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A DAY IN THE LIFE: Singer Mary Coughlan talks life on the road and all that jazz P13

Seal of approval: Naomi gives the nod to attraction Soccer:

Mochta’s hero Glen Crowe calls it a day Page 32

THREE-YEAR-OLD Naomi Cullen got up close and personal with two of the California sea lions at a new spectacular feature at Dublin Zoo. Sea Lion Cove is home to a colony of California sea lions which include three females, Cassie, Florence and Seanna, and one male, Nico. It is envisaged that the colony will grow to about seven to eight animals in coming years.

Picture: Patrick Bolger

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Round Tower’s first senior quarter final Page 31

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71% of doctors sign up to free GP scheme A total of 30 out of 42 contracts returned to provide care for under sixes

 KEITH BELLEW

MORE than seven in 10 doctors in Dublin West have signed up to provide free GP care to under sixes, according to figures released recently.

Thirty contracts out of a total of 42 have been returned by doctors to the HSE, a return rate of 71%.

Starting on July 1, the new GP service without fees will benefit 8,000 children

in Dublin West aged up to five years, and from August 1, for senior citizens aged 70 or more.

For children under six, the new service also includes dedicated asthma checks, and two wellness assess-

ments to identify health problems early.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the service is the first concrete step to providing universal healthcare.

Full Story on Page 7

2 BLANCH Gazette 18 June 2015

supplement ‘Increasing limits could add to rental inflation’

Lifting rent cap a concern – review The Depar tment of Social Protection said a recent review of rent limits found that increasing the rent supplement could result in rent inflation which would exacerbate the current problem presented by the lack of affordable rental accommodation in Dublin.

This follows a motion calling on the Department of Social Protection to revise caps for rent supplement and limits for the impending housing assistance payment in Fingal was passed at a recent coun-

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

cil meeting.

The motion which was tabled by Cllr Lorna Nolan (Ind) also called for the department to ensure that local households are supported to secure housing within the Fingal area while they are waiting for their long-term housing needs to be addressed.

Cllr Nolan cited a

discussion in the Seanad on the reduction of rent supplement which was initiated by Senator Trevor O Clochartaigh (SF) in 2012 as the basis for her motion.

S e n a t o r O’Clochartaigh raised his concerns that the proposed reduction was flawed and would result in families being made homeless.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton gave a commitment that the changes would not lead to any incidents of homelessness, but Cllr Nolan said many families in Fingal have been

made homeless due to the reduction in their rent supplement.

Speaking to the Gazette she said: “I work with a lot of people in the community who have become homeless, and part of why they became homeless is because they could not afford to keep up with the rent and the landlord was refusing to accept the rent allowance because it had been reduced significantly.”

She went on to say that every single homeless charity has made the recommendation that the rent cap be lifted.

One such charity is Focus Ireland, which has made a number of obser vations on the issue.

In a submission made to the Department of Social Protection, the charity said: “An increasing number of households are paying illicit ‘top ups’ which gradually push them into debt and

Cllr Nolan said many families in Fingal have been made homeless due to the reduction in their rent supplement

arrears. The same factors present barriers to individuals and families who are homeless from securing new homes and leaving homelessness The Department’s policy in setting rental rates is fundamentally flawed.”

A spokesperson from the Depar tment of Social Protection responded saying a recent review of rent limits found that “increasing rent limits at this time could potentially add to further rental inflation in an already distressed

market”.

T he spokesperson went on to say that the Department has put in place a number of preventative measures to ensure that people at risk of homelessness or loss of their tenancy are supported under the rent supplement scheme where increased rental payments are required.

“The Department’s p r e ve n t a t i ve p o l i c y allows for flexibility in assessing customers’ individual accommodation needs through the National Tenancy Sustainment Frame-

work. Under this approach, rents are being increased above prescribed limits as appropriate,” said the spokesperson, adding that over 1,400 cases in Dublin have been solved this way.

In addition, a special protocol in conjunction with Threshold was introduced to ensure that those at immediate risk of losing their tenancy get rapid assistance.

Almost 700 households in Dublin have been supported under the protocol.

McGuinness set to run in election Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) has announced his candidacy for the Dublin West constituency in next year’s general election.

Launching his campaign via Facebook he said that having served Dublin West for over six years and finished second in two Dail by-

elections he believes he has a fighting chance in the next election.

“I know I will have to perform even better to secure the Dail seat, and will work extremely hard in order to prove my c o m m i t m e n t t o Dublin-West residents,” he said.

He went on to state

Dublin Gazette Newspapers, Second Floor, Heritage House, Dundrum Office Park, Dublin 14 Tel: 01 - 6010240. Email: sales@dublingazette.com news@dublingazette.com web: www.dublingazette.com twitter: @DublinGazette Visit us on Facebook at DublinGazetteNewspapers

his agenda, outlining the main issues he is concerned with.

“I want to keep the National Children’s Hospital campaign for Blanchardstown Connolly alive.

“I do not believe An Bord Pleanala will endorse the St James’s site,” he said, adding that childcare costs are too high and he will push for a “one-stopshop” to be set-up for families who work and the augmentation of a ser vice in primar y schools to accommo-

date these needs.

Campaign He went on to say that he will campaign for more Garda resources for Dublin West.

“Crime continues to plague our neighbourhoods. While supporting additional Garda numbers, I will campaign on an overhaul of our criminal-justice system.

“Proper sentences and tackling re-offenders are important steps that need to be implemented,” he said.

18 June 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3

Tributes Clonee resident dies tragically as a result of inhaling toxic fumes

Hundreds attend Alan Harris funeral

 keith bellew

Tributes have been pouring in for late Clonee resident Alan Harris (45) who died tragically as a result of inhaling toxic fumes while working in a sewer in Portmarnock recently. His brother Stephen (34) also died in the incident.

Alan’s funeral was held at the Church of St Agnes in his native Crumlin on Saturday June 13, while Stephen’s funeral took place on Wednesday, June 17, at the Divine Mercy Church, Balgaddy where he lived.

The brothers died as a result of inhaling toxic

fumes while carrying out work for their company Harris Draintech in a sewer in Drumnigh, Portmarnock, on Wednesday, June 10.

They were working in a pit 8m below surface level when Alan was overcome by the fumes and collapsed, Stephen attempted to resuscitate his brother but collapsed himself as a result of the fumes.

Emergency services were called to the scene and they were retrieved from the sewer with a rope system to the surface.

Alan was pronounced dead at the scene and Steve passed away on Friday, June 12 in Beau-

mont Hospital af ter fighting for his life for two days.

Alan’s funeral saw the guard of honour travel in a BlueBird minibus painted in the Dublin colours, and decorated with flags and pictures of the deceased.

The church was packed with mourners among whom where his son Alan Jnr, daughter Nicole, wife Tracey, mother Gertrude, sister Grainne and brothers David, Mark, Derek, and Darren.

The church was decorated with blue and white f loral tributes and photos of Alan and Stephen.

Speaking at the funer-

al, his son Alan Jnr said the huge number of mourners filling all the seats and standing in the aisles was a testament to how many people his father touched over the course of his life.

He broke down while paying tribute to his uncle Stephen for giving his life in an attempt to save his father.

He was a keen footballer and was involved in Casta Celtic, the first club to spring up in the area in the early 2000s.

For many years, he continued to play for the club which has since become Clonee United.

The club paid tribute to him saying: “There are many, many peo-

Alan and Stephen Harris died tragically as a result of inhaling toxic fumes while working in a sewer

ple, connected to both C l o n e e Un i t e d a n d Casta Celtic and the wider football community that knew Alan and his sudden passing is a sad loss to all of those many people.

“Clonee United extend its heartfelt condolences to Alans wife, Tracy and her family on the sudden passing of Alan.”

Tanaiste Joan Burton offered her condolences

to the Harris family saying: “For the family, it’s an incredible tragedy to lose both their father and their uncle. My deepest sympathies go to them at this difficult time.”

4 BLANCH Gazette 18 June 2015

The Great Wood Outlet costing €3.87 million is set to create 120 new jobs

New pub puts down roots in Blanchardstown

 Keith Bellew

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is to open its new pub in Blanchardstown on Tuesday, June 30, with the creation of 120 new jobs.

The company has spent €3.87 million developing the outlet, on the site of the former

FastNews A darkly comic bill at Malahide musical society A DARKLY comic double bill of one-act plays will be hosted by Malahide Musical and Dramatic Society on June 18-20 at 8pm in ALSAA sports and leisure club on the Old Airport Road.

Following on from the success of its production of Oliver!, the society will perform A Galway Girl and The Donohue Sisters written by Galway playwright Geraldine Aron.

Tickets are available by emailing malahidebookings@gmail.com or by calling 086 375 8196.

Eight awards up for grabs at Festival BUDDING Fingal filmmakers have until June 30 to enter the fourth annual Fingal Film Festival which takes place at Movies@ Swords on September 25-27. Eight awards are up for grabs this year: Best Fingal Newcomer Media Award, Best Short Film, Best International Film, Best Animation Film, Best Student Film, Best Documentary, Best Feature Film and Best Irish Language Film.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Sunday, September 27 in the Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport.

For more information visit www.fingalfilmfest. com.

Light Nightclub in Westend Shopping Park.

The pub will be called The Great Wood, as much of the present-day area of Blanchardstown and Coolmine was once covered by an ancient forest, known as the Great Scaldwood.

The name was chosen from

a shortlist by Gazette readers.

The pub is on two floors and will feature two bars, as well as two meeting rooms, and a beer garden to the front and side of the pub, where smoking will be permitted in a designated area Historical photos, details of local history, information

relating to events, historical buildings and characters of the area, as well as artwork by local artists are all on display.

Commissioned artwork includes those by artists Bernadette Madden and Claire Norrington, together with original artworks by Caroline Donahue, Niamh MacGowan, John

Campion and Nick Miller.

Manager George Collins said: “Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into the pub and we are confident that it will be a great addition to the Blanchardstown community.”

It will be open from 8am until 11.30pm Monday to

Thursday, 8am until 12.30am on Friday and Saturday and 8am until 11pm on Sunday.

Food will be served every day, from opening until 11pm.

It will be open for family dining, with children, accompanied by an adult, welcome in the pub up until 9pm, throughout the week.

dublin 15: ‘this issue has serious implications for many estates’

Homeowners advised to test their water for lead  Keith Bellew

Homeowners in Dublin 15 whose houses are 30 – 40 years old are being advised to have their water tested as it is very likely that they have lead pipes.

Tanaiste Joan Burton has reiterated this advice which was recently given by the HSE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This comes as the Government published a national strategy to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water. The strategy will map the scale of the problem and provide measures to reduce any possible risks to the people’s health posed by lead in drinking water. It has been prepared by the Department of the Environment, with the Department of Health, Irish Water, the HSE and the EPA. Minister Burton said that following work carried out by Irish Water around the country, it has “become obvious” that there is a possibility that houses built thirty to forty years ago may have some lead in their water supply.

This means that many housing estates in Dublin 15 are likely to have

lead in their water, particularly those in the Mulhuddart ward, such as Huntstown, Hartstown, Whitechapel, and Corduff.

Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said this issue has serious implications for many Dublin-15 housing estates.

“The building of Corduff began in 1975 and continued through to the early 1980s. This falls within the lead-pipe era. If Blanchardatown houses are found to have lead piping, this will have a huge financial implication for homeowners,” he said, adding that if this is the case, the Government will have essentially signed Dublin-15 homes up to €5,000 plus bills, which would be “completely unacceptable”.

“I asked an industry expert I know to estimate the cost of digging out the pipes, replacing them with appropriate pipes and cementing over any openings in the ground. €5k was a conservative estimate including labour costs and parts,” he said Minister Burton said: “In a lot of cases, people have renovated their houses, and may have thereby got rid of lead in their houses. If people think they have lead

Fingal homeowners are advised to check their water to see if they have lead pipes

pipes, the advice from the HSE and the EPA is to have their drinking water tested.” She said that the Government has also announced a grants scheme for low-income households, to help fund the cost of replacing lead pipes in homes.

Where a householder opts to replace any lead

pipes, Irish Water will replace any corresponding lead pipes on the public side of the property.

Further details of the grants scheme will be announced shortly, and householders will be able to avail of it later this year.

Advice on how to check for lead is in the

HSE guide at the following link: http://www. hse.ie/eng/health/hl/ water/drinkingwater/ lead/EPA_HSE_Drinking_Water_Consumer_ Advice_Note_Lead.pdf Also, a list of lead in drinking water FAQs are available at www.hse.ie/ water A spokesperson for

Irish Water said: “Following the roll out of the metering programme we have indicators which show that there are lead connections into homes.

For this reason we’re urging homeowners to check their pipes and take remedial action if required.”

See Opinion on Page 8

18 June 2015 BLANCH Gazette 5

don’sdublin The Iron Duke’s rise from a humdrum Irish life to a place in history ONE of the most decorated soldiers in history was born in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin in 1769 – the same year as his great nemesis, Napoleon Bonaparte.

The son of a noble but impoverished family, Arthur Wellesley did not show much flair for anything other than playing the violin when he joined the army as an ensign in 1787, having been withdrawn from college due to a downturn in the family’s finances.

After his proposal of marriage to Kitty Pakenham had been turned down, he applied himself to military life with a determination of purpose that was to be his trademark and strength.

Suitably prepared, he used his skill to good effect while in India, after which he had become a rich man and promoted to major-general.

Years later, his troops expelled the French from Spain, for which he was awarded the title Duke of Wellington.

Wellington was in charge of the British and Dutch forces at Waterloo. June 18, 1815 has gone down as one of the most momentous days in European history, when Wellington – who was facing Napoleon for the first time on the battlefield – survived enormous early attacks and won the day with the late, and critical, arrival of Marshal Blucher’s Prussian army.

A political career beckoned and he became a minister in 1819, and prime minister in 1828. It was during his time in Downing Street that Catholic emancipation was granted (1829).

The good people of Ireland (in fact, he denied his Irishness by proclaiming “that not everyone born in a barn was a horse”) had already shown their respect by raising more than £20,000 for the erection of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park. The reliefs around the base of the monument were cast from captured cannon guns – appropriate indeed, as they recount the heroic life of one known to history as “The Iron Duke”.

Don Cameron www.donsdublin. wordpress.com

The distinctive shape of the Wellington Monument in the Phoenix Park

tasty treats Food village the centre stage of the show

Flavours of Fingal set to return THE Flavours of Fingal County Show returns this month for its fourth annual instalment at Newbridge House and Farm, Donabate, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29.

The food village will again take centre stage in the historic walled garden of Newbridge House where a veritable smor-

gasbord of local produce, at a host of stalls will be offering tasty treats.

Some of Ireland’s top chefs will be on hand to perform demonstrations using local produce. This year, the festival will play host to the semi-finalists of the inaugural All Ireland Craft Butchers Home

Cook 2015 competition and participants will have an opportunity to witness the art of sausage making first hand, taste the handmade sausages and pudding and vote for their favourite.

Fingal’s agricultural answer to the Rose of Tralee returns with a showcase of Ireland’s

most groomed cows and sheep in the highly competitive livestock competitions. Horses and dogs feature on the programme too with equestrian contests and sheepdog trials contributing to a packed out day.

Machine lovers are well catered for this year, as the Fingal Vintage

Society gears up for a display of vintage farming machinery.

The Flavours of Fingal County Show is brought to you by Fingal County Council, Fingal Farmers, Fingal Tourism and Newbridge House and Farm.

For more information visit www.flavoursoffingal.com.

6 BLANCH Gazette 18 June 2015

courts Buyers should have known something was ‘dodgy’

Men avoid jail for selling stolen car TWO men who bought a stolen Mercedes Benz before selling it on for €5,000 have avoided jail terms at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

David Bradshaw (33) and Patrick O’Dowd (30) told gardai that they bought the vehicle for €6,000 from a woman named Alex who claimed it was her husband’s car.

They said they tried to sell it on through a car dealership but were told there was finance outstanding on it. They then advertised it online before selling to an Irish man for €5,000.

The men told officers that two Polish men met

them in a shopping centre car park on behalf of this man to buy the car. They were not able to provide any details in relation to “Alex”, the Irish buyer or the two men who ultimately bought the vehicle.

Bradshaw of Briarwood Park, Huntstown, Dublin 15, and O’Dowd of Ashton Close, Ashton Broc, Swords pleaded guilty to handling a stolen vehicle on November 15, 2013. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the plea on the basis that the men had been reckless as to whether the car was stolen.

Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed to him that at a certain point in the story the men should have been aware of “something dodgy” about the car and done the honourable thing and reported it.

“They didn’t. They had money invested in it and they wanted to recoup it,” Judge Nolan said before he added that Garda Barry Duffy Finn has “doubts about their stories”.

He described it as “a nasty enough offence” but said it would be unfair to imprison them. He handed down a two-and-halfyear suspended sentence

to each on condition that they each raise €5,000 in the next year to be passed on to the owner of the vehicle.

Gda Duffy Finn told Judge Nolan that it was “a long and complex investigation” and at no time did either Bradshaw or O’Dowd provide gardai with information that would assist them in tracking down the vehicle.

“They had no information in relation to the woman they bought the car from. I found that very strange. They also had no information on the man they sold it on to or the men who collected

Judge Martin Nolan said it seemed to him that at a certain point in the story the men should have been aware of “something dodgy” about the car

it on his behalf, no names and no contact details,” Gda Duffy Finn said.

Gda Duffy Finn confirmed that at the time the vehicle was taken it was valued at €20,000.

The vehicle was never recovered and as the owner had no insurance on it, he is still paying back the loan he had on it.

Gda Duffy Finn said

Bradshaw has 17 previous convictions for road traffic offences, stealing a car, theft and drink driving, while O’Dowd has two convictions for road traffic offences.

18 June 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7

doctors 30 contracts out of a total of 42 have been returned to the HSE

Healthy uptake of the free GP care scheme  Keith Bellew

More than seven in 10 doctors in Dublin West have signed up to provide free GP care to under sixes, according to figures released recently.

Thirty contracts out of a total of 42 have been returned by doctors to the HSE, a return rate of 71%.

Starting on July 1, the new GP service without fees will benefit 8,000 children in Dublin West aged up to five years, and from August 1, for senior citizens aged 70 or more.

For children under six, the new service also includes dedicated asthma checks, and two wellness assessments aimed at identifying

future health problems early, such as childhood obesity.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the service is the first concrete step to universal health care.

“There are no means tests or sickness tests. You can sign up on online.

“All you need is your name, PPS number and contact details, and your

achievements: group ceremony

Sports Club 15 celebrate cup and medal wins  Keith Bellew

Sports Club 15, the Special Olympics group for people with intellectual disabilities in Dublin 15, recently celebrated achievements by two of its teams at an event in McDonald’s in Blanchardstown Centre.

The club had a medal and cup presentation ceremony for its basketball team which won this year’s league and also honoured its football team which came second in its league.

Coach and co-ordinator DerekArmstrong said: “We were there on the night for an end-of-season party and we had an hour of bowling in the Leisure Plex and then we had another hour in McDonald’s who were very kind to us and looked after us.

The basketball team that I coach won the league and I presented the medals and the cup.”

The group which was founded by Ruth Feighery celebrated its 10-year anniversary last year. It has grown from strength to strength over the years and now has 60 members.

A team of volunteers

Sports Club 15 celebrating in McDonald’s

runs the group with Marie Wall acting as co-ordinator along with Armstrong who also coaches the basketball team with assistants Sorcha Turley and Kate McDonnell. The football team is coached

by Dermot Mullen along with Pat Morgan and Declan Haverty.

The team is supplemented each year by local transition year students who help out with coaching and the club have expressed their thanks to all who have been involved, particularly Darren Armstrong and Anthony Lawless who came in as transition years and stayed on

ever since.

They also expressed their gratitude to the local businesses who have supported them over the years including McDonald’s, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and Donnelly’s Fruit and Veg. The club which has three basketball teams, three soccer teams and an athlete leadership programme, meets for a two-hour training session at Institute of Technology Blanchardstown each Saturday.

Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the club at 085 286 7467.

child’s date of birth and PPS number.

“You will also need to know the name of your doctor of choice.

“Children who already have a medical card or a GP visit card do not need to register again,” he said.

He went on to say that it is up to doctors to decide whether or not they wish

to provide the service and patients are free to move from one GP to another, but will have to sign up for a new visit card at www.gpvisitcard.ie.

Confidence

Tanaiste Joan Burton welcomed the news, saying it was a vote of confidence in the initiative.

“I am pleased to see there has been a healthy uptake locally among doctors of the free GP care scheme.

“It is a good indication that local doctors have belief in the initiative and that they agree with the basic principle that no parent should have to think twice about bringing their sick child to the doctor,” she said.

8 BLANCH Gazette 18 June 2015

opinion Public health demands action over water purity

Get the lead out – but this may not be easy The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe considers the challenge and need to address replacing the nation’s hazardous pipework LEAD has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks.

High levels of lead in some drinking water supplies have raised concerns about the risks to human health, and households are demanding answers on who will pick up the tab to pay for improvements to water supplies.

Lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates in soft tissues and the bones.

Excessive, high levels of exposure can damage the nervous system and cause damage to the brain.

People are right to express concern about levels of lead in drinking water, but it is important to put the risks in per-

spective.

The amount of lead we are exposed to has diminished significantly over recent years. Lead was once added to petrol and to paint, but this is no longer permitted.

The maximum amount of lead permitted in our water was reduced to 10 microgrammes per litre

from the first of January 2014, down from a previous level of 25mcg per litre.

For most families, the risks of excessive lead exposure come from the ingestion of food, dirt and dust, but a significant number of household water supplies with high lead levels have been detected.

This is happening because old lead pipework still remains in some of the pipes that distribute drinking water into and inside our homes.

The recent reports from Irish Water have shown us that in many streets around our capital, these levels are being exceeded.

This can be a particular risk for younger children who may be fed milk formula from these drinking water supplies.

Ensure

Flushing the water supply by turning on a cold taps for a few seconds before taking water can reduce lead levels, but in some instances parents may wish to use bottled water to ensure lower lead levels.

Boiling water is not recommended, as it can actually increase lead levels.

The only real solution to lead contamination is to remove lead pipes, and this can be costly. Figures of more than €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe: “Figures of ... €4,000 have been mentioned for replacing pipe supplies, but in most instances the costs should be far below this”

this.

For those living in areas where high lead levels have been detected, a plumber can advise on the costs of replacing any contaminated pipework.

It is important to put the risks from lead in context. The Irish Environmental Protection Agency publishes biannual reports on water quality in Ireland and regularly raises concerns about the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. Coli), as well as the organisms cryptosporidium and trihalomethanes, which are a by-product of disinfection.

There have been significant health concerns around cryptosporidium in water supplies in Galway City, Carlow and Roscommon in recent times. Pesticides in water supplies are also a matter of concern, and the addition of fluoride has been a matter of some controversy.

Private wells are at risk of contamination

from septic tanks and their percolation areas.

The good news is that contamination levels of most municipal supplies has reduced significantly in recent years, due to investment in the water supply and treatment systems.

Much of the funding for this has been significantly grant-aided by European funds. The 1998 European Union Drinking Water Directive compels our government to protect human health from adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean.

The only sustainable solution to lead contamination is to replace any lead or lead-soldered pipework. The responsibility for achieving this is now a political hot potato for the current Government and Irish Water, but it is clear that it will take many years to fully remove lead from

the Irish water supply network.

Irish Water must be more transparent about releasing reports that they have regarding drinking water quality if they are to gain public confidence.

Many regard this as an uphill task.

Given the costs of replacing pipework, it is crucial that a grant system to help householders remove lead pipes is up and running as quickly as possible.

Those living on streets where high lead levels have been detected are right to demand urgent action. Parents are right to be concerned.

As the Government enters its last few months, the Minister for the Environment will be carefully watched to see if he can put in place a clear and fair solution to tackle this public health challenge.

It is no easy task, but it must be done.

Cllr Ciaran Cuffe (GP), Dublin City Council

18 June 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9

10 BLANCH Gazette 18 June 2015

gazetteGALLERY gazetteGALLERIES

Jimmy Taaffe and John O’Heaire

Maria Moore, Nicole Brady, Rose Moore and Fergal Brady at the Coca-Cola HBC Foroige 5km which took place in the National Sports Campus Blanchardstown recently. The race was preceded by a family fun day which featured lots of fun activities such as penalty shootouts and facepainting. Pictures: John O’Neil

National Sports Campus: Coca-Cola HBC Foroige 5km

On your marks, get set, go – help young people

Persida Mocan, Mark McInerney, Peter Dooley and Robert Crabbe

Precious Kuti, Elizabeth Agbaje and Catherine Agbaje

Paula Fitzsimons and Sandra Anderson

Caroline Conway and Emily Ennis

18 June 2015 BLANCH Gazette 11

Andras Paroczai and Eva Kolozsvarin approach the finish line together

Peter Brandon approaches the finish line to win

James, Emily and Thomas Bolton (winner children’s race ) and Eily Kildunne

Vanessa Kanibie, Soline Ogunkoya and Elizabeth Olukunle

Mick Clohisey, second place finisher

12 gazette 18 June 2015

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Alex O’Byrne

Brian Kenny and Leah O’Meara

Nancy, baby Alfie and Adrian Needham. Picture: James Martin

Riverfest in full flow huge array of activities kept the crowds entertained including the arrival of three tall ships and four schooners which berth at North Wall Quay for the weekend. The Jeanie Johnston was once again offering free tours and Dublin tug boat Shackleton and Beaufort’s Tug Boat Dances were back by public demand.

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Mary Coughlan: “My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him.”

a day in the life: singer mary coughlan is busy with family and touring

Songs, CDs and smoothies  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

AS SHE made her way around the country gigging and promoting her new album, Scars on the Calendar, singer Mary Coughlan took time out to chat to The Gazette about a day in her busy life.

“I get up at around 7am, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. My routine for the past seven months has been a bit difficult, with touring.

“Anyway, I make myself a green smoothie in my magic bullet, or whatever you call that [blender] thing!

“It’s made from celery and parsley, spinach and kale, and all of that.

That’s to do two things: to lower my

blood pressure, which is very high, and to give me a green boost.

“My daughter, Claire, lives with me and she has a two-and-a-half-year-old son. So we have a great time running around the house with him.

“In the past week, my life has been fairly hectic. I turn on the computer in the morning and then I have a big stack of envelopes and a big stack of CDs and a magic marker and I sign the CDs. “Then I go to the post office and go for a walk. I try to walk every day for an hour, which happens some days but doesn’t happen other days.”

Coughlan also works with inner city Youthreach children, giving them

pointers on a singing career, and usually sings for them. The day before The Gazette spoke to her, she drove to Galway and saw her father and her sister.

She added: “Then I got up early this morning and went to Galway Bay FM and had my hair done in Galway, and had a lovely lunch there in a place called Kai, the Maori name for food.

“A New Zealand couple own it, and I always go there. I get coffee from Urban Grind. I’m really into good coffee, so I normally have to go in search for it.

“Now I’m on the road to Roscommon and have a gig at 8pm, I probably won’t get anything else to eat. I might

have a protein bar – I’m trying to lose weight.

“After the gig, I go to bed, get up and will do an hour’s walk in the morning, and then I drive to Ballina for a gig.”

Coughlan is a great reader but also has a love for Netflix. Her favourite shows include House of Cards and Orange is the New Black.

After a long day, she needs no help in getting to sleep, and is out like a light right away. “I’m usually knackered by the time bed beckons,” she said.

Mary Coughlan plays the Abbey Tavern in Howth on June 20, before continuing her tour in Cork and Kerry.

CITY Hall is running an exhibition called The Story of the Capital, which tells the tale of Dublin through the centuries up to today’s cosmopolitan city.

Citizens and visitors interested in how the city has grown up over the years can get a glimpse at Dublin past and present in the grand surroundings of Dublin Castle, the former administrative centre of British rule in Ireland.

The exhibition runs from Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 5.15pm, with last admission at 3.45pm.

Admission fees for the Story of the Capital exhibition are €4 per adults, or €3.60 if booked online at www.topattractionsireland.com, €2 for senior citizens, students and the unwaged, €1.50 for children, and there are also group and family rates available.

City Hall is one of Dublin’s great architectural gems. The rotunda, with its 12 columns and fine statues, is host to murals and mosaics, set under one of the finest and most ornate domes in the city.

Gazette

14 Gazette 18 June 2015

dublinlife

diary

Rolling out a unique new attraction EUROPE’S largest wooden rollercoaster is now open to the public at Tayto Park in County Meath.

The Cu Chulainn coaster travels up to 100km an hour and is made from 800,000kg of yellow pine wood, more than 100 tonnes of steel, and 700,000 nails and bolts.

The rollercoaster reaches the dizzying heights of 32.05m with a stomach churning drop zone of 29m.

Over 70 builders and engineers from T he Gravity Group, Ohio, worked on the construction of the Cu Chulainn Coaster since 2014. It is also the first wooden rollercoaster in Europe with an inversion and is also the only one of its kind to be constructed in either Ireland or the UK in the past 20 years.

In addition to the r o l l e r c o a s t e r, Tay t o Park has recently seen the arrival of eight extra adrenaline filled attractions, Ireland’s only 5D

cinema and a steam train track as well as a new Dinosaurs Alive attraction.

Visit www.taytopark. ie for more information.

prisoner cell block h(igh) INMATES at Mountjoy Prison recently performed an amazing feat of teamwork and ingenuity in an attempt to retrieve a package of drugs which had been thrown over the prison wall.

The drugs which were thrown over by a wouldbe deliver y boy, got caught in the net which is in place around the prison wall. Inmates formed a human pyramid to boost one prisoner onto the roof to retrieve the package.

T he prison officer on duty had to call for backup to deal with the aspiring gymnasts, so the prisoner was able to retrieve the drugs before reinforcements arrived.

K nowing he would not be able to keep them once prison officers apprehended him, however, he ingested the lot and stayed on the roof for seven hours.

Sources have said he was “well under the influence” by the time prison officers managed to get him down. It’s probably safe to say his fellow inmates weren’t too happy about him hogging the stash.

launching 1916 initiative THE public launch of a new citizens’ initiative, called Reclaim the Vision of 1916, took place at Liberty Hall on June 9.

The group intends to hold a series of lectures and events during the 1916 centenary and to examine Ireland today compared to those aspirations the men and women of the Rising fought and died for.

President of Reclaim the Vision of 1916 artist Robert Ballagh addressed several relatives of the men and wo m e n i nvo l ve d i n the Rising, including James Connolly’s great grandson Jim Connolly Heron.

Ballagh said of the 1916 Rising: “The blueprint for that dream was proclaimed in the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, a visionary

Robert Ballagh (left), artist and president of citizens’ initiative Reclaim the Vision of 1916, with James Heron Connolly, great grandson of 1916 leader James Connolly, and artist Jim FitzPatrick

statement that rightly belongs in the pantheon of human achievement.”

The events will culminate in a major national parade and pageant in Dublin on April 24 next year, to include Fionnuala Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Sinead O’Connor, Adrian Dunbar and Frances Black who are also patrons of the project.

flower fest set to blossom THE countdown has begun for the Dublin Garden Festival 2015 at Christ Church Cathedral, and this year, celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin will deliver a talk with a champagne breakfast.

The Dublin Garden

Festival takes place June 19 to 21, when the historic cathedral and its grounds burst into life, adorned with floral displays and summer markets.

Award-winning floral artist Christopher White is artistic director of the festival and promises a stunning display of contemporary and traditional floral designs based on a fairy tale theme.

There will also be gardening workshops, and talks from former Green Party leader Trevor Sargent, gardening author Helen Dillon and many more.

Children can take part in a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, experience a petting zoo and watch craft demonstrations.

For more information on the Dublin Garden Festival programme for 2015, you can go to www.dublingardenfestival.ie.

aussie sorry for Irish rant THE oul Australian sod who remarked on live television that the Irish “can’t grow potatoes” has since apologised for his controversial comments.

Grahame Morris, a Conservative commentator and former adviser to the Liberal party, said on Sky News during a debate on marriage equality: “The trigger was a vote in Ireland.

Now I love the Irish, the parliament is full of Irishmen but these are

people who can’t grow potatoes, they’ve got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can’t verbalise the difference between tree and the number three. But, and then all of a sudden, Australia has to follow suit.”

His comments soon became a national “hot potato” here, and there swif tly followed an apology in an attempt to butter up the Irish public: “I got myself into a hell of a pickle on this. To everyone there in Ireland, to all those with Irish backgrounds, w h i c h i n cl u d e s m e incidentally, I’m actually very sorry. What I said was tasteless and I copped the whack I deserved.”

18 June 2015 Gazette 15

FEATURE interview: maria walsh on a remarkable 12 months

Rose plucks at some highlights of her year

 Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

THE Rose of Tralee graced the launch of an elegant new bar and grill in the Stillorgan Park Hotel recently.

Maria Walsh attended the hugely-successful corporate evening to open the Brass Bar and Grill, which serves food daily from 10.30am to 10pm and has live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

As she prepares to hand over her Rose of Tralee crown in August,

Walsh reflected on a year well spent.

Adventure She told The Gazette: “I finish on August 18.

My year has been fantastic – it’s been a real adventure and I’ ve travelled extensively throughout Ireland and the world.

“I think we need more women in ambassador roles. I work a lot with young people and they always seem to be eager to have the Rose of Tralee to their schools, who-

ever she may be.

“I was at an Enterprise Ireland event the other night which was women-only, and everybody there seemed to be extremely ecstatic to have the Rose of Tralee there.

“The name of the game for the festival is to bring tourists back to Ireland and there are so many people living in our diaspora. So, the relevance of the rose is still very much there.

“Every rose that enters it is there because she

wants to share her story and is really positive. I think it’s a unique festival and I believe there’s nothing else out there in the world like it,” she said.

Walsh was born in Boston and raised in Mayo, and if that was not cosmopolitan enough, in the Rose of Tralee contest she represented Philadelphia, where she now lives and works.

“I work as a media manager for a fashion brand called Anthropology. I didn’t take a year off from my job; I tried to do both.

“It’s been a full-on year as the Rose of Tralee, but it’s been great; you get to meet so many people.

Like, today [June 9], I got to meet Senator Zappone in Leinster House, which I think is pretty phenomenal.”

Walsh was not in Ireland for the Marriage Equality referendum, but was thrilled to hear from Australia that it had passed.

She said: “I was delighted to hear that a huge majority of the country were behind it, and I think from a business angle, it could mean huge revenue for the country.”

The Gazette asked Walsh what her plans would be af ter she crow ns her Rose of Tralee successor. “I’m trying to figure out the next steps now,” she said. “Whether I’ll stay here or head back to the States, I’m using the next two and a half months to figure out what else can possibly come from my time here at the festival, and to see if I can marry the two worlds.”

Dublin Rose Roisin Lyons with outgoing Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh at the launch of Brass Bar and Grill in Stillorgan Park hotel

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16 Gazette 18 June 2015

dublinlife

ESCAPEbusiness THE MAYHEM

ESCAPE THE MAYHEM: dylan reid, star of once

‘Staying energetic is a great way to relax’

 keith bellew

HAVING dazzled audiences on Broadway and the West End for five years, Dylan Reid comes to the Olympia Theatre in July to perform in the award-winning musical, Once.

The Gazette spoke with Reid about what he does to escape the mayhem of the high-stress environment of his theatrical career.

Relaxation for him does not mean putting his feet up – he prefers

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‘I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two’

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to stay active. An excellent way to get away from it, he says, is writing and recording an album – a task he is currently undertaking.

“Writing music is the main thing that would help me relax and help

me get away from everything.”

That said, he makes sure to take a break from this every now and then as he finds it helps him to return to his project refreshed and ready to go.

Sport is big in his life.

Playing eight-a-side soccer two or three times a week with friends is another activity he enjoys.

“I just love getting on the pitch because, although music has always been my passion, it’s good to get out there and do something different for an hour or two and then come back to writing and recording.

“I love playing soccer and basketball; I find that relaxing even though I’m still being energetic. I love

Broadway and West End star Dylan Reid appears in Once at The Olympia in July

spending time in the gym and keeping fit.

“I used to play with a club and captained the school basketball team as well, but having left school I kind of moved away from it and now I just play it with friends,” he said.

Another means of

escape for Reid is cooking: “I don’t mind going outside the box and trying new things, but if I find something and I like it, I keep cooking it.”

When he comes across a new dish he just throws it on and hopes for the best. “Sometimes it works; sometimes it

doesn’t.”

You can catch previews of Reid performing in Once from July 4, with the show opening on July 14 and running until August 22.

For further information on the show, see: www.oncemusical.ie, or www.olympia.ie.

11 June 2015 Gazette 17

food & drink P24

asdfsdaf P27 health P25

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



Gazette

style P18

Pets

Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?

Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey (right) has joined the campaign for Dublin2020. Picture: Geraldine Woods

2020: Damien Dempsey gets behind dublin’s efforts to be shortlisted

Bid for Capital of Culture  Ian Begley

Dublin is now competing with Galway, Limerick and the South East of Ireland to win The European Capital of Culture competition for 2020.

The competition will be hosted by Ireland and Croatia and while 2020 may seem like a long time away, the judging is happening much sooner.

By mid-October of this year, a panel of European judges will arrive in Ireland and shortlist their favourites.

To make sure Dublin moves forward to the next round in the competition, the team of Dublin2020 needs help to spread the word and get people involved.

Ray Yeates, Dublin City arts officer said: ‘The reason we are bidding for

the European Capital of Culture 2020 is to build a new story for Dublin based on shared ideas, inclusion and confidence.

“Dublin can be a leading city in Europe, and take advantage of its talented young population, to initiate major progress in communities and neighbourhoods during this bid and beyond. Join in.

“If you are part of the city you are part of the bid.”

Award-winning Dublin musician Damien Dempsey also joined the campaign for Dublin2020, and has recorded a music video in Dublin locations that are close to his heart.

The song, which features lines from WB Yeats’s poem The Death of Cuchulainn, is now available on YouTube.

Speaking to The Gazette, Dempsey said: “I’ve put music to a Yeats’s poem and have travelled to several places around Dublin which are associated with Yeats.

“The poem goes back to the time of Cuchulainn and Maeve and links in with the men of 1916. It’s a beautiful poem and I’m very happy to get behind it.

“I suppose Dublin should be the centre of culture for 2020 because they reckon we have more writers and poets here per square mile than anywhere else in the world,” he said.

The European Capital of Culture is awarded for a period of one calendar year, highlighting the diversity, richness and integration of cultures in Europe and the chosen city.

The European Capital of Culture celebrates what we have in common, growing a sense of belonging in our home, country and continent.

To ensure Dublin is shortlisted, the Dublin2020 team is working to spread the word, to get Dubliners involved and to join in the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and in person.

The Dublin2020 team want to hear from all age groups and all walks of life to join in the conversation – to discuss their Dublin, their issues and shape the future of the city.

This is a chance for the people of Dublin to talk about what it means to be a Dubliner and how, together, Dubliners can shape the city’s future.

To find out more visit www.dublin2020.ie.

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week this week is Marley is a two-year-old female collie. She is a beautiful, big strong girl and has been in a loving home already for two years. She has brains to burn and is very clever when it comes to her training. She loves her commands and agility and would love to have more time doing advanced classes and training.

She just adores adult company, having her hair brushed and great walks.

Could you be the ‘Me’ for Marley?. If you think you could offer Marley a loving home please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000.

They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www. dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE.

OUT&ABOUT

ven Sons Wo Weir & 70 fflinks €1 design cu

Weir & Sons Dalvey classic shaving set €208

Gazette

18 Gazette 18 June 2015

This show of vintage cars will delight all

Highlights Event highlights of the show include 1,300 classic and vintage cars, trade stands, food and refreshments, children’s entertainment, classical pop music from music group Bee Bop Gold, a “Best in Show” prize-giving ceremony, and more.

For full information, see www.irishjagclub. ie.

To win one of the two family passes, visit our Facebook page, find this contest post, then Like it and comment below it, telling us what your dream car is. The closing date and time for your entries is 5pm on Wednesday, June 24, so get motoring to let us know about your car!

The winners will be announced on our Facebook page.

Oxford shirt €3 3

DU BL I N G a z e t t e Newspapers and our friends at Children’s Medical & Research Foundation, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital have teamed up to give you the perfect Father’s Day gift for the motoring enthusiast in your life.

Courtesy of the contest on our Facebook page, we have two family passes to the 2015 Irish Classic and Vintage Motor Show (family ticket for two adults, and two children under 12 years) at the Grounds of Terenure College, Templeogue Road, Dublin 6.

River Island

Win a great prize for Dad on our page

M&S Pure cotton mini-gingh am check short-sleeved shirt €24

motoring enthusiasts

n’s n me a B y a 159 ds R woo lasses € e l t t i L ng or su Aviat

Lit and tlewo cuf ods flink M s g en’s if t set tiepin €15

This one’s for you,

 Clare Devereux

FATHER’S Day is almost here – the day in the year when we pause to acknowledge the contribution that fathers and father figures make to our lives, to celebrate fatherhood and male parenting, and Gazette Style is standing by to lend a helping hand this Sunday, June 21.

We’ve gone out of our way to select gifts for all types of dads: from sporty to traditional, and not forgetting

those who are new to the role.

Here’s our secret – buying presents is easy once you know what someone likes!

So, take a look at your dad’s wardrobe – does he need new socks? Are his shirts threadbare? Do his sweaters need a revamp? Are his ties sad and weary?

If the answer is no, move on to accessories: what about cufflinks or a watch, or a cool set of shades to set him apart from the rest?

Still drawing a blank? Hit

the kitchen. Does your dad like juicing? Is he a wannabe barista? The bathroom shelf may give you a few hints too.

Does your dad have a favourite after-shave? A moisturiser he uses regularly? Is his razor crying out for change?

Let’s not forget sporty dad – from golf to football, there’s plenty to choose from to show dad he is the champion! So, this Father’s Day, you’ve no excuse – now get on out there, and choose something that tells your dad he’s special ...

Weir & Sons Leather compact wallet €99

18 June 2015 Gazette 19

0 alvey ns D flinks €12 o S f & u c r Wei lty pearl a Admir

ns & So 99 Weir watch €1 g in Ber

Brown Thomas Ga

River Island Flap over Messenger Bag €45

ggia espresso mac

hine €325

Riv er I

Littlewoods Armani Code 75ml €79

sla

nd

Soc

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4

Weir & Sons Bering watch €229

Littlewoods Fossil wallet and cardholder set €41

Gazette

STYLE

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20 Gazette 18 June 2015

Bride Groom

Head to Donabate for wedding activities you’ll really treasure RECENTLY engaged? Then this event might be something just for you ... Follow your heart and enter the Wedding Treasure Hunt on July 5 at The Waterside House Hotel in Donabate.

Synonymous with fabulous weddings right on the beach, the hotel opened free online registrations for a unique wedding event.

Prizes to be won include a €1,500 wedding voucher and many extras.

Couples taking part in the treasure hunt around the hotel grounds and Donabate beach will solve various clues and compete in weddingoriented games with each other.

Refreshments and canapes will be served throughout the day, and it promises to be a fun-packed day – a wedding showcase with a difference.

The treasure hunt will be followed by a large wedding open day, where couples have the opportunity

l lo o k ing at m any ke y as pects of marriag e l

Let our supplement support the big day  Bairbre Ni Bhraonain

The Waterside House Hotel, Donabate

to meet wedding experts and exhibitors face to face, get invaluable advice and find out what’s hot and new as they plan their wedding.

As one of the region’s largest wedding events, the open day is happening in the Waterside House Hotel on July 5 from 2pm to 6pm It’s going to be a day packed with wedding expertise and excellence.

To register for the Wedding Treasure Hunt, see http://www. watersidehousehotel.ie/weddings/ wedding-treasure-hunt/, or call 01 843 6153 for further information.

“THE world will always welcome lovers, as time goes by”, so the song goes, and couples in love will always want to marry.

Now that summer is here and the sky is blue (sometimes) and flowers are blooming, many couples will opt to tie the knot over the coming months.

If you are one half of an engaged couple, planning to exchange vows soon, our wedding supplement has some great ideas about how to make your big day the biggest and best one of your life.

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

‘Our wedding supplement has lots of ideas to help make your big day truly unforgettable’ --------------------------

Inside the supplement are tips and ideas around essentials such as how to put your unique stamp on your nuptials by choosing a bespoke wedding off the beaten track.

There is also a feature showing a range of some of the most unusual wedding venues all across Ireland.

Nor have we forgotten how important it is to get in good shape for your Big Day, either.

Advice on the most effective workouts and good nutrition are here at your disposal.

There is even a lighter piece, offering ideas on how to inject a bit of

Our supplement has some great ideas about how to make the big day unforgettable

fun into proceedings on the day, by incorporating something like an adventurous treasure hunt.

W hatever kind of wedding you fancy,

or even if you are still unsure of what you want your wedding day to be like, The Gazette’s Wedding Supplement offers soon-to-be newly-weds ideas that point you in

the right direction.

We have included weddings which suit all tastes and inclinations, mirroring Ireland’s new, improved and more inclusive marriage laws.

18 June 2015 Gazette 21

Gazette

l w h y n ot c h o o s e fr o m a wi d e r ange o f ve nue s? l

Be creative – pick an unusual setting  ian begley

IF YOU’RE on the hunt for an alternative venue for your wedding and are hoping to do something a little different for your big day, then you will be happy to know that Ireland has a huge range of unconventional wedding venues on offer.

From castles, barns, theatres, sports stadiums, beaches and the zoo, you will certainly be spoiled for choice if you want an unusual or eccentric wedding

venue.

If you’re thinking of a very intimate wedding in Ireland with just your nearest and dearest, then Fanningstown Castle might be the perfect choice. Set in the countryside of Limerick, this grand castle has been converted into an atmospheric private house that is suitable for a small group seeking escape from the mayhem.

If your heart is set on a Dublin city wedding, but you’re looking for

that very special space to celebrate, then Smock Alley Theatre might be just the ticket.

With exposed brick walls, ornate plaster work ceiling and stained glass windows, this venue is certainly a sight to behold. Its oak benches and tables offer options for the fashionable long dining experience and the large space is very versatile for a ceremony or reception.

Another great alternative venue is at Mount

Druid in Westmeath. The building and its surrounds comprise a converted barn, an unconsecrated tin chapel, 20 traditional Mongolian yurts, a charming gate lodge, an 1820s Georgian house, a summer house and three lakes.

Why not choose to say “I do” at the zoo?

Dublin Zoo is a unique alternative to the traditional wedding venue and provides a magical backdrop for your special day.

Haughton House, a

Wedding favours needn’t cost the earth WEDDING favours provide the couple with an excellent way of showing their appreciation to their guests for helping to celebrate their big day.

When choosing the type of favour you would like to present to your guests, budget must be considered. One way to cut costs but still give your wedding a personal touch is to provide homemade wedding favours.

Save

Confectionery is the old standard, but rather than buying countless boxes of luxur y chocolates, or sugared almonds, baking your own cookies, cupcakes etc will enable you to save money and give you the opportunity of personalising them with your wedding’s theme.

The Smock Alley Theatre has exposed brick walls, ornate plasterwork ceiling and stained glass windows and is very versatile for a ceremony or reception

restored historical building with magnificent views of the zoo, is available seven days a week for all types of wedding ceremonies, including civil ceremonies, civil partnerships and blessings.

With weddings at Croke Park, GAA fans can marry their love of the game with the love of their life. Whether you are interested in a large, traditional reception, a small, intimate celebration or something in

between, they can offer you the perfect alternative venue.

For further information on these alternative wedding venues, see w w w.alternativewedd i n g s . i e , a n d w w w. hitched.ie.

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22 Gazette 18 June 2015

Bride Groom

l looki ng yo u r b e st l

Getting in shape for your special day Your wedding is an event to be remembered for the rest of your which will be chronicled with an array of photographs and possibly on film.

For this reason among others you will want to look your best. Whether your looking to drop a few pounds, tighten up your muscles or completely overhaul your physique, Educogym, Dundrum can get you there.

The Educogym system is based on a university validated study which proves that a clear goal combined with resistance based exercise and low glycemic nutrition caused

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‘Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique’ --------------------------

a person to shape up faster than any other system in the world.

On average, the participants lost 7.5 lbs of fat, and gained an average 3 lbs of metabolism boosting muscle in just 12 days all with just 20 minutes of exercise per day.

Educogym is designed to replicate

these incredible results, with each aspect of the programme finely tuned to ensure success.

Educogym consultants work with you to help you understand your goals and then devise a programme to make sure you achieve them. Educogym specialises in low-glycemic nutrition plans designed to detox your body from sugar to lower body fat and get in your best-ever shape.

T he word educo means to lead or draw out from within. Educogym works with you to draw out your ideal figure or physique using their carefully crafted

The Educogym system combines resistance based exercise and low-glycemic nutrition

system.

The big difference between the Educo gym resistance training and traditional aerobic exercise such as jog-

ging is that by increasing lean muscle tissue you will increase your metabolism to burn fat and have a leaner and firmer body.

All programmes include intensive 20minute training sessions, regular consultations, nutritional programmes with expert

advice and goal setting to help you look your best on your big day.

For more information, visit www.educogym.com/Dundrum

18 June 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

24 Gazette 18 June 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

The contribution of Irish – and Scottish – workers in the Caribbean inspired The Redleg Rebellion, above

A cocktail inspired by sunburnt Irish legs WITH the sun finally spotted in our skies, now’s the time to make a relaxing cocktail – The Redleg Rebellion. “Redlegs” was the name given to Irish and Scottish workers in the Caribbean in the 17th and 18th centuries (you can guess why), who were forcibly transported by Oliver Cromwell consequent to his subjugation of Ireland. This drink was created as a “tip of the hat” to the thousands of Irish who worked the sugar plantations of the Caribbean, and without whose cheap labour the popularity of rum may never have spread throughout the world.

Ingredients 30ml Teeling Small Batch 20ml Clement Creole Shrub 10ml Taylors Velvet Falernum 20ml Lime Juice 20ml Pineapple Syrup Preparation Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigourously for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass/Julep cup filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a pineapple slice, mint sprig and cherry.

Give your patio power a boost with a canopy ’TIS the season for barbecues, picnics and other modes of al fresco dining.

But sometimes the sun is beaming – and sometimes it disappears for days. Nevertheless, hope springs eternal and it’s important when it comes to the weather in Ireland to be like a Girl Guide – prepared for anything!

So, a patio with canopy is the salvation for barbie-holics and, if you haven’t already got one, then you should. Whether it’s the outdoor party look you want or a more family-friendly option that’s safe for children, Tobermore can help.

Theresa Kiely, manager at Tobermore’s Dublin Paving and Walling Centre, says: “Tobermore’s patio products are long-lasting, cost-effective and maintenance and cleaning is minimal, so that’s one less chore for you to worry about.”

If you need patio inspiration, call the company at 01 843 7440, email sales@tobermore.ie, or see www.tobermore.ie.

Soder + Ko

Fusion restaurant

South Great Georges St The interesting fusion

WITH its high ceilings, spacious sleek decor and an ultra-hip menu inspired by a fusion of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine, Soder + Ko on South Great George’s street is already proving to be a popular addition to Dublin’s ever growing list of trendy chowdown joints.

Having recently gotten our hands on a voucher offering an express lunch bento box and a drink for a special fixed price, Picky and partner decided to try it out.

The vibe was immediately relaxed and elegant when we arrived.

We ordered two nonalcoholic cocktails, made in-house. My partner’s was strawberry and orange juice-based.

Of course I had to sample it, and I found it very refreshing.

I went for a cucumber and chestnut syrup cocktail. Unfortunately, it was sickly sweet and far too sugary for me.

of Scandinavian and Asian cuisine at Soder + Ko is matched by its creative interior space. Picture: James Martin

The Picky Eater The express lunch menu offers four different bentos, with the choice of a meat, fish, vegetable or special of the day.

We both chose the meat bento, which offered miso soup, chicken dumplings, fillet steak with sticky rice and a side of charred bok choi.

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‘For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent.

I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied’ --------------------------

When the food arrived, we discovered that two of the side dishes had been switched. Instead of bok choi, we got stewed aubergine, and in place of the chicken dumplings, there was a

prawn variety instead.

I checked with our server and he timidly informed us that the chefs were only serving this selection now.

I was unimpressed with the last-minute switcheroo without our knowledge, but the assortment was indeed tasty. The star of the show was the small, tender cut of fillet beef which came with a poached egg yolk on top.

For a lunch deal which ranges from €9-€12, the value for money is decent enough. I didn’t leave stuffed, but I was satisfied.

Some teething problems were apparent, from our slightly confused waiter who was in the midst of his first day to my overly sugary beverage.

However, I feel that given the opportunity, Soder + Ko could prove to be a deserving addition to the growing multicultural range of restaurants in the city.

Despite being sent on the day what the kitchen wanted to cook rather than the order placed, the food was great. Pictures: The Picky Eater

Conclusion DESPITE some teething problems when Picky and partner visited, Soder + Ko (at 64 South Great George’s Street, Dublin) has the potential to be a great addition to the city’s foodscape. Reasonably priced, its dishes proved to be tasty.

18 June 2015 Gazette 25

Gazette

HEALTH

Mark Joyce and Ronnie Carroll have teamed up with celebrity Ray Shah

Franchise deal expands brand Bon Sheekey demonstrating the V-Sit

calisthenics: using bodyweight as resistance

All you need is your own body to get fit  Suzanne Sheehy

Life is movement – movement is life. This is the mantra of Bon Sheekey, who heads up an eponymous fitness company operating out of TCD’s sport centre.

And when it comes to training, your own bodyweight can help you out on the way to fitness, according to the same man.

Sheekey tells Gazette Health that he takes a novel approach to the pursuit of health, fitness and longevity.

He has a 16-year history in gymnastics, breakdance, weight training and movement which prompted him to notice the many positive health benefits to be gained from using bodyweight, including improved muscle strength and function, lower body fat, greater range of motion and flexibility in joints along with

freedom of expression and an improved sense of wellbeing.

Sheekey talked to us about this re-emerging form of training, calisthenics, which is any training where the bodyweight is used as resistance.

This can range from walking or crawling to gymnastics, mechanics of martial arts, types of dance and even yoga postures.

Principal beginner exercises involve the pullup, handstand and press up. More advanced versions are the handstand press up, plyometric (jump training) press up, press up claps to name but a few.

The real fun comes when you begin to learn the variations then put them all together into calisthenic sequences or routines.

Because there is no end to possible move-

ments, calisthenics can be one of the freest and most creative forms of expression.

It improves overall strength, shape, coordination, balance and flexibility. Anybody of any age from any walk of life can and should engage in it, according to Sheekey.

Both weight training and calisthenics have their place depending on individual goals, he maintains, but where the latter really kicks ass is in its ability to create harmony between different areas of the body allowing it to work in its preferred muscular groups.

This reduces chance of injury and helps practitioners stay injury free.

Another plus is that all you need is your body, some will power and a little space.

There is absolutely no need to spend vast sums on equipment and gym membership to begin

training, he says.

Sheekey aims for an optimal blend of resistance training and calisthenics in order to reap the benefits of both.

You can become strong and powerful in the weights room and then transform this into more agility and better balance with calisthenics.

He finds both modes complement each other and they would be his go-to training systems for programme design for himself and many of his clients.

The results speak for themselves, Sheekey maintains. Interested?

Then contact bonsheekeyfitness@gmail. com.

FITNESS entrepreneurs Ronnie Carroll and Mark Joyce have agreed a franchise deal with DJ and ex Big Brother celebrity Ray Shah to expand his hugely successful Bodyfirst Nutrition brand.

The first of the franchise outlets opened in the village of Malahide recently with more planned in the near future.

Bodyfirst Nutrition outlets at the Wooden Bridge Clontarf and in The Mall in Malahide Village are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.

Fitness enthusiast Shah launched the first Bodyfirst Nutrition in Clontarf in 2013 having developed a passion for fitness and nutrition during his time in the public eye. His vision was to create a one-stop-shop for sports supplements, vitamins and health foods.

Nowadays, most people shop online for popular sports and fitness products. Bodyfirst Nutrition is one of the first walk-in stores where you can buy

all your monthly supply of nuts, seeds, gluten free foods and teas, as well as protein powders, recovery shakes and energy gels under one roof.

Carroll said: “Ray has created a fantastic brand and we’ve nothing but admiration for what he has done.

Rather than try to reinvent the wheel out here we decided to approach him with a view to establishing a franchise agreement where we could all work together to expand this superb brand.”

Shah said: “After two years of growing the brand in Clontarf I was looking to take it further and was then approached by Ronnie and Mark.

The idea of developing it as a franchise and engaging with the boys on both an expertise and entrepreneurial level really appealed to me and was an obvious solution to my expansion plans.”

Some well-known faces which have been visible in Bodyfirst Nutrition include Leinster/Irish rugby player Cian Healy and his girlfriend, former Miss Ireland Holly Carpenter.

Wheels in motion for Aquabike THE sun has put his hat on, hip hip hip hooray – time to get outdoors and be more active.

Summer is the perfect time to challenge yourself so why not sign up to an multisport event and have fun as you get fit(ter)?

June 14 was the day that Ireland’s newest multisport event pedalled off. The Aquabike was hosted by Fingal Triathlon club which is based in Skerries north County Dublin.

Aquabike is an endurance sport composed of swimming and cycling

stages. GazetteHealth found it great to see the big numbers signed up to this event out pedalling hard on the course.

Aquabike is ideal for those unable to run through injury or those who simply dislike running. Long may this event take place.

Haven’t invested in a bike just yet? Then consider doing an aquathlon. Which is a two-stage race involving swimming followed by running.

If you’re interested in taking part in a triathlon or multisport event log

onto www.triathlonireland.com. You’re bound to find something to suit you in their 2015 race calendar. It could be a triathlon, duathlon, adventure racing – entirely up to you. And for beginners, you will find training and nutrition advice to set you off on the right foot into the summer months.

26 BLANCH GAZETTE 18 June 2015

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28 Gazette 18 June 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride in Smithfield Square . Picture: Rob Mohan/Sportsfile

Dublin to host ‘Gran Fondo’ cycling event IRISH CYCLING has a new event to look forward to, with the Great Dublin Bike Ride set to take off from Smithfield Square on Sunday, September 13.

The event will feature two routes – 60km and 100km – each starting and finishing in in Smithfield, and taking in scenic routes around Dublin city, county and further afield.

The 100km route will pass through Malahide and Ashbourne in county Meath as well as some winding rural roads, while the shorter outing takes in Blanchardstown, Malahide and Swords.

The event will follow the cyclosportive (or Gran Fondo) model that’s become extremely popular in modern day cycling, with the aim of falling half way between a competitive race and a challenging stage-based distance event.

The format will welcome amateur and inexperienced cyclists, who’ll start alongside their more experienced counterparts.

The Great Ireland Bike Ride is backed by numerous major sporting institutions, including the Irish Sports Council, Cycling Ireland, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Dublin City Council and Healthy Ireland, and was launched by Minister Paschal Donohoe and Dublin Mayor Christy Burke in an event in Smithfield Square on Monday, May 8.

Speaking at the launch, John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said: “We are thrilled to be launching the Great Dublin Bike Ride. I have participated in similar events internationally and saw firsthand how successful they can be in increasing participation across all ages and all abilities.

“I really believe this is a great event to keep everyone active over the summer months and would encourage everyone, whether you are beginner or advanced cyclist to sign up and get involved.”

Training plans, registration – currently €40 for the longer event, and €25 for the shorter – and route maps as well as further information can be found on the website, www.greatdublinbikeride. ie.

McLaughlin’s tough trail to Croker glory Round Tower’s hurling captain Brian McLaughlin tells JAMES HENDICOTT of his battle back from serious injury, and unlikely route to Croke Park glory with Fermanagh

BRIAN McLaughlin starred in Fermanagh’s Lory Meagher Cup win on Saturday, June 6, scoring 0-5 from full forward as the Ernesiders claimed the title they missed out on in a tight finale a year ago.

Fermanagh finished the game with just 12 men on the pitch, but won by a fairly comfortable score of 3-16 to 1-17.

It’s been a rough ride for the Round Tower captain, who sat out an entire season back in 2013 after serious back and hip injuries picked up in a car accident.

His comeback, declaration for Fermanagh – a side that’s own road to the final has been afflicted with tragedy and subsequent national title is perhaps the story of this season’s cup.

“I came back from the injury for Round Tower in 2014 and we had a great season,” McLaughlin recalls.

“We won the Division 4 title, and the physios there were great in getting me back to fitness.

“The idea of declaring for Fermanagh came up towards the end of the season. I mentioned it to my dad – both he and my uncle used to play for the county side – and he was very keen on it. I qualify through the so called ‘mother rule’ for minor counties, and while I was a little reluctant at first because of the extra games, it was definitely the right call.”

Sports Med Ireland played a major role for McLaughlin, with the high-end new training facilities in Ballymount helping further in pushing his fitness and injury progression from September last year.

McLaughlin spent four days a week in the facility, letting the experts nurse him back to his pre-accident con-

dition and perfect the strength and conditioning he needed to move forward.

By November, he was ready to talk to Fermanagh manager Shane D u f f y, w h o s e e m e d enthusiastic about McLaughlin’s involvement.

The for ward’s dad and uncle smoothed the process through their county links, and McLaughlin’s inkling edged towards reality.

A journey down to Fermanagh training with Shane Mulholland back in November cemented McLaughlin’s decision, and was later to form the heart of McLaughlin’s perceptions of the cup win, and much of the motivation he’d need.

“Shane drove me to Fermanagh’s centre of excellence, which is on the side of a mountain and difficult to find,” he recalls. “He talked

Brian McLaughlin lifts the Lory Meagher Cup ,after Fermanagh defeated Sligo at Croke Park on Saturday, June 6.

about how much the Lory Meagher Cup meant to the side, and I could feel the passion.”

Mulholland died in a tragic car accident back in February, leaving behind his wife and three-month-old daughter. While Fer-

green to a quick fire lead that was never to be overturned. Duffy later described the win as Fermanagh’s Holy Grail.

“We never lost our sense of calm and control, even when the side were down to 12 players

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

‘I didn’t realise how much it meant to me until the final whistle, when the emotion just came pouring out’ Brian McLaughlin

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

managh suffered a poor league campaign, finishing bottom of Division 3 after losing all five games, winning Lory Meagher became the all-encompassing aim for the season, and something to give in Mulholland’s honour.

The Fermanagh shirts for the Croke Park encounter bore the oneoff inscription Uallach, Irish for Mulholland, meaning proud.

Despite being hit with three red cards in the second half, Fermanagh looked in control from the moment they started striking first half goals, despite finding themselves 0-9 to 0-2 down with 20 minutes on the clock.

Three goals in the final 15 first half minutes saw the boys in

at the end,” McLaughlin explains. “Round Tower have made things very easy for me, and playing the game in front of my mum, dad, brother, girlfriend and 94-year-old grandfather at Croke Park was very special.

“I know I played well, because my grandfather would have called me on it if I hadn’t. It felt like the win was meant to be.

“I’m not sure I personally realised how much it meant until the emotion came out at the final whistle. It was for Shane.”

Fermanagh followed their Croker victory with a win against Louth, securing a place in next year’s Nicky Rackard Cup, where they’ll face Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal.

18 June 2015 Gazette 29

Gazette

FastSport HOCKEY IRELAND ANNOUNCE WORLD LEAGUE SQUAD DUBLIN players feature heavily in the Ireland Hockey squad announced by coach Craig Fulton this week, which will travel to Antwerp, Belgium to compete in World League 3.

Ireland have been drawn in Group B, and will take on China, hosts Belgium, Malaysia and Great

Luke McGrath spars on his way to a 56kg junior male gold medal

Valley prove unstoppable in junior worlds  James Hendicott

TOP CLASS Swords taekwondo club Rivervalley put in a stunning performance at the World Junior Championships in Lido de Jesolo, Italy, recently.

The 11 junior athletes sent over as part of a 39-person Irish team were so spectacular that had they competed as a nation rather than a club they’d have finished sixth on the medal table, ahead of sizeable competitors like the USA, Argentina and Russia.

All in, the championships featured more than 1,000 competitors from 52 different countries.

The Irish team are coached by Stephen Cooley, a VI degree and former international fighter who started Rivervalley back in 1992.

He takes young fighters, often just six years old, with the philosophy of “treat them like world champions from the moment they walk in the door.

“Most coaches take

talented kids at the age of 12 or 13,” Cooley told GazetteSport. “We start them off at six, and put them in a competitive atmosphere. The kids believe in themselves, and make a decision at the age of 12 or 13 on how seriously they’re going to take it. They can become ordinary black belts, or aim for the national team.”

All 11 Rivervalley athletes who went to Italy medalled, but perhaps the crowning glory was in the men’s 56kg individual sparring, in which club teammates Luke McGrath and Rostik Ivanchuk fought each other in the final.

Both came through a series of tough fights, with McGrath edging through in the finale. Cooley recalls his early days as “a very unassuming kid who at first didn’t really want to spar. He’s a natural, though, and it didn’t take him long to take things really seriously”.

Another individual success came for Killester’s Ellen Ince, who’s trained

individually with Cooley for a couple of years. Ince’s individual sparring title at 55kg weight was her second successive world title, wins that bracket a European win, too.

Maeve Magee also won a special technique silver, while Rivervalley’s team competitors scored a full set of gold, silver and bronze medals. In large part due to Rivervalley’s success, the Irish team grabbed sixth place overall.

All the medals won over in Italy come off the back of the club’s professional approach.

“We have a big team,” Cooley says. “You hear about other sports doing six weeks of conditioning before the training starts.

We do a year of strength and conditioning.

“We study body movement and train on techniques like long jump and high jump, too. Some of our kids wear heart monitors and train eight days a week. They’ve earned the results, and they got them.”

Britain. The Green Machine will open against the old enemy on Tuesday, June 23.

The 18 man squad features Peter Caruth and David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), Mitch Darling (Three Rock) and Kirk Shimmins (UCD) alongside several players who ply their trade in the competitive Belgian league.

Ireland warmed up by playing Belgium twice in recent warm up matches, losing 3-2 and 4-2, but Fulton remains positive, saying “we will need to add more detail to our performances in critical phases to get results, which we believe we can do”

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 18 June 2015

SPORT

FastSport

Intra-League soccer: ndsl go deep in annual limerick event

Celtic U-13 go up on final day CASTLEKNOCK Celtic’s Under-13’s secured a spot on the third tier of next season’s NDSL Under-14 league thanks to a final day 4-1 win over East Meath Utd which secured second spot and promotion from the Under-13C division.

The game took place at Porterstown Park recently and began in naturally tense fashion, with Celtic needing a win to secure promotion and avoid a possible playoff against Clontarf FC. The hosts flew out of the blocks and were awarded a penalty early on after Kelvin Oriwe was taken down in the box. Up stepped Ahmed Ombali and he made no mistake in setting Celtic on their way.

In games bearing such importance, your midfield is often key, and Castleknock’s engine room of Said Ijaz, Jonathan McAdam, Henry Owade and Luke Murphy bossed the middle of the park right from the get-go.

A second goal game from Donatus Nweke after a well-worked corner before Matthew Roberts was rewarded for some tireless running up front with a goal just before the break.

Despite being three goals behind, East Meath started the second half much stronger than the first.

They saw a lot of possession but were left frustrated by the likes of Alex Curran, Jack Murphy, Ryan Fitzmaurice and goalkeeper Christian Guerin at the back for Celtic.

Meath eventually managed to pull a goal back but Oriwe quickly responded with his second of the game to restore the three-goal lead, following excellent play from Liam O’Malley and Colm Ayres.

Jordan Whelan was also unlucky not to add a fifth soon after when his effort crashed back off the post.

The win meant Castleknock finished 10 points off league winners Drumcondra, and can look forward to facing them again next season in the NDSL Under-14B division, as well as nearby rivals Corduff FC, St Francis M/V and Navan Road United.

The side can spend the close season plotting a second successive promotion.

The NDSL squad that travelled to the Kennedy Cup post-season tournament in Limerick

NDSL score Kennedy Cup third sport@dublingazette.com

FOR the first time since 2004, Dublin teams were left empty handed at the annual Kennedy Cup competition which was held in Limerick last week.

H a v i n g wo n t h e Kennedy Cup, the blueribbon competition of the weekend, 10 of the last 11 years, the DDSL fell at the final hurdle this year, losing 1-0 to Kerry in the final.

The other two Dublin sides at the competition, the NDSL and SDFL, were also unsuccessful

as the Cup, Shield, Bowl and Trophy competitions were all won by leagues from around the country.

The beaten finalists began the competition in Group 2, and set off to a blistering start, beating Longford 13-0, but followed it up with two 1-1 draws against North Tipperary and Kilkenny.

They still managed to just about secure their place in the quarter-final of the cup competition on goal difference. They played out another 1-1 draw in that quarter-final against the Midlands but

HEALTHY heave Castleknock 5km to raise hospital funding THIS Sunday’s Castleknock 5km will

feature Minister Leo Varadkar joining approximately 1,000 entrants in and around the north of Phoenix Park.

The race, which will be timed over closed roads, intends to raise money for Blanchardstown hospital, and encourage locals to get out and exercise.

The race is also in memory of Rory Doherty, who died last year and saved five lives through donating his organs.

won the penalty shootout 4-2.

Meanwhile, the NDSL started the weekend in Group 1, alongside South Tipperary, Athlone, and the Sligo/Leitrim league.

The promising North Dublin group won all three of their group games scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in those fixtures.

That placed them in the Cup quarter-final where they met Kildare and eventually advanced via a 4-3 win on penalties after a scoreless draw after extra-time.

Up next was a semi-fi-

nal Dublin derby against the DDSL which ended the North Dubliners’ chance of success, with their city rivals running out 2-0 winners.

To finish off their weekend, the NDSL, who last won the Kennedy Cup in 2011, played the Limerick Desmond league in a 3rd/4th place playoff which they won 4-1.

In the final of the Cup, a Dylan Murphy strike for Kerry separated the sides in a close fought game in which the DDSL had more of the chances.

The SDFL was the other Dublin side at the

competition. They eventually finished 19th in the competition of 32 teams.

They finished third in Group 8 despite starting the competition with a 2-1 win over Carlow; they followed that result up with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Wexford and a 2-0 loss against the Midlands.

The South Dubliners went on to play West Cork in the Shield quarter-final which they won 4-1 on penalties after a scoreless draw. They then lost 3-2 to Mayo in the semi-final before beating Waterford 3-0 in the 19th/20th place playoff.

18 June 2015 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

cricket for charity

Annual Cricket 4 Cancer event for Phoenix Park

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

THE Frank O’Connor Memorial Cup – an

annual family event in aid of St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown – will take place on Saturday, July 4, weather permitting.

Dublin Fire Brigade CC will take on Garda CC, while further entertainment is on offer through a petting farm, face painters and the chance for youngsters to climb all over a visting fire engine.

hurling: fiesty junior d derby turns seasons

THE St Brigid’s GAA mini leagues were

ing to €7,400 for this week’s draw in

a big success. A fantastic week of

Russell Park.

football was had by all participants

The St Brigids GAA Summer Camps

and the finals were played in Russell

will run for 3 weeks in July and August.

Park on Saturday afternoon. A big

Week 1: Club Camp - July 20 – 24.

thank you to our mini league sponsors

Week 2: Kelloggs Cul Camp - August 10

MSL Hyundai and to all the mini league

– 14. Week 3: Nursery Camp - August

organisers and helpers.

18 – 21 (Tuesday start), age 4 – 7.

Our club nursery runs as normal

Congratulations to Deirdre Mur-

this Saturday, June 20 from 9.30 to

phy, Leah Mullins and Ciara Trant who

11am. We welcome all 4-7 year olds in

represent St Brigid’s on the Dublin U21

the Castleknock and Blanchardstown

team through to the final in the Aisling

area. New members and families are

McGing series.

always welcome! For more information, contact Paul: 087 9154748.

The club lotto jackpot remains a massive €15,000 with the reserve ris-

Our senior ladies football team will play the Dublin minor ladies team in a challenge match on the new pitch on Monday, June 15 at 8pm.

castleknock THE Castleknock 5k is on this Sun-

team, who beat Louth at the week-

day, with full details and registra-

end to claim a place in the Nicky

tion available on the website.

Rackard Cup next year.

The club will receive a quarter

The club’s Annual Golf Classic is

of all proceeds, and so it is really

on this Friday in the Castleknock

important that as many club mem-

Golf Club. Please see the website

bers support the event as possi-

for full details.

ble, which was such a success last year.

Erin Go Bragh Junior D hurling side

Erin Go Bragh take spoils in critical derby JUNIOR D HURLING St Brigid’s 1-9 Erin Go Bragh 3-18  sport@dublingazette.com

RUSSELL PARK played host to a Blanchardstown derby last Sunday afternoon as St Brigid’s we l c o m e d E r i n G o Bragh in round 4 of the Junior D Hurling Championship Group 1. It was the visitors who came out on top as they quite comprehensively defeated their rivals from down the N3.

The game was a bit of a must-win for both sides, with Brigids without a win going into the tie and

looking to begin a late charge for a quarter-final spot and away from the relegation places. Erin Go Bragh were looking to return to winning ways having lost their last two Championship fixtures after an opening day win over St Jude’s.

It was Brigid’s who opened the scoring with a well worked point, but Erin Go Bragh began to dominate proceedings for the rest of the half, hitting 3-10 without reply with Robert Watson hitting 2-2 and Kirby scoring the other goal and four more points.

In typical derby fash-

ion, the hosts were reduced to 14 men midway through the first half as one of their half-backs picked up a second yellow card. Brigid’s managed to hit a couple of scores before the turn which saw the score sit at 3-10 to 0-03 at the break.

It was a better second half for the home side as their half forwards began to influence the game and create chances. It was too little too late, however, as the deficit from half-time was just too much to reduce. You could not question their ambition, as a number of frees close to goals were

hit towards goal rather than over the bar but the visitors defence stood firm.

At the other end, Go Bragh added another handful of scores throughout the second half, hitting eight points after the break in total to take the Dublin 15 side to second in the table with four points from four games and a top of the table clash against Skerries Harps at home coming up next on July 9.

Brigid’s however now sit bottom of the Junior D Hurling Championship Group 1 table, pointless after four games.

The Senior Footballers play Lucan at home on Wednesday evening at

Please contact John McMenamin

19:30, and Naomh Mearnóg away at

at jmcmen@gmail.com for more

18:30 on Saturday. Get out and sup-

information.

port!

Well done to the adult hurlers who

Application forms for the Sum-

kept their excellent run going with a

mer camps are now on the website.

win away to Na Fianna on Saturday.

The nursery is on every Saturday

And another big congratulations to

in Tir Na nOg at 10am, and all new

Dermot Curran and the Fermanagh

players and families are welcome.

st peregrine’s ST Peregrines Senior B hurlers beat Whitehall Colmcille by 3-11 to 1-12 last Saturday, June 11.

year olds.

The younger age group costs €30 for the week, and the elder €50.

Registration for summer camps

The Kelloggs Cul Camps take place

takes place every Monday and

from Monday, 13 to Friday, 17 July

Wednesday evening, from 6pm to

from 10am to 2.30pm, for six to 13

7pm, as well as Thursday 5pm to 6pm

year olds. The week costs €55.

and Saturday mornings at Nursery.

The adult footballers travel to Mon-

The St Peregrine’s summer camp

astery Road to take on Round Tower

takes place from Monday, July 20 to

this Saturday, June 20 at 6.30pm in

Friday, July 24. They run from 10am

division 2, while the division 6 side

to 12pm for four to seven year olds,

take on St James Gaels in Blakestown

and 10am to 2.30pm for eight to 13

on Sunday, June 21 at 11am.

erin go bragh OUR mini leagues run from 15-19 June

onship on Sunday. Anyone interested

and our summer camp 13-19 July. Well

in playing hurling can call Karl on

done to all our underage teams in

0872352074.

action over the weekend. Well done to our U-12s, hard luck to our U-13s.

There was no winner of our weekly lotto. Next week’s jackpot will be

Our ladies football & camogie teams

€2,100. Tickets are on sale in The Pad-

are looking for players. Anyone inter-

docks, The Vineyard, The Grasshopper

ested in playing football can call Pat

and The Strawberry Hall, or call Tom

on 0877642155. Well done to our hurl-

on 0872245823 for annual subscrip-

ers who beat St Brigid’s in the champi-

tions.

GazetteSPORT all of your Blanch sports coverage from page 28-31

kennedy cup: Dublin sides suffer rare defeats in season closing Limerick intra-league tournament P30

june 18-24, 2015

classy Rivervalley a hit at taekwondo worlds P29

Crowe in action for Malahide United

Game over for Crowe

Former Ireland international striker Glen Crowe says goodbye to playing career to focus on coaching, after aiding Mochta’s LSL rise

 nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

ST MOCHTA’S legend and former Republic of Ireland international Glen Crowe called time on his illustrious playing days last week.

The former Wolves, Exeter City, Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle, Bohemians, Shelbourne, Sporting Finagal and Malahide Utd striker enjoyed a fantastic career before returning home to the place it all began, St Mochta’s and contributed heavily in their recent rise to the top tier of LSL football.

Crowe won five League of Ireland medals, four with Bohemians and one with Shel-

bourne which he picked up between the 00/01 and 2009 seasons. He also won two FAI Cups with Bohemians in a spell where he became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in league action with 133 goals.

The Dubliner also won two senior international caps, becoming the first League of Ireland player to be capped by the Republic of Ireland in 16 years when he faced Greece in November 2002. The frontman was also named both PFAI Player of the Year and the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland (SWAI) Personality of the Year twice in the 00/01 and 02/03 seasons.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Crowe said: “I’ve had a fantastic career and

thoroughly enjoyed every minute. To finish at St Mochta’s FC where it all started was really special. To this day, one of my proudest achievements was to represent my country, it’s any young players dream to represent their country, and I’m very proud to have done that.

“I want to thank Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bohemians, Shelbourne, and although they were shorter spells, I’d like to thank Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Sporting Fingal and Malahide United.

“Thanks to all my team-mates, the great managers who I learned from, particularly Don Givens and Brian Kerr with Ireland.

Thanks to the supporters who have sup-

ported me over the years. I’m very grateful to my parents and family, my wife Alison and children Alex and Orin for all the wonderful support throughout my career. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter now and coaching with this brilliant football club.”

Also speaking to www.stmochtasfc.com, Mochta’s boss Brian McCarthy heaped praise on the former striker who will now join his backroom team. He said: “I’m delighted Glen will be with us next season as a coach with Bobby Ryan. Thanks to Glen for all the goals, commitment and professional attitude he brought to the club. I’m really looking forward to working with Glen next season and I congratulate him on his remarkable career.”