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December 10-16, 2015

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YouTube and TV chef Donal Skehan is very busy – and cooking up even more ideas Page 16

Yeats fans: Literati gather at an eclectic exhibition celebrating artist’s legacy Page 8

talented schoolchildren have won a ticket to theatrical stardom in Ireland’s only panto boot camp and are now lighting up the stage in Jack and the Beanstalk at Dublin’s The Helix Theatre. The youngsters were among 200 young hopefuls who were put through their paces at a special panto school this summer. Only top talents were picked to perform and among them were Chloe Doyle, Caoimhe Joyce Mooney, Bobby and Abbie Flannery, Kate Kavanagh, Amelie O’Hanlon and Megan Cheevers. The young stars now have six weeks on the national stage as Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Dublin’s The Helix Theatre until January 10.

Picture: Iain White / Fennell Photography

sport Soccer:

Corduff’s Haba plays starring role for NDSL Page 32

Prefab site at Wellview draws mixed reaction

Ruth Coppinger not

surprised homes to be Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

constructed in most disadvantaged areas

 Keith Bellew

The announcement that 20 modular homes will be built at Wellview Green, Mulhuddart, has received a mixed reaction from local politicians.

Deputy Ruth Coppinger

(SP) said she was not surprised that these units were to be located in the most disadvantaged areas in Dublin.

“Wellview has had problems of anti-social behaviour and isolation and well planned housing here could

be a real benefit,” she said.

Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) welcomed the initiative as a means of dealing with the homeless crisis.

He said Wellview was chosen as there were limited sites owned by the council which are zoned residential

with access to water, sewage and electricity connections.

“What [sites there are available] tend to be located next to existing social housing estates such as Wellview,” he said.

Full Story on Page 5

2 BLANCH Gazette 10 December 2015

employment | a Number of global companies already operate on site

Zone puts focus on big investors THE Dublin Enterprise Zone, an initiative which aims to make Dublin 15 one of the best places in Europe to invest in and set up a company, was launched recently by the Tanaiste and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton.

The zone in Mulhuddart consists of 1,571 hectares of industrial land and is home to many household names in the IT sector, such as IBM, PayPal, eBay and Symantec.

Another cluster of pharmaceutical companies includes world leaders including HelsinnBirex, Mallinckrodt and Bristol-Myers Squibb.

 keith bellew kbellew@dublingazette.com

The area provides employment for more than 17,000 people working in 780 companies.

Ireland ranks first for the availability of skilled labour in the world and is number 15 in terms of overall global competitiveness, according to the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2014.

This initiative seeks to build on that.

The Tanaiste said that having seen the development of Dublin 15 as a business hub, she was delighted to mark this latest stage in the journey.

She said: “Dublin Enterprise Zone is now an area that is bustling as a centre of excellence for IT and pharma, and where some of the world’s leading companies are locating their European expansions.”

Business leader Louise Phelan of PayPal said this branding campaign promoted Dublin 15 as an investment location globally.

“PayPal set up in Ireland in 2003 with

25 employees. Today almost 1,500 people work in PayPal, Ballycoolin, and we are continuing to hire.

“Dublin 15 is an ideal business location. I am confident that the newly branded Dublin Enterprise Zone will help unlock future economic opportunity for Dublin 15.”

Speaking to the Gazette, Tony Lambert of Fingal Dublin Chamber said this was of major importance to Blanchardstown and the wider Fingal area.

“The chamber was delighted to be a part of the initiative by Fingal County Council, in

Pictured at the launch are Louise Phelan from Pay-Pal; Deputy Mayor of Fingal Jack Chambers (FF), Tanaiste Joan Burton and Paul Reid, chief executive of Fingal County Council. Picture: Conor Blundell

bringing together all stakeholders to develop this enterprise zone.

“This is a very large area with 20 business parks already in situ and probably the largest single bock of zoned and serviced land, not alone

in the Dublin area, but in the entire company, available for development.”

He added that the location was of major importance with the airport close by and the M50, which allows

access to the whole country.

“The chamber will be working with Fingal County Council and other State bodies to promote this zone as the ideal area for investment.”

10 December 2015 BLANCH Gazette 3

Castleknock | ‘design of the facility will start immediately’

start ups

Business lessons by pupils

Progress is made on new graveyard  Keith Bellew

The first major steps towards a long-awaited and badly needed new graveyard in Castleknock were made recently by the council.

Testing will be carried out in Kellystown in the south of Dublin 15 close to Luttrellstown Community College to assess the soil condition, and see if there are any issues in relation to tree and plant roots which might affect its suitability as a burial site.

In a letter sent to councillors, Fingal chief executive Paul Reid said planning and design of the graveyard would commence immediately and he would update members as this matter progressed.

This progress has been welcomed across the board by councillors and ministers alike.

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) said it was great to see major steps taken towards the delivery of a new graveyard as “despite the huge population of west Dublin, we actually have a very small number of functioning graveyards, compared to the rest of Fingal”.

Cllr David McGuinness (Ind) said the Kellystown lands were to serve as a graveyard under a planning deal agreed in 2008 but the owners of the land were involved in AngloIrish Bank which became the IBRC and was under the overall Nama umbrella which muddied the waters of negotiation.

“In recent times the d e ve l o p e r s b e c a m e more amenable and pro-active and basically there’s been good, solid dialogue between the developers and the council and as a result of that they have ironed out some of the difficulties,” he said.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said there had been a need for a new graveyard for a number of years since space ran out in the Castleknock (St Brigid’s) and Clonsilla (St Mary’s) churchyards.

“There is a lot of space in Mulhuddart Graveyard but it is quite far from Castleknock, Clonsilla and Blanchardstown parish. Planning and design on the new graveyard will begin immediately.”

Hats off to the artist

forty-eight pieces of colourful artwork have been put on display at a special exhibition to launch the Dublin Bus Children’s Art Calendar 2016. This year over 2,000 children from 25 schools entered the Dublin Bus annual art competition. A selection of the winning entries was chosen to be displayed in this year’s calendar, like the work of Nick Rebreanu, pictured, from Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School. The competition promotes the value of public transport in local communities to younger passengers and creates awareness of the negative impact of anti-social behaviour on buses for the local community itself.

HAVING researched and resourced various products, Fingal’s youngest entrepreneurs are running businesses as part of the National Student Enterprise Awards’ competition.

Now in its 15th year, a record number of 2,600 students from 24 secondary schools and eight primary schools in Fingal are competing for a place in the county finals in March 2016.

Secondar y schools involved include Balbriggan Community College; Blakestown Community School, Blanchardstown; Castleknock College; Colaiste Choilm, Swords; Har tstow n Community School, Blanchardstown; Fingal Community College, Swords; and St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rush.

4 BLANCH Gazette 10 December 2015

FastNews

Ming Court restaurant served with closure order A local Asianthemed restaurant was issued with a closure order in November under the EC (official control of food-

health | daughters of charity get HSe funding

Special needs respite service to be restored  keith bellew

stuffs) regulations.

Popular eatery Ming Court, located at Blanchardstown shopping centre, was forced to close its doors temporarily while it brought the facilities up to regulation standards. The order was issued as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) felt there was or there was likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at/or in the food premises.

Meanwhile, local food manufacturer/packer Crusts, based at Unit 41, Millennium Trade Park, Blanchardstown, was served with a prohibition order under the EC regulations, 2010.

The FSAI issued the order as it believed the handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling food involved or was likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch or item of food.

RESPITE services for families of children with special needs are to be restored at the Daughters of Charity care centre on Navan Road before the year’s end. This is the only such service available to people in Dublin 15, and it will reopen in a new building at the same complex.

The service was closed temporarily due to funding issues almost two years ago, leaving those in need of respite services without a service.

Deputy Mayor of Fin-

gal Jack Chambers (FF) welcomed the renewal of the service but said those in need were left waiting for too long.

He said: “It is welcome relief for parents to have final approval of funding from the HSE [Health Service Executive] and the Daughters of Charity so respite can be restored.

“I have been working in my role as the chairperson of the Regional Health Forum to advocate and work on behalf of parents to have this service progressed and funding approved.

“The HSE dragged its heels with little or no help or intervention from local Government Ministers, and I am glad that this wait for a service that is so badly needed is now finally going to happen.”

Senator Catherine Noone (FG) refuted the claim that local Ministers were lacking on the issue, saying Health Minister Leo Varadkar met many of the families of those affected and was committed to

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A protest held over the closure of respite services at St Vincent’s Centre on the Navan Road

restoring the service.

“Unfortunately, this respite facility has been unavailable for up to two years.

“Over this time the families have met the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar and made it very clear that the respite care needs to be restored as quickly as possible.

“Respite services were reduced significantly as a result of emergency requirements to accom-

modate a number of children with severe disability and challenging behaviour, while the HSE and the Daughters of Charity were also dealing with a number of funding issues.”

She said the HSE had been working locally with the religious order to find a resolution to this and had agreed that funding would be made available for the respite house, to allow it to open before year end.

“This will be a huge relief to the parents, who really rely on this respite service.

“I know that for parents of children with special needs, access to overnight stays a couple of times a month for their children at the Daughters of Charity centre, provided a vital rest.

“It allowed parents spend some much needed time with other children in the family, or have a short holiday.”

10 December 2015 BLANCH Gazette 5

New school is set for sod turning  keith bellew

The official sod turning ceremony at the site of Le Cheile secondary school’s new permanent building in Tyrrelstown will take place on Friday, December 11, after construction began on November 16.

The school, opened in 2014, and is currently housed in a temporary building at Mill Road, Blanchardstown, but will be able to move into its new accommodation in Tyrrelstown for the start of the 2016-17 school year.

The building, once completed, will include six science labs, three

woodwork rooms, home economics kitchens, and computer rooms. This will be followed in the second phase of building (to be completed the following year) by an Autism Spectrum Disorder Unit classroom and an all-weather sports pitch which will be shared between the school and the community.

Speaking to The Gazette, principal Aine Moran said based on the speed of construction so far, she is confident the school will be more than ready for the beginning of the next school year in August 2016.

“We will be able to take 120 students rather than the 96 we are limited to here, which would make an enormous difference to those parents in the area who are stressed about finding a school place for their child at the moment.

“It also means that we will be back in the community, where we are supposed to be,” she said.

She added that she sees the role of the secondary school as having an important community function, and she looks forward to being able to welcome local community groups to use the building.

site | in area of high social disadvantage

Location of prefab houses a concern

 keith bellew

THE announcement that 20 modular homes will be built at Wellview Green, Mulhuddart, in the coming months has received a mixed reaction from local politicians.

The four Dublin local authorities have committed to providing 500 modular homes in 2016, and up to 100 of these will be in Fingal.

This announcement follows Dublin City Council’s decision to locate a number of modular homes in Poppintree in Ballymun and Labre Park in Ballyfermot.

All three are among the most socially disadvantaged areas in Dublin.

Deputy Ruth Coppinger (SP) has said she is not surprised that all the modular housing is being located in the most disadvantaged areas and that she predicted this some months ago.

She added that the modular homes in Wellview must be accompanied by a proposal for permanent homes on this site and the creation of a proper community housing estate that was always planned here.

“Wellview has had problems of anti-social

Deputy Ruth Coppinger (inset) says modular homes in Wellview must be accompanied by a proposal for permanent homes on this site and the creation of a proper community housing estate that was always planned there

behaviour and isolation and well-planned housing here could be a real benefit.

“In reality, permanent homes are no more expensive – particularly when the council owns the land – and only take a few months longer to construct.

“Private housing has been built half a mile away, for example, in Hollywoodrath, Tyrrelstown, in three months.

The council can do the same.”

Housing Strategic Policy Committee member Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) welcomed the initiative, but said he would like to see this scaled up to deal with the homeless crisis.

“With an ever increasing social housing list and so many homeless families having to be accommodated in hotels, this new type of build can provide good quality housing much quicker than traditional bricks and mortar and we need

more of it.”

He said Wellview was chosen as there were limited sites owned by the council that are zoned residential with accessibility to water, sewage and electricity connections.

“What there are tend to be adjacent to existing social housing estates such as Wellview.

“They were never built out as originally intended but will be now with permanent or m​odular housing.”

6 BLANCH Gazette 10 December 2015

level crossing | No plan yet to replace facility - NTA don’s dublin

Road-bridge rumours still causing concern

 keith bellew

Wordy place that keeps spotlight on Ireland’s best writers For a city that has given the world so much fine literature, the Dublin Writers’ Museum tells a story through its collection

WHILE there are plans to replace as many level crossings on the Maynooth rail line as possible with alternative infrastructure, specific proposals have not yet been made, according to the National Transport Authority.

This follows local residents’ group Kirkpatrick Rockfield Coolmine Residents’ Association expressing concerns over rumours of a road-bridge to be built through Station Court and Riverwood. Riverwood, in particular, has a very young population and residents have concerns for the safety of their children should a busy road come through the area.

In an article in the Gazette on November 5,

of letters, books and personal possessions of many great writers. It was set up in 1991 and with an interesting, chronological layout it is easy to follow the development of Irish writing from the late 17th century to Samuel Beckett who died in 1989.

The building, at 18 Parnell Square, dates back to 1780 when Lord Farnham was its first occupant. It changed hands a few times until George Jameson (of the Jameson distilling family) bought the house in 1891. Over the years, he made major refurbishments, including the creation of the wonderful Gallery of Writers on the first floor.

In the first room you can find out about the beginnings of Irish poetry and storytelling with the emergence of Swift, Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan whose play The Rivals gave the world the word malapropism. There is a Riverwood residents have concerns for the safety of their children should a busy road come through the area

Barry Kenny of Irish Rail said while it was planned to close the level crossings, no plan for a roadbridge through Station Court and Riverwood

existed.

The authority’s integrated implementation plan 2013-18 states that “it is proposed to close all seven level crossings on this [Maynooth] line, bridges over or under the line together with road diversions and road closures will be required to deliver the closure programme... planning and design work is being advanced on the remaining level crossings with a view to seeking statutory planning consent and progression to construction…”

Based on the published information, the residents’ association believed it was clear that various departments were working on plans and, contrary to what Irish Rail said, those plans were to close the level crossings and undertake construction of roads and/or bridges.

An authority spokesperson said this was the intended plan, but added: “Formal design work on this project has not commenced – it will be undertaken as part of, and in conjunction with,

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

‘We want to be involved in the planning process not when it goes to public consultation but right now’ ---------------------------------------------------------

Kirkpatrick Rockfield Coolmine Residents’ Association the overall Dart Expansion Programme. When that formal design work commences, there will be appropriate consultations with the relevant communities as part of the project’s development. The exact format of that consultation engagement has not been determined yet, and will not be decided until the design and planning phase of the project commences.”

The residents’ association said: “As residents in the community most affected by these closures we want to be involved in the planning process not when it goes to public consultation but right now.

“We do not want to be subjected to the same experience as the residents at Reilly’s Bridge [this level crossing in Cabra was closed

in favour of a bridge in 2014 despite local opposition].”

In the context of the imminent General Election, the association intends asking residents to highlight the issue with all candidates.

“We have extensive documentation on the proposals and are happy to share it with interested parties. You can email us on krcradublin@gmail. com.”

Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) has suggested using the community rail partnership approach adopted in Scotland, which allows the various interests along rail corridors to engage with each other The authority’s spokesperson said this was unlikely to be suitable as the model to address issues over traffic movements.

unique document with Jonathan Swift’s signature and a first edition of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

The second room concentrates on works from the Irish Literary Revival at the end of the 19th century. The opening of the Abbey Theatre in 1904 was a pivotal moment with its productions of plays by playwrights WB Yeats, JM Synge and Sean O’Casey and there are many original programmes from the time. The signed copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses is worth the visit for any Joycean fan.

Upstairs in the gallery there are fine portraits and glass cabinets with letters, papers and other personal items. The telephone that Samuel Beckett had in his Paris apartment that allowed him chose whether to speak to a caller or not is quirky. There is the piano that Joyce played, and the chair that GF Handel sat on when conducting Messiah at the Great Music Hall in Fishamble Street in 1642.

The museum is a popular visitor attraction and it’s easy to see why. It’s a wordy place.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Dublin Writers’ Museum, at 18 Parnell Square, follows the development of Irish writing from the late 17th century to Samuel Beckett

10 December 2015 BLANCH Gazette 7

8 BLANCH Gazette 10 December 2015

Gazettegallery

| Exhibition to celebrate birth date of wb Yeats

Cast and welded bronze by John Coll

Catherine O’Riordan and Jessica Imhoff. Pictures: Stephen Fleming Photography

Gathering for Lonely Impulse to Delight S

O FINE Art Editions joined the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats recently with the opening of A Lonely Impulse of Delight exhibition at its Anne Street gallery, which features original works from Ireland’s top writers and artists.

John Sibbery

Inspired by the poetry of WB Yeats, works included in exhibition are drawn from John Banville, Colm Toibin, Edna O’Brien, Paul Muldoon, Eavan Boland, Donald Teskey, Hughie O’Donoghue, Richard Gorman, Martin Gale, John Behan, Lars Nyberg, Diana Copperwhite, Amelia

Peter Fallon and Senator Susan O’ Keeffe (Lab)

Declan Ronan and Eleanor Kelly

Stein, Michael Canning, and Barbara Rae. The exhibition also includes items of historic and artistic interest from Cuala Press, which was set up in 1908 by Elizabeth and Lilly Yeats.

The show will tour in Ireland and internationally, starting in Sligo.

Kate Betts

Kate Lawlor and Dairine McCafferty

10 December 2015 BLANCH Gazette 9

10 BLANCH Gazette 10 December 2015

blanchGazettegallery | Castleknock GAA Club puts best foot

Runners-up Christine King and Ben Mulcahy

Strictly Castleknock Dancers take time out at Castleknock Hurling and Football Club’s fundraiser at the Westmanstown Conference Centre

Cha cha? Disco? Rumba?

It’s gotta be Strictly...

C

astleknock Hurling and Football Club’s fundraising event Strictly Castleknock was held in Westmanstown Conference Centre in front of a full house. MC on the night was Kevin Mallon and the main sponsors were Copper Face Jacks and The Carpenter.

The lucky judges were Minister Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Joan Burton, standup comedian Pat McDonnell (of

Father Ted fame) and choreographer Natasha Maher.

Fourteen couples and one threesome took part in the dance competition. A night of great entertainment and some fantastic dancing culminated in the crowning of Castleknock native Ruth McMenamin and ex Laois county footballer Liam O’Connor as deserved Strictly Castleknock champions for their colourful and exciting

Bollywood inspired dance.

Runners-up on the night were Christine King and Ben Mulcahy with their excellent version of Dirty Dancing. The second runners-up prize went to Claire Hogan and Sean O’Brien for their lively Charleston. A shot of passion was provided on the night when Lisa Quinn and Brian Carter danced the tango. They also took the prize for best video.

Cha cha duo David Sweeney and Gillian Whooley

Here’s how to hip hop with Grainne Stynes, Owen Erica Duffy and David McGuinness sparkle

Disco dancers doing battle with Aidan Waters and Aisling McCormack

Kavanagh and Sarah McLaughlin

10 December 2015 BLANCH Gazette 11

forward and dances the night away in sparkling fundraising event

Joe Murray and Aoife Delaney in jiving mode

Karen Byrne and Philip Bohan do the paso doble

And it’s the winners, Liam O’ Connor and Ruth McMeniman. Pictures: Shay Hogan

Two to tango with Brian Carr and Lisa Quinn

12 blanch gazette 10 December 2015

10 December 2015 BLANCH gazette 13

14 Gazette 10 December 2015

Gazette

diary dublinlife Oceans of fun at Imaginosity IRELAND’S only interactive children’s museum for those under nine years, Imaginosity, is gearing up for Santa’s Science Lab. The little ones can join the Imaginosity elves as they experiment and conjure up festive workshops in the lab in the Plaza in Sandycove.

Santa will visit Imaginosity on December 19 for one day only, to meet everyone and get his delivery list prepared.

Tickets are €4 in addition to Imaginosity standard admission rates, and each child will leave with a small gift following their chat with Santa. Tickets can be booked by calling 01-2176130.

Oceans of Fun with Imaginosity will take place on Sunday, December 20, in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland as part of this year’s

Dun Laoghaire Maritime Christmas Festival.

This interactive family experience will include craft-making, storytelling and lots of Christmassy science. Tickets are €5 on Eventbrite.

Having recently enjoyed a day out there, The Diary can highly recommend Imaginosity for a couple of hours of fun.

Guinness toasts its many fans THE Guinness Storehouse recently marked its 15th anniversary and celebrated the 14 million visitors from 25 countries it has welcomed in that time. The iconic St James’s Gate site first opened its doors to visitors in December 2000 following a €42m redevelopment of the 113year-old former fermentation plant.

Former US President Bill Clinton was the first in a long line of famous faces to visit the Storehouse in its inaugural year, other famous faces who have visited since include Queen Elizabeth II, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, Susan Sarandon, Dermot O’Leary, Adam Sandler, Pink, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Conan O’Brien, The Coronas, The Script and Chris O’Dowd.

“Our first 15 years have been truly amazing with many highlights but winning the title of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards in September is a particularly special one,” said managing director Paul Carty.

Christmas tree dilemma solved THE Christmas tree

Drummers Ronan Brady and Maire Dee get into the swing and are suspended in the pint-shaped centre of the seven-floor visitor attraction. Picture: Andres Poveda

conundrum of whether to go for a real, authentic tree with its beautiful scent and texture or invest in the convenience of an artificial tree that will last for many Christmases to come may

have been solved by the Garden House, Airfield Estate, Dundrum, which stocks a wide selection of both.

Bryan Maher, founder of The Garden House, says you cannot have enough lights on a Christmas tree. He makes a number of useful suggestions about how to dress your tree to best effect. In addition, he throws some light on the important issue of lights, again providing many useful tips on how best to use and maximise their effect, including the lights’ tone and those that can be timed to turn

on and off at a certain time each day.

For a more comprehensive insight into how to make the most of your Christmas tree this Christmas see www.thegardenhouse.ie or call The Garden House, Airfield Estate, Dundrum on 01 531 2010.

bus users get info for christmas IRELAND’S second National Workplace Radio station 103.2 Dublin City FM and Dublin Bus will work together in the run-up to Christmas to ensure commuters have service

updates about buses in the city. Chief inspectors from Dublin Bus will be located in the traffic control centre at Dublin City Council from where the Livedrive Programme is broadcast.

Mick Hanley, chief executive of Dublin City FM, said that while the station had been giving traffic commuters upto-the-minute information each day for over 10 years, this would be the first time information relevant to bus commuters will be broadcast, including the Nitelink services in the city.

10 December 2015 Gazette 15

Gazette

feature A DAY IN THE LIFE: Suzanne jackson likes to dine out with loved ones

A busy blogger who is always on the go  Keith Bellew

IRELAND’s leading fashion and beauty blogger Suzanne Jackson of So Sue Me is one busy woman.

From running her successful blog to starting her own beauty brand, r unning workshops, maintaining a large social media following and public appearances, Jackson somehow manages to squeeze it all in. The Gazette caught up with her to discuss what a day in her hectic life entails.

She has just returned from fundraising for charities close to her heart, Dogs Aid and Dogs Trust and says: “I’ve been raising money for this in the run-up to Christmas.

There are always a lot of unwanted dogs around this time so they need the extra support.”

As for a typical day in her life? Well, there isn’t one.

She usually starts each day the same way: “I get up in the morning and I always have breakfast, which gets me ready for the day and gives me energy. I work from home – I did have an office but I just felt that I was more productive at home.”

Jackson then sets about organising her emails: “I’ll sit down and spend about an hour on emails. I have a PA who goes through them for me and marks

important ones that I need to get back to. Then I will get myself ready and go about my day.

“Generally speaking, I could be going to an appearance so I’ve got to get full glam; I’ll do my hair and make-up and then travel to whatever event I’m appearing at.

“I’ll then usually spend about an hour there, just meeting with other guests or doing a talk depending on the type of event.”

The later part of the day usually sees Jackson attending another event.

“I would usually have a launch party to attend, like the launch of a new make-up palette for example, or a film premier.”

Last week, she was a judge at Ms Universe Ireland and before that she appeared as a guest host on TV3’s Xpose, which she loved even though it was somewhat nerve wracking to present one of the country’s most popular shows. “I was really nervous because it’s a show I’ve always watched, and I’ve always looked up to the girls there and admired it for years.”

Later in the day, Jackson blogs and manages her social media.

“When I come home in the evening, I blog. I’ll probably have my dinner around six and then blog from around seven till 11 at night. This involves

Fashion and beauty blogger Suzanne Jackson

scheduling Facebook posts for the next day and writing blog posts. Then I check my emails one more time and go to bed!”

She rarely gets a chance to switch off, especially with the number of social media followers she has, particularly on Snapchat

where she gets about 65,000 views a snap.

“It’s so immediate, it’s so interactive and it’s a more personal way to

connect with followers.”

She likes to unwind by eating out with her friends and family. Her favourite spots are Siam Thai in

Malahide and Blue Bar in Skerries. “I manage to fit it in, I have a very active lifestyle. I’m always out and about.”

Gazette

16 Gazette 10 December 2015

dublinlife

the big interview

donal skehan: perfects his recipe for success

A brilliant year ends with a fresh take on lifestyle  aisling kennedy

DONAL Skehan is, in many ways, not your stereotypical chef. He is, however, one who is ahead of the curve when it comes to bringing new ways of cooking to his fans.

He does this through his YouTube channel, which has amassed a quarter of a million subscribers in a few years.

He is also a TV chef, author and all-round hard worker who, in addition to travelling around Ireland and

abroad for work, married his Swedish sweetheart Sofie Larsson in June.

Skehan took time out this week to talk to the Gazette about how he maintains work-life balance, and how the first year of married life is going. “Married life is

great; it’s going really well. It’s our first Christmas together as a married couple, which will be great. I don’t think much has changed but it’s been really lovely and it’s a lovely time to kind of step back and look at the year we’ve had. It’s been a really brilliant year.

“We will be doing a Swedish Christmas this year. We do it year-on year-off, and so this year is Sophie’s year. They do a different type of Christmas dinner in Sweden because they celebrate Christmas on the evening of Decem- Enjoying the great outdoors at Howth with Max, Donal Skehan is planning to expand ber 24. They have pickled his career horizons in 2016 fish, Christmas ham and a kind of fishy potato dish; every weekend right from that we have such beauti- continues to be. It’s such we’re also going to do a the summer up until ful landscape on our door an amazing world though, traditional Irish Christmas Christmas. I was doing all step so I really enjoyed and we’ve just shot a dinner on Christmas Day sorts and not getting the that side of it...I’m not an documentary about the so I’ll get my Irish Christ- time to eat right or exer- extreme sports person Food Tube phenomenon mas dinner after all.” cise. I wasn’t getting the but I do exercise on a for RTE 2 as part of their Skehan admits that at time to stop and breathe regular basis now.”

Reality Bites series.” times he has pushed him- deeply. So the cookbook S ke h a n h a s a l s o His fame on the interself to the limits, and says came out of that. become a global internet net has led him to think this time last year life was “We looked at how sensation on his YouTube about capitalising on the not quite as calm as it is we could translate the channel, with over a quar- online market. “In Irenow. “At the end of last cookbook to TV, and ter of a million subscrib- land, there’s only about year, I came to a point that’s when we came up ers. Jamie Oliver signed a handful of us creating where I knew everything with idea of my TV pro- him up to his FoodTube content and making it a needed a bit of a shake gramme, Cook Eat Burn. channel, which is a first business online from a up. I knew I wasn’t eat- The interesting thing is for any Irish chef. Oliver YouTube perspective. ing the right foods and I how you match exercise has since praised SkeI don’t think Ireland wasn’t exercising prop- with food.” han’s strong work ethic has even got into that rouerly, and I think that was Cook Eat Burn, run- and ambition. tine of watching YouTube the catalyst for me.” ning as a six-part series on “I’m separate to Jamie’s the way the Americans This led him to take RTE, sees Skehan take on Food Tube now; because or the British would. It’s stock of his life and physical challenges such I’ve grow n so many sub- an interesting place to inspired his recently as mountain climbing, scribers we moved on by be, and we’re planning to released book, Fresh. kayaking and coasteer- ourselves. We were with move to LA to pursue a “Fresh is a cookbook ing, during which he got him for the last two years bit of the YouTube side that is all about healthy to see some of Ireland’s though and he’s been fan- of things in February for eating. Last year, I was most beautiful scenery. tastic to us. He’s been a a few months. So watch out working pretty much “We forget as Irish people really great support and this space!”

10 December 2015 Gazette 17

cinema P22

asdfsdaf P27 music P23

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

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style P18

Pets can you be cosmo’s whole universe?

Ballet Ireland lead dancers Kesi Olley-Dorey and James Loffler during final rehearsals for the much loved and witty ballet Coppelia Picture: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland

opera: how one man’s solution to loneliness influenced others

It’s a doll’s life for Coppelia

 keith bellew news@gazettegroup.com

BALLET Ireland’s edgy new take on the 19th century comic ballet, Coppelia, will visit Draiocht, Blanchardstown, on December 18 as part of its national tour.

Coppelia tells the story of a dollmaker, who creates an incredibly lifelike doll to ease his loneliness.

The result is a doll so realistic that everyone who encounters her thinks she’s a living woman, and one unfortunate young man falls in love with her.

In this new production, the action takes place at a 1950s country fair, and Coppelia is the face of a cosmetics line.

Speaking to the Gazette, director Anne Maher says Ballet Ireland always attempts to give its own spin to any production, to make it easier for audiences to identify with.

She says the reasoning behind setting it in the 1950s was manifold.

One reason was that the feminist movement was very strong in the 1950s, and the heroine of the piece, Swanhilda, is “very much a feisty and independent woman so we thought that would be a great place to set her.

We were looking around for different ideas and this sort of jumped out”.

She says the idea worked really well.

“Musically, the theme is around some of the more traditional pieces of music in the original score; folk danc-

es like the mazurka or the csardas.

“Obviously, the large sections of the score have stayed in their original format, but then we’ve taken some parts and tinkered with them a little.

“Some of them are set in a more bluegrass style, and because those are originally folk tunes, they transcend beautifully into another kind of idiom.

“It worked fantastically well on a musical level and also stylistically, and then from the perspective of the actual libretto and storyline.”

She says the most challenging aspect of the show was not in the adaptation or the performance, but containing their ambitions for the show, so they do not exceed the budget “That would be the biggest thing.

We had such fine and fantastically creative collaborators working with us on the production, it was all about containing the amount of ambition that they had to manage as much as we could within the budget that we had,” she says.

The show has been on tour for a number of weeks now, performing at numerous venues throughout the country.

Maher says it has been very well received. The best part of it, is the audiences really seem to “get it”, she says.

Ballet Ireland’s Coppelia will visit Draiocht, Blanchardstown, on December 18 as part of its national tour. For more information visit www. draiocht.com

Dublin Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for lost and abandoned dogs. Cosmo came to us as a puppy and has been in a home before but has struggled hugely with being left alone and his previous family just didn’t have the time to meet his needs.

His devoted team of carers at Dogs Trust have done so much to help him and now he’s ready to find a home to call his own. It’s all he’s ever wanted. If you live in an adult-only home with someone there the vast majority of the time, then Cosmo could be the most perfect companion for you.

He will need a little help to learn to settle in to a home again but when he does, you will see just how loving and wonderful he truly is.

If you think you can offer Cosmo 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

STYLE

Littlewoods Spot mesh prom dress €35

Gazette

18 Gazette 10 December 2015

River Island Turquoise gem statement necklace €26

River Island Black bead embellished crop top €65

Debenhams and Shaws

A good foundation is the key to being well-put together Any good stylist worth her salt will say that good undergarments are the foundation to a well-put together look. Now that it’s party dress season, a great strapless bra is a must. Eve’s bra is a great solution to discrete dressing. The bra has been updated too. The new wing bra is under-wired for extra support and the adhesive wings are stronger, again for extra support.

While finding the right size bra is often half the battle, tricky necklines, plunging backs, falling straps, and poking underwires are just some of the problems every woman faces at one time or another Eve’s Silicone Bra is the perfect solution.

Comprising just cups, it’s a skin friendly selfadhesive silicone bra perfectly attachable to the skin. A strapless and backless bra only consisting of a couple of self-adhesive silicone bra cups. It’s perfect for wearing under any sheer clothing, with backless dresses, party dresses and low-cut necks. The adhesive is extremely strong and can be worn up to 200 times. The bra can be machine washed but it’s recommended to hand wash it for a longer life.

Eve’s Bra is available in Shaws and Debenhams nationwide and costs €29.95 . The new Eve’s Bra is in stores from December 1.

The

LBD  jessica maile

Littlewoods Fringe hem tunic €53

Eve’s Silicone Bra is €29.95 and available at

River Island Black suede lace-up heels €85

the little black dress. Simple and timeless and a staple of the holiday party season. Some say it’s the safe route but I say it can be original and, the best part, it usually can be worn year round.

Whether it’s sparkly, fringed, laced or just a simple mini dress, the sky is the limit here. You can always add a shot of colour with some bright heels or a quirky clutch.

Penneys Ruffle front sandal €19

Rochelle Humes Cape mini dress €80

Penneys Jump suit

10 December 2015 Gazette 19

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20 Gazette 10 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

These cupcakes will go down a treat

Enjoy tree-mendous Christmas cupcakes THIS week, we have a delicious (and very timely) recipe for Christmas Tree Cupcakes, which makes 10-12 cupcakes, topped off with buttercream. These cupcakes use that timeless Irish kitchen staple, Siucra sugar; for further information, see www.facebook. com/siucraireland, Instagram.com/SiucraIreland or www.siucra.ie. They’ll look great on any Christmas table – but they won’t stay there for long, once hungry eyes spot them!

Cupcakes Ingredients 125g Siucra light golden brown sugar 125g butter, at room temperature 2 medium free-range eggs 150g self-raising flour 3 tbsps milk 2 tsps vanilla extract Preparation • Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan.

• Line a bun tin with 12 paper cases.

• Beat together the butter and Siucra light golden brown sugar until pale and fluffy.

• Beat in the eggs, one at a time.

• Mix in the vanilla extract, flour and milk.

• Divide the mixture equally between the 12 cases.

• Bake for 15-20 minutes, then cool on a wire rack before piping on the buttercream.

Buttercream Ingredients 450g Siucra icing sugar 225g butter, at room temperature 3 tspn vanilla extract Green food colouring Sugar decorations: silver balls, stars, circles Preparation • Beat the butter and Siucra icing sugar together. Add the vanilla extract and beat again. It takes a few minutes to turn into buttercream.

• Add the green food colouring gradually until you have the desired colour.

• Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a large star nozzle.

• Pipe onto each cupcake, starting wide at the bottom and getting narrower as you go up. Try to do this in one movement.

• Place a star decoration on top and coloured sugar decorations or silver balls around the tree.

The Elephant’s Ear Fusion restaurant

Landscape Road, D14 Come to Churchtown create a comfortable

NEW restaurants are popping up all over Dublin lately, but they’re usually in the city centre.

For those of us who live and work in suburbia, it’s like manna from heaven when a new place opens its doors, especially if they are offering something exciting and that is on a par, if not surpasses, what you can get in the city centre.

That is the case with The Elephant’s Ear, in Churchtown. Strange name, I know, but nothing is strange about the food – exciting, inventive, colourful and downright tasty are just some of the adjectives that spring to mind.

Just above the Glenside Pub, this place has been given a complete overhaul and the soft, muted greys, along with the boothed seating and soft lighting, attribute to the relaxed atmosphere.

The maitre-d said they were still working on the music, which is a bit of a mishmash, but if this

and you could be singing the praises of The Elephant’s Ear, above the Glenside pub. Soft, muted tones space – all the better to leave you receptive to the dishes on offer, which certainly don’t disappoint.

The Picky Eater is the only thing they haven’t got right after five weeks in operation, then they are doing well.

And, when it comes to the food, they have got everything spot-on. They encourage sharing in this place, and with a selection of “naughty nibbles” or light bites on offer, as well as straight-up starters and mains, there is a big selection to choose from.

I would recommend you go for tapas-style dining, and choose from the many delicious small plates on offer.

Taste explosion The fish tacos (€7) were an absolute taste explosion in the mouth, with plenty of sprightly garnish and a dash of lime thrown in for good measure. This dish had us singing, and we couldn’t wait for what was to come.

Tuna nachos (€10) with seared tuna fish and plenty of guacamole, were equally as exciting, as

the tacos just came alive on the plate and on the tongue. A gorgonzola dip (€6) with toasted breads had us licking the last droplets from the bowl.

Next up were chicken flatbreads (€8), with chicken that felt like it was torn straight from a roasted bird, and came with plenty of peanuts and some satay sauce lashed on top.

My sister decided to try a larger plate, just to see what could be expected there, and in the name of research! She loved her pan-roasted rump of lamb with sumac and pomegranate molasses (€15), but in comparison to the smaller plates, there was none ...

A dessert combo gave us a sample of a delicious crumble with a crunchy and creamy honeycomb ice cream. A winter fruits jelly and ice ream combo was equally good.

The wine list is great too, featuring some adventurous new wines.

We chose a Spanish

The colourful dishes were great value, with a taste to match their attractive visuals. Picture: The Picky Eater

Rueda (€26).

All in all, this place was a joy from start to finish, with a great team of staff on the floor and in the

kitchen. They also offer brunch and lunch with much of the same menu on offer. I couldn’t recommend it more.

Conclusion AT LAST, someone has remembered the suburbs do exist, and The Elephant’s Ear (at 20 Landscape Road, Churchtown, Dublin 14; tel 089 608 0556) proves a delectable delight, thanks to decent dishes and excellent accompaniments.

10 December 2015 Gazette 21

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22 Gazette 10 December 2015

OUT&ABOUT

CINEMA

the night before: entertaining, but muddled

Not quite a turkey  dave phillips

IT IS that most wonderful time of the year, when Christmas begins to buoyantly creep into the movies.

On cinema screens around the world, films are being angled to become part of the festive pantheon. There is certainly no sense of subtlety in Jonathan Levine’s The Night Before.

Smash together The

H a n g ove r a n d B a d Santa, and you’ll have the strange sludge from which Levine has brought to life this full-blown, bad-taste Christmas monster.

Taking the tag-team of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen, and pairing them with Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Winter Soldier), Levine sets out to tell a very X-rated Xmas adventure.

After the sudden death of Ethan’s (Gordon-Lev-

itt) parents over a decade ago, he and his two stoner high-school buddies have made a point of spending Christmas Eve together.

But, as they transition into different stages of their lives, they realise that the tradition of getting festively wasted must be broken.

Isaac (Rogen) is on the cusp of becoming a father, and Chris (Mackie) is hitting a new level of fame in his NFL career. Ethan, has

just ended a relationship and is struggling to find his place in the world.

The intensity of their last Christmas Eve together is ramped up when Betsy (Jillian Bell) gifts Isaac a smorgasbord of drugs and Isaac finds three tickets to the most exclusive party in town – the Nutcracka Ball ...

So begins the 100minute rollercoaster comedy that is The Night Before. It may be Christ-

These three buddies find their typical Christmas routines getting interrupted as real life and grown-up issues interrupt their usual slacker habits

mas Eve, but nothing is sacred here.

While it hits more often than it misses, you can’t escape the feeling that there is something lacking. While the script is highly improvised, it lacks that sense of genuine ban-

ter that typifies much of Rogen’s earlier work, and makes you wonder where James Franco was when they were casting leads.

For fans of Pineapple Express and Knocked Up schools of comedy, this one will be a hit. But

beyond that, will The Night Before earn a place amid the Christmas pantheon?

It seems very unlikely, but strange miracles have been known to happen around this time of year.

Verdict: 6/10

10 December 2015 Gazette 23

Gazette

MUSIC neil young: bluenote cafe

Take a trip through the archive to 1988  colm murray

Ellie Goulding uses big-name producers, including Max Martin on this album and has already announced a world tour to promote her latest offering to the dance scene.

Ellie Goulding: big guns hit marketing mark

Repetitive Delirium not very memorable  colm murray

WITH Delirium (Polydor/Warners), British singer Ellie Goulding has put together what is essentially a playlist of singles destined for frequent repeat on the radio and in the clubs, all with catchy rhythms and her this-can-onlybe-Ellie-Gouldingsinging distinctive vocal style.

She’s pulled out the big guns, working with big-name producers like Max Martin, and has already announced a world tour for the

album — there aren’t any ballads as such in the 16 tracks.

Overall, Delirium is a polished effort, if not a particularly memorable one.

I t i n c l u d e s L ove Me Like You Do, her smash hit from the Fifty Shades of Gray movie as well as the single currently getting airplay, On My Mind.

Other highlights are Keep On Dancin’ and Don’t Need Nobody.

I t g e t s r e p e t i t i ve , dance track after dance track, and lyrically it’s fairly bland — Love!

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

‘Part of the problem is the album’s length...it is almost an hour long in its shortest form’

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

Attraction! Ooh! But if you’re looking for something that will get you to move, this will do it.

It is unfortunate that Delirium cannot reach that level more consist-

ently.

Part of the problem is the album’s length: Delirium is almost an hour in its shortest form, and there are deluxe versions of the album that stretch out over 25 tracks.

Even appreciating Goulding’s prolific output, this suggests she likes these songs so much she can’t bear to let them go.

But pop is an ar t form that rewards concision, and this album’s stronger tracks get lost in clumps that do not connect.

FEW artists could keep us entertained with an ongoing series of live releases in an archives series.

Neil Young can.

Bluenote Cafe (Warner Brothers) is the latest in the series, which has released live albums every one or two years since 2006.

Containing seven unreleased songs, the 23-track double album was recorded in 1988 at a variety of venues with the Bluenote Cafe band.

Featuring a six-member horn section to play tracks from the 1988 studio album This Notes for You, which also used a horn section on the majority of the album.

Young has performed with a variety of bands throughout his career, from Buffalo Springfield, Booker T and the MGs (whom he brought to Slane in 1993), and Crazy Horse, who also feature.

Young toured in support of his 1988 album, This Note’s for You, the year it came out

Although he recorded each show, the footage has never been available — until now.

The albumn features favourites from this “funky and heartfelt” period of Young’s career, as well as previously unreleased tracks like Soul of a Woman, Bad News Comes to Town, Ain’t It the Truth, I’m Goin’, Crime of the Heart, Doghouse, Fool for Your Love and a 19-minute long rendition of Tonight’s the Night.

It is seriously strong with more than two hours of live tracks from what was possibly the funkiest period of Young’s career.

5sos: sounds good feels good

Album without gamble  colm murray

THE album sounds okay and feels exactly like what you’d expect from a band with the sole mission of delivering palatable rock songs to a global audience of teenage girls.

5 Seconds of Summer are not in a position to gamble away their fame by veering too far off course here.

The result is Sounds Good Feels Good (Capitol/Warners) , which has 17 tracks that push no musical boundaries and explore no topics so salacious as to deter fans of this generation’s Blink-182.

Permanent Vacation speaks to the underachiever in us all, but the track sounds like every song Green Day might have lef t on the cutting room floor because it was too soft around the edges.

Sounds Good Feels Good is obviously more pop than punk – the slick production is peppered with unnecessary vocal overdubs

and the album’s sof test ballad, San Francisco, sounds like One Direction.

Cynics will also sneer at some clunky lyrics – “I want to feel your love like the weather, all over me” they sing on Vapor.

But then again, there’s plenty here for the band’s teenage fans to relate to. Within the first four songs, 5SOS shout out underachievers, college dropouts and kids battling low self-esteem.

No fear, 5SOS will be there for you, just charming enough to deliver songs you’ll disavow liking as soon as you hit college!

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OUT&ABOUT Gazette

24 Gazette 10 December 2015

Shaws & Boyers Dice evening bag €25

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Gazette

GIFT GUIDE

Guinot Complete radiance set €82.75

La Roche-Posay Christmas set €34.99

t €17.99

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Thomas Sabo Eau de Karma gift set €54.95

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Perfect for THIS week, our gift guide has a strong focus on care and pampering. Whether you’re looking to help soothe skin that’s faced winter weather, ease feet into cosy footwear, or even to give a fun or useful helping hand in the kitchen, we have a wide range of gifts.

And, if pampering presents aren’t

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Set sail for comfort with a Moomin cushion, give tums a treat with tasty chocolate, or get in touch with a loved one using their new phone!

Lindt Chocolate reindeer 100g €3.99

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LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

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planning Notice

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Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL

Permission is sought for the removal of the columns and canopy roof over the hall door and replacement with a new canopy roof, conversion of the garage with a fist floor extension over, a single storey extension to the side and a two storey extension to the rear. Works to include associated site works and elevational changes. All at 117 Georgian Village, Castleknock, Dublin 15. For Jason & Denise Sheridan. This planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

25650

planning Notice Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Rober t & Jean O’Leary, intend to apply for permission for development at this site, side of 11 Farmleigh Park, Farmleigh, Castleknock, Dublin 15.The development will consist of a three storey end of terrace dwelling with vehicular access off Farmleigh Park along with associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

25666

Previous experience in a construction environment will benefit but is not essential.

Email Garry@hmlplant.ie with CV.



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Gazette

28 gazette 10 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport St Pat’s make early signings for new term: ST PATRICK’S Athletic confirmed the signings of David Cawley from Sligo Rovers and Michael Barker from Bray Wanderers, while also the re-signing of goalkeeper Brendan Clarke this week.

Midfielder Cawley joins the Saints having won the League, FAI Cup and the Setanta Sports Cup at the Showgrounds.

Defender Barker, 22, joins the Inchicore side having played with Bohemians, UCD and Bray Wanderers where he made 32 appearances in the Premier Division last year.

The re-signing of Clarke means the Saints’ keeper is entering his 13th season with the club, having made 169 appearances to date between the posts. Clarke became the first ever Saints’ goalkeeper to be named the PFAI Goalkeeper of the Year in 2013, while he has also won the SSE Airtricity League, FAI Cup, EA Sports Cup and President’s Cup,

cricket: 2016 world cup place secured for irish women’s side

Delany’s runs key in T20 win  sport@dublingazette.com

THE Irish women’s cricket team, made up entirely of players currently with Dublin clubs, finished their T20 World Cup qualifiers with a flourish last Saturday as they saw off Bangladesh in the final in Thailand with a last-ball victory.

It was a game that had everything, ending with the umpires forced to adjudge on a “Mankad”style run-out off what would have been the final delivery with the scores tied and thunder and lightning rapidly closing in on the Terdthai Ground in Bangkok.

Salma Khatun sent down the 20th over for the Tigers with Ireland needing nine to win but

Leinster CC’s Laura Delany and YMCA’s Lucy O’Reilly managed to get eight runs from the first five balls to tie it up.

Khatun then attempted to run out Delany without delivering the last ball but, after much deliberation, the umpires ruled against the bowler’s appeal.

O’Reilly gleefully thumped the actual final delivery – a rank long hop – to the midwicket boundary to spark wild celebrations in the Irish camp.

It concluded a superb week for the side as they cruised to the showpiece World Cup finals in India which take place in 2016.

They swept past the Netherlands, China and Zimbabwe in the group phase before, crucially, beating

Scotland in the semi-final in what was a playoff for the World Cup. With that target assured, Ireland duly won the overall title. Having won the toss and opted to bowl against Bangladesh, Pembroke’s Ciara Metcalfe took wickets in successive balls to reduce the Asian side to 21-2.

A 74-run stand between Nigar Sultana and Rumana Ahmed then had Ireland very much on the back foot before Metcalfe again came to the rescue, dismissing the former for an impressive 41.

Bangladesh ended with a very competitive 105 for 3 from their allotted overs while for the fielding side, Metcalfe was the standout with 3-14.

Merrion’s Cecilia Joyce

The Irish women celebrate their final win over Bangladesh. Picture: Ian Jacobs/ICC

and YMCA’s Clare Shillington gave their side’s reply a solid start with 24 before Shillington was bowled by Ahmed for 12.

Three quick wickets fell to get Bangladesh back on top before a valuable stand between Laura Delany and Gaby Lewis edged the batting side into a good position.

A pair of run outs threatened to ruin their day. But Delany stood firm at the other end and was there unbeaten on 26 as the frenetic conclusion was played out

before a delighted Isobel Joyce was called forward to receive the trophy.

Speaking after the final, a delighted Ireland captain Isobel Joyce said: “It’s an amazing feeling and I’m so proud of my team for getting over the line in really tough conditions.

“Bangladesh are an excellent bowling team, especially Salma Khatun who was bowling the last over, who is so experienced and would back herself every time to keep any team under

eight runs.

“I’m really delighted for Laura Delany because she didn’t have it her own way during her innings, but she stuck in and was there to help the team and Lucy O’Reilly over the line.

“The team took it one ball at a time, which is important especially in Twenty20 rather than thinking about the whole match which can overwhelm you, because if we needed 12 or 13 runs off the last over it might have been too much.”

UCD hold edge over Clontarf for the Christmas break  sport@dublingazette.com

UCD have enjoyed a fine start to the season, reaching the head of UBL Division 1A

UCD will lead the pack going into the New Year following their 20-12 win over Old Belvedere in the ninth round of Ulster Bank League Division 1A. The Students had the benefit of a very strong wind at the Belfield Bowl and duly swept into a 15-0 interval lead. From a 5m scrum on the quarter hour, the ball was moved wide for winger Tom Fletcher to squeeze over in the left corner.

Leinster’s Ross Byrne missed the conversion and a tricky

penalty in the 33rd minute, but UCD enjoyed a productive spell approaching half-time. A lineout maul was finished off by former Ireland Under-20 prop Jeremy Loughman, and Byrne tagged on the conversion and a superb penalty from the 10m line.

Classy full-back Daniel Riordan threatened early on the resumption, yet UCD played well facing into the elements, with Byrne’s cross-field kick almost finding Hugo Keenan.

UCD were unable to capitalise on a yellow card for Belvo lock Jack Kelly and it was not until

the 63rd minute that flanker Peadar Timmins forced his way over following a succession of five-metre scrums.

College’s sixth league win looked assured, but Belvo bounced back with two closing tries - the ever-influential Riordan struck in superb fashion in the 74th minute and a prolonged spell of pressure yielded a score for Kelly. However, the latter conversion was missed

by Aidan Wynne, meaning they missed out on a losing bonus point. The teams meet again in the Leinster Senior League Cup

final in two weeks’ time.

UCD and Clontarf are locked together on 31 points at the top of the table, with an eight-point gap between them and third-placed Belvo. Tarf picked up only their second try-scoring bonus point of the campaign with a 39-25 victory over Garryowen.

The north Dubliners’ new allweather pitch showed its worth on a day when Storm Desmond claimed eight league fixtures, including two top flight games - Cork Constitution v Terenure College and Young Munster v Galwegians.

10 December 2015 gazette 29

Gazette

The swords are out as Rio Olympics near Elite level fencing came to Loughlinstown last week with 21 nations represented at the ninth Irish Open Championships and homegrown athletes are setting sights on the Olympics  james hendicott

sport@dublingazette.com

THE BATTLE for Olympic fencing qualification came to Ireland this weekend, as the ninth annual Open Fencing Championships saw fighters for 21 nations clash swords for a place at Rio 2016.

DLR Leisure Loughlinstown hosted the event, that included Ireland’s men’s senior team as well as a hefty influx of foreign fencing talent, and comes at a time when the sport appears to be on the up in Ireland.

Seventeen-year-old Anna Lee is fresh from a bronze medal at the senior Welsh Open in Cardiff, while teams of young Irish fencers have hit highs at cadet (under16) level over the last few months, dominating contests in Belfast and Marburg (Germany),

capturing four gold medals across a range of age categories at the latter event.

Locally, the sport is putting the parts in place to capitalise on recent young successes.

“We are beginning to see the blossoming of young talent at a junior (Under-20) and cadet (Under-17) level where young Irish fencers are in turn starting to make their mark abroad” explained Irish Fencing Federation (IFF) chairman, Philip Lee, reflecting on the results.

“Attracting these top athletes from abroad to compete here in Ireland is part of our strategy of raising our fencers’ level of competition.

“We are looking to encourage and develop our young athletes to one day compete at the highest international level and

I believe it’s working.”

The championships, which took place over the weekend of November 28-29, forms the latest part in a deliberate strategy from the sport’s national governing body to nurture young Irish talent and build a sustainable base for the sport in Ireland.

The governing body is keen to encourage plenty more to get on board, too, pointing to the array of physical benefits that come with battling it out in the sport.

“There are a myriad benefits to fencing from fitness and sporting standpoint,” Lee argues.

“Balance, power, anaerobic and aerobic fitness, but it also engages the grey matter through tactical and mental awareness.

All of that wrapped in the framework of respect and discipline coming from

Bas Vervuijlen, The Netherlands, right, in action against Mateusz Antkiewicz, Poland, during the Irish Open Fencing Championships final. Picture: Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

the great tradition in this Olympic sport.”

Most important, perhaps, Lee believes the sport is “great fun”.

Those thinking of involving their children in particular are encouraged to contact Olga Velma on info@pembrokefencing. com. Velma will shortly

Switzerland, Spain, Hungary, Netherlands, Italy, Israel, New Zealand, Poland and Turkmenistan and a large contingent from Ireland competed in the world cup event this weekend.

While several fencers ranked within the top 50 in the world were includ-

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

‘Anyone is beatable in this sport; on any given day you can get into the right space and take on anyone’ – Geoffrey Corcoran

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

be opening a new club in Loughlinstown, at DLR. So what chance do Ireland’s young fencers have against the world’s best?

Speaking about the event, Geoffrey Corcoran, who at 21 has already competed at Junior World Championships, is not intimidated.

“Anyone is beatable in this sport,” Corcoran says.

“On any given day, if you can get yourself into the right space physically and mentally you can take on anyone. That’s a big part of why I love this sport”.

The hope is that enthusiasm can be passed down to the even younger generation of fencers who are looking to follow in his footsteps at World Championships and beyond.

Fencers from 21 nations including USA, Canada,

ed in the field and were amongst the favourites to take the much coveted international ranking points, the eventual winner was Bas Vervijlen, former World Championship bronze medallist. The man from the Netherlands edged out Mateusz Antkiewicz of Poland in a competitive final.

Along with the men’s Epee satellite World Cup event a further five weapons (men and women’s foil, sabre and epee) were contested in a packed weekend of fencing with over 150 competitors competing.

Just over 200 competitors are eventually expected to make their way to Rio, equally balanced across men and women, and featuring in 10 different events.

FastSport

Mini Max McGovern gets reward for super 2015 SANDYFORD’S Harry McGovern, 15, was presented with his trophy for winning the 2015 Mini-Max Karting Championship at the Motorsport Ireland Awards in Dublin last week following a superb year.

McGovern added the Motorsport Ireland title to the Munster Mini Max championship and the prestigious “O” Plate and “IRL” Plate championships he also won this year.

Having competed in 13 races in 2015, the Medical Banks sponsored driver never finished lower than third and scored an impressive six wins.

McGovern drives a Tonykart chassis, runs with the Brennan Tech team and is hugely appreciative of the support he has received from Noel Brennan and the rest of the team.

Despite being just 15, he is in his fifth season of karting. In 2012, he won the Most Improved Driver of the Year and, a year later in 2013, he won the Motorsport Ireland Cadet Championship. He then graduated to the faster Mini-Max class and in 2015, won both the C Plate.

Looking towards 2016, he will test a Ginetta Junior Ireland car over the winter with a view to possibly competing in that championship but is keen to consider other karting opportunities also.

The Motorsport Ireland Awards Ceremony is an annual event in Dublin’s city centre where the champions of all disciplines are honoured by the governing body.

This year’s event was held at the Double Tree Hilton hotel and Harry was presented with his award by Brian Kavanagh, chairman of the Motorsport Ireland Karting committee.

He was among a number of Dublin winners at the awards event. The award for the national Autocross Grass Surface Saloon Champion went to Ian O’Connell, also from Sandyford.

The Ivan Webb Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport went to Frank O’Donoghue, from Clonsilla, who has been an integral part of the Irish motorsport community for many years.

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 10 December 2015

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: castleknock get better of the elements and ballyfermot

Mochta’s break up Brack unbeaten run

ST MOCHTA’S FC Division 2 Saturday side remain top of the table after a convincing 5-2 win over fellow promotion-pushers Ballybrack FC on Friday night.

Going into this game, these two looked early favourites for the title, although Ballybrack are a couple of places off the Saints due to games in hand. Brian Flynn’s side looked dominant from start to finish here however despite playing into the mighty wind in the opening half.

Jarod Flynn opened the scoring on 16 minutes with a smashing strike from the right from the full-back.

The Ballybrack keeper was being busy but couldn’t stop the Saints going two ahead just after the half hour mark when after some nice build-up play by Jonathan Lyons and Mark Sheridan, Aaron O’Brien slotted the ball home.

Going into this game, Ballybrack were the only remaining unbeaten team in the league and had scored 22 goals in their last three leagues game.

But it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that they had their first chance here and even then Mochta’s goalkeeper James Sheridan was on hand to make the save.

The Blanchardstown outfit continued their dominance when the second half kicked off.

Nico Montou combined with Sean Gilbert who beat four men like they weren’t even there before chipping the keeper to make it 3-0 on 55 minutes.

On what was his debut for the side, Gilbert’s finish was undoubtedly the goal of the game to add to an impressive individual performance.

Substitute Wayne Fay came off the bench for John O’Leary and scored with his first touch of the ball. Mark Sheridan’s delicate chip over the Ballybrack backline fell to Fay and he volleyed it first time into the net.

Fay made quite the impact from the bench and added his second and Mochta’s fifth with 10 minutes to go with another composed finish which was fifth goal of the campaign.

To their credit, the hosts kept fighting and grabbed two goals late on but the points had been sealed long before that and Mochta’s returned to Dublin 15 with the win that leaves them top of Division 2 Saturday.

Castleknock Celtic’s U-12 player James Bannerman heads for goal with team mate Cosdel Burlacu in support

Hegarty shines in Celtic win ddsl under-12a Ballyfermot United Castleknock Celtic  sport@dublingazette.com

0 2

EVEN Storm Desmond couldn’t prevent Castleknock Celtic registering their fifth league win in six outings on Saturday with a well-deserved victory in Le Fanu Park, one of only a handful of venues that saw action on a wet and very windy Saturday morning.

The pitch was perfectly playable and, with the elements not causing any danger to player safety, the match went ahead. Celtic chose to play uphill into the wind

in the first half yet still played the better football, heeding their manager’s instructions to pass the ball and keep it on the deck.

Celtic lined out with Konrad Fecowicz in goal, James Murgatroyd, Brian Carolan and Sam Mulhern at the back, Ben McDonagh. Man of the match Ciaran Murtagh and Jatin Ramesh were in midfield and Cillian Hegar ty and Malik Shushan leading the front line. Ben Nolan and Eryk Fecowicz were held back from the starting nine but both acquitted themselves well when called

short course Neamt blitzes field at nationals in Lisburn nac’s Antoinette Neamt put down a

stunning marker as the athlete took a commanding victory in the 800m freestyle on the opening day of swimming’s short course championships in Lisburn.

At just 14, Neamt’s winning margin was over 15 seconds in a time of eight minutes 40.52 seconds She claimed a second gold in the 400m event and took bronze in the 200m freestyle.

upon midway through the first half.

Celtic saw more of the ball and created the better chances in a tough first half with Hegarty, Shushan, Carolan and McDonagh all going close but it was Hegarty who put the visitors in the lead.

He latched onto a through ball, dribbling toward the Ballyfermot area, beating the defender for pace before coolly finishing beyond the helpless United keeper.

Celtic pressed for a second before half time but couldn’t convert their chances while the back three made sure

that chances for Ballyfermot were kept to a minimum.

Indeed, the most work keeper Fecowicz had to do was retrieving the ball after shots wide of the target ended up in the sports centre car park a hundred yards away.

With the wind howling and the rain driving horizontally into the faces of the lads, the manager kept the half time team talk short and sweet.

More of the same second half and three points would be assured.

And so it proved to be the case although Celtic

found it equally challenging playing downhill and downwind.

The majority of the second half was played in the Ballyfermot half with Celtic more than comfortable at the back despite several positional and personnel switches by the management.

Victory was sealed midway through the half as Hegarty again split the Ballyfermot defence with a beautifully timed run to latch onto a perfectly weighted pass from Murtagh and produce a top class finish, dinking the ball over the advancing keeper with his first touch.

10 December 2015 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

croker conference

Maguire helps launch development event

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

dublin camogie player Ali Maguire was

on hand to help launch the 2016 Liberty Insurance GAA National Games development conference.

The conference, which takes place in Croke Park on January 22 and 23, will focus on issues related to the adult player including a special forum on the progression of players from the minor and underage ranks through to the adult game.

football: derby final with brigid’s on horizon

CONGRATULATIONS to our U-21 foot-

There was no lotto jackpot winner

ballers who are through to the cham-

on Thursday. This week’s draw is in

pionship final after defeating Ballint-

Russell Park on Thursday, Decem-

eer St John’s in Russell Park on Satur-

ber 10 with our €15,000 jackpot still in

day afternoon.

place.

The St Brigid’s GAA AGM will take

Our reserve is now €11,600. Check

place in Russell Park this Sunday,

the club website to see were you one

December 13 at 7.30pm.

of the 10 lucky dip winners.

Congratulations to Ciara Griffin who

The full range of St Brigid’s GAA gear

has been named Dublin minor camogie

is available on our online shop on the

player of the year at the Dublin cam-

club website. The ideal Christmas gift.

ogie awards.

St Brigid’s/Spleodar Irish club runs

The all-weather pitch will be closed

on Thursdays in the club hall from

in the evenings throughout December

7-9pm. Open for all teenagers between

except for teams remaining actively in

12 and 18, the cost is €3 per week.

2015 competitions.

The St Brigid’s nursery is on winter break and will return in January 2016.

A great opportunity to practise Irish for important exams and for enjoyment.

castleknock THE annual nursery party takes place

by Tigers after SchoolCare) this Sat-

this Saturday in Castleknock Commu-

urday and every Saturday morning

nity College from 2pm to 4pm.

on the all-weather in Somerton beside

A great day is planned with goodies

Castleknock Hotel from 10-11.30am. All

and entertainment. All very welcome;

new players (aged four and upwards)

admission €5 at the door.

and families welcome - for further info

Great win by our U-21 footballers in the championship semi-final over a gallant Plunkett’s side and we look forward to the final against St Brigid’s.

The Castleknock Under-21 footballers

Castleknock win fiery battle with Plunkett’s

u-21 bfc semi-final Castleknock St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER  sport@dublingazette.com

1-6 0-7

CASTLEKNOCK earned a place in the Under-21B football championship final following a narrow two-point win over Plunkett’s.

Gale force winds and driving rain greeted the teams at Blanch IT for what was a hotly contested encounter.

Plunkett’s enjoyed most of the early possession with a few missed chances before they got the scoreboard moving.

Seven minutes in, Plun-

kett’s overcame the gusting wind to record their first score and, by the end of the first quarter, Castleknock found themselves trailing by three points.

Some wind-assisted, misplaced passing put the local club under further pressure and Knock keeper James Igoe pulled off a dramatic save to keep the tie in the balance.

As conditions worsened, Plunkett’s were denied a goal due to a square ball infringement.

This signalled the start of the Castleknock resurgence with a John Kindlon point quickly followed by a nicely worked move

between Ben Galvin and Colin Lynch to allow Lynch the only goal.

Ciaran Milmore then pointed for Knock. Pressure on the Plunkett’s restart allowed the Somerton based club some good possession. Soon, they were awarded a penalty which Conor Byrne sent skyward for a point. Trading points to half time the teams were level at 1-3 to 0-6 at the break.

Castleknock opened the second period smartly with a point each for John and Conor Byrne in quick succession. Plunkett’s now found a higher gear and the Castleknock

defence soaked up sustained pressure for lengthy periods during the second half with an industrious Brian Hughes amongst those who impressed.

The Navan road outfit only managed one score in the second half and when a Plunkett’s kick out was intercepted, Liam Quinn took his point well to finish off the scoring. From there, the tie was ended abruptly after an altercation between the sides but Castleknock management Shane Boland and Connor Prunty declared themselves satisfied with the outcome from a tough encounter.

contact Jason (0863459089) or Louise (0851534270).

The 2016 Castleknock club calendars are only €5 are now available and we

Again, sincere thanks to all who

need members to support this innova-

made Strictly Castleknock the suc-

tive by making sure every household

cess it was. The committee are still

has one.

working hard to finalise all outstanding details.

Please remember to support all our generous sponsors. Many thanks to

The Castleknock GAA club shop is open every Saturday morning from 10-11.30am at the nursery in Somerton.

Carroll’s Cuisine who officially pre-

Castleknock Hurling and Football

sented a set of jerseys to our minor

Club wish to express deep sympathy

team.

to club member Philip Burke and family

The club nursery (kindly sponsored

on the death of his father Thomas.

Naomh Peregrine BEST wishes to Gary Kavanagh and his

The club shop has a new line of St

family as he starts his new life in Aus-

Peregrine’s sportswear in stock. For a

tralia, thanks for all the work you did in

brochure or order form, please email

the club over the years.

Dermot at shop.stperegrine@gmail.

St Peregrine’s are running a Christ-

com.

mas craft fair on Sunday, December 13

Shop opening hours are Monday,

from 12-5pm. Tables cost €25 to book

6-7 pm, Wednesday 6.30-7.30pm, and

a table; please contact Aileen on 087

Saturday from 10.30am-12pm. There

9458285 or Michelle on 086 1591459.

was no winner of the club lotto, the

There will be a free Santa in attend-

numbers drawn out were 6, 10, 19 and

ance, face painting and hot food

25; there were 10 winners of €40 drawn

served all day.

out. Next week’s jackpot is €5,000.

erin go bragh THANKS to everyone who supported

players. Call Maria 087 2380741. Our

our Christmas fair. We hope everyone

U-14 girls are looking for players; call

had a good day out. A special thanks

Linda on 087 9785053.

to Maggs McGrath and her team who organised the day.

Our U-9 girls are looking for new

Our adult camogie team is looking for coaches, contact Jason on 086 3541146.

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

Final derby: Castleknock set up Under-21 decider with St Brigid’s with fiery win over Plunkett’s P31

december 10-16, 2015

dublin swords are out: Elite fencing comes to town as Rio hopes grow P29

Haba stars for NDSL in win over Ireland  nathan kelly

sport@dublingazette.com

IT’S NEVER nice to see your own country lose an international game, but when you put in a man of the match performance against them, you can take some satisfaction.

That was exactly the case for Corduff FC’s Francky Haba who was named best player on the park as the NDSL Academy Under15s beat the Republic of Ireland Under-15s in a charity challenge game last Sunday.

The match, which took place at the Oscar Traynor Centre was one packed with quality after Storm

Desmond had passed, allowing the football to flow on the pristine surface.

The only goal of the game came from Lusk United’s Davidson Okoson and it was a goal worthy of winning any game. The talented young attacker unleashed a stunning long-range effort after 23 minutes which rocketed past Sam O’Gorman and into the Ireland net.

Prior to that, Ireland had probably shaded it but the goal settled the north Dublin side and they went on put in an accomplished performance against an Irish side packed with DDSL players and the cream of the crop from the

rest of the country.

Haba was the Duff’s sole representative on the NDSL squad. The rest of the squad was made up of players from Malahide United, St Kevin’s Boys, Donnycarney FC, Balbriggan FC and Lusk United.

After his impressive display in the NDSL shirt, Corduff were keen to praise their clubman.

“A big well done to Francky from our Under-15s who received the Man of the Match award in the NDSL’s 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland Under-15s this afternoon.

“Also a massive well done to Dave Sheridan and his staff and especially the rest of the NDSL

Under-15 players, winning 1-0 against a very strong Ireland international team.

Club PRO John McGuinness further praised the talented youngster. “Francky has been with the club since he was fiveyears-old, coming through the nursery,” he said.

“We appreciate his loyalty to the club over the years. He is a fast, powerful attacking midfielder and is really blossoming into an excellent young footballer.

“He has been noticed more recently after a superb season last year, when he helped our Under14 Premier side win their league title,” added McGuinness.

Corduff’s Francky Haba produced a star turn for the NDSL side last weekend