Blanch

Gazette BLANCH

HODOR! Irish DJ – and much-loved Game of Thrones actor – Kristian Nairn speaks to The Gazette Page 14

Medal magnet Kennedy wins triple crown with Carl Browne

June 2-8, 2016

see page 32

Find us on

The future is local - the future is free

iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE s ’ 2 U WIN NEW Live In Paris DVD SEE

PAGE 2 1 T O ENT

ER

food

Try our top tips for the best barbie cooking Page 20

Keep reading, keep recycling – thank you

Domestic violence up 20 per cent in one year Crime statistics for Blanch also show big drop in burglaries

 IAN BEGLEY

DOMESTIC violence, drug possession and people driving under the influence are on the rise, while burglaries and public order incidents have shown a significant drop compared with last year.

At May’s Joint Policing Committee, it was revealed that between the months of January – April 2016, domestic violence has increased 20% from 70 reported incidents in 2015 to 84.

Possession of drugs for personal use increased

slightly from 56 reported incidents to 60, while people arrested for the possession of drugs with the intent to supply has risen from 15 to 36.

Meanwhile, burglaries have dropped significantly in the four-month period from 188 in 2015 to 152 this

year – a 19% decline.

Commenting on the statistics provided for domestic violence incidents, Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) said that domestic violence “remains a deeply hidden issue within Irish society”.

Full Story on Page 6

2 BLANCH Gazette 2 June 2016

CRIME | CHAMBERS SAYS DWINDLING POLICE NUMBERS IS ‘UNEXCEPTABLE’

Deputy demands more gardai for Dublin West  emma nolan DUBLIN West TD Jack Chambers says it is “entirely unacceptable” that the numbers of gardaí stationed in the area has fallen every year since 2009, despite levels of crime rising dramatically in the same period.

Figures obtained by Deputy Chambers (FF) from the Department of Justice reveal there are 103 fewer officers across all grades in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West today than there was in 2009.

There are now 696 gardaí based in Dublin West. The number is down two from the end of 2015 and a fall of 13 officers when compared with 2014.

Deputy Chambers stated: “The latest from the Central Statistics Office show that Dublin West had the highest number of burglari es and related crimes in the country last year with almost 2,400 reported cases.

“Indeed there were more burglaries in Dublin West than in counties Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, Longford and Clare combined.

“It is deeply concerning and entirely unacceptable, though not surprising, that this spike comes when the number of gardaí based in Dublin West is at its lowest in a decade. There are now 103 fewer officers in the area than in 2009.

“A greater garda pres-

ence on the ground will mean a greater deterrent for criminals.

Deputy Chambers added: “But equally important is the benefits to the whole community when there is a visible garda presence.”

“No one needs reminding that we are witnessing the most violent gang feud ever seen in this country and people need to be able to feel safe in their home. The only solution is more gardaí.”

Deputy Chambers welcomed the news that 35 newly attested gardaí have been assigned to the DMR West Garda Division but said more trainees should be recruited to bring the overall number of the force up to 15,000.

Crime stats - See Pg6

duo give it their best (mug) shot LOCAL go-getters Nicole Frazer and Eileen Pop made it through to the final of the Foroige Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards with their ingenious initiative that encourages people to start their day in a positive way. The Blanchardstown entrepreneurs were chosen as finalists from 1,000 young entrepreneurs who set up start-up businesses as part of the Foroige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship programme this year. Nicole and Eileen’s start-up enterprise is called Good Morning Mugs which produces personalised mugs with inspirational quotes to make sure people start their day off in a positive way. The mugs come wrapped with treats such as chocolates and marshmallows inside. Their business slogan is “The Masters of Good Mornings” which coincides with their mission to ensure that everyone starts their day off on the right note. Congratulating all the finalists Sean Campbell, Chief Executive, Foroige said, “The young entrepreneurs chosen to compete in the final are creative, assertive, idea generators that have their fingers on the pulse and make things happen. “

2 June 2016 BLANCH Gazette 3

“Things won’t be the same now...Dublin Zoo has lost its mascot.RIP Harry and thanks for all the childhood memories” “No matter how bad a day it was, I always found watching him sitting in his spot tobe a very calming influence” “My kids are devastated -we all really loved Harry.

My youngest girl would always go straight to his enclosure. I haven’t even told her yet”

Harry the western lowland gorilla has sadly passed away after a short illness

dublin | Harry the popular silverback dies suddenly

Zoo’s ‘gentle and calm’ gorilla dies

 karl graham

DUBLIN zoo was in mourning at the weekend when news broke that Harry the western lowland gorilla had sadly passed away after a short illness on Sunday morning.

29-year-old Harry, also known as the ‘silverback’, was the leader of Dublin Zoo’s gorilla troop, fathering six offspring during his time at the zoo.

Dublin Zoo broke the

news in a statement on their Facebook page on Monday leading to a flood of tributes from across the country.

One user wrote: “Awh No that’s awful news....I remember seeing Harry since I was a child.. and then bringing my own two to see him..he was a Beautiful Proud Leader ...condolences to you all.... things won’t be the same now...Dublin Zoo has lost its mascot.RIP Harry and thanks for all the child-

hood memories xxx.”

While another wrote: Very very sad to hear that. He was the one creature I really loved watching in Dublin Zoo. No matter how bad a day it was, I always found watching him sitting in his spot to be a very calming influence.

Dublin Zoo’s statement described Harry as “a very gentle and calm gorilla and he will be greatly missed by everyone at Dublin Zoo.”

4 BLANCH Gazette 2 June 2016

Gazettegallery

| recognising Africa’s diversity and links with

Hrm Saheed Ibrahim and Richard Oyewde, Founder of the African Irish Sports Association. Picture: Pearl Phelan

Tina Akinola. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Marianna Dantas and Gislamara Maia. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Zola Xaji, Amma Jakiel, Michelle Atobra and Josy Brown. Picture: Pearl Phelan

Naima and Naomi Nkosi. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

2 June 2016 BLANCH Gazette 5

Ireland at africa day celebrations at farmleigh in the phoenix park

A cascade of colour and sound P

resident Michael D Higgins was joined by Minister of State for the Diaspora Joe McHugh as he visited Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park last weekend to mark Africa Day, a celebration of the culture, diversity and links with Ireland of the continent’s 54 countries.

Around 30,000 people came to enjoy some of the dozens of stands, stalls and entertainment areas. This is the ninth year of this celebration.

Bonan Niaho and Maryam Niaho. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

The President and Joe McHugh visit the tent of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

6 BLANCH Gazette 2 June 2016

Public order incidents drop but domestic violence is up  ian begley

Domestic violence, drug possession and people driving under the influence are on the rise in Blanch, while burglaries and public order incidents have shown a significant drop compared to last year.

At May’s Joint Policing Committee, it was revealed that between the months of January and April 2016, domestic violence had increased 20% from 70 reported incidents in 2015 to 84.

Possession of drugs for personal use increased slightly from 56 reported incidents to 60, while people arrested for the possession of drugs with the intent to supply has risen from 15 to 36.

There were 39 motorists detected driving under the influence between January and April, compared to 22 during the same period in 2015.

Other reports of crime on the rise include: Theft from shops (189 to 223), searches (563 to 812) and vehicle seizures (192 to 334).

Burglaries have dropped significantly in the four-month period from 188 in 2015 to 152 this year – a 19% decline. Public order incidents have also dropped 35% from 51 to 33,

while criminal damaged has gone from 217 reported incidents to 173.

Muggings have fallen from 22 to 18, robberies from establishments from 21 to 7 and thefts from multi-purpose vehicles down from 136 to 109.

Car theft has also shown a significant from of 34% when 65 were reported stolen between January – April this year compared to the same period in 2015 when the number stood at 99.

The frequency of stops and searches for youths carrying knives is also down from 14 to 7.

Blanchardstown Gardai have stated the number of patrols in operation at the moment include: Operation Thor – patrols / checkpoints; Operation Endeavour – tackling crimes against individuals; Operation Creeper – tackling incidents of Burglary; High Visibility Policing – beats / patrols; Operation Irene – tackling public order issues. The policing committee also revealed that there is one sergeant and 10 gardai attached to the Community Policing unit and six mountain bikes in regular use.

There are 55 Active Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in the district and there is ongo-

ing work being done to re-activate dormant schemes in the area. Text Alert schemes are also in operation in the Park Avenue/Deerpark/Brompton/Carpenterstown Areas comprising of 622 participants.

Commenting on the statistics provided for domestic violence incidents revealed for the first time, Cllr Roderic O’Gorman (GP) said: “I am pleased that the Gardai have agreed to my request to provide domestic violence statistics as part of the range of statistics that are presented to councillors and community representatives.

“I was concerned we were failing to shine a light on the incidents of domestic violence that occur within Fingal.

“In a major piece of research undertaken by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in 2014, it was shown that 79% of women in Ireland who experienced domestic violence did not get in touch with the Gardai, following the most serious incidence of violence. This demonstrates that domestic violence remains a deeply hidden issue within Irish society.”

“In light of this, I believe that it is absolutely crucial that where people go and report such assaults to the Gardai, these figures should not be ignored.”

Kealy well done!

OVER 300 runners, walkers and joggers turned out last Sunday for the Coca-Cola HBC Campus 5k, raising much needed funds for Foroige and the young people of Dublin 15. Methab Muhammed, member of the Foroige Corduff Community Youth project, took first place with an impressive time of 18:02 minutes, while Annette Kealy, above, finished in first place for the female race at 19:34.. A total of €600 in cash prizes was awarded to the top runners. All results can be found on MyRunResults.com.

2 June 2016 BLANCH Gazette 7

8 BLANCH Gazette 2 June 2016

croker | cleanup begins after bruce springsteen leaves dublin Workers busy getting the stadium ready for the weekend

The Boss is away THEY were the gigs that stopped the city in its tracks and had the whole world watching in envy at the weekend – but now Croker is getting a Springsteen spring-clean.

Some 160,000 revellers crammed into GAA headquarters on Friday and Sunday night as Bruce and his E Street Band continued their long-standing love affair with Ireland.

And now the job of clearing away the Boss’ bits and bobs

 Karl Graham and sticking back up the goal posts is underway as staff get the old stadium ready for this Saturday’s hurling finals.

While this weekend’s triple header will no doubt bring back the crowds, the buzz surrounding the Boss’ return to these shores was so big that it seemed everybody and their granny was at Croke Park.

Among them were U2’s Bono who joined his pal onstage for a duet of ‘Because the Night’ to top off a weekend that

will live long in the memory of those fans lucky enough to bag tickets.

One young girl was the envy of the Friday crowd when Springsteen invited her up on stage to perform ‘Waitin’ on a Sunny Day’ before cheekily asking for a hug and selfie.

Even Taoiseach Enda Kenny got in the act, appearing to perform an air guitar move that would rival any Irish dad dance in cringe factor.

2 June 2016 BLANCH Gazette 9

10 blanch Gazette 2 June 2016

2 June 2016 blanch Gazette 11

Gazette

12 Gazette 2 June 2016

business

Twenty-six social entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the annual Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Programme

Social entrepreneurs in the running for a €600,000 fund Twenty-six, Dublinbased social entrepreneurs are in the running for a €600,000 prize fund, having been shortlisted for the annual Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards Programme.

The prestigious socialfunding competition, now

in its 12th year, has supported 190 social entrepreneurs to date and invested €6.2m in direct funding to projects in areas including community and active citizenship, education and learning, environment and sustainability and mental

and physical health.

This year the competition will be providing €420,000 in direct funding to nine social entrepreneurs.

Applicants In addition, direct support valued at €180,000

will be made available to successful applicants ensuring that they are equipped to bring their vision to fruition as soon as possible and have a positive impact on their respective communities and beyond.

CEO of Social Entre-

TO BOOK CALL

1890 269 969 BISTRO DEAL Wed/Thurs

€19.50pp

Sat

€25pp

Z Admission & Racecard (normally €10) Z Main Course Option from the restaurant menu Z 5HVHUYHG VHDWLQJ RQ ÀUVW ÁRRU UHVWDXUDQW DUHD

TERM’S & CONDITION’S APPLY ON ALL PACKAGES & DEALS

WED/THURS NIGHTS Doors open 6.30pm | 1st race 7.40pm

preneurs Ireland, Darren Ryan, said that the supports from SEI, along with the backing of main partner Dublin County Council, will help the successful entrants to “build sustainable organisations”.

He said: “In Ireland

today we aren’t solving our social problems quickly enough and this process is all about empowering people to bring about change right across Ireland.

“The challenges we face are vast and complex, and so we need to

support people to develop innovative approaches to solve them. “ We h av e b e e n inspired by the calibre of applicants for this year’s awards and the incredible impact that social entrepreneurs are having all over the island.”

JUNE SUPERSAVER DEAL OF THE MONTH

INCS: Admission & Race Card, Classic ¼ Pounder Burger, Chips, Bottle of House Beer OR Glass of House Wine OR Soft Drink

10

ONLY

€

.95 PER PERSON

SATURDAY NIGHTS Doors open 6.00pm | 1st race 7.55pm

Let Dublin Gazette Newspapers take you on a tour of the news and events taking place across the city and county this week

Superstars set to bow out with a final tango

Strictly Come Dancing superstars Vincent S i m o n e a n d F l av i a Cacace (above) will grace the stage at Bord Gais Energy Theatre with their most moving production yet, as they prepare to dance in their final ever theatre tour.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favourites, World Dance titleholders, create and star in their own West End productions - but now it is time for the Argentine Tango Champions to say goodbye to the stage in a thrilling, new, live performance.

T h e t wo l e g e n d s will perform a series of outstanding dances brought together in an incredible show.

Choreographed by themselves and awardwinning director Karen Bruce, The Last Tango is the life story of two

people who find love through a chance meeting. The show opens with an old man climbing into his loft and finding a treasure trove of bits and pieces evoking strong and stirring memories of a past life with his wife, fondly, and humorously, remembering those days of love.

The scene is pre-war England of the 1930s; a beach picnic taken with friends, and a simple game of cricket. The first dance sequence takes us into the old man’s world.

As we move from the initial romance to the marriage proposal, wedding and honeymoon, onwards to the young man’s conscription and his demob, to the first home and the start of a family, the audience is whirled through an array of complex dance sequences, embracing Vincent and Flavia’s

Ballroom and Latin talents.

Foxtrots, Quicksteps, an American Smooth and a Viennese Waltz follow, together with a Cha Cha and Rumba mix and an incredibly passionate Paso Doble by Flavia. And, of course, the Argentine Tango, the steamy and sultry dance that is synonymous with their shows.

The Last Tango showcases Vincent and Flavia’s immense all round dance skills that have taken them right to the top.

Don’t miss your last chance to see this passionate and explosive experience - it’s time for The Last Tango.

The Last Tango runs from June 7 to 11 with tickets priced from €17.50.

To book visit www. bordgaisenergytheatre. ie.

promote your CLUB

tell us about your C LUB ’ s e v e n t s



Gazette

dublinlife

2 June 2016 Gazette 13

c o n tac t t h e G a z e t t e call 60 10 240

Gazette

14 Gazette 2 June 2016

dublinlife

FEATURE

Heroic Hodor – Kristian on life after Westeros  ian begley

Hodor’s early scenes (above) saw him as little more than a people carrier – literally. In time, the character became more nuanced, and much loved.

Irish Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has admitted that he shed some tears after discovering the fate of his character, Hodor, but said the show has “opened so many doors” for him.

Episode 5 of Game of Thrones, Season 6, gave viewers a glimpse at Hodor’s fascinating back story.

Spoiler alert – the episode explained what the word Hodor really means (derived from “hold the door”, and a key incident in his life as a lad, when he was still called by his real name – Wyllis), but unfortunately it concluded with the tragic death of the much-loved gentle giant.

Although confessing to having “a little sob” upon his character’s untimely death, Kristian told The Gazette that he owes the show so much.

He said: “Game of Thrones has opened so many doors for me. It’s definitely changed my life, and I’m definitely in a better place because of it.

“I’ve just finished a movie for the Sci-Fi channel and will be filming another movie in New York at the end of the year. I’ve also got loads of offers for commercials, adverts and voiceover work.”

Asked what it was like having to carry around a key

While known to millions around the world as the loyal and gentle giant Hodor in Game of Thrones, actor Kristian Nairn has also made a name as a DJ

character – the young Brandon Stark – for the majority of the series, Kristian admitted that disabled Bran got a lot heavier as the show progressed.

“During season one, Isaac [Hempstead, the actor who plays Bran] was only nine years old, and light as a feather – now he’s 17, and fully grown.

“I secretly hoped that he would stay the same size forever, but unfortunately I had no control over how big he got!

“I really liked this season, because I got to learn a lot more about my character’s back s t o r y a n d h ow much

of a good guy Hodor really was.”

Kristian added that he sometimes cringes watching himself on TV, saying: “It’s a weird process seeing yourself as the character and not as yourself, but since the show [Episode 5] was filmed all the way back in November, I felt somewhat disconnected from him.

“I first got offered the part of Hodor by the show’s casting

agent who remembered me from another audition which I didn’t get, and the rest was history,” he said.

Unknown to some, Kristian started off as a drag queen and DJ in Belfast’s Kremlin nightclub, and is a very good friend of Rory O’Neill (Miss Panti Bliss).

He said: “I’ve been DJing in Belfast for about 17 years, but haven’t done drag in a very long time.

“Rory is a great mate of mine and was instrumental when I first started working in Dublin all those years ago. I love drag, obviously, but it was a different time of my life which gave me many happy memories.”

Kristin is coming to The Tivoli Theatre soon to DJ at the much anticipated “Rave of Thrones” on July 16.

He will be utilising his years of DJing experience to keep everyone dancing until winter comes, with a number of special guests. Tickets are priced from €15 and can be purchased from www.fatsoma.com.

A happy moment for Hodor, AKA Irish actor and DJ Kristian Nairn

2 June 2016 Gazette 15

pluto is a real star – could you be his special someone?

The Gazette Newspaper has teamed up with Dogs Trust to help find homes for unwanted and abandoned dogs. Our Dog of the Week looking for his #SpecialSomeone is Pluto, a stunning three-year-old male pit bull cross.

He is basically a big puppy who is lovable to the people he knows, and they get to see his goofy, fun side. Pluto is, however, frightened of strangers, so he would be best suited to a relatively quiet home with somebody home most of the day, as he can find being on his own very overwhelming.

He loves to play fetch and learn fun new tricks – could you be the one to teach him his next one?

If you can be this handsome hound’s #SpecialSomeone, please contact Dogs Trust on 01-879 1000. They are based in Finglas, just off exit 5 on the M50. Map and directions can be found on their website www.dogstrust.ie. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/ dogstrustirelandonline or Twitter @DogsTrust_IE. Dogs Trust has launched their new TV ad – the #SpecialSomeone campaign aims to overcome the buying trend by bringing to life just how important a new owner is to the dogs they rehome.

Gazette

DIARY

Get Down with Jazz MEETING House Square in Temple Bar is the venue for a two-day music festival, Down With Jazz 2016, welcoming musicians and music lovers of all persuasions, from funk to folk.

The festival starts on Saturday, June 4 at 7:30pm and concludes the following evening.

Down With Jazz 2016 comes about in recognition of this year being 100 years since the birth of Jazz amongst AfricanAmerican communities in the United States, as well as the birth of a new state for Ireland.

Artists due to take part are Stephen McHale’s Weird Glitches, awardwinning singer Edel

Meade, ReDiviDer, Toot Sweet and the Shadow Man, and Zaska, among many others. Tickets cost between €15 to €25 and are available at www. eventbrite.ie.

try an inflatable feel-good fun run EUROPE’S largest inflatable slide is coming to south Dublin next month as Cabinteely Park plays host to a brand-new fun run – the Wild Air Run. The event, which will take place from July 1-3, is billed as Ireland’s first inflatable 5k race, and is open to everyone over the age of seven.

The course is aimed at all levels of fitness – from

fanatics to those who are more used to their armchairs, while also boasting a maze and ball-pit.

There will also be a “Chill Zone” area for participants and spectators to relax and enjoy music, games and refreshments from local vendors.

Tickets are available now at www.wildairrun. com, priced €28.50 for adults and €16.50 for children. Spectators can attend for free.

tivoli to host a hot block party JAKE Shears of Scissor Sisters fame will front this year’s Mother Pride Block Party at The Tivoli Theatre, Francis St on

Heavyweight lifter Suzanne Gray (centre) with keen runners Patrick and Dearbhla at the launch of Wild Air Run

Saturday, June 25. Shears of Scissor Sisters fame will front this year’s Mother Pride Block Party at The Tivoli Theatre, Francis St on Saturday, June 25.

The event will also feature sets from Little Boots, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Wyvern Lingo, Faune, and a debut DJ performance from ‘the queen of

Ireland’, Miss Panti Bliss.

The event takes place outdoors on the grounds of The Tivoli Theatre, which has been completely revamped to include multiple bars, food stalls, Smirnoff cocktails and a new monster main stage.

Tickets cost €20, and are available now from www.eventbrite.ie.

Gazette

16 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

don’s dublin Who needs Egypt with Dublin’s very own pyramid?

SO WHERE would you find a pyramid in Dublin? It was a question that our teacher asked one day, and none of us had an answer.

After some serious head-scratching from the class, he told us, but we had to see it to believe.

That was a while ago, and the memory of my first sighting of the pyramid, atop Killiney Hill, is a fond one.

Killiney Hill is one of two hills – the other being Dalkey Hill – that are within Killiney Hill Park, which was opened to the public on June 30, 1887.

A committee was set up to raise the necessary funds to buy the land, and it paid £4,000 to the owner, Robert Warren, in late June.

The land had always been a popular spot for picnics and walks, and the committee was mindful of Sir Charles Cameron’s (the city health officer) comments that the benefits of “opening up new lungs in the city would be incalculable”.

Colonel John Mapas owned the land in 1740, and built Mapas House soon afterwards. After the particularly harsh winter of 1741-42, he arranged for workers to build an obelisk on top of the hill.

This helped to keep workers busy, and helped them to get some much- needed money. The men also erected the wall that still surrounds the park.

The obelisk stands 173 metres (510 feet) above the sea, from where the viewer can enjoy a fantastic 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, it is possible to look to the east and see the coast of Wales.

Just below the obelisk is the pyramid – a set of steps erected by Robert Warren, where the viewer can sit, relax and take in the sweep of Dublin Bay with the beautiful Sorrento Terrace and Dalkey Island beyond.

There is much to see from here, but the park is also popular with walkers and those interested in local flora and fauna.

Don Cameron

www.donsdublin.wordpress.com

Step up Killiney Hill, and behold the pyramid – a set of stone steps that proves a perfect place from which to take in the sweep of Dublin Bay

report: the gazette learns more about the daily challenges

Stopping their “THERE will always be accidents, but that doesn’t mean there has to be drownings, or deaths.”

This was some of the first-hand insight when The Gazette spoke to deputy second coxswain, David Branigan, and lifeboat operations m a n a g e r, c ox s w a i n and mechanic, Kieran O’Connell, of the RNLI at the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat station.

Regarding seafaring in all its forms, David said: “What we’re not saying is: ‘Don’t do it’ – what we are saying is: ‘Know what you’re doing’.”

As the charity that saves lives at sea, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (the RNLI) are an organisation comprising dedicated volunteers who are committed to ending preventable loss of life at sea.

David said: “There have been lifeboats in Dun Loaghaire since 1803, so Dublin Bay had one of the oldest lifeboat services in the world even before the RNLI was founded.”

He added that, back in those days before modern navigation and communication aids, there was “a terrible loss of life, particularly on the east coast”.

In Ireland, the RNLI has upwards of 2,000 volunteers and 45 lifeboat stations around Ireland, including three in the Dublin area, at Skerries, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

T h e t wo s t a t i o n s in Howth and Dun Laoghaire are matched, which means they both have all-weather lifeboats and in-shore lifeboats for rescues in shallow areas, while the Skerries station has a very fast and large in-shore lifeboat.

 emma nolan enolan@dublingazette.com

On these setups, David said: “The whole idea is that there’s a ‘necklace’ of coverage. We look at each patch [of water] and the type of incidents that are likely to occur in that area, and equip it with a suitable type of boat.

“The stations have the boat in place, they have the facilities and the training, so that when an incident occurs, everyone is ready to respond really quickly.”

He has been volunteering with the RNLI since 1985, and Kieran since 1983.

Corkonian Kieran, from Youghal in Cork, started there with the RNLI before moving to Dun Laoghaire 18 years ago. When asked what brought the self-proclaimed proud Corkonian to Dun Laoghaire, he simply said: “Lifeboats.”

He got involved in the RNLI through fishing, while David, from Dun Laoghaire, got involved through sailing.

Kieran is the only fulltime volunteer based in Dun Laoghaire and is responsible for “pretty much everything”.

There is a full-time person at each station throughout the country who deals with the dayto-day routine maintenance of the stations.

While it is mostly a volunteer-led organisation, the full-time members are on hand at all times.

Training for the RNLI is intense, but both Kiernan

From coming to the rescue of trapped beach walkers to emergency call-outs in severe storms, the RNLI’s volunteers risk all to help save others

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

‘There is a full-time person at each station throughout the country who deals with the day-to-day routine maintenance of the stations.

While it is mostly a volunteerled organisation, the full-time members are on hand at all times.’

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

and David say it is “vocational”, and each boat has a different training programme.

“With the all-weather lifeboat, we train every

Monday evening at half six for usually two to three hours, while with the inshore lifeboat, they train mostly on Sundays with several sessions during

the day, as only three people fit on that at once.”

As preparation is key for the RNLI, the two seasoned rescuers say that more training goes on than actual rescues.

However, there are usually around 50 rescues a year, averaging one a week.

David said: “You train to prepare for the callouts, which can be risky, so we train to prepare.”

He said that volunteers who sign up with the RNLI can “expect to see pretty much everything –

2 June 2016 Gazette 17

Gazette

FEATURE

faced by rnli volunteers, forever poised and ready to drop everything for call-outs

lives to save yours ...

Whether powering through stormy seas or heading out to lend assistance, the RNLI is a staple feature of the east coast’s life, not least when it’s called upon to save lives. Pictures: David Branigan

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

‘We’re trying to get a consistent message out there, to try and raise awareness that when you’re going out on boats, or whether you’re going down to the beach, that basic precautions need to be taken’

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

David Branigan, deputy second coxswain, Dun Laoghaire RNLI

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

David Branigan, deputy second coxswain, and Kieran O’Connell, lifeboat operations manager, coxswain and mechanic, Dun Laoghaire RNLI

good and bad”, and new members should live and work within a two-mile radius of a station.

“You could be at home or at work and when the pagers go off, we hurry down to the station. Our in-shore lifeboat launches typically in five or six minutes from when the pagers go off.”

David says that employers are usually very understanding when he has to leave for a rescue during work hours.

“We’re very grateful to our employers, who

understand the commitment and understand that it’s not going to happen every single day, although there have been the odd times when you might get call-outs a few in a row, but they’d be unusual.”

There are 30 operations volunteers at the Dun Laoghaire station, so there’s “always someone available,” he said.

Funding for the organisation comes 100% from charitable donations, and it is not government supported in any way.

“It is truly a community

organisation and has been since 1824,” said David.

Funds for the charity come from fundraising events and charitable donations, while “a lot of people remember the RNLI in their will”.

Benefactors Many of the boats are named after the benefactors who included the RNLI in their wills.

As for accidents requiring an RNLI call-out, David said: “There isn’t one reason why accidents occur.

“There are so many accidents that occur as a combination of causes, so there isn’t really one thing you can say causes them.”

He said that even with the best of planning, accidents will still happen, “but sometimes with a bit of preparation, the outcomes don’t have to be as serious”.

The charity is starting their Respect The Water campaign in the coming weeks, which David said is “aimed at reducing drowning and incidents

at sea, beside the coast or on our waterways”.

He added: “A big part of what RNLI does is prevention through education, and it’s had a huge impact.”

T h e R N L I wo r k s alongside their colleagues in Irish Water Safety that run swimming rescue training, while the Irish Coast Guard service provides shore teams, coast radio stations and helicopters.

David said: “We’re trying to get a consistent message out there, to try and raise awareness that when you’re going out on boats, or whether you’re going down to the beach, that basic precautions need to be taken.

“So, when we do go out on a rescue, hopefully we’re dealing with something that’s a happy ending rather than a tragic one.”

David and K ieran

said that the idea behind Respect The Water is finding different ways of getting people to “think about what they’re doing and the risks involved”.

One of these ways is their Tonne Of Water stunt, which will see the RNLI place a large, transparent Perspex box filled with a tonne of water on Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier in the next few weeks.

Power The box of water is to show how heavy a tonne of water actually is, to demonstrate the power and strength of the water.

David said that a common type of incident that occurs is people walking on the beach at Sandymount where the tide can come in really fast.

“What happens is, people see that the tide is out, and it’s a lovely walk – who could blame them?

“You walk out, and the next thing you know, the tide comes in around you – we had three of these incidents at the start of the year.

“People think that they have plenty of time before the tide comes in and next thing you know, you’re a mile out to sea, standing on a sandbank, hoping that somebody sees you,” he said.

He said that the people they rescued on these occasions were lucky that they had phone coverage, so that they were able to call the emergency services.

“They were rescued by a lifeboat, having just gone for a walk on the beach, so it’s not just about people who get into difficulty swimming or on boats – it can be anything. “ We ’r e a n i s l a n d nation, so we’re never too far away from the sea,” he said.

Gazette

18 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT A new scent from Tom Ford

Bobbi Brown’s latest hybrid lippy goes ‘modern’ Bobbi Brown’s latest offering to its lipstick range is the Nourishing Lip Color Oil-Infused Shine.

With a hand-selected blend of five soothing natural oils and Vitamins C and E, this formula leaves lips with a silky feel and shining finish. The hybrid lip colour aims to leaves lips feeling hydrated by creating a hydrating barrier that helps seal in moisture.

The “modern” lipstick formula helps to nourish chapped lips and comes in deeply pigmented shades, ranging from a beige gold to a black plum.

Available now from Bobbi Brown counters, the lipstick costs €27.

The newest scent from Tom Ford will hit the shops at the start of August.

Orchid Soleil Eau de Parfum is described as “a radiant and sensual force of nature, that captures the seductive warmth and reflective bare skin of the Tom Ford woman”.

It has floral top notes of bigarade and pink peppercorn with fresh cypress and base notes of vanilla, chestnut cream and patchouli.

30mls of the fragrance costs €70 and the 100ml bottle will retail for €138.

Dresses.ie red off-the-shoulder playsuit€37 and red and black chiffon Bardot dress €29

Get ‘festival fresh’ with Dresses.ie  emmanolan

Irish online clothing store, Dresses.ie has dropped a ‘festival fresh’ fashion story as part of its evolving SS16 collection.

The range is affordable for the tightest of budgets and bold colours,

Top details TBA

tropical florals, graphic prints and simple silhouettes are on the menu.

The current collection starts at just €35 and will continue to evolve as new trends hit Dresses.ie every week. Shoppers will also enjoy nextday, free-of-charge delivery on all ROI orders.

Dresses.ie is a fast-fashion brand and the current SS16 season has seen the brand move away from its niche as a specialist dress-only retailer, to embrace a wider wardrobe of high street looks.

Visit dresses.ie to view the full collection.

Slinky maxi style rose gold dress €35 and beige dip-die long faux fur gilet €49

2 June 2016 Gazette 19

€4 Penneys feather clips

New Look blue bile patchwork print frill hem playsuit €22.99

New Look light blue denim high waist pinstripe shorts€22.99

New Look light blue denim high waist pinstripe shorts €22.99

Regatta Great Outdoors - Old Gold Bayeur Jacket €75

Penneys Eyelet Backpack €14

Play in a playsuit  emma nolan

FESTIVAL season is well and truly upon us. No matter how much you prepare, sometimes it can feel like you have absolutely nothing to wear while you’re sitting in the tent, rummaging through your rucksack.

The key for festival dressing (from a seasoned festival goer who has been in this position many times) is to plan each outfit on a daily basis.

I have a love/hate relationship with playsuits and jumpsuits at festivals; on one hand they provide an

all in one, secure, ready to go outfit, but on the other hand, they’re not so fun to grapple with in a portaloo, whist trying not to touch off any surface.

So, they are dependent on the festival – rainy Irish festivals aren’t the most jumpsuit-friendly places when you’re juggling hoodies and raincoats the whole time, but they’re perfect for warm summer festivals abroad like Primavera, Melt and Dimensions.

Here are a few festival outfit ideas to help with planning what goes in the rucksack this summer, helping you to look and feel good.

MANGO printed jumpsuit €22.95

Gazette

STYLE

Gazette

20 Gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

FOOD&DRINK

BITESIZEDNEWS

Follow these tips to have plenty of flaming great barbecues over the coming months

Serve some barbecue bliss with these top tips EVERYONE knows how to cook burgers and sausages on the barbecue – often charred to within an inch of their lives! With just a bit of know-how and the right equipment, you can expand your barbecue repertoire to be the host with the most over any holiday season.

Here are some great top tips to be the best at the barbecue, all courtesy of chef Dan Cooper (right), from The Weber Grill Academy at The Orchard, Celbridge ...

Lid-on cooking: Don’t forget the importance of the lid – it has a key cooking function. It controls the flow of oxygen to the coals or fuel, minimising flare-ups and avoiding food that is black on the outside and raw in the middle.

Heat is also contained inside your barbecue so circulates around the cookbox, which allows food to cook evenly. This creates a convection oven effect within your grill – perfect for roasting and baking.

Knowing different cooking methods: A little bit of knowledge can go a long way. By understanding the difference between direct and indirect cooking, you can pretty much cook any recipe on the barbecue. Roast chicken, salmon fillets or even chocolate cake – the possibilities are endless.

Direct cooking: Direct cooking – also known as grilling – occurs when the fuel source is directly underneath food. This technique can be used on a charcoal or gas barbecue for foods that take less than 20 minutes to cook. It’s perfect for barbeque staples including burgers, sausages, chicken breasts or steaks.

Indirect cooking: Set up your barbecue so that the fuel source isn’t directly under the food, and create the perfect barbecue roast.

This is perfect for whole chickens, joints of beef, lamb and pork. You can even get creative and bake a delicious cake for extra brownie points.

Smoking: Master this year’s hottest food trend by using smoking wood chips or chunks. Weber’s Wood Chunks and Chips are available in a range of flavours, from sweet and mild fruit woods to hickory and whiskey. They provide a simple way to add that extra dimension to your barbecue. It’s so easy, too!

For charcoal barbecues, just add a handful of soaked wood chips directly to the coals. This will create a delectably subtle flavour leaving your guests begging for seconds!

Meals provided plenty of value for money, with very ample portions rewarding hungry diners. Thankfully, the generous portions also served up plenty of taste, too, with Picky and partner appreciating McGettigans’ take on modern dining options

The Picky Eater  mimi murray

THERE has been a serious abundance of restaurant openings in Dublin, of late.

I can’t turn a corner in my own neighbourhood of Dublin 8 without walking straight into a new eating establishment. Don’t get me wrong – it’s great.

As long as they aren’t flash-in-the-pan venues (pardon the pun) and service, quality and tastes are all present.

Outside of the city, a few new places have popped up, too. Kingswood, beside Citywest, isn’t a place that has had a trendy, neighbourhood restaurant before, but McGettigans Cookhouse, located in the Kingswood Hotel, has opened up and filled that gap.

My other half and I dined there recently, on one of those hazy, sunny days we’ve been having.

I know the sun and an indigo blue sky gives everything that “We could be in the south of Spain” vibe, but McGettigan’s Cookhouse, located in a stone building beside the hotel, looked really inviting in the early evening rays.

Inside it was dark and cool and it’s obvious they have put a lot of thought into the interiors, with sleek subway tiles on the walls and low-hanging mood lights above several of the booths and free-standing tables.

The menu is what I would call “safe”, with some adventurous choices thrown in there. This means it’s going to be a winner with most diners.

There is a choice of six starters.

My tiger prawn tempura (€9.95) was a light dish, just the right amount of melt in the mouth batter, with juicy, succulent prawns.

However, it was the

spicy soy dipping sauce, made from chillies that are fried just to the point of almost being burnt and then smashed and blended with soy sauce, that almost blew the taste buds out of my mouth. We even asked for seconds, later in the meal! A must-try.

My partner, after much deliberation, went for the Cookhouse seafood chowder. He hummed and hawed as it isn’t a typical seafood chowder but more of a bouillabaisse; tomato based with lots – and I mean lots – of fish and plenty of good, strong flavours.

This was almost a meal in itself, served with some crusty sourdough, and great value at €8.50.

I was very much tempted by the duck cassoulet for my main course, but I’m trying to eat a little lighter at night, and so I went for the roast chicken au jus (€17). It was Sunday after all!

This was a perfectly cooked roast with nice, crunchy root vegetables.

Again, their portions are very generous, and I couldn’t finish mine.

My husband’s rib eye steak (€23.95) served with garlic butter and skinny fries was a fine hunk of meat that was cooked to his preference (medium-rare). It was nicely seared and charred and had a decent amount of flavour.

Dessert was one vanilla bean cheesecake (€6) with two spoons and my mouthful was scrummy, although the other half cannot get past his mum’s version.

It’s a tough one to beat,

but this one made a fine attempt.

A glass of pinot grigio for me and a shiraz for him complemented both meals. A nod must be given to the very friendly service.

Our waiter spent the time to explain dishes and kept a watchful eye on us throughout.

This place is a great addition to a neighbourhood that must have been crying out for a go-to place, and I can see it being a regular spot for large groups too. There is ample space for parties and with a large bar and outdoor seating, it’s sure to be a busy spot all summer.

Conclusion TUCKED away in Kingswood, McGettigans Cookhouse (tel 01 461 9900) is a gastropub that’s well worth dropping in to. From its throughtfully designed interior to fare that even challenged Picky’s mother-in-law’s home cooking for sheer deliciousness, McGettigans was an unexpected treat.

2 June 2016 Gazette 21

22 blanch gazette 2 June 2016

Gazette

MOTORING OUT&ABOUT Toyota, Hyundai and VW at full throttle for sales

· 70% of new cars are diesel · insurance up 32% · 2.8% drop in cost of new cars

 dave phillips

It is impossible not to notice the increase of new cars on the road this year with over 93,000 vehicles newly registered in the first few months of the year and

some 35,000 of those on the streets of Dublin.

As we head towards the midpoint of 2016 the motor industry looks set to remain steady in its growth.

A report from the Society of the Irish Motor

Industr y last month showed that there has been a 2.8% drop in the cost of new cars compared to last year, as well as significant drops in fuel, with petrol and diesel down 11% and 17% respectively.

But declining costs aren’t the only factors driving the increase in sales. Personal Contract Plan finance deals and manufacturer incentives on road tax and warranties are becoming increasingly prevalent, and acting as a stimulus for potential new buy-

ers.

From those who have made the purchase so far this year, there is little change in terms of who Irish drivers are choosing to shop with. Toyota, Hyundai and Volkswagen are virtually neck and neck in terms of sales since January, with around 10,000 new passenger cars registered for each brand in the opening months of 2016.

Quarterly SIMI figures place Toyota on top overall with its sales figures spread across several popular mod-

els including the Auris, Yaris, and Corolla.

But the largest market share for a single model belongs to Hyundai with the beefy Tucson counting for half of the Korean manufacturer’s new sales this year.

The appetite for compact SUVs is evident with the Nissan’s everpopular Qashqai also appearing in the top sellers alongside the Tucson.

But traditional hatchback favourites like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia

are also some of the best sellers.

While we might be choosing the same brands and models, the fuel that we are using is changing.

The vast majority of new buyers have chosen to follow fuel price and emission trends and move away from petrol.

More than 70% of the cars registered this year have diesel engines.

While declining fuel prices and other incentives are attractive, every driver will also know that some costs continue

to increase.

In comparison to this time last year, motor insurance costs have rocketed up 32%.

SIMI estimates that new car sales in the first three months alone have brought in over €700m in Government revenue; and predicts that the sales, which have dropped since the January peak, will now remain steady until next year. It remains to be seen whether the current 162 registration deals will create another peak in the figures.

The Hyundai Tucson (top), Nissan Qashqai (middle) and Ford Focus (bottom) are proving extremely popular with Irish motorists

2 June 2016 blanch gazette 23

Gazette

TRAVEL

perfect packages: the gazette presents a fantastic selection of presents and Ideas

Father’s Day gifts that your dad will really want With Father ’s Day approaching fast, now is the time to start thinking about the perfect gift for your auld fella.

To celebrate the annual holiday which arrives in two weeks (June 19), many hotels and resorts across Ireland have come up with official Father’s Day packages that would suit any dads taste and personality.

Trinity City Hotel has teamed up with the Irish Whiskey Museum to offer guests a true taste of Ireland in the heart of the capital.

T his Father ’s Day package includes overnight accommodation, dinner for two with breakfast for two the following morning and a complimentary premium tour of the Irish Whiskey Museum with whiskey tasting. Prices start from €245 based on two people sharing.

For more information on Trinity City Hotel contact 01-648 1000 or visit www.trinitycityhotel.com If your dad is an adrenaline junkie or a downtime dude give him the perfect present with an overnight stay at the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa, Cork.

Overlooking two magnificent stretches of Blue Flag beach just outside the pretty heritage town of Clonakilty, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa is a warm, polished and welcoming seaside hotel.

Understanding that every dad wants something different from his break away, Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa have put together two different but equally fan-

tastic packages to suit the main man in your life: The Adrenaline Junkie package (€210pps) for the daring dad who likes a bit of action and activity and The Downtime Dude package (€235pps) for the dad who would prefer to put his feet up, relax and unwind.

To b o o k c o n t a c t : +353 23 883 3143 or visit www.inchydoneyisland. com Gather the gang and

Treat dad to a unique whiskey experience telling the history and tales of the rise and fall of Irish Whiskey

play like the pros this Father’s Day with a Golf Break at Lough Erne Resort, Fermanagh.

Enjoy a relaxing bonding weekend, staying in one of Lough Erne Resort’s private lodges.

Spend the day playing like the pros on the championship Faldo course, returning to the

Learning to fish in the stunning surrounds of Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

lodges, a home away from home where you can cook up a storm or take a stroll to the Loughside Bar and Grill and enjoy delicious dishes with a spectacular view.

Experience a relaxed weekend in a luxurious lodge with the whole gang, the highlight of your stay – a round of golf on the Championship Faldo course, prices start from €294 per person sharing, the perfect treat for dad to say thank you this Father’s Day. For more information on Lough Erne Resort contact: +44 28 6632 3230 or visit www.lougherneresort.com.

Spend the all-important day exploring the great outdoors with your dad at Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, Galway.

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is a Victorian country house and estate full of authentic character, luxury, history and style.

Spend time on the river at Ballynahinch, learning to fish in the heart of Connemara, try your hand at clay pigeon

shooting, take a boat trip to see grey seals or simply meander through the woods or along the river bank exploring the 10 miles of nature walks, there is something for all the family at Ballynahinch this Father’s Day. Packages start from €710 for two nights bed and breakfast in a superior room for two adults and two children (3-12 years) or from €490 for a two-night stay with bed and breakfast for one adult and one child (3 – 12 years).

For more information on Ballynahinch Castle Hotel contact: +353 (0)95 31006 or visit www.ballynahinch-castle.com.

The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, are offering its guests who come for Father’s Day their Old Fashioned Spa Package.

The package is the newest addition to the menu of treatments available for men and is available just in time for Father’s Day. This package includes a pine and eucalyptus enriched moor mud back treatment, which will prepare

the back for the best possible results from the tension relief back massage that follows as the heat and essential oils work to loosen the muscles.

World-class The deluxe spa at The Shelbourne Hotel has a complete menu of world-class experiences for both men and women including facials, purifying body wraps, intense body scrubs and intricate hand and foot care, the experienced spa therapists take care of ladies and gentlemen with dedication to create an effective and rewarding spa experience.

This combination is a fantastically relaxing way to melt away tension and unknot tight muscles, perfect after a long day in the office or even a hard day on the golf course.

The Gentleman’s Old Fashioned package is available for €179 per person.

For further information on The Shelbourne Hotel call 01 6634500 or visit www.shelbournespa.ie.

Gazette

24 blanch gazette 2 June 2016

OUT&ABOUT

From the depths of a long-lost pirate city to sun-kissed desert islands, Uncharted 4’s world is packed full of detail. Sreengrabs: Shane Dillon

uncharted 4: the last in a popular series goes out with a bang

The prettiest game yet  shane dillon

A slightly underwhelming in-game camera lets the player pause the game and play around with shots – and with many stunning locales, there’s lots to shoot throughout

LET me get this out of the way straight away – Uncharted 4 (Cert 16, PS4) is the best-looking game I have ever seen, anywhere. That’s quite a claim – but then, it’s quite a game.

There’s a long list of ways in which U4 sets the benchmark for stunning graphics, but these still screenshots of fully detailed open areas certainly speak for themselves.

Whether in still shots or in motion, U4 looks absolutely gorgeous throughout, with terrific modelling, details and textures everywhere, as well as all kinds of technical bells and whistles that more than deliver – and how!

Not only that, but it also marks

the apex of developer Naughty Dog’s skills in just about every area, including storytelling, acting and character development.

Neatly closing off the Uncharted series, protaganist Nathan Drake (a cross between Lara Croft and Indiana Jones – that is, a cross between an explorer, adventurer, archaeologist – and an occasional murderer and killer) is stirred from his slightlydull, settled-down life.

Now married to long-time foil, reporter Elena, Nate is drawn into one last job, and is soon on the search for a pirate colony, where a potentially huge treasure haul awaits. Of course, Nate (and some familiar old pals of his) aren’t the only ones looking for long-lost Libertalia ...

Whether you’re new to the series, or are a long-time Uncharted fan, U4 presents plenty of bang for your buck, as Nate and pals run, gun, swing and climb their way through many beautifully-created environments around the world.

With its mix of stealth, several highoctane action sequences, occasional head-scratching puzzles and lots of exploring, all with plenty of naturalistic conversation, curses and quips thrown in, U4 is a must-buy.

The recently released game is certain to not only feature in many Best of 2016 awards, but also creates a true benchmark in gaming. So, if this really is Nathan Drake’s final adventure, he’s finished up with one hell of a highlight to go out on ...

meet some prominent people from ‘the uncanny valley’  shane dillon

NOT unlike wild-eyed explorers with tales of a mythical lost land, there’s a mysterious ‘place’ that gamers and cinemagoers alike are very familiar with, and know like the back of their hand – The Uncanny Valley.

While you and I will never visit there, we often see its citizens stumbling around in games and in films alike – they’re com-

puter-animated characters who look uncannily real, and yet there’s just ... something about them that the eye instinctively recognises as fake.

However, although Uncharted 4’s protaganists have not quite been able to leave this fabled land, they’ve certainly climbed to its peaks of near-realism.

Despite slightly ‘off’ lip syncing, they represent the bleeding edge of character design, with some brilliant design and animation that veer the closest yet to realism in games.

(Far left) Nathan Drake; Elena Fisher and Victor Sullivan

2 June 2016 blanch gazette 25

Gazettegallery

| celebrating 30 years in the fitness business

Thomas and Bernie Henry

Fitness gurus Karl and Pat Henry with broadcaster Claire Byrne. Pictures: Brian McEvoy

This birthday bash shaped up nicely

Christian Firth and Alexsandra Vicentijevic

Carol Harols and Jim Rock

P

at and Karl Henry hosted the 30th anniversary party of The Henry Fitness Centre at Residence, by Stephen’s Green, with over 150 members and friends.

Established in 1986, Pat Henry has built up a

Suzanne McGann, Paul Murray and Stephen Murray

business and clientele that continues to thrive and grow. Over the past 30 years, the city centre gym has seen some of the world’s biggest celebrities train there, with many well-known faces in attendance at the party.

Alex Farrell

Fiona Durcan and Martin

Pat Whyte and John

Durcan

McDonagh

John Nagle and Tom

Tom Collins and Andrea

McNamara

Byrne

26 blanch Gazette 2 June 2016

blanchCLASSIFIEDS landscaping

courses

DUBLIN: Thurs & Friday 13‑14 OCTOBER 2016

Green Team

TREES & GARDEN SERVICES

FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN NEEDS

Learn how to take blood

9Over Grown Garden 9NRE Shed Supplied & Erect

TRAIN AS A

9Specialty Brickwork 9Gutters Cleaned & Sealed

PHLEBOTOMIST TWO DAY COURSE awarding a

CERTIFICATE IN PHLEBOTOMY ACCREDITED WITH OPEN COLLEGE NETWORK HEALTHCARE CAREER PATH

9Tress Felled and Pruned 9Hedges Trimmed

9Old Sheds Removed 9Block Paving 9LmjÚf_

9Driveways & Walls Painting 9Garage & House Clearance

15 YEARS EXPERIENCE/30% DISCOUNT For a free no obligation quote call:

T: 01-8678791 M: 085 1474725 W: www.greeteamtrees.com

paving

ACTIVE PAVING

SMALL CLASSES ‑ LIMITED PLACES For more info or to book online: To book online or for more information:

www.

geopace.com

NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OR QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED Hospitals - GP Surgeries - Clinics - Private Sector - Community

dvds

DVD TRANSFERS

BOSS PAVING & LANDSCAPING

Video & Camera Tapes

• DRIVEWAYS • PATIOS • FENCING • ASPHALT • DECORATIVE WALLING • IMPRINT • GRAVEL

CineFilms Photos & Slides converted to DVD Music & Titles added

FOLLOW US TODAY ON OUR SOCIAL NETWORK

Quality Paving at affordable prices, just a phone call away. Highly recommended by Clients.

Testimonials available.

Contact: John Maloney 087 3591000 / 01 6972087 Email: bosshomeimprovements@gmail.com Web: www.bosspaving.ie Dundrum Bus Park: Ph. 01 6971896 Pearse St, D2

RECRUITMENT

Why advertise with the Gazette?

LEGAL & PLANNING APPLICATION

ANNOUNCEMENT

Let our advertisers tell you why:

We can now officially accept planning & legal notices from all four County Councils in greater Dublin region

“

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Cork have used the Dublin Gazette Newspapers for the last few years to advertise various aspects of our holiday village including special offers. We have always had an excellent reader response from the advertisements run and have found the area’s covered by all 8 papers of great value to Trabolgan. The help and guidance we have received from the staff has made it easier for us to communicate our message efficiently and cost effectively ensuring we get the maximum from our budget. We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to any business.

· Standard rate from €75 + VAT · Payment in advance

Ph.01 601 0240 roofing

“

B e c a u s e L o c a l M at t e r s

Got a photo?

Call our news team on 60 10 240 and SELECT OPTION 2 or email news@dublingazette.com



Unit E2 Nutgrove Office Park

0''*$&

Boombridge Business Park Dublin 7

NOTICES PLANNING NOTICE Fingal County Council I, Daniel Duffy, intend to apply for planning permission for development on this site: 41 Bellgree Rise, Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15. The development will consist of the construction of a single storey extension (18.95m.sq.) to side of dwelling and associated site works. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and a submission or observation may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (20Euros) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of this application.

27097

2 June 2016 blanch Gazette 27

blanchCLASSIFIEDS services/HOME IMPROVEMENT

NEED A GOOD

BUILDER? New Builds Renovations Extensions General Building

services/repairs

TEL:

+353 (0)1 9060800 +353 (0)87 9532581 1 Castle Crescent, Clondlakin, Dublin 22.

Phone: (01) 457 2613.

Phone/Fax: (01) 457 5790 Email: gmtv@eircom.net Repair Service for all brands of TV Supply & fit free to air satellite

www.fitzheavey.com Unit 8 Willow Business Park, Knockmitten Lane, Dublin 12

Repairs to Laptops / PCs Screen Replacements to Laptops, Ipads, iPhones etc SERVICE CENTRE

windows

Why advertise with the Gazette?

“

Let our advertisers tell you why:

C&S Windows Ltd have been advertising with the Dublin Gazette Newspapers for a number of years to communicate with our customers on any special offers we have available at different times of the year. We find the service we receive is excellent and they always give us good value for money.

Our salesperson is very efficient and always makes sure our advert is correct.

The Lucan, Clondalkin, Castleknock and Blanchardstown editions are really working well for us, reaching all the areas we need to cover locally.

We would have no hesitation in recommending the Gazette to other companies to promote their company.

“

SONY•PHILIPS•SAMSUNG•PANASONIC•LG•WALKER

B e c a u s e L o c a l M at t e r s

Gazette

28 blanch gazette 2 June 2016

SPORT Byrne to debut on Hatton bill

FastSport

boxing: st margaret’s puncher answers call for stadium battle

McCarthy leads the way at poc fada:

NAOMH Jude’s Faye McCarthy won adult camogie’s annual Poc Fada in Beann Eadair last Friday evening with an impressive round of 21 pucks.

She was just one point in front of Stephanie Carthy – who took the runners up spot as a result of playoff – Beth Whyte and Beinhinn O’Neill in a very competitive field.

The event was exciting and compelling competition was played on a challenging mountainous course organised by Beann Eadair with the result in the balance right to the last puck of the competition on the Howth peninsula.

In the Under-16 Poc Fada, after an enjoyable, sporting and hard fought battle, Megan Thomas (Erin’s Isle) emerged as winner.

In second place was Siun Keating (Good Counsel) just one stroke behind.

 derek mckenna sport@dublingazette.com

LOUGHLINSTOWN man Jay Byrne will make his pro boxing debut on the Ricky Hatton and FS Promotions “The Future” Fight Night at the National Boxing stadium on June 25.

Byrne, a former Irish novice champion will punch for pay as a pro

for the first time on a bill that includes a host of up and coming Irish boxing talent.

The St Margaret’s Boxing Club coach decided to make to move to the full professional ranks after taking on a couple of semi-pro fights recently and is looking to impress and surprise a few people with his talent.

Turning professional was not something that was on the agenda for Byrne but when the opportunity arose to fight on a Ricky Hatton promoted card, with future dates planned after June, the chance was too good to resist.

“It’s a great card to debut on,” he told Gazette Sport.

“When I heard there was big things like this happening it gave me that final push to turn over.

“The chance to be a part of this was too good to turn down.

“I was sparring with former Irish champion Anthony Fitzgerald earlier in the year and when I showed the lads the videos they were saying

Jay Byrne with Ricky Hatton

I was holding my own with a seasoned and tough pro.”

While Byrne is content to take things one fight at a time, his coaches already have a plan should he impress under the lights at the National Stadium.

“If I had one fight and won it, it will be more than anyone thought I wo u l d d o . E d d i e [Hyland, Byrne’s coach] has mentioned a title path, but I don’t like to do that.

“I will focus on this first fight. I would be confident I can win my first few fights and then going into next year we will see. If there is a title shot there I will take it, but I am just thinking about June 25 now.

“I am still learning a lot. I am constantly learning with Eddie and people haven’t seen what I can do.

“I never had a coach before. I trained myself, s t ay e d f i t a n d j u s t sparred helping people

get ready for their fights.

“So it will be all new and I am really looking forward to putting what I have learnt into practice.

“I would like to take the chance to thank my sponsors Matt Britton Flooring, High Tech Spec, MC MOTORS, Ramblers Rest and GK Autopoint. They have been a great help.”

T i c ke t s f o r ‘ T h e Future’ Fight Night on June 25 are still available on www.tickets.ie.

NAC Masters fill up the history books at London gala  sport@dublingazette.com

NAC Masters members Jackie O’Connor, Helena McGrath, Dan Golden and Neil Curran

NAC Masters swim team claimed three medals and brokw several national records at the 2016 LEN European Masters Swimming Championships in the London Aquatic Centre in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The team consisted of Cian Connaughton, Neil Curran, Daniel Debtuch, Dan Golden, Michael Krivoruchko, Helena McGrath, Barry Murphy, Alan McCormack, Jackie O’Connor, Fergus O’Dwyer and Dara

Vaughan.

Club coach Declan Harte was due to compete but could not travel due to injury.

Golden was among the stars.

He won a silver medal in both the 50m freestyle, in a time of 28.99 seconds, and 50m butterfly, in 31.37 seconds, and a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly, in 1.14.36. He broke several national Irish masters records with these swims.

Jackie O’Connor, chairperson of NAC Masters said: “The club was delighted to send a team of 11 to compete against Europe’s

top masters’ swimmers.

“This is the largest team we’ve ever sent and shows the great shape the club is in. I know all the team have been training hard in recent months and they were thrilled to represent Ireland. There were some great swims over the five competition days including Dan’s fantastic medal wins.

“I’d encourage anyone with an interest in training and competing to come down to one of our sessions in the National Aquatic Centre or Westwood Clontarf.

“In the pool we currently

have 11 Irish record holders: Dan Golden, Joanne Figala, Jack Meade, Julie Galloway, Helena McGrath, Liz McCarthy, Sandra O’Leary, Tom Healy, Richard Harding and Helen O’Leary and we also have 28 Irish relay records across the age groups.

“We’re all really looking forward to more fun and success in 2016.”

NAC Masters is one of the country’s largest and most successful masters swimming clubs.

Founded in 1988, the club has grown steadily in membership numbers and reputation.

2 June 2016 blanch gazette 29

Gazette

CBS’s silver service in top school award Lucan’s Colaiste Phadraig add school of the year honour to go with wealth of trophies won across soccer, basketball and hurling in an incredible show of strength and diversity COLAISTE Phadraig CBS Lucan were honoured with the prestigious Sports School of the Year Award at an end of year celebration held at the Aviva Stadium following a stellar year.

The event is staged annually to celebrate the remarkable achievements of young sports stars in schools all

across the country.

Twenty-four winners of the Sports Star of the Week award were invited to the ceremony along with parents, coaches and family to recognise and celebrate the brilliant sporting achievements of their young people in schools throughout the year.

Lucan CBS were represented by Kris Arcilla

The Under-17 Leinster Junior Cup winning side

who won a Sports Star of the Weeks Award in March in recognition of his starring role in the Basketball Under-16 National Cup final.

Arcilla has since gone on to claim the prestigious Under-16 basketballer of the year award from Basketball Ireland so we are very proud of his remarkable achievements.

Colaiste Phadraig CBS Lucan were announced as the Sports School of the Year in recognition of their excellent achievements throughout the year.

This year, the school won the Eastern League A title in basketball as well as the National Cup A title for the first time in their history.

This group of players

have now amassed four major titles in three years in basketball.

In soccer, the school claimed the Under-17 Leinster Junior Cup while the team narrowly lost in the All-Ireland final.

The first year soccer team won the Dublin West Shield as well as the Dublin League Division 1 title.

They also reached the Champions League final last week and were within three seconds of winning it when their opponents equalised with the last kick of the game before winning with a last minute gaol in extra time.

The Under-15 soccer team reached the Leinster Minor Cup semifinals and only lost out to a last minute goal to

the eventual All-Ireland winners Kieran’s Kilkenny.

Since 2012, they have been in 15 major soccer finals, six more than any other school in Leinster, winning 10 of them so this truly is a golden era for the school in soccer.

In hurling, the Under14 team swept to success in the Dublin Colleges Juvenile B final with a 100% winning record.

Six members of the team were also members of the successful Dublin South Colleges team that won this year ’s Leinster Juvenile A hurling league so the future is bright for this team.

In football, the senior team reached the Dublin Final and performed exceptionally well throughout the campaign.

Representatives from Lucan CBS’s successful teams show off their silverware, left; the Under-16 basketball, right, celebrate their win

FastSport

Seventeen graduate from new Fingal progaramme SEVENTEEN participants graduated this week from the Fingal Football and Fitness Course, a joint project run by Fingal County Council, Blanchardstown Area Partnership and the Football Association of Ireland under the Project FUTSAL programme.

A football-centred education initiative that has been running in Corduff Sports Centre for the past three years.

The course delivers training in a number of football and general sports skills and also provides participants with an ITEC Professional Gym Instructor qualification as well as a range of FAI certified football coaching licences.

The programme involved participants working in the community to deliver a wide range of sports projects designed to meet various community needs.

These included Late Night Soccer, Disability Groups, After-School Drop-ins, Girls Only, Futsal, Youths Services and Schools. It provided over 4,500 additional coaching hours to the wider community and resulted in the participation of approximately 30,000 children and adults.

The mayor of Fingal, Cllr David O’Connor, said his council “recognises the huge value of sport in the community. It not only helps break down barriers, it also helps develop character in young people because it teaches them a whole range of skills, creates positive pastimes and provides role models.

“Our course participants have been role models for a huge amount of children and adults during the work experience section of the course and earned some very positive feedback from the many schools and organisations they worked in.”

Felix Gallaher of Blanchardstown Area Partnership added: “It is great for Blanchardstown Area Partnership to work with Fingal County Council and the FAI and everything ran very smoothly because a lot of the different work that we have done over the years has come into play in this project.”

The graduates received their certificates from the mayor David O’Connor and the chief executive of Fingal, Paul Reid.

Gazette

30 BLANCH gazette 2 June 2016

SPORT

FastSport

soccer: doyle leads the way as 10-man dublin 15 side win cup

Inspiration in Dunboyne in aid of Pink Tie charity OVER 150 cyclists participated in Cycle4Inspiration which was hosted by the Inspiration Cycling Club in Dunboyne to raise funds for Dunboyne Social Services and Aoibheann’s Pink tie (National Children’s Cancer Charity).

Cyclists from four years of age up to 70 cycled between three kilometres and 10km in a family cycle around the village while there was also a 70Km cycle routed through Kilbride, Ratoath, Skryne, Tara, Dunsany, Kilmessan, Moynalvy and back into Dunboyne.

The 70km Cycle was lead out by the Austrian Team Tirol where Clemens Fankhauser – the eventual Ras winner – wore the Inspiration Cycling Club jersey.

The Tirol Team have close ties to the Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Charity via Sir Quacksters, the Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Duck given to children with cancer is the Team mascot which they bring to international races.

All participants had a fantastic day and enjoyed the food and the craic afterwards and plans are already in place to make next year’s cycle even bigger and better.

Inspiration Cycling Club was set up in 2009 by local Gardai and members of the community and now has over 70 members from age 10 and up.

The club cycles every Saturday and Sunday and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the summer months. New members are always welcome and if you would like further information, please email inspiration@gmail.com or find the club on Facebook.

Reilly ends time with Mochta’s JOHN Reilly finished up his time with St Mochta’s on a high as he scored in his last game for the club, a 3-3 draw with Greystones United.

He played his schoolboy football with the club before going on a soccer

scholarship at the University of Memphis.

He returned to Dublin in 2005 and, after a spell in the League of Ireland and in Canada, came back to the club in 2013. He was part of the side that qualified for the 2014 FAI Cup and played in the club’s promotion to the top tier of intermediate football along with league and cup wins.

The Corduff side that won the LSL Arthur Lynch Cup final

Duff’s LSL double delight

arthur lynch final Corduff Fingal Ravens  derek mckenna

1 0

sport@dublingazette.com

CORDUFF completed a memorable league and cup double last week with two victories over Valeview Shankill ensuring two pieces of silverware for the Dublin 15 side.

Just a week after a 3-2 league victory over second placed Shankill with a double from Cathal Doyle and one from Paul McCullagh saw them claim the LSL Division 3 league title, Corduff added the

Lynch Cup to their trophy cabinet with another victory over their fiercest rivals this season at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown.

Last Thursday’s cup victory was Corduff’s third over Shankill this term and saw them finish out the 2015/16 season with an amazing unbeaten record.

Corduff looked to have gotten the perfect start in the final when they had the ball in the net after just 15 seconds through Glen Morgan but the referee’s assistant waved the flag for a disputed offside.

Fifteen minutes in,

promotion assured Castleknock beat Dalkey to seal second in U-11C1 castleknock Celtic saw off Dalkey

United in midweek to secure promotion from the DDSL Under-11 Division C1.

The result saw them finish second in their table and they will move up a tier along with Collinstown thanks to a run of 11 wins from their 14 outings this season.

Elsewhere, Castleknock’s Under-12A1 side ended their campaign with a 5-5 draw against Finglas Celtic to see them finished their DDSL campaign in fourth place.

Corduff came close to opening the scoring again when Cathal Doyle smashed his effort off the crossbar.

Late in the half, Valeview began to up the pressure and came close on a couple of occasions but could not convert.

Just a couple of minutes into the second half, Corduff’s chances of claiming the double looked to have suffered a serious setback when Mark Donoghue, who had only come on as a substitute just before the break, was sent off for an early shower.

Valeview upped the gears looking to take

advantage and had a purple patch until Corduff reorganised and began to settle.

With 15 minutes left to play Corduff scored what proved to be the decisive goal. Morgan broke up the right and put in a perfect floated cross that Doyle rose highest to meet and nod into the net.

Soon after, Valeview had a man sent off but they were still creative and created one or two nervy moments for Corduff but the league champions held firm and threatened on a couple of occasions themselves before the

referee blew up and the cup was headed the shot distance across the road to Corduff Park.

Speaking to GazetteSport, Corduff manager Carl Nolan was full of praise for his double winning side.

“Hard work, fight and team spirit has got us through this season and helped us claim the double.

“We were behind in a few games this term but the lads showed great fight and spirit to come from behind and win games.

“I’m very proud of this team. They have showed great character all year.”

2 June 2016 BLANCH gazette 31

Gazette

Three from three Castleknock riding high in Junior A championship

Club Noticeboard st brigid’s

castleknock made it three wins from

three in the Dublin ladies football junior A championship group 1 with a 4-11 to 2-10 win over St Maur’s last week in Somerton.

The result added to a 14-point win over Garda/Westmanstown in their opening game before they edged out O’Toole’s by a point. They top the group ahead of their final game on June 29 against Croi Ro Naofa. Picture: Martin Doherty

WELL done to our senior ladies foot-

en-year-olds in the Castleknock and

ballers on a great win against St

Blanchardstown area and new mem-

Sylvester’s in the championship last

bers and families are always welcome.

Wednesday.

For further information and queries,

Congratulations to Eoin Kennedy

The lotto jackpot carries over at

Ireland senior doubles hardball final

€15,000 for this week’s lotto draw in

in Thurles on Saturday evening.

Russell Park on Thursday, June 2.

Best of luck to our junior hurlers in their championship games this week.

The St Brigid’s GAA mini leagues 2016

gaelic games: new club in corduff, ladyswell

contact David on 085 8340169.

and Karl Browne on winning the All-

will take place from Monday, June 13

Make sure to have your tickets in the draw or you can purchase online via our website: www.stbrigidsgaa. com.

to Saturday, June 18 in Russell Park

St Brigid’s GAA club has 10 Gaeltacht

for boys and girls age six to 13 (still in

scholarships available for members.

National School). The mini leagues are

The scholarships are available to

open to all members and non-mem-

members in first to fifth year for July

bers.

24 to August 14.

The St Brigid’s nursery runs every

For further information, contact

Saturday in Russell Park from 9.30am

Stephen Moore on 087 6339238 or s_

to 11am. We welcome all four- to sev-

moore64@hotmail.com.

castleknock GREAT weekend of football with our

Could all club members and friends

5 and 11 teams all had great wins and

consider registering for the Topaz

the Division 9 team only lost out by the

cash for club promotion? Full details

narrowest of margins.

along with other fundraising opportu-

The U-16 hurlers had a good win over

nities are on the website www.castle-

Raheny and our Division 4 camogie

knock.net . Please check and see if you

champions who like our U-15 camogie

can support.

girls, finished their league unbeaten.

Tolka Valley Harps’ young charges, left, and, right, their adult side in action

Tolka Valley Harps offer new outlet

 stephen findlater sport@dublingazette.com

DUBLIN’S youngest GAA club, Tolka Valley Harps are keen to offer a new sporting outlet for Dublin 15 as they look to serve the Corduff and Ladyswell area.

Formed eight months ago, the club launched its nursery for four to sevenyear-olds, primarily based in Riversdale Community College, while they have entered an adult football team in AFL Division 11 North in their inaugural season.

So far, they have attracted up to 25 chil-

dren from the local community along with a similar number for their adult selection with plans for growth. A group of women have already started training together in ladies football with the intention of entering formal competition in due course.

For club secretar y Aaron Buckley, he says that the club is formed to give more people who may not otherwise have had the chance to play GAA an opportunity to take up the sport.

“Where we are based and with the economic background of the peo-

ple, many of the other clubs in Dublin 15 like St Peregrine’s and St Brigid’s, on the other side of the N3 are that bit too far away.

“Some would not have access to a car to get down there and so we wanted to give them a chance to play in their area.”

He is keen to add “we are not set up to clash with other sports” and will run their sessions at complementary times to the more established clubs in the area.

Since the club’s formation, coach Jason Doyle has started working in a couple of the local

schools and the club is actively seeking more volunteers to aid the administration side of things.

While the children’s side of the game was the initial focus, the adult side has offered an extra dimension.

“There were a lot of lads who might have drifted away from the game but, seeing us playing in the park locally, a couple of players each week seem to add to our ranks,” Buckley added.

If you would like to find out more about the club, search for Tolka Valley Harps CLG on Facebook.

from the local secondary schools.

adult men’s teams in action. Division 1,

The Castleknock Hurling and Foot-

The ladies footballers had a great

ball Club annual golf classic will take

championship win over Maur’s. Well

place this year on Friday, June 17 at

done to all.

Castleknock Hotel and Country Club.

Sincere thanks to Laurel Lodge

This event is a four-person stableford

parish and all who helped organise

team event, with prizes for the long-

the annual club mass which took place

est drive and nearest the pin. The cost

last Sunday in Laurel Lodge. Many

per team is €400 and to sponsor a tee

thanks to DanJoe for his great words

box is €100.

of encouragement.

The golf classic forms an essential

Sincere thanks to all who are taking

part of the annual fundraising efforts

part in the Somerton clean up. Great

at the club and allows us to field over

example of community spirit. Best

75 teams each week, ranging from

wishes to all our members and their

juvenile up to adult in Gaelic football,

families following their graduations

hurling, ladies football and camogie.

Naomh Peregrine WELL done to the AFL3 team who had

lin Pearse U-17 hurling win 3-14 to 0-11

two great wins; 1-16 to 1-9 away to St

against Kildare.

Sylvester’s and a 1-12 to 0-11 home win against Ballymun Kickhams.

The AFL8 side won by one point away from home against Ballyboughal, 1-14

Best wishes to Paul Donnelly and the U-12 boys as they make the trip to the Newry Mitchells tournament, have a great trip and enjoy the games.

to 2-12. Our AFL5 team drew 0-10 each

A bus will be running from the club-

away to Clondalkin, Round Tower. Hard

house to Nowlan Park for Saturday,

luck to the junior Bs who lost by two

June 4 for €15 return. Anyone wanting

points.

to avail of this service, please contact

The U-15 boys kicked off their championship with a massive 4-10 to 1-7 win against local rivals Castleknock; well done lads.

David on 086 046 2253 to secure your seat.

If you are not travelling to the game, why not watch the match in the club,

Hard luck to the junior Cs who were

there will also be entertainment after

beaten by Erin’s Isle. Congrats to

the game where the music will be pro-

Ryan Farnan who starred in the Dub-

vided by Mojo.

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

lynch champions: Corduff add to incredible season with yet another LSL cup success P30

june 2-8, 2016

Byrne’s hitman backing: Dubliner to make boxing debut on Hatton’s card P28

Carl Browne, left, and Eoin Kennedy, right, presented with their medals by Willie Roche, Irish Handball President

Brigid’s handball kings Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne complete triple crown as they sweep to victory over Limerick rivals in the final with Kennedy hungry for more

 karl graham

sport@dublingazette.com

ST BRIGID’S handball duo Eoin Kennedy and Carl Browne continued their fine form together to land the senior hardball doubles title on Saturday, making them the first pair to simultaneously hold the three major doubles titles.

The duo defeated Limerick by two games to nil in the final to complete the treble, which was possible after they caused an upset against favourites Cavan in their previous final.

In a closely fought first game, the Dubliners recovered from 16-10 down to take the

game with a score of 21-16. The second game travelled along a similar path and another 21-16 score line gave Dublin the win they were looking for.

Gaelic handball comes in three different forms, usually distinguished by court size and the type of ball used, and Saturday’s win sees the pair hold doubles titles in all three versions.

The latest victory came in the hardball form of the game, adding to the other two titles which were won on courts measuring 40x20 feet and 60x30 in March and October of last year respectively.

Kennedy is a veteran of the game, holding 14 senior titles as well as well as three Irish

national open singles.

2001 saw him take his success abroad as he landed a Collegiate title while representing Dublin City University in Minneapolis, USA. He spoke to the Gazette about his delight at becoming the first pairing to land the treble, particularly since they have been playing together for such a short time.

“I’m delighted. We’ve only been playing together for less than two years and we didn’t play the best but we managed to pull it together in the end.”

He also took the chance to praise his partner. “Carl trains really hard and puts a lot of effort in so it’s great for him to win this.”

Despite have a string of titles under his belt and a busy work life, 37-year-old Kennedy has no plans to hang up his gloves just yet.

“To win something like this at 37 yearsof-age is very satisfying and I’m enjoying competing in the doubles because the fitness levels aren’t as high.”

However, Kennedy had little time to bask in the victory as he will meet Limerick man CJ Fitzpatrick once more in the final of the Hardball senior singles All-Ireland final this coming Saturday.

Kennedy defeated Mayo’s Vinny Moran over three games in the semi-final to progress to the final, where he will attempt to win the title for the ninth time.