Gazette BLANCH
INSIDE: Maia Dunphy talks to The Gazette about
balancing her work and life as a new mum Page 15
March 17-23, 2016
Find us on
The future is local - the future is free
Angry birds world record attempt at Food & Drink: facepainting The Old Spot hits the mark with delicious dishes and very friendly staff Page 20
Heroic work: Adi Roche honoured at lunch for Chernobyl Children International Pages 24-25
sport Football:
Castleknock’s winning feeling continues Page 31
Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you
TV Presenter Laura Woods and son Ben recently launched The Angry Birds Movie Guinness World Record Attempt in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. At the event, which will take place in the centre on the International Day of Happiness (20th March) from 12pm – 4pm, organisers will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most faces painted in 4 hours. The current record stands at 680 faces by five face painters. With loads of fun and a day of entertainment with the chance to break a world record, this is a day not to be missed! The Angry Birds Movie is in cinemas from May 13th.
Angry residents meet over eviction notices
Tyrrelstown residents met recently to discuss controversial notices received
Ian Begley
Angered residents living in Tyrrelstown attended a meeting recently to discuss the highly controversial notices they received to vacate their properties. Forty families in the
Cruise Park estate received notices by property firm Twinlite on February 29, stating that leases will not be renewed when they expire. Dublin West Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF), who hosted the meeting, proposed a suspension of standing orders
to “deal with this urgent matter”, and also called for the Twinlite property management group to publicly commit to a suspension of any eviction notices unless the tenants have alternative accommodation. Responding, Twinlite
said: “We always work with our tenants to assist them towards finding alternative accommodation. We deplore the scaremongering headlines we’ve seen which achieve nothing apar t from sowing fear.” Full Story on Page 6
2 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
Pyrite issues | ‘treating matter very seriously’
Determined in bid for better conditions Simon maguire
A picture of the damage caused by expansion at the rear door of David’s house
Mulhuddart resident David Ward has been complaining of issues with his social housing ever since he moved in a number of years ago. His most recent concern is a continuing pyrite problem which has worsened over the past 12 months. The situation became so bad for a neighbour of his, that he left his accommodation and returned the keys to the housing provider, Respond! Ward however is staying to fight for better conditions for himself and other residents. Pyrite is a very common mineral that is present in many sedimentary rocks. Construction material containing relatively large amounts of pyrite are likely to expand, crack and/or crumble over time. Speaking to The Gazette, Ward said: “Two workers fixed the back door. It’s locked but cannot be opened. I was unable to lock my front door or my back door. I rang on January 19 and it has taken from then until now (March 10) for them to send someone out.” Unable to fix anything himself, he was told “if you touch anything you are responsible for it”. “All the apartments on the line have the same problem with the back door. Literally the whole section is lifting up and the door frame is falling away.” In response to Ward’s claims, housing provider Respond! said that they
are “treating this matter very seriously and confirm that we are using our best endeavours to address the issues experienced by the residents of Parnell Estate”. Furthermore “Respond! appreciate that the matter is extremely concerning for all involved but we assure you that all appropriate and prudent steps are being taken to deal with the issues.” The provider also said that they could “confirm that certain tests for the presence of pyrite were previously carried out on samples taken from a number of houses in Parnell Estate. Numerous inspections have also been carried out since the onset of problems. Unfortunately, progress is slow but we have endeavoured to keep the residents informed as appropriate, either through formal notifications or at our regular meetings with the residents’ committee.” The problems at the estate have been further compounded by legal action between the contractor and Respond! who said “legal proceedings were issued in the High Court against the contractor. Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to elaborate any further other than to say that the proceedings are being pursued”. They added: “Alleviating works have been undertaken by the contractor on an ongoing basis to affected properties in an effort to ease the difficulties being experienced by the residents.”
FastNews
Europe’s oldest annual poker tournament takes place at the Citywest Hotel Europe’s oldest annual poker tournament, The Irish Open Main Event, runs from March 24 to 28 in Citywest Hotel, Dublin. The festival will also include a number of side events, including Irish Open Championship Events, running from Monday, March 21 to 28. Now in its 25th year, the buy-in for the main event is €1,150.00 with entry prices varying for the other tournaments. Players must be a minimum of 18 years of age and there will be a number of qualifying satellites played in the lead up to the event. The main event has a starting clock of 60 minutes and players will begin with a starting stack of 30,000 chips. The tournament attracts players from around the world and previous participants included World Poker Tour commentator Mike Sexton and circuit professional Phil Laak.
School of Ballet to host an evening of dance at Draiocht, Blanchardstown Marian Lennon School of Ballet is hosting an evening of dance at 8pm on Friday, March 18 to 19 at the Draiocht, Blanchardstown. Young energetic dancers will demonstrate their skills in classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance. There will be something for everybody to appreciate as the youthful artists of all ages perform a rich and varied repertoire. This will include the Wizard of OZ and a selection of classical numbers from the Ballets. This is sure to have you dancing in your seats. Tickets are available from €14 to €18 at www.draiocht.ie
Off-duty Garda arrests man who was committing a robbery of a Pharmacy An off-duty Garda arrested a man whilst committing a robbery of a Pharmacy in Castleknock on March 9, 2016. The man was observed acting suspiciously outside the pharmacy and the Garda contacted the Blanchardstown station for assistance. He observed
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
the man enter the Pharmacy, threaten staff and assault a customer. The off-duty Garda entered the pharmacy, identified himself as a member of force and arrested the man, with assistance from two uniformed gardai from Blanchardstown where he was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 3
clonee | Facebook proposing to have 115 employees at centre
meetings
Chance to air any issues
‘Small staff should not impact traffic’ Simon Maguire
Staff numbers at the new proposed Facebook facility in Clonee will be relatively small, according to Fingal County Council. This was discussed at the recent March Area Committee meeting, following a motion by Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP), who questioned the impact of increased traffic numbers at major junctions in the area. Cllr O’Gorman asked the council “on the potential traffic implication for this development on the bridge over the M3 at Littlepace?” The chief executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, responded by saying: “The proposed
development, while large in terms of floor area, would be relatively small in terms of staff numbers. Facebook propose to employ 115 staff. Given the number of staff and the nature of the development (ie 24/7 working) it is likely that traffic impact during peak-hours would be limited.” Planning permission for construction of the site is from 7am to 7pm which should lead to a minimal increase in traffic during peak travel times. Speaking previously of the proposed development in Clonee, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said: “We’re glad to be investing in Ireland, to become a part of the Clonee community, and to continue building the
massive infrastructure that connects our global community.” On the data centre itself, he said: “It will be one of the most advanced and energy efficient data centres in the world. It will feature the latest server, storage and network designs developed through the Open Compute Project, and will be powered by 100% renewable energy.” The 31,000sqm facility will be the second of its kind for the company in Europe and powered entirely by renewable energy, wind. Facebook said the site would be packed with cutting-edge technology, making it one of the most advanced, efficient, and sustainable data centres in the world.
summing up a great result
Top First Year students at St Vincent’s Castleknock College received certificates and book prizes when the results of the Irish Junior Maths Contest (IJMC) were announced recently. This is a nationwide competition organised by the Cork Branch of the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association. Over 10,000 first year secondary school students from every corner of Ireland took part. The top students will qualify for the national finals in the summer term, which will be held in seven centres around the country including Castleknock College. The winning students from Castleknock in the photo are: Front row: Senan Forker, Fionn Gibbons, Lorcan O Ceallaigh (joint first place), Alec Birnie (joint first place), Finn McCaffrey, Jonathan Burt; Back row: Donnacha Lahert, Conor Duggan, Eli Fagan, Eoin Connolly, Sean Casey and Liam Billington.
The 2016 series of public meetings for the Fingal Joint Policing Committee (JPC) will take place over the four Wednesdays in April, at different locations across the county. The meetings offer an opportunity for members of the public to meet with senior and local gardai and council officials and to raise any issues that might be of concern in their neighbourhood. Chair of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Kieran Dennison said: “The meetings are open to everyone and we par ticularly encourage those from newer communities to come along. The JPC meeting for Dublin 15 will take place on April 20 from 7.30 to 9pm.
4 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
jobs | company to bring workforce in ireland to more than 2,500 with more to come
Paypal create 100 new jobs for Dublin 15 Ian Begley
Online payment site Paypal is to create 100 new jobs at its global operations centre for Europe in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15. Among these 100 people, the company will bring
its workforce in Ireland to more than 2,500. The job expansion is in line with Paypal’s aim of employing 3,000 people in Ireland by the year 2018 – 1,600 in Dublin and 1,400 in Dundalk, Louth. Louise Phelan, Paypal’s
European vice president of global operations, said the announcement “is a strong endorsement of the quality of teammates we find here in Ireland. “We’re looking for customer service professionals with fluency in English. The
successful candidates will be responsible for assisting our customers and resolving their queries.” The roles are being created specifically with Englishspeakers in mind, although the company states that it currently has a number of
foreign language positions open. The jobs will be in customer service essentially but there will also be a number of team leader positions in areas like customer support and risk likewise being created.
Globally the company supports around 179 million accounts. The roles are available immediately and are expected to be filled by mid-April. To find out more about the new positions, visit www. paypal.com.
www.dublingazette.com All of your latest local news, sport, features and pictures are now just a click away
The Connolly For kid’s Hospital group believe there are many advantages of developing the new children’s hospital in Blanchardstown
campaign | group seek hospital rethink
from St James’ to connelly, blanchardstown
Campaigners push for Connolly build Tako Benidze
and Ian Begely
A group that is calling on the government to build the new children’s hospital at Connolly, Blanchardstown instead of at St James’ Hospital in the City Centre, says its online petition is gaining momentum as news of its campaign spreads. They believe the hospital would be cheaper and faster to build at Connolly. The Connolly For kid’s Hospital group believe there are many advantages of developing the new children’s hospital in Blanchardstown, such
as: the 145 acre site, easier access to those outside Dublin, extensive parking possibilities, and co-location with Connolly Adult Hospital and the new Rotunda Maternity Hospital. They also believe the hospital would be cheaper and faster to build at Connolly. Recently, a petition was launched by a number of groups opposing the development at St James’s, in favour of building the hospital at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. Some of these groups include the Jack & Jill Foundation, Mummypages.ie and Blackrock Clinic
founder Jimmy Sheehan. Speaking about the campaign, Sheehan said he is “urging voters around the country to become informed, sign the Petition before it is too late. We have built an inadequate hospital in an inaccessible location, wasting millions of tax payer’s money in the process. There is a saving of at least €200m by building at Connolly and that it could be operational within two years. The St James’s site is riddled with construction complications and will be prone to cost overruns and construction delays.”
In response, Health Minister Leo Varadkar said: “Every further year that the children’s hospital is delayed could potentially cost another €50 million. Temple Street is very old and no longer fit for purpose, and the same applies to parts of Crumlin. Arguments about the site have been going on for decades. If we change the site again, no child alive today will ever get to use the new hospital.” For more information about the Connolly For Kids Hospital campaign and to sign their petition, visit www.connollyforkidshospital.com.
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 5
courts | took knife from family home to rob store in Dublin creativity Musical workshop for kids
Addict who stole empty cash register jailed for three years A drug addict who stole an empty cash register in an attempt to repay a debt has been jailed for three years. Daryl Mooney (26) took a knife from his family home to rob the store where he ripped out a cash register that had not been in use, leaving the register containing cash behind. Mooney, of Whitestown Park, Mulhuddart, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Whitestown Stores, Whitestown Avenue, Mulhuddart, on October 7, 2014. Judge Melanie Greally noted Mooney had a difficult background
and had responded to challenges in his life by abusing drugs. She said he was making efforts to address his issues and showing signs of getting on top of things. Judge Greally imposed a four-year sentence and suspended the final year. She ordered two years probation supervision. Garda Niall Phelan told John Fitzgerald BL, prosecuting, that the sole staff member fled the shop after Mooney, who had his hoodie up and was armed with a knife, came behind the counter and demanded money. The staff member alerted the owner
who rang gardai. Mooney ripped a cash register out, cutting wires to remove it and brought the entire register with him. It cost the shop €1,000 to replace the register. Gardai acting on confidential information arrested Mooney later that day. He made full admissions and apologised for the offence, telling gardai he had been under pressure to repay a €300 debt. Gda Phelan agreed with Seoirse O Dunlaing BL, defending, that Mooney had not been waving or lunging with the knife and had been intoxicated when he was later arrested.
Mr O Dunlaing said Mo o n e y ’s d r u g u s e began following a family tragedy when he was 14 years old. He said over the years Mooney had been getting straight custodial sentences with relatively little in terms of structure or incentive to stay on the straight and narrow. He sought to better himself in 2011 by going to residential drug treatment but relapsed into offending after the death of his brother. Mr O Dunlaing said Mooney had gone “cold turkey” on his use of tablets and cocaine and was on a detox program for his heroin use.
Daryl Mooney pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Whitestown Stores
COMMERCIAL FEATURE
Get Inspired for Spring with Tobermore’s Landscape Design Service! Is your driveway, patio or garden space looking a bit tired? Do you fancy giving your home a little facelift but you’re not quite sure what you want? Tobermore holds the answer to your problems with their inspirational landscape design services! Landscape design has become just as important as the interior of the home, not only to transform the style, character and value of your property, but also for the many lifestyle benefits. Tobermore can help you create a serene outdoor haven that you look forward to relaxing in after a hard day at work,
a charming play area for the kids or a chic outdoor area where you can enjoy some alfresco dining over the Spring and Summer months! Theresa Kiely, Manager at Tobermore’s Dublin Paving and Walling centre advises, “Your garden, patio and driveway area all shape your homes identity and uniqueness.” “Careful thought and planning are essential in achieving the look you want and this is where Tobermore’s specialised
design solutions really come into play.” Tobermore’s highly regarded team of landscape architects and designers have an absolute wealth of design experience. The team can help you achieve a bespoke landscaping plan to complement your home, whether you are seeking to create a grand design, a creative space or a quirky focal area, whilst most importantly, meeting your budget.
Tobermore’s team offer design clinics which can be booked in advance at their Paving and Walling Centre in Dublin, as well as exclusive call-out services which involve a detailed assessment of your project. Fees apply for the call-out service but are refundable on purchase of Tobermore products (terms and conditions apply). Call 01 8437440 or visit www.tobermore.ie to book your landscape design consultation now!
A musical theatre workshop for children aged 7 to 11 will take place in Blanchardstown Library at 2.30pm on Wednesday, March 30. This session will go on for a duration of 90 minutes with musical instructor Katie Carpenter. The aim of these workshops are to encourage creativity while developing theatrical skills. Participants will learn the basics in singing, dancing and acting. It is a good chance to travel back in time to the 1980’s to learn the songs and act out the scenes from “Fame” and “Hairspray”. You can either book your place in Blanchardstown Library or by calling 01-8905563.
6 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
asdfdsaf
Maxi Zoo stores to host fun events for kids Simon Maguire
Maxi Zoo stores located across Dublin are hosting a series of fun events for children beginning on St. Patrick’s Day and continuing through to the Easter holidays. Stores in Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Leopardstown, Liffey Valley and Finglas will host activities for children beginning on March 17 with an Irish themed fancy dress party in store and a colouring competition beginning at 12 p.m. St. Patrick’s Snake Hunt takes place on Saturday March 19 from 12 p.m. with plenty of prizes to be won on the day. Maxi Zoo’s annual Easter Egg Hunt which has become hugely popular with local families in recent years and this year’s event promises to challenge everyone, including those who are old hands at unearthing the goodies. The hunt takes place on Saturday, March 26 and children visiting the store between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. will be given a treasure map to help them find a series of letters hidden around the store. Maxi Zoo’s Kidz Club always provides plenty of free fun activites each day from Thursday, March 24 to Sunday March 27 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Kids will learn how to make Easter cards for their adored pets on 24th March. They can also bring their pet to the club’s ‘Show and Tell’ on March 25. The Easter Egg Hunt takes place the next day and children will get to make pet cookies on Sunday, March 27.
Sinn Fein’s Paul Donnelly meets with the residents of Tyrrelstown to talk about the letters handed out by Twinlite Developments Ltd
Tyrrelstown | leases will not be renewed when they expire
Tenants meet over eviction notice fears Ian Begley
Angered residents living in Tyrrelstown attended a meeting recently to discuss the highly controversial notices they received to vacate their properties. Forty families in the Cruise Park estate received notices by property firm Twinlite on February 29, stating that their leases will not be renewed when they expire. Dublin West Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) , who hosted the meeting, proposed a suspension of standing orders in the next meeting of the council to “deal with this urgent matter”. He also called for
the Twinlite property management group to publicly commit to a suspension of any eviction notices unless the tenants have alternative accommodation. Speaking to The Gazette, Cllr Donnelly said: “A lot of people affected are terrified at what’s going to happen. We had about 60 people attend where a number of residents voiced their concerns. “One man who has a child with autism said he had been fighting for a long time to get speech and language and occupational therapy for his son, but if he’s forced to leave the Dublin 15 area, the child will be at the bottom of the list for
special need services. “A n o t h e r p e r s o n claimed he had paid Twinlite more than €100,000 in rent, saying there’s no thought or consideration as to where he’s going to go.” Threshold, the national housing charity, is calling on the acting-Government to immediately introduce a moratorium on mass evictions until increased protections are in place for families. Commenting on the situation, chairperson of Threshold Aideen Hayden, said: “Given the scale of the current homelessness crisis, the recklessness of ending large numbers of tenancies in this way cannot
be overstated. “The risk that some of the families affected may become homeless is high, given the current shortage of affordable accommodation across the country. “The development of clear watertight protections against mass evictions should be a priority for the new Government and should be included in the Programme for Government,” she said. In a statement, Fingal County Council said it was aware of the situation. “The council is working with the Department of Social Protection, Dublin Regional Homeless Executive
and other State agencies to provide advice and support to affected families.” Responding to the widespread criticism it has received, Twinlite stated: “As a result of regulatory changes to the rental market and improving market conditions, EPF (European Proper ty Fund) has since decided to exit the residential rental business altogether and Twinlite, in its role as asset manager, is organising the sell down of the houses over a period of four years. “To this end, over several weeks, we notified 40 tenants that we would not renew their leases as they expire
over the next 12 months. There is strong demand from owner-occupiers for family homes, and indeed, many of the existing tenants have agreed to buy the homes they are currently renting. “We always work with our tenants to assist them in any way we can towards finding alternative accommodation. “ We d e p l o r e t h e scare mongering headlines we’ve seen which achieve nothing apart from sowing fear.” Another residents meeting on this issue will be held on Friday, March 18 in Ty rrelstown Educate Together National School at 7pm.
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 7
1916 | full day of activities and events mark historic time in irish history
Blanch commemorates Rising tives searching for family members who participated in the 1916 Rising or War of Independence and The Great War. Mayor of Fingal David O’Connor dropped in to lend encouragement to the project and a small crowd of local people gathered to enjoy the music and the poems relating to 1916 read by members of the society Pat Quigley, Angela McMorrow and Jim Lacey Taking about the event, Jim Lacey of the Blanchardstown-Castleknock History Society said: “The afternoon started off with a display of foot drill accompanied by a rous-
ing rendition of Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile from the Cabra contingent who not only could march and do precision drill but could sing as well. “Then the Blanchardstown Brass Band struck up with a medley of Irish airs including The Green Flag and The Foggy Dew. The band has been performing at local events since 1826 and played at National events such as Daniel O’Connell’s monster meeting calling for Repeal of the Union at Tara in 1843 and they led The Old Dubin Brigade of the IRA to the saluting base at the GPO at the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1966.
“Cabra was actually in St Brigid’s Parish Blanchardstown at the time of the Rising and remained so until the late 1930s. So they are not only good neighbours but former parishioners.” Chairperson of Blanchardstown Castleknock Frank O’Connor acted as master of ceremonies during the afternoon, which continued with a reading of the Proclamation by Nora Comiskey of The 1916/21 Club. The Commemoration continued with a minute’s silence for all who died in the 1916 Rising and concluded with Last Post and Reveille with military honours rendered
SUPPORT
Local BUSINESS
SHOP LOCALLY
Martial airs and the sound of marching feet echoed across the Civic Plaza in Blanchardstown Centre last Saturday afternoon, courtesy of the Blanchardstown Brass Band and Cabra’s Historical Society’s re-enactment group, attired in Irish Volunteer uniforms shouldering realistic looking Howth rifles. The occasion was the 1916 Commemoration ceremonies organised by Blanchardstown Castleknock History Society in association with Fingal County Council. Earlier that morning the history society had genealogists and historians present to assist rela-
Call the Gazette on
60 10 240
Cabra Historical Society’s Irish Volunteers re- enactment group
by the Cabra Historical Society’s re-enactment group followed by a special arrangement of the national anthem written by the band for the occasion.
Meanwhile, on March 24 at 8pm, the Draiocht will host the highly acclaimed play Rebel Rebel. This historical play (derived from real-life testimonies) chronicles
the eventful first hour of the 1916 Easter Rebellion when two Abbey actors, Helena Molony and Sean Connolly take over Dublin Castle. Visit www.draiocht.ie.
8 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
blanch Gazettegallery | the stars come out for the Irish
Ray D’Arcy and actor Peter O’Meara
Peter Murphy, Rachael Moriarty and actor Killian Scott . Pictures: Patrick O’Leary
Kate Hennessy and Conor Farrell
Laura McNicholas and Susan Boyle
Allison Dempsey
Stuart Switzer, Rachael Moriarty and Peter Murphy
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 9
premier of TRADERS at Cineworld, Parnell Street
Lorraine Brennan and Glen Lynch
Allison Dempsey and Nadine Watters
Roisin Dennis and Grainne O’Leary
David McSavage and Katelyn Kearney
10 Gazette 17 March 2016
Gazettegallery
| special Women’s event at Royal Hospital Kilmainham
Able seaman Leia Wall and Pte Chole Carroll chatting to Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM chief of staff from The
Women’s role in Rising recognised
Irish Defence Forces
Marge Almqvist shows the President a patchwork quilt with a panel dedicated to each notable woman from the 1916 rising
Members of the women’s performance group, Flames not Flowers
President Higgins, his wife Sabina, Tanaiste Joan Burton, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys and Dublin Lord Mayor Criona Ni Dhalaigh and the creators of the patchwork quilt (behind) with a panel dedicated to each notable women from the 1916 rising
17 March 2016 Gazette 11
Gazette
12 Gazette 17 March 2016
dublinlife
diary
Sports stars, doctors and nurses are careers of choice for children Research has revealed that Dublin kids want to be sports stars, doctors and nurses when they grow up. A new nationwide research study among Irish children reveals what Dublin boys and girls want to be when they grow up and also what the best and worst things about being a child in Ireland are in 2016. The research undertaken by Calpol for their Let Kids Be Kids campaign, shows that among Dublin children aged 6 to 12, 31% want to be a sports star, 19% percent want to be a doctor and 17% hope to become a nurse. The study also found that only 9% of Dublin children want to be a teacher compared with 31% of children from the wider Leinster region. 17% want to be a singer and 14% percent want to reach for the stars and become an astronaut. Nationally there were also some interesting findings with kids revealing that playing with friends is the very best thing about being a child, closely followed by getting presents at birthday and Christmas time (60%) and going on holidays with family (30%).
Lidl staff smash fundraising goal Lidl staff in Dublin South are celebrating as they have raised €97,829 for their chosen charity, Barretstown. This has helped the retailer smash their national fundraising target by raising €1.2m for Barretstown, €200,000 more than their initial tar-
get of €1m in three years. The funds will go towards providing programmes that are medically endorsed and designed to give children back their confidence and self-esteem. Over the past three years, Lidl’s 3,500 strong workforce have held fundraising events across the country, donating in excess of 7,200 volunteer hours of their time in over 170 events. To find out more visit www.barretstown.org, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @ Barretstown.
Riverdance to run at the gaiety Riverdance is returning home this summer for a limited run in the Gaiety Theatre. As part of the show, which will run from June 14 to August 28, audiences will have the chance to purchase the VIP package which will be available each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening from Friday, June 17 to Saturday, August 27. Costing a total of €91, the VIP package includes a premium seat in the parterre, early access to the theatre to watch onstage rehearsal and warm up, a Q&A with members of the Riverdance cast before the show, and a meet and greet with the principal dancers afterwards. Go to ticketmaster.ie to book.
When Does a Temperature become a Fever? Alt h o u g h f e v e r accompanies most mild
childhood illnesses, new research by Nurofen for Children has revealed almost half of new mums in Dublin (49%), do not know what temperature a fever begins (37.8°C), with Dublin mums ranking as the least likely, to recognise a fever. Commissioned by the pain relief brand, this research was carried out among 400 first time mothers as part of the #FeverFighters campaign. The survey also asked what the biggest challenge was when becoming a parent for the first time and although expectant mothers are often warned about the lack of sleep once the baby arrives, 42% of Dublin mums said the lack of sleep was the most challenging thing about becoming a parent. To support the launch, Nurofen for Children is also launching a new app which aims to help mums and dads manage the day to day aspects of being a new parent.
new Leap Family Card launched A new, promotional Leap Family Card has been launched by the N a t i o n a l Tr a n s p o r t Authority on March 2, in a bid to encourage families to use public transport during the 1916 centenary celebrations. Costing only €10, the Leap Family Card gives a family of two adults and up to four children (aged 18 or under) 24-hours unlimited travel in and around the Greater Dublin Area on Dublin Bus, Luas, Bus Eireann, DART and commuter rail.
The €10 Leap Family Card (2 x adult + 4 x children) costs the same as one adult’s daily travel cap, and is valid across all travel modes in the Greater Dublin Area. The card is also €4 cheaper than the Dublin Bus one-day family rambler (€14) and €10 cheaper than the Irish Rail equivalent (€20), saving parents using public transport money. A total of 50,000 limited edition Leap Family Cards have been made available, and two family cards are available per order. The money-saving card is available from www. leapcard.ie
Dublin set to celebrate rich melodic heritage MusicTOWN will return to Dublin next month to celebrate the rich melodic heritage and modern-day musical maestros of the city. Organised by Dublin City Council, the festival showcases the vast musical talent and vibrant musical culture that permeates throughout Dublin. MusicTown’s eclectic programme has something for all ages and interests, celebrating all types of music created and enjoyed throughout the city today; from classical to pop, trad to rock, psychedelic to opera, electronic and everything in between. Expect performances from Neneh Cherry, Mary Coughlan, David Kitt, Ye Vagabonds and fun events like a Diva Singalong Party in MVP,
Mu Mu Cheng and Cora Zhang from Falun Dafa, pictured at last year’s Mind, Body, Spirit and Yoga Festival which runs in the RDS, Dublin, from Friday, March 18 to Sunday 20. Picture: Conor McCabe
a Ukulele Tuesday in The Stags Head and blues night in JJ Smyths. Some events are free and some have a nominal charge. For further information and tickets visit musictown.ie
strengthening Irish and French connections An event to strengthen the links between Ireland and France and enhance the long-standing friendship that exists between Ireland, France and other French-speaking countries of the world will take place in Dublin Castle next month. The seventeenth edition of the Franco-Irish Literary Festival will continue the tradition that led to Dublin’s nomination as a UNESCO City of Literature with the theme Food For Thought running throughout the event. The festival showcases different artists and also offers an Irish audience the opportunity to discover French writers. The event will take place in the Alliance Francaise from April 8 till 10, all events are free and open to the public.
submissions sought for Mine Anthology An anthology of stories and art representing the struggle for women’s full reproductive rights in Ire-
land is calling for submissions. “Mine” will feature art, comics and illustrations with stories on the theme of repealing the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. The creative project, led by Karen Harte and Jessica Maybury, has been developed to support the current campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment. The requirements for submissions are 1 to 2 pages of A5 artwork, 300dpi, colour TIFF or PDF and the deadline for submissions is April 13 2016. Karen Harte, graphic designer, illustrator and co-creator of “Mine’”said: “The current campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment is gaining momentum. In order to raise awareness of this critical issue for women and men in Ireland, we want to support the Abortion Rights Campaign “We would urge anyone who has a story to tell to get in touch with us - even if you don’t think you can draw, collaborate with a friend and work on something together. “We want to build up a collection of voices that show the impact that this barrier to fundamental rights is having on people in Ireland and all over the world.”
HOLISTIC AND WELLBEING FESTIVAL How our 21st century screen addictions are making us fatter and the psychology behind losing weight will be revealed at Ireland’s biggest wellbeing event the Mind, Body, Spirit and Yoga Festival in the RDS from March 18 to 20. The festival offers the chance to discover the latest techniques in self-development and life-enhancing positive psychology with 75 talks by top Irish and international experts plus exhibits by over 150 complementary and healing practitioners. Health scientist Dr Ailis Brosnan, who specialises in diet psychology, will be exploring what motivates, and crucially doesn’t motivate, people into making healthy eating and lifestyle choices, and a former industrial psychologist, now nutritional therapist, Karen Ward, will show how diet helped her recover from her virulent Crohn’s disease which, at one stage, necessitated life-saving surgery. With over 150 stands, visitors can explore everything from angels and aromatherapy to Reiki and reflexology. Tickets €12, three-day pass €30, children free.
17 March 2016 Gazette 13
14 Gazette 17 March 2016
Gazette
dublinlife OPINION We cannot ignore Syrian conflict IT’S often hard to get our heads around figures past a certain threshold: 30 billion WhatsApp messages sent ever y day; £90m for a Premier League footballer; 60 million people displaced by conflict globally. These numbers are so large they mean almost nothing – and why should they? They are vague and distant, and have little relation to daily life. One figure that isn’t hard to get our heads
around is five. War in Syria has been ongoing now for five years. That’s longer than World War 1, and gaining fast on World War 2. In those years, a host of vast and ambiguous figures have come pouring out of the now ravaged country – 470,000 people reported dead; 12 million people displaced; and 4.7 million Syrian refugees. These numbers are vast, but they can’t be dismissed. What’s more, it’s not
just the numbers that sound foreign and confusing. We have heard new words, places and names repeated on reports and news bulletins. Barrel bombs, ISIS, Daesh, Assad, Kurds, Caliphate, Homs and Aleppo have become part of standard conversation on Syria. Words that can carry as much horror for those who truly know their meaning as the figures they are a part of. Like so many countries
that violently command our attention, western knowledge of Syria was sparse before the conflict. Often described as a beating heart of Arabian culture and character, the Mediterranean state has been all but wiped of its rich and distinct identity. In its place, a new Syrian identity has emerged among a myriad contradictory and perplexing myths, misinformation and truths. It took Europe and the West too long to sit up and pay attention but, as with many humanitarian crises, time and escalation has forced a response. When the number of Syrians arriving on European shores exploded last year, Syrian identity evoked empathy, welcoming hearts and open minds. As numbers continued to swell, this became shrouded in negative stereotypes and fearmongering. What started as another chapter in the Arab Spring has descended into a devastating civil war. Like Yemen, Libya and Egypt before it, the revolt which once brought such hope to millions has left already fragile institutions and societies smouldering. Syrians have seen their homes destroyed, families tortured and killed, and their once proud identity go up in smoke. Syrians fleeing war now find themselves accused of terrorist attacks and of carrying out the atrocities they flee. The response of European states has been mostly characterised by hostility and force. Fences, tear gas, riot police and NATO warships have met refugees seeking sanctuary. One exception is the German chancellor, Angela Merkel. It can fairly be said that she failed to assemble a sufficient coalition of domestic and
Barry Andrews, chief executive, GOAL – The numbers and statistics relating to the conflict in Syria are staggering, but we must not ignore their impact on Syrians
international allies before deciding upon her openborders policy. Without support, she has proven a beacon of hope for refugees fleeing their homeland. European leaders can learn a lot. European leaders must follow through, and expand upon, commitments to take in more refugees under relocation and resettlement programmes. This would a positive response but by no means a definitive one. First and foremost, humanitarian supply routes have to be protected. One reality of the Syrian war is that humanitarian organisations working on the ground are no longer just a legitimate target, but a preferred one. While organisations like GOAL act as a barrier to depopulation and control, the bullseye is planted firmly on our supply routes, kitchens and employees. Secondly, reading the
papers and listening to news coverage of the conflict, we would be forgiven for thinking there are no routes to peace. This is simply untrue. Intervention must come from the UN Security Council; otherwise, people will keep dying. With imprecise rockets, unguided bombs and mass killings the norm, there is no safety or reality of security in Syria. More than one in 10 Syrians has been wounded or killed since the conflict began. More than 330 attacks on medical facilities. Life expectancy has dropped from 71 in 2010 to 55 in 2015. These numbers are horrific, yet here at GOAL, we like to focus on different figures. With more than 400 staff in-country, GOAL has several large-scale programmes targeting the most vulnerable people within Syria with food assistance and safe water initiatives. Our current projects have benefitted
more than two million people in total. That makes this is the largest programme in our history. Two million is also a very large figure, but for everyone at GOAL, it is familiar and clear. It is a critical part of what we work on every day and we are very proud of it. Figures like this won’t end the conflict. That outcome has to come from European leaders, alongside the United Nations Security Council. The ultimate question remains: what number will ultimately define this conflict? The number of deaths? The number of refugees taken in by European countries? The number of years fighting eventually lasts for? Five years is long enough. Any longer, and we might not be able to get our heads around it. barry andrews Chief executive, GOAL www.goalglobal.org
17 March 2016 Gazette 15
a day in the life: Maia Dunphy
The mother of all jobs Emma Nolan
Motherhood suits Maia Dunphy. Following the birth of her son Tom last July, with husband Johnny Vegas, Dunphy has been settling into her new role as a mum and balancing everything that comes with it and continuing to work. She sat down with The Gazette last week to discuss a day in her life as a working mum. “I don’t like routine which is just as well because we don’t have one – it’s absolutely chaotic,” she said. Dunphy is currently working with Neurofen on their Fever Fighters campaign which she said really resonated with her as a first time mum as it as educated her on dealing with what to do when a baby has a fever and other problems. “As part of the Neurofen campaign, I’ve met sleep experts and doctors who talk about the importance of routine and my
Maia Dunphy with baby, Tom
face kind of fell and they said if you don’t have one, that’s also fine. Thank god because we’re really quite chaotic people. “I hate early mornings, but they’re inevitable with Tom,” she said. “So I’m normally up anytime between half six and eight and with a baby there is a certain amount of routine. There is a danger if you’re not working that you can sit in your pyjamas for too long, I try not to do that.” Dunphy said that wherever she is in the world, the first thing she does is check Twitter and emails; “I’m unhealthily obsessed with Twitter,” she jokes. “The trouble is, sometimes I end up on Twitter for an hour.” Even though she’s not working full time at the moment, she said there is “always a tonne of emails”. “The day is peppered with baby naps and feeding times and I’m doing a lot of development work at the moment, coming up with ideas for pitches and things like that.”
She said that her walk with Tom is an essential part of her day. As for living in London, Dunphy says that there are “lonely aspects” to it. “It’s tough when you’re a mum and everyone’s on the nine to five and they want to go out on Friday and Saturday night and I can’t because I’m wrecked. If you’re not careful about it, I think having a baby can be isolating so you have to make the effort to get out and do things. “In London I was quite bad at getting involved in any mother and toddler groups but Tom and I now do swimming lessons once a week,” she said. “Monday mornings I always get up and say ‘Ok this week is going to be structured’ and suddenly it’s Wednesday I’m knackered and Tom might have a temperature and I realise that nothing I had planned to do has been done but I’ve learned to kind of go, you know what, that’s ok as well.”
Advertise your business to over 280,000* readers each week *Publishers statement
call 01 60 10 240
Gazette
FEATURE
16 Gazette 17 March 2016
17 March 2016 Gazette 17
Evergreen complete 4-in-1
GREAT DEALS FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY
12.6Kg
2 FOR
Verve multi-purpose compost, 125L
€
€10.10 each
16
17
€
€
80
Crown 10L Covermatt emulsion
Dulux 11L Weathershield masonry paint
€1.70 per litre Available in white or magnolia
€48 each. €4.36 per litre Available in white or magnolia
136
€3 per litre Available in matt or soft sheen 6 colours
30
€
€3.08 per litre Available in white or magnolia
2 FOR
44
37
€
Sandtex Colours masonry paint, 10L
€
€54.98 each. €5.50 per litre
90
HURRY WHILE STOCKS LAST
Dulux standard coloured emulsion†, 2.5L €28 each. €11.20 per litre Available in matt or soft sheen
2 €
FOR
36
Dulux Bathrooms, Kitchens, Light & Space and Easycare emulsion†, 2.5L
See in store for individual prices
2 €
FOR
48
Crown standard coloured emulsion†, 2.5L €4.80 per litre Available in matt or silk
Also available in 5L size
245
€
12
24.95 €15
€
12
€
*
each
143
€
109
154
€
Mountfield HP414 petrol lawnmower
Sandtex masonry paint, 12L
€
€4.05 each
Cooks for up to 10 people Porcelain enamel coated grill for even heat distribution
Karcher K2 Compact Home pressure washer, 110 Bar
€
Easy Gro 9 pack bedding plants
Ultar 4 burner gas barbecue
2 FOR
20
€
Crown Living Colours emulsion, 10L
24
€
4 FOR
€
€
Store It Out midi plastic garden storage chest
100
€
Mac Allister MRPM 42SP petrol lawnmower
100cc engine 40L grass collection capacity 390mm cutting width
125cc Briggs & Stratton engine 55L grass collection capacity 410mm cutting width
316
342
€
215
€
215
295
€
€
€
4x6 apex overlap wooden shed
LET’S CREATE MORE FOR LESS LIFFEY VALLEY | SWORDS | TALLAGHT | NAAS | GALWAY | LIMERICK | CORK | ATHLONE Freephone 1800 818 950 or visit diy.com/diy/ireland for your nearest store. Liffey Valley opening hours Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat 7am-8pm, Sun 10am-7pm. Swords Mon-Tues 8am-8pm Wed-Fri 8am-9pm, Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-7pm. All other stores Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 10am-7pm. Excluded from any other promotion or discount card. Standard coloured emulsion does not include brilliant white. *Excludes midsheen. Normal opening hours this St. Patrick’s weekend.
†
199
€
Gazette
18 Gazette 17 March 2016
OUT&ABOUT
Parfois; Pink bag - €29
Thomas Sabo; Skull rose and black love bridge bracelet - €259
Gionni; Bow tote bag - €58 (At River Island; pink cold shoulder swing
Debenhams, Shaws and Pamela
dress - €55
Scotts)
Introduce your wardrobe to pink’s many versatile charms emma nolan
GRACING the spring/summer runways of fashion week from Milan to New York was a resurgence of romanticism and pretty pinks, just in time for the brighter days ahead. After many muted seasons of minimalistic and subdued trends, the pink hues have added a sense of buoyancy to some collections. Stella McCartney and Roberto Cavalli flirted with dusty rose quartz, while Emporio Armani and Mara Hoffman delivered an extensive array of pale blush and cherry blossom. While some may be apprehensive about introducing pink to a muted palette, adding accessories gradually is a great way to take part in the trend without diving head first into it. Available in Debenhams and Pamela Scott, Gionni’s spring/sum-
mer handbag offers a taste of the coveted trend to everyone. The dainty pale pink bow cross body bag for €48 and the classic bow tote €58 are the perfect entry point into updating a winter wardrobe to spring, particularly as it is too cold in Dublin to even think about shedding layers. The classic tote also comes in a peachy hue with gold zip detail, and the striped crossover bag delivers its pink through an accent of snakeskin. River Island’s cold shoulder swing dress and frill blouse are two simple ways to nod to the trend, and the bloom cross bag from Parfois and Thomas Sabo’s skull rose and black lovebridge bracelet are all unique ways to take on the trend. So, bring on the pink and enjoy a welcome, trendy reprieve from the rigid minimalism of seasons past.
Spreading colour, print and happiness emma nolan
The spring summer 2016 collection from Oasis is all about spreading colour, print and happiness. This is a something for everyone collection with a vibrant maximalist offering. Pretty is a priority for most garments
but is juxtaposed by top to toe tailoring, softened by paper bag waists and belted bows. Ruffled shirts add texture and drama, while the suits pair perfectly well with a classic tee for a more casual approach. Stripes feature prominently in this collection in the form of a chic
Breton off the shoulder number, while darkened vertical candy stripes in cornflower blue and mustard yellow get a look in as well as a navy pin stripe co-ordinate, in that ever modern long vest silhouette. Classic feminine shapes, the spaghetti strap and bardot neck-
line feature in the form of little black dresses and clashing floral prints alongside jackets of soft summer suede. Find Oasis stores at St Stephen’s Green, Dundrum Town Centre, Blackrock, Nasau Street, Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown Shopping Centres.
17 March 2016 Gazette 19
Our fab fashion
Gazette
STYLE
5
WE HAVE picked five of our favourite beauty products this week – from lipsticks to shower gels, these are five beauty items that are sure to bring you from spring through to summer!
1
2
3
4
5
1 Fleur - Osmanthus shower gel, €9.90; 2 Nuxebody - Fragrance water, €30; 3 The Body Shop - Drops of Light pure clarifying face wash, €23.95; 4 NYX - Jumbo eye pencil, Rocky Mountain Green, €4.99; 5 YSL - Rouge Volupte Shine N46, €33
Gazette
20 Gazette 17 March 2016
OUT&ABOUT
FOOD&DRINK
BITESIZEDNEWS
The Dylan Hotel’s Easter chocolate afternoon tea is sure to delight chocaholics
A deliciously tempting deal at the Dylan Hotel
The Old Spot
European gastropub
Sandymount
emma nolan
When in Sandymount,
FOODIES and chocoholics take note – the Dylan Hotel (just off Baggot Street) is offering an indulgent Easter Chocolate Afternoon Tea this Easter, which includes an assortment of decadent chocolate creations. Head chef Mark Bodie has created a selection of specially-crafted chocolate treats with chocolate lovers in mind to enjoy with classic high tea bites and a glass of prosecco. Guests will be served a taste of the sticky caramel and milk chocolate tartlet served with cherry gel, a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate brownie with chewy chocolate marshmallow, and a peanut butter and dark chocolate truffle. Also on offer are chocolate financiers, served with caramelised pears, and chocolate mousse and white chocolate mousse, served with chocolate shortbread. Along with the chocolate treats is the traditional bill of fare, including finger sandwiches with various filling of classic egg mayonnaise and cucumber, a goat’s cheese mousse with beetroot, and duck liver parfait served on chocolate brioche. Dylan’s Easter afternoon tea is priced at €40 per person and is available from March 20 until April 3 from 12pm until 5pm every day. The hotel is also offering an Easter package, which includes an overnight stay and a complimentary full Irish breakfast for €259 per room for two sharing. Pre-booking is required at www.dylan.ie.
Delicately crafted chocolates add to the high tea esperience at the hotel throughout Easter
food, drinks and even
BATH Avenue in Sandymount is a right little mecca for foodies, with numerous stylish eateries having popped up there in the last few years. On a recent night out, we ate in The Old Spot, which is a gastropub of sorts but they are delivering big on quality, presentation and most importantly, flavours. Very bad diners that we are, we were running quite late but had called ahead to let the restaurant know. The staff were neither flustered or annoyed by this. We were shown to our seats and two Basil Sours later, we had settled in for a gregarious night. The tartness of the lime, mixed with the sweetness of the basil, p a c ke d t h e p e r f e c t punch in this cocktail and my husband had to practically be restrained from licking the glass. For starter, I went for a tuna carpaccio, served
aim for The Old Spot and a dining experience that won’t disappoint, based on Picky’s experience. The staff service all hit the spot with ease, making it well worth dropping in to.
The Picky Eater with pickles and some guacamole, while my other half went for an old favourite – seared scallops. The tuna was light and refreshing, seared just the right amount, and the accompanying pickles married the dish together so well, every mouthful was a taste explosion, and actually was set off very well by the Basil Sour. For mains, we went for something quite spectacular: the 28 Day Dry Aged Cote de Bouef Surf and Turf, with a stunning rocket, parmesan and pear salad side, as well as some sprouting broccoli. We asked for the beef to be cooked medium, and the cut was certainly that. A beautiful shade of pink sprang from the serving board and we actually did not know where to begin on this exquisite dish. My husband was right when he said: “That’s too good to spoil with
sauces.” The flavours were intense and the beef was melt-in-themouth. I did sample some of the bernaise and horseradish, both of which accompanied the meat beautifully, but this dish was a triumph on its own. My hubby was hankering after an apple crumble for dessert, but sadly they’d run out so he sampled three flavours of homemade ice cream – gingerbread, roasted banana and Ferrero Rocher. They had a mascarpone, which had also been scoffed earlier in the night, but the three he chose were superb. Our lovely waiter recommended a Spanish rioja, which wasn’t too full bodied but accompanied the flavours in the meat with ease. Staff on the whole are friendly and very attentive, and made our evening out a really fun experience.
Picky wouldn’t normally highlight a drink alone, but the Basil Sours were truly cocktails to savour
Conclusion IT’S been quite a while since Picky found a spot with such perfect fare, but The Old Spot (at 14 Bath Avenue, Sandymount, Dublin 4; tel 01 660 5599) really hit the mark. The dishes were delicious, and the staff also made it a pleasure to dine there, too.
17 March 2016 Gazette 21
Gazette
GAMING WEEBYTES
No Man’s Sky will be just too vast to fully explore
An early nod at the biggest ever game ... IF YOU thought that exploring one game world takes too much time, how about trying to explore 18 quintillion of them? That’s the total number of worlds – planets, actually – that PS4 exclusive No Man’s Sky promises to deliver later this year, following its June release. The game’s 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 (yes, that many) planets all feature in a vast, procedurally generated universe, whereby some clever coding and algorithms creates everything from the smallest blade of grass to the biggest solar systems, all on the fly. Players are tasked with making their way from their starting planet out on the edge, all the way in to the heart of the galaxy, upgrading as they go, as they explore and mine planets, find resources, upgrade their suits and ships – and much, much more ... With such a gigantic game – both literally, and in scope – many critics and gamers have been very interested in this unique title, yet also apprehensive. Just what do you do, exactly? Luckily, a round of fresh media previews have started to reveal that – pun intended – the sky’s the limit in this game. Look out for another preview soon ...
The developers have done an excellent job of capturing the look and feel of Manhattan’s urban canyons and streets
The Division adds up to a compelling title
THERE’S no doubt that the vision of a largely abandoned and postChristmas New York that’s been ravaged by a very, very deadly bioweapon plague in The Division (PC, XBO, PS4; Cert 18) is a very good looking game, whatever platform you play on. It’s one of the biggest releases of the year, and has been creating quite a stir for some time now ahead of its release. As a Division agent, y o u ’r e t a s ke d w i t h helping to restore order in the city – to gather together survivors, find food and medicine, rescue hostages, that sort of thing. However, plenty of gangs, looters and bad guys are also fighting to take over the city, as Division agents and what remains of the authorities struggle to reclaim the city. As you traverse much of the lower third of Manhattan completing missions, you get points in a variety of fields with which to upgrade your character, your home base, and a
shane dillon sdillon@dublingazette.com
number of abilities in a pretty comprehensive skill set tree. Considering that, depending on your play style, you can shape your character to have some pretty unique abilities, it’s not hard to see the appeal for gamers looking to play with characters who don’t fit the usual archetypes for such open-world games, such as The Tank, The Sniper, The Medic, and so on. As you play, rewards and finds reveal all kinds of stats to enhance, with the constant drip-feed of loot (often common and worthless, occasionally rare and very useful) providing plenty of incentive to continue exploring, levelling up your character, and fighting to help save the city. Given the extensive mission-led content –
although the multiplayer aspect (see below) is much less organised – and the way that gamers truly shape and choose their character’s development, it’s hard to see The Division as anything other than a roleplaying game, rather than a straightforward shooter. Still, regardless of whether you’re looking for an engaging story with decent shooter elements – or vice versa – The Division should satisfy, with its densely recreated version of Manhattan being a particularly attractive setting. Indeed, the dystopian setting is a singularly attractive one, with the richly detailed streets and multitude of buildings and landmarks presented in style, thanks to some terrific lighting and weather effects, as well as its day/night cycle. A s o n e o f 2 016 ’s major games releases, The Division doesn’t disappoint, and should unite gamers and critics alike with solid praise.
Whether exploring Manhattan’s streets and seeing well-known buildings and landmarks, or wandering into looted stores and abandoned buildings, there’s an awful lot to see and find. Screengrabs: Shane Dillon
Gazette
22 Gazette 17 March 2016
OUT&ABOUT
CINEMA
ReelReviews
eddie the eagle
Wings it with the facts BRITAIN’S worst (but highly popular) athlete, “Eddie the Eagle” (Cert 12A, 106 mins) gets an affectionate big-screen treatment that plays a little hard and fast with the facts, but nonetheless delivers a warm-hearted underdog tale. Forever famous as a rather hopeless but very, very determined ski jumper at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, Eddie Edward’s story is pleasantly told.
Kung Fu Panda 3
Makes impressive moves PO IS back with his latest outing, as Kung Fu Panda 3 (Cert PG, 95 mins) once again sees the very unlikely martial arts expert team up to stop a very bad guy. This time round, Po has a very unlikely group of would-be martial experts to train up – an entire tribe of pandas. It’s largely more of the same for the franchise, but when it looks this good and has such spirited performances, that’s okay.
london has fallen Bangs for your bucks
AS THE sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, London (Cert 15A, 99 mins) offers more of the same – where the first film saw the US president in mortal danger, this time several world leaders are spectacularly bumped off in London. But did the bad guys think that the American president would be so easy to kill? It’s silly stuff that won’t trouble your braincells much, but is passable enough.
This laidback Icelandic film about two farming brothers living side by side and maintaining a decades long grudge presents plenty for the eyes, and the mind, too
rams: whether set in iceland or ireland, this farming tale rings true
An unexpected gem of a film
WITH all the simplicity and wryness of a folktale, Rams is a lowbudget film from Iceland that may offer one of the most unexpected cinema experiences of the year. Currently on limited release in Dublin, much of the surprise of Rams comes from its set-up, where director and writer Grimur Hakonarson has crafted what is arguably the most indie movie plot of all time. In a tiny rural community ensconced deep in an Icelandic valley, sheep-farming brothers Gummi and Kiddi carve out their bachelor existence under a blanket of contrived ignorance. The brothers have not spoken in 40 years, despite living practically next door to one another
Dave phillips
on the family farm. A simple wire fence runs the length of the property, dividing one set of stock from the other, and also serves as a boundary for the brothers. Intermittent and essential communication over the decades is achieved by proxy. Hand-scrawled notes occasionally pass back and forth between the brothers by way of Kiddi’s sheep dog, who seems to remain cheerfully unaware of any commotion.
More delicate matters are handled by way of other farmers in the valley, who seem to have grown and accepted the feud, working around it with all the caution that a force of nature deserves. There is a captivating familiarity in Hakonarson’s story as it unfolds, and that is due in part because, in Ireland, we are never too far removed from stories of rural eccentricity, farming feuds, and estranged brothers. However, Rams offers all the components of the kind of stories we are told as children – the apocryphal tales and urban legends that are meant to instil a lesson or truth about human experience. The brothers may not
give voice to their feelings toward one another; they are expressed in other ways. When Gummi is narrowly beaten by Kiddi in the community’s annual ram pageant, he suspects that his brother’s animal is infected by Scrapie – the ovine equivalent of BSE. While Kiddi initially puts the accusation down to his brother’s jealousy, the threat of the disease – which would require the culling of all the stock in the valley – is too much for the community to brush off. Shot in the remote northern valley of Budardalur, the natural environment plays a huge part in Rams, where the lives of the protagonists are marked
out upon a vast white backdrop that always seems poised to engulf them. Using a mix of Icelandic stage actors, films actors, and non-actors the film manages to maintain an odd style of authenticity. Much of Hakonarson’s previous work is on Icelandic documentaries, and that experience follows along in this feature. While winter is always looming on our visual peripheries, silence is always present and respected. The story slowly and steadily unfolds over an hour and a half, and for much of that time we are simply watching Gummi, or Kiddi, or the sheep (who all receive acting credits) further the plot through their
own often blundering actions, rather than conversations. T his awareness of observation is part of what makes Rams such a joy to sit through. Hakonarson expertly lulls us along in a state of pleasant bemusement, until in like all good fables, we uncover the kernel of truth. Quirky, stylish, and incredibly power ful, the most tragic element about this film is that it will inevitably slip by many people unnoticed this year. Rams is a little gem of a film, that ostensibly is about feuding sheep farmers, but at its heart, is a poignant reminder of the human necessity for connection. Seek it out while you still can. Verdict: 9/10
17 March 2016 Gazette 23
Gazette
HEALTH Supporting cellular health
“Small boutique style operations have filled the void left by big box gym closures.”
Q&A: Heath & Fitness Together, Ranelagh
Resisting the hardships of the recent recession Carl Cautley
Owner, Health and Fitness Together
Q: I believe your 10th anniversary is coming up soon? Carl: Yes, I can’t believe it is 10 years since we opened our first studio on Leinster Road, Rathmines. We operated out of a small Mews and we had two rooms. At the time, the concept of private 1-to-1 training was unique and business thrived over the first two years. Q: So you opened in 2006, what happened at the end of 2008 when the bank crisis began? Carl: It was a strange time. The media, clients, friends and family all believed it was a short term glitch. Business fell briefly but then rebounded in April/May 2009. At the time we thought the glitch was over, little did we realise. Q: How do you mean? Carl: When we headed into the summer of 2009 we realised this was a much bigger problem than most thought. Con-
fidence in the economy started to decline rapidly and thus we started to feel the consequences. Business dropped off dramatically as people started to feel the crunch. Q: So what did you do? Carl: We basically went from a profitable start-up to a loss making business overnight. The stress levels were high but we were determined to see it through. We had to change the business model completely. I came from an advertising/marketing back ground where sales and the top line were paramount. Now, for the first time, I had to look at costs. Everything was forensically analysed; staff reduced, rent and franchise fees re-negotiated, loans re-engineered, cost of supplies and utilities reduced. When we were finished the monthly saving was down by about 30%. This, of course, didn’t increase profit as all of the savings were passed on to the client. Q: How did this affect
your business? Carl: The number of clients using our facility dropped by about 40% but there were still enough loyal clients to keep the business going and a reasonable trickle of new clients for us to remain optimistic. Q: I assume this status quo remained for quite a while? Carl: I would say that after a seven-year struggle, it is only in the last four months we have seen consistent growth. Q: Do you believe the recession is over? Carl: Since the bank guarantee of September 2008 we have seen a number of false dawns where we thought things were picking up but as soon as they did they crashed again. However, 2015/2016 is the first time we have seen four months of growth year-on-year. We are definitely more optimistic but cautious, as any negative world event could impact our economy and the first to take the brunt will be small businesses again.
Q: Even though there has been a recession, the health and fitness industry seems to be booming? Carl: Yes, but the industry has changed. The recession put a stop to the big box gyms. Total Fitness, Jackie Skelly and a few other big names went out of business. In their place small boutique style operations like our own have filled the void. Q: Tell us a little bit about your business? Carl: We started off providing one-to-one personal training in private rooms. This is still the mainstay of our business but we also now offer 2-to-1 personal training, small group training, physical therapy and nutrition. Basically a private training facility providing tailor-made services to suit anyone’s budget. Carl Cautley, Owner, Health & Fitness Together, 8 Appian Way, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. Tel. 496 5829 www.healthandfitnesstogether.ie carl@ fitnesstogether.ie
An Irish company is bringing the world’s most complete organic mineral supplement direct to consumers in Dublin for the first time. Cellnutrition is providing Quinton Hypertonic and Isotonic to the Irish market on its website www.cellnutrition.ie after the company secured the Ireland and UK distribution rights to the popular supplements. Quinton has a 100-year history of supporting cellular health in the body. It is mineral-rich seawater harvested under strict conditions from a plankton bloom which occurs naturally in a pristine, internationally-protected part of the Atlantic Ocean. Cellnutrition Quinton nourishes your cells with 78 minerals and trace elements that have proven benefits for the health of your skin, hair and nails. These nutrients support the function of your main detoxification organs – your liver, kidneys, lungs and skin – and counter the chemicals and toxins we absorb from beauty products every day.
Cellnutrition chief executive John Kelleher said: “Cellular health is vitally important – after all, cells are the fundamental building blocks of life. “Every muscle movement, every heartbeat, every breath, all the functions of your organs, everything your body does depends on you having healthy, functioning cells. “Without them you would not be able to bat an eyelid or form a thought. “That’s why we’ve brought Cellnutrition Quinton direct to families in Ireland, so that they can enjoy the incredible nutritional benefits that it can provide for your health and vitality.”
24 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
BLANCHGazettegallery | Liz O’Donnell and Noel Kelly host annual
Honouring years of heroic work F
ire Restaurant in The Mansion House was the venue for the Lunch with Liz and Noel fundraiser in aid of Chernobyl Children International hosted by Liz O’Donnell and Noel Kelly. The annual event raises vital funds for children born with congenital heart defects as a result of
Chernobyl. The Irish glitterati were out in force to show their support for the event. CCI board director Liz O’Donnell said: “We are here to honour thirty years of heroic work by Adi and thousands of Irish volunteers supporting the poorest and most deserving people in Chernobyl affected regions.”
Marie Chawke ,Liz Rae, Alison Rae and Teresa Thornhill. Pictures: Brian McEvoy
Norah Casey, Liz O’Donnell and Adi Roche
Louise Cosgrave and Marita Cosgrave
Colette Browne and Laura Gilthorpe
Claire Byrne, Elaine O’Neill and Geraldine O’Farrell
Cheyanne Elkhouly, Rionna Moulds and Emily Dunne
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 25
fundraiser for Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International
Fiona Creggan and Edel Fitzgerald
Joanna Butler and Catriona Kelly
Martin Wells and Deirdre Carton
Charlotte Somers and Oda O’Carroll
Julie Shynkarenkaand Adi Roche, Noel Kelly and Liz O’Donnell
Bill McCabe
26 blanch Gazette 17 March 2016
blanchCLASSIFIEDS
dvds
paving
painter
chimney
BOSS PAVING & LANDSCAPING
DVD TRANSFERS
• DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS • FENCING • ASPHALT • DECORATIVE WALLING • IMPRINT • GRAVEL
ďƒźVideo & Camera Tapes ďƒźCineFilms
Quality Paving at affordable prices, just a phone call away. Highly recommended by Clients. Testimonials available.
ďƒźPhotos & Slides converted to DVD
Contact: John Maloney 087 3591000 / 01 6972087 Email: bosshomeimprovements@gmail.com Web: www.bosspaving.ie Dundrum Bus Park: Ph. 01 6971896 Pearse St, D2
ďƒźMusic & Titles added
planning Notice Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL
FINGAL COUNT Y COUNCIL. We Paul & Sandra Mallon intend to apply for permission for development at 29 Bishops Orchard, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15. The development will consist of the conversion of the existing garage into a study and a toilet with two new window openings to the side and rear and associated site services. 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 Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.
roofing
paving
construction
ACTIVE PAVING
/&8 -00,
$0/4536$5*0/
â‚Ź45
Our fascias and cladding are available in a wide range of colours and styles to match your property. You can choose from decorative Ogee guttering and fascias or a hdYaf klqd]$ o] [Yf kmhhdq Ydd& Gmj jggĂ› af] components protect your home from the elements, our high quality range will restore your home to its former glory while preventing further damage due ingress of water, bird nesting or rotten wood.
XXX OFXMPPLDPOTUSVDUJPO JF kitchens
•New roofs •Flat roofs •Roof repairs •Chimneys rebuilt or repointed •UPVC fascias and kg^Ú lk •Guttering and downpipes •Cladding
26457
landscaping
Green Team
roofing TREES & GARDEN SERVICES
FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS
FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK
GUTTERS CLEANED & SEALED FROM
9Over Grown Garden 9NRE Shed Supplied & Erect 9Tress Felled and Pruned 9Hedges Trimmed
9Specialty Brickwork 9Gutters Cleaned & Sealed 9Old Sheds Removed 9Block Paving 9LmjĂšf_
9Driveways & Walls Painting 9Garage & House Clearance
15 YEARS EXPERIENCE/30% DISCOUNT For a free no obligation quote call:
roofing
T: 01-8678791 M: 085 1474725 W: www.greeteamtrees.com
300'*/( 40-65*0/4 *&
300'*/( (655&3*/( $0/53"$503 Ĺą 41&$*"-*45 */ 300'*/( 3&1"*34 "/% 3&1-"$&.&/5 Ĺą "-- '-"5 300'4 3&1"*3&% "/% 3&1-"$&% Ĺą "-- 5:1&4 0' 7"--&: "/% $)*./&: 803, $"33*&% 065 Ĺą "-- 5:1&4 0' 3*%(& 10*/5*/( 1-"45&3*/( Ĺą "-Ĺą 41&$*"-*454 /&8 617$ '"4$*"4 40''*54 Ĺą (655&3*/( "/% %08/1*1&4
8&# 888 300'*/(40-65*0/4 *&
4065)4*%& Ĺą /035)4*%& Ĺą
.0#*-& Ĺą
Local
Matters Support local b u si n ess
Unit E2 Nutgrove Office Park
0''*$&
Boombridge Business Park Dublin 7
Advertise with the Gazette call 60 10 240
17 March 2016 blanch Gazette 27
blanchCLASSIFIEDS planning Notice Fingal COUNTY COUNCIL
McArdle Skeath, intend to apply for planning permission for the revision of the elevational height of the Dry Goods Warehouse building from 23.5m high as permitted in the parent Planning Permission reference FW15A/0129 to 21.5m high which is located in the townlands of Bay/ Hollywoodrath / Goddamendy, Dublin 15. The Planning Application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during the public opening hours of 9.30 - 16.30 Monday – Friday at Fingal County Council, Grove Road, Blanchardstown, Fingal, Dublin 15 (to inspect planning application on all lands west of the N2). A submission or observation in relation to the Application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of a fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks, beginning on the date of receipt by Fingal County Council of the Application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Dublin Gazette Newspapers for the role of Editor
EXPERIENCE
· The successful candidate must have at least 3 years’ experience editing either a daily or weekly publication. · They must have a proven track record of managing a team in fast paced busy newsroom. · They must have the ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines. · A clear understanding of media/libel laws.
DUTIES/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
·Must be able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. ·Must be able to manage one’s own time and the time of others. ·Imposing strict deadlines and sticking to those within the best of your ability. ·Plan the contents of publications according to the publication’s style and editorial policy. ·Meet frequently with staff to discuss issues and resolve problems. ·Organise pictures, galleries, stand alones for all papers, at least a week in advance. ·Be responsible for all HR duties including holidays/sick days/staff grievances. ·Supervise and coordinate work of reporters and other editors.
26454
Support local business
Ad v e r t ise w i t h the Gazette call 60 10 240
Local
Matters
All elements of this role will be discussed in detail during the interview process
Please send cover letter & CV to mmcgovern@dublingazette.com
Gazette
28 BLANCH Gazette 17 March 2016
SPORT Duff takes time over next move
FastSport
Soccer: irish legend adjusting to life after professional game
De la salle team up with mount anville:
DE LA Salle Churchtown’s A team, alongside Mount Anville, won the annual Badminton southside mixed doubles tournament on their home court last week. Eight sides took part in the competition alongside St Benildus College and four girls’ schools: St. Raphaela’s, Loreto Bray, Mount Anville and Saint Joesph’s, Cluny. In the competition, each boys team was paired with a girls team to form mixed doubles partnerships. The De La Salle and Mount Anville side emerged victorious in the final, beating the De La Salle B team paired with Saint Raphaela’s who they had already defeated earlier in the tournament. The winners were unbeaten throughout the competition winning against a combined St Benildus/St Joseph’s side and also the De La Salle C team who were playing with Loreto Bray.
james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com
FORMER Leicester Celtic, Lourdes Celtic and St Kevin’s Boys youth player Damien Duff - who can also claim just the odd one hundred caps for Ireland - has spoken about the moment that finally forced his retire-
ment from professional soccer last year. “It was Bohs away in the Leinster Senior Cup,” Duff said last week, talking of the moment he decided to leave Shamrock Rovers. “I had a few niggles and what have you but I couldn’t kick a ball 30 yards. “I think we got
through to the final that night but I went home depressed. The missus was, like, ‘what’s wrong with you?’ I didn’t even tell her but I just knew in my heart of hearts.” Duff also admitted he’s turned out for TEK United alongside his brother Jamie since retiring from the Rovers midfield over the summer, though he only managed a single friendly game for the Leinster Senior League team, away in Enniskerry, before seeing a few of the tackles put him off. “I’d like to be able to walk, so I haven’t been back,” he quipped at Life Style Sports, while promoting their new Green Ticket competition to attend Euro 2016. Duff also spoke about
Damian Duff, above, in Ireland action and, below, signing for Shamrock Rovers
his options for work, admitting that he’s finding retirement’s “wearing a bit thin,” and mentioning the possibility of punditry for Euro 2016, despite his outspoken dislike of pundits. “I did enjoy it in a weird, sort of perverse sort of way,” Duff said of his recent experience with RTE. “That’s probably just me being out of my comfort zone; you’ve done okay then you come home and you’re ... oomph, a bit relieved, happy it went well.” The former star of the Irish midfield has also
been competing in fivea-side tournaments over recent months, including a trip to a competition in Russia, where he played in a team with other big-name former internationals including Gaizka Mendieta and Gianluca Zambrotta. “Being hard-working and honest, I’d like to feel as if I’ve earned a holiday or a trip. “I don’t want to turn into Kim Kardashian,” Duff said of the trip, whilst admitting that he’s not really sure what the future might hold. As for the Euros, Duff
hopes that Ireland will take their inspiration from the grit and togetherness of Leicester City, highlighting the fight against Bosnia in the play offs. “ We s t e a m - r o l l e d them with hunger, desire and hard work and it goes a long way as you can see with Leicester City,” he said. “You have to be positive.” Life Style Spor ts’ Green Ticket competition for Euro 2016 tickets can be found at w w w.lifestylespor ts. com/greenticket.
South Dublin Swans represent Ireland on Euro stage sport@dublingazette.com
The South Dublin Swans Aussie Rules team
TERENURE-based South Dublin Swans’ Australian Rules Football team will take on the club champions of Europe next Saturday March 19 in Amsterdam in the AFL Europe Champions League. This event is for the winners of Aussie Rules leagues across Europe and both men’s and women’s competitions are being played. In the men’s competition, the Swans will have 12 rivals for the title of best club team in Europe. The opposition include 2015
champions the West London Wildcats. The Swans are sending a strong team for their first venture into European competition. Amongst the squad are experienced recent Irish Warriors Kevin Brennan, Bobby Byrne, Paul O’Halloran, Peter Ross and Darren Sheils. They will also have talented last season rookies in Brian O’Kane, Rob Monks and Liam Burns on the plane and the experienced Craig Wood and Darren Snell. The rest of the squad will include some of the greatest club
men in the history of the club including Ed Warren, Patrick Cummins, Noel Tate, Shane Thomas, Omar Mamad and Sean Guerin. The Swans have a long and successful time in the Australian Rules Football League of Ireland (ARFLI) having won three of the last five Premierships and also being the winner of the most Premierships in ARFLI history. However, it is going to be a tough task to be crowned Champions League champions but they are expected to put all their energy into bringing the title home.
17 March 2016 BLANCH Gazette 29
Gazette
Galligan heads Irish challenge at worlds Former Clondalkin community games athlete is the sole Irish runner to compete at this week’s world indoor athletics championships despite having major funding limitations ROSE-Anne Galligan, who originally made her beginnings in athletics with Clondalkin’s Community Games team, will compete in the 1,500m as Ireland’s sole representative at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Oregon, from March 17-20. Galligan, the national outdoor 800m record holder, set a personal best of 4.11.07 for the 1,500m at the Athlone International and will be looking to put in a competitive performance. Letterkenny’s Mark English was also originally named to compete but the 800m runner has had to withdraw due to an ankle injury. This comes as a major setback to the UCD medical student, who had run a season’s best of 1:46.99, which he set at the Glasgow Inter-
national, and would have had hopes of adding to his medal collection – a European outdoor bronze medal in 2014 and a silver medal at the European Indoors last year. Speaking about Galligan’s entry into the indoors, Athletics Ireland high performance director Kevin Ankrom, said: “Rose-Anne has wintered well and it will be good for her 800m development.” She qualified for the competition in spite of a difficult 2015 in which her funding was cut just a year after breaking Sonia O’Sullivan’s long-standing record for 800m. To help fund her Olympic dream this year, she has been working as a supply teacher in England in order to bolster her income and earn enough to take in altitude training trips to South Africa.
She is hopeful of earning enough to go again in April to kick-start her outdoor season but, again, getting the cash together is the crucial issue. “It is an added strain,” she said recently. “Fair enough, the way the funding works in Ireland is that you have to run a time and then you get your funding. “It’s a bit frustrating because I know that I am capable of running these times, and I need to go to these camps to help my training to get there. If you’re not on funding though, you have to fund it yourself. “I was on funding after I ran my national record and they kept me on in 2014 but then when I had a year when I didn’t perform last year…I put in my application but it was declined.
Rose-Anne Galligan is Ireland’s sole representative in Portland this week
“It’s just another burden you have. Luckily, I get my kit and my running shoes from New Balance so that is one thing I don’t have to worry about. “I’d do anything to get to the Olympics but it would be lovely to be able to put everything into the training and have
This forms part of her training preparations with the goal of getting a qualifying standard over 10,000m at the European Championships in Amsterdam in July and also potentially in Rio. Ireland will also be represented by Lizzie Lee and Paul Pollock at the World
--------------------------------------------------------
‘It’s just another burden you have but I would do anything to get to the Olympics’ Rose-Anne Galligan
--------------------------------------------------------
the funding. I work for an agency but I’m not going to sacrifice my training sessions. If I’m doing a session on a Tuesday and Thursday, I’m not going to work those days. If I know I’m working on a Monday, I’ll get up early and go run before going on to school.” Elsewhere, the county will also be represented by Fionnuala McCormack in the New York Half Marathon, as well as three more Dublin club runners, Segiu Ciobanu (Clonliffe Harriers), Sean Hehir (Rathfarnham) and Thomas Frazer (Crusaders), in the World Half Marathon in Cardiff. McCormack will run in the New York Half Marathon on March 20 before running over 10,000m on the track in Stanford on April 2.
Half Marathon in Cardiff on March 26. Lee will be the sole Irish woman in Cardiff due to the racing calendar and plans of the other leading Irish women. Paul Pollock will lead a full men’s team of five and will be looking to replicate his performance at the last edition of the Championships in Copenhagen in 2014 where he ran a swift 62:10 for 30th – still his personal best for the event. Pollock will also use the event as a sharpener for the London Marathon on April 17, where he hopes to seal a place on the Olympic marathon team. Dublin-based Ciobanu, Hehir and Frazer, as well as Northern Ireland’s Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s) will flank Pollock in Wales as they bid to put in a good performance.
FastSport
Corporate 5km dates announced for summer ATHLETICS Ireland and Grant Thornton have announced this week the dates for the Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge series for 2016. The locations and dates are the National Sports Campus in Fingal on Thursday, June 9 and The Mall, Cork City on Wednesday, June 29, with the flagship event taking place in the Dublin Docklands on Tuesday, September 13. The Corporate Challenge is organised by the national governing body Athletics Ireland whose mission is to support and develop the athletes of Ireland of all ages, disciplines and abilities. Aimed at encouraging social running amongst the business community in Dublin and Cork, the event welcomes both seasoned runners as well as beginners. Each run will be a team event and a minimum of four participants will enter with team members’ times combined to determine the winner. Event ambassador, Olympian and former London Marathon winner Catherina McKiernan said of the event: “The growth of the event is testament to the feel-good factor that running brings. “It is a fantastic sight to see so many runners taking part each year from the regular runner to the complete beginner; this event is a great way to encourage people to take the first step towards getting fit enough to run a 5k. “The team element adds a sense of fun and camaraderie amongst work colleagues in a really well organised event. I’m looking forward to being a part of it again this year.” Now in its fifth year this event goes from strength to strength with more people participating. The Docklands run last September was a sellout with over 5,000 runners from 139 different companies. John Foley, Chief Executive of Athletics Ireland, added: “As an association one of our core strategic objectives is to promote health and fitness in the population as a whole. “This event enables us to reach beyond our core membership into the business community by encouraging them to focus on a fitness programme which targets a 5k run; a good starter point for novice runners.”
Gazette
30 BLANCH gazette 17 March 2016
SPORT
FastSport
soccer: celtic secure big win over premier league leaders
Erin Go Bragh win derby date with Tyrrelstown ERIN Go Bragh’s junior footballers claimed a 1-15 to 1-9 victory over Tyrrelstown last Sunday in Hazelbury Park in round two of the league. The hosts caught Tyrrelstown completely by surprise, running into a 0-12 to 0-0 score in the first 20 minutes. Tyrrelstown eventually got on the scoreboard when an effort on goal was deflected over the bar by Alan Conefrey. A further two points from frees and another from play suggested that Tyrrelstown were getting into the game in the closing stages of the first half. But half time arrived just in time in the eyes of Erin Go Bragh, holding a 0-13 to 0-4 lead. Tyrrelstown have built up a reputation as comeback kings in recent weeks having overturned a 10 point deficit against Pavee in their opening league game and carrying out a similar feat only last week against St Peregrine’s in the cup. Erin Go Bragh were also to experience a determined Tyrrelstown comeback in the second half. With 1-3 scored without reply, it was the visitors who were in control of the opening 20 minutes. A David Grogan goal could not have come at a better time for the hosts and two more points reinstated Erin Go Bragh’s lead. With time running out, Tyrrelstown piled on the pressure searching for goals. A effort on goal from a free was saved by John McLeod and the backs with the rebound firing off the cross bar. Another goal effort was deflected out by Karl Scanlon for a 45. Tyrrelstown were limited to two points from a free in the closing stages. A point each from a Mick Moroney free and from play from Martin O’Callaghan ensured the hosts picked up their second league win. Elsewhere, ERIN Go Bragh’s Under-10 girls kicked off their 2016 football season with the visit of Westmanstown Gaels to Hazelbury Park. Despite it being their first competitive match of the season, and also the first competitive match for new players Anna Darlene and Ava Rose Lowry, the side showed great skill and strength, both on and off the ball. The side competed extremely well against a strong Westmanstown team.
Castleknock’s Vlad Skrypka shepherds a ball out of play
Mputu fires Castle winner ddsl under-16 prem Castleknock Celtic Athlone Town sport@dublingazette.com
2 1
CASTLEKNOCK Celtic extended their winning run in the Dublin District Schoolboys League Under-16s Premier to seven in a row on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 home win over Athlone Town FC. Celtic thought they had taken the lead early on when Jemery Mputu rifled a fabulous shot home from an acute angle only to be
adjudged offside. Such was the quality of the strike that the referee afterwards noted that he himself was disappointed to disallow it as it was one of the finest goals he’d seen all season. The Midlands club had started the day as league leaders and it was they who got their noses in front when Neil Macken found the net with an effort on 20 minutes. That early blow inspired the hosts to push on for Jabari Crichlow to make it 1-1 heading into the break.
judo champion Dainovski crowned Irish over 75kg victor vladimir Dainovski from Blanchardstown
has been crowned Irish Open judo champion (cadet class over 75kg). He won gold at DCU last week while he also won silver in the Under-90kg junior class. Dainovski attends St Vincent’s Castleknock College where he is a javelin champion. He has competing in judo for over three years in clubs at Coolmine and Swords and wants to be a European champion and some day to represent Ireland in the Olympics.
Celtic continued to dominate after the break and combined work from Crichlow, Adam Russell, David Curran, Sean Hogan, Morgan Kynes (just back from injury) and Dino Marcu paid off with 20 minutes to go when Jeremy Mputu turned on the edge of the box and fired into the bottom corner. Celtic didn’t stop there and tried in vain to put the result beyond doubt, as Crichlow hit the bar and missed from close range. Marcu also came close
when in on goal but was denied by the Athlone keeper. Celtic’s defence had to endure an onslaught late on and were at their best to deny the John Rattigan and Macdara Geraghty - who had excelled throughout. In the last five minutes Athlone pushed hard for the equalizer, but Celtic were well up to the task, dealing especially well with long-ball threats. Matthew Leonard, B e n Tr ay n o r, V l a d Skrypka, Jack D’Arcy and goalkeeper Stephen
Mason were in commanding form to kep the Athlone attack in check and secure the victory for the Dublin side. This Celtic team has improved immensely in the last few months, their work rate and passing is top class and this was a result which sends out the signal to other teams that Celtic are a force to be reckoned with and they are looking forward with relish to their upcoming Cup semi-final to be played in the next couple of weeks.
17 March 2016 BLANCH gazette 31
Gazette
camogie queens
Knock run up magic eight in Under-15 league
Club Noticeboard st brigid’s
castleknock’s Under-15 camogie side
won their second consecutive league match, beating Na Fianna 8-14 to 2-1 last weekend. Indeed, they produced a superb second half performance as Na Fianna did not score in the second half, such was the strength of the performance from the Somerton side. It follows their 3-5 to 0-5 win over Thomas Davis a week earlier.
ST BRIGID’S are participating in this
with the juvenile Easter camp, there
year’s Blanchardstown St Patrick’s
will also be an advanced Easter camp
Day parade. We hope to have as many
for all players on March 22 and 23 from
St Brigid’s members, parents and
11am-1.30pm. See the St Brigid’s web-
friends in club colours taking part on
site for further details and registra-
the day. For more info, see the club
tion.
website.
football: home afl1 debut ends in massive win
The nursery runs every Saturday in
The deadline for club registrations
Russell Park from 9.30am to 11am. We
is March 31. All memberships must be
welcome all four- to seven-year-olds
registered and finalised by this date.
in the Castleknock and Blanchard-
Full details and online payment are
stown area and new members and
available on the club website.
families are always welcome. For fur-
The Kube, in association with Blanchardstown Credit Union, will take
ther information and queries, contact David on 085 8340169.
place in St Brigid’s on Saturday, April 2.
The lotto jackpot carries over at
Tickets are €20 and are available now
€15,000 for this week’s lotto draw in
all contestants. Further information
Russell Park on St Patrick’s Day. The
on the club website.
reserve jackpot rises to €13,600. Make
The St Brigid’s GAA Easter Camp will
sure to have your tickets in the draw
take place from Monday, March 21 to
or you can purchase online via our
Thursday, March 24. In conjunction
website: www.stbrigidsgaa.com.
castleknock OUR 2016 Feile fundraising table
care, take place on Saturday starting
quiz takes place this Friday, March
at 10am. We look forward to welcoming
18 upstairs in The Carpenter pub at
all our young nursery boys and girls
8pm.
for some sport agus spraoi, fun and
Great prizes on offer and a great
New nursery members always very
Day craic going. Team of four only €40.
welcome, just turn up and introduce
The club are also collecting any cop-
yourself to one of the many friendly
pers that you may have lying around. So gather them up and contribute to
Castleknock clip the Ravens wings
Castleknock’s senior footballers made it two wins from two since promotion. Picture: Niall O’Connell
afl division one
Castleknock 1-18 Fingal Ravens 0-6 james hendicott sport@dublingazette.com
CASTLEKNOCK show no signs of letting up on their charge to the upper echelons of Dublin football, with the blue and yellows doing a demolition job on Fingal Ravens on the occasion of their first AFL1 game played at Somerton. The home side started strongly with a smart close-range move six minutes in seeing a flood of Castleknock forwards edge the ball around
Ravens ’keeper Cian Daly with a series of hand passes, leaving Matthew Griffin to fist the ball into an empty net. The goal was to be the only one of the game, and prompted a brief Ravens comeback as the north Dublin side hit two points in quick reply, before Castleknock went on the rampage, knocking over ten points without response to lead 1-10 to 0-2 at half time. The key was in midfield: while Ravens struggling to link their middle with forwards who found themselves negated by a sharp blanket defence
from Castleknock, Graham Hannigan and Shane Boland, in particular, were quick and efficient for Castleknock. The pair delivered ample space-finding ball into the forwards, with Padraig McGarvey and Tom Corcoran making the most of the chances. The only blot on the second half blitz for the home side was a black card for Mikey Galvin, whose grab of a Ravens ankle in midfield was a little too obvious to ignore. Sweeping changes for Ravens at half time saw the away side slightly more competitive, partic-
ularly in the early stages, but the game quickly faded into comfort for Castleknock and frustration for Ravens. Ravens were unable to build on early second half points, and only the fiercely competitive Derek Daly and full back Darren Coady came away with much credit for the Fingal club as Castleknock casually wracked up their points. By the final five minutes, Castleknock had the luxury of playing a possession game around midfield, eventually coming out impressive 1-18 to 0-6 winners.
encouragement.
opportunity to keep the St Patrick’s
Coppers for Castleknock.
mentors. The Castleknock GAA Easter Camp takes place from March 21-25. Appli-
Great win by our adult Division 1
cation forms are available on www.
footballers over Fingal Ravens and by
castleknock.net so download now and
our minor hurlers over Round Tower.
don’t miss out.
Well done to Claire Murray and Karla
Now that Spring is in the air, it’s time
Whelan who played for the Dublin
to clear out old clothes etc and drop
minor A camogie team against Offaly
them down to the green container in
and to Rob Shaw who played for the
Somerton for the clubs Cash for Clob-
Dublin minor footballers against
ber initiative.
Meath. Our nursery, thanks to Tiger Child-
It’s a great way to clear the clutter and get some cash for the club.
Naomh Peregrine HUGE Congratulations to Conor Hynes
St Patrick’s Day: sponsored walk
and the Dublin minor footballers on
commencing at 11am sharp, meeting
their win over Meath in Saturday’s
at the club at 10.30am. A cake sale will
semi-final in Parnell Park.
follow the walk. The club tuck shop will
Conor scored 1-2 against the Royals
be open with breakfast rolls on sale.
with his goal coming in the first four
All proceeds in aid of our Feile teams.
minutes of the game; a fantastic result
Live music, Irish dancing and fun fam-
for the Boys in Blue, 1-13 to Meath’s 1-7.
ily activities will take place throughout
They will face Laois in next week’s final.
the day.
Best of luck Conor and the lads from all at St Peregrine’s.
Easter camps are enrolling now, places are limited. Camp 1: March 21
Thank you to all players, mentors
to 24 (four days) – ages four to seven
and supporters who represented St
(nursery and academy); Camp 2:
Peregrine’s GAA club.
March 29 to April 1 (four days) – ages
New players are always welcome
eight to 12 (U-8s to U-12s). Camps are
by all teams please check club web-
open to club and non-club members;
site www.cnp.ie for training times and
€20 per child. For more information,
mentors contact details if interested.
contact Gordan Ward on 087 996 3886.
GazetteSPORT all of your blanch sports coverage from page 28-31
march 17-23, 2016
after football: flying start: Castleknock making early inroads in Life Damian Duff searching for AFL1 with powerful victory over Fingal Ravens P31 new role since retiring P29
Corduff’s young stars are looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ismael Diallo and Jean Yves Poame; they are pictured with club PRO JohN McGuinness
Duff stars stepping up Dublin 15 quartet line out for Cabinteely’s League of Ireland Under-19 side as graduates of the club continue to make waves at elevated levels
aaron gallagher
sport@dublingazette.com
CORDUFF FC have boasted many young prospects in recent years with this week, especially, showing a number of their footballers turning out in the newly established Under-19 League of Ireland. The last couple of years have witnessed Yassine En Neyah (Nottingham Forest), Ismael Diallo (Nottingham Forrest) and Jean Yves Poame (Sunderland) make the move to England having all previously played at the Blanchardstown club. Four Corduff players played a part in Cabinteely Under-19s 2-2 draw at home to Waterford United. Club chairman Steven Morley complement-
ed the work of his players as well as the coaches that has overseen their development as they make the step up from club football to League of Ireland. “Most of our lads would have went through the North Dublin Academy and, in addition, would have been selected for the Elite Academy in the North Dublin league so they would have been playing in the likes of Milk Cup tournaments, Kennedy Cup tournaments, tournaments in Portugal. “They have been playing at an elite level so it’s great that they have been picked for League of Ireland clubs so that they can continue on at that high level. They’re playing at a level that they have been training at for the last seven years.” He hopes that the combined work and com-
mitment of players, parents and management can see his players beyond and into senior teams as League of Ireland players in the near future. “A lot of our players would have the potential to make it through to the Cabinteely first team. Cabinteely are a new team and a lot of the players that played for their Under-19s last year would have been fast-tracked into the senior team for cover and experience. So there’s every chance some of our lads could be playing League of Ireland senior in a short space of time.” Corduff boast further League of Ireland players at a younger age, with all of Steven Morley, En Neyah, Paul McCarthy, Eoin Doyle, Conor Cummins and Tommy Martin to name but a few of their players playing in the Under-17 League of Ireland.
“We’ve always put our kids first so there’s a lot of commitment from players and parents and peers. Once you have their interest, you keep the kids playing football past 16 and if they are good, then the likes of the League of Ireland Under-17 and Under-19 leagues can pick up on that and give them a chance.” In all, his Corduff team boast eleven League of Ireland players, something which the club chairman says is owed to the dedication of both the players and the club to youth development at underage level. “It’s fantastic. It’s a lot of hard work from volunteers in the area and a lot of commitment from people and that’s our ethos at Corduff - there’s no one bigger than the club. We’re a dedicated group of volunteers doing it for the kids.”