a semi-guided experience.

“It is also about having an experience with other people. Essentially,

we are getting people to think like leprechauns,” said Tom. A new attraction coming next month is coin making, so people will be able to make their own lucky coins.

Asked if he has ever seen one, Tom said the leprechauns have seen him, but every time he turns around they disappear.

The Leprechaun Museum is open daily from 10am until 6.30pm.

For further information about special events coming up, see www.leprechaunmuseum.ie.

Gazette

Sharing big fun with the little people at museum

features

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GAZETTE

16 GAZETTE 8 November 2012

DUBLINLIFE

Q&A

BUSINESS

Supported

by AIB

When negative equity strikes Continued from last week

EDDIE WALSH, CHAMPS BARBERS

Cutting edge programme EDDIE Walsh opened Champs Barbers in 1996 in the building where, in 1916, his grandparents lived, and where later his mother was born and lived, in lower George’s Street in Dun Laoghaire.

While still at school, Eddie would, at every opportunity, make his way to his uncle’s barber’s shop there, where he discovered his calling.

Nowadays, Eddie runs his five salons, and teaches barbering. He is vice-president of the Irish Barbers Federation, whose objectives are to promote higher standards in barber-

ing and qualifications for barbers.

With these aims in mind, Champs are also opening a School of Barbering in the New Year.

Eddie says: “I believe there is a lack of well-trained barbers, probably because of the lack of good training, or just because the interest is not there. With Champs Barbering School, it will be our aim to train potential barbers to get that job.

“With our hands-on programme, and with five salons, we can provide the necessary work experience to get people to the top of the ladder.”

How long have you been in business?

the recession?

For 16 years.

What makes your business successful?

Determination, commitment, hard work and a willingness to change.

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

Champs Barbers and Hairdressers are fully trained qualified professionals who are continually upskilling, which means they have a good understanding of what our clients need.

Although all our salons are individual, they all have the same relaxing ambience, which our customers always comment on.

How has the recession impacted your business?

At Champs, we don’t cut corners, so therefore we haven’t cut our prices in spite of the present climate.

In a recession, it is the first reaction of any business, but in doing this we simply could not maintain the standards which have made us stand out in the business for so long.

Having said that, we do try to give back to our clients by giving different specials and promotions.

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

Champs has actually expanded in the last year, which may seem a strange thing to do in a recession, but my motto has always been to look forward and never back.

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

The commercial rates have increased so much that it has put an end to many businesses that were just about hanging on. In recessionary times, bumping up rates by more than 100% in some cases just doesn’t make any kind of economic sense.

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

We have only just signed up to Facebook , after much deliberation, and let’s just say that the jury is still out on that one.

What is your ambition for the business?

To stay at the top of our game is always our aim. We have launched our own range of products, and are hoping to open the Champs School of Barbering in the New Year.

What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?

It’s easy getting there – it’s staying there that’s the hard part.

AS DISCUSSED last week, problems with negative equity can strike if your life circumstances change, such as, for example, you need to change homes, or you lose your job. What happens then?

A) You must immediately communicate with your lender. Paying from savings is short-term folly.

Complete a Standard Financial Statement, outlining your circumstances and details of expenditure, and make an appointment to see your lender.

If you cannot even pay the interest-only monthly repayment (about 60% of the normal capital and interest repayment), request a payment holiday – no payments whatsoever, initially for three or six months.

Remember that the normal rule of thumb is that you should only be paying 35% of your monthly net disposable income (that is, after tax) on financial commitments, including your mortgage. Are you paying in excess of this now? You will also need to submit bank statements, P45 etc to back your case.

B) EBS and AIB Bank only recently announced changes in their policy regarding negative equity, along with other lenders who had already brought in this facility. This allows families to transfer their negative equity to their next property while, perhaps, increasing the debt in order to buy a more appropriate home for their needs.

For example, if you live in a property that sold for

€200K, but you owed €425K, the negative equity – ie €225K – can be added to the purchase price of €300K, so that the maximum loan-to-value is 175%; you would now owe €525K on a property worth €300K but have “traded up”.

However, the terms and conditions still apply – all lending is based on the ability to repay. You still have to prove ability to repay the €525K. On the Net Disposable Income method, and if this was your only financial commitment, you would need between you a net monthly income of €8,160 (or just under €100K net per annum), based on an interest rate of 4.3% and a 25-year term.

If you do not have the income but must move, your only choice is to rent the existing property and rent larger accommodation until income allows you back in the mortgage market.

Of course, the final alternative is personal insolvency or bankruptcy. Talk to you next week ...  Contact John with your money questions at jlowe@moneydoctor.ie or visit his website at www.moneydoctor.ie. John Lowe, Fellow of the Institute of Bankers, is founder and managing director of Money Doctor

TWO-DAY EVENT: ENTREPRENEURS SHARE EXPERIENCES

Meeting aims to encourage more women into business NATIONAL Women’s Enterprise Day 2012 has been hailed as a huge success, with hundreds of participants representing every county in Ireland attending the event in Portlaiose.

Successful businesswomen shared their experiences with start-up companies and fledgling businesses at the twoday event, which was organised by Ireland’s 35 County and City Enterprise Boards, which support around 12,000 women in business across the country.

The aim of National Women’s Enterprise Day was to encourage even more women to set up their own businesses, and to increase national rec-

ognition of the essential role played by Ireland’s female entrepreneurs.

A panel of experienced business mentors conducted over 200 one-toone mentoring sessions during the event.

Mary McKenna, founder of Tour America, said: “I’m amazed to see the amount of women that are here, and the energy that’s coming from the room. It’s great to see women helping and supporting women.

“Ireland is a great country, and there are many opportunities in times like these. The clear message is: ‘It’s okay to try things’,” she said.

Michael Johnson, of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise

Celebrating the contribution of women to business at National Women’s Enterprise Day 2012

Board, said: “Through profiling the success stories of female entrepreneurs in Ireland, we hope to encourage more women to seek out new business opportunities by setting up or growing their own business.

“The full programme of workshops, talks and oneto-one mentoring clinics was designed specifically to help boost confidence

levels among women.

“The fantastic feedback from the event serves to prove that the inspiring stories and words of wisdom shared at National Women’s Enterprise Day are already having a very positive and motivating effect on women in business today.”

For further information, see www.enterpriseboards.ie.

8 November 2012 Gazette 17

gaming P21

asdfsdaf P27 TRAVEl P24

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 P20

Pets can you give bruno a home?

There aren’t many people who would walk away from a recod label to release their album on their own terms, but Tyler Hilton did just that

PEOPLE: former one tree hill star on the challenge of songwriting

Enjoying a musical rebirth  paul hosford

TYLER Hilton is relaxed. The one-time One Tree Hill star, who made his name blurring the lines of reality and fiction as a singer-songwriter on the teen television drama show, has released his first album in nearly a decade and, although only 28, is going through something resembling a creative rebirth.

After five years recording and rerecording an album that was set to be titled The Storms We Share, Hilton left his record label, started his own record company, and earlier this year finally released his third album, Forget The Storm.

Added to that, he is currently headlining his first-ever European tour and, the day we meet, he is preparing to take

to the stage in Dublin’s Academy.

We meet in Bia Cafe on O’Connell Street, in the shadow of Dublin’s Spire, and Hilton seems to be enjoying music again, something he admits wasn’t happening under his old deal.

“It does feel like a weight lifted. I feel like you need to do what you’re built to do; runners need to run, and singers need to sing, but it had been nearly 10 years since I put out a record, so I felt like I had to put something out. That’s why I left my label to put it out.

“Even if I didn’t have the money to promote it the way a record company would, I was like: ‘Let’s put something out’, and it felt really good,” he says.

It is refreshing to hear Hilton carries no bitterness towards his former record label, though he does equate the end of

the working relationship to a separation.

“It’s like going through a break-up.

You go through the heartbreak and then start over.

“I ended up liking this record a lot more than the one I’d spent six years [working] on, and I think that’s because I was just thinking instinctually, and wasn’t caught up in picking the perfect song. “[At my old label] there wasn’t any pressure to do one thing or another. I would do something, and they would be like: ‘Cool; what else?’, and I was thinking: ‘Well, I don’t know, what do you guys want me to do?’,” says Tyler.

That sense of freedom is evident on the album, as Hilton is given the latitude to do different things with his music.

“It wasn’t a premeditated sound, but when I came out of my heartbreak and, like, coma of despair, I was really angry and directionless. That’s where these songs come from.

“There’s a lot of songs about anger, and I don’t know if I’ll ever make an album [again] that’s ‘this rock and roll’, but it’s a representation of where I was at the time.

“It’s less of a representation of the last six years than it was the period after I left the label.”

While most people are struggling to get to a major label deal, Tyler says that walking away from the comforts of being signed to a major to setting up his own label felt right.

Continued on Page 19

DUBLIN Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dog’s Trust, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs.

Don’t let this mature gentlemen’s age fool you, though – he still considers himself to be a sprightly young chap.

This super handsome boy has been living at Dogs Trust for nearly 19 months, waiting for someone special to come along and offer him his forever home.

Bruno would probably prefer a home without kids where he can be the centre of attention. He is a big fan of cuddles, and would be happy to share the right home with another dog.

If you think you can give Bruno a loving home for his twilight years, contact Dogs Trust at 01 879 1000.

Further information about their work can be found on their website at www. dogstrust.ie.

All dogs that are adopted from Dogs Trust are vet-checked, vaccinated, neutered and micro-chipped before being re-homed

GAZETTE

18 GAZETTE 8 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

STYLE

Dune €115 Next €93

Next €40

Ne w He r i t a ge

Debenhams €18.50

with tailored of the manor, y d la e th n o - this is the A modern take to accessories el fe an ri st eque Awear tweeds and an sual look from ca t ar sm ct perfe

Accessorize €39 Accessorize €34

Faith €186

Debenhams €70

Dunnes €20

Debenhams €39

BEAUTY news

Getting a seasonal glow - bargains and beauty buys!  LAURA WEBB

OK, so Christmas isn’t for another while yet, but many people are already thinking about buying here and there so December isn’t an expensive month.

This week Gazette Style has a very rewarding idea that will get you some great gifts while you buy for others. If you purchase two or more products at Lancome, you will get a free skincare essentials gift bag worth €74.

Looking after your skin is essential in winter months so it is definitely something to think

about for yourself, so when buying for mum, or even the man in your life check out Lancome products and receive an extra special gift early.

Who says Christmas can’t come early?

The gift includes a Lancome Makeup Bag, a Lancôme makeup Brush Dou, skin care produts: Visionnaire (7ml), Génifique (7ml), Hydra Zen Moisturiser (30ml), Tonique Douceur (50ml) and Galeteis Douceur (50ml). It also includes Hypnose Mascara (2ml) and L’Absolu Rouge (1.6ml).

This gift is available in all Debenhams Department stores Dublin, until Sunday November 18 or while stocks last.

Keep an eye out for offers like this at department stores across Dublin, so you can treat yourself while treating others.

TAKING a look in the mirror, most of us can see the holiday hue has well and truly disappeared, so it’s over to the false tan to give our winter skin a sparkling glow.

Fake tan experts He-Shi have a great line of products that make skin luminous, shimmering and soft.

The new He-Shi Luminous Shimmer is a subtle and sophisticated bronzer, which offers a gorgeous glittering finish, perfect for enhancing skin on dark evenings.

There is no hideous smell and it’s easy to use. It can be layered for deeper colour and washes off with ease making it a perfect product for any party occasion.

Luminous Shimmer is available from selected department stores, salons and day spas for an RRP of €12.60.

8 November 2012 Gazette 19

Gazette

MUSIC FASTtunes

Halloween’s not over: Christmas albums are looming!

Actor and singer/songwriter Tyler Hilton: “I want to rediscover the things I love, so I have more to put into the next record”

PEOPLE: walking away from a record label ‘was right for me’

Breaking the rules Continues from Page 17

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

“I’m a pretty patient guy for the most part, but I think people were surprised I stayed as long as I did. I go back to the relationship [comparison]: you stay with someone as long as you can to try make it work, but, eventually, you have to decide to walk away.”

Going back to 2005, Hilton was a man on a massive upward swing, recording an album on a major label and having starred as Elvis in the acclaimed Johnny Cash biopic, Walk The Line.

It seems odd, then, that a European tour would be so long coming, not to mention a new album.

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

‘The industry keeps changing, but this is my favourite time in my career ever.

Nothing lasts very long in this business.’

“The industry keeps changing, but this is my favourite time in my career ever.

“It feels different, for sure, but I feel like no matter what it is, nothing lasts very long in this business.

“You couldn’t have

told me when I first got into the business that not listening to the people telling me what to do would be the answer.

“It’s so counterintuitive to everything you learn your whole life, but breaking all the rules ended up being the answer.”

As a man who has acted and sung for some 15 years, Tyler doesn’t see any problem with cramming as much as possible into his schedule.

“I feel like if you do a lot of one thing, you’re probably missing out on something else.

“I want to rediscover the things I love, so I have more to put into the next record, and nobody

wants to hear songs about the life of being an actor.

So, when I’m home, I try not to do any of that.”

W hen back home, Hilton says that catching up with family, friends and his girlfriend, actress Megan Park, grounds him, as well as hiking and “feeling healthy”.

Hilton met Park on the set of the criminally under-rated movie, Charlie Bartlett, and the two have been together for five years now.

“The thing is we’ve been together a long time and, fortunately, we’ve been very happy and she’s not crazy!

“I could probably date another actress and she’d be out of her mind, or, if

I’d never met Megan, I could date a nurse and it would be fine but, for me, Megan is perfect.

“If she was in any other kind of industry, she’d be perfect. The way she handles herself and her temperament teaches me a lot.

“She’s very together, or at least she acts that way in front of me!

“It’s nice for me to see people who can be so normal, and so together, and be successful in this industry, because it’s not usually that way.”

Unfortunately, it’s not usually that way, but thankfully, Tyler Hilton is the exception rather than the rule. And that’s probably why he’s so relaxed.

So, Halloween is over, the nights are good and dark and the fridge is fast becoming a warmer place to be than outside. And with that, of course, comes the annual day that breaks the bank for all of us.

No, I’m not talking about when the fat guy gives the presents, rather when the fat cats take them: Budget 2013.

And if your purse strings are tighter than Joan Rivers’ face, I’m looking to the people who still have money to see how they’re still bringing in the big bucks in these tough times. The answer?

A Christmas Album. When you think about it, it’s made with minimum time and effort, no one will blame you for doing covers, even the corniest ones are going to shift at least a few copies, and there’s almost a guarantee that sales will pick up at Yuletide every year, meaning artists can put their feet up and watch the Christmas cash roll in.

Many rockers have turned their hand to the odd Christmas tune: Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, even Phil Lynott, but an entire album is a reputation gamble if ever I saw one.

New additions to the Christmas album shelves this year include Rod Stewart, who’s bringing out a festive album which one can only hope isn’t as cringy as the title - Merry Christmas, Baby - while Sandy and Danny themselves, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta are re-uniting for their Christmas record, This Christmas.

The album cover shows the two Grease stars enjoying cups of tea by the Christmas tree - a far cry from Travolta’s Pulp Fiction days.

Rod Stewart on the other hand is bringing out the big guns for his album, which includes a virtual duet with Ella Fitzgerald for What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? Ehhh, probably not listening to your album, Rod! Dee Woods @ Radio Nova

Better be good for goodness’ sake

Gazette

20 gazette 8 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

more

theatre THE pavilioN THEATRE 01 231 2929

Every Little Step… the Rhythm of Hope FROM their critically acclaimed premiere in New York, Dance Theatre of Ireland and Soul Steps bring a stunning, foot-stomping, body-clapping, energizing experience in every Little Step...the Rhythm of Hope, featuring dance, live music and story-telling. In their hottest work to date, a powerful cast of seven performers combine Irish and modern dance with African-American stepping. November 6-9, tickets are priced at €17/€14.

Mill Theatre 01 296 9340 Chris Kent

WHAT do you get when you cross a burnt out electrician with a standup comedian? You get the most high-voltage act on the Irish comedy circuit at the moment.

Join multi award-winning Chris Kent for his new positively charged, totally unique debut. In this brand new show, Kent throws some light on the joys of being a negligent electrician and a couldhave-been porn star, as well as an uncanny resemblance to a wellknown, sheeploving soap celebrity. November 16-17 at 8pm, tickets are priced at €10.

CIVIC THEATRE 01 462 7477 The Nualas

FOR the price of one household charge you and several friends and/or family members can enjoy a night of worldclass entertainment - scintillating vocal harmony, ambitious choreography, kneelength, yet unbelievably glamorous, and shiny, stage attire. November 15 at 8pm with tickets €20 and €16 with €15 and €11 concessions.

Marion Cotillard and Matthias Schoenaerts take a break from swimming

cinema: A foreign treat in irish cinemas this week

No signs of rust HAVING already been praised with a host of accolades before ever hitting our big screens, winning the title of best film at the London Film Festival and Cabourg Romantic Film Festival as well receiving as a nomination for the much-coveted Palm D’Or at Cannes, I had already assumed high expectations before attending the screening of Rust And Bone last week.

Directed by Jacques A u d i a r d , a c cl a i m e d director of ‘A Prophet’, the French-Belgian film stars Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard and Belgian actor, Matthias Schoenaerts in the leading roles.

Based on a short story collection of the same name, Rust and Bone is

 natalie burke nburke@gazettegroup.com

a story centred around unemployed Ali who, on moving with his son to start a new life in Antibes, falls in love with Stephanie, a character portrayed by the brilliant Cotillard.

An unconventional love story, the film defies the tones of a typical romantic movie, instead focusing on the bleak and sometimes dark moments of life and the unexpected turns it sometimes takes.

Single and slightly inadequate father Ali takes his five-year-old

son from their home in Belguim to live with his sister in France, where he befriends Stephanie, a confident local who has an enviously unusual career as a whale trainer at a local marine theme park in Antibes.

Despite being poles apart, a friendship sparks between the two when they begin to bond around their flawed lives. Ali fails to care for his own son, focusing instead on a road destined to lead to trouble, while Stephanie faces a lifetime of trials as she struggles to rebuild her own life after a life-changing accident, grasping solely onto the unintentional compassion shown by her new friend.

Taking a step away from her most recent

Film of the Week: Rust and Bone h h h h h (15A) 120mins Director: Jacques Audiard Starring: Marion Cotillard, Matthias Schoenaerts, Bouli Lanners, Alex Martin, Celine Sallette

OUR VERDICT: WHILE foreign-language films don’t always appeal to everyone, Rust and Bone is one film that we recommend should shake that trend.

An unconventional love story, the enlightening tale focuses more on the troubling moments real life can bring and less on the romantic aspect of a blossoming friendship. Having already been awarded prestigious titles in the film world, Rust and Bone is one French film that lives up to its esteemed albeit young reputation.

screen appearance this year as powerful Miranda Tate in The Dark Knight Rises, French actress Marion Cotillard instead slips easily into a role of a woman trapped by a tragic accident, in the deep recesses of a depression and struggling to rediscover her will to live. With few moments to smile about, Marian manages to convey the deep and troubled emotions being no

doubt felt by someone in her position and plays a dramatically powerful performance while still possessing that sense of the natural French grace and poise she is celebrated for.

Matthias Schoenaerts on the other hand, becomes a character that is hard to warm to, but one that is portrayed just as successfully. His apparent disregard for the welfare of his son,

his illegal fist-fights and easy disposal of one night stands have a tendency to overpower the real reasons for his adolescent behaviour; a struggle to make ends meet and an insecurity about his real capability as a single parent.

To g e t h e r t h e t wo struggling characters unknowingly lean on one another for support as life continues to throw hurdles their way. While the French subtitled film may not be for everyone, and occasionally fails to explain fully the lessimportant tangents of the story, Rust and Bone is one story that if you get caught up in it, will draw you in and leave you feeling enlightened, satisfied and with an appetite for the culture of French film.

8 November 2012 GAZETTE 21

GAZETTE

GAMING ASSASSIN’S CREED 3: A SUPERB SEQUEL

A title that’s worth hunting down in shops  SHANE DILLON

EVERY week feels like Christmas for gamers at the moment, with triple-A titles either suddenly on the shelves, or about to hit the market.

And, certainly, one of the biggest titles of the year – in more ways than one – comes courtesy of the cross-platform title, Assassin’s Creed 3, which was released just last week but, unsurprisingly, has leapt straight to the top of the charts around the world.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, AC3 is the latest in the popular series, which has spun off into indirect titles, making this not just the third in the overall series, but certainly the most impressive.

 SHANE DILLON sdillon@gazettegroup.com

For “newbies” to the Assassin’s Creed setting, a modern-day protaganist is caught up in a slowly-uncovered, endof-the-world scenario – however, dull-as-dishwater Desmond is merely a means to an end, as, through some high-tech nonsense, he can “relive” the memories of – Oh, look, it doesn’t really matter, does it?

Desmond accessing memories of long-dead people is the way to play the game proper, as we

slip back into time to “remember” the character’s actions.

This time round, AC3 follows a half-English, half-Mohawk man, Connor, in Colonial America, around the time of the great American Revolution.

During 30 or so years of Connor’s life, around the Revolution years, he wanders through several key parts of the Colonial frontier, with vast tracts of land, speckled with small towns, as well as a number of well-known cities in their older, simpler forms, including New York and Boston.

Connor’s life brings him into contact with a wide range of historical characters on all sides of the Revolution, with eve-

From snowbound city streets teeming with British Colonial soldiers to verdant Frontier lands full of wildlife, the beautifully realised world of Assassin’s Creed 3 is a memorable, diverting place to wander and explore

ryone from Washington to Franklin shoehorned in, as well as several key historical moments in the battle for America at the time.

As an assassin with his own agenda to follow, Connor spends an awful lot of time tracking down – and eliminating – all kinds of people, in line with the previous games.

However, AC3 remains, as ever, a game that certainly has a violent nature in parts (albeit for the greater good, once again),

BYTES&PIECES STILL SO FORZA, SO GOOD Franchise spin-off impresses

FIRST things first – yes, Forza Horizons. really does look that pretty, as shown in the screenshot, right.

Already a terrific racing franchise exclusive on the XBox 360, where Forza easily roared into pole position as a great cicruit racer, an elite team of developers were assembled for this recently released spin-off with an open-world setting – and, boy, did they deliver the goods.

Set around the Horizon Festival in Colorado (an ever-so-slightly naff-feeling central hub), it’s your job to roll into town in the equivalant of a rusty bathtub on three wheels, before taking to the highways and byways of Colorado for all kinds of Horizon challenges.

The more you race, the more you rise up the ranks from your lowly starting position of 250th place, as you undertake

The game ships with a photo mode, to create similarly striking shots

set challenges, random races, or simply challenge other, snazzier cars to a race – and what races they are, too.

Colorado, here, takes in all kinds of sweeping landscapes and surfaces, with a wide range of beautiful, gleaming motors to unlock and take to gravel roads and wide highways, while the spectacular sunsets and ambient details add to

the overall mood.

Indeed, it’s a pleasure to just drive, picking a forest road or desert trail to follow, with the game putting the horizon there for you to reach as best as you see fit.

So, for those looking for a meaty racer, or for those looking for a very pretty driving game, or even for those just looking for a great game, Forza Horizons is a winner.

but rewards exploration and observation.

While the main campaign missions can be blitzed through reasonably quickly, there are, quite simply, a staggering range of side-missions and distractions to undertake.

Whether hunting wildlife to make money, recruiting craftspeople to make your humble home ever grander, exploring the lands and the cities, or even taking to the high seas in well-realised naval sections – and all with a noticeable graphical flair in an already attractive series – AC3 presents a beautiful, challenging and rewarding title.

Coupled with a historical (and physical) setting that’s rarely been touched upon in gaming, and with a striking story that resonates with contemporary times – not to mention a lot more features than I have space to even mention, let alone look at here – AC3 has delivered an outstanding title.

Available now for several platforms, it’s a terrific title, and one that makes the game’s revolutionary past something to definitely look forward to ...

22 GAZETTE 8 November 2012

GAZETTE

&ABOUT OUT road

MOTORS

NOISE

Skoda drives up the motor ranks SKODA’s drive to become a Top-5 best-selling car brand has taken a big step forward in recent weeks with the recruitment of five new dealerships for its network across Munster and Leinster. The dealerships chosen for their strategic importance in high population centres include Boland’s in Carlow, Sheehy Motor Group in Naas, Co Kildare, Frank Hogan Motors in Limerick, Western Motors in Drogheda Co Louth and J Donohue Motors in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

In addition to the dealership expansion, Skoda has also announced its latest innovative sales incentive programme for Irish motorists.

In conjunction with Applegreen, Skoda has launched a unique fuel card offer for Irish motorists, guaranteeing them a set price for fuel in 2013 and saving them hard earned money.

Anyone who orders a new Skoda before November 17will receive a fuel card capping the price of fuel at 99c a litre for the year ahead.

Skoda was also recently recognised as a leading provider of value for Irish motorists by Motorcheck. ie Value Analysis report which was carried out across a range of car brands and models to determine which cars retain their value providing the best investment. The report which compared almost 12,530 pricing samples between January 2009 and July 2012 revealed that Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda provided the greatest return on investment of any brand. Skoda claimed Number 1 spot in three of these categories, best diesel option for small hatch (Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI), mid range saloon (Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI) and large saloon (Skoda Superb 1.9TDI Greenline).

Over the three-year period the outstanding Skoda models retained 67% (Fabia), 62% (Octavia) and 61% (Superb) of their original value. These valuations are all significantly ahead of the average retained value for each segment with the Skoda Octavia 1.9TDI +12%, the Skoda Superb 1.9TDI Greenline +11%, and the Skoda Fabia 1.4TDI +5% respectively.

Joe Barrett, retail director of Applegreen and Ciara Walsh, marketing communications manager, SKODA Ireland, are all smiles as Skoda announces its latest innovative sales incentive programme for Irish motorists in conjunction with Applegreen

Today’s Beetle transfers the styling of the original Beetle and the 1998 new Beetle into a sportier, more masculine era

VOLKSWAGEN: THIRD INCARNATION OF A MOST ICONIC CAR

The beloved Beetle is back with a bang

 CORMAC CURTIS

IT hasn’t been all that long since the 2012 Geneva Motor Show – it was back in March. But it seems like an eternity since I was there to see, for the first time, just how great the all-new VW Beetle was turning out to be.

Pearlescent white paint, tinted windows, blindingly bright chrome alloys designed with good ol’ fashioned hubcaps in mind– it had the perfect blend of classic Beetle lines, combined with a dune buggy-like profile.

Did I mention the gloss-black door sills with the chrome highlights?

The fact that the classic sills were omitted from

the second-generation Beetle still boggles the mind, but their return just makes this model that bit more special. And that’s what the Beetle is all about – special.

The entry-level model is already a design classic, but Volkswagen have not spared the whip when it comes to options for those who really want to treat themselves to a top-end motor.

The model I test drove recently was a dream.

The interior was practically wrapped in leather, with colour panels that matched the Denim Blue exterior beautifully.

T he f lat-bottomed leather steering wheel was a multifunction joy, as it gave me control of the simply wonderful

sound system.

Made by the classic guitar manufacturer, Fender, the Fender Plus stereo will, on this side of the Atlantic, only be found in the Beetle. The system comprises two tweeters each in the mirror triangle and rear side trim, front and rear woofers and a subwoofer located in a closed bass box in the boot.

Heart and soul of the system is a 10 channel amplifier with class A /B end stages and eight speakers delivering a 400 watt output, while ambient lighting around the speakers and door panels creates a relaxed atmosphere.

For me at least, this makes the world a better place, it really was a

shame that VW insisted I give the car back.

The Beetle is priced at a very competitive €19,995 for the entry-level model, but true Beetle lovers will almost certainly want to spring for some of the top-drawer extras. Personally, I would be a big fan of the optional winter pack that includes heated front seats with three pre-set temperature settings.

If I had my way, all cars would be equipped with keyless entry systems, like the one available on here.

This system enables you to enter and exit your car without taking the key out of your pocket.

Once inside, as long as you have the key on you, the engine can be started

without inserting the key in the ignition by simply pressing a button in the centre console.

It’s options like these that keep a car like this one that bit extra special – but don’t forget leather, you really do deserve the leather interior.

It’s no coincidence that the Irish love the Beetle, the first one built outside of Germany was on Dublin’s Shelbourne Road and continued to be produced there right up the late 1970s.

Beetle lovers had to wait until 1998 for the second generation model to arrive, but this third model is set to bring different generations of motorists together as it is certain to go down a storm.

8 November 2012 BLANCH Gazette 23

Gazette

CRAFT craftwork: Dalkey’s winter fair expects over 5,000 visitors

Designer showcase flourishes

Thousands of locally produced craft and design goods will be on display at this year’s Winter Fair in Dalkey, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11.

For the first time, this year’s fair is taking place in the Cuala GAA Hall on Hyde Road.

More than 5,000 visitors are expected at the event, which is now in its eighth year, to see work from over 40 design and craftworkers from Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, which is emerging as a centre of excellence for the craft and design sector.

Fresh styles and gift ideas, as well as specially-made Christmas items, will be available during the two-day event, which is organised by Dun LaoghaireRathdow n County Enterprise Board.

The Winter Fair has grown in popularity every year since it began among locals and visitors to the area, many of who travel specifically to see the wide range of quality products available.

With over 40 stands, locally designed fashion, hats and jewellery, photography, bags, candles, furniture, toys and

A sample of Laragh McMonagle’s jewellery

collectibles will all be available at the Winter Fair 2012.

Regular exhibitors who are returning to the Winter Fair include Susannagh Grogan Designs, Red Rufus Sock Dogs, Cathy White Vintage Bags, Cadenza Glass Beads, Blue House Studio and Michael Delahunty Photography, many of who have created new work specifically for the event.

They will be joined by a record number of new exhibitors – all based in the county – some bringing their new work to the market for the

An example of jewellery from Cadenza Glass Beads

first time.

Event co-ordinator S u z a n n e M ay s a i d : “This is such an important event in the design calendar that people are now travelling to Dalkey from all over Leinster.

“We are delighted to welcome a number of first time exhibitors to the Winter Fair, in

addition to our regular faces.

“The range of local creative talent at the Winter Fair is always inspiring and offers gift ideas for every taste and budget.

“Every year, there are new and exclusive collections and the public are always ver y supportive of locally-produced design and craft products.”

Laragh McMonagle, a locally-based jewellery designer has participated in the Winter Fair over the last number of years.

She said: “This is one of my favourite times of the year, when all our hard work is unveiled to the public.

“It gives us a chance to meet our customers face-to-face and it gives them a chance to ask us questions about our craft and hear our design stories, which is a unique aspect of Winter Fair.”

The Winter Fair 2012 in Dalkey is open to the

public from 10am to 6pm on both days, and admission is free.

Updates can be found on the Winter Fair Facebook page, at w w w.

Red Rufus Sock Dogs

facebook.com/thewinterfair.

Further information is also available at http:// www.dlrceb.ie/winterfair2012.

Gazette

24 BLANCH gazette 8 November 2012

OUT&ABOUT

fast

TRAVEL

Celebrate Bond with a visit to bonnie Scotland STUNNING locations are a key ingredient of James Bond films and, with the recent release of Skyfall, the fourth Bond film to feature the beautiful surroundings of Scotland, there’s never been a better time to explore the northern country.

While Daniel Craig was seen jetting off to the Bahamas and South America in his first two outings, the character goes back to his Scottish roots in Skyfall. In a chase sequence filmed in the Highlands, near the peak of striking Buachailie Etive Mor, the secret agent’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 manages to get upstaged by the stunning atmospheric scenery.

Whether you’re a 007 fan or fancy a piece of your own adventure, Scotland boasts a number of Bond-inspired activities to pursue on a visit to the highlands.

The Spy who Loved Me, The World is Not Enough and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service are just three of the many Bond films to include skiing scenes, and Scotland has five ski resorts. Why not hit the slopes this winter for skiing, snowboarding or some expert snow-sports tuition?

For a combination of breathtaking scenery and exhilarating adventure, visit Highlands Sarafis at www.highlandsafaris.net, and choose from a mountain safari, a cycle through a wilderness trail or try your hand at off-road driving.

Get an adrenaline high at the Highland Fling Bungee in Perthsire, Britain’s first static bungee jump, perched above a dramatic gorge and ancient trees, or sail 30 miles from the north west coast to the Outer Hebrides, to its powder-white beaches, Atlantic waves and dark moorland.

For further details of these and many other Scottish activities, see www.visitscotland.com.

northern ireland: cookery school serves up some great lessons

Turn into a top chef (with a little Belfast help)

 laura webb

SURPRISINGLY, heading to Belfast on a dreary Thursday morning didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for the day ahead.

It was the inaugural Belfast Restaurant Week, and anything that involves testing culinary treats is something that I don’t mind doing in rain, hail or snow.

Having gone to Belfast before by car, and although it is nice to

have the freedom of your own vehicle so you can pack whatever you can fit into it, taking the Enterprise train from Dublin definitely has its advantages.

You leave from central Dublin to arrive in central Belfast – what more could you ask for, really?

The day ahead was a busy one. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board had organised some very interesting activities that would test my

own culinary abilities, and get me tasting some very famous ones, too.

The Europa Hotel is one of the best-known hotels in Belfast.

Just a few minutes’ drive from the train station, it is in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Belfast, perfect for finding your way through the city.

Once checked in, it was time to go to the Belfast Cooker y School.

This school is Belfast

Belfast Cookery School is the city’s first purpose-built cookery school

Paul Rankin’s restaurant, Cayenne, boasts a relaxing

city’s first purpose-built cookery school, and is ideally located in the heart of the city close to hotels, public transport, pubs and shopping.

I t h a s 16 f u l l y equipped individual cooking stations.

On arrival, we were greeted by Mourne Seafood Bar’s head chef, Wayne Carville, who was ready to demonstrate the meal we were about to make.

The ingredients were all laid out, and we could see by the rice, prawns and other ingredients that it was going to be some sort of risotto, and we were right – seafood risotto.

Talking us through the recipe, Wayne made it sound so easy, but I suppose when you are a top chef it’s going to be easy – for you!

The flavours of the

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

‘We were given a guide to Belfast restaurants, which is a great booklet to have as it outlines the many restaurants this wonderful town has to offer’ ----------------------------------------

garlic, herbs and stock he was using started to fill the air, and I could feel myself getting hungry. All in all, I would say it took about 20 minutes to make – now it was my turn.

I found my cooking station and the ingredients were ready to be used. It was the first time I had to peel a prawn,

8 November 2012 BLANCH GAZETTE 25

GAZETTE

Travel fast

TRAVEL

Check your travel policy’s coverage

FOLLOWING the arrival of Hurricane Sandy in New York recently, Irish travellers have been given a stark reminder of the risk of travel disruption that can often occur due to serious weather events around the world, and Multitrip.com is reminding people to check the cover on travel policies before purchasing a policy All Multitrip.com insurance policies include cover for travel delay after a 12-hour period, missed departure, missed connections, and catastrophe cover for new accommodation if you are forced to move accommodation as a result of an act of God, along with airline failure and supplier failure cover in the event of company liquidation.

The travel insurance company has also created a new additional Travel Disruption Cover.

Annual Multitrip policies are available, starting from €19.99 for European cover for an individual with private health insurance, or worldwide from €26.95. For further information, see Multitrip. com, or call 01 247 8900.

ambience, making it a perfect spot for diners (right), whether locals or tourists

and my initial reaction was to cringe, but I did it and it was actually fine.

The prawns were used to make a stock that would later be added to the rice to make the risotto.

The key to making the perfect risotto, in Wayne’s eyes, is to keep stirring, making sure it doesn’t stick to the pan.

O t h er i ngred i ents included white wine, garlic, paprika, chopped tomatoes, herbs, prawn meat, mussels and cockles.

After a lot of rice grain tasting and checking for the pin point in the middle of the grain, my dish was ready.

What’s great about the school is that you have all the joys of making the dish, without having to clean up afterwards, making it feel like a treat rather than a chore.

It was interesting to

see all the differentlooking dishes, but it was time for the taste test – and even if I do say so myself, I quite enjoyed it.

After the school we went back to the hotel for a break before heading off to Cayenne – the restaurant of Paul Rankin.

Ambience On the night, he was celebrating local food and wines with an Irish connection. The chilled ambience of the restaurant is apparent when you first walk in.

There were a few different local suppliers on hand to talk about their great products, and to answer any questions we might have had.

We met renowned chef, Paul Rankin, who talked us through the menu while his friend

and wine expert, Joe Wadsack, talked about what wines suited each course – and his recommendations were definitely on point.

For starters, I had a salt and chilli calamari, which was cooked to perfection.

For my main dish, I enjoyed venison, which literally melted through my knife, and a chocolate dessert to finish.

All in all, it was just superb. We were given a guide to Belfast restaurants, which is a great information booklet to have as it outlines the many restaurants this wonderful town has to offer.

For further information on Belfast, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board at CallSave 1850 230 230, or see www.discovernorthernireland.com.

Seafood Risotto For one to two people

Ingredients • One quarter onion • One clove garlic • Half celery stick • Pinch-smoked paprika • Half cup rice • 100g mixed seafood (of your choice) • Half cup white wine • Parmesan (amount to your taste) • Chopped parsley for garnish • One pint chicken or vegetable stock • Oil • Butter

Method • Dice the onion, garlic, celery, fennel and garlic and sweat. Add the rice (arborio or carnaroli).

• Fry the rice for two to three minutes. Add a half glass of white wine, and cook until evaporated.

• Add boiling stock, one ladle at a time, until rice is tender (you don’t have to use all the stock).

• Add your diced seafood and any shellfish. Add a knob of butter and parsley.

• Add your grated parmesan and serve.

Whatever your level of cooking skills, why not try this delicious dish?

26 blanch gazette 8 November 2012

BlanchCLASSIFIEDS

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The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the PlanningAuthority during its public opening hours of 9.30 - 16.30 Monday - Friday.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or mayrefuse to grant permission. Signed: www.tombyrnedesigns.ie 16859

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planning Notice Fingal County Council I, Gavin Willis Intend to apply for planning permission for a.2 st rey detached house b. Widening of existing vehicular access c. All associated site works on site to side of No. 81 Glenville Avenue, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of Fingal Co Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 during public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a prescribed fee (20 euro) within a period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

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mountain-biking P28

asdfsdaf gaelic games P27 P31

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



Gazette

cycling P29

FastSport Eight locals in hockey panel:

Members of Coolmine swimming club last week celebrate club coach Afric Creedon’s win in the Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim with Eamonn Coghlan also present

swimming: dublin 15 club celebrates the top achievement of club coach

Creedon win inspiring next batch of Coolmine swimmers COOLMINE swimming club enjoyed a special Halloween gala last week when Irish sporting legend Eamonn Coghlan visited the club to present club coach Afric Creedon with her trophy for winning the Dun Laoghaire Harbour swim.

It is one of the top two open water swims in Ireland, circumnavigating 2,200m of the south Dublin port, and one which Creedon has been pursuing for the past few years.

Speaking to GazetteSport about the event, she said: “The current wasn’t

mild which suited me. It was a really big win for me in our second last event of the season.

“I’ve been doing it for years and this is my biggest result, that and the Liffey Swim are the ones everyone wants to win. The best I had done in this one before was sixth and I’d been fourth in the Liffey.”

The Clonsilla resident combines her time training in Coolmine pool, getting up at 5.15am three times a week, with coaching the club’s young populace of around 100 members.

She is among six coaches at the club which caters for all ages from as young as six-years-old up to 19 with members welcomed almost as soon as they swim a length of the pool.

“We’re always looking for new members . We welcome ages in five sections from tadpoles up to elite level. We’re always aspiring to bring our swimmers up to elite level and then international competition.”

To that end, the likes of Laura Fallon among a number of members to excel on the national stage. And Cree-

don’s exploits have also had a noticeable effect on the young swimmers at the club with many younger members following in Creedon’s wake and taking to the open seas.

“Five of the girls went on to take part this year in the Dun Laoghaire swim. It really has taken off and I’m so proud of them.

“Open water swimming compared to in the pool is totally different. We’ve seen that it has provided some inspiration for them to get involved in both sides of the sport”

FOUR former Wesley College students and four St Andrew’s alumni were included in the Irish men’s hockey squad who travelled to the Netherlands this week to take part in a 23-player camp with a view to selection for the Champions Challenge tournament in Argentina later this month.

Wesley’s Mitch Darling, Phelie Maguire, Brian Doherty and Andy McConnell along with Andrew’s David Cole, Davy Carson, David Fitzgerald and Stu Loughrey will all be hoping to impress new coach Andrew Meredith in the squad’s first meetup since the summer.

The camp saw Ireland compete in a number of training matches against Dutch club sides.

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

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

Gazette

28 BLANCH gazette 8 November 2012

SPORT

FastSport goldrick makes award shortlist: FOXROCK Cabinteely’s Sinead Goldrick is on the shortlist for the annual LGFA Senior Player’s Player of the Year award.

The nominees for the prestigious awards were chosen by the intercounty squads that have played with and against these nominees and singled them out as the outstanding players in their grade.

Goldrick is in the running with Cork’s Briege Corkery and Geraldine O’Flynn who were both members of the AllIreland champions dynamic half-back line.

The LGFA Player’s Player of the Year award winners will be announced at the TG4/O’Neill’s AllStar awards at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday, November 10.

For further information regarding tickets for the event, please call 01 8363156 or email info@fai.ie.

cycling: nicolas roche starts development team for 2013 season

Roche set to launch new team  sport@gazettegroup.com

DUNDRUM native Nicolas Roche is set to launch a new Irish cycling squad for junior riders for the start of the 2013 with six places for cyclists based in Ireland.

Put together in conjunction with Philip Finnegan, the Nicolas Roche Per formance Team has secured invitations to compete in five international stage races next year, four in France and one in Germany for riders who are either first or second year juniors.

Speaking to stickybottle.com about the new initiative, Finnegan said the idea is “to get riders used to riding as a team,

to teach them how to do that and how to get used to that.

“When you look at the window that good riders have to get into a big pro team, it’s pretty short. It can be hard to make that step up to a big pro team once you’re 22 and you move out of the U-23s.

“So the idea here is to try and get the riders into that way of thinking and that way of riding from the time they are very young; to hopefully get them on the road to making that transition from the time they are first-year juniors.”

Beyond those dates on the continent, the team will focus on three day events in Cork and Gorey, the latter on the

Easter weekend, the junior Tour of Ireland, the national championships and the Suir Valley three day.

From there, the development of the side will hope to develop into the senior ranks over time.

“Obviously there is a good national set-up and juniors are taken into that for the main races and we’ve seen there was a stint with Cycling Ireland for the juniors racing abroad before the European Championships this year.

“But what myself and Nicolas are really hoping to do is to get juniors and give them that set-up the whole year round, with the added bonus of the foreign

Former Meadowbrookn resident Nicolas Roche

races we can bring them to.”

Finnegan will be the hands-on manager in Ireland while Roche who will link up with the SaxoBank team in the new year - will be the team principal. He will mentor and advise the riders, as well as maximising their racing opportunities abroad.

It will run along similar lines to the senior An Post-Sean Kelly team.

And the team is now taking applications to join up with the team from young Irish cyclists, with Finnegan adding: “We’re ver y open to having a look at everyone,” Finnegan said of the process that will be used to find the right six riders for next year.

“This is a team structure; we want team players who will understand that cycling is about

working for the team goal.

“But they will be young riders and it’s ver y impor tant that ever y single one of them gets chances to win or be the main rider sometimes; we’re going to be very committed to that.”

F i n n e g a n wo r ke d with Roche on getting the Nicolas Roche Classic up and running this year.

Local trio star for Republic of Ireland in Euros  sport@gazettegroup.com

Orlagh Nolan (pictured), Chloe Mustaki and Emily Cahill were all part of the successful Ireland U-19 side

LOCAL trio, Orlagh Nolan – from Ballinteer – Chloe Mustaki (formerly of St Kilian’s DSD) and Emily Cahill (Peamount United) all played their part last week as they helped the Republic of Ireland to top their group in the first round of qualifying for the UEFA U-19 women’s European championship.

Following big wins over Latvia and Cyprus, it set up a top table clash with Serbia for top spot, bouncing back from a 2-1 deficit as skipper Denise O’Sullivan

and vice-captain Emma Hansberry gave Dave Connell’s side a deserved 3-2 win.

The result continues the good mood in Irish women’s football as Connell has now led the U-17 and U-19 sides to their respective groups with a 100 per cent record in both cases and, with the men’s U-17 and U-19s also qualifying for the elite phase.

Both teams went into the game at the FK Srem Stadium in Jakovo having already secured qualification for the next phase but Ireland were very much the underdogs, having lost to the Serbs at

last year’s U-19 elite phase.

Nolan created the first of the day when she swung the ball into McCabe who sent a glancing header into the the net.

But Ireland paid for their profligacy thereafter and it cost them in the 36th minute when the Serbian captain Damnjanovic equalised and nine minutes after half-time a penalty led to Cubrilo giving the home side the lead.

However, the Irish women responded magnificently and within five minutes were back on level terms when a short free-kick

by Clare Shine found Lauren

Murphy and her cross was headed home by senior international O’Sullivan.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute when Emma Hansberry curled a 25m freekick around the wall and in off the post as the Irish threat from set-pieces once again reaped rich dividends.

With Ciara O’Connell in superb form at the back and goalkeeper Jillian Maloney equal to anything the Serbs fired at her, the Irish were able to hold their lead this time and record a famous victory.

8 November 2012 BLANCH gazette 29

Gazette

Downhill dream near the heart of the city

FastSport

Ticknock Hill sits less than a 10-minute drive from the Dundrum shopping centre but offers an oasis for mountainHorse sport and pentathlon bikers just a few miles away from the lights of Dublin city NESTLED in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, it scarcely seems like you’re located just a 10-minute drive from the Dundrum town centre or just a few minutes from a turn-off for the M50.

But Ticknock Hill’s mountain-bike trail offers one of the most stunning views of the city while the twisting route around the back end of the Three Rock and Two Rock mountains can quickly transport city folk to a serenity scarcely found in the county.

Coillte have been busy up there in recent years, making more and more accessible mountainbike tracks for people to get involved in the sport,

 stephen findlater sport@gazettegroup.com

providing the perfect avenue by which to take in the views.

It was there that GazetteSport met up with Stepaside resident Niall Davis – who has competed at the top level of European mountainbiking – who explained the simple beauty of the trail.

“There are so many people you take up here and they started pointing down to where their

house is and say ‘I’ve lived down there for 20 years and never knew this was here’. That’s the beauty of it. It’s such an asset and free to use,” he explains.

It is a sport that is rapidly growing in Ireland with the growth of mountain-bike trails in Ballinastoe and Limerick newly introduced with the support of Coillte and one which is becoming increasingly more accessible for Dubliners.

After an initial grind up the tarmac path, the break from the trees opens up to unimpeded views out over Bray Head and across to Wales on a clear day with the Mourne mountains also in sight to the north.

From there, the off-road

Niall Davis, left, traversing one of the turns on the Ticknock Hill mountain bike trails

begins, looping up and around the famous Three Rock mounds from which the area takes its name, the gnarled, rocky trail begins – one purposebuilt by Coillte – with plenty of challenges.

The forest road first brings you a vista of Dub-

back of Three Rock and away from the city lights.

There a long, straight section bounds along before traversing into some fast twists with lots of ups and downs. Despite the recent wet weather, the course remained reasonably intact though

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

There are so many people you take up to Ticknock and they point at their house and say ‘I’ve lived here 20 years and never knew this was here’ - Niall Davis

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

lin but once onto the single-track, replete with lumpy rocks, the route soon whips around the

there are plans for Coillte to reduce the pooling of water at the base of various drops.

It navigates over 4km of a narrow, custom-built course, cut into two sections formally carved out in the past couple of years and is one that Davis says, while not for absolute beginners, is one that can certainly be an avenue for aspiring mountainbikers.

“You’d want to be comfortable cycling on the roads, there’s not a huge step from there to mountain-biking. Once, you’ve got your gear, you’re good to go.”

** If you would like to give mountain-biking at Ticknock Hill a try, you can rent bikes and gear from Stepaside-based Niall Davis’ company, biking.ie

added to Sports Campus

MINISTER for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar confirmed a number of developments at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown including the development of high performance training facilities for Horse Sport Ireland and Pentathlon Ireland.

Speaking at a briefing in Dublin last week on developments at the National Sports Campus, Minister Varadkar also confirmed that lease agreements have been put in place with the FAI, GAA, IRFU and Irish Hockey Association (IHA), after the ownership of lands at Blanchardstown were transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Campus Development Authority in August of this year.

“I’m very pleased with the huge progress made in the last six months.

“I hope this decision by HSI and Pentathlon Ireland will encourage many other NGBs to view the campus as an ideal site for developing facilities and enhancing their own sport.

“Following on from the positive announcement on investment in training pitches from the FAI earlier this month, the announcement shows that the partnership approach between Government and sporting bodies which I announced last March is working,” Minister Varadkar said.

The National Sports Campus Development Authority will now develop a centre of excellence for Horse Sport Ireland/Pentathlon Ireland for equestrian sports, and facilities for the modern pentathlon.

Horse Sport Ireland chairman Joe Walsh said of the announcement: “This move is a very important step for Irish equestrian and affiliated sports.

“It not only provides us with the dedicated training facilities which we need, but it also merges equestrian sports with other mainstream sporting disciplines which can only be of benefit to all of Irish sport.

“Priority access will be given to high performance athletes, but the facilities will also be used by HSI affiliates and will also be open for private hire by the public.”

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 8 November 2012

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: mochta’s denied in gilligan cup extra-time

Coolmine set for top quality eighth annual business lunch COOLMINE RFC’s eighth annual business lunch will take place on Friday, November 16 in Dunboyne Castle Hotel.

The celebrations will start off with a drinks reception from 1-2 pm followed by an excellent five-course meal with wine while the event will have a pair of distinguished guests in the form of OCI President and member of the International Olympic Committee, Pat Hickey, along with Leinster’s double-Heineken Cup winning coach Joe Schmidt.

As well as being a great social event, this is a very important fundraiser for Coolmine. The price for a table of 10 people is €1,250 or €125 per individual.

For reservations or further details, contact PatAnn at patannw@eircom.net / 0868076677.

Castleknock run up series of big wins CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-9 blue side overcame Clonee Utd in their league encounter last weekend to continue their fine form After a goal-less first half, with only five minutes left Clonee took the lead and they thought they were home and hosed.

But Celtic struck back with Scott Soroghan’s strike from close range and Lee Canavan’s goal with seconds remaining.

Celtic’s Under-13s took on Cabinteely in their Murphy Cup game in Porterstown.

Chris Alli hit an

unstoppable shot into the net off the underside of the crossbar early on en route to a 2-1 half-time lead while David Onitou, Ben Traynor and Ayo Duraioye all shot home in the second half to leave Celtic 5-1 winners.

Elsewhere, Castleknock’s David Kelly was on the mark as Celtic’s DDSL U-18 major side ran up a 6-1 win over Parkvale.

Among other big wins was the truly incredible 10-8 success of the club’s NDSL U-8 side in seeing off Dingle United. Cillian Mooney, Essay Okiripiko, Sasha Krylov, Tom Pool and Daniel Moore all chipping for a truly memorable which went to and fro throughout the game.

St Mohta’s line up last Sunday morning in Porterstown Park to face St Joseph’s Boys in the first round of the Gilligan Cup

Joeys’ late late show gilligan cup St Mochta’s St Joseph’s Boys  carl duffy

2 4

sport@gazettegroup.com

ST Joseph’s Boys progressed to the second round of the Gilligan Cup after a hard fought extra time victory against St Mochta’s at Porterstown Park last Saturday.

From the outset, Joey’s looked most likely to score with Eoghan Kennefick and Luke McWilliams linking up well to create several good goal scoring opportunities.

Mochta’s struggled to keep possession as their

opponents continued to press high up the pitch as midfield pair Samuel Keating and Aaron Leonard controlled the tempo of the visiting team’s play and continued to thread through passes for their pacy front-runners who were proving a tough challenge for the home back line.

They weathered the storm, though, and finished the half the stronger with Gavin Smith doing well on a number of occasions, providing a series of half chances but none of which resulted in a clear attempt on goal.

remembrance run Irish sport stars help promote local 5k race entries are coming in fast for next Sunday’s Remembrance Run - the 5km walk, jog or run event taking place in the Phoenix Park at 11am - starting on Chesterfield Avenue.

Irish cricket star Kevin O’Brien and Ireland’s most capped hockey player Nikki Symmons were both on hand to help promote the event organised by Athletics Ireland in association withwww.mycharity.ie.

Online entry is still available at www. remembrancerun.ie.

J o s e p h ’s m a n a g e r Paul Massey felt his team “were extremely unlucky” not to be leading at half time but that his “young and inexperienced team” were showing enough signs to push on in the second half.

And so it proved when good build up play between Kennefick and McWilliams resulted in Leonard’s curling shot on the edge of the box sailing into the net.

Mochta’s rallied though thanks to the efforts of their managerial pair, Brian McCarthy and former Bohemians boss Roddy Col-

lins. They brought on ex-Monaghan United player Cillian Corcoran whose pace and control resulted in the equalising goal. He was fouled 10 yards from the edge of the box and Paul Clare stepped up to superbly lift the ball over the wall and straight in.

It forced extra time and Mochta’s looked to have possibly done enough when Niall Kennedy’s corner was met by the head of Corcoran who rose the highest to put the ball in off the post and make it 2-1.

But Joey’s responded quickly when a McWil-

liams deflected cross fell only as far as the edge of the box, where Keating was able to drive home an unstoppable shot on goal to square things up.

T he visiting team didn’t look back after equalising with Keating grabbing his second and Jordan scoring late on to give Joseph’s a hardearned victory.

After the game McCarthy felt his team were unlucky not to have gotten something out of the game as “the game could have swung either way in extra time” but that he “could not ask any more of the lads”.

8 November 2012 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

Garda set to host Thousandaire event  sport@gazettegroup.com

GARDA GAA and its juvenile section Westm a n s t ow n G a e l s i s hostsing a Who Wants To Be A Thousandaire? event in the Westmanstown Sports and Conference Centre on Saturday, December 8 at 7.30pm.

Contestants will be

drawn from ticket sales and each contestant will play for €1,000 in a fully computerised show with 50/50, ask the audience and a video-linked phone-afriend.

The show is being run to assist in the development of club facilities which benefits the communities of Blanchards-

town, Clonee, Clonsilla and Lucan.

The launch night for the event will be held on Tuesday, November 13 at 7.30pm in Westmanstown with new Dublin manager Jim Gavin the guest of honour.

There will be an opportunity to meet and greet the new senior Dublin football

manager who was previously a coach of the senior Garda GAA club men’s team.

There is still some large screen digital advertising space available for the show, please contact stephen@westmanstowngaels.ie or call 0866082708 for further information about the night.

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s HARD luck to our U-14 camogie girls,

New members and families welcome.

who were all edged out in their cham-

Contact Paul on 087 9154748 or see the

pionship and league finals.

website for more info.

Well done to our U-16 camogie team

A new GAA show featuring a weekly

who captured the U-16 championship

Brigid’s round-up is on every Monday

with a great win over Whitehall.

evening on Phoenix FM at 7.30pm.

Important fundraising event this Friday, November 9 - wine quiz night Tickets now available from Michelle at stbrigidsgaa.treasurer@gmail.

football: peregrine’s reach division four final

Saturday from 9.30am to 11am.

senior camogie team and U-16 hurlers

com.

The club lotto is €12,600 this week and takes place in the Roselawn Inn this Thursday evening.

Our junior hurlers face OPER in the league on Wednesday evening at

A race night is on November 16;

8.30pm in Russell Park while our U-14A

horses and programme sponsors are

footballers face Clontarf in the divi-

still needed. Contact Tim O’Mahony on

sion one league final on Saturday at

086 9314532 for more info. Please make

3pm also in Russell Park.

sure you support each event.

St Brigid’s GAA club nursery for four- to seven-year olds runs every

Our club AGM takes place on November 25, nominations/motions must be in by this week.

erin go bragh COMMISERATIONS to our U-16 ladies

Sponsor cards have been printed

who lost their shield final by one point

and will be circulated to all mentors

against Ballyboden St Enda’s last

this week for distribution next week

Sunday.

at training.

The Erin Go Bragh, CLG AGM will

We are looking for adult footballers

take place at 8.30pm on Thursday,

and hurlers for the 2013 season. The

December 6 in the clubhouse adja-

contact for hurling is Gareth Dalton

cent to Mary Mother of Hope National

(gazsandalton@yahoo.ie) and for

School.

football is Cecil on 086 259 7789).

Nominations for officership/execu-

The Erin Go Bragh dinner dance will

tive positions and motions must be

be held in the Carlton Hotel in Tyrrel-

forwarded to the club secretary

stown on Saturday, November 24.

Blakestown side set up first final date

(jkinsella@kinsellamitchell.ie/086 818

u-14 football semi

and awards night takes place on Sat-

The Naomh Peregrine side that got the better of St Mary’s of Saggart in their semi-final last weekend

St Peregrine’s 6-10 St Mary’s, Saggart 2-8  sport@gazettegroup.com

ST PEREGRINE’S U-14 footballers defeated St Mary’s of Saggart in the semi final of the league to book their place in the final at home against O’Toole’s on November 10 at 1pm in Blakestown.

They had gone into the tie with Mary’s as underdogs having been beaten by 2-8 to 1-2 in mid-October but they bounced back in some style, the win guaranteeing them promotion

to division three for 2013 into the bargain.

They got off to a great start with Conor Hynes scoring the opening goal in the third minute of the game. Mary’s responded in kind with a goal to make it 1-1 to 1-0 with only 15 minutes played but Hynes ended the first half with two more points to give Peregrine’s a narrow half-time lead of 1-4 to 1-2.

But on the line was the Clonsilla club’s first ever chance to play in a final and they showed their desire to win by scoring 2-3 in the first 10 minutes of the sec-

ond half, two goals from Christopher Keogh and another two points from midfielder Hynes to put serious daylight between the teams at 3-7 to 1-4.

At the far end, Pere g r i n e ’s g o a l ke e p e r S t e p h e n O ’ R o u r ke showed his class, pulling off save after save to the frustration of the St Mary’s players.

It augmented the outstanding defensive work of Graeme Mooney and Sean McLoughlin who played solidly throughout the game and midfielder Kevin Diallo worked his socks off,

covering every inch of the pitch.

St Mary’s never gave up and put together some excellent passing to score their second goal of the match in the 45th minute of the game, but it was too late as the game ended when Jonathan Murphy fisted the ball into the back of the net for a 14-point win for St Peregrine’s.

Hynes ended the tie with 1-5 to his name while Keogh’s 2-0 and Ryan Farnan’s 1-1 led the way in a truly stunning reversal of fortunes.

4054) by Friday, November 18.

Please note that only paid up members are entitled to vote at the AGM.

Places are limited. Tickets cost €55 each and are available now. Contact Sinead on 086 889 1551.

Don’t forget each Monday to tune

Please be advised that the annual

into Phoenix FM to listen to The Throw

juvenile sponsored walk will take place

In focusing on GAA in Dublin 15 - Mon-

on Saturday, December 1 at 10.30am.

days at 7.30pm on 92.5FM.

garda/westmanstown THE end of year fund-raising event urday, December 8 from 7.30pm.

All club members are required to

Centre.

Well done to the U-14 boys that defeated Ballyboden to reach their divisional final last Saturday.

get at least one minor sponsor for

In other games, the U-12 girls lost

the night. The deadline is November

by a point in a thrilling encounter

10.

with literally the last kick of their

Meet and greet the new senior Dub-

game against Craobh Chiarain.

lin football manager Jim Gavin who

Many thanks to Na Fianna for host-

launches our fund-raising project on

ing the girls’ blitz event. The U-0s

Tuesday, November 13 at the West-

travelled to Meath and beat Dun-

manstown Sports and Conference

boyne.

castleknock THE club took yet another massive

league and championship double. Well

step forward this year when the

done to Tom, Sean and Ray and all of

Intermediate footballers beat Scoil Ui

the players involved.

Chonaill to win AFL4 and gain promo-

Well done also to the minor hurlers

tion to AFL3. This is the second time

who beat Ballyboden to progress to

in two years that the team has been

the next round of the minor B hurling

promoted, and it also completes the

championship.

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

super saints: Naomh Peregrine’s footballers of the future make big impact in the championship P31

NOVEMBER 8, 2012

new developments: Nicolas Roche starts up new elite junior cycling team P29

Mountview man stars for Ireland  peter carroll

sport@gazettegroup.com

MOUNTVIEW United chairman Darren Ward is adamant that the club’s Chris Barbour will make the international amateur squad for the UEFA Regions Cup next March in San Marino.

Barbour was in action for the Irish amateurs over the last few weeks, helping a makeshift squad to a 7-0 victory over the Defence Forces, scoring with a header.

And last weekend, he was part of another select panel that took on England’s amateurs, running up a 2-1 victory. These matches served as selection matches for the Euro-

pean level event.

Having banked a solid 80 minutes of play, Barbour will be confident of securing his place, but in an interview with GazetteSport recently, the talented attacker admitted that he thought he would never play for Ireland again, up until he rejoined Mountview United.

But chairman Ward explained how the Irish international rediscovered his form on his return to his local club.

“I think Chris didn’t want to play football when he returned to us, but when he started playing with lads he had grown up with, he started to love it again.

“It’s a mixture of what we’re doing off the pitch and how happy he is playing the game that has him in the form that he is, and he really is a consummate club man, always asking about upcoming events and giving a hand.

“He’s brought so much recognition to the club over the years. Having our names up with some of the biggest clubs in the country when he was nominated for the FAI junior international footballer of the year was amazing – it wouldn’t have happened without him,” said Ward.

Ward went on to describe what Barbour offers as a player.

“He has a real presence about

him. He has unparalleled strength on the ball and he can hold off three players and still make a pinpoint pass. His vision is amazing and he’s just on the next level.

“All of the children in the area look up to him and they show up to watch him when he is playing. It’s great for them to know that you can play for local teams and make it to an international stage and Chris is the proof,” he said.

With the selection of the Regions Cup team coming up,Ward believes Barbour’s chances are good.

“He’s a two-time nominee for the junior international award and he just has too much to offer not to be included,” he finished.

Mountview’s Chris Barbour