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INSIDE: We ask top comic Jason a Byrne-ing question – how does he escape the mayhem? P15
Athletics:
Coolmine’s Flynn takes on steeplechase Page 29
Football:
Supple on the mark as Brigid’s win Page 31
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ALSOINSIDE: GALLERIES..................... 10 DUBLIN LIFE................... 13 OUT&ABOUT...................17 CLASSIFIEDS.................26 SPORT............................28
relax: We’ve got all you need to know about Paddy’s Day celebrations Page 8
Minister to act on Connolly delays keith bellew
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has said measures will be taken in the coming weeks to reduce the numbers waiting on trolleys in Connolly Hospital. These may include the opening of community beds in Cuan Mhuire and more Fair Deal nursing home places. This comes as a man took to Twitter in recent days to vent his
frustration and highlight the fact that his 89-year-old mother-in-law had been left waiting for four days on a trolley for a bed at the hospital. Minister Varadkar said: “Trolley waits of more than nine hours are not defensible and I have set a new target to reduce the number of times this occurs to an all-time low by the last quarter of 2015.” Full Story on Page 3
The colour of fun: Learn art of emotion from Russian master KATE Lavin, Alex Devlin, Jennifer Lavin enjoying the recent Family Day at the Draoicht Theatre in Blanchardstown. Using chalk and oil pastels they got a chance to create artwork using the style and philosophy of Russian artist
Wassily Kandinsky, who used colour to show emotion. Children attending the workshops were advised to “dress for mess” and volunteer artists were on hand to keep things from getting too messy. Picture: John O’Neill
2 BLANCH Gazette 12 March 2015
connolly Woman of 89 on hospital trolley for four days
Wait is indefensible, says health minister MINISTER for Health Leo Varadkar has said measures will be taken in the coming weeks to reduce the numbers waiting on trolleys in Connolly Hospital. These may include the opening of community beds in Cuan Mhuire and more Fair Deal nursing home places. This comes as a man took to Twitter in recent days to vent his frustration and highlight the
keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com
fact that his 89-year-old mother in law had been left waiting for four days on a trolley for a bed at the hospital. He tweeted on Monday, March 9 as the Irish
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Nurses and Midwives Organisation published figures showing Connolly Hospital had the highest number of people waiting in Dublin and the second highest in Ireland, with 15 people waiting for a bed in A&E and a further 15 on trolleys within wards. Cllr David McGuinness (FF) described the wait as disgraceful. He said: “Delays in getting a bed for an 89-year-old woman are completely unacceptable and highlight the hypocrisy in Government spin.” Minister Varadkar said: “Connolly Hospital faces the same challenges as other hospitals. The fact
that it lies in the Minister’s constituency does not change that. “The number of patients on trolleys at Connolly [ A& E ] o n Mo n d ay morning was 15, which indicates that the downward trend nationally and locally is continuing. “Across the country, there were 319 people on trolleys on Monday morning, of whom 192 were waiting for more than nine hours. This is around half of the figures we saw in January at the height of the crisis. “However, trolley waits of more than nine hours are not defensible and I have set a new target
Cllr David McGuinness described the wait on a trolley at Connolly Hospital as disgraceful
to reduce the number of times this occurs to an all-time low by the last quarter of 2015. We will keep chipping away at the problem for the next few months. “A lot of different factors contribute to overcrowding and it’s not just a sim-
ple issue of resources. The issues include unnecessary high admission rates in some hospitals, delays in getting tests and treatments while in hospital which lengthen stay and reduce turnover, delays in getting home supports in place for patients, and
delays in accessing nursing home places. “Specific measures to support Connolly in the next few weeks may include the opening of community beds in Cuan Mhuire and more Fair Deal nursing home places.”
12 March 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3
clonsilla
roselawn: planning application for development of €1m unit is lodged
Move to ease traffic problems
Upgrade of health centre progresses keith bellew
ROSELAWN Health Centre is one step closer to being upgraded and expanded with the lodgement of a formal planning application. The application was lodged by the HSE to refurbish and expand the existing building, and to landscape the general area. There will also be improved arrangements for parking, which will be a relief for local residents. As well as regular GP services, the refurbished and expanded Roselawn Health Centre will offer dental services, public health nurses, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nutrition and diet advice, a counselling serv-
ice, a social work service and speech and language therapy. The project is estimated to cost €1m and capital funding has already been set aside for it. If permission is granted, work should begin at the end of this year or early in 2016. Minister for Health Leo Varadkar welcomed this: “This is a positive day for the Roselawn area and Blanchardstown as well. This shows the Government is really committed to healthcare in Dublin 15. “The community has been waiting for a refurbished health centre at Roselawn for many years. It plays a central role in the community, and there is a growing demand for
services like speech and language, and occupational therapy. “Other healthcare investments in the area include the MRI scanner in Connolly Hospital, the Blanchardstown Primary Care Centre, the full opening of St Francis Hospice, an upgrade of the radiology department in Connolly and the start of work on the Corduff Primary Care Centre after decades of broken promises. We will continue to develop healthcare services in Dublin 15. The next big item will be lodging a planning application for a children’s unit at Connolly Hospital, which will include a children’s emergency department and outpatient suites.”
Final countdown: Top teenage entrepreneurs set to be chosen PICTURED are students from Blakestown Community School, Blanchardstown; Colaiste Pobail Setanta, Clonee; Castaheany Educate Together, Ongar; and Colaiste Choilm CBS, Sword, ahead of the big day when some of the local Fingal school population will be honoured in the Fingal Local Enterprise Office hunt for the business leaders of the future. The Fingal Student Enterprise Awards will net the overall winner €15,000 and is the largest regional competition of its kind in Ireland.
MEASURES will soon be taken at Clonsilla Road to ease traffic difficulties experienced by residents. Due to traffic volumes on the road and problems caused by cars parked close to the entrance of Coolmine Boulevard, residents have great difficulty entering and exiting the estate safely. Fingal County Council has received approval from An Garda Siochana for yield markings and for double yellow lines to be installed on each side of the road at the entrance to Coolmine Boulevard. This lining will be completed in the coming months. The council operations department also wants to provide a yellow box to assist residents turning right out of Coolmine Boulevard.
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clondalkin Tanaiste hemmed in for a second time by local protesters
Water meter demo impedes Burton’s progress ian begley
TANAISTE Joan Burton’s car was briefly prevented from leaving an event in Clondalkin recently by a small number of protesters. This incident occurred after Burton left a Skills for Work
Week event at the Musgrave Retail Partners in Fonthill on March 4. She was blocked by about 20 anti-water meter protesters at 11.45am as the car she was travelling in attempted to leave. The blockade ended after
about 15 minutes. Gardai later confirmed that there were no public order incidents and no arrests made. A spokesperson for Burton downplayed the incident in a statement, saying: “The only significant event this morning was that the Tanaiste visited
Musgrave’s to see at first hand an important career development initiative – as part of a collaboration between Government and industry – that will benefit 350 young jobseekers. “In that context, it should be noted that latest figures this
morning showed a 10.8% yearon-year decrease in the number of people on the Live Register, with almost 43,000 fewer people on the register now than at this time last year.” Last November, the Tanaiste was involved in a similar incident when she and her
advisers were blocked from leaving an event in Jobstown for three hours. Gardai investigating that incident have made a number of arrests, including that of Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy, who was later released without charge.
Speed reduction imposed on Westmanstown Road AS part of speed limit byelaws approved in December 2014, the Westmanstown Road will be reduced from 80kph to 50kph between Collinstown Bridge and Luttrelstown. This was confirmed by Fingal County Council in response to queries from Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab), who requested that the council liaise with the National Transport Authority with a view to having speed ramps installed on the road to prevent car racing which, she said, takes place there at night. According to the council, Westmanstown Road is a rural road and is designated as a regional road. It was not
standard practice to install ramps on a road of this nature as it occasionally carried buses, agricultural machinery and heavy goods vehicles, the council said. A spokesperson added: “Chevrons [V-shaped traffic signs that direct traffic] have been installed along this road where there are bad bends. “In addition, large vehicle activated LED warning signage and anti-skid surfacing have been installed at the worst location during the last two years, and the speed limit is to be reduced to 50kph during 2015. The road will be monitored for speeding when all of these changes have been made.”
Montjeu Ltd is seeking to purchase 11 acres of land at College Business Park
Montjeu Ltd: planning to expand into Mulhuddart
‘Centre of excellence’ planned for Dublin15 Keith Bellew
Pharmaceutical plants and Dublin 15 are joining forces to create “a centre of excellence”, according to Cllr David McGuinness (FF). Pharma Montjeu Ltd plans to expand into Mulhuddart with the creation of 60 to 80 high tech jobs as well as an initial 130 to 200 jobs at construction phase. The Dublin company, with headquarters in the US, is seeking to buy 11 acres of land at College Business Park at the junction of Cruiserath Road and Church Road
with an option of a further 10 acres for three years. This option effectively means that for a fee paid annually, Fingal will commit to holding this land (not sell to another party) for three years and in that time the company may wish to purchase same for future expansion It is proposing to have its corporate headquarters in Blanchardstown with an integrated manufacturing facility including a research and development laboratory. This is in addition to the announcement of Alexion Pharmaceuti-
cals 200 jobs last year at the same Campus Site. The building of this facility is nearing completion. Cllr Mary McCamley (Lab) said that the siting of another pharmaceutical company in the Mulhuddart area was another sign that the area was becoming an attractive hub for the industry She said: “The process is at a very early stage, but it again is a reminder that confidence in our economy is buoyant when big players like Alexion and Montjeu have agreed to locate in this area.”
Cllr McGuinness welcomed the announcement saying: “I just think it is a sign of how important pharma plants are in Dublin 15. “This is a huge development and my understanding is that they are going to bring a unique pharmaceutical drug to the market.” He went on to say the fact that with other pharmaceutical companies either building plants or already located in Mulhuddart “this is a sign that pharmaceutical plants and Dublin 15 are developing a centre of excellence”.
12 March 2015 BLANCH GAZETTE 5
Treat yourself to a good night’s sleep this March at Des Kelly Interiors
What’s behind a good night’s sleep?? At Des Kelly Interiors, they know the one escapable truth behind a good night’s sleep, everyone is different! Des Kelly Interiors have built up a reputation over the last 45 years and continually strive to bring you, the consumer the best price, formidable selection and exceptional craftmanship. They are passionate about beds, and from their choice of mattresses, right through to their bedroom furniture , all the little things that make your bedroom you own, Des has it all. Spring into action this month, and treat yourself to a good night’s sleep. It is always the last upgrade thought of by most households but it’s the change you’ll fell most presently. So many of us are sleeping
on terrible mattresses that do nothing to support our spines. Taking the time to research mattresses, find the one that’s right for you, and investing in it can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. You will sleep soundly and wake up feeling refreshed. That alone is worth the price. Des Kelly Interior’s highly trained sleep consultants can help you find the right combination , so you can unlock the perfect night’s sleep, not just for one night but every night. At
the heart of their knowledge is all the experience they have accumulated over the past 45 years, combined with exclusive technology and a never ending commitment to offer you the very best latest innovations in sleep. So why not invest in yourself this month, afterall you spend at least 1/3 of your day at bed, sleeping. At Des Kelly Interiors, they have pocket sprung beds, memory foam beds, gel latex beds, in fact, they have every bed you can think of. So call into your nearest store, and let them, the sleep specialists help you find the bed that is designed for you to deliver the best night’s sleep possible. When you sleep well, the world is a brighter place.
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as gaeilge Festival of all things Irish FEILE Bhaile Atha Cliath 15, a weekend festival celebrating and promoting Irish culture and language, was held recently by Irish language and culture group Pobal Gaeilge 15. The voluntary group was established to create and promote Irish resources in the Dublin 15 area. The festivities included a concert in Ongar Community Centre, with local primary schools Scoil Oilibheir, St Benedict’s, Castaheany Educate Together and Scoil Ghrainne participating. Other par ticipants included Dublin footballer Ciaran Kilkenny; Zimbabwe native, sean-nos dancer and gaeilgeoirTura Arutura; and Irish dancers from Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.
classical ‘It can be as intense as metal or rap’
Musician has chance to live his dream job keith bellew
SEAN Rooney from Castleknock is one of the finalists in this year’s Budweiser Dream Job competition. Budweiser is inviting visitors to its Facebook page to view the videos of the competition finalists and to vote for the person they believe deserves to be the overall winner. The finalists have each secured an equipment bursary of €2,000. T h e ove r a l l w i n ner will receive a prize
fund worth €50,000, to include a cash prize of €40,000 and mentoring and industry guidance. Rooney is a self-taught musician and former member of a number of metal and rock bands but his dream is to be a classical musician. After working in several sales assistant jobs, he discovered classical music, which developed his taste and inspired him to bring the world of classical music to a new audience. It is Rooney’s dream to bring classical music to a
younger audience. He said: “I have been playing music for years; the feeling I get from it never ever lets me down. I play all my music by ear. I have been playing guitar and drums in metal and rock bands for years, but my real love has always been classical music. It can be just as intense as metal or as inspiring as rap. “Four years ago I decided to start teaching myself classical piano on a keyboard. I put myself out there, gained some
Catleknock musician Sean Rooney is a Dream Job finalist
recognition and now I realise this is what I want to do. The great composers were the rock stars of their day. My goal is to make classical music relevant again.” The overall prize fund of the €40,000 cash prize, which will allow the overall winner the freedom to
take real steps towards securing that dream job over a 12-month period. It also includes a €5,000 equipment bursary and practical mentoring sessions with experts in the winner’s area of interest. Members of the public,
18 years and older, can vote for the dream job finalist of their choice at w w w.facebook.com/ Budweiser until Monday, March 23. The overall winner, will be revealed by Budweiser Dream Job ambassador, actor, Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), on March 26.
12 March 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7
8 BLANCH Gazette 12 March 2015
St Patrick’s Day
dublin celebrations: four-day extravaganza
Festival promises an abundance of events Rustle out the aul green, white and orange attire and join Dublin in its celebration of Ireland’s national day this March 17 with an abundance of events set to take place across the capital. Once again, the city has high hopes for St Patrick’s Day with festival organisers making it a four-day extravaganza from March 14 to 17. The I Love My City Cultural Programme was unveiled this week
with 18 events and happenings taking place in some of Dublin’s most beautiful, historic and often hidden venues and spaces. Events feature both established and emerging artists, from a variety of disciplines including literature, music, film, spoken-word, photography, design, visual art and more. Highlights of this year’s programme include the Ultimate Sunday in Belvedere House when I
Irish actor Colm Meaney will take part in a Q&A in Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital
Love My City brings the Sunday papers to life through talks, interviews, live music, comedy, games, films and more. Bia Beatha at the Guinness Storehouse offers a unique dining experience, celebrating Irish cuisine and culture in a setting filled with old world charm. A special screening of The Snapper plus Q&A with acclaimed Irish actor Colm Meaney will take place in the Pillar Room in Dublin’s Rotunda Hospital. Children are catered for with Mad Myths at the Royal Hibernian Academy where children are invited to join a playful, interactive session of stories and songs to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. But the highlight is of course the St Patrick’s Day parade led by Dubliner Brendan O’Carroll with its theme of Celebrate Now on March 17. This parade will transform the city with fantastical creations and thrilling performances that are inspired by the present. There is also a funfair, an Irish boat race, street theatre and more taking
place. Events are either free ticketed or paid ticketed. For further details on the St Patrick’s Day Festival and booking details see www.stpatricksfestival.ie A number of buildings in Fingal are Going Green on March 17. Among these will be County Hall, Swords; Swords Castle; The Seamus Ennis Art Centre, Naul and Skerries Mills and the Civic Offices in Blanchardstown. Following on from the hugely successful parade in Swords last year, a number of Saint Patrick’s Day Parades will take place in Fingal this year. The Swords parade will kick off at 11.30am and travel from the Dublin Road, down Main Street, and onto North Street. The Balbriggan parade begins on Drogheda Street at 2pm, and travel to St Georges Square. Parades will also take place in Rush at 1pm, Lusk at 1.30pm, and Skerries at 3pm. The parade is not the only event in Skerries this year as St Patrick himself will once again grace
the shores of the town, this time via row boat. At 1.30pm St Patrick will be returning to his historic roots and revisiting the footprint he once made on Skerries harbour, all those years ago. For more information on St. Patrick’s Weekend in Skerries visit; www. visitskerries.ie. The new courtyard at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre in Naul will be transformed into a huge dance floor for a Paddy’s Day ceili. Advanced booking is advised as spaces are limited. For more information visit: www.tseac. ie.
In the green: Comedian Brendan O’Carroll is this year’s Grand Marshal of the St Patrick’s Festival Parade. Picture: Robbie Reynolds Photography
This year’s main parade promises plenty of colourful characters
12 March 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9
10 BLANCH Gazette 12 March 2015
gazetteGALLERIES
Samantha and Sheila Whitehead
Jade Hughes and Judy Louw attended the dance night for the Blanchardstown Centre for the Anne Smith, Roisin Devoy and Bernadette Murray
Unemployed in the Bell Pub in the village.
Patricia Robinson kept everyone dancing
Pictures: Simon Jeacle
planning Notice FINGAL County Council
Planning permission is sought by Mary Pat Aherne for the construction of a rear dormer attic conversion with additional rooflight to the front roof pitch, all with associated elevation changes at No. 13 Bramley Crescent, Carpenterstown, Dublin 15. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9:30-16:30, Monday – Friday at Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of ₏20, within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application. 23371
Maeve Shiels and Alan Quirke
Sam and Fiona Maher
12 March 2015 BLANCH Gazette 11
Eleanor Herbert and Roseanna Giles
Marie Kimmage and Carol Dempsey Peter Doyle brought a retro camera along
bELL PUB: BENEFIT FOR UNEMPLOYED CENTRE
Dancing their way right back to work I
T was a trip down memory lane time in the Bell Pub at a recent fundraiser that raised â‚Ź700 for the Blanchardstown Centre for the Unemployed. Singer Patricia Robinson and DJ Robert Whitehead kept the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s tracks coming. The centre offers computer, CV and cover letter writing courses, a
photocopying service, a newsletter and a mobile information service. Raffle prize sponsors included the Ben Dunne Gym, the Crown Plaza and Castleknock hotels, McCabes Pharmacy, Gleeson Butchers, Village Meats (Mulhuddart), Urban Dolls Hairdressing, Angel Hairdressing, Boots and Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.
Helen Teevan and Helen Shiels
Dariusz and Kasia Bernotowick take a break
12 Gazette 12 March 2014
gazetteGALLERY
Ellen Keane and Aisling Byrne
Claire Hogan, Colin Mulcahy and Aisling Cunningham at the Irish premiere screening of Will Smith’s latest film, Focus, at Cineworld. Pictures: Brian Mcevoy
dark romcom: focus on wily will Smith, THE con artist
All eyes on screen for Hollywood premiere
Emma Klyne and Lucy O’Shea
Carl Shabaan and Steph Hesnan
Jenny Dixon
Norman Pratt and Darren Kennedy
Barbara Healy and Thomas Korner
12 March 2015 Gazette 13
Gazette
diary P14
dublinlife
Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week, as well as the latest from our schools
a day in the life: Corrie villain finds skyping his son brightens his day
what’son
‘Angry man’ visits churches between shows laura webb
BEST known for his role as Corrie villain Frank Foster, Andrew Lancel is now making his mark on stage in Twelve Angry Men. For anyone on the road, living in hotels and out of suitcases, there are few typical days. Lancel takes this in his stride as he tours t he UK a nd I rela nd alongside veteran actor Tom Conti. He star ts his day early with a Skype call from his seven-year-old son, Isaac, and his wife, Louise. “We have our breakfast together and always have a chat before he goes to school in the morning when I am on tour. “It’s a great way to catch up and after that I would take it easy,
maybe snooze a little or look at the news. I read a lot too, so I might do that,” he said. A day on tour could include interviews with the local press about the show. Then he concentrates on his work with his production company, Quarry Street, before checking out the town where the play is being performed. “I am quite churchy and one of the good things about being on tour is that it’s great to go to different places and visit amazing cathedrals, and different places. “I am a stickler for art galleries so I will try to get one in before heading to the theatre. “There is a lot of energy involved in this play; there are 12 of us, and we all get on really well so we would see each
other out and about, go to the pub and go for dinner together and things.” Getting to theatre an hour before show time, he has a shave. “I have a little routine that I do. “The character speaks in a different accent [New York] and is very physical so I would practise that – a little warm up. “Then I...walk the stage, sometimes for quite a while if it’s a new stage, look at sight lines to get used to it.” He may go to the pub with other cast members afterwards or relax in front of the TV and chat with family. Twelve Angr y Men is at Bord Gais Energy Theatre from March 16 to 21. See www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie for ticket details.
BUSINESS asdfsdaf P27 q&a P16
escape the mayhem 15
a sneak peak behind the scenes: Cool-
Andrew Lancel: “I am a stickler for art galleries so I will try to get one in before heading to the theatre.”
mine Musical Society will be performing a variety show, called That’s Entertainment on March 20 and 21 in Draiocht, Blanchardstown. The show is the society’s first big production of the year and is centred around what goes on in theatres behind the scenes before the curtain goes up. The show is described as a celebration of “the hoofers, the wannabes, the dancers and singers of the backstage musical”. According to organisers, laughter and tears, rehearsals and auditions, callbacks and casting all come together in a fun packed show. The show will feature music from the old Hollywood blockbusters right through to more recent production: “This show will pack lots of surprises and send you home with a spring in your step.” The shows begin at 8pm on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 March. For further information or to book tickets call (01) 8852622 or visit www.draiocht.ie.
Gazette
14 Gazette 12 March 2015
dublinlife
DIARY
Stripped bare: More than 100 animals will go on display at the BodyWorlds: Animals Inside Out exhibition at the Ambassador this month. Pictures: Animal Inside Out
Inner animal life on view MORE than100 animal specimens stripped of their outer hides or skins, will be on display at the Ambassador in the Bodyworlds: Animals Inside Out exhibition from March 12 to April 12. Exhibition organiser Dr Angelina Whalley spoke to The Gazette about the exhibition, which uses the preservative techniques of plastination invented by her husband, Gunther von Hagen. She said: “My husband is the inventor of the technology in 1977 and has devoted his entire career to developing it to its state-of-theart form today.
“It was primarily to be used to help teach anatomy at the universities…it was by chance we became aware there was great interest from the public to learn about the body interior.” She went on to say: “The animals are mostly from zoos, animal parks and a few private people. “The animal exhibit is fantastic, holding a number of really dram a t i c a n d e xc i t i n g specimens like an entire Asian elephant with all the muscles and nerves dissected, and a huge giraffe but also domestic animals like cows and sheep.” Tickets are €14 for
adults and €8 for children at www.ticketmaster.ie
stroll around the bay area and help aware MORE than a 1,000 people are expected to descend on Howth Harbour before walking to Dun Laoghaire Harbour, or vice versa, this St Patrick’s Day for the 10th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk. The walk showcases the beauty of Dublin Bay and its impressive 16.2 mile route offering a great alternative to mark St Patrick’s Day. Solo walkers or groups of family or friends can join in the
walk, which aims to raise about €40,000 for the work of Aware, the national charity providing support, information and education around depression and mental health. Participants are encouraged to raise sponsorship from colleagues, friends and family. Aware relies on events like this for about 92% of its annual funding. Online registration is available now at www. aware.ie
castle hotel chef is a Gold medal success C L O N TA R F C a s t e Hotel has reason to celebrate having been
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‘Participants can opt to walk the 16.2 mile route from Howth to Dun Laoghaire or vice versa on the 10th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour on St Patrick’s Day – experience the beauty of Dublin Bay’
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awarded gold and silver medals at the Catex Awards 2015, Ireland’s largest foodservice event. Ca stle Hotel was among hundreds of the finest hotels and restaurants in Ireland competing in this recent ceremony, held in the RDS, Dublin.
The team was represented by Clontarf Castle’s head chef Gareth Carberry, who entered three competitions and received the highest points in each category, gaining two gold medals and one silver medal. The highly coveted awards included an Irish fish competition, the
Irish lamb competition anda m Mystery Basket Competition. Commenting on their achievement, general manager David Hennessy said: “The Catex Awards are highly regarded and respected within the culinary industry. “To be recognised in this prestigious competition is a wonderful achievement. “It provided external recognition of our culinary success, which is important to all of the hotel team and our loyal customer base. “It also gives Clontarf Castle Hotel an enhanced profile in a competitive market place.”
12 March 2015 GAZETTE 15
DUBLIN STILL GOOD – BUT NOT AS GOOD DUBLIN has dropped nine places in quality of living rankings since 2009, according to the Mercer 2015 Quality of Living survey. But on the bright side, our capital still ranks higher than London! Dublin now sits 34th in the world (down from 25th) while London trails at 40. Dublin outranks every other city in Britian and Ireland and, according to Mercer, “enjoys high standards of quality of living and remains an attractive location for business”.
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Mercer says that some of the reasons for Dublin being ranked in the top 50 for quality of living worldwide include lower levels of air pollution, an excellent choice of consumer goods and the socio-cultural environment.
‘Doran posed for selfies with fans at the Ireland v England rugby game at the Aviva Stadium’
50 SHADES OF SELFIES AS STAR HITS CAPITAL
Jay Duffy, son of Keith, with 50 Shades star Jamie Dornan
THE Number 37 on Dawson Street was the surprising scene for an A-list visit last Monday, March 2, when 50 Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan was spotted having a tipple. The eagle-eyed Keith Duffy, who was also at
the bar, recognised the Hollywood A-lister and tweeted a photo of the meeting on Twitter. Duffy’s son Jay, who goes to Belevedere College, was with his father and got a selfie with Dornan, who had been
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seen around Dublin over the weekend. He was spotted at the Aviva Stadium for Ireland’s Six Nations Rugby victory against England, where he posed with numerous fans for selfies.
ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: RUNNING HELPS JASON BYRNE
Only way to switch off is get outside and leg it KEITH BELLEW
BETWEEN his chaotic schedule of international tours and shoots for his comedy chat series the Snaptastic Show, Jason Byrne finds very little time for recreation. He says that when he does get a chance for respite he doesn’t like to kick back and relax because his mind is inevitably draw n back to his comedy and career. Because of this he finds exercise is the best method of Escaping the Mayhem. He said: “I do a lot of fitness stuff. “If I need to escape I’ll just run out the door and go for a run. “I’ll do that or I’ll go training. “I’ll do anything from weightlifting, to TRX [Total Body Resistance Exercise which incorporates ropes and
suspension into body weight exercises], Jujitsu, or boxing. As long as I’m on the move, that’s me escaping. “I don’t escape into a book, or by just sitting there. “If I’m sitting down reading a book, which I do as well, it takes me ages because my brain just thinks of standup.” The main reasons he likes running so much as a means of escape is that it can be done almost anywhere, anytime, and if “you push yourself, you really feel the benefit”. “If I’m boxing, or fighting or running it’s almost kind of like an adrenaline drug. “I have been running for ages now, so the shortest run I’d do would be 10km and I’d do that quite lightly. “I was doing vigorous training for the New York City Marathon
Jason Byrne finds very little time for recreation
in November, and that was just crazy training, but I never felt as fit and happy in all my life.” He said that worries about bills and financial difficulties melt away after a run. “If someone comes up to you and says: ‘Here’s a huge electricity bill for €500’, and you think: ‘What am I
going to do?’ What you need to do is put your runners on and go outside and leg it. “If you run and you push yourself a little bit I guarantee you’ll come back and that €500 doesn’t look like anything anymore.” You can catch Jason By r n e ’s S n a p t a s t i c Show each Thursdays at 9pm on TV3.
HELP – GREEN FELLA IS ON THE LOOSE AGAIN AS St Patrick’s Day approaches, the leprechaun at the National Wax Museum PLUS has run off again, and the museum is seeking
your help to find him! A hunt got under way on Saturday, March 7, and continues until St Patrick’s Day. All visitors are tasked with finding the little rascal by following a number of clues. The first clue has been left at reception, and from
GAZETTE
FEATURE
there guests must search for more clues, leaving no stone unturned until the leprechaun is found. Those searching are advised to enlist the help of resident Irish heroes in the museum, such as Michael Collins or St Patrick himself. Those who find him are asked to upload a photo to the wax museum Facebook page or Tweet to #LeprechaunLost. Those who do will be entered for a chance to win a wax museum T-shirt, a wax hands vo u c h e r, a n d o t h e r merchandise. For more information visit www. waxmuseumplus.ie.
Gazette
16 Gazette 12 March 2015
dublinlife
Q&A
business
Airbnb expansion is ‘very exciting’ COMMUNITY-driven hospitality company Airbnb, recently announced that it has started hiring for 200 new positions at its Dublin Dockland hub. These new positions are for roles in customer experience, human resources, finance, trust and safety, and IT. ICT Ireland, the tech-
nology sector representative body, said the move highlighted Ireland’s growing attractiveness for tech firms. T he company has also confirmed a lease for a planned 40,000 sq ft office space at an old warehouse on Hanover Quay. Over the next 14
months, the warehouse will be restored and modernised. Aisling Hassell, global head of customer experience and head of Airbnb in Ireland, said: “It’s been almost one year since we officially opened our Dublin office and we have been really pleased with our
progress so far in terms of talent and growth. “Our Dublin operation is a core part of the company and we are very excited to be in a position to build on our current success.” Airbnb is an online service allowing people to rent their homes for short periods.
awards: reward good karen Gardiner, ground espresso bars corporate behaviour
Expert knowledge helps Firms get coffee chain to be strong chance to KAREN Gardiner has a background in food science and a Master’s degree in nutrition. Along with husband and cofounder Darren Gardiner, she has recently opened a Ground Expresson Bar in Next, Westend Business Park, Blanchardstown, which employs 14 people. It is the latest addition to the chain of 14 outlets on the island of Ire-
land. Maintaining her passion to grow the coffee bars while staying true to the company’s ethical approach, she feels she is enjoying successes following years of hard work and dedication. She intends to remain a force to be reckoned with through the expansion of Ground Espresso Bars across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
How long have you been in business?
the recession, we now operate with an even more heightened sense that the climate in which we operate can change suddenly.
Ground Espresso Bars has been open for 14 years, with our first location opening in 2001 in Coleraine.
What makes your business successful?
I’m my own worst critic. I am constantly examining our business and the wider industry, remaining mindful that we work in an alwayschanging industry with evolving customer needs, and there is always room for improvement of our services and offerings.
What do you offer your clients that differs from your competitors?
We offer a high quality of coffee and customer service while keeping a local, family friendly level of service uniquely tailored to each customer’s needs.
How has the recession affected your business?
We used the recession as a growing experience and feel it had a positive effect on Ground Espresso Bars. It forced us to take stock and challenged us to re-evaluate our systems. We were able to prepare for any negative downturn approaching us, enabling us to protect the business and the staff that rely on us as well.
What have you changed about your business to combat the effects of the recession?
As with any business that survived
What law or regulation would you change overnight to help your business?
Most laws are there for a reason. To be honest I think that although sometimes they provide a challenge, guidelines and laws are put in place to help us to stay informed, organised and ethical in the business world – something we take very seriously.
What is your ambition for the business?
We aspire to be the largest coffee bar chain in Northern Ireland and Ireland, achieving a local reputation in all areas of offering a high standard of coffee and customer service to all our fantastic customers.
What is your favourite thing about doing business in your local area?
As our business expands we are really learning that no two customers are the same, and that makes every day different. Ireland has a rich tapestry of kind souls and colourful characters!
What is the best piece of business advice you ever received?
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always had!
show how they help in society CHAMBERS Ireland has announced that the application process for the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards is now open. The awards recognise the work being done by companies of all sizes to improve the lives of their employees, the local community and the environment. The competition offers the business community a chance to promote their efforts in corporate social responsibility and to gain recognition for best practice. The chair of the awards judging panel, John Cunningham, said: “Having chaired the judging panel for a number of years, I continue to be surprised by the exceptional ways that businesses are embracing CSR.
“Businesses in Ireland are unique in their unwavering commitment to running their businesses in a responsible and sustainable manner. “These awards are an opportunity to recognise this hard work and dedication and to highlight best practice so that others can follow in their footsteps.” Aw a r d c a t e g o r i e s include excellence in the environment, in the community (charity, volunteering and a community programme) , in the workplace, the marketplace, as well as international CSR, CSR communication, best SME [small to medium sized enterprises] and the overall Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award. Now in their 12th year, this year’s awards were launched in Dublin Castle.
Tina Roche, chief executive, Business in the Community Ireland, and Mike Jones, business development director, BAM Group Ireland at the launch of the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Awards
The awards are run in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, partnered by Business in the Community Ireland and sponsored by construction company, BAM Group Ireland. Tina Roche, Business in the Community Ireland chief executive, said: “The awards continue to go from strength to strength and each year we see how companies are enhancing and improving their sustainability strategies and embedding corporate responsibility at the heart of their business. Businesses are increas-
ingly committed to the belief that customers, employees, investors and regulators place a high premium on trust, and that ethics and good governance are key in earning it. “By adopting this embedded and sustained approach to corporate responsibility, companies are yielding the noticeable advantages it can have on the bottom line. These awards champion this practice, which is integral to Ireland’s business reputation.” The closing date for nominations is April 21. For more information or to apply, visit www. csrawards.ie
12 March 2015 Gazette 17
travel P19
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 and essential across the city
arts P25
Gazette
cinema P18
Pets help mighty max find his new home
Anton and Vladimir Jablokov will stage a unique concert at the National Concert Hall this April, drawing on and complementing each other’s skills
classical music: slovakian brothers prepare to play at the nch
Violinists should take a bow
Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
HAVING grown up with a Russian violinist/conductor as a father, it seemed inevitable that fate had musical plans for Vladimir and Anton Jablokov. Playing since the age of five, Vladimir left the Conservatoire in Bratislava in his native Slovakia and moved to Dublin just over a decade ago. Now Vladimir has joined forces with his younger brother, Anton, who is also a classical violinist, to put on a unique concert of collaboration and duets at the National Concert Hall this April. The Gazette spoke to Vladimir about his career, to date. He said: “I came to Ireland about 11 years ago, having basically rebelled against my classical music studies for violin.
“I had got into my teenage years, and thought it [his studies] wasn’t cool enough and didn’t think it was exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I had been looking at musicians who’d studied at the conservatory of music and university and ended up just playing in an orchestra, and that wasn’t for me. “Anton, however, continued his studies and is finishing his masters this year. He took it much more seriously and did two years’ study in Switzerland, and another two in Germany. He travels from one professor to another, because he goes for the real ‘star’ professors who only use Stradivarius violins, and so on. “Anton really likes to improvise as well, and he practised a lot with me as he’s been coming here for about nine years for gigs, playing second violin.
“A really good player, though, gets bored playing second violin, and he’d try to do his little tricks and go further with it. From him trying to make it more interesting, we came up with new arrangements. From that, we came up with a new show, and it’s really exciting for me to have Anton on the stage now as an equal. He now has much more freedom and can show off,” said Vladimir. Vladimir and Anton have played together for 15 years; first as part of a family band of eight that travelled around central Europe, and then doing concerts in Ireland. His parents were full-time violinists all their lives and most of his siblings play violin, piano and cello. Like Vladimir, another younger brother rebelled and is now an athlete. Vladimir said: “I came for a visit and
to see something new. At that age, you try to prove to your parents that they are not always right.” So, off he went to Dublin, intending to stay for three months. He worked in cafes for a while but didn’t have enough money to live on. Then he noticed musicians playing on Grafton Street and decided to give it a go himself to make money. This led to his forming a band and building a reputation on the streets, and finally making it all the way to the National Concert Hall this Easter Saturday, April 4, as part of a nationwide tour. Tickets for the NCH event, priced €25, are available now from www.nch.ie. The Jablokovs have now released an album, Two Brothers, on Vladimir’s Rubyworks label, through Warner Brothers.
The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week is Max, a four-year-old Labrador cross. Max is a stunning dog, who is in the prime of his life and just loves to get out and get active. He loves to play ball games, swimming, chasing birds – you name it! He can be nervous around new people, so any potential adopters would need to come and visit Max multiple times so he could get to know them. He wouldn’t like a house with children, as they are a bit too much for him, and he could potentially go to a home with another dog (Max likes the ladies!) If you think you could give lovely, energetic Max a loving home then please contact Dogs Trust on 01-8791000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50 and would love to show you around. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie
Gazette
18 Gazette 12 March 2015
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
it follows: an impressive (and creepy) horror
Trying to stay one step ahead of fate ALL good horror tales can tap into some primal fear within us. One of the earliest and most disturbing examples I can remember – enhanced, of course, by the fact that I was far too young to be watching it – comes from the movie, Child’s Play, which sees a possessed doll, Chucky, come alive to go on a murderous rampage. At one point in the film, the boy who owned the doll is trapped in a police cell, and from the
Dave phillips
window, he can see a long stairwell leading up the side of the building where, clambering step by step, Chucky is making a slow but inevitable ascent towards the boy. This is the kind of expertly drawn out ten-
sion that lies at the heart of It Follows, writer and director David Robert Mitchell’s second film and his first foray into horror The film focuses on a small group of teenagers living in Detroit. As the eldest of the group, Jay (Maika Monroe) is a little ahead of the rest of the teens, she leaves them playing cards on the porch while she goes out on dates with her new boyfriend, Hugh. Not much seems awry
until Jay eventually spends the night with Hugh, after which he tells her he has passed something on to her. Something will follow her, he explains – he doesn’t know what it is, but it may take on different forms, mimicking people that are close to her – but it will follow ceaselessly, walking steadfastly toward her no matter where she goes. If Jay lets it get close enough to touch her, the results will be disastrous. She can pass the curse on by sleeping with someone else, but if they are killed, it passes back on down the line, pursuing whoever had it last. Not only has Mitchell conceived of the most terrifying STI imaginable, but he has also created a seemingly unique horror device that works incredibly effectively.
Seminal The effectiveness is of course connected to Mitchell’s story and style. Drawing on the seminal works of John Carpenter and Wes Craven, Mitchell’s film effectively captures that middleAmerican suburbia: all wood-panelled houses and neatly cut grass. The fact that the monster moves at a walking pace here is a genius stroke – it allows plenty of time for the characters to get away and develop. A car ride for an hour will buy several hours of respite. There’s a subtle tenderness between the group of friends, with some burgeoning romantic feelings thrown in for good measure, and granting
In It Follows, a cursed teen (Maika Monroe) attempts to stay one step ahead of a stalking doom, which is pursuing her relentlessly at a walking pace
the time to see all this emerge on screen allows the audience care about and bond with the characters – which makes it all the more terrifying at the times when “it” eventually catches up. Part full-blown horror, part horrific reflection on how our childhood must
end when we adopt the mantle of adulthood, It Follows is a stylish, very well executed – and at times, terrifying – affair that showcases ver y strong direction, coupled with an equally strong cast. It joins last year’s The Babadook as another
refreshing example that mainstream horror can offer much more than just loud shocks (though it has a couple of those) – but it can give you a story and characters that will stay with you when the nightmares eventually subside. Verdict: 8/10
12 March 2015 Gazette 19
Gazette
TRAVEL carlingford: ghan house is a grand getaway
A stately retreat with a welcome homely feel mimi murray
GHAN House in Carlingford is the latest addition to Ireland’s Blue Book and is one of the smaller, more homely establishments on the list of great stately homes. A group of us stayed there to mark a special birthday recently. The house is an 18th century Georgian structure, built in 1727 by William Stannus – a politician from Dublin who was of Scottish descent.
In the main house, there are four rooms, and eight further bedrooms in a garden annex. Rooms are decorated in muted, traditional fabrics and colours, but are more state-of-the-art than their setting, with iPod docking stations. Carlingford reminds me of Kinsale – not only because of its picturesque streets and its focus on seafood in many eateries around the town, but also the influx of stag and hen parties to the area on
weekends. Following a brisk stroll around the town, we promptly made our way back to the warmth of the house and its open fires. It was early February, and everyone was in need of a hot toddy or something similar. Dinner is served in a small dining room, mostly decked out for couples and a group of raucous women who were determined to have fun. Starters included soft shell crab, scallops with
chorizo and lightly cured Irish salmon pastrami with wasabi creme fraiche and beetroot meringue. Mains include such fare as oven-baked fillet of cod marinated in mild Indian spices with curried yoghurt, crispy shredded duck with saffron and coconut broth, rice noodles and vegetables Julienne, sirloin of Cooley beef and 12 hourbraised beef cheek with carrot and cumin puree, chestnut mushrooms and rosemary jus.
Built in 1727, Ghan House offers an idyllic respite from the hustle and bustle of Dublin life, yet is conveniently located just an hour away from the capital
This is simple enough home cooking with nothing too theatrical going on, but everything was tasty and staff were friendly, and good with the wine recommendations. There is a lovely oldworld bar, and another drawing room with an
open fire where you can kick back after dinner. We made the decision to venture out and were lucky to catch a surprisingly good band in a packed local bar. The Guinness is good, and the company good, as they say, and we qui-
etly snuck in “home” at around 1am ... Next morning, and lots of tea and an Ulster fry sent us on our way back to Dublin, only an hour away. For further information on Ghan House, see www.ghanhouse.com.
Gazette
20 Gazette 12 March 2015
OUT&ABOUT Catriona Hanly Vintage pink short sleeve top €170, Salmon bow detail skirt with rose floral applique €265
Fiona Kerr Silver rectangle earrings €80
Yvonne Ryan Ruby stacking ring sterling silver and gold €395
Stonechat Leafdrop earrings €90
Juvi Jewellery Rose quartz and vermeil earrings €89 Jill Graham Gold leaf stud earrings €79
Stonechat Blueberry drop earrings €175
Fee G Quilted crop jacket €209.95, Quilted dress €239.95 (Outfit available in Kilkenny Shop) Fiona Kerr Silver gold-flecked bracelet €225
Stonechat Chocolate diamond Anvers ring €3,050
Irish for design Spring laura webb
WITH St Patrick’s Day just around the corner, Gazette Style is feeling all patriotic – no, it’s not going to be a page full of green, white and orange; instead, we are focusing on Irish design. Irish designers are fast making a name for themselves at home and abroad and why shouldn’t they – with their quality and unique designing, it’s easy to see how Irish designs stand out from the rest. So, this week, we are saluting Irish designers ...
Catriona Hanly Blue and candy pink paisley top €295, Blue bow detail skirt with zip €260
12 March 2015 Gazette 21
Gazette
STYLE
Blush Make-up HD brow kit €24.95
Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan €7.99
Anneco Mineral Foundation €25.50
You’ll love this range of Irish-made natural make-up products laura webb
CONTINUING on with our We Love Irish theme, beauty and skincare products from the great green isle are making a mark for themselves both at home and abroad. Anneco Natural Make-Up is Irish-made mineral makeup which has a great collection of long-lasting every-day makeup that is natural, ethical and kind to skin. Made from 100% pure mineral ingredients, their line includes loose powder foundation, concealers, blusher and bronzers, primer and mineral veil, which are all among the extensive high-quality Anneco makeup collection, developed in Ireland. Tan lovers everywhere are more than familiar with Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan by Marissa Carter, and its many other tanning products that have come down the line. Now, Cocoa Brown is going Stateside, having recently launched its brand in the US after Ricky’s NYC scooped it up for its 30 stores. For further information, see www.cocoabrown.ie. Blush Make-up and Nails was founded by award-winning make-up artist Nicola Walsh. Based in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, this range has everything needed for the perfect make-up look, from prep to finish. Products include HD Brow Compact, foundation, blusher and bronzer, mascara, lipstick and concealer. For further information, see www.blush.ie. Sligo brand VOYA is a family business built on seaweed which is harvested from the area and also supplies their own seaweed baths in the town. It grew from a very successful seaweed baths business in Strandhill, Co Sligo, on the wild Atlantic coast of Ireland, set up by Neil Walton. Products include sea-
weed soaps, essence oil, body oil and body buff. Blank Canvas Cosmetics is an online cosmetic brand founded in 2011 that is based in Ireland, bringing quality beauty products at an affordable price. Products include eyeliners, makeup brushes, airbrush blender sponges, as well as face and eye palettes. For further information, see www. blankcanvascosmetics.com. Kinvara Skincare, suitable for men and women, is based in Co Galway and uses plant-packed ingredients (93% from an edible food source) to produce really effective products that can help transform people’s skin. Products include cleansing products such as its cleansing face oil and moisturisers, and serums such as its Active Rosehip Day Cream and Rosehip Face Serum. Kinvara Skincare is available in more than 80 stockists across the country, and also online at www.kinvaraskincare. com. The Handmade Soap Company was founded in 2010 by Donagh Quigley and Gemma McGowan. This brand come a long way from being made in their cottage kitchen and is now found anywhere from Blarney Castle to Brazil. Products include bath salts, soaps, aftershave creams, body lotion and hand cream. For further information, see www. thehandmadesoapcompany.ie. So, when thinking about beauty and skincare products, why not try to think Irish and buy Irish? You might be surprised by the results!
Blush Make-up HD brow kit €24.95
Kinvara Skincare Absolute cleansing oil (100ml) €20; Rosehip face serum (30ml) €28; Rosehip day creme (60ml) €24
The Handmade Soap Company Witch hazel soap €6.95
22 Gazette 12 March 2015
C o m m e r c i a l F e at u r e
INTERIORS
HABITAT
ARGOS
FOR ARGOS
LAURA ASHLEY
NEXT
ame photo fr Enamel €33
Malmo seven-light pendant €137
5 x butterfly plaques €27
Franco wooden desk lamp €61
Polka dot cushio
n €16.79
side Blossom 5 table € 9.50 irror tray €34 Juliette heart m
paz cushion €75
to Francesca pale
shion €16
€34
Topsy elephant cu
table lamp
Butterfly garden trinket jar €27
Teal capsule
n €16.79
Geo knit th
row €48
Ashdown cushio
Nest of t
hree sid
e table
s €93.
50
Vixen knitted cush
Wing it to
Labrador tapestry
ion €16.79
Westend
SPRUCE up your house this spring by updating rooms with key trends and pieces coming through this spring/ summer season. Leave the dullness of winter behind and brighten up a room with vibrant colours, pale spring blues, geometric prints, metallics and coppers. Whether it’s a new fixture in the room, a colourful cushion or a unique
lamp, remodelling the home doesn’t have to break the bank. Here to help you update your room is Westend Shopping Park in Blanchardstown with its variety of best-loved lifestyle retailers such as Argos, Next, Laura Ashley and more. Exciting news from Westend Shopping Park is that Habitat is returning, with its collection for Argos
cushion €63
online and in-store from July. In advance of the range being launched in the Argos autumn/winter 2015 catalogue this coming July, products can be reserved online for free with instant pick-up from stores throughout the country. This week, The Gazette showcases just some of the many items available to buy from the many stores across Westend Shopping Park.
12 March 2015 GAZETTE 23
FOOD&DRINK
GAZETTE
OUT&ABOUT
RECIPECORNER Berry nice souffles THIS week, we have a delicious recipe for Raspberry Souffles with Vanilla Ice Cream (to serve four), courtesy of top chef Neven Maguire. Ingredients 400g (14oz) raspberries, plus extra to decorate 100g (4oz) caster sugar, plus extra to dust 1 vanilla pod, split in half and seeds scraped out 2 tbsp creme de cassis 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 1 tsp water 4 egg whites unsalted butter, to grease icing sugar, to dust vanilla ice cream, to serve
Le Spice
Indian restaurant
Main Street, Dundrum Set off Dundrum’s Main Street, Le Spice offers a comfortable setting to concentrate on its great range of
The Picky Eater OVER in Dundrum’s village centre, Le Spice Indian restaurant is the new kid on the block, and local fans of authentic Indian gourmet cuisine will be hoping it’s there to stay. Tucked away down the side lane beside AIB, this snug little venue provides an authentic Indian experience. Upon entering, you will be greeted by the unmistakable sounds of Ravi Shankar picking away on the sitar. This adds to the relaxing ambience of the restaurant, with its elegantly dimmed lights and curious paintings on the wall. After sitting down, we were served with a basket of flat, crispy bread and a dish with three separate chutneys to munch on while looking over the menu. This was followed by a bottle of fruity Spanish red wine from the impressive wine list. The menu offers a selection of high-class,
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Each dish has a series of letters beside it, from ‘m’ for mild, to ‘hhh’ for very hot, so as not to catch customers unawares
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gourmet dishes which are a far cry from the stereotypical onion bhajis and curry. The menu – which boasts duck, king prawns, and lamb, among other dishes – is very refined without being too pretentious to also offer French fries and a kiddies’ menu. Each dish has a series of letters beside it, from ‘m’ for mild, to ‘hhh’ for very hot, so as not to catch customers unawares. There are a variety of tempting starters, and The Picky Eater and companion both decided on the
spiced marinated Murgh Tikka, cooked in a clay oven (€5.45). This was served up in no time and was tastefully presented, liberal and delicious. For mains, I decided on Lamb Rogan Josh (€13.95) with egg-fried rice, while my companion chose Majadar Jhinga (€16.95), which is jumbo prawns cooked with fried onion and capsicum in a medium spicy sauce, a touch of Masalla sauce and coriander with eggfried rice (€3.20). Rice is served in a separate bowl to allow the customer to mix as they see fit. The prawns were almost big enough to rival lobsters, and my companion was very impressed with the sauce. The Rogan Josh did not fail to impress either, and not a scrap was left uneaten. If you’re looking for a quiet, comfortable evening of Indian cuisine, The Picky Eater recommends a visit to Le Spice.
Indian dishes
Two delicious dishes from Le Spice – tandoori jumbo prawns (top) and lamb ragan jush (above)
Conclusion SAY goodbye to predictable Indian fare, as Le Spice (at 9A Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14; tel 01 551 9000) serves up a menu with some delicious, well-thought-out dishes that cover all the basics, as well as some excellent gourmet meals, too.
Preparation • Place the raspberries in a wide heavy-based pan with the caster sugar. Mash down with a hand-held masher until they start to release their juices, then add the vanilla seeds and creme de cassis. • Allow to bubble on a high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until you have achieved a jam-like consistency. • Pass the raspberry puree through a fine sieve into a bowl and then stir in the cornflour so that it thickens the puree slightly. Leave to cool. • When ready to cook the souffles, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/gas mark 4). Generously grease 8 x 200ml (7fl oz) ramekins with butter and dust with caster sugar, shaking out any excess. • Whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until stiff, then fold into the thickened raspberry puree. Use to fill the prepared ramekins and level the tops with a palette knife. • Arrange the souffles on a baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until well risen and golden brown on top. Dust with icing sugar and arrange on plates with a separate ramekin of vanilla ice cream and a row of raspberries. Serve at once.
Gazette
24 Gazette 12 March 2015
OUT&ABOUT
HEALTH SHORTS Food safety workshop In Ireland it is estimated that about 10% of the population suffer from a food allergy or a food intolerance (including coeliac condition), the effects of which range from mild discomfort to life threatening. About Hygiene Ltd have developed a workshop Putting Diet and Food Safety on the Menu, the one-day workshop is designed to inform the public especially caterers, childcare providers, community and private care settings how easily you can determine the calorie content and put calories on menus. It gives practical guidelines for businesses serving people who may have a food allergy, food intolerance, coeliac condition or who may wish to avoid a particular food for other reasons. All staff working in a business offering food must receive basic food safety training before they start work and at regular intervals thereafter. This workshop may be used as refresher food safety training to increase staff knowledge and awareness. The workshop is on April 25. For more details contact 071 9645111. E-mail: train@ abouthygiene.ie. Website: www. abouthygiene.ie
Reader offer Studio Figura are offering a special price for Gazette readers. Three 60-minute sessions €50 or 12 60-minute sessions €180. Studio Figura concept consists of three steps: 1. Personal lymphatic massage programme using unique highest quality machines - roll shapers. 2. Personal nutrition plan based on a healthy, balanced eating approach, determined by individual body statistics and activity level. 3. Support with unique “in house” diet supplements Go Clean and Go Slim. More information from Inga Captari at 087 065 9185, 8 Cumberland Street, Dun Laoghaire
HEALTH
health: TV presenter on her exciting new business venture
Transform your diet, fitness and wellbeing suzanne sheehy
Are you looking to lose weight, transform your fitness or kick start new habits? You can achieve this and rediscover the joy of exercising outdoors on west Cork’s tranquil Inish Beg Island through Ireland’s premiere bootcamp, Pure Results (sponsored by Ireland’s one-stop adventure shop, Great Outdoors). This is a six-night, sevenday bootcamp, which aims to transform your diet, fitness and wellbeing, all designed with your individual aspirations in mind. No stranger to exercise, and adventure it is of no surprise that this is Kathryn Thomas’s latest venture.
GazetteHealth spoke to the TV presenter about her exciting new business venture which she speaks so passionately about. “It has been an ambition of mine for the last few years. I have been a fan of wellness holidays firstly through No Frontiers when I did the travel show. “When that finished it was the kind of holiday I continued to do myself. A week when you’re on your own meeting a group of like-minded people and it is a really nice way to spend a holiday. “Pure Results bootcamp is all about the personal touch as it caters for all fitness levels – whether you’re a bride to be preparing for your big day, new mums looking to lose the baby
weight, to fitness fanatics searching for a new challenge. Age doesn’t mean a thing. Whether you’re 20 or 60 all are welcome.” A typical day involves a 6am start enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Inish Beg with stretches and light jogging. The weekly diet is wheat free, sugar-free and dairy free with no caffeine or alcohol. There is a mixture of high-intensity circuits with some low impact exercise. But fun is also a part of the week with informal team building such as battle stations, spider’s web, giant slalom. The aim is to “have you moving but you won’t even notice the calories burning”, says Thomas. Thomas has also learned a great deal from previous bootcamp holidays she has attended. And noted that one of the most important things missing was aftercare, which is necessary for continued success. Pure Results bootcamp (limited to 15-20 participants) has a specialised team of personal trainers, life coach, group leader and nutritional therapist guiding and supporting you through both your pre and post-camp care,
Specialised trainers will keep you on your toes and working hard at Pure Results Bootcamp
Kathryn Thomas: “Pure Results Bootcamp are all about the personal touch.”
preparing and motivating you all the way. You will receive a realistic two-week nutrition and exercise programme so you will continue to reach your lifestyle goals. “I don’t want people to just come, pay their money and never hear from us again. At the end of each week, a member of the Pure Results team will check in with you on your progress. So there will be weigh-ins, meal plans, exercise plans the whole lot for two weeks after you leave,” continues Thomas. This is also a great opportunity to experience one of the most picturesque parts of Ireland, according to Thomas, somewhere you can go hill walking, trail
running and have beach workouts. Thomas’s last word is: “There’s no such thing as I can’t, just put a challenge in front of yourself and you will achieve it. “It’s having the right support and believing in yourself that can help you accomplish any challenge you set.” The Pure Results Bootcamps will be r unning April 17 to June 2015. Costs are €1,199 pp (sharing), or €1,399 for single occupancy. Early bird offer of €999 for April 17 – for one week only. For more information you can email: info@pureresultsbootcamp.com or phone: +353 (0) 87 441 7090.
12 March 2015 gazette 25
Gazette
ARTS theatre: reimagining a Midsummer Night’s Dream at the abbey
Hit and miss at times – but ultimately it’s on target Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
IRISH theatre company Pan Pan, famous for its bold exploration of dramatic form which challenges traditional theatre, has not disappointed in its latest production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream – that is currently running in The Abbey Theatre. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is Shakespeare’s fanciful romp about the fairy world’s interference in the love lives of mortals. It is traditionally a play to celebrate spring, love, Queen Elizabeth 1 and – above all – youth. This tradition is utterly turned on its head in this new production, with all the main characters being elderly and their village, a retirement home. Hermia (played by Aine Ni Mhuiri) is the object of the affections of both Lysander (John Kavanagh) and Demetrius (Barry McGovern). Hermia loves Lysander, though her son, Egeus/Peter Quince (David Pearse), takes the parental role by insisting his mother marry Demetrius instead. Demetrius is beloved
Kane’s Grinding Water
Wonderful wooden art Bairbre Ni Bhraonain
THE launch of A Journey, a beautiful new show based on the career of Irish woodturner and artist Emmet Kane, was launched at the National Museum of Ireland in Collins Barracks recently. Curated by Jennifer Goff, the exhibition traces 27 years of the artist’s work in the medium of wood. Kane transforms his medium in most unusual, though always beautiful ways, to question our perceptions of wood and its place in the arts. Such a master is Kane that he can render wood into many magical forms, until some of his pieces take on the apparent qualities of glass and even metal.
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‘This is a largely successful reinterpretation of Shakespeare and shows that Irish actors and audiences have a huge affinity with The Bard’ --------------------------------------------------------
by Helena (Gina Moxley), though her love is savagely unrequited. They all live together in the nursing home, which is run by Theseus/Oberon (Declan Conlon) and Hippolyta/ Titania (Fiona Bell). This pair double as the king and queen of the fairies, Oberon and Titania, who through the agency of a love potion, become inadvertently responsible for making both Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena instead.
Enjoyable This Abbey production is largely enjoyable and the acting, in the main, is first-rate, which is an absolute prerequisite for making Shakespeare accessible and easily understood in a modern setting. The role of Lysander in particular is very well executed by Kavanagh,
and Moxley does a fine job playing the nonplussed and abused Helena. The fairy world scenes are not nearly as effective as the real-world scenes in the nursing home, which are often hilarious. Great comic use is made of the elderly scenario, with walking sticks doubling for swords and the like. The funniest part of the play is delivered by Peter Quince and his band of merry actors, who attempt to put on a diverting playlet for the fairy king and queen. Pearse (Quince) has strong comedic talent and each time he stepped on the stage, the audience seemed immediately poised for a good belly-laugh. Another of his comedy troupe, Andrew Bennet – who plays Nick Bottom, the unfortunate recipient
With their excellent turns, Lysander (John Kavanagh) and Hermia (Aine Ni Mhuiri) add to what is already a highly accomplished cast
of an ass’s head – is very engaging and full of fun in the part. Pan Pan always throws in something unexpected in its productions and is very tuned into the zeitgeist of modern life. A wonderful example of this was a physical fight between Hermia and Helena. The two repeated the same aggressive movements over and over, creating the image of a very funny “living gif” animation.
Successful All told, though a bit hit and miss at times, this is a successful reinterpretation of Shakespeare
Hermia and Lysander with Demetrius (Barry McGovern) and Helena (Gina Moxley)
and shows, above all, that Irish actors and audiences have a huge affinity with The Bard. Famous for the line: The course of true love never did run smooth, the play, though largely a fantastic romp, really does explore how arbitrary and often fickle love can be. A Midsummer Night’s
Dream runs at The Abbey until March 28 and tickets, available from the Abbey box office at www. abbeytheatre.ie, range from €13 to €40. T he play lasts for around two and a half hours, and begins at 7.30pm, from Monday to Saturday, with matinees at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday.
Remarkable The exhibition explores Kane’s remarkable journey of development as a self-taught artist and woodturner from 1988 through to the present day, and features a huge array of his work, from functional vessels and bowls, wall hangings, artistic pieces (both large and small) and recent small-scale works. A Journey runs at the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks until June 14.
26 lucan gazette 12 March 2015
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28 Gazette 12 March 2015
SPORT
FastSport National’s Finn Lynch wins isa young sailor: NATIONAL Yacht Club’s Finn Lynch landed the 2014 ISA Young Sailor of the Year at their annual awards ceremony last Friday at the Royal College of Surgeons. During the year, Lynch brought the Under-19 Laser Standard world title back to his home club of National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. Speaking about the award, Lynch offered the following advice to other aspiring young sailors: “If you want to be competitive my advice would be to work harder than everyone else. “Otherwise to just enjoy sailing is very important I think.” Anthony O’Leary won the Sailor of the Year title for his exploits in winning the 2014 Commodore’s Cup along with his consistent pursuit of sailing excellence, claiming the title by a massive margin of 174 points last June.
hockey: south dublin clubs win big in leinster’s division one race
Glory for Hermes and Town sport@dublingazette.com
BOROUGH clubs Hermes and Monkstown both won their respective Leinster Division One leagues last week and are already on the search for more silverware.
On the women’s side Booterstown’s Hermes, a slow start meant that they were scarcely in the pre-competition thoughts for the title but they managed to win a thrilling five-horse race on the final day of the
season with a 2-0 win over Loreto. Aisling Na ughton scored one in each half, the clincher coming two minutes from time, to secure the title and coach Rudi Wortmann said an early season
Monkstown won the men’s Leinster league in comfortable fashion
Hermes star striker Aisling Naughton. Picture: Adrian Boehm
“wake-up call” provided the impetus for their first title since 2011. He admits “preseason wasn’t that good” while their 1-0 loss Pembroke served as a powerful warning of the close-knit battle ahead for a new look panel. Wortmann took on the side for a second spell having won most of the tophies in the game during his first stint almost a decade ago. The Dutchman took on a side that had lost Irish internationals Lisa Jacob to the Irish rugby sevens game with Audrey O’Flynn following that route early in the campaign. With four other squad members moving on, they needed additions
and they came in the form of Naughton – who ended as the league’s top scorer – and Sinead Loughran were late additions who have proven an irresistable force. “Our key players are basically the whole team. I’m not sure if we could have done without any of the players. I know it sounds trite but that is my genuine feeling,” he said of his panel. Now, his side is looking to add more trophies to the league title with, incredibly, another three potentially in the offing. First up is the Jacqui Potter Cup final on St Patrick’s Day against Railway Union – the fourth meeting of the sides this term. The Irish Senior Cup
final follows on March 29 while an Irish Hockey League semi-final against Loreto is also on the horizon for the Booterstown club. For Monkstown’s men, their route was much simpler as they ended the campaign with an eight-point advantage over their nearest rivals. They clinched the title ahead of their second last league game – an 8-0 win over Rathgar – as Pembroke, the only side to beat them over the course of the Leinster league, fell to Corinthian 3-2 to gift-wrap the trophy. Town will now be focusing on the Irish Hockey League and trying to retain the title for a third successive year.
Griggs strikes late as Lansdowne down Constitution sport@dublingazette.com
Lansdowne are eight points clear at the top of rugby’s Ulster Bank Division 1A
LEINSTER A scrum half Adam Griggs was sprung from the bench to be Lansdowne’s hero as his 79th minute try earned a 27-20 bonus point win at the expense of Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A. The disappointment of the defeat lifted slightly for Cork Con when they learned that UCD and Ballynahinch had both lost, meaning that the Leesiders’ losing bonus point was enough to move them back into the top
four. The afternoon had begun brightly for Cork Con as Munster prospect Darren Sweetnam touched down for the second week running. Lansdowne’s patience was tested until Conor McKeon’s neat offload played in hooker Tyrone Moran for an unconverted try in the right corner. An opportunist try by Cork Con out-half Tomas Quinlan restored his side’s five-point advantage, but a late surge from Lansdowne made it 12-10 at the break as Tom Daly’s purpose-
ful break was finished off by his centre partner Tom Farrell and McKeon converted. McKeon and Quinlan swapped penalties early on the resumption before Lansdowne, playing with increased confidence, swept through for their third try - a memorable run on the right wing saw Farrell break free to complete his brace in the 53rd minute. McKeon missed the conversion, though, and with 13 minutes remaining a Lansdowne handling error allowed the speedy Sweetnam to latch on to
the loose ball and race in under the posts. Quinlan’s levelling conversion set up a grandstand finish. However, Lansdowne produced the goods when it mattered most as Griggs ghosted through a minute from the end to score the game’s decisive try and give the headquarters club their 13th win in 16 games. Elsewhere, centre Stephen O’Neill had a day to remember, scoring three of Terenure College’s six tries as they won their Dublin 6W derby with St Mary’s College on a 41-24 scoreline.
12 March 2015 Gazette 29
Gazette
Flying Flynn looking to leap to Olympics Coolmine athlete aiming to break a 27-year wait for an Irish steeplechase Olympian as he plots an ambitious course to Rio following successful spell at the University of Arkansas stephen findlater
DAVID Flynn is plotting a course to become Ireland’s 3,000m steeplechase Olympian in 27 years. It is now 30 years since Brendan Quinn set the national record, one of the longest standing of all Irish athletics records. Quinn was also the last Irish man to qualify for the Games, coming 11th in his semi-final in Seoul in 1988. Despite Ireland having a decorated record in distance running, it is a race that has not really featured to any great degree but Coolmine’s Flynn is ambitious to see this change. “Irish athletes are very tough and can grit out their events,” he told GazetteSport this week. “The steeplechase is an event you need to be tough in.” An accomplished runner at schools, he
impressed enough amid competitive fields with John Coghlan, Michael Mulhare and Craig Murphy to earn a scholarship to university in Colorado before switching to division one college University of Arkansas. While there, he won the Irish Olympic trials in steeplechase in 2012 but missed out on the qualifying standard. Three years on, he is now looking to make another bid with a wealth of knowledge from the American system under his belt. He returned to Ireland in November after an impressive college career, finishing in the top five three times at the hugely competitive Mount Sac races. And he told GazetteSport that the experience will help him immeasurably. “I learned so much there that you wouldn’t realise. You learn a lot
about the little things and so I think I have come back a better, maybe more cautious, athlete. “It’s something unique to America. I coach a few athletes at Clonliffe now in the steeplechase; there’s basic things that some of them don’t know and it’s why the Irish record has stood for years. “The usual thing is to train you like a 5km person but the technique is kind of old school. Something needs to change and there are some – under Chris Jones, who coaches Fionnuala Britton – who are trying to get things to change.” Getting top level experience in the event is tough for Irish-based athletes with high quality fields and fast conditions tough to come by. Indeed, Flynn has recently been in Portugal for a month to lay his base level for the year ahead while all his fastest times have come at high
Coolmine man David Flynn, centre, last week with his Clonliffe club mates following their national inter-club cross country team title
altitude in warm conditions in the US. In Ireland, he has been running 90 miles a week while he helped his club Clonliffe Harriers to the national inter-club team title last week and will run in the Antrim international race next week. All this is to prepare for
think people realise the training that has to go into it. It’s easy to say to someone you run 90 miles a week and they think it takes no time to drive that in their car and you laugh about it. “It’s so different in America. After college, I was potentially going to
ken’sDiary
Cycling bug kicking in for Egan and the Laurels crew Olympic silver medallist and Irish boxing legend Ken Egan is to take part in this year’s Laurels Charity Crew Cycle from Galway to Dublin on April 19. In the run-up to the event, Egan has partnered with Gazette Sport to document his preparation for the big day, and here is his latest report from the road.
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Irish athletes are very tough and can grit out events. You need to be tough for the steeplechase - David Flynn
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the track season’s inception in April with the target to run at least three top level steeplechases – along with good 5km and 1,500m times – in the summer to put him in the frame for the Olympics in 2015. Flynn says, though, that while these are the best laid plans, an Olympic campaign is a difficult programme to balance. “It is expensive; if you want to run a fast steeplechase, especially an Olympic qualifying time, you need to have the perfect conditions, running in a nice climate at 7pm. “I ran all my personal bests in California so you can see you need a similar environment. You need a pace-maker and all the splits to be even. So, to get all those things in place, it can be expensive. “In addition, I don’t
turn semi-professional and move to Austin, Texas with a group called Rogue Running but that fell through. That’s when I got into coaching. “Here, there aren’t really groups that would fund things so you are looking to other avenues to help support your travel fees. To go for the Olympics, you need to be training full-time, paying for your gym – I go to yoga twice a week – and you go through shoes pretty much each month.” Given he has only recently returned to Ireland, he has missed some of the funding rounds through the regular channels but Flynn says he is confident, that if he can get a leg up from local sponsors, he can really start making waves in his Olympic pursuit.
THIS week, I decided to leave the 8am start to the professionals and landed down at the Laurels for 9.45am, feeling well rested and ready for what was in store. The word on the street was we were doing 90km and it was a flat journey, music to my ears. The numbers were good again with about 30 bodies in action. I started close to the front and decided to stay there for as long as possible which was my own little mental test. They say you should get to know your bike; I have borrowed mine for this Laurels Charity Cycle but I really have the cycling bug and will definitely invest in a good bike after the event in April. We took off again from Clondalkin to the Pheonix Park which was taken over by some charity run so we had to play second fiddle to the runners which is fair enough. As such, we soldiered on out toward Blanchardstown on up through Maynooth and onto Enfield before doing a full 180 degree at that roundabout before coming back towards Kilcock. There we stopped for a well-earned scone and coffee. From there, we had the back of the journey broken and proceeded back towards home, running down through Celbridge and onto Newcastle. Every time I climb onto my bike, I know it ain’t easy but it is for such a worthy cause and think how lucky I am to be able to jump on a bike and cycle 90km. Your health is your wealth and all I can do is try as best as I can to raise awareness and money for this wonderful charity which the Laurels are such an important part of.
Gazette
30 LUCAN gazette 12 March 2015
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: greenogue side set for all-ireland final return
Blue Bulls brush off Dungannon challenge NUIM Barnhall picked up a strong 20-8 away victory over Dungannon last Saturday to stay just about in the top half of the Ulster Bank League division 2A after 13 rounds of matches. Winger Michael Mellett powered over for their first try of the game for a 10-3 lead after an earlier Simon Gillespie penalty. Mellett then crossed a second time to establish a 14-point lead after 32 minutes. Dungannon got a try back but Gillespie’s second penalty closed out the win. Next on the agenda is a home tie with Nenagh Ormond on March 28.
Hermitage all set for famous Scratch Cup HERMITAGE Golf Club is preparing to host one of its most important events of the golfing season, the Ladies Scratch Cup. This year’s competition is sponsored by Dermot Kelly, Main Ford Dealers, Kilcock . The event, played over 36 holes, takes place on Sunday, May 3 with a two tee start. The Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup is the longest running in the country and celebrates an amazing 44 years in existence this year. Along with its longevity, the event has always maintained a high quality field and the organising committee are confident that this year will be no exception.
Previous winners include such luminaries as Curtis Cup player Mary McKenna, a nine times winner of the Scratch Cup trophy, and Scotland’s Belle Robinson, one of the first women to receive honorary membership of the R&A in 2014. Hermitage, with its award winning parkland fairways, will be in pristine condition on the day and everyone involved is looking forward to a day of high quality competitive golf. This is an ILGU Order of Merit event, with valuable points to be won. Entry forms can be downloaded from the ILGU website www. ilgu.ie or Hermitage website www.hermitagegolf.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday, April 24. Entries are limited to the lowest 72 handicaps of 12 and under.
Peamount United will be looking to go one better than last year when they lost in the Under-16 All-Ireland final
Peas kill off Kilkerrin nathan kelly sport@dublingazette.com
PEAMOUNT United’s Under-16s girls booked their place in the WFAI’s Cup final last Sunday with a 4-1 win over Roscommon outfit Kilkerrin United. A Naima Chemaou hat-trick inspired Tommy Mooney’s talented side to put one hand on the cup that they got so close to winning last season. This side also reached the Under-16 All-Ireland final last season only to be beaten by Dublin rivals Shelbourne in the decider. This time round, it will be
Salthill Devon standing in their way when the final is played on the weekend of April 18-19. Beaming with pride after reaching the final, Mooney spoke to GazetteSport about the win. “We’re all obviously delighted,” he said. “It’s always a great achievement to reach an All-Ireland final and I’m very proud of the girls.” The Greenogue gaffer was keen to heap praise on his team’s overall performance, while admitting Chemaou does deserve plaudits coming her way. “We played really well as a team, which we have
happy harriers Lucan club land series of athletics medals lucan Harriers had a very successful
couple of weekends at the Dublin juvenile championships with a number of their young stars winning medals. Among their medal winners were Saoirse Fitzgerald who got gold medals in the girls Under-9 500m while Sophie Reihill was first in the Under-12 long jump. Emma Reihill got a silver medal at Under-10 level in the 500m as did Hannah Moriarty in the girls Under-11 long jump.
done for most of the season,” he said. “Obviously Naima got the hat-trick from out wide which is really impressive; she’s in great form at the moment, as well as Alannah Walsh who scored the other goal. But the overall performance was really pleasing.” The score line suggests that the Peas had it much their own way but Mooney was quick to point out that it was a difficult cup tie. “It was a long trip, we had to leave quite early in the morning and then we were faced with a terrible pitch,” said the manager. “It was a GAA pitch to
be honest and it seemed as if we were playing against a lot of GAA players as is often the case down the country so it was tough but I’m happy with how we played.” As mentioned, this side reached this final of this competition last season but fell short against Shelbourne, who were actually knocked out against Salthill in this season’s semi-final. Despite that cup final loss last season, United went on to claim a league and cup double last year and are on course to double that this season, with them challenging on the
four fronts of the title, the League, the Leinster and All-Ireland competitions. Looking ahead to this season’s final and their Galway opponents Salthill, the Peamount boss informed us: “We played them once before, at Under-14s level. “We actually beat them in the semi-final of the All-Ireland that year so we’ll know a little bit about them. “I’m sure they’ve added one or two since then. They’ll be a good side; they have three or four internationals in their team so we’ll have to perform to win the game.”
12 March 2015 LUCAN gazette 31
Gazette
St Pat’s off to tricky starts in Division 2 sport@dublingazette.com
A SERIES of early cards, including one red, meant that St Pat’s P a l m e r s t ow n n e ve r really got off the ground in their AFL Division 2 tie against Castleknock last Sunday morning in Somerton. They fell 1-14 to 1-4 in their first league
game of the new season after they had a player red carded in the opening quarter that stunted their chances. It followed their initial league tie against St Anne’s not being played due to the unavailability of a referee a fortnight earlier, making for a slow start to the campaign for the Palmers-
town outfit. They return to action on March 22 with a home tie against Naomh Barrog. Castleknock, meanwhile, are among the early pace-setters with their second successive win to start the season f o l l ow i n g a n o p e n ing day win over Scoil ui Chonaill. They are among a group of four
teams including Ballinteer St John’s, Skerries Harps and St Mary’s Saggart to have started the season with two wins to their name. Round Towe r bounced back from a defeat on day one of the campaign to comfortably beat Naomh Mearnog 2-11 to 0-6 in Portmarnock.
football: sarsfields fall to promotion rivals
Lucan Sarsfields’ Dermot Gallagher holds off Ballinteer St John’s David Devereux
Lucan’s fast start cut short by John’s afl division 2 Lucan Sarsfields 2-11 Ballinteer St John’s 2-14 sport@dublingazette.com
BALLINTEER St John’s twice came from behind to land an up-tempo win over Lucan Sarsfields at the 12th Lock as Shane McCann’s pair of goals landed them the win. Despite still being early season and a stiff breeze aiming at the clubhouse end, the football was hugely entertaining with plenty of talking points. Facing into that wind, Lucan got off to a flyer with Dermot Gallagher starting off a run of 0-5 to
0-1 in the first 10 minutes. Rory Kelly appeared to be denied a clear goal-scoring opening with a tackle from behind to extend the lead. Ballinteer, though, showed little guilt-confidence over the let-off as Brendan Colleran started to eat into the deficit with three points – Robbie Gaughan and Duffy to the fore in their creation. McCann tied things up before showing huge strength to catch in between goalkeeper and full-back to slot the first goal. Dara Stapleton countered with a major for
Lucan in the 25th minute when turnover ball was quickly transformed into a three-on-one. But Ballinteer snatched a 2-7 to 1-5 lead at the break when Gaughan landed a superb point and Duffy tacked on a free. McCann then finished off Duffy and Aodan Clabby’s excellent right wing burst. That lead was quickly wiped out, however, as Lucan started the second half superbly, running up five points without response. Switching Stephen O’Shaughnessy onto McCann appeared to work well initially while
Stapleton’s pair along with scores from Paul Casey, Dermot and Brendan Gallagher levelled for a third time. Ballinteer awoke from their lull to edge back – McCann building his tally to 2-4 – in front but Stapleton’s second goal in the 50th minute swapped the lead in Lucan’s favour yet again. They could not score again, however, as the visitors scored the last five points to win out. Peter O’Curry landed a beauty to level at 2-11 each before Duffy added two critical frees in injury time to sneak the result.
Club Noticeboard lucan sarsfields OUR Division 4 football team have
There were excellent wins for our
vacancies on the management team
U-16A, 15A, 14B and 13A footballers over
for a coach and administration leads.
Naomh Mearnog, Cuala, O’Dwyer’s and
If you are interested, please phone 086
Ballyboden respectively.
2130103.
The U-14As earned a hard fought
There will be an Oiche Gaelach in the
draw with Castleknock in CBS, with a
Clubhouse on Monday, March 16 at
scoreline of 3-14 a piece. Our Minor A
8pm. Plenty of ceol, craic agus cupla
and B hurlers also had good wins over
focal promised.
Naomh Fionnbarra and Fingallians.
32 lucan Gazette 12 March 2015